Transfer Deadline Day Thread

[Saint Albert]

We did alright. I'm not sure where all the fuss about our lack of defensive back-up is coming from. Our back four is identical to last season's back four, and they did well. Plus a fit Gardos instead of Caulker seems like a slight upgrade, at least to me, but I suppose that you could argue that a gently used pylon is an upgrade over Caulker. I'm really excited to see what Boufal can do for us. Romeu's performance against Watford alarmed me enough that I would have liked to seen a more muscular replacement for Wanyama. I see Hojberg more as a Morgan replacement than a Victor Wanyama replacement.

 

This business with Sissoko illustrates to me the hazards of leaving things until the last day of the window. Imagine if we paid $30 mil on deadline day for an at-best mercurial championship player who had recently professed his admiration for Pompey.

[itchen]

Yes, a last minute panic buy might have got us all excited. But I'd rather we continued our long-term planning and thorough scouting. It's worked pretty well (Osvaldo excepted) for the last few years.

 

And you can't calculate net spend by subtracting fees out from fees in. You have to include wages over the length of each contract and Saints have signed up our key players to longer, and more expensive, contracts.

 

Quite apart from the rules imposed by financial (un) fair play, I don't want to see our club throwing money about just so a few fans can feel better that it spent more than Stoke.

[Dark Munster]

Yes, a last minute panic buy might have got us all excited. But I'd rather we continued our long-term planning and thorough scouting. It's worked pretty well (Osvaldo excepted) for the last few years.

 

And you can't calculate net spend by subtracting fees out from fees in. You have to include wages over the length of each contract and Saints have signed up our key players to longer, and more expensive, contracts.

 

Quite apart from the rules imposed by financial (un) fair play, I don't want to see our club throwing money about just so a few fans can feel better that it spent more than Stoke.

This.

[whelk]

Shouldn't trolling be dealt with by Moderators?

 

He was banned for exactly what he is doing now, Everyone knows it's the same person doing the same thing. Poor Barry Sanchez never stood a chance when he came back.

[hutch]

By way of reinforcing what's been said many times over...

 

The top ten (by value) transfers have ALL gone to top six clubs.

 

Chelsea - 3

Arsenal - 2

City - 2

Liverpool - 1

United - 1

Spurs - 1

 

because they pay more. It isn't going to change.

 

Also worth noting that the fee we got for Mane was the second highest paid to an English club, behind only Stones to City.

Edited 1 September, 2016 by hutch

[northam soul]

Are we going to get a Les video now the window is over telling us all about it.

I am in the disappointed camp as this was an opportunity to push on from last year

but I don't feel that has happened.

This site is going to go into volcanic eruptions for post match threads moving forward.

[manji]

I'd have been more concerned had we rushed around trying to over pay for people last day, just throwing money at it with seemingly no plan .

 

From where I'm sitting we've had a plan and stuck to it.

 

Austin-Pelle

Boufall-Mane

Redmond-Juanmi

Hojberg - big Vic

 

We've also signed lots of extensions for key men .

 

What's all the moaning about?

Stop talking sense.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

I'd have been more concerned had we rushed around trying to over pay for people last day, just throwing money at it with seemingly no plan .

 

From where I'm sitting we've had a plan and stuck to it.

 

Austin-Pelle

Boufall-Mane

Redmond-Juanmi

Hojberg - big Vic

 

We've also signed lots of extensions for key men .

 

What's all the moaning about?

 

Yes all adequate replacements but you can't argue the squad has been enhanced or improved this summer

[Saint_clark]

Yes all adequate replacements but you can't argue the squad has been enhanced or improved this summer

 

In fairness with the 5 year contracts for all our best players no-one should be leaving next summer so that's the time to improve.

[SaintTex]

Poor summer from Saints, I don't think anyone can argue with that.

 

I can't get my head around our approach.

Part of the approach this summer was to extend contracts of several key players

 

Forster

Cedric

Van Dijk

Bertrand

Ward Prowse

Davis

Tadic

Long

 

I would imagine the delta in increased weekly wages for these 8 players is more than our remaining net transfer spend which is £20.36m

 

Further, if you include Redmond, Boufal and Holjbjerg that is a lot of important players on the 1st year of a 5 year contract on the team.

 

I can't remember ever having a summer like this where we locked down so many key current players to extended contracts.

[Saint-Fred]

With the managerial appointment and this window, it does feel at this point that we have pi ssed away our elevated status that came through our top six finish. Not sure our stock would ever be higher and I genuinely thought we might try and build our best ever squad. I don't think we've done that.

