Last Summer's Signings

[Lighthouse]

The general consensus seems to be that this years new recruits weren't as good as last years. How would you rate their performance overall?

 

Wins

 

Virgil van Dijk - Easily the best of the lot and winner of our POTS at a canter. As brilliant as Toby was, we haven't really missed him this season

 

Oriol Romeu - Has looked a decent player whenever I've seen him but hasn't really formed a partnership with either Clasie or Wanyama. Could be a very strong player with a decent player next to him.

 

Maarten Stekelenburg - Did a decent job filling in for Forster. Not as good as FF but a far better stop gap than Kelvin or Gazza. Would like to keep him as our back-up next season if we can agree a reasonable deal.

 

Draws

 

Cuco Martina - Undoubted a limited player but was only ever brought in as back-up, for a relatively low few. Has done fairly well in that regard but I wouldn't really want him as a first team regular. 'That' goal has to be worth the fee on its own.

 

Cédric Soares - Looked lightweight initially and off the pace of the Premier League. On the plus side he gets forward well to support the attack. Reminds me of Clyne in his first season, there are promising signs IMO.

 

Jordy Clasie - Hampered by injury at the start and yet to really assert himself on the team. On the plus side he's a hard worker and has put in some sporadic decent performaces.

 

Charlie Austin - If only he was fit. Let's see what happens next season.

 

Loses

 

Juanmi - You can't help but get excited when you sign a 22 year old Spain international but he hasn't made any impact, even in cup ties against lower league sides.

 

Steven Caulker - That Liverpool game...

[saintwbu]

I'd probably put Martina in the 'wins' category due to his performance in relation to cost and expectancy. Came over with a really bad reputation, but has put in a few good displays recently (and some not so good, admittedly), but for his cost I think he's been good value for money. Seems a popular guy in the squad as well. Agree on all the rest though.

[Saint Charlie]

Only Van Dijk is a definite win. Don't think anyone can argue with that.

[Faz]

Only Van Dijk is a definite win. Don't think anyone can argue with that.

 

Well there's two above who argue with that.

[Pamplemousse]

Van Dijk is by far and away the best but Clasie was hindered my his early injury. I think the second half of the season has been encouraging and hopefully with a full and fit pre season he will be even stronger come August

[DuncanRG]

Agree with all your assessments, though Van Dijk is a 4-0 thrashing, while Stekelenburg is nicking a winner at the death after mustering two shots all game.

 

Makes you marvel all the more at our rebuilding job the previous summer.

Edited 22 April, 2016 by DuncanRG

[Saint Charlie]

Well there's two above who argue with that.

Romeu can't be a win when he is second choice to Clasie who is a draw.

 

Martina is ok, but nothing on Clyne.

 

Stekelenburg was pretty poor I thought. Certainly not a PL quality starting keeper which is what we brought him in for.

 

Behind VVD, Clasie and Cedric have started the most games but neither really nailed on successes.

[Lighthouse]

Romeu can't be a win when he is second choice to Clasie who is a draw.

 

Martina is ok, but nothing on Clyne.

 

Stekelenburg was pretty poor I thought. Certainly not a PL quality starting keeper which is what we brought him in for.

 

Behind VVD, Clasie and Cedric have started the most games but neither really nailed on successes.

 

I'd say he was more 'second choice to Wanyama' personally.

[Saint Charlie]

I'd say he was more 'second choice to Wanyama' personally.

Exactly. Competent squad player. Has started 15 games. If we want him to just be a squad player then he has been a win.

 

If we want a starter each week then he is a draw. He hasn't provided actual competition for Wanyama because VW has started every game he is available for pretty much.

 

Probably the best of the signings outside VVD relative to what was expected.

 

Clasie, versus the hype, has been disappointing.

Edited 22 April, 2016 by Saint Charlie

[Badger]

VVD is the only outstanding success from our recruitment last summer.

 

In fairness to them though, both Steklenburg and Martina have probably fulfilled the roles asked of them, temporary GK, and a back up RB (although he has taken on a more prominent role), but neither really at the quality needed longer term.

 

The jury is still out on the remainder though, Romeu - good in parts, but too prone to yellow cards in his early days. Clsie is a quality player, but still has to adapt to the rigours of the English game. Both strike me as probably good in the right midfield partnership, but probably not together, or even with VW. PLace either alongside Morgan last season, they might have been a revealation.

 

Soares - disappointing, and I don't think he has shown the same quality as Clyne in his first season.

 

Austin - hope he doesn't carry his injury record into next season.

 

Perhaps they will all rise to the level next season with a years experience, and full pre-season ahead of them, but I'm hoping the Summer 2016 recruits are of the quality to make an impact next season, and not need a 12 month bedding in period.