The one remaining transfer for saints

[Glasgow_Saint]

which won't happen if you insist on using players of the quality of Chaplow and De Ridder. Some seeem to have difficulty seizing just how mediocre these blokes were..or are rather.

 

yes its a worry that we are still relying on De Ridder, Fox, Hoiveld, Fonte and Guly and or gambling on the new youngsters to deliver.

 

Can see us making a decent start, then slipping down the table as the season and injuries takes its toll on the players/squad

[Minsk]

MoPo likes a high tempo / pressing style. This took its toll on the players very quickly last season and thats when squad rotation is vital.

 

Plus we will pick up injuries to our best 11 during the season and the best clubs have quality back up. id be very worried if one or two from Boruc, Shaw, Schneiderlin Lovren got injured for a lenghy period.

 

Its just my opinion that 3 players will not boost our finish position.

 

The only recent example of any prem club making only 3 summer signings was Arsenal - this was refected in their lower league position.

 

I would be happy with a 'lower league position' of 4th.

 

Seriously, as others have pointed out, the 13 or so leavers will have zero impact given how little they contributed last season.

 

I do get your point though. I also hope we bring in more than 1 more player. But only 1 or 2 more.

 

If we were to bring in Damiao, Benega and Naughton I would be over the moon.

[Brussels Saint]

If Boruc gets a long term injury that could be pretty serious, but worst case we get someone in the Jan window.

The full backs I'm happy with. Think it would be difficult to find a better LB reserve than Fox & if the club think Chambers is ready, I'll trust them on that. They were right about Shaw, JWP & AOC, so gotta trust them on this one.

The CB's are interesting, we would expect Lovren & Yoshi to be first choice and I get the impression that MP quite rates Jos. Fonte is the concern for me and I would quite like us to have gone for another like Astori, but perhaps thats for Jan too.

Defensive Mid is strong. The attacking mid places are the least clear and I feel we do need an addition here, though there are a lot of current options (Ramirez, Lallana, Davis, Punch, Isgrove, Guly, maybe JWP & Jay Rod too). I struggle to find a 3 I like from that. Maybe Isgrove will be the proverbial rabbit out of the hat.

So the striker is Lambert, Mayuka & Jay-Rod.........has Jay improved enough to add more than Lambert?

 

For me then, 1 more transfer, I would choose an AM, 2 an AM & a striker, 3 an AM, Striker & CB

[Brave Sir Robin]

I cant help feeling that it would be naive to expect any improvement on last season if we dont strengthen the squad any further. MP clearly has promise, but he isn't Mourinho and we aren't Chelsea!

 

Sure, some of our players will have improved, but others wont perform as well as last season. Overall our squad probably isn't hugely improved so far.

 

If we sign a real quality striker, that might be enough for us to be fairly assured of survival. If we want a top 10 finish we surely just don't have the strength in depth right now, so need a bare minimum of 2 more players who are better than what we already have for that to be realistic.

 

Having said that, it's encouraging to hear bullish rhetoric about everyone feeling united, happy and confident. That kind of mentality often leads to teams over achieveing (Greece winning the euro's for example).

[sotonjoe]

We need a winger.

[Sour Mash]

which won't happen if you insist on using players of the quality of Chaplow and De Ridder. Some seeem to have difficulty seizing just how mediocre these blokes were..or are rather.

Who is suggesting we use or keep such players? Think you've got the wrong end of the thread.

[dubai_phil]

Don't want to be the bearer of bad tidings to this thread, but in NC's own words (not that of a Crook)

 

Cortese has signed two of the club's three main transfer targets, midfielder Victor Wanyama from Celtic and Croatian defender Dejan Lovren from Lyon this summer.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2378319/Southampton-chairman-Nicola-Cortese-People-thought-I-E-T-I-Ianded-Saints.html#ixzz2aAMuRoap

Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

 

Note the key word there = MAIN targets.

 

I read that as others are still possible (probably IF the right player comes up)

[Window Cleaner]

How about without Cork providing protection as appears to be the plan. Not sure VW is that type of intelligent player who reads the game and fills in where needed with calm assurance. He's seems to be a big unit who might smash people every now and then. Perhaps more eye catching but likely to be a smaller contribution. Our CBs without Cork in front of them worry me.

