Who is to blame for the Summer of inactivity?

[Glasgow_Saint]

Yes, first asshole on the list!

 

Jeff is one to watch.... Only has 29 posts!!

[Barry Sanchez]

I agree that it's not over until the fat lady sings - and the transfer window has not yet closed - but I can't say that so far the transfer window for Saints has played out like I thought it would - or anything like it really.

 

I wasn't expecting a landmark signing like Leandro Damiao to be honest - but I was expecting a bright young thing or two from South America - and one or two bargains from Spain based on Pochettino's contacts a d experience. I was also hoping we'd sign a few rising stars from the Championship (Charlie Austin, Kieran Trippier, Martin Olsson, Henri Lansbury for example)

 

I was expecting to see players like Fox, Guly, Mayuka, Tandanari, Sharp, Hammond, Hooiveld and Fonte moved on and replaced by younger and better players to give us more depth in the squad.

 

I wasn't expecting to see Forren sold back to the club we bought him from for a pittance (we signed Forren and Liverpool Coutinho - the scouters must be laughing at that one)

 

I was expecting to see a new left back, another holding midfielder, a right winger, one if not two new centrebacks and a least one new striker.

 

So far I think I'd give the club a C- in the transfer window.

 

i cant say that ive been thrilled by the signing of Victor Wanyama from Celtic or Dejan Lovren from Lyon. Although I have a feeling we overpaid for both. It's on record that Lyon and Lovren wanted shot of each other - and last season he went from bright young thing to dismal failure. And I am yet to be convinced by any signing from Scottish Football after the terrible failures of Neil McCann and Rudi Skacel in the Championship - not too mention Strachan's clan at Middlesbrough. Did we really pay £12 million for a player from the equivalent of League One? It seems an awful lot to me - far too much if I'm honest.

 

I'll admit it I would rather have signed Banega and Astori.

 

It looks like we've been aiming too high and missing our targets - but also missing out on those those players we could have signed as well.

 

Swansea, Norwich, Liverpool, Fulham have all taken 2 or 3 steps forward this summer already - whereas it seems we're standing still at the moment.

 

Maybe I'm wrong and will end up signing one or two big names before the end of the window - but I have a feeling we'll end up with another Mayuka and Forren in a last minute panic.

 

At the moment with a few injuries we'll look like a struggling team.

 

 

I agree with all of that but I do like Wanyama BUT we have overpaid for him, Lovren was only looked at briefly by Liverpool and passed over, we did not swoop in and do a Keeganesque deal, the fans need to get real, Cortese is very very conservative which is fine to a point but I have absolutely no faith in Cortese and Reed buying players, why would I have faith them? What have they done to assure me they are credible? Why have no players followed Potchettino over? Thats very worrying indeed.

[Barry Sanchez]

Jeff is one to watch.... Only has 29 posts!!

 

[deadpanmatt]

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.

 

Why does lots of buying = success? We've got a solid team with emerging youngsters. If the right players aren't available I'd rather the team stay as it is and add when the right players come along. "Who is to blame?" I wouldn't 'blame' anyone, because nothing bad has happened.

[Dig Dig]

I agree that it's not over until the fat lady sings - and the transfer window has not yet closed - but I can't say that so far the transfer window for Saints has played out like I thought it would - or anything like it really.

 

I wasn't expecting a landmark signing like Leandro Damiao to be honest - but I was expecting a bright young thing or two from South America - and one or two bargains from Spain based on Pochettino's contacts a d experience. I was also hoping we'd sign a few rising stars from the Championship (Charlie Austin, Kieran Trippier, Martin Olsson, Henri Lansbury for example)

 

I was expecting to see players like Fox, Guly, Mayuka, Tandanari, Sharp, Hammond, Hooiveld and Fonte moved on and replaced by younger and better players to give us more depth in the squad.

 

I wasn't expecting to see Forren sold back to the club we bought him from for a pittance (we signed Forren and Liverpool Coutinho - the scouters must be laughing at that one)

 

I was expecting to see a new left back, another holding midfielder, a right winger, one if not two new centrebacks and a least one new striker.

 

So far I think I'd give the club a C- in the transfer window.

 

i cant say that ive been thrilled by the signing of Victor Wanyama from Celtic or Dejan Lovren from Lyon. Although I have a feeling we overpaid for both. It's on record that Lyon and Lovren wanted shot of each other - and last season he went from bright young thing to dismal failure. And I am yet to be convinced by any signing from Scottish Football after the terrible failures of Neil McCann and Rudi Skacel in the Championship - not too mention Strachan's clan at Middlesbrough. Did we really pay £12 million for a player from the equivalent of League One? It seems an awful lot to me - far too much if I'm honest.

 

I'll admit it I would rather have signed Banega and Astori.

 

It looks like we've been aiming too high and missing our targets - but also missing out on those those players we could have signed as well.

 

Swansea, Norwich, Liverpool, Fulham have all taken 2 or 3 steps forward this summer already - whereas it seems we're standing still at the moment.

 

Maybe I'm wrong and will end up signing one or two big names before the end of the window - but I have a feeling we'll end up with another Mayuka and Forren in a last minute panic.

