We have nearly reached the end of the window. Thought it might be interesting for everyone to spell out now what you want so we can compare it to what happens….
Winger and CAM Apart from that we have a good enough squad for promotion, so if this season goes pear-shaped it’s on the management.
I'm removing the transfer rumours tag as we already have a rumours thread. This thread is about what we want as fans, no rumours please.
I might put it back on for deadline day next week TBF as it may well be worth having a separate rumour thread for Saints on the day!
Potentially one of the biggest weeks in our history, transfer wise? They simply have to nail it. No excuses. Let's face it, despite promise of a busy window and an expectation of a squad overhaul, it's been piss poor, which is impressive given the previous attempts of SR
We have had 4 games to highlight our weaknesses. We now have a few days to address them. Not panicking, it's not unusual for the important business to be done at the end of the window.
Huge week for SR and Spors. Excuses should signings not materialise aren't going to wash with most of the fan base. I'm confident they will though. An attacking midfielder and two wingers is what we need the most I think with one of the wingers being a loan. Really though the main thing I want is the signings to be first team ready and not potential who'll take a while to become regulars. I'm slightly concerned about strikers/goalscorers as well if I'm honest as although we have plenty of options early signs are the way we'll play won't suit Archer and Armstrong. Which imo leaves us extremely light and given Stewart's fitness issues means we're desperately reliant on Downs being up to it.
Unfortunately for us we have too many noddy fans who'll make excuses for SR. We might get some low level abuse on twitter/SW but very little in the stadium.
I never expected there would be much business until the last week. The bigger issue for me is trimming the squad and getting rid of the malcontents. I agree that the squad needs an overhaul and a complete new front line. However, I just feel that we need to get the players who do not wish to be part of Still's project moved on. I am not pessimistic but feel Saints fans need to be pragmatic and patient. We are good enough to finish top half with a few decent acquisitions. I cannot see promotion being likely without a decent goalscorer and think the issue this season is stability and regularly winning at home. As I keep saying, finishing ahead of Pompey must be the principle factor this season. I think we will be promoted next season but cannot see this season being anything other than rectifying the damage of last season. Unless Still is a total disaster , I am inclined to let him build up his own squad and use this campaign to learn the ropes. He needs to understand the squad he has inherited and I think that the January window may be more salient and better to judge SR by that the current window. If this season is a disaster, I think that SR need to upsticks. But I would warn against too greater expectations for 25 /26.
By this logic we should (or should expect) to sell Fernandes. Because if promotion is not considered likely we need to cash in for as high a price as possible. I don’t necessarily agree with any of this by the way
I might of missed official announcements, but Sugawara, ABK, Aribo, Edozie should be off soon and that’ll take the squad to 25. I’d say goodbye to Taylor, Wood, Smallbone, Matsuki & Bereton Diaz as I can’t see them getting any game time Thats nine players out in total. for the ins, central attacking midfielder and left winger as the main signings(like Libby said, mid 20s players ready to go.) A left back and potentially a right back and central midfielder from the loan market
We have done a pretty good job over the last two years weeding out anybody who has trickery, creativity or pace in the final third. I am hoping we finally reverse that trend this week.
Based on Stills comments I’m expecting at least 3 ins with a couple of wingers and a “creative midfielder” Whether that is loans, 20 year olds from the Siberian amateur leagues or more proven players I don’t really know, or care, until they’ve played for a bit here. If we were to lose the players who look likely to go (Aribo, Smallbone, Sugawara, ABK) and not sign anyone, we’d be lacking depth in certain areas but we still have a top 6 squad if managed correctly in my view. So failure to do that regardless of signings would be on the manager for me, a few signings should obviously make his job easier
Hopefully two wingers and a CAM. Maybe a LB on loan depending on the severity of Wellington's injury.
