Transfers with that WOW factor

[fareham saint phil]

Ok I'm old enough to remember the Kevin Keegan signing and that really was a "shock and awe" transfer, a real mouth open (probably drooling), eyes wide open and shaking the head moment. But after that I can't think of any other, certainly recent transfers, that have made me go WOW.

[dubai_phil]

Jermaine Wright.

Paul Telfer.

 

Think those made me go Oh Wow, now we're screwed

[Thedelldays]

jermaine wright.

after oakley had left and this clown came in........

[Tokyo-Saint]

At the time, because of what we have been used to, Lambert had a certain wow factor. Not in the same league as keegan but an exciting signing at least.

[S-Clarke]

I think, Lens' , if ht happens, would have a certain Wow factor about it.

[Turkish]

When we signed the Latvian Michael Owen, the Swedish David Beckham and the World Class Ryan Smith.

[VectisSaint]

Rudi Skacel?

[bender]

I remember being quite excited when we signed Kevin Phillips. It was only 2 years after moving to SMS and made we think were not bottom half Prem team anymore.

[Mr Saints]

Phillips springs to mind from our recent history. Proven Premier League striker and was in what should have been the prime of his career.

[david in sweden]

Having lived in Sweden for several decades .......there was a bit of that with the transfer of the two Svensson's to Saints around 10 years ago.

 

Both were class internationals, and even if we don't use phrases like " world-class" ........at least they'd have ranked as top-rated players in Europe at the time.

 

BUT .....I suppose it depends on whether you are referring to transfers IN ....or OUT! I think Alex O-C's transfer to Arsenal had a bit of that about it!....especially when I heard the amount of the fee.....

 

so ....on the same theme .....I felt a huge sense of relief and a little bit of a WOW factor when I heard that Tommy F. was going to Gillingham ...for the entire season !....after which ...........WHOOPEEE!!

Edited 21 July, 2012 by david in sweden

[Saint Martini]

Kevin Phillips had that wow-factor. He'd won the Golden Boot a few seasons earlier and had played for England, its not really in the same class as the Keegan signing by any means but I thought at the time it was a huge step forward for the club.

 

In its own way the Lambert signing had a certain wow factor but since we had played Premier League football not that long ago it perhaps wasn't that special. It was however a huge statement of intent that made people believe in the future of our club again.

[Fan The Flames]

Keegans signing was light years ahead of any others, but Grobbelaar, Delgado, Phillips and Skacel were all exciting.

[eharty9]

dont think anyone realises what a good signing steven davis is!!! i know not much of a wow factor but really is a quality signing

[david in sweden]

Keegans signing was light years ahead of any others, but Grobbelaar, Delgado, Phillips and Skacel were all exciting.

 

very few people knew ANYTHING at all about Marian Pahars when he signed, but I think the WOW factor came after we'd seen him score a few goals.....

 

although .....I have the feeling we may get a similar delayed reaction after we see Tadanari Lee in a few Prem. games, though I expect some good vibes if we actually do sign Lens.

[david in sweden]

dont think anyone realises what a good signing steven davis is!!! i know not much of a wow factor but really is a quality signing

 

agreed !

[AussieDog]

I think Peter Shilton was a pretty big one, and going back to the 70's Peter Osgood was too, but I can't think of any in recent memory that have made me think that way

[oldskoolsi]

I'm not that bothered with WOW signings. Nowadays most really good wow signings rather than just 'big name players' are well out of our price range. WOW signings that we could get prob have baggage with them (attitude, injuries, past it)

[Badger]

The signing of KK is out on its own.

 

I can't think of a player now who would have the same impact, KK was still in his prime.

 

Before KK the one that shocked us was Peter Osgood, £275,000 was an unprecedented sum for us to spend and elevated us in to the big time under our new manager and era. But instead we spiralled to relegation.

 

I think Peter Shilton was a pretty big one, and going back to the 70's Peter Osgood was too, but I can't think of any in recent memory that have made me think that way

 

The signing of Shilton was really tempered by the rumour and expectation that KK had a rift and was off. I could never get excited about Shilton's arrival to be honest.

[Saint86]

At the time, because of what we have been used to, Lambert had a certain wow factor. Not in the same league as keegan but an exciting signing at least.

 

Agree - I was delighted when we signed Lambert, he was my dream signing that summer! Also wanted us to get Sharpedo last season, which we did. This year I want Kasper from the Foxes or Steele from Boro, I think the Club have moved on from my player knowledge base though, spent to much time playing FM in the lower leagues!

 

Also Tokyo-saint, are you still following Saints out in Japan? Because good on you if you are!

[smackalec]

I can't think of any wow signings for other clubs really. Good players yes, but the sort you expect them to sign or don't know that much about. RVP to Man Utd would be though.