 

At the moment with a few injuries we'll look like a struggling team.

 

Glad you will never get anywhere near selecting players for Saints pal.

[Chewy]

I agree that it's not over until the fat lady sings - and the transfer window has not yet closed - but I can't say that so far the transfer window for Saints has played out like I thought it would - or anything like it really.

 

I wasn't expecting a landmark signing like Leandro Damiao to be honest - but I was expecting a bright young thing or two from South America - and one or two bargains from Spain based on Pochettino's contacts a d experience. I was also hoping we'd sign a few rising stars from the Championship (Charlie Austin, Kieran Trippier, Martin Olsson, Henri Lansbury for example)

 

I was expecting to see players like Fox, Guly, Mayuka, Tandanari, Sharp, Hammond, Hooiveld and Fonte moved on and replaced by younger and better players to give us more depth in the squad.

 

I wasn't expecting to see Forren sold back to the club we bought him from for a pittance (we signed Forren and Liverpool Coutinho - the scouters must be laughing at that one)

 

I was expecting to see a new left back, another holding midfielder, a right winger, one if not two new centrebacks and a least one new striker.

 

So far I think I'd give the club a C- in the transfer window.

 

i cant say that ive been thrilled by the signing of Victor Wanyama from Celtic or Dejan Lovren from Lyon. Although I have a feeling we overpaid for both. It's on record that Lyon and Lovren wanted shot of each other - and last season he went from bright young thing to dismal failure. And I am yet to be convinced by any signing from Scottish Football after the terrible failures of Neil McCann and Rudi Skacel in the Championship - not too mention Strachan's clan at Middlesbrough. Did we really pay £12 million for a player from the equivalent of League One? It seems an awful lot to me - far too much if I'm honest.

 

I'll admit it I would rather have signed Banega and Astori.

 

It looks like we've been aiming too high and missing our targets - but also missing out on those those players we could have signed as well.

 

Swansea, Norwich, Liverpool, Fulham have all taken 2 or 3 steps forward this summer already - whereas it seems we're standing still at the moment.

 

Maybe I'm wrong and will end up signing one or two big names before the end of the window - but I have a feeling we'll end up with another Mayuka and Forren in a last minute panic.

 

At the moment with a few injuries we'll look like a struggling team.

 

How is starting the season with a much better back 5 and adding wanyama to a midfield of cork and schneiderlin standing still? I'd like a striker, and clearly so would the club, but we have evidently moved the squad forward as we have done every transfer window since cortese came here. You, and the rest of your ilk, are just plain wrong.

[Unbelievable Jeff]

Jeff is one to watch.... Only has 29 posts!!

 

I'm not an asshole.

 

Seriously, I am classed as an asshole already. I was warned by friends that if you have a different opinion you will be criticised. Who'd have guessed it'd be this bad.

Edited 6 August, 2013 by Unbelievable Jeff

[Unbelievable Jeff]

Why does lots of buying = success? We've got a solid team with emerging youngsters. If the right players aren't available I'd rather the team stay as it is and add when the right players come along. "Who is to blame?" I wouldn't 'blame' anyone, because nothing bad has happened.

 

I never said that.

[Dalek2003]

I agree that it's not over until the fat lady sings - and the transfer window has not yet closed - but I can't say that so far the transfer window for Saints has played out like I thought it would - or anything like it really.

 

I wasn't expecting a landmark signing like Leandro Damiao to be honest - but I was expecting a bright young thing or two from South America - and one or two bargains from Spain based on Pochettino's contacts a d experience. I was also hoping we'd sign a few rising stars from the Championship (Charlie Austin, Kieran Trippier, Martin Olsson, Henri Lansbury for example)

 

I was expecting to see players like Fox, Guly, Mayuka, Tandanari, Sharp, Hammond, Hooiveld and Fonte moved on and replaced by younger and better players to give us more depth in the squad.

 

I wasn't expecting to see Forren sold back to the club we bought him from for a pittance (we signed Forren and Liverpool Coutinho - the scouters must be laughing at that one)

 

I was expecting to see a new left back, another holding midfielder, a right winger, one if not two new centrebacks and a least one new striker.

 

So far I think I'd give the club a C- in the transfer window.

 

i cant say that ive been thrilled by the signing of Victor Wanyama from Celtic or Dejan Lovren from Lyon. Although I have a feeling we overpaid for both. It's on record that Lyon and Lovren wanted shot of each other - and last season he went from bright young thing to dismal failure. And I am yet to be convinced by any signing from Scottish Football after the terrible failures of Neil McCann and Rudi Skacel in the Championship - not too mention Strachan's clan at Middlesbrough. Did we really pay £12 million for a player from the equivalent of League One? It seems an awful lot to me - far too much if I'm honest.

 

I'll admit it I would rather have signed Banega and Astori.

 

It looks like we've been aiming too high and missing our targets - but also missing out on those those players we could have signed as well.

 

Swansea, Norwich, Liverpool, Fulham have all taken 2 or 3 steps forward this summer already - whereas it seems we're standing still at the moment.

 

Maybe I'm wrong and will end up signing one or two big names before the end of the window - but I have a feeling we'll end up with another Mayuka and Forren in a last minute panic.

