Summer Transfer Window 2019

[mrfahaji]

This is why I keep thinking Long will have his best season yet for us, especially given how his attributes fit with the high press and his finishing as looked much, much better in pre-season. Ralph even specfically mentioned how they were working on Longs finishing.

 

Tempted to say "well that hasn't worked so far", but the depressing thing is it's completely possible that Hasenhuttl is the first manager in a while who might have thought about doing this.

[Saint_clark]

Tempted to say "well that hasn't worked so far", but the depressing thing is it's completely possible that Hasenhuttl is the first manager in a while who might have thought about doing this.

 

The last competent, attacking minded coach we had was Koeman and he oversaw Longs best season for us so far.

[tajjuk]

This is why I keep thinking Long will have his best season yet for us, especially given how his attributes fit with the high press and his finishing as looked much, much better in pre-season. Ralph even specfically mentioned how they were working on Longs finishing.

 

Yeh, you can see why he likes Long, he's quick, he runs all day for him, he's reasonably tactically astute and gets when he needs to press. He's also pretty decent in the air able to challenge for longer balls.

 

It's just his general link play and finishing that lets him down, but if they can be improved, together with some confidence then he could have a decent year.

 

We don't really need Long to be scoring 15-20 goals (especially if we play a front two) his general harassing, pressing and work rate will create opportunities for himself and others, so if they can improve his finishing and composure so he bags maybe 9-10 goals, that will win us more points.

[verlaine1979]

Yeh, you can see why he likes Long, he's quick, he runs all day for him, he's reasonably tactically astute and gets when he needs to press. He's also pretty decent in the air able to challenge for longer balls.

 

It's just his general link play and finishing that lets him down, but if they can be improved, together with some confidence then he could have a decent year.

 

We don't really need Long to be scoring 15-20 goals (especially if we play a front two) his general harassing, pressing and work rate will create opportunities for himself and others, so if they can improve his finishing and composure so he bags maybe 9-10 goals, that will win us more points.

 

Would love it to be true, but Long has been played football at a high level for 13 years. If he hasn't learned how to weight a pass or pick a finish by now, I suspect the problem isn't something that can be trained away.

[SW5 SAINT]

Hasenhuttl about 2 days ago: I can guarentee we will not be spending £30-£40m on on one player.

 

Saints fans: Seriously talking about signing Upamecano.

 

Heads gone.

 

Why not spend 40m on one good player, rather than 36m on two bad players, like we did last year.......

[Danbert]

Again our performance under Ralph last season, extrapolated over a whole season would net something like 48-50 points, easily enough for top half, if not top 8.

 

With more time to work with the players and instil his ideas, plus two additional attacking options to take the burden off Redmond and Ings, people being 'naively optimistic' as you put it are actually being fairly logical.

 

Especially when you add in last year Hughes wasted a lot of 'easier' home games where we should have done better and Bertrand was unavailable for half the season.

 

Yes of course having improved defensive options is desired, no one is saying we shouldn't be looking at that and I am sure the club will recruit at least one.

 

However, it is not all doom and gloom if we don't, to suggest if we don't get in another centre-back means we are going to be flirting with relegation all year makes no sense.

 

Also its hardly like the rest of the league has improved massively either. Obviously the window is still open so lots can change but currently -

 

Newcastle have got weaker, they have lost Rafa and their two top scorers. They have just signed a striker but again unknown if he'l do it in the PL.

 

Crystal Palace have lost their star right back and they could lose their star attacker in Zaha and have basically signed no one.

 

Brighton have not done much so far in the window and have an unknown quality in Potter in charge.

 

The three promoted clubs are probably weaker than the 3 last year as Wolves looked a clear strong contender last year that no one thought would go straight back down. Norwich don't look as strong. Villa have spent heavily but the quality is questionable so look like they have done a 'Fulham' and Sheff Utd look like a Cardiff to me.