 

I think Rafael van der Vaart was a bit of a coup

[Golden Balls]

I would love to have known the feeling when we signed KK. My dad always talks about it. That an Osgood. Can only imagine the feel good factor.

 

Most excited I got for a signing was when Adam Lallana signed a 4 year contract extension. Does that count?

 

If not, I guess I was excited by the Delgado signing after seeing that video at the Ipswich game. Or Henri Camera

[Fan The Flames]

Another one I can remember being excited about was Alan McLoughlin, didn't work on this side of Hampshire though.

[BallBoy]

There will never be another Keegan signing by anyone. It was total audacity and genius by Lawrie Mac. In today's terms we would have to sign Messi or Ronaldo for just £10million without anyone knowing until the hastily arranged press conference. The few hardened hacks who were there applauded. It sent shock waves through the football community and made front page news.

[Fan The Flames]

I would love to have known the feeling when we signed KK. My dad always talks about it. That an Osgood. Can only imagine the feel good factor

 

It was amazing, I was living in Sussex and my mum drove to school to tell me the news, it was the one and only time she did that. I was certain she got Keegan and Keehan mixed up, I remember the next time at school all the boys (Brighton, Spurs and Liverpool fans) were coming up to me to talk about it.

[sandwichsaint]

Niemi probably our 'biggest' signing in modern times?

[Lighthouse]

The signing of KK is out on its own.

 

I can't think of a player now who would have the same impact, KK was still in his prime.

 

 

I would love to have known the feeling when we signed KK. My dad always talks about it. That an Osgood. Can only imagine the feel good factor.

 

I didn't think Kosowski was that good TBH but I guess you're entitled to your opinion.

[Badger]

I didn't think Kosowski was that good TBH but I guess you're entitled to your opinion.

 

Very funny - but he is not fit to wipe Keegan's arse

[Professor]

I remember having to sit on the stairs in shock when I got in from work to a phone call from a work colleague to say Saints had signed Keegan, and telling me to switch on the TV. But soon after it was tempered a bit when you realised that Keegan had his personal plan and would only stay for two seasons before going home to Newcastle. It may be a very long time before Saints ever again sign the European Player of the Year but some of our most influential players haven't always had that profile when we signed them - Jimmy Case for example, thought to fading fast when Laurie Mac bought him from Brighton but gave us six excellent years. Steven Davis could be the new Jimmy Case and I can see him and Morgan having real influence from midfield.

[Badger]

There will never be another Keegan signing by anyone. It was total audacity and genius by Lawrie Mac. In today's terms we would have to sign Messi or Ronaldo for just £10million without anyone knowing until the hastily arranged press conference. The few hardened hacks who were there applauded. It sent shock waves through the football community and made front page news.

 

First item on the 6 O'Clock news on tv as well.

[Badger]

I remember having to sit on the stairs in shock when I got in from work to a phone call from a work colleague to say Saints had signed Keegan, and telling me to switch on the TV. But soon after it was tempered a bit when you realised that Keegan had his personal plan and would only stay for two seasons before going home to Newcastle. It may be a very long time before Saints ever again sign the European Player of the Year but some of our most influential players haven't always had that profile when we signed them - Jimmy Case for example, thought to fading fast when Laurie Mac bought him from Brighton but gave us six excellent years. Steven Davis could be the new Jimmy Case and I can see him and Morgan having real influence from midfield.

 

I don't think that is either fair or accurate.

 

Keegan and family were happy in Hampshire,it was not a 'game plan' to go to Newcastle, he left following a rift with Laurie.

 

We were top of the league in March 1981/2, KK pestered Laurie to improve the squad, which did not happen to Keegan's expectation. It was later revealed that Saints had set up a deal for Trevor Francis who was unsettled at Man City but it fell through. LM had agreed it with John Bond the City manager, but the City board pulled the plug fearing fan revolt.(How times have changed regarding transfers , now the manager's input seems minimal).Keegan thought the club unambitous. After a deadful 3-0 defeat at home to Villa, LM accused Keegan of just going through the motions with one eye on the World Cup. That was it, KK wanted out.

 

There were rumours that Keegan had a £100,000 buy out clause entitling him to talk to Man Utd which is where we expected him to go. Newcastle had backing from Scottish & Newcastle Breweries, and they put a mega deal together by 'then standards' to get him talking.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

Signing the darling of the Kings Rd was a big deal back then - we couldn't believe it and the home gate went up by 10,000 for Osgood's debut.

Brian O'Neil's arrival was a big deal too.

 

More recently David Armstrong was a bit of a coup.

[Third Division South Days]

Signing the darling of the Kings Rd was a big deal back then - we couldn't believe it and the home gate went up by 10,000 for Osgood's debut.

