Summer Transfer Rumour Thread.

I am not surprised we are after Nathaniel Clyne. With those initials the Don must have thought we can't go wrong! Also a Palace supporting mate sent me a message today that said he is BRILLIANT (Clyne that is). That is a ringing endorsement for me.

 

For those still tearing their curlies out about Clyne not signing yet, Nixon says he expects a quick decision. Not that that means anything, I just figured it's something for the more neurotic among us to feed on for a while.

 

Ta.

 

Would be a smart signing for them or us.

 

Matt Phillips is overrated.

 

You've changed my mind with this comment, I now agree with you that he is overrated. Your opinion is respected widely due to the amount of games you go and see live, and all the scouting you do to achieve a well-polished knowledge of current football player talents.

 

Interesting tweet from Simon Peach....

"Kelvin Davis on his potential battle for the #SaintsFC No.1 spot hitting the wires later. Be sure to check it out over breakfast tomorrow."

[edit] On reflection, I've realised I misread it as him having a battle rather than Kelvin talking about it. Move along, nothing to see here.

 

That's good then .

 

tbf to bannana matt phillips does seem to be pretty overrated.

 

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/football...sign-Crystal-Palace-defender-Nathaniel-Clyne/ .......... I will believe it when it appears on the OS in the morning. Already I have seen his name mispelt by Saints fans on various sites so it must be true!

 

Another good signing with the potemtial to do well in the Premier League should it all go ahead. Is anyone else a little worried that although we have signed good young players, we are lacking in some proven Premier League quality?

I have been really impressed by what has happened over the last few years by buying quality pllayers from the leagues we were in at the time or getting players from a higher league to drop down. This policy I think has enabled our back to back promotions along with the great group work ethic that has been installed. It just seems that now we have reached the top league we have stopped looking up for potential targets and started to look at the leagues below for young players with a lot of potential.

Its a great policy if they and the squad can gel and make the jump from the Championship but I kind of feel we still need to go out and get some proven Premier League players in to help guide this young squad through as from top to bottom we don't have anyone with much experience in the Premier League.

 

Yeah, a little. Some people seem to think age and experience don't matter, but I'd definitely like to see someone come in who's done it all before - not necessarily in the Premier League, but in a top division in a top country. It's great that we're signing young talents who will surely improve over the next couple of seasons, but there's no guarantee that they'll be able to jump straight into the team. We've surely got plenty of signings still to come though.

 

I understand what you're saying and won't pretend it hasn't crossed my mind, but we're not completely bereft of Premier League experience - people forget Davis has over 100 Premier League appearances to his name. I've been very outspoken about how happy I am with the Rodriguez signing even though this fits firmly into the "enough Prem experience?" category - in fact I love a strike force of Lambert, Sharp, Lee and Rodriguez despite a combined 0 Premier League appearances. But if you offer me Rodriguez, a very talented 22 year old, or for example, Kenwyne Jones, Kevin Doyle or Shola Ameobi with Prem experience then I'll take Jay for sure.

 

I'm not so fussed about having experienced forwards. My main concern is that our defense will be put under far more pressure than it ever was last season, and let's be honest, Fonte and Fox have been known to be a little naive at times. Someone who always makes the right decision when it comes to simple things like making a clearance or anticipating a run would be great.

 

I do agree, but do you have any names?

 

Norwich and Swansea have proved Premier League experience isn't needed. But what is needed is a team togetherness, spirit and manager, something we have in a abundance, and I personally think we have a better squad now than what both have.

If Premier League experience is so important, why did a team like Blackburn get relegated last season? Some blame the manager, but is he the one playing? Blackburn lacked togetherness, spirit etc and it ultimately cost them.

We are looking at the right players. Young, hungry and have something to prove, no ego's and big wage packets.

 

The most important thing is to have a good balance of young and experienced players. I think the signings we have made so far are great. Adkins obviously wants to sign players who are young and will improve , like J rod and clyne, but I think the signing of Steve Davis is just what we need too. He doesn´t have much room for improvement but that´s because as he as it his peak and will be playing his best football. Players like J rod and Clyne however won´t be the best they´ll ever be next season as they have a lot to learn and big margins for improvement. I think if we sign one or two more experienced players , preferably with premier league experience, I think we would have a decent balance in our squad.

 

No A big tank of a centre back would be nice. Someone in the mould of Hangeland or Distin. If we were to line up against City with a back four of Fox, Fonte, Hooiveld, Clyne, I believe we'd be lucky not to concede six.

 

Say what you like about Norwich and Swansea, they're not getting any better. You're right that they survived largely on spirit last season, but where do they go from here? They can start buying some top players or they can start slipping back down. Blackburn went down because they're an absolute shambles.

 

I wouldn't like to get a journey man in or a player that is forever jumping from one relegation fight to another season after season but to go in and get a good player thats established in a top ten team. I suppose there in lies the problem. The wages, transfer fee and selling our club to that player. However those are all things that we have done over the last couple of seasons with the likes of Fonte, Sharp, Hootvield.

I can't think of any names but a centre half or central midfielder that can put his foot on the ball, keep things calm and be able to slow down play when our backs are against the wall and talk the younger players through the game when its not going right. I expect us at somepoint to go through a stage where we can't get a point for love nor money and that is when I think we will need somone of this ilk to help the rest of the team.