Saints near the bottom for players signed, any cause to panic?

[Mr X]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2381585/Newcastle-0-Sunderland-9-Free-spending-Paolo-Di-Canio-leaves-Toon-fans-feeling-like-poor-relations.html

 

sunderland have signed the most players nine practically a new team, saints near the bottom at two I'm sure we will come good and pull a unexpected quality signing out the sleeve.

[Glasgow_Saint]

I wanted 3-4, the club wanted 3-4

 

Its not time to panic yet - but we could do with 2 before 17th Aug imho

[forever a red and white]

We have made two good additions, a third possibly coming in. At the end of last season I would have suggested we need three or four max really. We have a good core and needed a few quality additions. Rather than signing players for the sake of it. I'm sure, despite the money we have spent, financial fair play will be considered too. Not wasting money on agent fees, signing on fees and transfer fees on plenty of players.

 

We spent near on £30 m last season and have plenty of good players in the squad.

[stevegrant]

It's all relative to need, though. That Sunderland side was in need of a big shake-up, so it was inevitable that they would be bringing a lot of players in - they also had to replace Mignolet as well. We've not been forced to sell any key players, and we've got a reasonably settled squad so for us I think it was always likely that we would only make a few additions in key areas, and only for players who are almost certain to improve the first team.

[Olallana]

Are the team with most signings winning the league??

[Pastor Patrón]

We've spent about 5th most though

[pingwing]

Do we need loads of signings? Nah

 

Do Sunderland? YES, Di Canio might be a mentalist, but he's right on how overpayed and unprofessional the old squad is up there. Only sensible policy left to him is sell everyone and build a sensible wage structure potentially without relegating them selves.

[moonraker]

To answer the OP is no, whilst I would like a Striker and possibly one other, it is not a numbers game, a stable cohesive squad is vital, how long will it take the Sunderland squad to become a team, if ever, and not all those signings will work out.

[Saint Lindford]

Couldn't care less about that sort of 'league' table, it is the at the end of May that counts. Blunderland were always going to sign a shed load of players, Di Canio pretty much rubbished the squad when he came in last season.

 

We don't need to sign a load of players as we have a very much settled squad with a good level of quality, the key was to add some improved quality to it in certain areas which we have done so. There will I am sure be at least one more if not two signings before the end of the month.

[alpine_saint]

We have made 2 good additions, imo.

 

Is it enough ? I fear not. I feel we are 3-4 players short of where I would like us to be. 1 or 2 of them are, imo, critical. We should be making more of that (relatively) easy starting fixture list.

[Mr X]

We have made 2 good additions, imo.

 

Is it enough ? I fear not. I feel we are 3-4 players short of where I would like us to be. 1 or 2 of them are, imo, critical. We should be making more of that (relatively) easy starting fixture list.

 

its the lack of a quality striker to back up Lambert that worries me think we are ok in other areas

[DuncanRG]

No need to panic whatsoever. We know we're trying to sign a striker.

[Pastor Patrón]

Centre back is still more worrying for me

[stevegrant]

Let's face it, it could be worse, we could be Doncaster Rovers, who have just signed a member of One Direction

[angelman]

I know it's not what people mean, but we have added Chambers and Isgrove to the squad, so there are 4 new faces so to speak. Not the headline grabbing superstar signings that people want, but I love watching developing youngsters. Also very glad Punch is still with us - seems I rate him higher than others and thought he was our most inventive player last season. It didn't always work, but.....

[Batman]

Let's face it, it could be worse, we could be Doncaster Rovers, who have just signed a member of One Direction

 

just seen that on SSN. is this a stunt?

[Mr X]

No need to panic whatsoever. We know we're trying to sign a striker.

 

True, will seventeen days be enough though? Seems we were totally focused on midfielders when it was clear we needed a striker as priority. Lambert as good as he is will get burnt out and wont make ninety every game and J rod is a different kind of player

[Glasgow_Saint]

Let's face it, it could be worse, we could be Doncaster Rovers, who have just signed a member of One Direction

 

 

 

say what?

[Batman]

True, will seventeen days be enough though? Seems we were totally focused on midfielders when it was clear we needed a striker as priority. Lambert as good as he is will get burnt out and wont make ninety every game and J rod is a different kind of player

 

does it?

why was a striker a 'priority'?

[Mr X]

does it?

why was a striker a 'priority'?

 

Yes as our game is totally based around a high pressing midfield domination

[iansums]

The more players you sign the better you will do, it's as simple as that, just think about QPR last season.

[Mr X]

does it?

why was a striker a 'priority'?

