Who is to blame for the Summer of inactivity?

[Unbelievable Jeff]

I know the Summer isn't over, but with no new winger and no second striker, and further to that no credible rumours at the moment, but I am worried that our business will be too little, too late.

 

I would like to know who bears the responsibility for this. For me it has to be Cortese, he should have learnt from last Summers delayed business, and if he believes we can kick on to challenge for top 8 with this squad I think he will be sadly mistaken.

[Glasgow_Saint]

Cortese and MoPo

[the colonel]

i know the summer isn't over, but with no new winger and no second striker, and further to that no credible rumours at the moment, but i am worried that our business will be too little, too late.

 

I would like to know who bears the responsibility for this. For me it has to be cortese, he should have learnt from last summers delayed business, and if he believes we can kick on to challenge for top 8 with this squad i think he will be sadly mistaken.

 

 

yawn

[eurosaint]

I know the Summer isn't over, but with no new winger and no second striker, and further to that no credible rumours at the moment, but I am worried that our business will be too little, too late.

 

I would like to know who bears the responsibility for this. For me it has to be Cortese, he should have learnt from last Summers delayed business, and if he believes we can kick on to challenge for top 8 with this squad I think he will be sadly mistaken.

 

Shall I start a few rumours so that there will be one less factor to consider ??

[Toon Saint]

I know the Summer isn't over, but with no new winger and no second striker, and further to that no credible rumours at the moment, but I am worried that our business will be too little, too late.

 

I would like to know who bears the responsibility for this. For me it has to be Cortese, he should have learnt from last Summers delayed business, and if he believes we can kick on to challenge for top 8 with this squad I think he will be sadly mistaken.

 

[positivepete]

Yawn, but I will bite! There is no blame. Who says we need a new winger? Do we even play with a winger? The full backs provide the width in our set up. We have probably just targeted three key signings, we have two of them, there will be plenty of movement in the last couple of days of the window, good negotiators always try to take it to the wire. It appears we have tried to secure a top striker, it may still come off, if it does not come off so be it, at least we have tried

[Monk]

 

We've spent £20 million.

[70's Mike]

I know the Summer isn't over, but with no new winger and no second striker, and further to that no credible rumours at the moment, but I am worried that our business will be too little, too late.

 

I would like to know who bears the responsibility for this. For me it has to be Cortese, he should have learnt from last Summers delayed business, and if he believes we can kick on to challenge for top 8 with this squad I think he will be sadly mistaken.

 

Define Inactivity, the business done last Summer kept us up, the business done the year before.

Believe the business done or to be done will improve us

[Dellman]

Arsenal, Man U, Liverpool all struggle to make the signings they want, we're not any longer in a minor league signing journeymen. Stop the panic!

[Killers Knee]

We have too many second strikers, we need a top dog. Never seen the need for a winger and midfield looks in good shape for the season ahead. We are still too weak at the back and i fear the days we see Fox, Fonte or Jos pull on a shirt in anger. Can't see why they haven't been shipped, far better quality available without breaking the bank.

 

Who is to blame? No idea, apparently there is a transfer committee, so the buck stops with them.

[Barry Sanchez]

 

We've spent £20 million.

 

So have many other sides, and others have spent what I would say is wiser as well.

[Barry Sanchez]

We have too many second strikers, we need a top dog. Never seen the need for a winger and midfield looks in good shape for the season ahead. We are still too weak at the back and i fear the days we see Fox, Fonte or Jos pull on a shirt in anger. Can't see why they haven't been shipped, far better quality available without breaking the bank.

 

Who is to blame? No idea, apparently there is a transfer committee, so the buck stops with them.

 

Anything concerning Les Reed and a banker buying professional footballers is bound to fail.

[Saint Garrett]

All we need is a striker, and we're clearly looking for one. STOP PANICKING !!!!!!!!!

[Saint Garrett]

So have many other sides, and others have spent what I would say is wiser as well.

 

More players doesn't mean wiser.

[Monk]

So have many other sides, and others have spent what I would say is wiser as well.

 

Like?

[The9]

I know the Summer isn't over, but with no new winger and no second striker, and further to that no credible rumours at the moment, but I am worried that our business will be too little, too late.

 

I would like to know who bears the responsibility for this. For me it has to be Cortese, he should have learnt from last Summers delayed business, and if he believes we can kick on to challenge for top 8 with this squad I think he will be sadly mistaken.

 

I blame Cortese as well, if he hadn't made those two signings early on we wouldn't have people flapping that we haven't signed anyone for ages.

 

We've got a pretty decent squad with a couple of obvious areas for improvement, with equally obvious reasons why they haven't been improved. I'm fine with it.

