Gavin Bazunu

[Saint_clark]

2 minutes ago, saintscottofthenortham said:

Gunn was totally unproven, though. This lad has actually impressed where he has gone, which inclusive of International level, far exceeds that of Angus Gunn (who was a shower of sh*t.)

Gunn had a full season at Norwich at a higher level and was their player of the season if I remember correctly. He wasn't totally unproven.

[saintscottofthenortham]

2 hours ago, Disco Stu said:

He could do with being coached out of the habit of always parrying but looks a good shot-stopper nonetheless (at least from his highlights 😁)

 

Stop the ball going in the goal. If they can do that, it doesn't really matter how they do it, and this lad is evidently good at that. Everyone looks good on their YouTube highlight reel, but blow me there are some serious saves in that there.

[saintscottofthenortham]

2 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

Gunn had a full season at Norwich at a higher level and was their player of the season if I remember correctly. He wasn't totally unproven.

Definitely wasn't POTY, but he did have one full season under his belt, correct. I overlooked that, granted, but I also think he had a very big push from Norwich just on who is old man is. Lad was genuinely shocking for us.

[Fabrice29]

15 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

He may turn out to be an inspired signing, but it's nonsense that quality and experience isn't available for similar or less. Brentford got David Raya for £3million.

Raya’s experience at that point was just the Championship with Blackburn though and they signed him to play in the Championship too. If we had signed Raya at that stage, people would criticise. It’s what this place and online fan bases do. 

Anyway, on this lads merits alone it’s a good signing by the sounds of it. All reports about him are positive and he’s highly rated. Based solely on information about the player I see no reason to be pessimistic.
 

If you then take into account the Gunn experience and the notion that the word ‘experienced’ seems to comfort people based on very little reasoning other than it would be nice to have then I can understand the caution but actual reality of this keeper and his talent it seems a good signing. 

[Suhari]

I'm concerned about this signing. Not for any reasons of ability, purely for the potential songs. I foresee an issue:

Presumably he doesn't 'Fuckin hate Pompey, arrrghhhhh!'

[Ivan Katalinic's 'tache]

If Bazunu does sign, and it looks like he will from reports, I still think there's space for a third keeper on the books otherwise we're only an injury from seeing Bycroft or Wright on the bench. I wouldn't be averse to Big Willy being kept on for a season, if he fancies it.

[Golac's Cunning Stunts]

10 minutes ago, Fabrice29 said:

the notion that the word ‘experienced’ seems to comfort people based on very little reasoning other than it would be nice to have

Are you serious? The reason managers pick experienced players is because it's "a nice to have". Please.

The best teams probably have a mixture of both experience and youth, but I'd always take an experienced player over an unexperienced one in key positions.

This signing really wouldn't be that bad if we weren't conceding goals for fun each and every season with a no 1 who is questionable at best. If Shilts was still in nets, I'd be all for it.

Hoping for some *experienced* CBs to come in at the very least now.

[CamSaint]

You would imagine that Crocker would be instrumental in such a signing and you would like to think that current goalkeeper coach Andrew Sparkes would also have been consulted. Can anyone remember whether Crocker and/or Sparkes were at Saints when Gunn was signed?

[woodsaint1]

Very pleased with this.

Seeing quite a few City fans unhappy on socia media. They wanted him to compete with Ederson the next few years, cant believe its less than 20 million and are demanding a buy back clause. Dont remember similar when we signed Gunn.

The 'L1 keeper' comments are ridiculous. Its clear hes way above that level based on pompey and city fans views. Given his performances at international level (watch the game against Portugal) its likely hes PL quality now. Lets hope we can nurture that talent and push him even higher. Our GK coaches werent able to do that with Gunn, but with most of them out of the picture now lets hope for a different outcome.

[woodsaint1]

6 minutes ago, CamSaint said:

You would imagine that Crocker would be instrumental in such a signing and you would like to think that current goalkeeper coach Andrew Sparkes would also have been consulted. Can anyone remember whether Crocker and/or Sparkes were at Saints when Gunn was signed?

