Summer Transfer Window 2021

[skintsaint]

12 hours ago, The Cat said:

He's played 21 games in the last 8 seasons. No thanks.

Not sure on where you get your stats but he played 23 times for Utd in 2018-20 alone.

[Jeremy Corbyn]

12 hours ago, Cartman said:

Goalkeeper - 0/10 - No comment.

Centre Back - 7/10 - Depends a lot on Lyanco being a hit, but if he is then it is one of the strongest positions in the squad.

Full Backs - 10/10 - Gone from one of the weakest parts of the squad to by far the strongest. Top work.

Midfield - 5/10 - Needed strengthening but not critical.

Attack - 8/10 - Lost Ings but better depth and less injury prone. Looks good.

Overall - 30/50 = 6/10

Fair assessment.  On the off chance Lyanco is actually a hit then our back 4 is looking very strong.

[VectisSaint]

13 hours ago, Cartman said:

Goalkeeper - 0/10 - No comment.

Centre Back - 7/10 - Depends a lot on Lyanco being a hit, but if he is then it is one of the strongest positions in the squad.

Full Backs - 10/10 - Gone from one of the weakest parts of the squad to by far the strongest. Top work.

Midfield - 5/10 - Needed strengthening but not critical.

Attack - 8/10 - Lost Ings but better depth and less injury prone. Looks good.

Overall - 30/50 = 6/10

Goalkeeper, we did offload Gunn, so perhaps 1/10 would be more appropriate

Centre Back - may not be applicable this season but we also signed Simeu for the future, is Lyanco an improvement on Vestegaard, depends which Vestegaard you compare with, the one prior to last season, most definitely yes, the one who had a good half season last year, no, unless he turns out to be a star, but with Salisu improving (and Stephens) then its fair to say we are certainly no worse off. We also disposed of Hoedt so that's a bonus.

Midfield - failed to address critical weakness in defensive Midfield (cover for Romeu), think 5/10 is generous on this basis. Probably improved attacking midfield by losing Minamino, and the return of the new and seemingly improved Moi is reason for optimism.

[OldNick]

watching the game v Newcastle I felt we played a very attrative on the eye game, a big improvement in the playing style IMO, thereofre the squad is better in its blend perhaps.

I still feel we needed a midfielder ( Yes Grimes) but I have more hope of a decent season than I did a few weeks back

[Uncle Albert]

Have to say this transfer window has got me looking optimistically at the upcoming season, signing some of this country’s best youngsters helps make up for the lack of real quality to come out of the academy in recent years. However I hope the club balance out the youth with experience in the upcoming years.

[Ivan Katalinic's 'tache]

Often linked with Saints, I see Olivier Ntcham ended up at Swansea yesterday - I guess his dream was always to play alongside Michael Obafemi...

 

[Totton Saint]

19 hours ago, Ex Lion Tamer said:

I suppose in today's game a player like Case might stay at Liverpool as a rotation player

Me and the and the

Case poster were only having a bit of fun naming ex St players only and  were not meant to be taken seriously. 

[Totton Saint]

On 01/09/2021 at 12:45, Badger said:

That is being greedy !! Can't think of any player in the modern game that comes close, let alone one that might come to us - or we could afford - aged 31.

Alan Ball did come to us

[Badger]

On 01/09/2021 at 12:45, Badger said:

That is being greedy !! Can't think of any player in the modern game that comes close, let alone one that might come to us - or we could afford - aged 31.

 

11 minutes ago, Totton Saint said:

Alan Ball did come to us

Indeed. Great inspirational buy he was as well. Certainly an all time Saints hero of mine.

But for all his great qualities I don't think he falls within the player in the modern game category that I referred to. 

[niceandfriendly]

On 02/09/2021 at 03:52, The Cat said:

He's played 21 games in the last 8 seasons. No thanks.

Sergio Romero recent playing history:

2019/20: 17 games

2018/19: 7 games

2017/18: 10 games

2016/17: 18 games

2015/16: 13 games

2014/15: 11 games

2013/14: 9 games

2012/13: 33 games

Not loads, but quite a bit more than 21.

Edited 3 September, 2021 by niceandfriendly

[skintsaint]

1 hour ago, niceandfriendly said:

Sergio Romero recent playing history:

2019/20: 17 games

2018/19: 7 games

2017/18: 10 games

2016/17: 18 games

2015/16: 13 games

2014/15: 11 games

2013/14: 9 games

2012/13: 33 games

Not loads, but quite a bit more than 21.

plus 90 odd Argie caps.