 

West Ham have done West Ham things, who knows what you'll get with them, but they have lost proven PL goals in Arnautovic, so we'll have to see if Haller can replace him.

 

Bournemouth have signed a championship centre-back.

 

Everton have signed Delph

 

Watford have signed Craig Dawson.

 

Burnley have signed Jay Rod.

 

Wolves basically confirmed two loans they had last year and have Europa league to juggle this year.

 

So aside from the top 6 (two of which have unproven managers for this year, one has a transfer ban and both Utd and Arsenal are struggling to get their targets, plus Chelsea have lost Hazard) have any of the rest of teams around us and above us really got any stronger?

 

IMO no, most of the league has barely bought anyone, Leicester have probably done the best business out of the mid table clubs, but are about to lose their best centre-back.

 

So why the panic? We are starting a new season with a very competent manager who in the short time he has had has made massive improvements to several of our players, and we have added two pacey attackers, who potentially could add extra goals. Whilst the rest of the league has so far mainly stood still or even got a little worse to be honest.

 

I just don't see how under those circumstances we would be near relegation unless something went horribly wrong.

 

IF we don't sign a centre-back, then I expect us to end up using the 5 at the back used a lot last year probably more than Ralph was planning to, but that was a pretty successful shape that earned a decent amount of points.

 

Most of the Premier League has only signed one new player really (with quite a few loans being made permanent like Ings for us, Gomes for Everton, Kovavic for Chelsea, Dendoncker for Wolves, Tielemans for Leicester).

 

If you ignore those loans then the only clubs to have made more than 2 major signings are Villa, Sheff Utd, Norwich, and Man City (3).

 

A convincing read - thanks, you've made me feel a lot more positive about next season!

[Smirking_Saint]

This is excactly what VvD had in abundance and what happened to him 2 ysr or so later .We only seem to be a stepping stone for players to further thier progress at the expense of our club, which is somewhat annoying .Wheres the long term contract player now eh?...loyalty thats all we fans really want surley isnt it?

 

Its not really at the expense of our club though is it, and being a stepping stone, for a club with our budget and size relative to the rest of the premiership is probably an excellent tactic that has arguably proved to our advantage over the years

 

I agree we need to get stronger, and make sure we only deal with clubs on our terms especially with players that are attempting to hold us to ransom, hopefully we seem like we are doing that with Lemina and Austin.

 

Ultimately we will never be able to sign players like VVD if we were too bullish. And I would suggest, if it wasn't for poor recruitment in both the management and player markets we should have performed much better over the last 2-4 years with not only players of VVD's quality and then the incoming funds to replace what we have.

[CB Fry]

This is excactly what VvD had in abundance and what happened to him 2 ysr or so later .We only seem to be a stepping stone for players to further thier progress at the expense of our club, which is somewhat annoying .Wheres the long term contract player now eh?...loyalty thats all we fans really want surley isnt it?

People only want loyalty from the players and managers they like.

 

They could not give a flying frig about loyalty from players and managers they don't like.

 

All in all, "loyalty" is guff.

[Batman]

People only want loyalty from the players and managers they like.

 

They could not give a flying frig about loyalty from players and managers they don't like.

 

All in all, "loyalty" is guff.

 

Austin is showing tremendous loyalty

[Fan The Flames]

People don't want Austin, Carillo, Forster, Hoedt to be loyal.

[Badger]

People don't want Austin, Carillo, Forster, Hoedt to be loyal.

 

No, but I think most understand they have no incentive to move on, but unfortunately put their earnings above their self-esteem in wanting to play.

 

The anger is towards the d!ckhead who gave ludicrous and needlessly extended contracts.

[Convict Colony]

Hasenhuttl about 2 days ago: I can guarentee we will not be spending £30-£40m on on one player.

 

Saints fans: Seriously talking about signing Upamecano.

 

Heads gone.

 

I read this and think one thing......

