Transfer Rumours The Summer “Have We Signed Anyone Yet?” Thread

  • Please bear with us on the new site integration and fixing any known bugs over the coming days. If you can not log in please try resetting your password and check your spam box. If you have tried these steps and are still struggling email [email protected] with your username/registered email address
  • Log in now to remove adverts - no adverts at all to registered members!
Gareth Bale is available, apparently.
A bit too old for Ralph, so probably won’t happen.
<whistle>
Well, that and his £600k per week wages.

If reports are true about Bale being happy to just sit on the bench for the money, then he has gone way down in my estimation. All that talent going to waste because of greed. He must be a multi-multi-multi millionaire by now. And he will likely get 300k+ wherever he goes anyway. Bonkers.
 
If reports are true about Bale being happy to just sit on the bench for the money, then he has gone way down in my estimation. All that talent going to waste because of greed. He must be a multi-multi-multi millionaire by now. And he will likely get 300k+ wherever he goes anyway. Bonkers.

Gives him more time to play golf though, his main hobby now alledgedly
 
Thing is, Bertie is good enough to keep most LBs on the bench; but hopefully won't attract any big money bids from the top 4-6 this summer, and if he does then hopefully he will want to stay and work with Ralph.

That means any LB we bring in will have quite a job challenging Bertie for a regular starting spot; so, from the club's position, that may as well be Targett because..
A) he can play left mid as well as left back
B) he's one of our own, and
C) he's called Matt.

Some of our fans have decided he'll never be good enough, but I'm not in that camp.

I think you’re being harsh on those of us who have looked at it objectively. No-one is writing Marty off, I have just said that if he wants to go then I have no issue because I think he is ok. Not much more. He’ll do a job. If however the club want to progress then I think Matt may not reach a new level.

We’ll see.
 
  • Like
Reactions: claytonsaint
If they player wants to leave the club to pursue a first team spot then yes?

I really don't think it's unusual.
Agreed. Big ‘if’ though. Based on a SW poster...? Based on someone thinking he may be on holiday with a Fulham player.....? Even at Fulham there are no guarantees of a first team place- I’m sure someone once said if you want a guarantee, but a washing machine :emoticon-0105-wink:
 
Agreed. Big ‘if’ though. Based on a SW poster...? Based on someone thinking he may be on holiday with a Fulham player.....? Even at Fulham there are no guarantees of a first team place- I’m sure someone once said if you want a guarantee, but a washing machine :emoticon-0105-wink:

Washing machines live longer with Hasen!
 
Yeh, fair play if he does. We didn't stand in Tadic's way (or Rickie's, or Pelle's) so we certainly shouldn't stand in his.

Be interesting to know if Saints ever put buy-back clauses into the contracts of players we sell. In most cases, probably not because we usually sell fairly decent players to bigger clubs who wouldn't accept them. However, in this case (if it actually happens), we'd be selling one of our own to a team not as good as us, so a buy-back clause might be quite a good idea.
 
I think you’re being harsh on those of us who have looked at it objectively. No-one is writing Marty off, I have just said that if he wants to go then I have no issue because I think he is ok. Not much more. He’ll do a job. If however the club want to progress then I think Matt may not reach a new level.

We’ll see.


I don’t think I’m being harsh on those of you who don’t think he’ll make it. I just don’t share your objective assessment - though of course I respect it.

As you say, we’ll see.
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: fatletiss
I don't think that Matty has ever been truly fairly treated by some Saints fans and he was shamefully picked on by a section of SMS when he first broke into the team. A lot could depend on the system Ralph is looking to use as Matty is much more comfortable as an orthodox LB but lacks the pace to be a truly effective LWB and maybe Ralph will be looking at somebody a bit more versatile. His crossing ability alone is an asset to the squad though IMO.
 
I don't think that Matty has ever been truly fairly treated by some Saints fans and he was shamefully picked on by a section of SMS when he first broke into the team. A lot could depend on the system Ralph is looking to use as Matty is much more comfortable as an orthodox LB but lacks the pace to be a truly effective LWB and maybe Ralph will be looking at somebody a bit more versatile. His crossing ability alone is an asset to the squad though IMO.
I like Matt but apparently Ralph wants to play 4 at the back next year with fast rbs and lbs.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Saints_Alive
I like Matt but apparently Ralph wants to play 4 at the back next year with fast rbs and lbs.
He said post season that having got the team playing with two formations he wants to itroduce a third for more flexibility in games. So a flat back four with pace is just one of those options.