 

A striker was priority as there is no backup for lambert as in a natural replacement I don't see j rod as a like for like replacement different kind of player

[Batman]

A striker was priority as there is no backup for lambert as in a natural replacement I don't see j rod as a like for like replacement different kind of player

 

priority over a top centre back?

[Mr X]

priority over a top centre back?

 

At least on a level par with a centre-back we didn't really need any more midfielders and if our defence was that shocking 14th would have been beyond us

[Batman]

At least on a level par with a centre-back we didn't really need any more midfielders and if our defence was that shocking 14th would have been beyond us

 

we needed 3-4 players all over the pitch. we seem to be getting them. in no particular order

considering we have last seasons top english striker, I would say things are OK on that front for the mo until someone signs

[ant]

32 days of the window left - over a month if you prefer. How many more of these threads before 2nd September?

 

My belief is that we have the players to tread water at the very least. Pushing towards the upper half of the table would be nice but there's too many variables to call it at this stage. If we're serious about infiltrating the top 10 a couple more signings of proven class may be required, though it's perhaps not entirely realistic right now.

 

It may be better to have a little patience, establish ourselves as a solid PL team and try to tempt a couple of superstars next Summer on the back of that. It's that or unearth a hidden gem from abroad, because I don't see many reasonably-priced Premier League players available to bolster the positions we need them in.

[so18 saint]

Am I the only one that thinks we might struggle this year only thing I can see in our favour is that hopefully the promoted clubs will struggle more so this season as opposed to previous seasons

[Pastor Patrón]

we needed 3-4 players all over the pitch. we seem to be getting them. in no particular order

considering we have last seasons top english striker, I would say things are OK on that front for the mo until someone signs

 

This, Lambert's a better striker then Yoshida is a CB.

[stevegrant]

just seen that on SSN. is this a stunt?

 

say what?

 

http://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/news/article/rovers-sign-louis-for-bluebell-wood-960041.aspx

[DuncanRG]

The best teams seem to evolve over time. Even Man City and Real Madrid despite insane spending, needed time to settle down and play as a team. Half a new team every year just isn't very helpful. I think football fans just get bored easily, but I like recognising most the players at my club, having memories of them over a few years, games at lower levels etc., and seeing them progress, develop and hopefully thrive. It's far more satisfying watching players like Morgan or Lambert do well than someone new, IMO.

 

Absolutely spot on. This is why some felt uncomfortable with the interest in Wanyama I think, but it's sad to see that since he's signed people suddenly believe Cork was lacking in some way.

[Bucks Saint]

Are the team with most signings winning the league??

 

Dont be silly now, its the team with the most shots as you well know

[ericofarabia]

Dont be silly now, its the team with the most shots as you well know

 

We've probbly been "linked"with the most players though

[ericofarabia]

Dont be silly now, its the team with the most shots as you well know

 

We've probbly been "linked"with the most players though

[The Cat]

http://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/news/article/rovers-sign-louis-for-bluebell-wood-960041.aspx

 

“Being a local lad it’s great to see him giving back to the community and supporting our children with a shortened life expectancy. He’s visited us now on more than one occasion and met some of our children and their families who are all so excited that he is championing our cause. Louise was shocked when he learnt that we only receive a tiny amount of statutory funding and have to raise over £3million ourselves, but it means so much to us and our children and families that he’s giving his time to help us raise money and awareness.”

 

Hahahaha.

[Doctoroncall]

Am I the only one that thinks we might struggle this year only thing I can see in our favour is that hopefully the promoted clubs will struggle more so this season as opposed to previous seasons

 

No. Dalek thinks we'll struggle so almost alone. Most probably expect mid table ranging from tenth to fourteenth so an improvement in some way over last season. There may well be a poll at the start of the season to see where we expect Saints to finish!

[The Cat]

As for our transfer policy this summer it's been almost perfect in my opinion. 2 very good additions who made it onto the pre season tour and have had plenty of time to integrate into the squad.

 

If we add a decent striker and/or attacking midfielder I'll be more than happy.

[Charlie Wayman]

Every cause to be concerned, panic may be stretching it a bit. You cannot stand still in this league, if Cortese is relying on the kids to get him off the hook its a big ask indeed. Once upon a time there was hopeful man called Poortvliet who placed his trust in kids....

[Batman]

Every cause to be concerned, panic may be stretching it a bit. You cannot stand still in this league, if Cortese is relying on the kids to get him off the hook its a big ask indeed. Once upon a time there was hopeful man called Poortvliet who placed his trust in kids....

 

this is the saints message board, not arsenals

[pap]

 

Only works on tablets / Windows 8 touchscreens.