They werent. Gunn signed summer 2018. Sparkes joined July 2019 with Crocker returning in November 2019

[HarvSFC]

9 minutes ago, woodsaint1 said:

Very pleased with this.

Seeing quite a few City fans unhappy on socia media. They wanted him to compete with Ederson the next few years, cant believe its less than 20 million and are demanding a buy back clause. Dont remember similar when we signed Gunn.

The 'L1 keeper' comments are ridiculous. Its clear hes way above that level based on pompey and city fans views. Given his performances at international level (watch the game against Portugal) its likely hes PL quality now. Lets hope we can nurture that talent and push him even higher. Our GK coaches werent able to do that with Gunn, but with most of them out of the picture now lets hope for a different outcome.

City put a buy back clause on Gunn, so it's likely they'll do the same for Bazunu.

[woodsaint1]

13 minutes ago, HarvSFC said:

City put a buy back clause on Gunn, so it's likely they'll do the same for Bazunu.

Think most big PL and European teams have been doing it for years now for any young talent moving on. No brainer really and lessens the risk that all those years of developing them wasnt for nothing. When i was contrasting him with Gunn it was more so the fans views

Edited 8 June, 2022 by woodsaint1

[bangkoksaint]

Don’t worry. I’m sure that after a couple of dodgy games our faithful will give him the same terrace treatment as Fuller and Crouchy thus destroying any confidence he may have!!

[Convict Colony]

5 hours ago, CamSaint said:

You would imagine that Crocker would be instrumental in such a signing and you would like to think that current goalkeeper coach Andrew Sparkes would also have been consulted. Can anyone remember whether Crocker and/or Sparkes were at Saints when Gunn was signed?

No

[Convict Colony]

10 hours ago, SuperSAINT said:

 

Always with the breaking news bro.

 

Good job keep it up the transfer window is long 🙂

[Give it to Ron]

29 minutes ago, bangkoksaint said:

Don’t worry. I’m sure that after a couple of dodgy games our faithful will give him the same terrace treatment as Fuller and Crouchy thus destroying any confidence he may have!!

What treatment of Fuller or Crouch ?

 

[Saint_clark]

6 hours ago, CamSaint said:

You would imagine that Crocker would be instrumental in such a signing and you would like to think that current goalkeeper coach Andrew Sparkes would also have been consulted. Can anyone remember whether Crocker and/or Sparkes were at Saints when Gunn was signed?

I forgot that Sparkes was still here. With how our keepers have repeatedly regressed I would have rather had a full clearout of backroom staff. 

[Convict Colony]

Let's not forget our current no.1 goalie was brought here as a no.2 

[Convict Colony]

Double post

Edited 9 June, 2022 by Convict Colony

[saintrich]

I think some people are just haunted by Gunn, who I think in the main was overhyped because of who his dad is. Bazunu is a lot more highly rated for starters and Man City reportedly offering him a big pay rise to stay is a good indicator of that. 

I'm sure the Gunn disaster would have played on the club's mind and the fact we have still pursued Bazunu suggests a large amount of due diligence has taken place.

The youtube video displays that he is really athletic and equally adept at getting down quickly to low shots, as he is saving top corner ones. He is supposed to be great with the ball at his feet too, which I imagine is a big part of our interest also.

Man City and Pompey fans both seem to be gutted in equal measure, meanwhile a lot of Irish fans are saying it's a brilliant deal for both the player and Saints. 

The speed at which we are doing this deal gives him every chance to settle in quickly and start the season as number one.

[Suhari]

39 minutes ago, Convict Colony said:

Let's not forget our current no.1 goalie is a no.2 

💩

[sibster]

1 hour ago, Give it to Ron said:

What treatment of Fuller or Crouch ?

 

Well I remember people behind me screaming "FREAK" at Crouch when he first signed, definitely the way to motivate a player who was clearly short of confidence! 

[Fabrice29]

8 hours ago, Golac's Cunning Stunts said:

Are you serious? The reason managers pick experienced players is because it's "a nice to have". Please.

The best teams probably have a mixture of both experience and youth, but I'd always take an experienced player over an unexperienced one in key positions. 

