Summer Transfer Window 2023

[SaintNewForest]

14 minutes ago, EBS1980 said:

Ronnie Edwards from Peterborough  or Harwood-Bellis from City are the two obvious ones.

Edwards is too good for L1 again and Harwood-Bellis is a good leader and fresh off his loan at Burnley, won’t get a look in at City but probably will have PL clubs wanting him.

Leeds are in for Harwood-Bellis - you'd hope we would be too if he's interested in dropping back down.

On Stephens, Martin loves him. I'd be very surprised if he went anywhere, but at the moment, id say he's a pretty nailed on starter. Im happy with that. 

[Fabrice29]

20 minutes ago, Harry_SFC said:

I think it's fairly obvious that Stephens isn't going to be sold. 

Agreed, which is a shame. 

[lambtiss]

8 hours ago, Saint Matty 76 said:

Hopefully 2 of the CB’s out means we can spend some money to bring one in. Awe is apparently training with the youth team so I’m not sure he’d count.

Edwards or Harwood-Bellis preferably. Definitely not Holgate.

We seem unanimous against the signing of Holgate. Has that ever happened before on this forum 😅

[Toussaint]

9 hours ago, richardc said:

I think it involves some ritual involving removing your trousers, bending over and something about a large aubergine - but not really sure

That's very similar to what I had to do, only it wasn't an aubergine, I don't really want to talk about that part. That was two weeks ago and I still haven't had my membership card or made privy to any secrets, I'm starting to feel a bit of a fool!

Edited 2 August, 2023 by Toussaint

[woodsaint1]

We need more experienced players in general, and particularly at a crucial position like CB. Have no issue with Holgate or HB (given hes played a season in the championship), but not convinced about Edwards. He may have super potential but we need players to go straight into the starting 11 now. We've already signed (or about to sign) a CB with the future in mind

[gecko]

8 minutes ago, SaintNewForest said:

Leeds are in for Harwood-Bellis - you'd hope we would be too if he's interested in dropping back down.

On Stephens, Martin loves him. I'd be very surprised if he went anywhere, but at the moment, id say he's a pretty nailed on starter. Im happy with that. 

I think Stephens has always felt like he's got a serious mistake in him whenever he plays. I don't really like this as an argument against him... all of our CBs had the same issue. He also felt like he had a regular purple-patch in him too; he seemed to be well liked on his stint at bournemouth. 

What I liked about Stephens is he is the only one of our CBs that I've ever seen carry the ball to/past the half way line, and looking pretty comfortable on the ball, allowing a different distribution further forward. 

[EBS1980]

11 minutes ago, woodsaint1 said:

We need more experienced players in general, and particularly at a crucial position like CB. Have no issue with Holgate or HB (given hes played a season in the championship), but not convinced about Edwards. He may have super potential but we need players to go straight into the starting 11 now. We've already signed (or about to sign) a CB with the future in mind

But Stephens and Bednarek are the experienced ones. Don’t need another tbh, especially as Lyanco is still about too

also Edwards played a season in championship already, 21/22 season so would be first team ready.

Edited 2 August, 2023 by EBS1980

[gio1saints]

13 minutes ago, gecko said:

I think Stephens has always felt like he's got a serious mistake in him whenever he plays. I don't really like this as an argument against him... all of our CBs had the same issue. He also felt like he had a regular purple-patch in him too; he seemed to be well liked on his stint at bournemouth. 

What I liked about Stephens is he is the only one of our CBs that I've ever seen carry the ball to/past the half way line, and looking pretty comfortable on the ball, allowing a different distribution further forward. 

He quite obviously was instructed to hold the ball, even patiently walk it up field a bit, Bazunu style - and wait until he found the right pass to a full back or midfielder in the match v AZ. Did it multiple times.  He’s not going anywhere. He’s a starter. And I think JWP gave him the armband when he came off in that match - which is another signal of trust. 

Shea and Stephens are my most likely starters at CB for Sheff Wednesday. Bednarek to get first start at Gills. 
 

 

Edited 2 August, 2023 by gio1saints
SP.

[Mr Brightside]

Not heard any ABK rumours recently, maybe he stays? Would be happy with that. 
Would just need one then if we assume Jack and Bednarek are staying and Lyanco is (hopefully) off. 

[saintant]

1 hour ago, SaintNewForest said:

Leeds are in for Harwood-Bellis - you'd hope we would be too if he's interested in dropping back down.

On Stephens, Martin loves him. I'd be very surprised if he went anywhere, but at the moment, id say he's a pretty nailed on starter. Im happy with that. 

Wouldn't be wanting Stephens as a starter to be honest. He dithers on the ball and seems quite slow of thought so not suited to the pass out from the back tactics. Also he is a ball watcher who never appears to be aware of danger in the penalty area so does not cover players in space. On the plus side he's a good leader, not bad in the air and can tackle.

[goodymatt]

 

[Dman]

19 minutes ago, Mr Brightside said:

Not heard any ABK rumours recently, maybe he stays? Would be happy with that. 
Would just need one then if we assume Jack and Bednarek are staying and Lyanco is (hopefully) off. 

Saw he was linked with Napoli yesterday. Either way, i can't see him being here come the close of the window. 

[manji]

11 hours ago, SaintsLoyal said:

Not forgetten anything and we need senior quality players from back to front and the pish removed.

