Dibden Purlieu Saint Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 Is anybody slightly worried at the quality of footballers we're being linked with? Personally the players we've bought are alright, but I yhink they're lacking in real quality, even compared to mid table Prem teams. Players like Scott Dann for instance. We need to be aiming higher than poor Premiership players who had one lucky season sat in a 10-0-0 formation. I wonder if we're struggling to attract players due to the amount of money we're willing to spend/pay in wages, or due to Adkins not being a big name draw? Anyone else a little worried? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Victor Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 No. INWT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasoneuelllfanclub Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 we have bought quality compared to our rivals such as reading. we are a newly promoted team so players will be mindful of our chances of remaining in the PL. We have enough quality to stay up as long as we sign a decent CB with a little bit of pace. if we stay up then next season will be a lot easier to attract "big name" targets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 I'm in two minds. Part of me would like to see one or two 'stars' join us but the other part of me thinks that could upset the 'psychological' balance of the team that we've been building for the last 3 years. My gut feel is to give the relatively low profile approach a go for the first half of the season and revert to a 'plan b' in January if needs be. My confident levels are quite high at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 Not sure what you expect, we're being linked with Lens who is top half quality without a doubt. Once Rodriguez, Clyne and Davis settle we will have 3 top 10 standard PL players in our team. All 3 of those are coups for a club of our current stature. I'm looking at who WHU have bought and I can't see anyone of any note, Reading have kind of followed the same route as us but lesser quality. Teams like Wigan have done diddly squat. Our business so far as been excellent, if you're not pleased with that then you're never going to be pleased. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angelman Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 I wonder if we're struggling to attract players due to the amount of money we're willing to spend/pay in wages, Anyone else a little worried? If that is the case, then good. I have faith in Cortese in being able to run the club on a sound-ish footing. If it means that we are uncompetitive in the PL but have balanced books, then so be it. All fans want their chairman to splash the cash, without really thinking about the consequences, and i think we all know exactly how things can end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Appy Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 No i'm not worried. HTH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
for_heaven's_Saint Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 No one- not us or the journalists who link us with players- really knows who we are chasing and making offers for. We can't judge our transfer activity on rumours. The players we have brought in have been good and there's plenty of time for more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edprice1984 Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 Personally I am happy with the players we have brought in. With the exception of a CB (which I think even NA recognises we need), we have strengthened in all the positions we needed to. I certainly don't feel that we are in any worse off than most of the other teams in the league. If we can bring in one or two more before the season starts then all the better - Lens seems to be the 'big name', plus I would imagine we will be active in January too. Let's wait till the first few games are out of the way - 4 points from the opening 4 games would be a dream start imho! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNSUN Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 Signing quality costs big money. Granted you could get the odd class player on the cheap, but if we get relegated next season (and confident though some may be that it won't happen, it is a very real possibility), we would be foolhardy to have big names/big wages in the squad that will either want to jump ship back to the Prem or we'll be stuck with on a wage bill. Rodriguez, Clyne and to a point Davis are all going to do well for us this year, I can see them making the step up with consumate ease, but if we do get relegated, I can see us keeping all three and trying to bounce back first time. I think Nigel and Nicola are taking the correct line. Stick to the wage budget this season, consolidate our position within the Premier League if possible, and then raise it year on year after that. 'Sides, all four players we've signed are better than what we already had, which Nigel stated was his aim. I'm not worried, I'm looking forward to the new season, knowing full well other transfers will be made by the end of August. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Armchair Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 On paper you could argue that we are struggling to bring in quality players as so far we have signed 2 championship players, 1 league 2 player and 1 Scottish PL player. I think the first season back in the PL is always going to be a challenge in attracting players with Premier League experience who are still at the top of their game. Therefore players like Jay Rod and Clyne are very good alternatives as they are young, hungary for success and must prove that they belong in the PL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AussieDog Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 I think we've made astute signings so far, but was hoping for a "wow factor". Personally I think we're only going to get 2 more before the start of the season - GK and CB. Can't see either of those being the "wow factor" though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 Yes, I'm worried. There is a definite pattern in our transfer activity. Yes we've done well securing Rodriguez, but our other three major transfers are players out of contract, one of which weve p*ssed off his club with an insulting offer and the third a goalkeeper as one for the future. Just like last season weve failed to address the areas where we are crying out for quality, namely centre back and right midfield. Last season we went through 4 centre halves before scrapping around at the end of the window