Edited 3 September, 2021 by skintsaint

[CB Fry]

2 hours ago, niceandfriendly said:

Sergio Romero recent playing history:

2019/20: 17 games

2018/19: 7 games

2017/18: 10 games

2016/17: 18 games

2015/16: 13 games

2014/15: 11 games

2013/14: 9 games

2012/13: 33 games

Not loads, but quite a bit more than 21.

Interesting that you are intentionally ignoring the stats from the 2020-21 season- you know last season, the one that's just happened, not 2013. 

Zero appearances. Zero.

Does last season not count as "recent history"?

[skintsaint]

4 minutes ago, CB Fry said:

Interesting that you are intentionally ignoring the stats from the 2020-21 season- you know last season, the one that's just happened, not 2013. 

Zero appearances. Zero.

Does last season not count as "recent history"?

Henderson coming back from loan ended his season I guess. Became Utds cup keeper/no2 rather than Romero.

[Billy the Kidd]

13 minutes ago, adriansfc said:

Romero is ten times the keeper McCarthy has ever been. Guessing we can’t afford the wages as it’d be such an obvious move to improve the keepers. 

Or maybe, we dont want Romero, and have our eye on 1 or 2 other keepers next summer when we have more money and the opportunity. Remember Sam Johnstone will be free in the summer. If we got him (not saying we want him/he will come) but if it did happen, it means we have more money on other areas of the team.

[Sheaf Saint]

17 minutes ago, Billy the Kidd said:

Or maybe, we dont want Romero, and have our eye on 1 or 2 other keepers next summer when we have more money and the opportunity. Remember Sam Johnstone will be free in the summer. If we got him (not saying we want him/he will come) but if it did happen, it means we have more money on other areas of the team.

In which case, assuming that Macca and Forster will be good enough to ensure we stay up this season is a massive gamble.

[skintsaint]

10 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

In which case, assuming that Macca and Forster will be good enough to ensure we stay up this season is a massive gamble.

I'm clinging on to the fact is has been so far *touch wood*.

[Billy the Kidd]

8 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

In which case, assuming that Macca and Forster will be good enough to ensure we stay up this season is a massive gamble.

I’m not thinking it is ideal, but would be surprised if we went down. Big gamble maybe, I did wonder if we go in for Johnston in January.

[Saint Mikey]

People keep banging on about Romero, but there must be a reason why he's still without a club and someone like West Ham haven't even picked him up. It must be crazy wage demands or his professionalism. You have to question why someone who was Argie's No1 decided to willingly go and play second fiddle to De Gea and then stayed there playing very little football at the peak of his career. Maybe just wants to be a Stuart Taylor type now.

[HarvSFC]

Sam Johnstone would really be much of a muchness and we would be having the same conversation about a new goalkeeper in a year's time. I think that we need to move away from the English goalkeeper route, as the talent is sparse outside of Pickford and Pope, as we can testify. Are there not any Finnish (He's only 28) goalkeepers anymore?

I know that goalkeepers are late developers, but at 28 Johnstone has only played one Premier League season, and in that season, he conceded 74 goals in 37 matches. Exactly two goals a game. We would be signing the only goalkeeper that conceded more goals than us last season, which doesn't seem like an improvement. Even this season he's conceded three goals in four appearances, for a team in second place in the Championship. He might have made a few good saves on MotD last season, but so did David Marshall when he went down.

I also think there's a reason why no one's made a move for him, despite his contract being in its final year. I'm hoping that we avoid him and that our scouts can actually earn their moneys worth by discovering someone elsewhere.

 

[sambosa75]

15 minutes ago, HarvSFC said:

Sam Johnstone would really be much of a muchness and we would be having the same conversation about a new goalkeeper in a year's time. I think that we need to move away from the English goalkeeper route, as the talent is sparse outside of Pickford and Pope, as we can testify. Are there not any Finnish (He's only 28) goalkeepers anymore?

I know that goalkeepers are late developers, but at 28 Johnstone has only played one Premier League season, and in that season, he conceded 74 goals in 37 matches. Exactly two goals a game. We would be signing the only goalkeeper that conceded more goals than us last season, which doesn't seem like an improvement. Even this season he's conceded three goals in four appearances, for a team in second place in the Championship. He might have made a few good saves on MotD last season, but so did David Marshall when he went down.

