3 down...

[NickG]

I don't get that though. Lallana is a left-footer so why play him on the right? It would make no sense whatsoever in terms of getting to the byline to deliver a decent cross to Rasiak or indeed now Lambert.

 

 

interview with him last year saying he genuinely didn't know his stronger foot.

[ART]

Matt Oakley would be an ideal aquisition if we are to stand any hopes of making the play-offs. Problem is, just how much would Leicester want us to pay to get him back.

[NickG]

GK - Sorted

RB - Murty (James as cover)

LB - Harding (Molyneux, not good enough imo) Cover needed

CB - Perry (Can he play every week? Unlikely) Lancashire to cover

CB - Thomas Cover or better needed

RM - Sorted (Lallana, Thomson and McLaggon)

LM - Mills and Holmes (Holmes stays fit then sorted) if not cover or better needed

MF - Schneiderlin Cover needed

MF - Gillet (Wotton not good enough imo) Cover or better needed

ST - Patterson Cover or better needed

ST - Lambert

 

We need a LB, CB, CM or 2 and ST if Rasiak and Saga leave. Couple of decent wide men would also be nice

 

CB

CM -not young.

ST/ v attacking winger.

 

We are fine LB/LM

[S-Clarke]

Matt Oakley would be an ideal aquisition if we are to stand any hopes of making the play-offs. Problem is, just how much would Leicester want us to pay to get him back.

 

Can't see him coming IMO.

 

He's the main man in Leicester's side and their captain, even if we agreed a fee - i doubt he'd come back.

[saint peach]

The other day Wotton said Saints needed four players to move from relegation battler to play-off contenders. With Lambert signed and other irons in the fire, things are looking good.

[jasonbenali]

Once McLaggon gets fit again, he's going to do the business at RM - really impressed with his cameos last season. Centre back and centre mid are the main problems for us at the moment...

[chrisobee]

Once McLaggon gets fit again, he's going to do the business at RM - really impressed with his cameos last season.

 

Yes I made the same point earlier !

 

"So essentially I'd be looking for at least one defender and one midfield player plus another striker to replace Rasiak. Given the right signings ( versatility a key factor especially in defence) 3 would be the minimum, I think McLaggon could be very good when fit again."

[Minsk]

Yes I made the same point earlier !

 

"So essentially I'd be looking for at least one defender and one midfield player plus another striker to replace Rasiak. Given the right signings ( versatility a key factor especially in defence) 3 would be the minimum, I think McLaggon could be very good when fit again."

 

I also think McLaggon is going to be a very good player for us. However, he will not even start training again for a couple of months so probably won't be anywhere near the first team until after Christmas. Also, I think AP will bed him in gently starting off with using him and his pace as an impact sub for the last 20 mins or so.

 

 

I think he should be just about ready to be a key figure for our push into, and subsequent winning of, the play-offs!

[Thedelldays]

I will go for, a Wide right player, A Big CB, and a CM. and should BOTH rasiak and Sagga go then another striker

[Arizona]

Definitely:

 

1 x LW

1 x RW

2 x CM

2 x CB

 

I make that 6.

[Colinjb]

The other day Wotton said Saints needed four players to move from relegation battler to play-off contenders. With Lambert signed and other irons in the fire, things are looking good.

 

I hope Wotton realised he was mentioning his own position in that conversation.

[NickG]

Definitely:

 

1 x LW

1 x RW

2 x CM

2 x CB

 

I make that 6.

 

think LW is looking promising -holmes and Mills

[Arizona]

think LW is looking promising -holmes and Mills

 

And yet on the first game of the season we end up with Lallana there as a make shift. Don't get me wrong, those players will do a job, but I think we need one more left sided player to have a full complement.

[NickG]

bit unlucky that only two injuries in squad are first and second choice for same position.

 

to have likes of Lallana, Gobbern etc who can do a job gives us cover.

 

By all means Markus spend and get even better in but think other positions should be priorities

[Smirking_Saint]

Defo - 1 x CB

1 x MF

1 x RM

 

Ideally - 2 x CB

2 x MF (one 1st team, one good cover just short of 1st team for comp)

1 x RM (good at crosses, good at running at defenders, think thomson will be ok eventually though)

1 perhaps 2 x ST (dependent on departures, but we could do with a complimet to lambert)

[Arizona]

bit unlucky that only two injuries in squad are first and second choice for same position.

