Would YOU sign anyone in January?

[Iowsaintsfan]

Nedum Onuoha from Man City

[The Kraken]

I understand entirely that Lambert is key to the way we play, and has been brilliant this season. What I don't get is why people think that if he got injured, we would just go on trying to play the same way with different personel.

 

Adkins has demonstrated that he's a more than capable tactician, if we had a period with Guly and Connolly up front I'm sure he would adapt our playing style to suit the players we have, and I believe we would continue to get results. I'm not saying we would be as good as we are WITH Lambert and Lallana, but I do think we could cope for a while and certainly wouldn't be "f**ked", which is the statement I was arguing against.

 

Ultimately of course, we all hope that we'll never find out, in which case it's just a subjective opinion. I think we can agree that in Lallana and Lambert we have two players who any side in the division would welcome into their side. And you're right that Adkins would certainly look to change things around if we lost them; I just genuinely disagree that a forward line of Guly and Connolly would have anywhere near the effect we currently have, and especially without Lallana weighing in.

[John B]

I think we have done well this season because we have added just a few players from our successful team of last season which has helped us to our league position.

 

 

Just look at what has happened at Leicester where a large number of players were brought in Yes I would like a couple of PL standard players added to the squad say a CB and striker so that they can gel with the current team and then add just a few more if we get to the PL.

 

Whether Davis is a PL goalkeeper is open to question but he is very good in the Championship.

 

However I see no reason why the current squad cannot get us to the PL the way they are playing and the way other teaams are not playing but I am just thinking of next season

[Barry the Badger]

Ultimately of course, we all hope that we'll never find out, in which case it's just a subjective opinion. I think we can agree that in Lallana and Lambert we have two players who any side in the division would welcome into their side. And you're right that Adkins would certainly look to change things around if we lost them; I just genuinely disagree that a forward line of Guly and Connolly would have anywhere near the effect we currently have, and especially without Lallana weighing in.

 

But do you think that we would be "f**ked"?

[Badger]

Utterly disagree.

 

Davis

Richardson Fonte Hooiveld Fox

Chaplow Hammod Cork De Ridder

Guly Connoly

 

Is a very good team and would do just fine. Obviously if the opportunity comes along to sign somebody better I would like us to take it, but to say we would be f**ked is ridiculous, in my opinion.

 

Defence and MF might survive as you suggest but I would not wish to rely on Guly & Connolly for any prolonged period. Guly is currently on his purple patch,and many currently consider to be beyond question. Perhaps he willmaintain this rich vein of form, perhaps he won't. Who wants to gamble on it ?

 

DC has been exceelent over a short period, first 8 or so games this season, last 4 or 5 last.After a short sustained burst, he appears to be running on empty.He is made of glass,and could be taken away from the front line all too soon,without notice. I would not wish to rely on him with his track record for two or three months at a critical stage.

 

I think you have far too much faith in that line-up. If they are all on top of their game, maybe it wouldnt be too far away from promotion, but the forward line looks far too dodgy in my opinion. Goolie only needs to have a little sticky patch and Connolly a minor injury and we are looking at playing Forte, FFS.

 

I'm with Alpine on this one.

[LGTL]

Get Jos in and a striker. I think that might be enough.

[John B]

Get Jos in and a striker. I think that might be enough.

 

Dont think Jos is going to be good enough for the PL so I think we should get in somebody better like we got in Fox to replace Harding

[The Kraken]

But do you think that we would be "f**ked"?

 

It all depends how you'd classify "f**ked", really. I think it would scupper our automatic promotion potential, for sure. I also think it would impact massively on our play-off potential. So in a sense, yes, I do agree. It wouldn't of course, turn us into a poor team; but I think it would take us right out of the running as one of the top 4 or 5 sides without those two and with Guly and Connolly/Barnard up front.

[Legod Third Coming]

The problem we must avoid is simply buying squad players.

 

Does noone else remember what got us in this mess? Having 35 footballers of indeterminite ability and massive over-use of the word 'utility'...

 

If we can buy some better than we have buy them.

 

If not, spend the money on cleaning the stadium stansions.

[Lighthouse]

Dont think Jos is going to be good enough for the PL so I think we should get in somebody better like we got in Fox to replace Harding

 

Disagree with that. I think we will need someone in a bit better IF we get promoted. To get rid of a player who is playing superbly, on the assumption that we will get promoted anyway is arrogant and goes against our team ethic.