[Saint Garrett]

Quality not quantity.

[Unbelievable Jeff]

 

We've spent £20 million.

 

On 2 players, only one in a position that needed improving. Both will turn out to be good players for us as well.

 

However...

 

IMHO we NEED another striker in. Rickie cannot do it all by himself, Jay Rod is really quite profligate. If we don't sign someone we will see more points lost in games we dominate like last season and Celta Vigo the other day. We had hoped to have players in by now, evidenced earlier in the Summer by the MoPo quotes. Our style of play is pretty specialist, it needs time to get to know the system, which means we will struggle to integrate new players into the team if we don't sign some soon.

 

We've seen teams like Norwich do good, early business, whilst we chase unrealistic targets. We need to take advantage of our early season fixtures, or we could come unstuck when the more difficult stages of the season hit us. It's no good people saying 'there's 25 days left' or whatever, it'll be too late for it to effect our early season.

[Saints boy in Leeds]

All we need is a striker, and we're clearly looking for one. STOP PANICKING !!!!!!!!!

 

This

[Colinjb]

The club has stated we had three targets and we have signed 2 of them. A 66.6% conversion rate with over 20 mill spent isn't inactivity.

 

The areas for further improvement are obvious, but no point bringing in players for the sake of it. They need to be the right ones.

[alpine_saint]

I wouldnt describe the summer transfer results as "inactivity"; we signed two good players we needed, but the fact remains that the job NC and MoPo set themselves is not completed. I think, just like last summer, NC goes OTT with the desire to play flair football and goes after silly unrealistic targets when he thinks of attacking.

 

And again, for the second time today, I really am disappointed at what MoPo has brought in terms of contacts to the transfer game.

[Dan Johnson]

I struggle to understand why people persist with this perception that quantity of signings\cost of signings\time of signings or making signings in general automatically equates to better results?

 

QPR signed 16 players last season for varying amounts and look what happened to them? In contrast West Brom made 6 signings and look at the season they had…. Incidentally three of those players signed AFTER 5th August (including Lukaku)

 

The general assumption that it’s easy to sign players is ridiculous. The market simply isn’t moving at the moment, clubs will not let go of their better players until they’ve signed a replacement…

 

We simply CAN NOT judge how successful this transfer window has been for us until

 

A. The window is actually SHUT!

B. The end of season when we know whether additional signings would have actually made a difference!!

[S-Clarke]

We've actually had one of the better summers of teams in the PL.

 

Check out all the opposition forums. They all say ourselves and Norwich have made the best buys.

 

Not necessarily lots of buys, just upgrading the quality in key areas of the team. We'll probably buy 1 more as well, and I imagine our summer spend will be around the £30m mark. You also forget the bonus of having an academy like ours, we don't need to spend lots on squad players. Chambers and Isgrove will both be regular members of the first team next year and will add to what we have.

 

It really does make the you sound like a spoilt brat when you demand more, more, more, more. Be grateful we still have the likes of Morgan, Shaw, Cork, Clyne to call upon for next season - and we're still able to commit to £20m without selling. It wouldn't have been like that a few years ago, and isn't like that for a lot of teams in the PL.

Edited 5 August, 2013 by S-Clarke

[The Kraken]

I personally don't think we'll see any more big signings; I get the feeling that our big signings are done. Maybe a couple of minor additions but that's the lot. I'd definitely like a winger or wide player but I've seen little evidence to suggest the club want to lash out for one. And as for a striker there have been some minor leaks but nothing substantial. Also, whether it be as striker or/wide player I saw a quote a month or so back from either Cortese or Pochettino which stated that Rodriguez will have a major role to play next season, so that would suggest to me that we're looking for him to step up rather than bring someone else in.

 

So while new signings would be nice, I'm not expecting the arrival of a "winger" and/or "second striker".

[Barry Sanchez]

More players doesn't mean wiser.

 

No but seeing as our players get sold without playing or are **** to begin with they are better than some of ours.

 

I would love some of the signings about this summer, why have we not gone for them?

[Ivan Katalinic's 'tache]

I know the Summer isn't over, but with no new winger and no second striker, and further to that no credible rumours at the moment, but I am worried that our business will be too little, too late.

 

I would like to know who bears the responsibility for this. For me it has to be Cortese, he should have learnt from last Summers delayed business, and if he believes we can kick on to challenge for top 8 with this squad I think he will be sadly mistaken.

 

Guly. If he'd played better last season, better players would want to join us.

[Toon Saint]

Another thread with the OP moaning about effectively the same thing as before: we haven't signed enough players, we haven't spent enough money, others have spent more money than us, we need a top class striker, we are leaving things way too late, who is to blame?....etc.

