January 2023 Transfer Window

[hypochondriac]

  On 19/01/2023 at 16:41, egg said:

They had Firminho hitting the net if they didn't. 

It's a bizarre notion that we can carry on with a shit striker if the wide players are decent. It seems obvious that we need all of them to be decent and capable of scoring.  

Expand  

The point is that at the moment we don't have a central striker. It's not that we even have someone who isn't good or out of form, we have no one. At the start of the summer and the start of this window everyone knew that's what we needed and then as the window goes on and we don't have that, everyone starts making excuses or pretending that we really needed something else. If it gets to the end of the window and we haven't secured a quality striker to lead the line the other it will be another failure and actually incredible when you consider it was of critical importance in the last window too. 

[egg]

  On 19/01/2023 at 18:42, hypochondriac said:

The point is that at the moment we don't have a central striker. It's not that we even have someone who isn't good or out of form, we have no one. At the start of the summer and the start of this window everyone knew that's what we needed and then as the window goes on and we don't have that, everyone starts making excuses or pretending that we really needed something else. If it gets to the end of the window and we haven't secured a quality striker to lead the line the other it will be another failure and actually incredible when you consider it was of critical importance in the last window too. 

Expand  

I don't follow that we don't have someone. We have Adams and Armstrong, but neither are good enough. I'm with you on the point that people seem to be talking themselves into feeling that we can make do with wingers cutting in and rely on them for goals. Bollox to that - even if our wide men score goals, we still need someone through the middle who won't waste the chances he gets. 

[hypochondriac]

  On 19/01/2023 at 18:48, egg said:

I don't follow that we don't have someone. We have Adams and Armstrong, but neither are good enough. I'm with you on the point that people seem to be talking themselves into feeling that we can make do with wingers cutting in and rely on them for goals. Bollox to that - even if our wide men score goals, we still need someone through the middle who won't waste the chances he gets. 

Expand  

I don't consider either of them central strikers to lead the line (and in fact Armstrong has been much better on the left.) Glad you agree with the rest though, the narrative changes from some the later we get in the window and people try to talk themselves into how the window is actually brilliant rather than leaving glaring holes in the squad once again which is lacking quality. It was the same in the summer when people were laughed at for pointing this out but it's actually been plainly obvious for months. 

[egg]

  On 19/01/2023 at 18:54, hypochondriac said:

I don't consider either of them central strikers to lead the line (and in fact Armstrong has been much better on the left.) Glad you agree with the rest though, the narrative changes from some the later we get in the window and people try to talk themselves into how the window is actually brilliant rather than leaving glaring holes in the squad once again which is lacking quality. It was the same in the summer when people were laughed at for pointing this out but it's actually been plainly obvious for months. 

Expand  

Yeah, they're not line leaders at all, but do play through the middle. Jones system would really have suited Broja. It's someone like that I'd like - pace, power, size, and able to finish. It's looking like we'll get another wide player though, and some people will persuade themselves that goals only need to come from wingers, and that Che is suddenly some kind of creative genius and his shit finishing doesn't matter. 

[Saint IQ]

Hate to say it but why are we buying Jackson when we have Tella doing so well on loan? Seems like money would be better spent on other positions.

[Saint86]

  On 19/01/2023 at 19:50, Saint IQ said:

Hate to say it but why are we buying Jackson when we have Tella doing so well on loan? Seems like money would be better spent on other positions.

Expand  

Valid point - Tella seems to have been forgotten lately.

[Bad Wolf]

  On 19/01/2023 at 19:50, Saint IQ said:

Hate to say it but why are we buying Jackson when we have Tella doing so well on loan? Seems like money would be better spent on other positions.

Expand  

In The Championship. The same league Adams and AA both did far better than Tella in.

[Saint86]

  On 19/01/2023 at 18:54, hypochondriac said:

I don't consider either of them central strikers to lead the line (and in fact Armstrong has been much better on the left.) Glad you agree with the rest though, the narrative changes from some the later we get in the window and people try to talk themselves into how the window is actually brilliant rather than leaving glaring holes in the squad once again which is lacking quality. It was the same in the summer when people were laughed at for pointing this out but it's actually been plainly obvious for months. 

Expand  

Adams is a capable centre forward with respect to hold up and link play - especially if he has 2 inside forwards/wingers and midfield runners in support. But his finishing (or more to the point, composure) is badly lacking. AA does alright on the wing in fairness, but yes he isn't a striker.

We've added goals to the team with Orsic and getting JWP back up the pitch. Perhaps upgrading the wing with Jackson will give us enough? But i agree, its a bit risky. I am not at all convinced that spending £20-25M on another winger will add significant value over Ely, AA, Edozie, S.Armstrong, Aribo etc. Whereas i feel spending £20-25M on an upgraded CF would make a notable difference.

