A serious transfer window review thread...

[KelvinsRightGlove]

I think I'd rather have taken Lukaku & Barry on loan than paid the ridiculous sums we coughed up for Wanyama and Osvaldo.

Got to hand it to Everton. They offloaded Anichebe for £6m - One of the worst strikers I've seen in the premiership and had Utd's pants down with Fellani. They then landed Lukaku, one of the most impressive players in the prem last season and brought in some quality in McCarthy and Barry.

 

Lukaku & Barry on loan or Wanyama & Osvaldo for close to €30m. I know which I'd rather have had.

 

The thing is, Lukaku & Barry on loan isn't going to be free. It will still cost them a lot of money, Lukaku had a loan fee for sure - they had to outbid West Brom to secure him, plus they will both be on big wages. Then at the end of the season and they have finished their loans and go back to their clubs.

 

Wanyama & Osvaldo are both assets of SFC now. Wanyama has a very good chance of returning a profit, or at least returning what we paid for him. Harder to say with Osvaldo, due to his age, but if he has a good season and a good world cup, who is to say it wouldn't be possible to recoup at least what we paid, though in those circumstances I don't see why we would want to.

 

Don't get me wrong, Lukaku will be a very good signing for them, I'm less sure about Barry, I think he's on the downslope now in my opinion - would much rather have signed Victor all day long.

 

In answer to the OP:

 

I'm very happy. We have signed 3, very good international players, all with Champions League experience, in positions we needed strengthening.

 

Yes, it would have been nice to have had them all in for July 1st, but seriously, does this really need saying again? THIS IS NOT AN IDEAL WORLD!! THE TRANSFER WINDOW SIMPLY DOESN'T HAPPEN THAT WAY!!! There were probably as many (if not darn close) transfers being completed yesterday as in any given week in June/July.

 

Players sold - As you say, players not likely to get much first team action have been moved on and we have kept hold of Luke Shaw (one of the most coveted young players in the country), Morgan Schneiderlin (one of last seasons stand out players), Nathaniel Clyne, James Ward-Prowse,. In fact we have even extended the stay of some key players (Boruc, Shaw etc). So yeah, I'm delighted with that.

 

Probably the best window in the 12 years I have been supporting Saints if I'm honest. I'm genuinely at a loss as to what it is people want.

[Glasgow_Saint]

Is the loan window for Football League clubs closed? I didn't think it was. The Championship is where Billy is headed.

 

The football league may well be where he is now heading - not because of his talent or desire, but because SFC made it that way.

 

3 premiership clubs wanted him, one made a formal bid (our asking price) yet the club said no.

 

Perhaps Billy has done something to seriously **** of NC and Mopo? Cant think why else you'd treat a player so badly?

[alpine_saint]

Seems the sane majority are going for B+ minimum then.

 

So anyone not gushing is insane. No discussion of risk, doubts, etc allowed.

 

Brilliant.

[alpine_saint]

I'm genuinely at a loss as to what it is people want.

 

 

Our lack of pace should have been addressed.

[Colinjb]

The football league may well be where he is now heading - not because of his talent or desire, but because SFC made it that way.

 

3 premiership clubs wanted him, one made a formal bid (our asking price) yet the club said no.

Perhaps Billy has done something to seriously **** of NC and Mopo? Cant think why else you'd treat a player so badly?

 

I doubt it's like that. The nature of football is that if you let a player sign for a potential rival you just know they will come back and haunt you. It could just be a way of ensuring that one of our current 'assets' cannot leave and cause us damage, especially as the club doesn't need to sell. I seriously doubt it's anything personal, just a ruthless attitude to business.

[Saint Charlie]

So anyone not gushing is insane. No discussion of risk, doubts, etc allowed.

 

Brilliant.

 

Not at all. Just that clearly from this thread the majority think we had a great window.

 

How do you think it went for us?