No. I think it’s something that people online like to say because they seem to value it when in reality the basis of any signing should be ‘are they good?’ and in regards to this kid all the reports and footage seem to suggest yes he is. 
 

Also, he has some experience. International and first team experience but because he’s not been in a struggling Burnley team on the TV every week it’s dismissed. Bizarre IMO but hey ho. 

[Baird of the land]

1 minute ago, Fabrice29 said:

No. I think it’s something that people online like to say because they seem to value it when in reality the basis of any signing should be ‘are they good?’ and in regards to this kid all the reports and footage seem to suggest yes he is. 
 

Also, he has some experience. International and first team experience but because he’s not been in a struggling Burnley team on the TV every week it’s dismissed. Bizarre IMO but hey ho. 

He has very little experience. Angus Gunn had more impressive experience and that turned out awful despite being highly rated. It's not because its not burnley it's because it's league 1 and league 1 is very low level. In comparison someone like Dragowski we were being linked with has played both in polish and italian top flight. 

 

[Bad Wolf]

34 minutes ago, sibster said:

Well I remember people behind me screaming "FREAK" at Crouch when he first signed, definitely the way to motivate a player who was clearly short of confidence! 

What a bunch of ****s

I bet they were the same people whinging about "no loyalty in football anymore" when he left.

Edited 9 June, 2022 by Bad Wolf

[Turkish]

36 minutes ago, Fabrice29 said:

No. I think it’s something that people online like to say because they seem to value it when in reality the basis of any signing should be ‘are they good?’ and in regards to this kid all the reports and footage seem to suggest yes he is. 
 

Also, he has some experience. International and first team experience but because he’s not been in a struggling Burnley team on the TV every week it’s dismissed. Bizarre IMO but hey ho. 

It really isn't just about "are they any good" Fonte wasn't the best defender in the world, he wasn't even ever the best defender at Saints in the premier league but he was experienced and a leader and complemented Lovren, Alderwierld and Van Dijk really well.  It's not just about being the talented, especially in a postion like goalkeeper and defender where communication & organisation are just as important as being a good player. You might have it a bit as a young player but you really only get that from experience.

 

People keep going on about his international experience. He's played 10 games at International level, he's played against Portugal & Serbia who are a decent sides but the rest of his appearances have been against the like of Andorra, Azerbijan, Qatar and Luxembourg. I hope he turned out to be the new Buffon but however talented he is it's a huge gamble to expect a keeper who has never even played in the championship to potentially be our number one keeper and if we are stuck with it being McCarthy god help us. It'd be different if we had a competent number one and he was being brought in to challenge him, or even if we had a decent defence, but we dont have either.

Edited 9 June, 2022 by Turkish

[Golac's Cunning Stunts]

37 minutes ago, Fabrice29 said:

No. I think it’s something that people online like to say because they seem to value it when in reality the basis of any signing should be ‘are they good?’ and in regards to this kid all the reports and footage seem to suggest yes he is. 
 

Also, he has some experience. International and first team experience but because he’s not been in a struggling Burnley team on the TV every week it’s dismissed. Bizarre IMO but hey ho. 

So if you had to undergo surgery, would you like the young promising surgeon or the experienced surgeon who has performed the op successfully many times? 🙂

Extreme example, I know but it gets over the point that all humans learn from experience and experience very much matters in how you perform something.

This guy is still learning his trade and if he we had a decent number one already, it would be great, but we don't. 

[Sarnia Cherie]

11 hours ago, Noodles34 said:

Dunno why we ain’t going all out to get Pope. He’s on a plate FFS

Exactly. Pope may cost us the thick end of our transfer money but having a competent goalkeeper is key. 

[Turkish]

4 minutes ago, Sarnia Cherie said:

Exactly. Pope may cost us the thick end of our transfer money but having a competent goalkeeper is key. 

It beggars belief it really does. A decent centre half, one that can actually mark, defend and organise the others and a competent goalkeeper and we've fixed a lot of our problems.

[Turkish]

13 minutes ago, Golac's Cunning Stunts said:

So if you had to undergo surgery, would you like the young promising surgeon or the experienced surgeon who has performed the op successfully many times? 🙂

Extreme example, I know but it gets over the point that all humans learn from experience and experience very much matters in how you perform something.