 

At the moment with a few injuries we'll look like a struggling team.

 

Outstanding post, in fact post of the week !

[Dalek2003]

I'm not an asshole.

 

Seriously, I am classed as an asshole already. I was warned by friends that if you have a different opinion you will be criticised. Who'd have guessed it'd be this bad.

 

I have been in battle for the last 13 years. My fight to get some to admit the failure to appoint Hoddle in 2004 continues on a weekly basis.

[badgerx16]

My fight to get some to admit the failure to appoint Hoddle in 2004 continues on a weekly basis.

 

I'd keep a low profile if I were you, Malcolm Tucker is on your case.

[Fowllyd]

Jeff is one to watch.... Only has 29 posts!!

 

Well, you seem to have plenty of time on your hands, so I'd expect his post count to climb rapidly.

[The9]

Lambert doesnt fit the primary tactics that MoPo wants to use, this was evident towards the end of the season, when I say this people seem to think I am directly slagging off Rickie, Im not. Just using a coaching POV in the fact that MoPo has set a team up to play a way that doesnt incorperate Rickie well.

 

I'm quite enjoying having someone else as my mouthpiece on certain subjects, but you may as well give up, people just do not understand that there is a concept such as "better than them" when it comes to certain players and will insist they are picked despite growing evidence to the contrary. Andy Durman's "is that what you want, cos that's what'll 'appen" is a perfect illustration of this. There can't possibly be a better way of playing or getting more success than the way we've done things to get from L1 to the bottom half of the Prem...

[The9]

Barry Sanchez, Dalek 2003, Glasgow Saint, Alpine_Saint and Unbelievable Jeff !

Apologies if I've left anyone off the list but these are the ones who immediately spring to mind !

Logic dictates that I must be a 'happy clapper' as I genuinely believe that the club has done well in the last few years and is still heading in the right direction !

 

Strange the correlation between this list and my ignore list, literally 1:1 with those you named. Anyone would think there was a reason for this.

 

FWIW there's also a strong correlation between "threads started by the above" and "enormous number of comments I can't read on a thread" too.

 

Ignore list is 90% of the future, the other 10% is banning the quote feature so I never, EVER, have to see their comments.

[alpine_saint]

Strange the correlation between this list and my ignore list, literally 1:1 with those you named. Anyone would think there was a reason for this.

 

FWIW there's also a strong correlation between "threads started by the above" and "enormous number of comments I can't read on a thread" too.

 

Ignore list is 90% of the future, the other 10% is banning the quote feature so I never, EVER, have to see their comments.

 

Another "Loooook at Meeeeee" from THE Biggest baby on the site...

[alpine_saint]

It looks like we've been aiming too high and missing our targets - but also missing out on those those players we could have signed as well.

 

 

This. The crux of the matter. Some sexy rumours, little substance.

[alpine_saint]

Apps you saw a couple of friendly games . What were your honest opinions of all the players including Isgrove and the likes . Do we have a bright future . Please be objective with your appraisal of the players you saw . Forget about the actual games as they were warm up games . But you can tell a lot about positional sense speed etc

 

I believe I did this in the aftermath of the games, and even Andy Durman said he agreed with a lot I wrote.

 

I think we have a bright future and some good youngsters who I reckon will make the grade coming through. I am a bit worried about Lallana, Fonte and Mayuka, and remain unconvinced about JWP, but overall the future looks rosy.

 

However, I am worried about the amount we may end up too early relying on Isgrove, for example, if we dont get a striker in. He is a great prospect, very pacey, but I am quite stressed out about us putting our best foot forward in the first half-dozen games, where a good run will set up the season well, but a poor run is going to leave us needing a fair share of points against top 6 teams.

[Saint Garrett]

The only thing I'm worried about is us creating the chances but not putting them away. We all know Rickie will score goals, but I'm just not convinced that the way we play suits him.

 

And as good as JRod is, his chance conversion must be pretty low.

 

We need an alternative and the club seem to be after one this summer. If we don't sign one and not scoring goals then by all means then bring it up. But with a month left of the TW, when we've already strengthened the squad and kept our key players, I don't really see what there is to moan about.

[Smirking_Saint]

Ive said it before and Ill say it again, Im not overly worried by our TW forays so far, there is time left and realistically big deals take a while to get over the line. We have strengthened two areas I wanted sorting and provided reasonable back up at FB and out wide from the academy.

 

We will finish mid tableish IMO but with a decent striker we have a chance of climbing that little bit higher, Im all for getting the best possible man for the job, but we have been a victim of outstretching ourselves over the past two years, and as much as Im confident we will be ok the fact our main targets have turned us down is worrying.

[hypochondriac]

This. The crux of the matter. Some sexy rumours, little substance.

 

And to think some people were wetting themselves just to be linked...

[Wes Tender]

Nick G's writing is even worse than Neil Allen's. Sadly he takes the Frank's Cousin approach of "more is less".

 

Nick made a series of points, each of which was entirely valid.

 

So what do you propose he does? Cut out half of the points and weaken his argument? Precis it to a one-liner hoping that posters with the attention span of a gnat can get the gist of what he is saying?