I also think there's a reason why no one's made a move for him, despite his contract being in its final year. I'm hoping that we avoid him and that our scouts can actually earn their moneys worth by discovering someone elsewhere.

 

I tend to agree with this viewpoint.  Easy to look a good keeper when in a shit team with a defence that is allowing you to be peppered constantly.  Loads of examples of keepers who looked decent in similar circumstances.

[OldNick]

1 hour ago, adriansfc said:

Romero is ten times the keeper McCarthy has ever been. Guessing we can’t afford the wages as it’d be such an obvious move to improve the keepers. 

IMO Rubbish, our keepers are always seen as trash whilst all the others teams are world beaters. Romero would play for us and in 3 games he would be put in the same bracket as all our keepers. Niemi has been the only one who in recent times has not been hammered as far as I can recall, and towards the end he got sloppy.

[OldNick]

1 hour ago, Sheaf Saint said:

In which case, assuming that Macca and Forster will be good enough to ensure we stay up this season is a massive gamble.

Its not only the keepers we do need defenders to stop making basic errors to allow the opposition good chances.

[Sheaf Saint]

7 minutes ago, OldNick said:

Its not only the keepers we do need defenders to stop making basic errors to allow the opposition good chances.

But that's precisely my point. With the number of chances we concede due to our comedy defending, we need a better keeper behind them otherwise we are taking a massive risk.

Signing one defender may or may not improve the overall defence and reduce the number of shots on target, but signing a better keeper would instantly reduce the number of goals we concede.

[OldNick]

3 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

But that's precisely my point. With the number of chances we concede due to our comedy defending, we need a better keeper behind them otherwise we are taking a massive risk.

Signing one defender may or may not improve the overall defence and reduce the number of shots on target, but signing a better keeper would instantly reduce the number of goals we concede.

Wed need 2 between the posts lol.

Forster has improved at taking crosses, McCarthy has done some good saves but I still feel the way to stop goals is to improve the defending. 

Sadly we seem calm and our keepers do get a bit flappy and so that unnerves the team and fans, but unless we spend a considerable amount we will always have a keeper with limitations

[saintwbu]

Argentina have always struggled with goalkeepers, and mostly they’re not playing regular club football. Sergio Romero has more caps for Argentina than he has club appearances for any club in his career. He really isn’t the world beater that people on here think he is.

[Dman]

20 minutes ago, saintwbu said:

Argentina have always struggled with goalkeepers, and mostly they’re not playing regular club football. Sergio Romero has more caps for Argentina than he has club appearances for any club in his career. He really isn’t the world beater that people on here think he is.

He doesn’t need to be a world beater, just better than the current dross we have, which isn’t hard. 
 

He’d improve us, without a doubt. 

[Totton Saint]

21 hours ago, Badger said:

 

Indeed. Great inspirational buy he was as well. Certainly an all time Saints hero of mine.

But for all his great qualities I don't think he falls within the player in the modern game category that I referred to. 

Please give an example of the modern player who now fits the category you referred to.  I think modern football is often in need of a Ball like character. Do you remember him playing  a blinder in a league cup round.  I think Golac was in our team at full back and was it against Man C .If I remember right  Channon played for Man C?

[OldNick]

1 hour ago, Totton Saint said:

Please give an example of the modern player who now fits the category you referred to.  I think modern football is often in need of a Ball like character. Do you remember him playing  a blinder in a league cup round.  I think Golac was in our team at full back and was it against Man C .If I remember right  Channon played for Man C?

Dont think I can think of anyone like him in modern day football. Although I think one of the greatest midfield performances I have seen watching over the years was when Gordon Strachan played for Leeds against us at the Dell, he ruled the game, outstanding

[stevy777_x]

1 hour ago, Dman said:

He doesn’t need to be a world beater, just better than the current dross we have, which isn’t hard. 
 

He’d improve us, without a doubt. 

If we are going to recruit someone i d like a massive upgrade, like an up and coming star from europe.

[Matthew Le God]

2 hours ago, saintwbu said:

Argentina have always struggled with goalkeepers, and mostly they’re not playing regular club football. Sergio Romero has more caps for Argentina than he has club appearances for any club in his career. He really isn’t the world beater that people on here think he is.

He can put in good performances at St Mary’s (4 years ago)...

 

[Dman]

33 minutes ago, stevy777_x said:

If we are going to recruit someone i d like a massive upgrade, like an up and coming star from europe.