[Glasgow_Saint]

So anyone not gushing is insane. No discussion of risk, doubts, etc allowed.

 

Brilliant.

 

You know the rules Alpine - either be super happy and dumbed down or you're a troll, wum and thread killer

[Glasgow_Saint]

I doubt it's like that. The nature of football is that if you let a player sign for a potential rival you just know they will come back and haunt you. It could just be a way of ensuring that one of our current 'assets' cannot leave and cause us damage, especially as the club doesn't need to sell. I seriously doubt it's anything personal, just a ruthless attitude to business.

 

If the club considered him an asset why dont they use him? By selection they are saying he is not good enough, but on the other hand saying oooh but I dont want him playing against us or giving him a shot at the prem....... we might be made to look silly

[alpine_saint]

If the club considered him an asset why dont they use him? By selection they are saying he is not good enough, but on the other hand saying oooh but I dont want him playing against us or giving him a shot at the prem....... we might be made to look silly

 

[Smirking_Saint]

I doubt it's like that. The nature of football is that if you let a player sign for a potential rival you just know they will come back and haunt you. It could just be a way of ensuring that one of our current 'assets' cannot leave and cause us damage, especially as the club doesn't need to sell. I seriously doubt it's anything personal, just a ruthless attitude to business.

 

I find it quite strange that 3 prem clubs wanted him yet the only other offers came in the form of lower league championship sides......

[SaintBobby]

 

 

We will never know but it's similar in a way to people saying this is the best window and its only been closed for 11 and a half hours, it will be a good transfer window if the players work if they don't it would have a bad seaon, people are biased when they say give Ramirez time and yet this window is already a nailed on success, childlike want and need.

 

Well, don't disagree with that really. But I think you can make some judgements without a player even kicking a ball for us - you just need to be aware that the judgements can easily turn out to be wrong.

 

On balance, I'd say the early signs are that our 3 new signings look pretty good - but that's not definitive, of course.

[Colinjb]

If the club considered him an asset why dont they use him? By selection they are saying he is not good enough, but on the other hand saying oooh but I dont want him playing against us or giving him a shot at the prem....... we might be made to look silly

 

I don't think it makes us look silly. He is behind many in our pecking order but is obviously talented. If as you say three premier league clubs have bid for him then it shows he is regarded as a potential danger in the hands of a rival. It is harsh on Billy personally that he is still here but not wanting him to go to a rival makes perfect sense to me.

 

The club has shown itself to be ruthless on many matters since coming out of administration, it is a double edged sword. The massive progress we have seen has come at the expense of certain pleasantries. Sadly it seems that Billy is coming out worse, hope he gets a good loan out at Championship level; was there any truth in Sheffield Wednesday wanting him?

Edited 3 September, 2013 by Colinjb

[View From The Top]

If the club considered him an asset why dont they use him? By selection they are saying he is not good enough, but on the other hand saying oooh but I dont want him playing against us or giving him a shot at the prem....... we might be made to look silly

 

Usually you're a tedious tool but on this matter I agree, the club have treated him in a very shabby manner, or at least that is how it looks from the outside.

[dronskisaint]

Generally happy - I'm most pleased by the players we managed to keep. Signing Luke Shaw on a long contract was probably the best bit of business we did.

 

The players we have brought in have got both pedigree and potential and are pretty much in the age range and contract length to allow the team to develop as a unit...one of the stated intentions. It speaks volumes for the foresight in L1 and the Championship that so many of our players from that era plus those coming through from the Academy are part of our PL squad. I'd like to think that similar judgement has been applied to take us on over the next three to four years...time will tell rather than instant judgements - this also applies to the players (all still pretty young) who were signed last year. Lovren has added instant class and stability, Wanyama has had two good games out of three and I really haven't seen enough of Osvaldo to comment....other than you don't tend to get to be Italy's centre-forward by being inept.