 

I dont believe we have a stronger squad for the heavy schedule ahead and the manager clearly has some work to do.

 

Let's hope Hojberg and Boufal turn out to be a couple of gems and those that were new this time last year - Cedric, Clasie, Romeu - step up now.

 

We march on.

 

Bed wetter...

 

#meltdown

[Batman]

In fairness with the 5 year contracts for all our best players no-one should be leaving next summer so that's the time to improve.

 

seriously question

 

you believe that?

you believe, Hojberg, Forster, Bertrand, VvD etc will ALL be at saints this time next year?

 

wow if so

[a1ex2001]

The biggest disappointment for me is the manager and his fixation with a diamond formation that doesn't suit our squad at all! If we were still playing 4-2-3-1 I think we would be seeing much better results than we have so far as the personnel at the club suit it and everyone knows how to play it. I'm amazed we appointed a manager who doesn't play the saints way which we still seem to be doing at all other levels.

 

The quality of our signings looks good there is massive potential and the prices seem

Very good in a crazy market really hoped we would replace pelle with a physical forward as I think every side needs one and now we don't have one!

 

Mid table finish and not progressing from the group in Europe is my prediction.

[ART]

Interesting article in this morning's Mirror on what happens in a players medical. Mentions some indications that can influence the type and length of contract offered to a player.

Charlie Austin failed a medical at Hull 3 weeks before he signed for QPR, which raises questions about the situation even now as to him seemly appearing unfit in games and overweight. Perhaps he's unable to perform full training due to a problem we, as supporters don't know about.

[wild-saint]

Yes all adequate replacements but you can't argue the squad has been enhanced or improved this summer

 

who would you have improved mane with? and instead of hojberg?

[trousers]

who would you have improved mane with? and instead of hojberg?

Cue SWF stock answer to that kind of question...

[Dig Dig]

who would you have improved mane with? and instead of hojberg?

 

I don't think he's taking about direct player replacements. Improvement of the squad would look more like retaining Mane and Wanyama whilst adding Redmond and PEH to the squad as an example.

[Dig Dig]

Cue SWF stock answer to that kind of question...

 

Which is?

[bogwoppit]

Agree with "Batman", extended contracts generally help to get a better transfer fee but if a player wants out he will go(Mane). If VVD is still here next season I will be amazed and that's even if we qualify for Europa again.....but personally I can't see top 8 being achieved

[CB Fry]

Which is?

"It's not for me to name names".

 

Which is a fair enough answer. I am delighted with Hojberg but I don't know him from adam and wouldn't have suggested him in a million years. Ditto Mane, Toby, Tadic, Gaston etc. Most signings we've made that I have been delighted with I'd never heard of.

 

My disappointment is driven by a lack of improvements defensively (CB/DM) and possibly upfront (striker) but don't ask me to name names. Quite comfortable not having a clue.

[CB Fry]

In fairness with the 5 year contracts for all our best players no-one should be leaving next summer so that's the time to improve.

Err, no. VVD will definitely be gone next summer, Fonte will get the Lambert send-off, and Forster will go but only if a big club comes in to make him first choice.

[SuperSAINT]

Agree with "Batman", extended contracts generally help to get a better transfer fee but if a player wants out he will go(Mane). If VVD is still here next season I will be amazed and that's even if we qualify for Europa again.....but personally I can't see top 8 being achieved

 

Centre-backs are getting harder to find. I'm surprised nobody put in a cheeky bid for Virgil this summer as just about everyone was looking for one. If he has an outstanding season again, there's no reason why he shouldn't get to the John Stones price bracket.

 

We definitely need to set the black-box filters to look a centre-backs & defensive midfielders.

[alpine_saint]

seriously question

 

you believe that?

you believe, Hojberg, Forster, Bertrand, VvD etc will ALL be at saints this time next year?

 

wow if so

 

Yep. Unbelievable naiivety on here sometimes...

 

These extensions have made NO difference to squad stability. They just make sure the club has a bigger pot of cash to sit on at the end of next summer.

 

And still our squad is demonstrably weaker now compare to this time last year.

[hutch]

They just make sure the club has a bigger pot of cash to sit on at the end of next summer.

No they don't. What they do is make sure that the club can from now on pay significantly higher wages, across the board, to all our players, and be able to attract higher calibre replacements when some of them inevitably move on.