Wouldn’t we all, but currently, that’s impossible for a few reasons; 

1. The transfer window is shut, we can only look at players who are currently without a club. Imo, we’re desperate, we can’t wait until next season. 

2. Were skint. Good up and coming keepers will cost a decent amount of money, we don’t have that. 

3. With an up and coming star in our price bracket, there is risk. We tried that with Gunn, he was highly rated but ended up being rubbish. We cannot afford another Gunn situation. 
 

Romero seems an absolute no brainier. 

[BARCELONASAINT]

A good and upcoming goalkeeper unlikely to cost much from abroad.....step forward Wuilker Farinez the Venezuelan keeper currently playing for Lens. I've watched a lot of Venezuelas games and he is very athletic and a great shop stopper. Really commands his box well.

[S-Clarke]

14 minutes ago, Dman said:

Wouldn’t we all, but currently, that’s impossible for a few reasons; 

1. The transfer window is shut, we can only look at players who are currently without a club. Imo, we’re desperate, we can’t wait until next season. 

2. Were skint. Good up and coming keepers will cost a decent amount of money, we don’t have that. 

3. With an up and coming star in our price bracket, there is risk. We tried that with Gunn, he was highly rated but ended up being rubbish. We cannot afford another Gunn situation. 
 

Romero seems an absolute no brainier. 

I believe we have money left over from this window, which we will put together with whatever small amount we have to play with next year to give us a head-start to potentially look at keepers in the £15m bracket from word go, without having to sell first. That's how I'd expect a sensible cash-strapped club to operate and I have faith that we are sensible nowadays.

Offering someone like Romero a deal, whilst we are still paying McCarthy and Forster £150k between them isn't sensible. Romero won't want buttons, he will be as well paid as both of our current - if not more.

I think there are lots of options we can look at in the summer. Once we have got rid of Forsters wages and have maybe £15-20m to play with, then there are options. The scouting should be all over Europe as we are after a first choice keeper who will last us for years to come. Be interesting if we had a look in the Turkish, French or Russian leagues as there are some quality young keepers over there.

Edited 3 September, 2021 by S-Clarke

[trousers]

Didn't see this one coming.... 

(Highly amusing comments section)

Edited 3 September, 2021 by trousers

[DT]

55 minutes ago, Dman said:

Wouldn’t we all, but currently, that’s impossible for a few reasons; 

1. The transfer window is shut, we can only look at players who are currently without a club. Imo, we’re desperate, we can’t wait until next season. 

2. Were skint. Good up and coming keepers will cost a decent amount of money, we don’t have that. 

3. With an up and coming star in our price bracket, there is risk. We tried that with Gunn, he was highly rated but ended up being rubbish. We cannot afford another Gunn situation. 
 

Romero seems an absolute no brainier. 

It's mystifying, as is what Forster has done so wrong to be down the pecking order behind such a poor player. The club are being blind to a real problem, and one which might be expensive in the long run if it means Championship football next season. A good keeper might be the difference between staying up and going down this season.

[stevy777_x]

29 minutes ago, DT said:

It's mystifying, as is what Forster has done so wrong to be down the pecking order behind such a poor player. The club are being blind to a real problem, and one which might be expensive in the long run if it means Championship football next season. A good keeper might be the difference between staying up and going down this season.

We ve stayed up with McCarthy a regular for 3 seasons now. Pipe down

[OldNick]

51 minutes ago, DT said:

It's mystifying, as is what Forster has done so wrong to be down the pecking order behind such a poor player. The club are being blind to a real problem, and one which might be expensive in the long run if it means Championship football next season. A good keeper might be the difference between staying up and going down this season.

you wouldnt know a decent keeper if you had to find one lol

You and keepers DT !!!!!1

[Sheaf Saint]

1 hour ago, trousers said:

Didn't see this one coming.... 

(Highly amusing comments section)

Could we have made a late bid?

I'd imagine a bishop would have always dreamed of becoming a Saint one day 😉

[Badger]

9 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

Could we have made a late bid?

I'd imagine a bishop would have always dreamed of becoming a Saint one day 😉

Shame. We needed a decent left footer at one stage as well.

[SuperSAINT]

1 hour ago, trousers said:

Didn't see this one coming.... 

(Highly amusing comments section)

Must’ve needed as deal sheet as that was done way past the window closing.

[Badger]

4 hours ago, Totton Saint said:

Please give an example of the modern player who now fits the category you referred to.  I think modern football is often in need of a Ball like character. Do you remember him playing  a blinder in a league cup round.  I think Golac was in our team at full back and was it against Man C .If I remember right  Channon played for Man C?