Saying all that, i reckon Mara has got something about him. I've always been impressed by his movement and sharpness, it would be interesting to see him being given a run of games - although I admit that is risky given the situation.

Edited 19 January, 2023 by Saint86

[verlaine1979]

  On 19/01/2023 at 19:53, Bad Wolf said:

In The Championship. The same league Adams and AA both did far better than Tella in.

Expand  

They also both did better than Michael Olise in the Championship. Not sure Palace would be up for a swap though.

[Badger]

  On 19/01/2023 at 19:50, Saint IQ said:

Hate to say it but why are we buying Jackson when we have Tella doing so well on loan? Seems like money would be better spent on other positions.

Expand  

Loan with an option to buy perhaps. Beyond that I've no idea what we've seen in Jackson - other than his 45 minutes and a run against our keystones cop defence - to shell out on him.

If he was such a gem, you'd have thought Emery would be busting  a gut to get him to Villa.

[Saint86]

  On 19/01/2023 at 19:53, Bad Wolf said:

In The Championship. The same league Adams and AA both did far better than Tella in.

Expand  

Tella is doing pretty well for a winger... 

Edited 19 January, 2023 by Saint86

[Badger]

  On 19/01/2023 at 14:23, Pilchards said:

Rather strange as he was staying in the Potters Heron and stormed out after we charged him for breakfast.

Nathan said he would pay it for him but it never changed his mind. He started muttering he was going to Bournemouth instead.

Time to let this one go!

 

Expand  

Oh for a signing worthy of a Potters Heron unveiling....

[hypochondriac]

  On 19/01/2023 at 19:54, Saint86 said:

Adams is a capable centre forward with respect to hold up and link play - especially if he has 2 inside forwards/wingers and midfield runners in support. But his finishing (or more to the point, composure) is badly lacking. AA does alright on the wing in fairness, but yes he isn't a striker.

We've added goals to the team with Orsic and getting JWP back up the pitch. Perhaps upgrading the wing with Jackson will give us enough? But i agree, its a bit risky. I am not at all convinced that spending £20-25M on another winger will add significant value over Ely, AA, Edozie, S.Armstrong, Aribo etc. Whereas i feel spending £20-25M on an upgraded CF would make a notable difference.

Saying all that, i reckon Mara has got something about him. I've always been impressed by his movement and sharpness, it would be interesting to see him being given a run of games - although I admit that is risky given the situation.

Expand  

Exactly. You can't convince me that spending 20 million of our relatively meagre budget on a wide player is the best use of the funds. 

[The Cat]

Aboubakar to Besiktas. Not sure we were interested but he was mentioned on here at some point.

[Badger]

  On 19/01/2023 at 19:59, hypochondriac said:

Exactly. You can't convince me that spending 20 million of our relatively meagre budget on a wide player is the best use of the funds. 

Expand  

That £20m should be the two-thirds of a CF .... unless of course we've got one coming as well. 

[Saint Garrett]

Antonio now linked with Everton. Can see that one happening, cheap for Everton. 

Chelsea have had a £55m bid rejected for Moises Caicedo. 

What is going on at Chelsea?! 
Absolute mess of a club right now. Can imagine a bunch of their 16-20 year olds will be having interesting conversations with their agents atm. 

Edited 19 January, 2023 by Saint Garrett

[VectisSaint]

  On 19/01/2023 at 19:50, Saint IQ said:

Hate to say it but why are we buying Jackson when we have Tella doing so well on loan? Seems like money would be better spent on other positions.

Expand  

Because Tella didn't want to come back (allegedly) and on a season long loan that is his perogative. 

[Miltonaggro]

  On 19/01/2023 at 18:58, egg said:

Yeah, they're not line leaders at all, but do play through the middle. Jones system would really have suited Broja. It's someone like that I'd like - pace, power, size, and able to finish. It's looking like we'll get another wide player though, and some people will persuade themselves that goals only need to come from wingers, and that Che is suddenly some kind of creative genius and his shit finishing doesn't matter. 

Expand  

Spot on summary. Brojaesque is what is required. 

[hypochondriac]

  On 19/01/2023 at 20:18, Badger said:

That £20m should be the two-thirds of a CF .... unless of course we've got one coming as well. 

Expand  

Indeed. My expectation was we'd spend something like 25 million on a top striker this window. If we do this in addition to any other signings then fair enough but the fact it hasn't happened already is a failure of sorts already. 

[Guest]

  On 19/01/2023 at 20:25, Saint Garrett said:

Antonio now linked with Everton. Can see that one happening, cheap for Everton. 

Chelsea have had a £55m bid rejected for Moises Caicedo. 

What is going on at Chelsea?! 
Absolute mess of a club right now. Can imagine a bunch of their 16-20 year olds will be having interesting conversations with their agents atm. 

Expand  

I reckon most of their youth prodigies will have careers like Lucas Piazon.