 

I'd be happy to have Jos in a Premier League squad. It's the likes of Seaborne and Jaidi I'd be getting rid of. Buying 4 new centre halves if we get promoted isn't going to get us very far.

[Barry the Badger]

It all depends how you'd classify "f**ked", really. I think it would scupper our automatic promotion potential, for sure. I also think it would impact massively on our play-off potential. So in a sense, yes, I do agree. It wouldn't of course, turn us into a poor team; but I think it would take us right out of the running as one of the top 4 or 5 sides without those two and with Guly and Connolly/Barnard up front.

 

Fair enough. Then as you say, we will have to agree to disagree. Plenty of players have surprised me at this level as a result of Adkins coaching and I see no reason why the same would not apply to Barnard.

[John B]

Disagree with that. I think we will need someone in a bit better IF we get promoted. To get rid of a player who is playing superbly, on the assumption that we will get promoted anyway is arrogant and goes against our team ethic.

 

I'd be happy to have Jos in a Premier League squad. It's the likes of Seaborne and Jaidi I'd be getting rid of. Buying 4 new centre halves if we get promoted isn't going to get us very far.

 

I dont think you have grasped the concept of planning

 

If we want to get to the PL and stay there we will need better players than we have now so it is better to get them so that we can get them playing and getting use to each other.

 

You are right we need some more CBs so lets get one in now

[The Kraken]

Fair enough. Then as you say, we will have to agree to disagree. Plenty of players have surprised me at this level as a result of Adkins coaching and I see no reason why the same would not apply to Barnard.

 

Thankfully I don't think the scenario would actually happen; if we were unfortunate enough to lose both Lambert and Lallana for an extended period I do believe we would look to replace one or both of them with a new/loan signing.

[Lighthouse]

I dont think you have grasped the concept of planning

 

If we want to get to the PL and stay there we will need better players than we have now so it is better to get them so that we can get them playing and getting use to each other.

 

You are right we need some more CBs so lets get one in now

 

I've grasped the concept of planning fine thanks.

 

I'd say Jos was our best CB. He has certainly adapted to being in this league a lot better than Fonte so far. If you're say we need to replace Jos with someone better, then you're basically saying we need to replace all our centre halves. Infact I'm struggling to think of many players we have better than Jos. Lambert, Lallana, Chaplow. You could also argue a decent case for Cork and Morgan. Where does that leave us? 20 new signings for the Premier League?

[The Kraken]

I've grasped the concept of planning fine thanks.

 

I'd say Jos was our best CB. He has certainly adapted to being in this league a lot better than Fonte so far. If you're say we need to replace Jos with someone better, then you're basically saying we need to replace all our centre halves. Infact I'm struggling to think of many players we have better than Jos. Lambert, Lallana, Chaplow. You could also argue a decent case for Cork and Morgan. Where does that leave us? 20 new signings for the Premier League?

 

I think what Norwich and Swansea are doing in the Premier League show that you don't necessarily need to make wholesale changes to survive; those two are doing ok despite keeping the nucleus of their sides and improving in a select few positions.

 

As much as the PL is a closed shop for the Champions League places, the bottom half is much of a muchness. Wolves, Wigan, Bolton, Blackburn, West Brom, Stoke etc, mediocre sides who play for survival every year. And I believe we have a spine of a side who, while would need adding to, could still compete with a small number of additions.

[Smirking_Saint]

I knew this thread would be started tonight....

 

No Lallana and no Lambert and we are f**ked. Hooiveld isnt ours.

 

I cannot believe this is even a serious question. If someone is available, is better than what we have or is quality cover, and is interested, we should sign him.

 

If Man Utd lost Rooney and Nani they would be half the team

 

A La Man City and Silva/Hart

 

Arsenal and RVP

 

They are our stars, you couldn't replace them, though we did a decent enough job without Lallana.

 

Besides that, I would sign Jos and perhaps another CB, not often I agree with Hypo but we are thin on the ground there, unless Jack Stephens is ready to take a step up if required, a decent young understudy would be ok, unless an older player happy to play backup.

 

A striker aswell, Connolly will not last alot longer (though I hold my hands up I have said that every TW for 2 years lol) and Barnard is a bit of a wildcard ATM though I think he has the quality.