 

Sends an electric jolt up NC's arse when pressed.

[Tony F]

The more players you sign the better you will do, it's as simple as that, just think about QPR last season.

 

Exactly my view.

 

Slow build from firm base, keeping team well bonded (as in team bonding) whilst bringing through some Aacademy talent.

 

No guarantees it will be the pathway to success but sure can't be as much a gamble as the QPR (last season) and Sunderland (this season) model.

[pap]

...

[BlakeySFC]

Don't think we'll be signing anymore players.

[VectisSaint]

I was told on here by one of the resident experts that Manure were the benchmark for how to go about business in the summer transfer window, they did all their business early and got all their important signings in before the first game. So, where are Manure this season? They have signed one player. So, based on that clearly we have signed too many too soon. Above Arsenal as well, my God we are up **** creek without a paddle. Really, we have signed 2 and plan to sign 1 more main target at least, as long as that is the striker we need then we are in a perfectly good position as far as I am concerned. Will we sign striker before first match? Possibly not, but then for the first match we have 3 strikers available, 4 if you count our hat-trick hero. It becomes an issue when one or more of them is injured or suspended, and we need more competition for these positions, 3 strikers is simply not enough. So is there a need to panic? No, of course not.

[S-Clarke]

You need to look at why these clubs are near the top of the ''buying league''. Sunderland needed a overhaul, they had a squad filled with utter dross, and if they didn't want to be facing relegation this season - they needed to strengthen.

 

For us, the need is there, but not as a great. We're in a fortunate position to already have some real talent in the core 11 and the key factor being their ages. We've signed players who upgrade the squad in the specific area's and promoted youth to create competition in other areas of the pitch. That's another factor - we have a great academy who produce players that are good enough to play at the level we're at.

 

So no need to panic, and a lot of reason to actually be pretty optimistic with our set up. Many clubs would snap our hands off for similar.

[Saint Charlie]

We have probably improved our first XI more with our two new boys than Sunderland have with nine signings, probably only one of which would start for us.

[Ulrich van Gobbel]

We have probably improved our first XI more with our two new boys than Sunderland have with nine signings, probably only one of which would start for us.

 

Agreed. A point which I have raised with my Sunderland supporting housemate! You can't compare Saints and Sunderland's transfer strategies this Summer as they needed a complete overhaul and we require 3-4 quality additions. That said I genuinely think that Sunderland will struggle this season as they have seem to have gone with a bit of a scatter gun approach to their Summer spending. There will no team spirit or cohesion in their squad whereas we have a really settled group of lads who seem to have a great bond based on back to back promotions and excellent performances in the 2nd half of last season.

[Ulrich van Gobbel]

We have probably improved our first XI more with our two new boys than Sunderland have with nine signings, probably only one of which would start for us.

 

Agreed. A point which I have raised with my Sunderland supporting housemate! You can't compare Saints and Sunderland's transfer strategies this Summer as they needed a complete overhaul and we require 3-4 quality additions. That said I genuinely think that Sunderland will struggle this season as they have seem to have gone with a bit of a scatter gun approach to their Summer spending. There will no team spirit or cohesion in their squad whereas we have a really settled group of lads who seem to have a great bond based on back to back promotions and excellent performances in the 2nd half of last season.

[sentry]

Man U, Arsenal and Newcastle at the bottom. THink I will put a tenner on these teams going down, bet odds arnt great though as SkyBet will know they have not made many signings.

[Smirking_Saint]

priority over a top centre back?

 

Striker is an always was priority, the way we play we need to replace Rickie

[John Boy Saint]

We're Doomed- Doomed I say!!

 

We must spend billions to be a great club!!

It appears we have another draft of nippers coming through from the academy. Anybody got any issues with Luke or James from last season? I expect Calum will be the pick of this years crop that all the big clubs will be sniffing around in no time.

 

It baffles me that people think that we should just piddle money up the wall on alsorts of ordinary to gain any credibility in the world of Football.

 

I expect a slagging for this but based on last years performance we got mugged right off with the £12m we coughed up for Ramirez, compare him to Shaw who by comparison cost us mere bobbins by comparison, which of the 2 were the big fish reputitly sniffing round. If Cortese was to open negotiations today to sell him whoever bought him probably wouldn't see much change out of £15-£20m+ especially as he has Prem experience under his belt and is English born. So Chelsea for example buy Shaw tomorrow (for those who dont know Chelsea had Shaw on their books before telling him he was too small to make it with them at the age of 12!!) for £18m plus add-ons etc does that really make Chelsea better than Saints because they have spent £18m more than us on what we got for nothing?!!