Loaned out year after year, stagnant growth and underwhelming careers.

Chelsea are a shit show all round. Gung-ho management. 🤣

[DT]

Sorry, but WTF are we doing?

[Le Timmier]

  On 19/01/2023 at 20:52, DT said:

Sorry, but WTF are we doing?

Expand  

I’m having a poo. No idea what you’re doing.

[Give it to Ron]

  On 19/01/2023 at 20:52, DT said:

Sorry, but WTF are we doing?

Expand  

it’s ridiculous all summer and now 3 weeks in the window and no sign of a centre forward it should have been sorted for 1st Jan

[verlaine1979]

  On 19/01/2023 at 20:47, Miltonaggro said:

Spot on summary. Brojaesque is what is required. 

Expand  

Didn't West Ham bid over 30m for Broja in the summer? The going rate for pace, height, power and finishing is... above our price range.

[Guest]

Troussard to Arsenal is a weird win. I feel this signing is happening just because they feel they need to add someone to their squad after the long term pursuit of Mudryk was hijacked by Chelsea.

He’s a brilliant player but it just seems a little rushed and “keep the fans happy” type signing. Not sure where he’ll fit in, just squad depth really.

[Give it to Ron]

  On 19/01/2023 at 20:58, FarehamSaintJames said:

Troussard to Arsenal is a weird win. I feel this signing is happening just because they feel they need to add someone to their squad after the long term pursuit of Mudryk was hijacked by Chelsea.

He’s a brilliant player but it just seems a little rushed and “keep the fans happy” type signing. Not sure where he’ll fit in, just squad depth really.

Expand  

Gabriel Jesus is injured they only have Nketiah and he at times looks bad like Sunday v Spurs

[Guest]

  On 19/01/2023 at 21:01, Give it to Ron said:

Gabriel Jesus is injured they only have Nketiah and he at times looks bad like Sunday v Spurs

Expand  

Surely it’s a striker they need then? A bit like Man United, and Chelsea, …… and us…!

[DT]

  On 19/01/2023 at 20:58, FarehamSaintJames said:

Troussard to Arsenal is a weird win. I feel this signing is happening just because they feel they need to add someone to their squad after the long term pursuit of Mudryk was hijacked by Chelsea.

He’s a brilliant player but it just seems a little rushed and “keep the fans happy” type signing. Not sure where he’ll fit in, just squad depth really.

Expand  

Have to say I disagree. Skilful and quick. Creative. Finishes..Fits the way they play totally. And cheap in the scheme of things. 

[Guest]

Noni Madueke going to Chelsea from PSV.

Another English FIFA/FM career hero for me who I always hoped we’d sign 😢

[DT]

  On 19/01/2023 at 20:56, Le Timmier said:

I’m having a poo. No idea what you’re doing.

Expand  

I'm reading a series of shit players we are linked with. So similar.

[DT]

Are they young? Yes? Let's buy them. But they're shit, boss. It doesn't matter. They're young. Let's buy them. We might be able to sell them for more if they get better. But we need to score goals to stay in the division, boss. Don't be silly. We're unbeaten, these last three games. We'll be fine. Just buy that bloke. He's young. Ok boss.

[Convict Colony]

For those dissing Haji Wright he has at least scored more goals than Weghorst this season.

Obvs knows how to score

[Lighthouse]

  On 19/01/2023 at 21:20, DT said:

Are they young? Yes? Let's buy them. But they're shit, boss. It doesn't matter. They're young. Let's buy them. We might be able to sell them for more if they get better. But we need to score goals to stay in the division, boss. Don't be silly. We're unbeaten, these last three games. We'll be fine. Just buy that bloke. He's young. Ok boss.

Expand  

You’re losing your sh*t over conversations happening in your own head. It’s becoming tiresome, give it a rest.

[Guest]

  On 19/01/2023 at 21:20, DT said:

Are they young? Yes? Let's buy them. But they're shit, boss. It doesn't matter. They're young. Let's buy them. We might be able to sell them for more if they get better. But we need to score goals to stay in the division, boss. Don't be silly. We're unbeaten, these last three games. We'll be fine. Just buy that bloke. He's young. Ok boss.

Expand  

What is this? 🤔🤣

[egg]

  On 19/01/2023 at 20:57, verlaine1979 said:

Didn't West Ham bid over 30m for Broja in the summer? The going rate for pace, height, power and finishing is... above our price range.

Expand  

It wouldn't have been if we hadn't been so wasteful. The millions we spent on a tiny youth team left back could have been added to a striker budget, ditto Aribo. That's £15m down the tubes. 

Edited 19 January, 2023 by egg

[woodsaint1]

  On 19/01/2023 at 21:30, egg said:

It wouldn't have been if we hadn't been so wasteful. The millions we spent on a tiny youth team left back could have been added to a striker budget, ditto Aribo. That's £15m down the tunes. 

