Dusic

Wright was linked when we played aggressive, front footed football. We need a different profile now. I'm also unconvinced we have a LWB option if we go for that shape. Taylor seems to be preferred as a LB or LCB and someone like Edozie would get exposed if asked to do that role in a PL game.

With just over a couple of weeks left it seems to me that probably 9 players are nailed to start: McCarthy, Sugawara, Bednarek, THB, Downes, Smallbone, Aribo, Arma, BBD The only real decisions IMO would be whether is 3 or 4 at the back and therefore which two from Stephens, Manning, Taylor and Edozie get the nod to start. Hard to see anyone signed now being ready to start the first game but you never know. As it stands, attacking sub options will be woefully inadequate and likely worse than for many games last season.

As was the case at the start of the window, we massively need some additional quality in attacking areas. If you exclude Lallana (who was never going to be a key player) only one of our signings has been an attacking player. We have lost Adams, Brooks, Fraser and Stu who were all pretty key players and are currently relying upon Mara (didn't even make the bench in the playoff final), Stewart (cannot be relied upon to be available and huge jump in quality anyway), Sulemana (barely played in 2nd half of season) and Edozie (talented but no end product). Even Armstrong has massive question marks at PL level. BBD will help but we urgently need to bring in a couple of players who are instantly better than what we have - otherwise we will have zero chance of staying up. Its clear we will not be a team that is very difficult to break down defensively so we really need to be productive in attack. We are hoping to finish above the likes of Forest, Brentford, Wolves, Bournemouth etc but the substitute attackers for these teams would be amongst our best players as it stands! Plus we play two of these before the window shuts. Added some defensive depth this summer - although havent actually improved the team, but absolutely critical this happens in attack.

I would say what we need as a minimum from now is: - Striker - Wide forward - Attacking mid (O'Riley or similar) - Centre mid (Charles not favoured so need Downes cover that isn't WS) - Goalkeeper (loan having assumed Lis goes) After that full back cover which would depend on possible exits for Bree (not PL quality) and Manning (would probably be exposed) having taken KWP exit as a given. Wellington perhaps LB cover if he arrives before Jan. I am also expecting exits (probably on loan) for Sulemana and Alcaraz with Fraser likely to come in as a cheap squad filler. Anyone disagree with that?

This season should be the first where the multi club benefit is visible. With Goztepe being back in the Superlig deals like Matsuki are possible and there are still bargains to be had as long as you have somewhere to put them in order to see if they can reach PL level whilst gaining a WP. Will be massive if Saints and Goztepe can both stay up and Valenciennes get promoted.

Waiting for the inevitable Ornstein exclusive that <insert PL club aside from Saints (probably Brighton)> have agreed a £25m deal to sign O'Riley. Feels like its dragged on so long that if we were going to do it we would have already.

Looks like a good signing, nice age and experience, versatile and another good character. Not sure quite how a few judge him to be a definite 'upgrade' on Adams given he has played so few games in a top league. If he gets 10 PL goals he will have exceeded expectations IMO. Overall like our profile of signings so far but we definitely need one or two difference makers in attacking areas still.

Interesting bit of chat about the Edwards transfer on Darragh MacAntony's latest pod (Pboro Chairman). He said he knew Russell Martin liked Edwards and there was some interest last summer but we were sorting out our finances so nothing was progressed. He nearly went elsewhere in Jan also but DMac stopped it and said he would let him go this summer. Aside from Saints they had 4 or 5 offers from the Champ and one from L1 (assume Birmingham) but once Saints were in RE only wanted that move and refused to talk to any other clubs. Strongly implied no other PL clubs made offers. DMac a big fan of RM and signed him as a 20yo and thinks that he will develop RE into a player who will move to a top6 clubs for £50m+. Part of his approach is to sell players to teams that will likely sell again so he can make cash through the add ons, and he said there are significant opportunites to earn from the RE deal asde from the initial fee. He said PL teams have been put off RE by his height, saying he is a couple of inches too short but that he is actually decent in the air and thats proven by the various stats. As an aside he mentioned that RM passed a message onto him that he appreciated DMac's praise on the podcast last autumn where he said that despite a rocky start he was convinced RM would get Saints promoted...and he had been proven right. Football is an insular world and relationships are key (very much seems to be a strength of RM). DMac also said he was a bit suprised not to have dealt with Rasmus on this deal at all (guess it was via Parsons and Mowbray) - sounded like maybe they had some hard negotiations when Toney moved from Posh to Brentford. Anyway, nothing overly interesting but DMac a big fan of RE and RM and obviously financially hopes Saints and RE do well this season.