 

As always though, if a quality player becomes available snap him up.

 

Wildcard signing - I reckon we may see a young GK this year.

[Lighthouse]

I think what Norwich and Swansea are doing in the Premier League show that you don't necessarily need to make wholesale changes to survive; those two are doing ok despite keeping the nucleus of their sides and improving in a select few positions.

 

As much as the PL is a closed shop for the Champions League places, the bottom half is much of a muchness. Wolves, Wigan, Bolton, Blackburn, West Brom, Stoke etc, mediocre sides who play for survival every year. And I believe we have a spine of a side who, while would need adding to, could still compete with a small number of additions.

 

That's basically what I'm saying. Our top players now will get a game in the Prem. It's not like we're going to have to spend £5m on every possition just to compete. What we need to do is cut the players who can't get a game now or wont next year. Jaidi, Holmes, Forte, DC, Seaborne, Dickson (remember him).

[St Chalet]

Centre Back (Jos) and pacey striker.

 

That said if Seaborne or Jaidi are not likely to play this season then we would be mad not to invest in another top-class centre back for cover / competition.

[The Kraken]

That's basically what I'm saying. Our top players now will get a game in the Prem. It's not like we're going to have to spend £5m on every possition just to compete. What we need to do is cut the players who can't get a game now or wont next year. Jaidi, Holmes, Forte, DC, Seaborne, Dickson (remember him).

 

Yeah, I was agreeing with you, if that didn't come across! There are some positions where I think we might need to improve (jury out on Richardson, Connolly, Hammond, Schneiderlin, Davis and still Hooiveld IMO) but I think at least half might actually surprise a few people and make a seamless step up. Even still I don't think the side we have right now would be terrible, certainly not any worse than the bottom 5 or 6 Premier League sides right now. And with the obvious few improvements we would make I don't think it would be an enormous step up to hit mid-table.

 

But obviously that's a long way away yet, and there's still lots of hard work to be done in this division.

[Legod Third Coming]

That's basically what I'm saying. Our top players now will get a game in the Prem. It's not like we're going to have to spend £5m on every possition just to compete. What we need to do is cut the players who can't get a game now or wont next year. Jaidi, Holmes, Forte, DC, Seaborne, Dickson (remember him).

 

Quite right.

 

Who would have thought though, before we write anyone off, that the following players would be plying a very good trade in the Premiership - LEON BEST, RORY DELAP, DANNY HIGGINBOTHAM....

[The9]

Hypothetically, if you were Nigel Adkins, would you sign anyone in the January transfer window?

 

Granted we have just under a couple of months for form/injuries to take their toll, but do you think we have any gaps in the squad, or should we wait until the summer before signing anyone? I ask because I (and I'm not the only one) thought until recently that we were in need of a striker. Now, I think a new signing has the potential to cause unrest for what is a very settled team, and our form certainly indicates we aren't in need of anyone.

 

For me, I feel a permanent addition isn't needed until the summer (at least...), but we could boost numbers with a loan. What do you think?

 

If I was Adkins I'd be expecting to add another 6 or 7 Premier League standard players before we kicked a ball in the Prem. So yeah, I'd want to be adding players to get us up and keep us up over the next 9 months.

[Smirking_Saint]

I'd sign me

 

Remember the Volley !!!!!

[The Kraken]

If I was Adkins I'd be expecting to add another 6 or 7 Premier League standard players before we kicked a ball in the Prem. So yeah, I'd want to be adding players to get us up and keep us up over the next 9 months.

 

7? You think 7 of our current first team players are incapable of stepping up? Which ones do you think?

 

I think it would be totally against Adkins' way of thinking "together as one" to make that many sudden changes. 3 or 4 new signings at maximum is what I'd imagine.

[The9]

Quite right.

 

Who would have thought though, before we write anyone off, that the following players would be plying a very good trade in the Premiership - LEON BEST, RORY DELAP, DANNY HIGGINBOTHAM....

 

Hm, well Delap played in the Prem for 5 years before signing for Saints, Higginbotham had also played for 3 or 4 seasons, and Leon Best would be the first player to drop from that overachieving Newcastle team once they get some strikers in even though he's improved a fair bit. So I don't think your examples are very good.

 

I'm in favour of the evolution approach that Adkins has adopted, but if we go back into the Prem (!) with the core of a League One side we'll be coming straight back down, and it's one thing to expect League One players to step up to the Champ, it's quite another to assume they won't get found out in the Prem.