This guy is still learning his trade and if he we had a decent number one already, it would be great, but we don't. 

I'm all for buying potential but until we've got a good solid core of players to mix them in with we are always going to muddle along. As others have said every good team has a blend of youth and experience. Even Fergies "dont win anything with kids" team of the mid 90s was built around players like Irwin, Bruce, Pallister, Cantona. Keand and Giggs were in their mid twenties, Schmicheal had been there for 4 years and was an established international keeper.

 

It's actually a bit unfair of us as a club to just throw these players in and expect them to perform at premier league level when they've never done that before. Some of them will come good, but some of them wont. 

[Whitey Grandad]

18 minutes ago, Turkish said:

It beggars belief it really does. A decent centre half, one that can actually mark, defend and organise the others and a competent goalkeeper and we've fixed a lot of our problems.

You know it, I know it, we all know it. Do you think we’re going to get them?

[S-Clarke]

4 minutes ago, Turkish said:

I'm all for buying potential but until we've got a good solid core of players to mix them in with we are always going to muddle along. As others have said every good team has a blend of youth and experience. Even Fergies "dont win anything with kids" team of the mid 90s was built around players like Irwin, Bruce, Pallister, Cantona. Keand and Giggs were in their mid twenties, Schmicheal had been there for 4 years and was an established international keeper.

 

It's actually a bit unfair of us as a club to just throw these players in and expect them to perform at premier league level when they've never done that before. Some of them will come good, but some of them wont. 

Some players will sink or swim. It's fair to say Small, given his high ratings when he joined us, has sunk in the short-term and has struggled in the first team environment. That's what can happen - he was really highly rated, lots of excitement over it, but what happened with Small can happen to any young player no matter what their talent is.

Like you said, we need better experienced players first and then we can get excited by the young links. We're hanging them out to dry atm, but the club seems to be completely wedded to the development club mantra and the miserable comment from Semmens really doesn't hold out much hope for us.

''For us it's not about where we finish in the league, or how many points we get, it's how well we've developed players''  - that translates to how well they've developed players so they can make $$$$$$.

Edited 9 June, 2022 by S-Clarke

[Lighthouse]

I’m a bit stumped, after everything we saw last season, as to why ‘experience’ is suddenly the go-to buzz word for our recruitment. It’s the one thing we’ve already got tonnes of in the squad, yet people are pulling their hair out over the idea of signing one inexperienced player.

We could put out a front line of Walcott and Long, with Redmond and Moi in behind. Can’t get much more experienced than that and yet somehow I don’t fancy it.

[igsey]

9 hours ago, Golac's Cunning Stunts said:

Are you serious? The reason managers pick experienced players is because it's "a nice to have". Please.

The best teams probably have a mixture of both experience and youth, but I'd always take an experienced player over an unexperienced one in key positions.

This signing really wouldn't be that bad if we weren't conceding goals for fun each and every season with a no 1 who is questionable at best. If Shilts was still in nets, I'd be all for it.

Hoping for some *experienced* CBs to come in at the very least now.

I'm not so sure experience matters much for a goalkeeper. Sure they need to have some tactical knowledge and ability, but the number one requirement by far and away is keeping the ball out of the net. If he can do that better than the last bunch (not difficult) then I don't care how much "experience" he has.

[S-Clarke]

Just now, Lighthouse said:

I’m a bit stumped, after everything we saw last season, as to why ‘experience’ is suddenly the go-to buzz word for our recruitment. It’s the one thing we’ve already got tonnes of in the squad, yet people are pulling their hair out over the idea of signing one inexperienced player.

We could put out a front line of Walcott and Long, with Redmond and Moi in behind. Can’t get much more experienced than that and yet somehow I don’t fancy it.

I guess experience is the wrong word, it's more proven quality I'd say. So they can still be in the 24-26 age bracket but have significant experience behind them of a decent league (like when we signed Mane, Tadic, Pelle, Toby)

Honestly i have no problem with buying unproven players with little top level experience, but when the experience and proven quality we have around them is so shit it's hard for them to flourish. I'd say Tino was the exception rather than the rule, we can't expect that every time. And with young players, you will always get dips of form as they're not used to that level of football - that's where you need some established to rotate them with, which we don't really have.