 

Mighten we just subsume all of these posts under one 'bedwetting' thread and be done with it? Unless you can offer something original or an opinion with a modicum of perspective then really, why bother?

[alpine_saint]

I personally don't think we'll see any more big signings; I get the feeling that our big signings are done. Maybe a couple of minor additions but that's the lot. I'd definitely like a winger or wide player but I've seen little evidence to suggest the club want to lash out for one. And as for a striker there have been some minor leaks but nothing substantial. Also, whether it be as striker or/wide player I saw a quote a month or so back from either Cortese or Pochettino which stated that Rodriguez will have a major role to play next season, so that would suggest to me that we're looking for him to step up rather than bring someone else in.

 

So while new signings would be nice, I'm not expecting the arrival of a "winger" and/or "second striker".

 

I also dont think it will happen now; there is simply too little in the way of rumours going round, too little activity at Ground Zero, so to speak.

 

I think maybe NC and MoPo have given up now it is clear they wont land Damiao, Banega or Osvaldo; maybe after the Austrian trip they think Isgrove has a bigger role to play than originally thought.

[Olallana]

So have many other sides, and others have spent what I would say is wiser as well.

 

You got the question from Monk first......so which teams are you talking about?

[S-Clarke]

You got the question from Monk first......so which teams are you talking about?

 

You won't get a proper answer.

[100%Red&White]

As most business for most clubs will no doubt be carried out (as usual) in the last week of the transfer window and with a lot of deals done on the final day, come back in September and ask again.

[Olallana]

Time to panic, only 28 days and 9hrs left of the transfer window.......oh..

 

http://www.epfl-europeanleagues.com/leagues_transfer_window.htm

[Olallana]

You won't get a proper answer.

 

I know but maybe one day.....not that it will be today though probably...

[alpine_saint]

Time to panic, only 28 days and 9hrs left of the transfer window.......oh..

 

http://www.epfl-europeanleagues.com/leagues_transfer_window.htm

 

You fool.

 

The season starts in less than 2 weeks, and some of the winnable games are in the first few weeks. Its not just about the window closing, we've basically not got in the people we needed quick enough to maximise our points from the relatively easy early run of games.

[Giordano]

I would not agree that there has been a lack of activity. We have not bought a top striker, yet.

 

All we have to go on are that MP had three specific ( though i personally think they were more likely generic) targets of which two have landed. If not Lovren it would have been another CB, if not Big Vic it would have been another DM ~ but we still are short a striker.

 

I dont think the OP can point to many other EPL clubs that have got 100% of their targets at the right price and wages and done it early and is ready to go. Maybe Swansea, possibly Norwich. That's it. By the OP criteria that makes 90% of the EPl club chairmen inactive and ineffectual. Possibly true but not really proven. If anything our transfer window work appears reasonably effective to date.

[S-Clarke]

You fool.

 

The season starts in less than 2 weeks, and some of the winnable games are in the first few weeks. Its not just about the window closing, we've basically not got in the people we needed quick enough to maximize our points from the relatively easy early run of games.

 

Well, look at it this way. Would we have expected to compete/win those games last year, with the likes of Jay, Rickie, Morgan, Cork, Shaw, Clyne, Puncheon, Lallana, Gaston etc...? The answer is probably yes.

 

The general feeling that buying, buying, buying improves the chances of winning is misguided to say the least. Continuity, team work and consistency go alot further. How do we look this year? We've got 2 international/champions league level players injected into the spine of the team whilst not actually losing anyone. So we start the season stronger than we finished it, even if we don't sign anyone else before hand.

 

I still think we'll get a striker though, not necessarily before the first game.

[Saint Charlie]

There will be a thread like this on every club's forum.

 

So far only 3 or 4 teams in the league have spent more than us. We know what we are doing and the signings thus far have been excellent.

[S-Clarke]

There will be a thread like this on every club's forum.

 

So far only 3 or 4 teams in the league have spent more than us. We know what we are doing and the signings thus far have been excellent.

 

I think that's pretty much it. We know what we want, how we want to do it, and who we want to do it for us.

 

No slap-dash/anyone is good enough approach from us.

[alpine_saint]

Well, look at it this way. Would we have expected to compete/win those games last year, with the likes of Jay, Rickie, Morgan, Cork, Shaw, Clyne, Puncheon, Lallana, Gaston etc...? The answer is probably yes.

 

The general feeling that buying, buying, buying improves the chances of winning is misguided to say the least. Continuity, team work and consistency go alot further. How do we look this year? We've got 2 international/champions league level players injected into the spine of the team whilst not actually losing anyone. So we start the season stronger than we finished it, even if we don't sign anyone else before hand.