 

Also, if we maintain our current form into January, it'll be a lot easier to sign players of a certain standard and type based on offering Prem football at a lower risk to the individuals' careers. We'd be in the market for the Kevin Nolan types (not him, obviously), but a little more experienced, nearer their prime, still with something to offer and the ability to move us upwards.

[James]

Would definitely secure Jos, as has been said I rate him higher than Fonte so far this season. Would think carefully before signing a striker, if one was available at the right price then great but wouldn't want to be taken to the cleaners and sign Maynard, JRod or someone like that it might upset the balance in the camp.

[The9]

7? You think 7 of our current first team players are incapable of stepping up? Which ones do you think?

 

I think it would be totally against Adkins' way of thinking "together as one" to make that many sudden changes. 3 or 4 new signings at maximum is what I'd imagine.

 

Not necessarily that 7 aren't good enough, but we need a squad of 25 with the kind of depth of ability so we don't let the standard drop, and there are quite a few not getting any kind of look in even now. I can't see Jaidi being renewed, or Dickson being up to it, there are doubts about Seaborne's fitness, Butterfield is getting on, the likes of Hammond and Schneiderlin are unproven, Lambert has never played at that level, Forte hasn't shown us much, Barnard has barely played in the Championship, and most Prem squads have 4 proven strikers to rotate, and there are a load of younger players who we just can't tell with who are currently on the fringes.

 

And I'm talking about 6 or 7 by August is 3 in January and 3 or 4 more in the summer. Evolution, you can fit 3 new players in - with minimal impact - at a time, and that's exactly what we've just done. Now one of those could be, say, Ward-Prowse, or we might have to buy them.

 

But we need to be thinking about the current starting side as the basis of a Prem squad and look at where we need improvements, not assuming we're already good enough.

 

As an example, Taarabt was one of the, if not THE, top rated players in this division last year and essential to QPR's success. This year he's a bit of a luxury because he can only do certain things and his defensive play leaves them exposed, and they've signed the likes of Barton and SWP to give themselves a chance.

 

I'd be surprised if we weren't also looking at 23-26 year old top talents in the Championship or lower Prem in line with our apparent recruitment policy though.

[The9]

I'd sign me

 

Remember the Volley !!!!!

 

I'd sign me, but I think we already have enough passengers on the bus. That's one of the problems with signing players to long term contracts and rocketing through the divisions...

[The Kraken]

I'd be amazed if we signed 3 new players in January. I can definitely see a striker, but the only extra addition I'd expect would be Hooiveld, and I wouldn't count that as a new signing.

 

If we do go up then yes, I'd expect us to lose the likes of Dickson, Forte, Holmes and Jaidi. But we don't rely on them anyway; they're not first teamers right now, some are not even first reserves. If we do sign a striker in the window it will be with the Premier League in mind; and from then onwards I just can't see us needing or signing another 6 players.

 

Lets hope we find out which one of us is right or wrong.

[The9]

I'd be amazed if we signed 3 new players in January. I can definitely see a striker, but the only extra addition I'd expect would be Hooiveld, and I wouldn't count that as a new signing.

 

If we do go up then yes, I'd expect us to lose the likes of Dickson, Forte, Holmes and Jaidi. But we don't rely on them anyway; they're not first teamers right now, some are not even first reserves. If we do sign a striker in the window it will be with the Premier League in mind; and from then onwards I just can't see us needing or signing another 6 players.

 

Lets hope we find out which one of us is right or wrong.

 

I definitely wouldn't be amazed at all ("a striker" and Hooiveld is already 2/3rds of the total suggested), and the whole point is that we'd be signing Prem-quality players to replace the ones who don't get a game.

[The Kraken]

I definitely wouldn't be amazed at all ("a striker" and Hooiveld is already 2/3rds of the total suggested), and the whole point is that we'd be signing Prem-quality players to replace the ones who don't get a game.

 

It's splitting hairs but I don't consider tying Hooiveld to a contract to be a new signing.

 

Aside from that, I think if we do do go up we would take a similar approach to this year's window by making another 3 or 4 additions in the summer; with a striker in the window, to be fair it's not far away from 6 or 7 like you suggest.