 

to have likes of Lallana, Gobbern etc who can do a job gives us cover.

 

By all means Markus spend and get even better in but think other positions should be priorities

 

I'll drink to that.

 

Realistically, we can make do with what we've got on the left if we have to, but I'm not planning on Holmes being fit for the whole season. Maybe I'm just panicing at the prospect that we might one day have to play Molyneux.

[NickG]

Mills LB

Holmes LM

first

[saint_stevo]

smirking_crouchie.

 

What the fK is a MF? If its midfielder, your a mong

[chrisobee]

I also think McLaggon is going to be a very good player for us. However, he will not even start training again for a couple of months so probably won't be anywhere near the first team until after Christmas. Also, I think AP will bed him in gently starting off with using him and his pace as an impact sub for the last 20 mins or so.

 

 

I think he should be just about ready to be a key figure for our push into, and subsequent winning of, the play-offs!

 

Yes, that makes sense. A ruptured Achilles is not something to take chances with and never should or will we. If he is fit sometime around January then that would indeed be a nice boost to the squad at the right time.

[Smirking_Saint]

smirking_crouchie.

 

What the fK is a MF? If its midfielder, your a mong

 

Then i am a mong, stop being a nob, you love me really.

 

TBF, i dunno why i wrote that, too much PES.

[saint_stevo]

Then i am a mong, stop being a nob, you love me really.

 

TBF, i dunno why i wrote that, too much PES.

 

a tad ambiguous eh.

 

just clarifying your mongness

[Smirking_Saint]

Mills LB

Holmes LM

first

 

Thought Harding looked quality against Millwall, very solid, i would try Mills again LM, think Holmes will struggle for fitness.

[Smirking_Saint]

a tad ambiguous eh.

 

just clarifying your mongness

 

Yeah, tbf, very ambiguous, but i meant CM.

 

And yes i agree, it was a tad mongy.

[Toadhall Saint]

So basically we need virtually half a team so we can have a squad that gets us out of L1?

[Wes Tender]

For me, the priority is a midfield general. We haven't had one of those for quite a while. As mentioned by somebody else, Holland would be a good shout, although getting on a bit. I was just musing that Murty has all of the attributes for the role, good leadership qualities, a good passer of the ball, reads the game well, good tackler, solid physique, etc. I wonder how he'd shape up there? But of course he's proving to be a great RB for us. Interesting to speculate how Dyer would have developed at right wing under Pardew. If we retain James there, he needs to be told to get to the byeline before crossing, just as Murty did and proved the effectiveness of it.

On the left wing, Holmes would undoubtedly be good ahead of Harding, but will he regain fitness for long enough in the season? Otherwise Mills has looked useful there.

Although the back four looks as solid as we have had for some years, we need extra cover in case of injury, especially for Thomas and Perry.

Just a week or two ago, some were slashing their wrists because we had not signed anybody and now they look stupid after the excellent signings of Murty, Harding and Lambert. With others in the frame such as Jaidi and Bryson, it is clear that we really do mean business.

 

I feel absolutely confident that before the transfer window closes we will have a complete squad, with perhaps a loan or two from the higher divisions too, to add extra quality.

[Brussels Saint]

Priority 1 - Hulking CB, Jaidi would be perfect

Priority 2 - CM, Box to Box type with height. Defensively at set pieces we still look small.

Priority 3 - LM or RM with pace, the one thing the team lacks. I would go for wide LM as I think Lallana can develop into an effective RM.

Priority 4 - Striker if Ras or Saga leave. Would like to see Saga stay as would compliment Lambert really well.

 

I'm not sure we need much else. James covers at RB/RM, Mills at LB/LM. Gillet, Pato, Holmes, Thomson (maybe Mclaggon) all seem capable of providing decent competition.

[eelpie]

Priority 1 - Hulking CB, Jaidi would be perfect

Priority 2 - CM, Box to Box type with height. Defensively at set pieces we still look small.

Priority 3 - LM or RM with pace, the one thing the team lacks. I would go for wide LM as I think Lallana can develop into an effective RM.

Priority 4 - Striker if Ras or Saga leave. Would like to see Saga stay as would compliment Lambert really well.

 

I'm not sure we need much else. James covers at RB/RM, Mills at LB/LM. Gillet, Pato, Holmes, Thomson (maybe Mclaggon) all seem capable of providing decent competition.