 

We're in a good place and planning, shaping to get better - because I'm always aware that the best can always be bettered - B+

[Brave Sir Robin]

I'm content with the business we've done this window. Offloading Puncheon once he started making noises about wanting out was wise imo, going on past history. Mayuka will get more match time on loan and will hopefully either come back further improved by the experience, or having had enough exposure enough to fetch a decent transfer fee.

 

Very early days to judge the new boys, but Lovren looks like a great signing so far, Wanyama clearly has huge potential, particularly when Shaw and Clyne are both fully fit and linking up with him, and Osvaldo, well, at least has pedigree and looks like he cares!

 

Holding on to Shaw is probably the thing I'm most excited about though. That just wouldn't have happened in any previous transfer window over the last 10 years at least, and indicates the confidence running throughout the whole club that we are serious contenders in this league and able to back up our claims that we'll continue to climb.

[pingwing]

I don't think we could have really asked for anything more, 3 top quality signings (Lovern especially), not a doubt about any of our quality players leaving and a decent number of the hangers on moved on.

 

Would have been nice to wrap up the deals a little earlier, maybe get one or two more of the hangers on moved on and maybe even that elusive 4th signing but it seems madness to let our expectations spiral out of control after a couple of frustrating league results and say this transfer window was anything other than a resounding success.

[pingwing]

I don't think we could have really asked for anything more, 3 top quality signings (Lovern especially), not a doubt about any of our quality players leaving and a decent number of the hangers on moved on.

 

Would have been nice to wrap up the deals a little earlier, maybe get one or two more of the hangers on moved on and maybe even that elusive 4th signing but it seems madness to let our expectations spiral out of control after a couple of frustrating league results and say this transfer window was anything other than a resounding success.

[Scummer]

I doubt it's like that. The nature of football is that if you let a player sign for a potential rival you just know they will come back and haunt you. It could just be a way of ensuring that one of our current 'assets' cannot leave and cause us damage, especially as the club doesn't need to sell. I seriously doubt it's anything personal, just a ruthless attitude to business.

 

Or could it be that Glasgow Saint has made it all up and no premiership clubs are interested at all? He'll go on loan to the Championship again, that's his level. All this 'destroying his premiership dream' stuff makes me laugh......

[Lazlo78]

Very good transfer window. We had a strategy and only went for players to strengthen the starting XI - no Mayuka/Lee experiments that may or may not come good. Instead the youngsters are being brought in. In that sense it is a very professional and 'clean' window

 

Of course it took some convincing to make our main targets believe in our project, but eventually the Don persuaded them.

 

Few key players being brought in also means better continuity for the team as compared to Sunderland etc.

 

Really looking forward to a good season with ups and downs!

[Lighthouse]

Does anyone actually have a decent source for all the Sharp rumours? All I've seen is fake twitter rumours. I'm not sure there's any particular evidence that we've been treating him badly, I'd say either the offers didn't meet the clubs valuation or Billy wasn't willing to take a pay cut to leave.

[Toon Saint]

Nice. What a lovely attitude towards the bloke who pushed us over the finish line to the PL, and without whom we wouldnt have been in a position to the sign the players who you are w*nking over.

 

By all accounts, Billy Sharp is a really nice bloke and perhaps the club haven't treated him in the best possible manner. But I just don't understand this overly sentimental attachment to the guy among some of our fans. Yes, he helped us get to the Premier League but to varying degrees so did De Ridder, Chaplow, Hammond, Lee, etc. Unfortunately, some of the players that have helped us get through the leagues have been left behind as they are simply are not good enough for where the club wants to be. In a perfect world everyone of these players would have been given their chance and they would have turned out to be Premier League class players destroying all opposition before them. We have been lucky that quite a few have been able to make that jump and some have even excelled - Morgan and Lambert for example. But this naive expectation that because he helped us get to the Premier League that he is somehow entitled to a chance is just a complete folly. Sharp had obvious limitations as a Championship player and these would become even more pronounced and obvious in the Premier League. Get over it, he most probably won't be given a chance in the EPL and nor is he entitled to one.