 

I wasn't particularly impressed with Wanyama's early contribution in the game the other day, seemed to get a lot more involved in the second half after Morgan came on though. Cork was invisible.

[Glasgow_Saint]

Don't want to be the bearer of bad tidings to this thread, but in NC's own words (not that of a Crook)

 

 

 

Note the key word there = MAIN targets.

 

I read that as others are still possible (probably IF the right player comes up)

 

what are you suggesting?

[RedArmy]

I thought Poch said our 3 targets were Wanyama, Benega and Damiao? Which 2 of those have we signed exactly?

 

Someone's telling porkies.

[Olallana]

I thought Poch said our 3 targets were Wanyama, Benega and Damiao? Which 2 of those have we signed exactly?

 

Someone's telling porkies.

 

Because we signed Lovren before Pochettino had that press conference...??

[RedArmy]

Because we signed Lovren before Pochettino had that press conference...??

Then we had 4 main targets and someone's still telling porkies.

[Olallana]

Then we had 4 main targets and someone's still telling porkies.

 

Might have been so, true.

 

But my take on is that I dont think Banega was an target from the beginning, he might have come into the picture when the Wanyama deal stalled due to different things...

But we´ll probably never know..

[DuncanRG]

I thought Poch said our 3 targets were Wanyama, Benega and Damiao? Which 2 of those have we signed exactly?

 

Someone's telling porkies.

 

I don't think he ever called them targets, just that we were interested.

[Saints boy in Leeds]

If we do only sign 3 players this summer ill be disappointed

 

3 signings all summer doesnt match the noises about "ambition"

 

Agreed, don't think we needed as many as Sunderland have gone and got but another defender and defo a striker for me would be ideal, just can't rely on SRL up there, a year older and all that.

[Matthew Le God]

From an interview with Pochettino this afternoon...

 

Alex Goring Crook ‏@alex_crook 6m

Poch also confirmed he wants to add 1/2 more quality players to improve #saintsfc

[Baird of the land]

Happy with quality over quantity any day. If we can just get another good option upfront i'll be very excited about where we are heading this season.

[Viking Warrior]

While we have only signed two additional players from outside the club we have extend several of our existing squad . Many could easily have left the club . The fact Spider-Man Luke etc signed long contracts is just as good as bringing in other players .

 

Ps I hope I have not offended anyone with this post . I must tow the party line

[Chez]

The fact Spider-Man Luke etc signed long contracts is just as good as bringing in other players .

 

excellent point. Biggest signing of the summer by far.

[VectisSaint]

Don't want to be the bearer of bad tidings to this thread, but in NC's own words (not that of a Crook)

 

 

 

Note the key word there = MAIN targets.

 

I read that as others are still possible (probably IF the right player comes up)

Spot on Phil.

 

There are some posts (or posters) on here that beggar belief, people don't seem to be able to comprehend simple English. Then there are those living in fantasy land who think we will just sign players for the sake of it even in areas where we actually have strength in depth (CB for instance where we have 4 decent options and other backups). We have released many players who played no (meaningful) part in last season signed 2 out of 3 of our main targets, promoted a few nippers into the main squad who appear to be acquitting themselves very well, put some existing stars on long term contracts and still some of the more dense posters think we are going to sign more or will be disappointed if we don't. What planet are some people on? We have already improved greatly the squad that last year finished 14th despite a pitiful start to the season (and poor end) and who otherwise would have been in the top half. We are undoubtedly still after a new striker, it is so plain to see we can't survive with 2 strikers, Bambi on Ice and Guly Hat-trick Do Prado. We may bring in one or two more to strengthen, but otherwise my only disappointment is that we still have Danny Fox seemingly as backup to Luke Shaw. Our CBs are good as long as Foxy is not playing. Even WGS realised that Fox is a liability, anyone who cannot make a 29-man Scotland squad really should take a good look at themself.

[sir woody]

Let's add Callum and Isgrove to that. Let's remember that we don't want to revolutionise the squad, we want to build on the talent that we have. One more signing and let's call it a day.

 

Agreed, see how we go till January and then if necessary spend some more cash.