 

It's a shame that when people don't agree with something posted on here, they can't debate it like adults, but have to post niggly and childish little put-downs.

[Dalek2003]

The only thing I'm worried about is us creating the chances but not putting them away. We all know Rickie will score goals, but I'm just not convinced that the way we play suits him.

 

And as good as JRod is, his chance conversion must be pretty low.

 

We need an alternative and the club seem to be after one this summer. If we don't sign one and not scoring goals then by all means then bring it up. But with a month left of the TW, when we've already strengthened the squad and kept our key players, I don't really see what there is to moan about.

 

But that is the point. It was obvious towards the end of the season and had to be our top priority. While it made a lot of people excited to think that we would be buying a top striker from Europe, maybe it was unrealistic to expect. After we are a club that has yet to establish itself in the Premier League. A target like Hooper would have been much more possible. Norwich seem to have got it right and we are left hanging in the wind.

[Dalek2003]

Nick made a series of points, each of which was entirely valid.

 

So what do you propose he does? Cut out half of the points and weaken his argument? Precis it to a one-liner hoping that posters with the attention span of a gnat can get the gist of what he is saying?

 

It's a shame that when people don't agree with something posted on here, they can't debate it like adults, but have to post niggly and childish little put-downs.

 

I agree with this. The more diverse the views, the more colourful the forum !

[timayes]

But that is the point. It was obvious towards the end of the season and had to be our top priority. While it made a lot of people excited to think that we would be buying a top striker from Europe, maybe it was unrealistic to expect. After we are a club that has yet to establish itself in the Premier League. A target like Hooper would have been much more possible. Norwich seem to have got it right and we are left hanging in the wind.

 

Too many times we hear that buying players from the Scottish Prem is akin to buying league one players, and now you think this seems to be the right thing to do??

 

I should add that I personally don't think that buying players from one of the powerhouses of European football is the equiv. of buying a league 1 player, just bored of those on here who use it as an excuse when trying to slate our signings.

Edited 7 August, 2013 by timayes

[S-Clarke]

These threads are quite funny though, I remember a similarish one from someone last year who was complaining about our transfer policy (Not signing enough big names).

 

A week later we signed Gaston. Brilliant.

 

The title seriously bugs me re: this thread though, ''Blame?'' ''Inactivity''?. Why are we appointing blame to anyone, what's gone wrong? And who is stupid enough to appoint blame when there are still 28 odd days to go? Exactly.

[mulletsaint]

Another "Loooook at Meeeeee" from THE Biggest baby on the site...

 

The king of irony strikes again. If I was forced to name one thing I admire about you Alps, it would be your unrelenting consistency.

[Barry Sanchez]

Why does lots of buying = success? We've got a solid team with emerging youngsters. If the right players aren't available I'd rather the team stay as it is and add when the right players come along. "Who is to blame?" I wouldn't 'blame' anyone, because nothing bad has happened.

 

It does not but buying assured quality does, that costs millions and Cortese appears not to want to do that, an unpgraded Lowe perhaps.

[Barry Sanchez]

Strange the correlation between this list and my ignore list, literally 1:1 with those you named. Anyone would think there was a reason for this.

 

FWIW there's also a strong correlation between "threads started by the above" and "enormous number of comments I can't read on a thread" too.

 

Ignore list is 90% of the future, the other 10% is banning the quote feature so I never, EVER, have to see their comments.

 

Lovely open minded post there, he must light up the room when he enters.........................

[Downthe36]

It does not but buying assured quality does, that costs millions and Cortese appears not to want to do that, an unpgraded Lowe perhaps.[/QUOTE]

 

You are genuinely out of your mind.

[WATERSIDEIFASAINT]

Our transfer policy will definately affect the attendance on Saturday for the friendly. As I am currently underwhelmed with Saints transfer activity this summer I definately wont be bothering and I know quite a few fans I've spoken to feeling exactly the same way.

 

I know there is still plenty of time before the transfer window shuts but why are the club desperately advertising Saturdays game on the radio with Wave etc if the attendance was looking good?

[MerceSaint28]

Spot on Rebel...very good post

 

I disagree over Lovren and Wanyama, as despite the fact we probably over paid for Wanyama...both are very talented players and good additions.

 

Other than that i agree...Fonte, Hoiveld, Guly and Fox should of been moved on and replaced with better, younger players.

 

The scouting network has disappointed me the most...we have not unearthed any talented young players...what are they doing?? Forren and Mayuka have both been massive flops

Ramirez, Wanyama and Lovren...were all well known and didn't need a scout as everyone knows about them anyway.

 

I'm gutted we have not seen any gems from south america or la liga come across...pretty poor...where are Mo Po's contacts??

 

As it stands...you can only give us a C maximum for transfer dealings...scouting needs to be upgraded and Mo Po needs to start acting like Laudrup quickly as we are not decisive and just dither in the market

[Glasgow_Saint]

Our transfer policy will definately affect the attendance on Saturday for the friendly. As I am currently underwhelmed with Saints transfer activity this summer I definately wont be bothering and I know quite a few fans I've spoken to feeling exactly the same way.