[Smirking_Saint]

Seems the sane majority are going for B+ minimum then.

 

I would give it a B I think, the majority of our windows since ML bought us have addressed the situation we are in pretty well, every year we achieved what we set out to do and I have no doubt this year will be any different.

 

For a start we managed to keep hold of everyone we required, we have tied up the quality youth that we have coming through aswell which is a real bonus. Also the emergence of Chambers took the pressure off of Shaw indirectly as it allows Clyne to play in his position if he has to.

 

JWP was another gem, though I rated him last year he appears to have improved again which is very very pleasing to see.

 

I knew if we were to progress this year that Lambert, Cork and Hoovield would have to be the casualties and we have signed quality replacements in this area which bolster the squad and fit in with MoPos tactics accordingly.

 

Departures I am happy with, clearing the deadwood, it was obvious Punch wouldnt get much of a look in this year with our array of forward talent, I have my doubts about him at this level consistantly anyway. Would have been nice to clear Sharp off the books as well but you camt have it all.

 

All in all cery pleased, hard to see how anyone wouldnt be chuffed with what we have done unless they are very greedy or acting on agenda TBH. I know for a fact we looked at another CB or wide man to top things off but the deals were not there so it was a slight shame but I am fully confident what we have can achieve what we want, the same as we have EVERY year.

 

Overall - B

[Colinjb]

By all accounts, Billy Sharp is a really nice bloke and perhaps the club haven't treated him in the best possible manner. But I just don't understand this overly sentimental attachment to the guy among some of our fans. Yes, he helped us get to the Premier League but to varying degrees so did De Ridder, Chaplow, Hammond, Lee, etc. Unfortunately, some of the players that have helped us get through the leagues have been left behind as they are simply are not good enough for where the club wants to be. In a perfect world everyone of these players would have been given their chance and they would have turned out to be Premier League class players destroying all opposition before them. We have been lucky that quite a few have been able to make that jump and some have even excelled - Morgan and Lambert for example. But this naive expectation that because he helped us get to the Premier League that he is somehow entitled to a chance is just a complete folly. Sharp had obvious limitations as a Championship player and these would become even more pronounced and obvious in the Premier League. Get over it, he most probably won't be given a chance in the EPL and nor is he entitled to one.

 

His personal issues probably contribute to it. Sharp had been through an awful lot just before leaving Doncaster, he came here for a fresh start, did exactly what was required of him and then just 4 months after signing he was deemed to be surplus to requirements.

 

It is harsh..... but it's football.

[alpine_saint]

He was entitled to more of a chance with us, the team he helped into the PL, than a second-half sub appearance against Wigan.

 

His chance was sacrificed to justify the signing of Mayuka.

[Gemmel]

I must be missing something. This preverbal "Selling" club, have just come out of a transfer window, having signed three international and renowned players, for club record fees , signed the brightest prospect English left back on contract and kept the vultures away from our top talent. This is Southampton, not frecking man utd, so for me we have done incredibly well.

 

I read Nabil Hussain tweeting that clubs were finding it difficult to deal with Southampton over Billy Sharp - That roughly translates as we are not doing it on the terms the buying club wants..........Boo ****ing hoo and long may it continue.

 

I think that most of us can see we missed out on one target - The number 11 shirt. But for his hamstring injury I think this would have been Piatti, but the same rules apply for when we are buying as well as selling. It has to be on the right terms and in the best interests of the Club, or its no deal.

 

I lose faith in this board and some Saints fans everyday, but would just encourage to doom merchants to cast their minds back to where we have come from. We are not a big club and are punching well above our weight to bring in the players we have done.....AND to keep hold of the top talent.

 

Fantastic window and congratulations to all at SFC.