 

 

 

 

 

You've listened to Talksport too much

[Dusic]

I read this and think one thing......

 

 

 

 

 

You've listened to Talksport too much

If you thought one thing it should have been: thats true.

[Dark Munster]

You see it as sucking pleasure. I see it as being realistic. I don't think realism invalidates a supporter. Just makes you less happy clappy. I've never been that way. You don't like realism. Point closed. I'm more excited because of Adams, ambivalent about Djenepo. I'll be more more assured if we sign a CB. We will throw away too many games otherwise. Swapping lack of attack for another problem, keeping goals out. A scary bite of reality.

 

Trousers - "Guilty as charged m'lud. More than happy to be deluded and naively optimistic. Much preferable to taking this game they call football too seriously

 

The planet is hurtling through the universe at circa 872,405 miles per hour on a path to certain oblivion. Cheer up"

 

Don't think I need cheering up or to take the game less serious. I'm simply not a happy clapper and naive optimist. You have different standards to me but making do was never in my periphery. I just don't tolerate an owner who goes back on his word. I think we will get a CB but whether he's decent remains to be seen.

One word mate .... Ralph.

 

Cheer up.

 

When he leaves, then feel free to be pessimistic again.

[Dark Munster]

The last competent, attacking minded coach we had was Koeman and he oversaw Longs best season for us so far.

In fairness, perhaps the main reason was playing alongside Mane, which would improve most players.

Not to belittle Koeman, who did great for us overall.

[SuperSAINT]

ACTUAL TRANSFER LINK!!!

 

 

(Don't get too excited, though)

 

Southampton are on the trail of Dundee United youngster Scott Banks, according to reports.

 

The Scottish Sun claim the 17-year-old could be the next kid out the door from United's youth academy.

 

Source: https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/17794014.scottish-transfer-news-live-napoli-out-race-sign-kieran-tierney-southampton-chase-dundee-utd-youngster-scots-side-target-liam-boyce/

 

Another link: https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/4525383/scott-banks-dundee-united-southampton-transfer-news-trail/

Edited 25 July, 2019 by SuperSAINT

[Maggie May]

WOLVES WANT LEMINA

 

We understand Wolves are interested in signing Southampton midfielder Mario Lemina.

 

Manager Nuno Espirito Santo wants to bring in a new central midfielder before the transfer deadline and Lemina is on the list – but he is understood not to be their top priority at this stage.

 

Lemina has been freed by Saints to speak to other clubs this summer and is also of interest to Manchester United, who have inquired. Other Premier League clubs are also understood to be keen along with further teams in Italy, Spain and France.

 

Wolves have also had a look at signing Lille’s Boubakare Soumare – but Sky Sports News was told a deal is unlikely after the French club quoted a price of £40m.

[the saint in winchester]

Does Lemina have any Portuguese links?

 

Like Chicken Piri Piri? Anything?

[igsey]

Lemina would fit Wolves much better than he would Man U, would be a good move for all parties involved if we can get £25m+

[SuperSAINT]

Lemina would fit Wolves much better than he would Man U, would be a good move for all parties involved if we can get £25m+

 

Good luck with that

[del boy]

ACTUAL TRANSFER LINK!!!

 

 

(Don't get too excited, though)

 

 

 

Source: https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/17794014.scottish-transfer-news-live-napoli-out-race-sign-kieran-tierney-southampton-chase-dundee-utd-youngster-scots-side-target-liam-boyce/

 

Another link: https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/4525383/scott-banks-dundee-united-southampton-transfer-news-trail/

 

you're right to advise minimal excitement. I seems like Saints had a scout at a match in which the lad was playing. On that basis we're on the trail of several hundred others as well at the moment - although the boy does seem talented, young and hungry

 

I like the novel transfer related post on this thread though - so bonus points for that!

[ashnats]

Would love it to be true, but Long has been played football at a high level for 13 years. If he hasn't learned how to weight a pass or pick a finish by now, I suspect the problem isn't something that can be trained away.