 

I know there is still plenty of time before the transfer window shuts but why are the club desperately advertising Saturdays game on the radio with Wave etc if the attendance was looking good?

 

The club (Nicola / MoPo) have been shouting their mouths off all summer about ambition, top 4 bla bla bla.

 

A clever ploy to shift season tickets or simply niavity/stupidity?

[eurosaint]

I'm not an asshole.

 

Seriously, I am classed as an asshole already. I was warned by friends that if you have a different opinion you will be criticised. Who'd have guessed it'd be this bad.

 

Did you seriously think that a thread with the title "Who is to blame for the transfer inactivity" would not incite the sort of reaction it has ?

Many people do not buy into the 'blame culture' especially as in this case there is nothing to be blamed for !

I often wonder what the players, management and staff would think of all this tosh should they read it ? I imagine that they would consider whether all their efforts were in any way worthwhile !

If you really think that the backroom staff are sitting on their arses doing nothing (the inactivity of which you mention!) then you are sadly out of touch !

Why not take pride in the achievements of our team/club, get behind them and support the Saints as we move onwards and upwards ?

COYS

[Mallagroth]

Not read everything but has anyone said they can see us consistently be ahead of the top 6?

 

The clappers are generally just more realistic and enjoy the club, its progress and optimism.

 

The delusional posters are the handful of posters who;

 

Have been hugely and consistently too pessimistic in their predictions for the season. ( one notorious poster hugely wrong for at least three seasons in a row).

 

Fail to notice that the way the club has gone about their transfers has not been amateurish and failing to address the needs but has moved club forward every year (how many clubs do that?)

 

Fail to remember that huge majority of transfers are concluded at the end of the window. (Still while away).

 

Think MP made an enquiry for a top forward, thought it would happen and has sat back doing nothing. With no evidence at all. BBC reported that he is workaholic at training ground 7-7. But guess never crosses his mind the think about transfers or how will use his squad.

 

Who fail to notice that all clubs have regular signings they regret including Man U. But cos Forren didn't work out or Mayuka seems a strange signing we are clueless.

 

Who think a player signed in league 1 or championship and unsurprising isn't a star in prem is now useless and deserves personal abuse.

 

Who don't understand that a £16m players is not suddenly a waste of £16m if they fail to reach their expectations in first season. Maybe if never played again and left on free transfer but otherwise not true.

 

Who think signing two players for £20m early in window is a worrying / negligent / disappointing window. Spending more so far than virtually every club. Signing players well thought of by journalists. Players who forums at Man U, Liverpool, Arsenal fans site had threads running hoping would go to them.

 

Who think current squad is going to mean season of watching boring 0-0 draws. I loved last season, think one 0-0 ? Which I enjoyed.

 

But agree that anyone thinking Chelsea are worried about us is deluded

 

 

This. Great job and I think nail on the head. Basically I reckon people who can't see the logic and agree with all the statements of this post aren't necessarily delusional, but more likely JCL's, skates or trolls.

[Charlie Wayman]

I agree that it's not over until the fat lady sings - and the transfer window has not yet closed - but I can't say that so far the transfer window for Saints has played out like I thought it would - or anything like it really.

 

I wasn't expecting a landmark signing like Leandro Damiao to be honest - but I was expecting a bright young thing or two from South America - and one or two bargains from Spain based on Pochettino's contacts a d experience. I was also hoping we'd sign a few rising stars from the Championship (Charlie Austin, Kieran Trippier, Martin Olsson, Henri Lansbury for example)

 

I was expecting to see players like Fox, Guly, Mayuka, Tandanari, Sharp, Hammond, Hooiveld and Fonte moved on and replaced by younger and better players to give us more depth in the squad.

 

I wasn't expecting to see Forren sold back to the club we bought him from for a pittance (we signed Forren and Liverpool Coutinho - the scouters must be laughing at that one)

 

I was expecting to see a new left back, another holding midfielder, a right winger, one if not two new centrebacks and a least one new striker.

 

So far I think I'd give the club a C- in the transfer window.

 

i cant say that ive been thrilled by the signing of Victor Wanyama from Celtic or Dejan Lovren from Lyon. Although I have a feeling we overpaid for both. It's on record that Lyon and Lovren wanted shot of each other - and last season he went from bright young thing to dismal failure. And I am yet to be convinced by any signing from Scottish Football after the terrible failures of Neil McCann and Rudi Skacel in the Championship - not too mention Strachan's clan at Middlesbrough. Did we really pay £12 million for a player from the equivalent of League One? It seems an awful lot to me - far too much if I'm honest.

 

I'll admit it I would rather have signed Banega and Astori.

 

It looks like we've been aiming too high and missing our targets - but also missing out on those those players we could have signed as well.

 

Swansea, Norwich, Liverpool, Fulham have all taken 2 or 3 steps forward this summer already - whereas it seems we're standing still at the moment.

 

Maybe I'm wrong and will end up signing one or two big names before the end of the window - but I have a feeling we'll end up with another Mayuka and Forren in a last minute panic.

 

At the moment with a few injuries we'll look like a struggling team.

