All is rather quiet on the old Saints transfer front. Which is exactly how they like it and doesn’t mean that there’s nothing happening behind the scenes.
What I find strange though is that we don’t have any meaningful rumours of incoming targets that are constantly and heavily linked. We usually have one or two at least. I know we usually have to wait until later in the window to make significant signings (as players hold out for either more money or an offer from a ‘bigger’ club)
The impending signing of the young Polish defender is a strange one for me as we already have Stephens in the category of young centre half to develop. Also, if this lad is intended to come in and challenge the first team then that probably spells the end of our recruitment in that position. Assuming VVD does in fact stay.
There is also talk of Sam Gallagher being brought back in to the fold after his impressive year on loan. If that’s the case then one would assume Jay Rod might not be replaced.
So my question to you is where do you think we need to strengthen?
I’d like to see a goal scoring midfielder and probably still another centre back. But I guess that depends on just how good the Polish lad is already.
A first choice right back if Cedric leaves. Agree with GB on a stronger, more physical attacking midfielder.
With Austin (who might just have to lose some of his lard / improve his fitness under the new manager), Gabbi, Shane and Sam G we are probably well served for the one or two up front, with Redmond as an alternative. But given our low scoring last season I would not be surprised if the manager makes more changes.
It depends how our new coach utilises Jack Stephens. To me he’s the type of player who would sit very well alongside Romeu to form a formidable partnership infront of Van Dijk and Bednarek. As you say we were out-muscled too often in midfield last season.
Really thought Hojbjerg would be the musle we needed, still could be i suppose. I’m caught between Les going for replacing from within as with the last two windows or actually replace any firt team out going transfers with a more experienced player. There must be a few players that MP rates and knows so imagine Les will be picking his brains a fair bit. Romeo definitely needs a deputy, someone that can fill his shoes if suspended or injured. Agree that central defence is sorted if all players stay, not so sure on Cedric or Ryan. I know it sound odd but I would rather keep those two than Verge for numerous reasons. I would still like to see another striker. I can see that Austin is ok but him being our top scorer just says we had a poorer season than we should have. Bring in a decent one now and let those that aren’t hitting the spot go in Jan. Mp talked about playing to the players streangths so hoping we see a transformation in those we’ve bought in the last year or so to start with.
All last season I was saying that we are not far off being a very good side. Tadic had a shit season, we couldn’t put the ball in the net and we lost our captain and top scorer to injuries.
So if those things don’t happen this season, we add a couple of players who challenge for starting positions and the new manager hits the ground running, we will be there or thereabouts.
No Europe this season either so hopefully we’ll have a more settled side.
Well, Bednarek has been official for about a day. Should never have really let Fonte go, but we’re doing things the Southampton Way again. Sign young to sell later.
He’d stopped playing for anyone but himself, he looked hesitant - and even when settled in on a payrise at his new club, he went on to define the term mistake-waiting-to-happen.
I think the squad we’ve got is not far off, assuming we keep Seesaws and Bert. What’s really needed is for the new manager to unlock some of the talent we already have.
Hoijberg is young and raw and will have benefited from having a season under his belt. Clasie’s talent been wasted and he’s probably needing an arm round his shoulder to make him feel a bit more involved. Personally I see a lot more to come from him tho I know not everyone agrees.
Boufal could be a great player if he can stay fit but needs to find a ‘position’ and a bit more premiership nous.
As for Tadic, his temprement dictates what you’re going to get out of him. He didn’t get on with Puel, was unhappy and played shit. New manager, happy head back on and he could easily be one of our stand out players this season.
So all in all we’re pretty much sorted … I’d like to see another striker in tho, because I’m not convinced about Austin.
I’m going to upvote everyone on this thread that presents a semi-coherent case.
I have no clue what’s needed, I go to football to watch and enjoy, if I knew about players and squads and formations I’d be demanding that one of the TV companies pay me to be a pundit, I couldn’t be any worse than some of the fuckers they currently employ.
I agree with all of that, except possibly the Austin thing. You know what you’re going to get from him - right place right time and a shin in to the back of the net. Provided we aren’t expecting much more from him that that then I’m happy with his goal scoring instincts alone. He is in the Defoe mould of doing nothing for 85 minutes but then gets the winner. I see him being more of an impact sub though which he probably won’t like.
I too am hoping for more from PEH this season and would love to see him nail down a spot next to Romeu and see what all these Busquets comparisons were all about. The lad can’t shoot for shit so I see him more in that deeper role rather than the box to box role he found himself in playing the diamond (formation reference for you Steve!). Clasie the same. He had some decent games for us last season but Puel didn’t fancy him for whatever reason.
Either of those two needs to nail down that second deep role because for me, Steven Davis doesn’t look right there. He is much more effective further up the pitch and leading the press. That said, as I have called for a goal scoring midfielder to be signed, I don’t know where that would leave Steve Davis. I rate him so am loathed to call for an upgrade… but maybe it’s time to upgrade?
I pretty much agree with most of what’s been said so far. I’d add that we need a keeper if McCarthy isn’t fully fit - we need someone to challenge Forster week in week out.
I’m a bit scared that we might be giving youth a chance too much this season, if it’s the case that Bednarek and Stephens are our two ‘new’ defenders and Gallagher is our J-Rod replacement, but I hope that’s not the case.
Think we def need another defensive midfielder because Romeu will pick up one or two suspensions and we don’t have anyone else who that’s a ‘specialist position’ for (except Reed, but I think he should be third choice at best).
Alo, I think we need at least one ‘marquee signing’ if just to keep the fans from shitting their pants and causing a negative atmosphere before we even kick a ball.