Edited 1 September, 2016 by hutch
wages

[alpine_saint]

No they don't. What they do is make sure that the club can from now on pay significantly higher ages, across the board, to all our players, and be able to attract higher calibre replacements when some of them inevitably move on.

 

Yes, just like we have this summer.

[Sour Mash]

What happens to our excess money made?

 

Long term FFP work around?

 

Pay off debts?

 

Put towards a bigger infrastructure project (ground etc)?

[egg]

I don't think he's taking about direct player replacements. Improvement of the squad would look more like retaining Mane and Wanyama whilst adding Redmond and PEH to the squad as an example.

 

But Redmond, Boufal and PEH wouldn't come to sit on the bench behind mane, Wanyama, etc. That's where the 'we should have pushed on' and added to the squad argument fails. Good players come for first team football so have to come in to replace those who leave.

 

Sure we all want a bigger and better squad but the emphasis has to be the strongest first 11. Wanyama had to go. His contract was running down and we had to cash in. Anything else wouldn't have have made business sense, plus an unhappy player (from being forced to stay) suits nobody. Mane's stock was high so selling him made sense also. Arguably we could have got more but selling made sense and again I don't see the sense in forcing players to stay. Thus keeping them wasn't an option. If we did we'd struggle to get quality to play second fiddle to them plus they'd be gone in the next window or the one after so why put off the inevitable departure and search for a replacement until another day?

 

If people want to see better 2nd and 3rd choice players they must consider how realistic it is to move out someone like Yoshida for example, and then find another bloke who's happy to be 3rd pick. It's not easy and costs a lot of cash potentially paying up contracts, loyalty payments, agents fees, signing on fees plus transfer fees etc. Then there's FFP which is whole other story that I'm tired of mentioning cos the masses don't seem to realise just how little we can spend wages wise compared to others in the league.

[Dig Dig]

But Redmond, Boufal and PEH wouldn't come to sit on the bench behind mane, Wanyama, etc. That's where the 'we should have pushed on' and added to the squad argument fails. Good players come for first team football so have to come in to replace those who leave.

 

Sure we all want a bigger and better squad but the emphasis has to be the strongest first 11. Wanyama had to go. His contract was running down and we had to cash in. Anything else wouldn't have have made business sense, plus an unhappy player (from being forced to stay) suits nobody. Mane's stock was high so selling him made sense also. Arguably we could have got more but selling made sense and again I don't see the sense in forcing players to stay. Thus keeping them wasn't an option. If we did we'd struggle to get quality to play second fiddle to them plus they'd be gone in the next window or the one after so why put off the inevitable departure and search for a replacement until another day?

 

If people want to see better 2nd and 3rd choice players they must consider how realistic it is to move out someone like Yoshida for example, and then find another bloke who's happy to be 3rd pick. It's not easy and costs a lot of cash potentially paying up contracts, loyalty payments, agents fees, signing on fees plus transfer fees etc. Then there's FFP which is whole other story that I'm tired of mentioning cos the masses don't seem to realise just how little we can spend wages wise compared to others in the league.

 

There wasn't any need for you get hung up on the post, literally. What I wrote is an example of what improving the squad would look like (in response to a question) rather than just trying to replace like for like, not the merits of us keeping Wanyama or whatever.

 

P.S. You can't seriously believe that relegated Norwich sub Redmond would be in a position to expect gaurenteed first team football at 6th place Saints?

Edited 1 September, 2016 by Dig Dig

[Saint Billy]

My problem with all of this is not necessarily the squad although I do think it is a little light, but my issue is with the manager. Alarm bells rang even before he was appointed.

 

As opposed to some on here I was not overly impressed with his previous exploits or what some of the French press and fans were saying. In my view he got the job because he was compliant with Les demands, and then to change the playing system that has been so successful for us in the last few seasons is the death nail in our coffin.

 

As for Boufal, he is an exciting prospect but we still start our next game against Arsenal with the same team that has got us our first free results so for me the transfer window is disappointing, but more importantly my biggest concern is with Les and co's new philosophy and subsequent manager they have appointed.

[eelpie]

We need at least one of Rodriguez or Austin to come up trumps over the next few weeks given that Boufal unlikely to be available at full fitness for a while. Otherwise goals look hard to come by without Mane and Pelle.

 

We also need Puel to put the team out in a way that suits our players. Will be interesting to see how long we persist with current formation.

 

I think you've hit the nail on the head. We need players to play at their best in a system that makes the most of their talents. and not have off days like post-Europa match tiredness. Simple.