 

I still think we'll get a striker though, not necessarily before the first game.

 

Its not about buying for the sake of it. I understand that in the Celta Vigo game, and definitely in the Schalke game, we had trouble getting the ball to someone who could stick it in. He made up for it against Besiktas, but Rickie missed an absolute sitter against Schalke. He cant run at full gas every game...

[The Kraken]

Well, look at it this way. Would we have expected to compete/win those games last year, with the likes of Jay, Rickie, Morgan, Cork, Shaw, Clyne, Puncheon, Lallana, Gaston etc...? The answer is probably yes.

 

The general feeling that buying, buying, buying improves the chances of winning is misguided to say the least. Continuity, team work and consistency go alot further. How do we look this year? We've got 2 international/champions league level players injected into the spine of the team whilst not actually losing anyone. So we start the season stronger than we finished it, even if we don't sign anyone else before hand.

 

I still think we'll get a striker though, not necessarily before the first game.

While I'd tend to agree with some of that, there's also the factor that other clubs have also strengthened around us without losing too many key players, so there's an element of all clubs having made use of the vast PL monies to improve their squads. The improvements we've made can only truly be judged in comparison to those around us. We're likely no worse off than the others but I wouldn't say we've taken great strides forward over others with teh work we've done to date.

[Barry Sanchez]

You got the question from Monk first......so which teams are you talking about?

 

Norwich have spent about £20 Million.

Sunderland have spent about £17 Million

Swansea have spent about £20 Million

The above are not even the teams we need to get past to get into Europe.

[Olallana]

You fool.

 

The season starts in less than 2 weeks, and some of the winnable games are in the first few weeks. Its not just about the window closing, we've basically not got in the people we needed quick enough to maximise our points from the relatively easy early run of games.

 

No, you´re the fool if you think ANY club considers making moves for players just because of a few so called winnable games and not thinking longterm when most players these days will be signed for 3-5 years. Every season has 38 games in the league, you dont make decisions because of what opponents you have in the first 3 games...

[COMEONYOUREDS]

I know the Summer isn't over, but with no new winger and no second striker, and further to that no credible rumours at the moment, but I am worried that our business will be too little, too late.

 

I would like to know who bears the responsibility for this. For me it has to be Cortese, he should have learnt from last Summers delayed business, and if he believes we can kick on to challenge for top 8 with this squad I think he will be sadly mistaken.

 

you, hang your head in shame

[Barry Sanchez]

I think that's pretty much it. We know what we want, how we want to do it, and who we want to do it for us.

 

No slap-dash/anyone is good enough approach from us.

 

 

 

There are loads that have spent more than us.

[trousers]

[Viking Warrior]

I blame unbelievable Jeff for the lack of acivity . is he a skate or windup merchant? 4 posts , Jeff you should understand football as a whole. There has not been much transfer activity United with Fabrigas, Arse with suarez, chelsea and rooney et al, There is a general lull in decent players being transfered

 

Saints have been trying to buy players who are better than what we already have, also we have given a lot of long new contracts to existing players, Shaw, lambert puncheon spider etc etc do they not count.

[Olallana]

Norwich have spent about £20 Million.

Sunderland have spent about £17 Million

Swansea have spent about £20 Million

The above are not even the teams we need to get past to get into Europe.

 

Ok, so what players of those who are signed in these teams impress you and who you would have liked us to have?

 

For me. Norwich, perhaps Ricky v W, but I´m not that certain he will be a hit.

Sunderland, Giaccherini the only one.

Swansea, Bony.

 

You will find the odd good signing in ALL teams when you summarize a transfer window in the summer, doesn´t really mean that they would have worked out for us or that those are players that we even would be interested in.

[Barry Sanchez]

Ok, so what players of those who are signed in these teams impress you and who you would have liked us to have?

 

For me. Norwich, perhaps Ricky v W, but I´m not that certain he will be a hit.

Sunderland, Giaccherini the only one.

Swansea, Bony.

 

You will find the odd good signing in ALL teams when you summarize a transfer window in the summer, doesn´t really mean that they would have worked out for us or that those are players that we even would be interested in.

 

Yes but we only have the odd signings, two. That my point entirely.

 

The three teams mentioned have bought on paper very well indeed.

[saintfully]

Possibly the most pathetic thread for a while - against some stiff competition.

[Glasgow_Saint]

All we need is a striker, and we're clearly looking for one. STOP PANICKING !!!!!!!!!

 

Signing players last minute is not the way to do things and its lazy and naive to say otherwise........ look at Ramirez last year. Signed him late and then needed to give him a full season to settle in.

 

Think you are simply underestimating the power of pre-season, player bonding, SFC fitness ect ect.