[saintwbu]

2 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

I’m a bit stumped, after everything we saw last season, as to why ‘experience’ is suddenly the go-to buzz word for our recruitment. It’s the one thing we’ve already got tonnes of in the squad, yet people are pulling their hair out over the idea of signing one inexperienced player.

We could put out a front line of Walcott and Long, with Redmond and Moi in behind. Can’t get much more experienced than that and yet somehow I don’t fancy it.

I agree - personally I much prefer watching Tino, Salisu, Broja, KWP, Perraud, to watching Long, Walcott, Redmond, Forster, McCarthy. The first lot have barely any experience beyond this season. 

It’s basically code for ‘i don’t know anything about this player, why can’t we get someone i’ve heard of because they must be better - why don’t we sign Wayne Hennessy because he was good the other day’.

[saintwbu]

1 minute ago, S-Clarke said:

I guess experience is the wrong word, it's more proven quality I'd say. So they can still be in the 24-26 age bracket but have significant experience behind them of a decent league (like when we signed Mane, Tadic, Pelle, Toby)

Honestly i have no problem with buying unproven players with little top level experience, but when the experience and proven quality we have around them is so shit it's hard for them to flourish. I'd say Tino was the exception rather than the rule, we can't expect that every time. And with young players, you will always get dips of form as they're not used to that level of football - that's where you need some established to rotate them with, which we don't really have.

Like Clasie, Elia, Hoedt, Lemina etc. 

[DT]

3 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

I’m a bit stumped, after everything we saw last season, as to why ‘experience’ is suddenly the go-to buzz word for our recruitment. It’s the one thing we’ve already got tonnes of in the squad, yet people are pulling their hair out over the idea of signing one inexperienced player.

We could put out a front line of Walcott and Long, with Redmond and Moi in behind. Can’t get much more experienced than that and yet somehow I don’t fancy it.

I think they mean experienced and good. But point taken. I don't think an older player would harm at CB or in goal if they could get them in, for their (hopefully) leadership qualities and abilities to read the game/organise, even if a little of the zippiness has gone

[Golac's Cunning Stunts]

5 minutes ago, igsey said:

I'm not so sure experience matters much for a goalkeeper. Sure they need to have some tactical knowledge and ability, but the number one requirement by far and away is keeping the ball out of the net. If he can do that better than the last bunch (not difficult) then I don't care how much "experience" he has.

Experience matters because it helps with mindset and character. How to handle bad times, how to handle having played a bad game, knowing how to handle pressure of a big game, knowing what to do in certain situations. Anyway, I think I've flogged this one to death. Good luck to the lad if he is incoming.

[S-Clarke]

Just now, saintwbu said:

Like Clasie, Elia, Hoedt, Lemina etc. 

Yeah, it can go wrong for sure if your scouting is crap. I'd still feel more comfortable signing established players in our current guise though, let's not forget how we finished the season! Most of the 11 looked washed up and done for, we can't replace all those with unproven players.

[Golac's Cunning Stunts]

10 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

I’m a bit stumped, after everything we saw last season, as to why ‘experience’ is suddenly the go-to buzz word for our recruitment. It’s the one thing we’ve already got tonnes of in the squad, yet people are pulling their hair out over the idea of signing one inexperienced player.

We could put out a front line of Walcott and Long, with Redmond and Moi in behind. Can’t get much more experienced than that and yet somehow I don’t fancy it.

We also saw a fair few youngsters start brightly and fade away. I think we can all agree a mixture of youth and experience would be ideal. I'm just particularly nervous about GK and CB positions which are in obvious need of strengthening

[Turkish]

10 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

I’m a bit stumped, after everything we saw last season, as to why ‘experience’ is suddenly the go-to buzz word for our recruitment. It’s the one thing we’ve already got tonnes of in the squad, yet people are pulling their hair out over the idea of signing one inexperienced player.

We could put out a front line of Walcott and Long, with Redmond and Moi in behind. Can’t get much more experienced than that and yet somehow I don’t fancy it.