 

It's always a good idea to lower one's expectations. You talk as though the world is our oyster when clearly it is not. As pecking orders go even in the EPL we must rank about 15th choice in players' minds as places they might want to go to; bear in mind the Bundeslega is looking more and more like a very attractive place to be whilst La Liga and Serie A are a bloody site better from a weather and cultural point of view.

 

The reputation of the EPL abroad must be of a rather physical no nonsense, straight up and down sort of set-up where busting a gut and elbows in the face are de rigeur and consummate ball skills are still seen as a luxury that few sides can accommodate. Regrettably the tippie-tappie revolution started by Arsenal and so far best parodied by Swansea and now Saints is still the exception and any foreign player watching Stoke v Hull or Sunderland v West Ham knows exactly what they will be in for on a cold, wet November Tuesday evening whilst the rets of the world are watching Barcelona v Bayern Munich.

 

I mean come on you're 22, good looking, hormone charged and looking for the good life.... uhm... Shirley High Street!

[KelvinsRightGlove]

But that is the point. It was obvious towards the end of the season and had to be our top priority. While it made a lot of people excited to think that we would be buying a top striker from Europe, maybe it was unrealistic to expect. After we are a club that has yet to establish itself in the Premier League. A target like Hooper would have been much more possible. Norwich seem to have got it right and we are left hanging in the wind.

 

Do you really think it is just as easy as saying "we need a new striker - let's just go out and get one"?

 

Look at the 3 main saga's this summer - Bale, Rooney & Suarez - all top quality attackers (Bale effectively played "off the striker" last season, given duty to roam - hence him plundering 20-odd goals), at top clubs linked with other top clubs.

 

These things can often take time, as clubs do not want to lose one of the most valuable commodities in football - goals. If Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal & Real Madrid are struggling to get their top attacking targets, this can affect the market - and hold up other moves, but mostly it just shows how drawn out these things can take.

 

Yes, we do need a new striker - I don't think anyone has really said otherwise. Yes, it would have been preferable if this was done already. But it is not time to panic, and certainly not time to start pointing fingers.

 

As has been said, every transfer window since summer '09 the squad has been improved - that is certainly the case again this summer. Victor Wanyama looks to be a solid acquistion - adding to an already very strong area of the team, and Lovren is a (just) 24 year old CB with both international and Champions League experience. Ok, so he didn't have the greatest season ever last year, but he is unlikely to be the finished article just yet, and will in my opinion help sure up the defence.

 

At the end of the season, my priorities were to secure Boruc's future, or sign a new keeper - done.

 

Add competition at full-back, with Chambers promotion, and his promising performances in pre-season, I would say - done.

 

I wanted a young DM to provide competition/cover for Morgan/Cork - done with aplomb.

 

A new AM - don't get why everyone on here is obsessed with Wingers, we clearly do not play with wingers in our system, Isgrove is apparently the man for this, so - done.

 

A new striker, to share the burden with Rickie, and give us another dimension if neccessary - Not done yet, but it seems we are working to do this, and there is still plenty of time left - which is of course the busiest time of the window.

 

On top of all this we have also secured the futures of some of our key players (Lallana, Morgan, Rickie), and secured the future of one of the brightest young talents in the country.

 

I cannot for the life of me work out how that can be deemed a bad window?

[Mallagroth]

Barry Sanchez, Dalek 2003, Glasgow Saint, Alpine_Saint and Unbelievable Jeff !

Apologies if I've left anyone off the list but these are the ones who immediately spring to mind !

Logic dictates that I must be a 'happy clapper' as I genuinely believe that the club has done well in the last few years and is still heading in the right direction !

 

**** me that's nearly a bingo !

I reckon Turkish might deserve a spot, although strangely absent at the moment from this thread. I reckon some of the notorious trolls on here have two accounts anyway, so they have another 'person' to back up their tiresome and argumentative stances. And yes I 100% believe these posters are that sad. Bit harsh on Jeff mind, he must have proper ****ed you off recently.

[KelvinsRightGlove]

It's always a good idea to lower one's expectations. You talk as though the world is our oyster when clearly it is not. As pecking orders go even in the EPL we must rank about 15th choice in players' minds as places they might want to go to; bear in mind the Bundeslega is looking more and more like a very attractive place to be whilst La Liga and Serie A are a bloody site better from a weather and cultural point of view.

 

The reputation of the EPL abroad must be of a rather physical no nonsense, straight up and down sort of set-up where busting a gut and elbows in the face are de rigeur and consummate ball skills are still seen as a luxury that few sides can accommodate. Regrettably the tippie-tappie revolution started by Arsenal and so far best parodied by Swansea and now Saints is still the exception and any foreign player watching Stoke v Hull or Sunderland v West Ham knows exactly what they will be in for on a cold, wet November Tuesday evening whilst the rets of the world are watching Barcelona v Bayern Munich.

 

I mean come on you're 22, good looking, hormone charged and looking for the good life.... uhm... Shirley High Street!

 

Um Serie A, really?

 

It really isnt what it once was. Dilapidated stadiums, ultra violent fans, a pretty big problem with racism - look at the walk-off's that have been going on there, part of the reason Balotelli left Inter was because he was getting racist abuse from the Inter supporters (by comparison for a black player, the EPL must be one of the most appealing prospects), corruption is rife and the wages are significantly smaller.