looking for loans after failing all summer to secure a deal for the player we needed and wanted. Luckily for us Hooliveld worked out but it could equally have been a disaster. Last season we had the momentum of 13 wins out of 14 to carry us through along with a team of experienced championship players. This season we don't have that momentum and an untested team at the level we are playing at. This, alongside our sticking plaster approach to key positions could lead to a long and difficult season if we don't address these problems by signing quality and experience, centrainly at least at centre back. I'm sure I'll be called negative, a troll and all sorts else as if usually the case when Anything other than saying how amazing anything is, but that is the reality folks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldsarum Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 This is groundhog day We had exactly the same thread before the start of last season There are still 3 weeks to go before the season starts so no need to panic yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxstone Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 Is anybody slightly worried at the quality of footballers we're being linked with? Personally the players we've bought are alright, but I yhink they're lacking in real quality, even compared to mid table Prem teams. Players like Scott Dann for instance. We need to be aiming higher than poor Premiership players who had one lucky season sat in a 10-0-0 formation. I wonder if we're struggling to attract players due to the amount of money we're willing to spend/pay in wages, or due to Adkins not being a big name draw? Anyone else a little worried? We have signed quality - Agree I would feel better once we land a good centre half but so far, so very good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lillyflo Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 Just remember, a lot of hard work is going on behind the scenes and we will endeavour to bring in quality players to aid us in our endeavour to qualify for champions league football! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sour Mash Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 Is anybody slightly worried at the quality of footballers we're being linked with? Personally the players we've bought are alright, but I yhink they're lacking in real quality, even compared to mid table Prem teams. Players like Scott Dann for instance. We need to be aiming higher than poor Premiership players who had one lucky season sat in a 10-0-0 formation. I wonder if we're struggling to attract players due to the amount of money we're willing to spend/pay in wages, or due to Adkins not being a big name draw? Anyone else a little worried? Who would you liked us to have been linked with? A few examples? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badgerx16 Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 There are 5 weeks left of the transfer window. Let's leave the post-mortem until Sept 1st. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadgerBadger Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 we don't need a charlie big potatoes coming in, breaking the bank and upsetting the applecart. QPR struggled and they had quality/big earners/egos. Just wished people would get away from the same old trap that most clubs and fans fall into. Build a quality team, not fill it with individuals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
This Charming Man Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 Who would you liked us to have been linked with? A few examples? I couldn't care less as to who we're linked with. It's who we sign that counts. I'd just like to see a couple of proven, quality additions to compliment some of the decent youngsters we have here. People keep using Swansea and Norwich as examples but come on, they were flukes and I bet both will be in the relegation mix this season. Look at Hull and Blackpool - both played exciting, attacking football and won many plaudits along the way, but look where they both are now. The only club in recent years to come up and firmly establish themselves is Stoke and what did they do? They signed experienced, proven players at this level. I'm all for signing youngsters and giving them a go but we need to get the balance right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAY-Z Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 I am relatively happy with what we have done but worried by what we haven't done At the start of the transfer window I had cb and rm as the 2 spots that need strengthing most and we are yet to action that The cb is a big concern for me as I think the defence need to play as much as possible together to gain cohesion and the preseason games are running out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 No, not really. Just because some of these players are not proven at the highest level, does not mean when push-comes-to-shove they wont be capable of competing at that level. Do we really want very expensive billy-big-bullocks-cum-Johnny Foreigners in the dressing room f**king the team spirit up ? I still like the idea of an authoritative experienced midfield general (maybe NA sees this in Davis) and a seasoned CB (I dont think on the strength of last season that Fonte is up to this level) and GK, but lets see... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rooney Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 Not worried at all about the players we have been linked with as most are simply paper talk. The players we have signed so far are v. good signings. Leave the rest to NA--he knows what he is doing " in private, behind closed doors" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InvictaSaint Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 Can anybody recall, off the top of their heads, which big name, 'quality' established PL players Norwich and Swansea signed last summer? Any names spring to mind? No, me neither......and yet both of those teams did more than OK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 Not sure what you expect, we're being linked with Lens who is top half quality without a doubt. Once Rodriguez, Clyne and Davis settle we will have 3 top 10 standard PL players in our team. All 3 of those are coups for a club of our current stature. I'm looking at who WHU have bought and I can't see anyone of any note, Reading have kind of followed the same route as us but lesser quality. Teams like Wigan have done diddly squat. Our business so far as been excellent, if you're not pleased with that then you're never going to be pleased. There is no way we can know that they could be total gash. Personally I'm not worried I think team ethic will be a lot more important than superstar names anyway. Plus I'm really not bothered if we stay up anyway the last few years has shown me football can be just as much fun (if not more) outside the PL (and I might be able to afford my ST again if we're relegated) So as far as I'm concerened stay up don't stay up it's all good....but I'd rather watch team of hardworking players play for the shirt than talents who aren't bothered (though of course talented and really grateful to play for saints players would be ideal). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 You do realise this whole everything amazing camp you've created in your mind is merely you and MLG flirting on every other thread? No it isn't read any thread. It's full of gushing praise and propoganda and anyone who dares to question anything is accused of being negative and wanting Saints to fail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Charlie Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 Agree with Turkish re CB and RM - have been crying out for these since last Jan IMO and would hope that we sort these two positions out. If we do then I'm happy. Jay Rod, Clyne, Davis, Gazza are good signings so far with 3 of the 4 going into the starting lineup most weeks. Another two the same in the positions mentioned above and its a good summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
This Charming Man Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 Can anybody recall, off the top of their heads, which big name, 'quality' established PL players Norwich and Swansea signed last summer? Any names spring to mind? No, me neither......and yet both of those teams did more than OK. Can you recall what 'quality' established PL players Hull, Blackpool, Birmingham, Burnley, Wolves signed? Could you please advise me of where they are now...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint-Armstrong Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 Can you recall what 'quality' established PL players Hull, Blackpool, Birmingham, Burnley, Wolves signed? Could you please advise me of where they are now...? Obafemi Martins for one? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sour Mash Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 I couldn't care less as to who we're linked with. It's who we sign that counts. I'd just like to see a couple of proven, quality additions to compliment some of the decent youngsters we have here. People keep using Swansea and Norwich as examples but come on, they were flukes and I bet both will be in the relegation mix this season. Look at Hull and Blackpool - both played exciting, attacking football and won many plaudits along the way, but look where they both are now. The only club in recent years to come up and firmly establish themselves is Stoke and what did they do? They signed experienced, proven players at this level. I'm all for signing youngsters and giving them a go but we need to get the balance right. Ok, who would you like to sign? My post was in response to the OP which was referring to who we had been linked with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leslie Charteris Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 It's not the quality of the individuals that is so important so much as the quality of the team they make. Nigel knows what he wants and I am sure there are people working hard behind the scenes endeavoring to achieve that aim and it will be all done in private, then announced when the players have signed on the dotted line. We'll just have to wait until September before going off into one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
This Charming Man Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 Obafemi Martins for one? He was on loan at Brum and literally played a few games for them. If he'd been there all season, they may well have stayed up, you never know. After all, he was a proven goalscorer at that level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saints-cris Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 Not worried.. most of our signings come completely out of the blue these days anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucks Saint Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 On paper you could argue that we are struggling to bring in quality players as so far we have signed 2 championship players, 1 league 2 player and 1 Scottish PL player. Therefore players like Jay Rod and Clyne are very good alternatives as they are young, hungary for success and must prove that they belong in the PL. Hooiveld was unable to get a game for a Scottish PL club. He turned out to be our best defender and a top player. Davis was the captain of Rangers so lets assume he may well be a very good player, at least until we see him play please Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_Randell Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 No it isn't read any thread. It's full of gushing praise and propoganda and anyone who dares to question anything is accused of being negative and wanting Saints to fail. It's because, at the moment, we're extremely lucky in the fact that there is actually very little to worry/complain about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
This Charming Man Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 Ok, who would you like to sign? My post was in response to the OP which was referring to who we had been linked with. I could be here all day reeling off players I'd like to sign. That's irrelevant. As I've stated, I'm happy with our signings so far. I think Clyne is a real coup. I just want a proven CB and a creative midfielder, someone who has done it at the highest level. J-Rod could go on and bang in 20 goals, he might score 2 and be loaned out at the end of the season, it's a gamble just like any signing is though the odds are considerably shorter when signing proven players. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