 

Tony Adams.

[Ivan Katalinic's 'tache]

I think it goes to show how poor the 3 relegated sides were in the Premier League last season that there's been very little interest in any of their players even from lower table sides like us. Ryan Sessegnon is the stand out player from any of the 3 teams (and he's been long linked with Spurs) but after him there's only been some partial interest in Aleksandar Mitrovic (who has signed a new 5 year deal with Fulham anyway) and Philip Billing, who Bompey seem to be keen on.

[Gordon Mockles]

People only want loyalty from the players and managers they like.

 

They could not give a flying frig about loyalty from players and managers they don't like.

 

All in all, "loyalty" is guff.

 

Of course. Peculiar point to make. We all have a friend who is more of an acquaintance through association whom we would not categorically pick through our own moral compass and criteria of virtues in accepting a friendship (they are selfish, unreliable, a bit annoying), but we extend a mutual respect due to our peer group of friends and that common level of decency. We also have a friend who is much more value, charismatically (rather than transfer fee). ;o) A friend whom is popular, thoughtful, kind, entertaining, reliable, funny and charming (although rarely all of those positive traits at the same time lol).

 

I know which person I would extend my loyalty to.

 

I’m assuming you don’t have a partner either (or of any note) if you harbour the mindset that “loyalty is guff”. Please don’t tell me you’re a swinger!! LMAO

 

No-one gives a flying f**k about loyalty from wasters. Loyalty from those that mean something is much more sought after, and often the more elusive but that kind of perpetuates the parody of life. Sod’s Law, or the Bosman ruling or something to that effect.

[Unbelievable Jeff]

Of course. Peculiar point to make. We all have a friend who is more of an acquaintance through association whom we would not categorically pick through our own moral compass and criteria of virtues in accepting a friendship (they are selfish, unreliable, a bit annoying), but we extend a mutual respect due to our peer group of friends and that common level of decency. We also have a friend who is much more value, charismatically (rather than transfer fee). ;o) A friend whom is popular, thoughtful, kind, entertaining, reliable, funny and charming (although rarely all of those positive traits at the same time lol).

 

I know which person I would extend my loyalty to.

 

I’m assuming you don’t have a partner either (or of any note) if you harbour the mindset that “loyalty is guff”. Please don’t tell me you’re a swinger!! LMAO

 

No-one gives a flying f**k about loyalty from wasters. Loyalty from those that mean something is much more sought after, and often the more elusive but that kind of perpetuates the parody of life. Sod’s Law, or the Bosman ruling or something to that effect.

 

Trying to compare footballers loyalty to their employer, and vice versa, to friends, acquaintances and wives/partners is just ******** though.

[Dusic]

14 days to go.

 

Needed outs: Austin, Lemina, Carrillo, Stephens or Hoedt, Forster or McCarthy, Elyounoussi, maybe Cedric

 

Ins: CB, poss CM, poss RB

[Saint Garrett]

14 days to go.

 

Needed outs: Austin, Lemina, Carrillo, Stephens or Hoedt, Forster or McCarthy, Elyounoussi, maybe Cedric

 

Ins: CB, poss CM, poss RB

 

Austin - we need gone

Lemina - will probably go abroad so can wait until the end of the window

Carrillo - likewise above, but we'll ship him out on the cheap or loan him anyway

Stephens - ****e but will probably end up staying - might end up on loan in the championship.

Hoedt - May stay and be involved next season, involved in pre season, but maybe just to get him fit to make him more "buyable"

Forster - Hopefully he'll go, but can't see anyone buying him.

McCarthy - More likely to go IMO, no idea how much we're asking for him, but surely a bargain for any club needing a keeper. Villa and Sheff Utd possibly?

Elyounoussi - Think he'll stay, never been made out the bad guy by Saints and has pretty much always been involved. Depending on what happens with Boufal, he may leave towards the end of the window abroad.