[Rebel]

Well I hope we would extend Hoovied's loan to the summer at least - with the option of making it permanent in the summer. We also need to sign another striker to give us a bit more strength in depth up front. One of Juktiewitz, Sam Vokes on loan, Maynard or Jay Rodriguez would do.

 

We could also do with another centreback - either permanently or on loan - as with Seaborne and Jaidi being quite some way of playing we only got 3 in the squad. Kilgallon on loan would do.

 

Maybe another creative player or winger as Guly is now a striker or so or seems.

 

I'd like to see a few players lime Forte moved on as well though.

[The9]

It's splitting hairs but I don't consider tying Hooiveld to a contract to be a new signing.

 

Aside from that, I think if we do do go up we would take a similar approach to this year's window by making another 3 or 4 additions in the summer; with a striker in the window, to be fair it's not far away from 6 or 7 like you suggest.

 

Well, 6 not including Hooiveld and 7 including him then. I'm pretty sure we'll carry on doing the same sort of thing. Pardew's last 16 was, to break them down into current roles to look at the turnover since then :

 

Starters (6)

Davis, Fonte, Hammond/Schneiderlin, Lallana, Guly, Lambert

Match Day Squad (6)

Harding, Butterfield, Martin, Hammond/Schneiderlin, Connolly, Bialkowski

 

Not involved in League this season (4)

Dickson, Barnard, Jaidi... and Puncheon, who may as well be in the next category...

Left club

Oxlade-Chamberlain, Wotton (2)

 

We've brought in :

Cork, Chaplow, De Ridder, Fox and Hooiveld (5), all at least first team squad players, plus Forte and Jack Stephens (2) who've not featured in the League.

McLaggon, Pulis, McNish, Gobern and Mills (5) have also left, and Dale Stephens, and a few others with under 2 starts were in and out on loan.

 

So still 12 of the 16 are regular squad members from when Adkins joined, but we've added 5 more to that lot in the 2 transfer windows since, and you have to assume that was the plan for Forte... that's pretty consistent with what I think we'll do.

Edited 6 November, 2011 by The9

[Legod Third Coming]

Hm, well Delap played in the Prem for 5 years before signing for Saints, Higginbotham had also played for 3 or 4 seasons, and Leon Best would be the first player to drop from that overachieving Newcastle team once they get some strikers in even though he's improved a fair bit. So I don't think your examples are very good.

 

I'm in favour of the evolution approach that Adkins has adopted, but if we go back into the Prem (!) with the core of a League One side we'll be coming straight back down, and it's one thing to expect League One players to step up to the Champ, it's quite another to assume they won't get found out in the Prem.

 

Also, if we maintain our current form into January, it'll be a lot easier to sign players of a certain standard and type based on offering Prem football at a lower risk to the individuals' careers. We'd be in the market for the Kevin Nolan types (not him, obviously), but a little more experienced, nearer their prime, still with something to offer and the ability to move us upwards.

 

I think you over-estimate the class difference between the top of League One, the Championship and then the bottom of the Premiership.

 

Players like Lallana, Chaplow, Morgan, Guly, Fox, Fonte, Jos - they all look to me certainly no worse than players in the Premiership today like Hunt, Bothroyd, Holt, etc.

 

Of the teams that went up, I expect at least two to survive (probably Norwich and Swansea) maybe even all three.

 

The key is having a great team full of belief and you don't get that by ripping apart one with it already!

[ottery st mary]

Dale Jennings in on loan from Bayern Munich (did he ever arrive there) ex Tranmere striker / winger.....

 

Young and very fast and goalscorer....

 

 

Gary Madine striker at Sheff Wed. ex Carlisle JPT final etc..

 

Young strong and goalscorer..

 

 

Loan Piquet from Barcelona for centre back:rolleyes:

[The9]

I think you over-estimate the class difference between the top of League One, the Championship and then the bottom of the Premiership.

 

Players like Lallana, Chaplow, Morgan, Guly, Fox, Fonte, Jos - they all look to me certainly no worse than players in the Premiership today like Hunt, Bothroyd, Holt, etc.

 

Of the teams that went up, I expect at least two to survive (probably Norwich and Swansea) maybe even all three.

 

The key is having a great team full of belief and you don't get that by ripping apart one with it already!

 

I'd like a team full of belief that won't get immediately smashed out of them when they get taken to pieces by one of the top sides in August, which means having players who've already been through it and know how to compete, integrating with the talent we've got.