[Dalek2003]

Do you really think it is just as easy as saying "we need a new striker - let's just go out and get one"?

 

Look at the 3 main saga's this summer - Bale, Rooney & Suarez - all top quality attackers (Bale effectively played "off the striker" last season, given duty to roam - hence him plundering 20-odd goals), at top clubs linked with other top clubs.

 

These things can often take time, as clubs do not want to lose one of the most valuable commodities in football - goals. If Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal & Real Madrid are struggling to get their top attacking targets, this can affect the market - and hold up other moves, but mostly it just shows how drawn out these things can take.

 

Yes, we do need a new striker - I don't think anyone has really said otherwise. Yes, it would have been preferable if this was done already. But it is not time to panic, and certainly not time to start pointing fingers.

 

As has been said, every transfer window since summer '09 the squad has been improved - that is certainly the case again this summer. Victor Wanyama looks to be a solid acquistion - adding to an already very strong area of the team, and Lovren is a (just) 24 year old CB with both international and Champions League experience. Ok, so he didn't have the greatest season ever last year, but he is unlikely to be the finished article just yet, and will in my opinion help sure up the defence.

 

At the end of the season, my priorities were to secure Boruc's future, or sign a new keeper - done.

 

Add competition at full-back, with Chambers promotion, and his promising performances in pre-season, I would say - done.

 

I wanted a young DM to provide competition/cover for Morgan/Cork - done with aplomb.

 

A new AM - don't get why everyone on here is obsessed with Wingers, we clearly do not play with wingers in our system, Isgrove is apparently the man for this, so - done.

 

A new striker, to share the burden with Rickie, and give us another dimension if neccessary - Not done yet, but it seems we are working to do this, and there is still plenty of time left - which is of course the busiest time of the window.

 

On top of all this we have also secured the futures of some of our key players (Lallana, Morgan, Rickie), and secured the future of one of the brightest young talents in the country.

 

I cannot for the life of me work out how that can be deemed a bad window?

 

An excellent post, but a stirker is a must and we will soon see how much we needed one. I hope you are right that we get one in before the window closes. IMO, Hooper was a steal, we might well see if this is true as our trip to Carrow Road is only weeks away.

[Mallagroth]

I have been in straight jacket for the last 13 years. My fight to get some to admit the failure to appoint Hoddle in 2004 continues on a weekly basis.

 

fixed this for ya Dalek. No problems.

[Lallana's Left Peg]

What category do I fall into then? I like our squad, like our signings, am genuinely happy and proud that we're giving youth team players a chance etc. however I've heard and read players and Staff talk about Europe and think we're a mile away from that.

 

Can I both be happy with the squad and yet underwhelmed if I am to take noise about European football seriously?

 

If they said European football in five years I doubt we'd have any of this concern but it has been mentioned too many times for this season to go un-noticed by fans. Their fault, they volunteered this - the fans did not put words in their mouths.

 

I appreciate there is a month to go in the transfer window and that perhaps the majority of deals for players are done in this time, but right now we're on course for a mid-table finish in my opinion (something I would be happy about) however that isn't European qualification. Unless someone wants to genuinely state the current squad is good enough for a Top 6 finish? A single striker won't make a massive difference either.

 

I'd rather we slowly build up the club now (in all respects) however if the club are going to talk about European football then they either perceive the quality of the existing squad differently to me or they need to start showing some more intent in the market.

[Dalek2003]

fixed this for ya Dalek. No problems.

 

 

Say what you like. In 2004 we made a very grave error in a failure to appoint an experienced top league manager. Glenn Hoddle was the obvious choice but there were other experienced top flight managers. Sturrock was a needless gamble.

I am not in a straight jacket, just stating my point. As history unfolds I am pleased that more people agree with me, but I suppose the vocal minority will hope the whole episode is air brushed out.

[Dalek2003]

What category do I fall into then? I like our squad, like our signings, am genuinely happy and proud that we're giving youth team players a chance etc. however I've heard and read players and Staff talk about Europe and think we're a mile away from that.

 

Can I both be happy with the squad and yet underwhelmed if I am to take noise about European football seriously?

 

If they said European football in five years I doubt we'd have any of this concern but it has been mentioned too many times for this season to go un-noticed by fans. Their fault, they volunteered this - the fans did not put words in their mouths.

 

I appreciate there is a month to go in the transfer window and that perhaps the majority of deals for players are done in this time, but right now we're on course for a mid-table finish in my opinion (something I would be happy about) however that isn't European qualification. Unless someone wants to genuinely state the current squad is good enough for a Top 6 finish? A single striker won't make a massive difference either.

 

I'd rather we slowly build up the club now (in all respects) however if the club are going to talk about European football then they either perceive the quality of the existing squad differently to me or they need to start showing some more intent in the market.

 

I think the talk of European football was just hype. I would imagine we have one priority. Stay in the Premier League, just like the majority of clubs outside the top 6.

[Mallagroth]

What category do I fall into then? I like our squad, like our signings, am genuinely happy and proud that we're giving youth team players a chance etc. however I've heard and read players and Staff talk about Europe and think we're a mile away from that.