Brian O'Neil's arrival was a big deal too.

 

More recently David Armstrong was a bit of a coup.

 

Alan Ball - impressive signing

[Hatch]

Mark Hughes .. Well I thought so at the time, anyway.. For about 1 game.

[gaz]

Jose Fonte

Kevin Phillips

Jos Hooiveld

Jamie Redknapp

Dennis Wise

 

None of the Keegan league of ability, but all made me go ''wow, we managed to sign HIM?''.

[Crab Lungs]

I remember that famous lineup of around 5 or 6 players at one time on the front of the paper... I think it was David Howells, Scott Marshall, James Beattie and a couple of others... that excited me. I remember thinking "Wow, we can really push on from here"

 

Ooops.

[Paul Chuckle]

Kevin Phillips and Mark Hughes in my lifetime. And bringing Kevin Davies back

[saint si]

Mark Hughes, Stuart Ripley and... Mark Paul, IIRC...

[Crab Lungs]

Mark Hughes, Stuart Ripley and... Mark Paul, IIRC...

 

That's it! Ha, memories...

[buctootim]

Lets face it almost nothing is going to top signing the reigning two times European Footballer of the year, probably only Lionel Messi.

[krissyboy31]

I'm not that bothered with WOW signings. Nowadays most really good wow signings rather than just 'big name players' are well out of our price range. WOW signings that we could get prob have baggage with them (attitude, injuries, past it)

 

There is a point where the signing players at "your level" is not going to improve the team. Every team with ambition requires continuous improvement or you risk stagnation. At some point, maybe not this season, maybe not next, to go forward (or even stay at the same level) we will need to buy players which would be perceived by some "wow factor" level.

[Leslie Charteris]

Apart from the big names already mentioned, Mick Mills and Dave Watson signing for us made me raise an eyebrow. We had quite a number of experienced players then, quite a different approach from NA now.

[Piran]

As someone else said, nothing will match the wow effect of Keegan's arrival, but I was overwhelmed by the arrival of Ball, and of Osgood, at the time. And they both went on to do their bit for Saints. I used to think that Osgood's tricks and sense of fun which could be seen when he played were worth the entry fee alone, and Ball was obviously one of the most influential players ever to play for the club in my time, which now goes back over 50 years!

[Gingeletiss]

I think Lee will fall into this category, I suspect he will be our surprise package this coming year.

[radio slave]

i was quite impressed by us picking up dean richards at the time

[lordswoodsaints]

Ok I'm old enough to remember the Kevin Keegan signing and that really was a "shock and awe" transfer, a real mouth open (probably drooling), eyes wide open and shaking the head moment. But after that I can't think of any other, certainly recent transfers, that have made me go WOW.

 

I'm with you on this I'm old enough to remember those days and although I am happy with the signings we have made they don't seem to get me excited about the prospects of watching them play as it once did.

Perhaps it's an age thing?

I don't think we will see the likes of that 'Keegan type' signing ever again at our club but it would be nice to sign a couple of players that grab you by the nuts and make other clubs sit up and take note.

I just hope the transfer policy we have doesn't backfire and send us straight back down.

[Lighthouse]

Jose Fonte

Kevin Phillips

Jos Hooiveld

Jamie Redknapp

Dennis Wise

 

None of the Keegan league of ability, but all made me go ''wow, we managed to sign HIM?''.

 

Hooiveld wasn't wanted by Celtic, Redknapp had lots of injury issues and struggled to get a game at Spuds. Wise was a free transfer from Millwall. I know the latter 2 played for England in their prime, but they were both well past it when they came to us. It would be like signing Kieron Dyer or Jonathan Woodgate today.

[Saint Without a Halo]

Charlie George, Peter Osgood, Chris Nicholl, Dave Watson, Mark Wright, Augustin Delgado,Ted Macdougall, Mark Hughes, Jimmy Case Alan Ball, Peter Shilton, David Armstrong Frank Worthington as well as Keegan all had a certain WOW factor and most were or became full Internationals! But Keegan was the biggest WoW a world superstar at his peak!

[Matty's Caddy]

I remember exactly where I was when I heard we'd signed Colin Clarke.

I was happy with that one.

[SW5 SAINT]

I seem to remember when we signed Peter Osgood we broke the British transfer record, so that was certainly a WOW moment that a player of that calibre was joining Southampton....

[buctootim]

I seem to remember when we signed Peter Osgood we broke the British transfer record, so that was certainly a WOW moment that a player of that calibre was joining Southampton....

 

I still dont get where the money came from for those early 1980s big name signings. We had less than half the attendances of the big name clubs and there was no tv money to speak of. How come Saints could afford them and others couldnt or wouldnt? (yes I know wages were a lot less, but so were ticket prices)