 

We have the striker now in Lambert.

Let's hope Jaidi signs up eventually.

So we need a tough CM stopper with the vision to work alongside Spider's playmaking.

We also need two fast wingers.

 

Lovely jubbly.

[NickG]

could end up with quite a big side

 

Harding, Thomas, Jaidi -or similar, Schneiderlin, Wooton, Paterson, Lambert, Mills isn't small.

[thorpie the sinner]

could end up with quite a big side

 

Harding, Thomas, Jaidi -or similar, Schneiderlin, Wooton, Paterson, Lambert, Mills isn't small.

 

Jaidi would be an absolute God send now! Really hope we get him!! Am I right in thinking he is still training with us?

[SO16_Saint]

Jaidi would be an absolute God send now! Really hope we get him!! Am I right in thinking he is still training with us?

 

 

not sure. Do they still do open training sessions on a Tuesday?

 

I have an hour spare.....

 

:cool:

[labibs]

I think everyone is agreed that we need a big brute of a centre back, we simply don't have enough cover there. We have Mills to cover LB should Harding be injured, that can't be listed as a priority. What's the script with this Saville lad we picked up from Chelsea? Is he any good / anywhere near the first team?

 

I still think Saga and Rasiak will leave, so another striker wouldn't go amiss. The team is desperately short of pace so a striker or a winger with some speed would be welcomed. I don't think we need that many players, I'm wary of having too big a squad and having players sat on the bench eating up wages. The likes of Gobern, McClaggon and Thomson are more than adequate as back up players at this level and as youngsters have the great combination of being desperate to make an impression and being on relatively low wages.

 

I'm still confident AP will pull out something decent in the loan market. If Saga and Rasiak do leave, that should leave us with some wiggle room in the wage budget to potentially get a prem player (likely a youngster) in on loan.

[yorkiesaint]

says on the bbc Sol Campbell may be in the frame for notts county. maybe we are in for him too...

[SuperMikey]

Pretty much what everyone else has said, we need a commanding centre back because Perry is old and while I feel that Thomas is better than Perry, his fitness should be considered. Perry and Thomas on a rotating basis next to a new CB, with Lancashire as Plan B would be great. We also need width in the squad, but Mills and Holmes are good at LM so that isn't the priority. We can't keep playing Lallana out wide, because frankly he is NOT a wide player. His position is in the hole behind the strikers. Jake Thomson could make the step up to the first team, but I think we need a player with great pace, and while Thomson could put good crosses in, getting past his man is a problem because he's not the biggest. Assuming the two poles are off, we need a new striker. Preferably pacy, willing to do Lambert's running and a good team player.

 

Noticed Mifsud mentioned earlier in the thread, I seem to remember him being able to play on the wing, and quick as f*ck. Sign him up quickly imo, he's versatile and has the width we need. I like the sound of this Raynes bloke from Stockport, sign him up too to play at CB. Now, the striker is a bit trickier. People are placing too much pressure on Patterson, and while he did look very good on saturday, we can't rely on him week in, week out, because he's not experienced enough. Someone in his late twenties, pacy and good with the ball is needed to partner Lambert up front. Any ideas folks? I've run out!

 

Also, Matt Oakley would be fantastic, although whether he'd want to quit his Leicester captaincy and drop a division to come to SMS is dubious.

[kpturner]

smirking_crouchie.

 

What the fK is a MF? If its midfielder, your a mong

 

Why are you using a slang word for somebody with Downs Syndrome as a derogatory remark?

[Pilchards]

not sure. Do they still do open training sessions on a Tuesday?

 

I have an hour spare.....

 

:cool:

 

No viewing before the season starts, once the season starts you can pop along except for matchdays as they run through set pieces etc.

I was going today to film our new man but I can't get in.

[thorpie the sinner]

No viewing before the season starts, once the season starts you can pop along except for matchdays as they run through set pieces etc.

I was going today to film our new man but I can't get in.

 

Did you spot Jaidi over the fence Pilchards? If he is still training, there is still a chance!

[Glasgow_Saint]

says on the bbc Sol Campbell may be in the frame for notts county. maybe we are in for him too...

 

doubt it

[Glasgow_Saint]

No viewing before the season starts, once the season starts you can pop along except for matchdays as they run through set pieces etc.