 

Can I both be happy with the squad and yet underwhelmed if I am to take noise about European football seriously?

 

If they said European football in five years I doubt we'd have any of this concern but it has been mentioned too many times for this season to go un-noticed by fans. Their fault, they volunteered this - the fans did not put words in their mouths.

 

I appreciate there is a month to go in the transfer window and that perhaps the majority of deals for players are done in this time, but right now we're on course for a mid-table finish in my opinion (something I would be happy about) however that isn't European qualification. Unless someone wants to genuinely state the current squad is good enough for a Top 6 finish? A single striker won't make a massive difference either.

 

I'd rather we slowly build up the club now (in all respects) however if the club are going to talk about European football then they either perceive the quality of the existing squad differently to me or they need to start showing some more intent in the market.

 

seems sensible, I honestly didn't think when we first got taken over back in league 1 that we would make prem in 5 years, so i'm giving their journalist sound byte benefit of the doubt. To be fair, you dont motivate a team by telling the lads we are aiming for mid table mediocrity. Chances are if the players believe champions league is the target then they will up their game and might have more faith in themselves, and get somewhere slightly higher than last season. Although if many of our first team read this forum and the judgements on their abiities then we might find them swinging from the Itchen bridge come match day.

[Mallagroth]

Did you seriously think that a thread with the title "Who is to blame for the transfer inactivity" would not incite the sort of reaction it has ?

Many people do not buy into the 'blame culture' especially as in this case there is nothing to be blamed for !

I often wonder what the players, management and staff would think of all this tosh should they read it ? I imagine that they would consider whether all their efforts were in any way worthwhile !

If you really think that the backroom staff are sitting on their arses doing nothing (the inactivity of which you mention!) then you are sadly out of touch !

Why not take pride in the achievements of our team/club, get behind them and support the Saints as we move onwards and upwards ?

COYS

 

This

 

+1

 

Spot on

 

[Barry Sanchez]

Did you seriously think that a thread with the title "Who is to blame for the transfer inactivity" would not incite the sort of reaction it has ?

Many people do not buy into the 'blame culture' especially as in this case there is nothing to be blamed for !

I often wonder what the players, management and staff would think of all this tosh should they read it ? I imagine that they would consider whether all their efforts were in any way worthwhile !

If you really think that the backroom staff are sitting on their arses doing nothing (the inactivity of which you mention!) then you are sadly out of touch !

Why not take pride in the achievements of our team/club, get behind them and support the Saints as we move onwards and upwards ?

COYS

 

So whilst the lads are training outside Cortese is on the net and stumbles across this site, he reads this thread and decides to pull out of the club and sell all the assets ha ha what a legend you are!

[Viking Warrior]

I see the wee man doon the road has been supping lots of drams again and talking gobblygook

 

Glasgae Saint The club (Nicola / MoPo) have been shouting their mouths off all summer about ambition, top 4 bla bla bla.

 

A clever ploy to shift season tickets or simply niavity/stupidity?

[KelvinsRightGlove]

I see the wee man doon the road has been supping lots of drams again and talking gobblygook

 

Glasgae Saint The club (Nicola / MoPo) have been shouting their mouths off all summer about ambition, top 4 bla bla bla.

 

A clever ploy to shift season tickets or simply niavity/stupidity?

 

Do you think we would sign players the calibre of Wanyama if they were publicly saying the clubs aim is 17th, and anything above that is a bonus?

 

Yes they say top 4 etc, but I highly doubt that is what they actually expect this season.

 

To win big, you have to think big.

[Mallagroth]

Quote Originally Posted by eurosaint View Post

Did you seriously think that a thread with the title "Who is to blame for the transfer inactivity" would not incite the sort of reaction it has ?

Many people do not buy into the 'blame culture' especially as in this case there is nothing to be blamed for !

I often wonder what the players, management and staff would think of all this tosh should they read it ? I imagine that they would consider whether all their efforts were in any way worthwhile !

If you really think that the backroom staff are sitting on their arses doing nothing (the inactivity of which you mention!) then you are sadly out of touch !

Why not take pride in the achievements of our team/club, get behind them and support the Saints as we move onwards and upwards ?

COYS

 

So whilst the lads are training outside Cortese is on the net and stumbles across this site, he reads this thread and decides to pull out of the club and sell all the assets ha ha what a legend you are!

 

Here you go Baz, I heard you are getting on a bit, so i've highlighted just the important bits for you to focus on in Euros original quote and you can try again. No problems. Anytime.

[Dalek2003]

Do you think we would sign players the calibre of Wanyama if they were publicly saying the clubs aim is 17th, and anything above that is a bonus?

 

Yes they say top 4 etc, but I highly doubt that is what they actually expect this season.

 

To win big, you have to think big.

 

Agreed, as I said before, we along with many of the other clubs just want to stay in the Premier League. The pressure is on staying out the bottom 3, not striving to be in the top 6. In reality I don't think we are a club that are equipped for European football and unless we spend mega bucks I doubt whether we ever will be. The management, owever, can talk about ambition without saying we are aiming for Europe.