Surrey_Saint

To me this has got to be a 9/10 window… the only reason its not a 10 is cause we are now a large squad and could not shift a few at the end. assessment from bottom to top GK. Think we all appreciated what Alex McC has done for us and we all feared the worst when he has to step in for the playoffs semi and final. But he proved us wrong and outshone… but when was the last time we had a GK that was a true asset… I loved Kelvin but no club ever wanted to buy in.. but Ramsdale will always have clubs watching. DC.. finished last season playing 3 CBs but only had 3. so this was always needed. Woods and Edward’s are sensible buys. They either develop and push out Bednarek or are top CBs for the championship. I am now interested in Bella-k in seeing how the club manages him. DL / DR… Taylor lookS v good for a free. Yuki was obviously the KWP replacement and looks great but now we still have KWP so win win amazing. think Larios or Manning need a loan to whatever league is still open ( Larios - Belgium?) MC. Last season we really had no challengers at the end to Downes, Smallnone, Aribo.. but now we do with Fernandes showing early promise and the emergence of Dibling looking v exciting FWDs - I do think the clubs view was that Archer was the Che replacement and the hope that Stewart does come back was all we need - but then add fire power to wide areas and we have certainly done that to the limits of FFP. overall so much better than I envisaged and if we can find homes for 3 or 4 then even better.

I wander how much the signings of Archer, Ugochukwo & Fernandes has been dictated by a change in thinking by Martin as to what the squad needs based on players staying / leaving and those forcing their way in.. Throughout the summer it was clear there were 2 clear positions being scouted. MC-Attack to replace Armstrong & AMR to replace Brooks and probably really still Tella We were linked at the start of the window to sooooooo many left footed right sided wingers but those rumours have slowed. For MC rumours was really only O’Riley in midfield and still feel he was the main target until the price went way north of what we were willing to pay. So my logic… Assuming Alcarez is off…Fernandes looks like a Smallbone challenger and with Ugochukwo being a def mid, that leaves Aribo and Lallana for the more advanced MC and I wander if the emergence of Dibling has made Martin feels he now has enough options. 7 central midfield players for likely 3 match day spots even if Alcaraz and Charles move on. So I don’t think we will be revisiting O’Riley unless Aribo suddenly has interest. Then AMR.. still feel Clarke from Sunderland is who we truly want. But… on getting Archer are we now allowing Arma to take the AMR slot with Amo-Ameyaw also showing his worth in pre-season to be 2nd choice… allows Archer or Stewart (or Diaz) to be ST depending on approach. Then still have Edioze, Sulemana, Diaz for AML (also Wee Man is bound to join on deadline day). Again assumed Mara, Onuachu transfers go through. Now conspiracy theory - might the focus away from AMR also be because Saints see KWP more likely to stay… he could easily play a more advanced role with Bree as his more defensive right back. Overall I think we have been limited by FFP, and in an ideal world - KWP, Tall Paul, Sulemana, Bella-Kotchap and maybe Alcaraz would have been sold and I think just the 2 would have been brought in with O’Reilly and Clarke or Carvalho regardless of cost. But instead we strengthened twice in CM in deeper positions to allow others opportunities more forward and a cheaper option as ST again to allow others to to make AMR theirs. with Fernandes today I am not expecting anymore incomings till deadline day and hope that Bella-Kotchap, Onuachu, Alcarez, maybe Sulemana sales give us some much needed money in to allow some freedom on deadline day if bargains could be had. The worry is expected or wanted sales don’t happen and we will need to accept low offers for KWP.. clubs will know we are treading water! (apologies for the length of post - been a few days in the making while I waited for my registration to be accepted )