[Smirking_Saint]

Does anyone actually have a decent source for all the Sharp rumours? All I've seen is fake twitter rumours. I'm not sure there's any particular evidence that we've been treating him badly, I'd say either the offers didn't meet the clubs valuation or Billy wasn't willing to take a pay cut to leave.

 

The only offers that were there were lower championship sides and perhaps Celtic had a slight sniff but nothing concrete, that was it.

[Toon Saint]

He was entitled to more of a chance with us, the team he helped into the PL, than a second-half sub appearance against Wigan.

 

His chance was sacrificed to justify the signing of Mayuka.

 

I actually think Sharp is a better player than Mayuka (who I'm sorry to say is absolutely woeful,) but Sharp still isn't PL class and he won't improve us by being in our match day squad.

[Glasgow_Saint]

I don't think it makes us look silly. He is behind many in our pecking order but is obviously talented. If as you say three premier league clubs have bid for him then it shows he is regarded as a potential danger in the hands of a rival. It is harsh on Billy personally that he is still here but not wanting him to go to a rival makes perfect sense to me.

 

The club has shown itself to be ruthless on many matters since coming out of administration, it is a double edged sword. The massive progress we have seen has come at the expense of certain pleasantries. Sadly it seems that Billy is coming out worse, hope he gets a good loan out at Championship level; was there any truth in Sheffield Wednesday wanting him?

 

Puncheon to Palace?

[Lighthouse]

'Giving a chance' to players like Hammond, Chaplow and Sharp would probably have seen us end up like Reading. Relegated, despite trying our hardest. Evidence of this is in JRod, who was incuded in the Championship team of the year (and therefore supposedly better than Sharp). He is a better all round player than Sharp and yet struggles for consistent performances in the Prem, only scoring 6 Prem goals last year.

[corky morris]

A very interesting window. Was never convinced we needed another central midfielder so Wanyama is a bit of 'not sure' for me. Lovren looks very composed & we really needed a centre half so that was perfect. When we signed Osvaldo I was simply stunned we signed Italy's number 9 & we could absolutely do with a goal scorer.

But I would have liked a genuine winger with some genuine pace. A player that can take on his man & deliver into the box or have a shot, get fouled etc. Not easy to find, but I would have happily spent the Wanyama money on Moses if he was available. Maybe even Ince.

Other point is that I would have preferred to buy British or someone who is already playing in the PL or Champ. I dont want all our signings to come from overseas. They often take time to adapt to our culture & league.

So my rating is around a 'B' - good, but can do even better.

[Colinjb]

Puncheon to Palace?

 

A good point. Again though, I believe there was more to that then meets the eye which further leads me to believe that the Billy Sharp situation is purely a professional impasse.

[angelman]

The thing is, Lukaku & Barry on loan isn't going to be free. It will still cost them a lot of money, Lukaku had a loan fee for sure - they had to outbid West Brom to secure him, plus they will both be on big wages. Then at the end of the season and they have finished their loans and go back to their clubs.

 

How does it work? There is a loan fee and the wages. As far as I see, the loan fee can be in the millions, and with Lukaku, one might imagine that it would be quite high at least as high as Victor Moses's fee that is reported to be £2m (Chelsea were initially asking £3m). Then Moses's wages are a reported £3m on top of that, which I think Liverpool pick up (and Chelsea presumably pay any difference that there might be in the contract).

 

So Moses is costing Liverpool £5m for the season. IMO Lukaku is a more attractive proposition so I would suspect could command a higher price. Maybe £3m loan fee and £3m wages????

[Glasgow_Saint]

How does it work? There is a loan fee and the wages. As far as I see, the loan fee can be in the millions, and with Lukaku, one might imagine that it would be quite high at least as high as Victor Moses's fee that is reported to be £2m (Chelsea were initially asking £3m). Then Moses's wages are a reported £3m on top of that, which I think Liverpool pick up (and Chelsea presumably pay any difference that there might be in the contract).