Edited 6 November, 2011 by The9

[Legod Third Coming]

I'd like a team full of belief that won't get immediately smashed out of them when they get taken to pieces by one of the top sides in August, which means having players who've already been through it and know how to compete, integrating with the talent we've got.

 

I haven't seen Norwich or Swansea smashed yet.

How are Blackburn and Wigan getting on?

I seem to think they have plenty of players 'who've already been through it and know how to compete'...

 

To be honest, I'll trust Adkins. He seems to know what he's doing.

[Chez]

I still think Curtis Davis can cut it at Premiership level (when I saw him at Luton I thought he'd be in the England side by now) and he's the best centre back I've seen against us this season.

[The9]

I haven't seen Norwich or Swansea smashed yet.

How are Blackburn and Wigan getting on?

I seem to think they have plenty of players 'who've already been through it and know how to compete'...

 

To be honest, I'll trust Adkins. He seems to know what he's doing.

 

Swansea got murdered by Manchester City in their first match and didn't score for ages, that alone would shatter some teams. They do however have a few players with Premexperience. I guess it comes down to whether you're happy being a couple of injuries away from relegation or not, have Swansea got depth to deal with injuries and suspensions? . You only have to look at Cork's comments on the OS to see how vital the squad is and how having players who can step in and maintain the level is.

[Thedelldays]

Swansea got murdered by Manchester City in their first match and didn't score for ages, that alone would shatter some teams. They do however have a few players with Premexperience. I guess it comes down to whether you're happy being a couple of injuries away from relegation or not, have Swansea got depth to deal with injuries and suspensions? . You only have to look at Cork's comments on the OS to see how vital the squad is and how having players who can step in and maintain the level is.

 

Man u got smashed 6-1 at OT.

 

Better start saving for messi and ronaldo then!!!

[Fan The Flames]

I dont think we need anybody in Jan, get promoted and buy early in the summer.

[Huntingdon]

I trust NA and NC to pull the necessary rabbits out the hat

 

90% seem to want Hooiveld to stay, yet 90% probably had no idea who he was before he signed

I remember many posters being disappointed, as he was a Celtic reject

 

What's the betting we sign somebody in January who nobody has mentioned or suggested?

[hamster]

I'd like saints to have another punt at signing Simeone Jackson. If we are as good as nailed on to go up then he might be tempted by Nigel, the set up, our silky style, the stadium, the fans, the area and the chance of actually playing a game occasionaly. He's a bit of a promotion lucky charm too, had 3 in 4 seasons.

[saint1977]

I don't think we should rest on our laurels. What we're doing at the moment and where we are in the league is absolutely stunning and beyond anyone's expectations.

 

So let's not let this enormous opportunity slip away. January is a perfect opportunity to grab a reinforcement in a couple of positions. Who knows what could happen in the 2nd half of the season?

 

A top 6 finish would still be fantastic....but why not grab this opportunity with both hands to win this league? We may never be in such a strong position again - I think we've got a great chance with an extra striker and CB added to the squad.

 

Totally agree with that and I think the primary areas are CB and CF. Barnard's injury seems a bit more long-term that first reported - hopefully it's not Marian Mark II but his ankle problem is a serious concern. Connolly is a useful impact option but not really as a starter so we are very light if Lambert of Guly get a knock - we may need a loan before the window to keep us going there and CB as Jos and Fonte must be within a couple of bookings of a ban. Martin is capable but Cork as a CB is only an emergency option. I think are CM options are a big factor behind our start to the season - all 4 of them have played superbly so no need to spend there. However, one more pacy wide option would be welcome if Guly continues as a striker - and on current form why not? He adds a better ariel presence and ability to run in behind.

[Webby]

The sad thing is we would need to spend a very large amount of money (in relative terms) to be able to match or better either of them.

We don't need to. Man u don't have 2 rooneys, or 2 vidics. We just need backup players that can compete at this level and above, such as utd have in johnny evans and Owen et al.

[Webby]

I dont think we need anybody in Jan, get promoted and buy early in the summer.

while I agree that we may well get promoted with what we've got, re my earlier post, I think it's wise to get some players in now (jan) to get them bed in and firmly on the bus. Making too many signings in the summer could well be more disruptive than good.

[Webby]

Ultimately, I'd be very surprised if we don't sign a forward and a centre back.