[mrfahaji]

Now the window has closed, will we get any more insight from the ITKs about who we were looking to sign? I think Guan described a left sided attacker, a new nationality who had similar career ups & downs to Pelle (perhaps was an alternative to Boufal), while AR-10 hinted that another around £10m was coming.

 

I suppose these players may still be targets further down the line, but would be nice to spend the day wallowing in "if onlys".

[trousers]

Interesting (perhaps) to compare reactions to this transfer window with that of two years ago when we were in a similar scenario (new manager, a few key players leaving, etc)

 

Here's the post deadline day thread from 2014: http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?51659-September-One-Judgement-Day

 

And a summary of the transfers:

 

 

Most seemed happy with the business done in that window (headline profit of £23.4m).

[Saint_Ash]

There wasn't any need for you get hung up on what I what literally. What I wrote is an example of what improving the squad would look like (in response to a question) rather than just trying to replace like for like, not the merits of us keeping Wanyama or whatever.

 

P.S. You can't seriously believe that relegated Norwich sub Redmond would be in a position to expect gaurenteed first team football at 6th place Saints?

Would relegated player Moussa Sissoko expect guaranteed football at 3rd placed Spurs? Redmond also played in 35 games in the prem last season predominantly as a starter, not really a sub is he?

[Saint_Ash]

Interesting (perhaps) to compare reactions to this transfer window with that of two years ago when we were in a similar scenario (new manager, a few key players leaving, etc)

 

Here's the post deadline day thread from 2014: http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?51659-September-One-Judgement-Day

 

And a summary of the transfers:

 

 

Most seemed happy with the business done in that window (headline profit of £23.4m).

I think people compained about some of the incomings didn't they? Shane Long too expensive, Pelle and Tadic from a rubbish league, Bertrand was rubbish for Villa and can't get into the Chelsea team and what was Mane? Ali Dia or something.

 

Unfortunately some people will complain every season no matter what.

[trousers]

I think people compained about some of the incomings didn't they? Shane Long too expensive, Pelle and Tadic from a rubbish league, Bertrand was rubbish for Villa and can't get into the Chelsea team and what was Mane? Ali Dia or something.

 

I haven't read back through the whole thread from 2014, but my impression from reading the first couple of pages is that there was generally a positive vibe about our dealings. Much more so than this time, that's for sure.

[Dig Dig]

Would relegated player Moussa Sissoko expect guaranteed football at 3rd placed Spurs? Redmond also played in 35 games in the prem last season predominantly as a starter, not really a sub is he?

 

He probably doesn't. He'll need to work hard and improve to get in and keep his place as they have good players. Plus a chance of European football and more money. Exactly like Redmond. As far as I can tell, Sissoko isn't replacing anyone at Spurs so your point is exactly what?

[ashnats]

Interesting (perhaps) to compare reactions to this transfer window with that of two years ago when we were in a similar scenario (new manager, a few key players leaving, etc)

 

Here's the post deadline day thread from 2014: http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?51659-September-One-Judgement-Day

 

And a summary of the transfers:

 

 

Most seemed happy with the business done in that window (headline profit of £23.4m).

 

That thread ended well

 

(read the last page!)

[sadoldgit]

seriously question

 

you believe that?

you believe, Hojberg, Forster, Bertrand, VvD etc will ALL be at saints this time next year?

 

wow if so

 

Why wouldn't they be? Hojberg has only just signed and the others have all signed longer contracts. If we don't want them to go, they wont go.

[nta786]

If we don't want them to go, they wont go.

 

We didnt 'want' Mane, Wanyama, Lallana, Morgan, Clyne etc to go... But where are they now?

[hutch]

Interesting (perhaps) to compare reactions to this transfer window with that of two years ago when we were in a similar scenario (new manager, a few key players leaving, etc)

 

Here's the post deadline day thread from 2014: http://www.saintsweb.co.uk/showthread.php?51659-September-One-Judgement-Day

 

And a summary of the transfers:

 

 

Most seemed happy with the business done in that window (headline profit of £23.4m).

Interesting that you pick that year, because we do actually have the real accounts, and they show that the "Headline" profit of £23.4m was actually only £9.3m

[Pilchards]

Need to start looking for players now for January as it normally takes 5 months to wrap a deal up.

[verlaine1979]

But Redmond, Boufal and PEH wouldn't come to sit on the bench behind mane, Wanyama, etc. That's where the 'we should have pushed on' and added to the squad argument fails. Good players come for first team football so have to come in to replace those who leave.