 

So Moses is costing Liverpool £5m for the season. IMO Lukaku is a more attractive proposition so I would suspect could command a higher price. Maybe £3m loan fee and £3m wages????

 

That would be my guess too, but imho that is a good deal. Lets say you buy Lukaku.... he will probably cost £15-20m? Give him a 3 year deal and he will cost you £5+ million a year before wages. Thats assuming he sees out his 3 year deal and leaves on a free

[Cabrone]

I think we've had a very good transfer window.

 

The absolute top priority was to get a good centre forward to take some of the weight off Ricky's shoulders and IMO we exceeded the brief with Osvaldo.

 

Defence needed strengthening and all signs are that Lovren and Wanyama are going to be excellant acquisitions, both young and hungry and huge levels of potential.

 

We kept all our top youngsters especially Shaw which is like a top signing in itself. When was the last time we managed to successfully hold onto our own talent? You have to go back to the days of MLT (and he was a complete maverick).

 

The only downers are losing Puncheon, can't see the logic in that one and not cutting out enough players who realistically don't fit anymore but that's small potatoes compared to the pluses.

 

I'd give it an A- or a B+.

[View From The Top]

When we enquired about Lukaku in June they tried to flog us Ba!

 

Perhaps Osvaldo was purchased as we needed ready made players in those key positions and he simply offered better value for money at £12m than Lukaku at £20?

[Dig Dig]

I think we've had a very good transfer window.

 

The absolute top priority was to get a good centre forward to take some of the weight off Ricky's shoulders and IMO we exceeded the brief with Osvaldo.

 

Defence needed strengthening and all signs are that Lovren and Wanyama are going to be excellant acquisitions, both young and hungry and huge levels of potential.

 

We kept all our top youngsters especially Shaw which is like a top signing in itself. When was the last time we managed to successfully hold onto our own talent? You have to go back to the days of MLT (and he was a complete maverick).

 

The only downers are losing Puncheon, can't see the logic in that one and not cutting out enough players who realistically don't fit anymore but that's small potatoes compared to the pluses.

 

I'd give it an A- or a B+.

 

This sums it up well for me.

[wild-saint]

What a nasty, cynical comment.

 

Screw the fact that he had just lost a baby and probably needed a clean break, new scenery and a new challenge.

 

But WTF, if allows you to act like a ManYoo or Liverpool pig, go fill 'em.

 

lets be honest if we let him go to a prem club you would ***** that he will know come back to haunt us. whatever happens in the world of saintsfc you will moan, whine and find a negative angle to put forward.

 

Frankly you a few of your trolling cronies make my eyes bleed with your continual shyte. if i had 3 wishes my last wish would be for you to have a freak lawn mower accident that rendered you unable to use a keyboard.

 

am i allowed to make those sort of comments without getting a slap wrist from a mod? oh shyte never mind too late ......

[Glasgow_Saint]

When we enquired about Lukaku in June they tried to flog us Ba!

 

Perhaps Osvaldo was purchased as we needed ready made players in those key positions and he simply offered better value for money at £12m than Lukaku at £20?

 

Osvaldo and Lukaku are very similar players - only time will tell who is better.

 

One question for you - who would you have in your fantasy football team this year? Lukaku or Osvaldo? Id go for Lukaku myself as expect him to score 15+

[Colinjb]

Osvaldo and Lukaku are very similar players - only time will tell who is better.

 

One question for you - who would you have in your fantasy football team this year? Lukaku or Osvaldo? Id go for Lukaku myself as expect him to score 15+

 

Who's cheaper?

[Dig Dig]

He was entitled to more of a chance with us, the team he helped into the PL, than a second-half sub appearance against Wigan.

 

His chance was sacrificed to justify the signing of Mayuka.

 

This isn't a charity, it's not about people deserving chances just for the sake of it. The management will have seen Billy train, seen how he works within the system we now play and conclude that he isn't good enough.