I think you and I are in complete agreement here Totton Saint in that we’d both like to see Alan Ball or a reincarnation of him in our team again.

I can’t name a player in the modern game who comes close, which is the point I was making.
 

Others might refer to recent players who were inspirational to their teams on occasion (off the top of my head, Gerrard) but don’t think he comes close to the drive and skill of Bally.

I do recall the Man City game. Think it was a quarter final at The Dell in December. Have a number if personal reasons to recall the match, December 1978. It was probably Channon’s first return to The Dell after going to City.

Don’t recall the particular passing you’re referring to but I do remember the following season how Ball, Golac and Channon used to play some amazing one touch football at a high tempo down our right hand side. 
 

Tell that to kids today, and they won’t believe you. 

 

[DT]

1 hour ago, OldNick said:

you wouldnt know a decent keeper if you had to find one lol

You and keepers DT !!!!!1

Shilton was good but he's probably a bit old now. Still better than McCarthy though...

[Matthew Le God]

Perhaps Saints could make an ambitious move for Onana after his doping ban.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/57427001

He is out of contract next summer and doesn't look like he is renewing it...

 

Edited 3 September, 2021 by Matthew Le God

[Totton Saint]

1 hour ago, Badger said:

I think you and I are in complete agreement here Totton Saint in that we’d both like to see Alan Ball or a reincarnation of him in our team again.

I can’t name a player in the modern game who comes close, which is the point I was making.
 

Others might refer to recent players who were inspirational to their teams on occasion (off the top of my head, Gerrard) but don’t think he comes close to the drive and skill of Bally.

I do recall the Man City game. Think it was a quarter final at The Dell in December. Have a number if personal reasons to recall the match, December 1978. It was probably Channon’s first return to The Dell after going to City.

Don’t recall the particular passing you’re referring to but I do remember the following season how Ball, Golac and Channon used to play some amazing one touch football at a high tempo down our right hand side. 
 

Tell that to kids today, and they won’t believe you. 

 

Yes it was Channon's first return to the Dell and he misses a sitter. Nice to reminisce with you about those days. Good memory re the date of the match.Anther good signing for Saints was Dave Watson the England centre half

 

 

[Cartman]

1 hour ago, Matthew Le God said:

Perhaps Saints could make an ambitious move for Onana after his doping ban.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/57427001

He is out of contract next summer and doesn't look like he is renewing it...

You would think he would go to a club higher up the food chain, turning down the first choice GK position at Ajax to join Saints would be unusual. When was the last time we signed a first choice player from a club of Ajax's stature? Celtic, Sporting and Feyenoord are below Ajax in the food chain, so not quite the same.

[Matthew Le God]

2 minutes ago, Cartman said:

You would think he would go to a club higher up the food chain, turning down the first choice GK position at Ajax to join Saints would be unusual. When was the last time we signed a first choice player from a club of Ajax's stature? Celtic, Sporting and Feyenoord are below Ajax in the food chain, so not quite the same.

Saints already have a bigger wage bill than Ajax, with Forster leaving it opens up a lot on our wage bill. Hard to think of many big European clubs in need of a new keeper and some may be put of by him being out of action for 9 months due to his ban. Saints could be the fresh start he needs.

[Cartman]

17 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

Saints already have a bigger wage bill than Ajax, with Forster leaving it opens up a lot on our wage bill. Hard to think of many big European clubs in need of a new keeper and some may be put of by him being out of action for 9 months due to his ban. Saints could be the fresh start he needs.

Not saying it's pie in the sky, just more like pie at the top of the Burj Khalifa with the lifts out of service. Expect Inter Milan to be after a new GK next Summer.

[saint1977]

4 hours ago, Sheaf Saint said:

Could we have made a late bid?

I'd imagine a bishop would have always dreamed of becoming a Saint one day 😉

Wouldn’t have worked out though, during match days a Bishop would have taken a right old bashing on here 😉 

[northam soul]

1 hour ago, saint1977 said:

Wouldn’t have worked out though, during match days a Bishop would have taken a right old bashing on here 😉 

Wouldn’t let him near the youth team either

[OttawaSaint]

2 hours ago, saint1977 said:

Wouldn’t have worked out though, during match days a Bishop would have taken a right old bashing on here 😉 

Plus no one would pick out his diagonal runs...