Cedric - Think he'll end up staying, like Hoedt seems to be involved and we may want to keep him as competition for Valery. Might go later on in the window.

 

Will be an interesting month anyway. Ideally you'd get rid of the lot.

[JoeShmoe]

Hope any CB we get doesn't follow the high priced Lemina, Carillo, Hoedt model. Far better to get a decent young UK CB and add him to the mix with Klarer. Someone like Adam Webster or Joe Roden

 

Or try and loan Tomori from Chelsea who was brilliant for Derby last year

 

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/9567092/chelsea-fikayo-tomori-on-loan-premier-league-derby/

[the saint in winchester]

It's very unusual for a manager to want to trim the wage bill* but we seem to have one that is reportedly trying to do that.

Austin, Forster and now Cedric are being reported as being on high wages, and so Ralph wants to move them on. Or is it actually the FD that wants to move them on?

 

* can you imagine Redknapp being concerned about the wage bill? He would wanting the Chairman to buy quality, hang the expense!

[Hatch]

It's very unusual for a manager to want to trim the wage bill* but we seem to have one that is reportedly trying to do that.

Austin, Forster and now Cedric are being reported as being on high wages, and so Ralph wants to move them on. Or is it actually the FD that wants to move them on?

 

* can you imagine Redknapp being concerned about the wage bill? He would wanting the Chairman to buy quality, hang the expense!

 

surely you mean quantity not quality.

 

Of course, no cut of any fees are involved

[VectisSaint]

It's very unusual for a manager to want to trim the wage bill* but we seem to have one that is reportedly trying to do that.

Austin, Forster and now Cedric are being reported as being on high wages, and so Ralph wants to move them on. Or is it actually the FD that wants to move them on?

Is he trying to trim the wage bill? He's trying to trim the size of the squad, which in the end comes out as the same thing, but I don't really think he is doing it for financial reasons, he's doing it for fottball/squad management reasons, 30 senior players is obviously too many, he stated last season he wanted a squad of about 20/21 ish, and of course the club has to work within the rules of the PL, where 25 is the max that can be registered, no club usually ends up with 4 or 5 players not registered, it would be crass stupidity. Think its likely that we are trying to ship out fringe players like Barnes, Reed, etc to trim the squad size, they won't make huge difference to the wage bill. Personally I think Ralph has opted to go with what he has at CB, with the addition of Klarer. The chance of actually getting someone who is better is small, and our track record of getting good CBs over the last year or two has not been good, so why would anyone think another new one woulf fare any better. Work with what you have and who you know and coach them to be better organised, fitter and concentrated, it is probably as good as a new player.

[goodymatt]

Is he trying to trim the wage bill? He's trying to trim the size of the squad, which in the end comes out as the same thing, but I don't really think he is doing it for financial reasons, he's doing it for fottball/squad management reasons, 30 senior players is obviously too many, he stated last season he wanted a squad of about 20/21 ish, and of course the club has to work within the rules of the PL, where 25 is the max that can be registered, no club usually ends up with 4 or 5 players not registered, it would be crass stupidity. Think its likely that we are trying to ship out fringe players like Barnes, Reed, etc to trim the squad size, they won't make huge difference to the wage bill. Personally I think Ralph has opted to go with what he has at CB, with the addition of Klarer. The chance of actually getting someone who is better is small, and our track record of getting good CBs over the last year or two has not been good, so why would anyone think another new one woulf fare any better. Work with what you have and who you know and coach them to be better organised, fitter and concentrated, it is probably as good as a new player.

 

CB is the obvious weakness in our squad. Despite Ralph's best efforts last season, we continued to set a record for points lost from winning positions. Working with what we have got is not going to be good enough. I trust Ralph to be able to identify a player that will perform substantially better than our recent signings in this area. I do miss the days when seemed to have mastered signing CBs: Fonte, Lovern, Toby, VVD. How lucky we were!