 

Sure we all want a bigger and better squad but the emphasis has to be the strongest first 11. Wanyama had to go. His contract was running down and we had to cash in. Anything else wouldn't have have made business sense, plus an unhappy player (from being forced to stay) suits nobody. Mane's stock was high so selling him made sense also. Arguably we could have got more but selling made sense and again I don't see the sense in forcing players to stay. Thus keeping them wasn't an option. If we did we'd struggle to get quality to play second fiddle to them plus they'd be gone in the next window or the one after so why put off the inevitable departure and search for a replacement until another day?

 

If people want to see better 2nd and 3rd choice players they must consider how realistic it is to move out someone like Yoshida for example, and then find another bloke who's happy to be 3rd pick. It's not easy and costs a lot of cash potentially paying up contracts, loyalty payments, agents fees, signing on fees plus transfer fees etc. Then there's FFP which is whole other story that I'm tired of mentioning cos the masses don't seem to realise just how little we can spend wages wise compared to others in the league.

 

Redmond probably would have come to sit on the bench, Hojbjerg would have come to play in place of Clasie under the previous formation, and Boufal would've replaced Davis as our attacking midfielder - easy.

[angelman]

Need to start looking for players now for January as it normally takes 5 months to wrap a deal up.

 

Have we given up with the academy players in favour of just buying in players? Sounds like it and if so, wouldn't it be best to close it down?

[hughieslastminutegoal]

My problem with all of this is not necessarily the squad although I do think it is a little light, but my issue is with the manager. Alarm bells rang even before he was appointed.

 

As opposed to some on here I was not overly impressed with his previous exploits or what some of the French press and fans were saying. In my view he got the job because he was compliant with Les demands, and then to change the playing system that has been so successful for us in the last few seasons is the death nail in our coffin.

As for Boufal, he is an exciting prospect but we still start our next game against Arsenal with the same team that has got us our first free results so for me the transfer window is disappointing, but more importantly my biggest concern is with Les and co's new philosophy and subsequent manager they have appointed.

 

Isn't the bold bit somewhat contradictory?

 

He got the job to toe Les' line but promptly changed the way we play?

Contradictory unless you believe that Les wanted to switch the way the club plays to "the diamond" and went out and got a manager who plays his teams that way.

[Batman]

Why wouldn't they be? Hojberg has only just signed and the others have all signed longer contracts. If we don't want them to go, they wont go.

 

When VvD is sold next summer for £40m

It is because we wanted to sell out best defender for a generation

 

 

 

Yep

Edited 1 September, 2016 by Batman

[qwertyell]

In fairness with the 5 year contracts for all our best players no-one should be leaving next summer so that's the time to improve.

Like Lallana's five year contract that made no difference whatsoever when he decided to move?

 

We'll sell again next summer. I guarantee it.

[Batman]

Like Lallana's five year contract that made no difference whatsoever when he decided to move?

 

We'll sell again next summer. I guarantee it.

 

Shaw signed a 5 year deal 12 months before his departure, right?

 

His deal was set up in the January before the summer he left according to the ITKers here if I remember rightly. So, that was just 6 months

[kermitsaint]

A record signing, an England U21, a Danish international from Bayern's youth team and finally a half decent reserve keeper.

 

Disgraceful.

Sounds impressive until you remember Prowse is also an England U21 as well

 

Sent from my SM-G925I using Tapatalk

[Saint Billy]

Isn't the bold bit somewhat contradictory?

 

He got the job to toe Les' line but promptly changed the way we play?

Contradictory unless you believe that Les wanted to switch the way the club plays to "the diamond" and went out and got a manager who plays his teams that way.

 

I don't see it as contradictory, hopefully Les doesn't get involved in formations!. Imo Puel was selected because he was ok with bringing on the youth, minimal spending and not rocking the boat ala Koeman which for me were bigger priorities for Les rather than Puel's management ability which to be honest has a chequered past.

 

Again imo, the formation is a different story but one that is not helping. If Puel conitnues with this formation we will struggle this season even mid table.

 

On another note, our prestige signing is injured plus we will lose him for a long spell playing in a tournament for his country, we have another signing injured for the season, we have rumours of disharmony in the camp and in my eyes we needed another couple of players to strengthen the squad ready for the Europa.

 

I understand that losing Koeman put a spanner in the works but I feel we have generally fooked up!

[Saint Billy]

Duplicate