I was going today to film our new man but I can't get in.

 

Stalker?

[Pilchards]

Did you spot Jaidi over the fence Pilchards? If he is still training, there is still a chance!

 

I only do that when we get new managers, I got Burley, Hoddle, Strachan and Pardew on first sessions but I failed to get poorvelt as I decided to get a haircut instead.

[SO16_Saint]

I only do that when we get new managers, I got Burley, Hoddle, Strachan and Pardew on first sessions but I failed to get poorvelt as I decided to get a haircut instead.

 

no F*****g commitment

[SNSUN]

The way I see it, the squad is thus:

 

GK: Davis (Forecast or Bart as cover) : SORTED

RB: Musty (James as cover): SORTED

LB: Harding (Mills or even Molyneux as cover): SORTED

CB: Thomas, Perry (Wotton and Lancashire as cover?!?! F*** that) 2 NEW SIGNINGS!

 

RM: Lallana, James? NEW RM WITH PACE IMO

CM: James, Schneidelin, Gillett, Lallana, Wotton SORTED.

LM: Holmes (with Mills as cover) NOT ESSENTIAL BUT COULD BRING IN A NEW LM if available...

 

STR: Lambert, Paterson, Rasiak, Saga, IF RASIAK AND SAGA GO, WE NEED 1 or 2 MORE.

 

To be a top of the table team, I still think we're 4 or 5 or even 6 players away from having the strength in depth to challenge at the top of the table. That said, if we count this as a conslidation season, and can keep the squad together next year, we don't have to add them all this summer or on January.

[dubai_phil]

I only do that when we get new managers, I got Burley, Hoddle, Strachan and Pardew on first sessions but I failed to get poorvelt as I decided to get a haircut instead.

 

Well, seeing as you only go when we get new managers, why would you have changed a hair appointment?

 

Can't miss an appointment just because someone wants to tell you a long bad joke

[West End Saint]

I think we need 3 or 4 more signings a big F-off centre back Jahdi would be ace a experienced centre midfielder with a bit of craft and bite I know i am dreaming but Papa Bouba Diop would be good and a couple of pacey frontman 1 wide and 1 to play off Lambert a couple of real speed merchants as we do have a lack of pace in the squad.

 

If we where to get that and only lose 1 off Saga or Raza if think we would have a great side in this league.

[saints_is_the_south]

The way I see it, the squad is thus:

 

GK: Davis (Forecast or Bart as cover) : SORTED

RB: Musty (James as cover): SORTED

LB: Harding (Mills or even Molyneux as cover): SORTED

CB: Thomas, Perry (Wotton and Lancashire as cover?!?! F*** that) 2 NEW SIGNINGS!

 

RM: Lallana, James? NEW RM WITH PACE IMO

CM: James, Schneidelin, Gillett, Lallana, Wotton SORTED.

LM: Holmes (with Mills as cover) NOT ESSENTIAL BUT COULD BRING IN A NEW LM if available...

 

STR: Lambert, Paterson, Rasiak, Saga, IF RASIAK AND SAGA GO, WE NEED 1 or 2 MORE.

 

To be a top of the table team, I still think we're 4 or 5 or even 6 players away from having the strength in depth to challenge at the top of the table. That said, if we count this as a conslidation season, and can keep the squad together next year, we don't have to add them all this summer or on January.

 

Good post, exactly the way i see things too. I think Holmes & Mills should be competing for LM & Molyneux isn't good enough so if we can get rid of him then we can bring in a better LB as competition to Harding. Certainly need a new right winger as whilst Thomson has potential i don't think he's good enough to be a starter yet. We need someone with a great cross & who can get to the byline to get balls in the box for our strikers to get on the end of.

 

Definatly need 2 new CB's as Lancashire is no where near good enough & Wotton aint much better. Jaidi hopefully to become Thomas' regular partner & then 1 more to be back up with Perry to the starting 2.

 

Up front we are sorted for the moment, but like if u say if Rasiak & Saga both go then we will need 2 more imo, I'm still hoping that atleast 1 of them will stay though.

[Under Weststand]

Realistically I can't see Thomas & Perry being fit for another 45 league games so we need decent cover, 2xCB 1 at the very least. A decent holding midfielder, and another striker if as looks likely we lose Saga & Rasiak.