[DT]

CB is the obvious weakness in our squad. Despite Ralph's best efforts last season, we continued to set a record for points lost from winning positions. Working with what we have got is not going to be good enough. I trust Ralph to be able to identify a player that will perform substantially better than our recent signings in this area. I do miss the days when seemed to have mastered signing CBs: Fonte, Lovern, Toby, VVD. How lucky we were!

 

It is the foundation of every good side. And we will struggle without improving this part of the spine. With every day ticking past, I'm not so sure we are going to solve it.

[goodymatt]

Agreed, the clock really is ticking. Hopefully something is bubbling along nicely in the background. We are very quiet for both ins and outs at the moment, with less than 2 weeks to go.

[Baird of the land]

CB is the obvious weakness in our squad. Despite Ralph's best efforts last season, we continued to set a record for points lost from winning positions. Working with what we have got is not going to be good enough. I trust Ralph to be able to identify a player that will perform substantially better than our recent signings in this area. I do miss the days when seemed to have mastered signing CBs: Fonte, Lovern, Toby, VVD. How lucky we were!

 

I'm somewhat hopeful that better levels of fitness from pre-season will help improve in that regard, in the worst case scenario where we have to work with what we've got.

[VectisSaint]

CB is the obvious weakness in our squad. Despite Ralph's best efforts last season, we continued to set a record for points lost from winning positions. Working with what we have got is not going to be good enough. I trust Ralph to be able to identify a player that will perform substantially better than our recent signings in this area. I do miss the days when seemed to have mastered signing CBs: Fonte, Lovern, Toby, VVD. How lucky we were!

But you have highlighted the issue. We can't find CBs any more, so why do you think we can find one now. On top of that we are not working with what we had, Hoedt is back (for good or bad) and we have Klarer. Ralph working with our bunch of CBs has to be an improvement on what Hughes managed. Ralph didn't have the opportunity to really work with them tactically when he came in, now he has a full preseason with the full set. I think the possibility of finding someone markedly better than what we have is slim and it looks like Ralph/the club are thinking the same. I don't think its the best thing to do, but its the pragmatic approach.

[Mowgli]

I'm somewhat hopeful that better levels of fitness from pre-season will help improve in that regard, in the worst case scenario where we have to work with what we've got.

 

Exactly my thoughts. Hoedt, Vest and Stephens are decent CBs but have made horrendous mistakes because their decision making was poor or they were just too slow. These two issues are exactly what Ralph is focusing on in pre season training.

 

I did smile when the previous poster talked about how we no longer appear to sign decent CBs like VVD, Fonte, Lovren, Toby et al. To me this is very recent history lol.

[Saint Without a Halo]

It's very unusual for a manager to want to trim the wage bill* but we seem to have one that is reportedly trying to do that.

Austin, Forster and now Cedric are being reported as being on high wages, and so Ralph wants to move them on. Or is it actually the FD that wants to move them on?

 

* can you imagine Redknapp being concerned about the wage bill? He would wanting the Chairman to buy quality, hang the expense!

 

The wage bill is not only a financial drag on the club but discrepancy in wages if not managed well can lead to problems with team motivation

[ally_uk]

If we clearout Lemina and Austin and CO and have 30 odd million I would put a bid in for Upamecano and make him the number one target that would be the perfect window.

[Dellman]

Is he trying to trim the wage bill? He's trying to trim the size of the squad, which in the end comes out as the same thing, but I don't really think he is doing it for financial reasons, he's doing it for fottball/squad management reasons, 30 senior players is obviously too many, he stated last season he wanted a squad of about 20/21 ish, and of course the club has to work within the rules of the PL, where 25 is the max that can be registered, no club usually ends up with 4 or 5 players not registered, it would be crass stupidity. Think its likely that we are trying to ship out fringe players like Barnes, Reed, etc to trim the squad size, they won't make huge difference to the wage bill. Personally I think Ralph has opted to go with what he has at CB, with the addition of Klarer. The chance of actually getting someone who is better is small, and our track record of getting good CBs over the last year or two has not been good, so why would anyone think another new one woulf fare any better. Work with what you have and who you know and coach them to be better organised, fitter and concentrated, it is probably as good as a new player.