Expand  

This might come as a shock to you, but there will be signings that dont live up to our fans expectations (as yet I might add as both players you've mentioned have had six months and have made limited appearances between them). If every signing was an instant success then we would probably be sitting top of the league

[DT]

  On 19/01/2023 at 21:28, FarehamSaintJames said:

What is this? 🤔🤣

Expand  

It’s me being a bit drunk and annoyed we haven’t signed Messi. Again. 

[DT]

  On 19/01/2023 at 21:23, Lighthouse said:

You’re losing your sh*t over conversations happening in your own head. It’s becoming tiresome, give it a rest.

Expand  

Ok. Sorry. I have bad case of anxiety about us going down this season. 

[egg]

  On 19/01/2023 at 21:37, woodsaint1 said:

This might come as a shock to you, but there will be signings that dont live up to our fans expectations (as yet I might add as both players you've mentioned have had six months and have made limited appearances between them). If every signing was an instant success then we would probably be sitting top of the league

Expand  

I had no expectations of Larios as I'd never heard of him. When I saw him, I saw a 5ft 7 full back who'll never have the physicality to be competitive at this level. As for Aribo, I expected more than the untidy lazy sod that we've got.

Wasted millions that could have been added to whatever budget we have for a striker to allow us to buy someone proper. 

[Miltonaggro]

  On 19/01/2023 at 20:57, verlaine1979 said:

Didn't West Ham bid over 30m for Broja in the summer? The going rate for pace, height, power and finishing is... above our price range.

Expand  

Brojaesque would include when we brought him in on loan the season before, and Semmens sorted that out without Ramus's laptop.  Would settle for Pellesque or Lambertesque as well - the centre forward we've needed all season. 

[obelisk]

Well I'm back from the pub and still no centre forward. Just as I expected. Oh well.

[woodsaint1]

  On 19/01/2023 at 21:50, egg said:

I had no expectations of Larios as I'd never heard of him. When I saw him, I saw a 5ft 7 full back who'll never have the physicality to be competitive at this level. As for Aribo, I expected more than the untidy lazy sod that we've got.

Wasted millions that could have been added to whatever budget we have for a striker to allow us to buy someone proper. 

Expand  

Sure there were people on here who celebrated the signing of Aribo as it was also bringing much needed experience. Rangers fans would've told you differently. 

As has been mentioned on here before, Larios is taller than quite a few top PL full backs, one was playing tonight (Rico Lewis). Regardless, what we spent on a young LB in the summer will have no bearing on what we spend on a striker. Reports are that there is enough money there and Dragan has even added to it. Lets see where we are come the end of the window. Theres plenty of links (some will be absolute bollocks) but the club are trying

[Bad Wolf]

  On 19/01/2023 at 17:48, woodsaint1 said:

Is this a buy and loan to Goztepe to help them. Would be underwhelming if its for us given our other links

Expand  

Yet to see any links to be proper excited about this window striker wise. Ings maybe but even then his injury record is always concerning.

[West end Saints]

  On 19/01/2023 at 21:20, DT said:

Are they young? Yes? Let's buy them. But they're shit, boss. It doesn't matter. They're young. Let's buy them. We might be able to sell them for more if they get better. But we need to score goals to stay in the division, boss. Don't be silly. We're unbeaten, these last three games. We'll be fine. Just buy that bloke. He's young. Ok boss.

Expand  

Orsic. 

[Osvaldorama]

  On 19/01/2023 at 21:20, Convict Colony said:

For those dissing Haji Wright he has at least scored more goals than Weghorst this season.

Obvs knows how to score

Expand  

I have watched him a few times and I would be extremely worried about his ability to step up to the PL tbh. I am sure we can do better. 

[Guest]

  On 19/01/2023 at 22:08, obelisk said:

Well I'm back from the pub and still no centre forward. Just as I expected. Oh well.

Expand  

Were you there with DT?

Hope he’s doing alright 👍🏻

[notnowcato]

  On 19/01/2023 at 19:56, Saint86 said:

Tella is doing pretty well for a winger... 

Expand  

Not exactly ripping it up, is he

[maysie]

  On 19/01/2023 at 21:23, Lighthouse said:

You’re losing your sh*t over conversations happening in your own head. It’s becoming tiresome, give it a rest.

Expand  

Booo admin, it’s not a really a transfer window if DT doesn’t start losing his shit and start going on inexplicable fantasy monologues.

His MO is to breakdown if anyone in the world of football signs for anyone else who isn’t Saints.

 

 

[goodymatt]

 

[Turkish]

  On 19/01/2023 at 21:46, DT said:

It’s me being a bit drunk and annoyed we haven’t signed Messi. Again. 

Expand  

When you were Alpine Saint it was binge eating to control your depression. Hope the booze hasn’t taken over