One target gone: https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1817921911080235205?s=19 Assume we didn't feel it was worth that as the fee isn't very high.

Will be interesting to see if its a permanent move or a loan with oprion as this suggests: https://www.footballinsider247.com/ben-brereton-diaz-jets-in-today-for-southampton-medical-sources/

If that is the fee they want and it includes add-ons then it should be pretty affordable for any PL team if they are really sure about him.

Seemingly the question marks over Ramsdale are about his ability to play out with the ball. A loan to a team that does that would either prove he can't do it or show that he can. For his career longer term it could be a good loan move for him so perhaps has a chance of happening. But if not sure there would be some other decent keepers who would see a strong chance of being/becoming a PL #1 here and outting themselves in the shop window. If we are braver about it then Carl Rushworth could be another option.

Who knows? Imagine will be a loan and there could be some good options as the window goes on and certain GKs know they aren't going to be playing where they are now.

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/24480752.martin-confirms-three-positions-southampton-want-sign/ Quotes in context. He has already spoken about keeper situation...we will get one if Lis goes (very likely).

We might not get O'Riley but if we don't it will be because he choses to go somewhere else rather than because we can't afford him. Every other PL side has record transfers in the mid 20millions at the very least so no doubt we could do the same if we feel its worth it. In the case of O'Riley he has one season with good numbers in a shit league so whilst he is obviously a good player I can understand why the current bids from all teams seem to be more around the £15m mark.

Would either of them qualify for a work permit even if we did want them to come here? Juan sounds like a Goztepe signing but not sure why Welington would have turned down a move to Torino to end up at a promoted Turkish club?

Graham Hiley reporting that 26yo Dutch CB Ruud Knol is of interest. Contract up at Vitesse Arnhem so would be a freebie. Joining up at Staplewood for a trial next week. Not sure we need another CB but no harm looking I guess.

We have already replaced KWP and clearly will need to balance the books a bit. Added to the fact it seems unlikely he will sign a new deal then the worst outcome for the club is that he stays and runs his contract down. There were reports of Brighton interest and their RB depth is poor so imagine thats a viable option.

Camara and O'Riley seem different skillsets to me. Camara no real history of goalscoring whereas thats what O'Riley should bring in theory. Alcaraz will likely go IMO, Martin not overly positive about him in Adam Blackmore interview and if he couldn't get in our Championship team he won't get in the PL side.

On BBD - Sheff Utd mate said this: "He played wider for us - mainly from the left. Really like him as a bloke and he did score goals BUT he is just so big and clumsy at times." This worth a read too...definitely seems a wide left forward rather than a central striker: https://www.villarrealusa.com/2023/8/7/23822643/blackburn-rovers-villarreal-ben-brereton-diaz Re the above on Smallbone...was one of our best players last season, crucial in our system, athletically and technically good and has end product. Of course he will start the season in the XI...he deserves to and think he will have a good season.

Getting those two would help but still wouldn't be enough. O'Riley in a debut PL season would do very well to score 5 or 6 from central midfield, whilst BBD is still unproven at PL level. Added to Mara and Armstrong who couldn't score at PL level then we definitely need another striker too. Our wide options have basically zero history of providing regular G/A output and are weaker than we were in May. Look at the wide/forward options of Brentford, Notts Forest and Everton and they are miles better than what we have. To stay up we will likely need to finish above at least one them. Loads to do.

Seeing as we look likely to keep conceding a relatively high amount of goals we really, really need to start adding PL quality in attack to give ourselves a fighting chance of staying up. Currently our starting wide players didnt do much in the Championship and have only two viable strikers, one who is better from wide and the other being Mara who clearly isn't good enough.

Anyone else moving to the viewpoint that selling KWP sooner rather than later would be helpful? He will clearly be our biggest cash generator, won't sign a new deal, isn't playing friendlies so obvious he is going and we have already got our replacement. Would have preferred him going to West Ham rather than somewhere like Brighton where it would feel more of a blow.

And extend his contract before letting him out (actually regardless).

The reality is that pro mens football at a good level is brutally difficult and very few 18 year olds play regularly. SAA looks sure to have a good career ahead of him but its tricky to know what is best for him now. In the little interview he did today he spoke of being trusted by manager and teammates and thats probably about right. In the Eastleigh game he was electric but a sloppy pass on the edge of our box gifted them their best chance of the game from open play and in the PL it would have resulted in a goal against. Its those kind of actions that sway a manager into going for more reliable options.