 

Yes. RH has said from the beginning that we sre overloaded with senior pros who block the progress of the younger ones he wants to coach into his own style. so we are lucky the manager who has footballing reasons and the Board who have economic reasons, want the same thing. In my opinion we will never offload Forster or Austin, we are stuck with them

[woodsaint]

Agree that RH can certainly improve our CBs fitness, positional sense, workrate etc, however its very difficult to change their decision making on the pitch. Thats what has been Hoedt and Stephens biggest downfall and has cost us goals. Hopefully we can bring a new CB in and move one or both of them on. RH is an excellent coach but lets not start convincing ourselves that hes a miracle worker

[woodsaint]

https://www.caughtoffside.com/2019/07/26/liverpool-join-premier-league-side-in-race-to-seal-transfer-of-13-4m-south-american-star/

 

In the mix for right back Santiago Arias from Atletico Madrid apparently. Though a number of big clubs including Liverpool interested

[SaintMB]

I'm very much of the opinion that if Ralph can work his magic with Hoedt, Stephens, Cedric and Boufal, we're sorted for the season.

That's a big if, admittedly.

[Joneth]

https://www.caughtoffside.com/2019/07/26/liverpool-join-premier-league-side-in-race-to-seal-transfer-of-13-4m-south-american-star/

 

In the mix for right back Santiago Arias from Atletico Madrid apparently. Though a number of big clubs including Liverpool interested

Any relation to the infamous Torpedo Arias?

 

Sent from my LLD-L31 using Tapatalk

[Saints foreva]

I'm very much of the opinion that if Ralph can work his magic with Hoedt, Stephens, Cedric and Boufal, we're sorted for the season.

That's a big if, admittedly.

 

Stephens has had plenty of chances under Ralph. the guy is a liability and shouldn't be anywhere near the playing squad this season. As things stand, one injury to a CB and hes probably in the team.

[Matthew Le God]

Stephens has had plenty of chances under Ralph. the guy is a liability and shouldn't be anywhere near the playing squad this season. As things stand, one injury to a CB and hes probably in the team.

 

Not if we play 4222 and he remains 4th/5th choice behind Bednarek, Vestergaard, Yoshida and possibly Hoedt.

[goodymatt]

Exactly my thoughts. Hoedt, Vest and Stephens are decent CBs but have made horrendous mistakes because their decision making was poor or they were just too slow. These two issues are exactly what Ralph is focusing on in pre season training.

 

I did smile when the previous poster talked about how we no longer appear to sign decent CBs like VVD, Fonte, Lovren, Toby et al. To me this is very recent history lol.

 

The problem is that since we were signing those successful centre backs, the market has changed significantly. Unfortunately we don’t seem to be willing to pay the equivalent values.

 

I’d imagine we are now priced out of signing that quality of player at that stage of their career. Upamecano is a good example of this. Although his reputation across Europe is already higher perhaps.

 

I’m sure Ralph will improve our current centre backs (with varying levels of success), but I still don’t think what we have will ever be good enough to play the system he prefers. This is the area we need to do something about and I agree with other posters that think we should break our transfer restrictions for this position.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Saint Billy]

I'm surprised we cannot match the 1m a week wages that Gareth Bale is being offered.

[Dusic]

Maybe one for Over Land and Sea:

 

How do we look right now in terms of 25 man squad, factoring HG and underage?

 

How many senior pros would currently be left out?

[Katalinic]

I'm surprised we cannot match the 1m a week wages that Gareth Bale is being offered.

 

Give the Gasworks Bar and Kitchen a few seasons and we will easily be able to afford these wages.