You're stumped because you're missing the point completely. Signing a load of kids who have never played in the premier league before wont end well unless there is a core of quality players around them, we dont have either. So we're going to throw them in with the crap we've got. I've already said Bazunu would be a good signing if we already had a decent number one and he was brought in to challenge him then replace him plus we had a good defence for him to play behind, we dont have either. 

[Lighthouse]

8 minutes ago, Turkish said:

You're stumped because you're missing the point completely. Signing a load of kids who have never played in the premier league before wont end well unless there is a core of quality players around them, we dont have either. So we're going to throw them in with the crap we've got. I've already said Bazunu would be a good signing if we already had a decent number one and he was brought in to challenge him then replace him plus we had a good defence for him to play behind, we dont have either. 

Any ‘keeper would look sh*t with a crap defence in front of them. Niemi 02-04 is night and day from Niemi 04-05. You could have Alisson or Ederson out there getting peppered with unchallenged shots from our own 6 yard box, they’d let in a bunch of goals too.

We clearly need better players in front of whichever ‘keeper we put out but the window doesn’t even open until tomorrow. We’re all hoping we see the back of Bednarek as a bare minimum and get someone competent to play along side Salisu. Let’s wait a couple of months before making judgements on who we haven’t signed.

[SW5 SAINT]

11 hours ago, Master Bates said:

Man City want a buy back clause.

https://insidefutbol.com/2022/06/08/manchester-city-insist-on-key-clause-in-deal-to-sell-gavin-bazunu-to-southampton/562574/

 

Didn’t they insert a buy back clause with Gunn as well……?

[Turkish]

Just now, SW5 SAINT said:

Didn’t they insert a buy back clause with Gunn as well……?

Yes.

[sydney_saint]

Hmmm not sure about this. I'm not quite with everyone else who thinks we need to sign quality and experience throughout the side. Buying a player with both of those that instantly improves our team is most likely going to cost a tonne of money, especially in the forward positions. Or we have to take a risk on an injury probe player like an Ings.

But the keeper position is one area we can easily bring in quality and experience without breaking the bank. 10m is a fair chunk of money for a keeper. For that amount, or may a few million extra, I'm sure we could bring in a very good keeper from Serie A, La Liga, or other top European leagues. Do we really need to take a risk here? 5m to come in as back up-no brainer bring him in. But 10m?! If it goes wrong, we are stuck with McCarthy as first choice and our entire defence unsettled.

If it goes well, even the resale value (which has to be considered for our sort of club) probably won't be all that. How many keepers realistically get sold for 25m plus?

[eurosaint]

a) Forster and McCarthy are experienced but we don't want/rate them !

b) If you're good enough, you're old enough !

c) Because Gunn was crap doesn't mean that Bazuna is too !

d) We've not got a lot of money !

d) Keep your fingers crossed 🤞 

[Sunglasses Ron]

16 minutes ago, eurosaint said:

a) Forster and McCarthy are experienced but we don't want/rate them !

b) If you're good enough, you're old enough !

c) Because Gunn was crap doesn't mean that Bazuna is too !

d) We've not got a lot of money !

d) Keep your fingers crossed 🤞 

Yeah, I'd call this a calculated risk that could go one of two ways of equal extremity.

It's what we appear to have to do although I must say that Pope would have been my choice.  But then what the hell do I know!

[Golac's Cunning Stunts]

1 minute ago, Sunglasses Ron said:

Yeah, I'd call this a calculated risk that could go one of two ways of equal extremity.

It's what we appear to have to do although I must say that Pope would have been my choice.  But then what the hell do I know!

Well, you know it's a risk 🙂 

I guess we'll see what happens once the window opens. Be interesting to see what is done to try and halt the 60++ goals we are conceding every season

[Baird of the land]

1 hour ago, igsey said:

I'm not so sure experience matters much for a goalkeeper. Sure they need to have some tactical knowledge and ability, but the number one requirement by far and away is keeping the ball out of the net. If he can do that better than the last bunch (not difficult) then I don't care how much "experience" he has.

I'd say the opposite. Keepers by and large reach their peak much later than outfielders.