 

Billy gets much more support on here than others who have been in a similar situation (Hammond) because he is a nice guy and had a tough time recently.

 

At the same time, people like you are the first to start sticking the boot into players if they don't perform well so maybe it's a blessing that Billy didn't play in the prem because his limitations will have been exposed and it wouldn't take long for the boo boys to turn.

[Unbelievable Jeff]

Osvaldo and Lukaku are very similar players - only time will tell who is better.

 

One question for you - who would you have in your fantasy football team this year? Lukaku or Osvaldo? Id go for Lukaku myself as expect him to score 15+

 

Similar in what way, the fact they are both strikers? They play in very different ways.

[Glasgow_Saint]

Who's cheaper?

 

7.4 for Lukaku

 

Osvaldo £8m

[Glasgow_Saint]

Similar in what way, the fact they are both strikers? They play in very different ways.

 

Do they DPS? Please explain

[View From The Top]

Osvaldo and Lukaku are very similar players - only time will tell who is better.

 

One question for you - who would you have in your fantasy football team this year? Lukaku or Osvaldo? Id go for Lukaku myself as expect him to score 15+

 

I don't disagree. He's the one player that I wanted us to sign.

[Smirking_Saint]

TBF if I was offered Lukaku or Osvaldo Id have snapped Chelsea's hand off

[Whitey Grandad]

How does it work? There is a loan fee and the wages. As far as I see, the loan fee can be in the millions, and with Lukaku, one might imagine that it would be quite high at least as high as Victor Moses's fee that is reported to be £2m (Chelsea were initially asking £3m). Then Moses's wages are a reported £3m on top of that, which I think Liverpool pick up (and Chelsea presumably pay any difference that there might be in the contract).

 

So Moses is costing Liverpool £5m for the season. IMO Lukaku is a more attractive proposition so I would suspect could command a higher price. Maybe £3m loan fee and £3m wages????

 

It's the difference between renting/leasing or buying outright.

[TheCholulaKid]

A good, well balanced thread at last which is actually a pleasure to read (despite the efforts of a few...)

 

FWIW, I am more than happy with our signings. Lovren looks class. Wanyama needs a bit more accuracy with his short passing and a slightly better 1st touch to be considered 'class' yet. Only time will tell....be interesting to see how the team looks in 5-10 games time.

[hypochondriac]

For me it isn't about the ability of the players we have signed because no one can argue that they seem decent but it is the type of players that can be called into question. Lovren is a fantastic signing but for the other two I would argue that there were more pressing priorities. It is of course extremely early days but the problem now is that we are sort of forced into starting these two even if it disrupts the team. Breaking up the cork and Morgan combo seems like a bad idea to me and imo Wanyama may be a good player but cm was pretty much our strongest area last year. It will be interesting to see how the striker situation plays out but we had two main weaknesses last year CB and no directness and running with the ball when attacking. Pretty rubbish that we didn't address that glaring weakness and actually made it weaker. As Norwich showed we were completely predictable and easy to defend against.

[hypochondriac]

Basically I would much rather have had a pacy direct attacking player (look at redmond for instance) than Wanyama. Wanyama may turn out great, but that was our greatest need from this Window imo along with a CB.

[Colinjb]

Basically I would much rather have had a pacy direct attacking player (look at redmond for instance) than Wanyama. Wanyama may turn out great, but that was our greatest need from this Window imo along with a CB.

 

It seems to me that our attacking intent stems from full back. The difference in the second half v Sunderland when Clyne actually overlapped his fellow wideman and linked in with the midfield utterly changed the game, we looked infinitely more dangerous. At Norwich, with Shaw and Clyne out we were exposed and played right into Norwich's hands. Chambers is ok defensively but is no attacking threat, as for Danny Fox.... well, I think enough has already been said.

 

Get Shaw and Clyne back in and we'll be ok. Our lack of options from this position is currently our biggest weakness for me.