This Charming Man Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 Not worried.. most of our signings come completely out of the blue these days anyway. Not really. We'd been heavily linked with every player we've signed so far this season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MOSaint Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 I'd be really interested to see what kind of players people would have liked us to sign... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 Agree with Turkish re CB and RM - have been crying out for these since last Jan IMO and would hope that we sort these two positions out. If we do then I'm happy. Jay Rod, Clyne, Davis, Gazza are good signings so far with 3 of the 4 going into the starting lineup most weeks. Another two the same in the positions mentioned above and its a good summer. Agree with the first part, I think we're relatively weak at CB and RM right now. Adkins has said already that we'll bring in one or two at CB, so that's being addressed. We'll see if we get anyone at RM; Matt Jarvis would have been a great signing but I imagine his price tag put most clubs off. Closer to the end of the window we'll see if anything happens, but I don't see any of Guly, de Ridder or Chaplow as a good enough starting option. CB is a definite problem position IMO. Fonte and Hooiveld together looked shaky last term (considering how strong we were everywhere else) and both prone to individual errors. IMO they would get torn apart in the PL. And the thing is, with the way our signings have gone so far with transfers from the lower leagues, I'm not sure there is a Championship defender I can think of who could come in and doing the job we need. Even Scott Dann, with his £6M boyout fee, is apparently not the player we need, he needs a commanding centre back next to him. Apart from Davis K and Davis S we have very little top level experience, which while not at all being the be all and end all, does highlight to me an inexperience in key areas. There's still plenty of time until the transfer window closes, but I'd hate for us to do a Hooiveld and leave it until the last possible minute to bring in a new CB (or two if we so choose). We have a really tough start to the season, and need to be on the money from the very first kick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
This Charming Man Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 I'd be really interested to see what kind of players people would have liked us to sign... I thought I've said it enough on here but just for you - I'D LIKE TO SEE US SIGN A COUPLE OF PROVEN QUALITY PLAYERS WHO HAVE DONE IT AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL BEFORE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 and the other thing being that centre back is a crucial position, where they need to work well as a pair, they need time to gel and develop and understanding. It's a diffcult position to bring someone in and just expect them to play, any mistake or lapse in concentation or commuication and they make will be punished. The goalkeeper and centre back positions are crucial IMO. The foundation on which the team is built. A good pairing can make even an average centre half, such as Lunkedvam look good. A bad one will lead to nothing but struggle and i'm not conivinced that ours is anywhere near good enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Verbal Kint Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 I thought I've said it enough on here but just for you - I'D LIKE TO SEE US SIGN A COUPLE OF PROVEN QUALITY PLAYERS WHO HAVE DONE IT AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL BEFORE. "Proven quality at the highest level" costs big money and big wages. We aren't a big enough club to go around paying players 50-60k a week at the moment. Sad fact of life Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MOSaint Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 I thought I've said it enough on here but just for you - I'D LIKE TO SEE US SIGN A COUPLE OF PROVEN QUALITY PLAYERS WHO HAVE DONE IT AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL BEFORE. Such as.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
This Charming Man Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 Such as.... You said "what kind of player", so I advised you on the "kind" of player I would like us to sign. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dibden Purlieu Saint Posted 26 July, 2012 Author Share Posted 26 July, 2012 Not sure what you expect, we're being linked with Lens who is top half quality without a doubt. Once Rodriguez, Clyne and Davis settle we will have 3 top 10 standard PL players in our team. All 3 of those are coups for a club of our current stature. I'm looking at who WHU have bought and I can't see anyone of any note, Reading have kind of followed the same route as us but lesser quality. Teams like Wigan have done diddly squat. Our business so far as been excellent, if you're not pleased with that then you're never going to be pleased. 3 top 10 standard players? What gives you that idea? 2 have only ever played in the Championship and the other played in the Scottish Prem. Doesn't make them top 10 and grankly we can't wait 3 years for them to become that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
This Charming Man Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 "Proven quality at the highest level" costs big money and big wages. We aren't a big enough club to go around paying players 50-60k a week at the moment. Sad fact of life Only if you go after Man City type rejects coming off a massive contract like QPR have done. I don't expect us to sign any decent players from England as they're too expensive. We seem to be sniffing around a few players in the Eredivisie at the moment and that's not a bad place to look. Players can be picked up fairly cheaply and the style of football is similar to ours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 "Proven quality at the highest level" costs big money and big wages. We aren't a big enough club to go around paying players 50-60k a week at the moment. Sad fact of life Such a Dell sized mentality FFS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dibden Purlieu Saint Posted 26 July, 2012 Author Share Posted 26 July, 2012 Who would you liked us to have been linked with? A few examples? RW - Hoillett or Babel CB - Ramis or Yobo GK - Gordon or McGregor Just a couple there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 26 July, 2012 Share Posted 26 July, 2012 Such a Dell sized mentality FFS. But hes right though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dibden Purlieu Saint Posted 26 July, 2012 Author Share Posted 26 July, 2012 Just another summer where people want celebrity signings over decent football signings. That's not what I am saying, and also not what I want. I want quality, and I do not believe ee have.particularly bought this so far. Nowhere have I mentioned big names. I love the way people misunderstand posts on this forum to create their own little arguments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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