What an insightful observation. 🙄

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, goodymatt said:

 

If we want to keep him and remain firm, then surely the asking price is a great deal higher than £15m (if anything)...

[SNSUN]

14 minutes ago, Mr Brightside said:

Not heard any ABK rumours recently, maybe he stays? Would be happy with that. 
Would just need one then if we assume Jack and Bednarek are staying and Lyanco is (hopefully) off. 

There was one yesterday. ABK has a £25 million release clause, it makes me wonder though whether anyone would meet that after his injury record. Would Saints stick with that valuation or go less? We seem to be sticklers for getting what we want for players this summer. I can see him being a late exit this summer.

[SambaMaverick]

12 minutes ago, saintant said:

Wouldn't be wanting Stephens as a starter to be honest. He dithers on the ball and seems quite slow of thought so not suited to the pass out from the back tactics. Also he is a ball watcher who never appears to be aware of danger in the penalty area so does not cover players in space. On the plus side he's a good leader, not bad in the air and can tackle.

At the very least he plays for the shirt - and he's better than Lyanco.

[goodymatt]

Just now, Lee On Solent Saint said:

This is getting tedious now. 

We should be letting Tella know that he’s key to our plans and can’t leave at any price. We won’t be getting a value for him that allows us to buy in a player that just performed in the league at the level we need. £20m would be a good fee for a player with one decent season for example, but so much risk on how that money is spent and what that gives us on the pitch.

[danjosaint]

Let Tella go and put some faith in Sulemana and use funds towards a Gk and Cb

Edited 2 August, 2023 by danjosaint

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, danjosaint said:

Let Tella go and put some faith in Sulemana and use funds on a Gk and Cb

that is ridiculous IMO

[SNSUN]

Just now, danjosaint said:

Let Tella go and put some faith in Sulemana and use funds towards a Gk and Cb

Sulemana who has not featured so far and who is wanted by other clubs and may not be here at the start of September? I'd much rather Tella who is already proven in the Championship for a title winning team, is seemingly happy to be here and has played in pre-season and will probably start on Friday. 

I would like to keep both of course but Tella is the one for right now. As for money, we're going to get plenty from other places. 

[Saint Fan CaM]

I’d be surprised to find Sulemana here come close of window. There’s been so little news around him it looks like he’s on his way out. Perhaps he’s lost his tools like Salisu? 🤔🙄

[Sevvy]

2 minutes ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

I’d be surprised to find Sulemana here come close of window. There’s been so little news around him it looks like he’s on his way out. Perhaps he’s lost his tools like Salisu? 🤔🙄

There seems to be a lot of missing tools at St Mary's 

[goodymatt]

Just now, Sevvy said:

There seems to be a lot of missing tools at St Mary's 

Must be why we’ve partnered with Draper? Something needed doing!

[manji]

4 minutes ago, SNSUN said:

Sulemana who has not featured so far and who is wanted by other clubs and may not be here at the start of September? I'd much rather Tella who is already proven in the Championship for a title winning team, is seemingly happy to be here and has played in pre-season and will probably start on Friday. 

I would like to keep both of course but Tella is the one for right now. As for money, we're going to get plenty from other places. 

Does Tella even want to go back to Burnley ? From what I’ve seen recently Burnley are going to struggle. We aren’t short of money I would imagine he will be well looked after here. OK it’s difficult to judge but at the Alkmaar game he seemed happy enough.

[Fabrice29]

1 hour ago, woodsaint1 said:

We need more experienced players in general, and particularly at a crucial position like CB. Have no issue with Holgate or HB (given hes played a season in the championship), but not convinced about Edwards. He may have super potential but we need players to go straight into the starting 11 now. We've already signed (or about to sign) a CB with the future in mind

We’ve got loads of experienced players, the majority aren’t very good and younger players have/will replace them

[Nolan]

Just now, manji said:

Does Tella even want to go back to Burnley ? From what I’ve seen recently Burnley are going to struggle. We aren’t short of money I would imagine he will be well looked after here. OK it’s difficult to judge but at the Alkmaar game he seemed happy enough.

Agreed, Tellas more likely to pull off back to back 15+ goal seasons at this level than at Burnley.

[Fabrice29]

1 hour ago, gecko said:

I think Stephens has always felt like he's got a serious mistake in him whenever he plays. I don't really like this as an argument against him... all of our CBs had the same issue. He also felt like he had a regular purple-patch in him too; he seemed to be well liked on his stint at bournemouth. 

What I liked about Stephens is he is the only one of our CBs that I've ever seen carry the ball to/past the half way line, and looking pretty comfortable on the ball, allowing a different distribution further forward. 

Stephens isn’t very good or consistent. We know this because he’s been with us for 10 years now and he’s not been very good or consistent. Relying on him this season and making him captain (as has been suggested) would be mental.

[Fabrice29]

18 minutes ago, danjosaint said:

Let Tella go and put some faith in Sulemana and use funds towards a Gk and Cb

How many good games have these two had for us combined do people think? 5 max? Makes me laugh these two are seen as players we have to ‘put faith in’. Clearly talented and could have great seasons but not sure why people get worked up over players like this really. 

Edited 2 August, 2023 by Fabrice29

[goodymatt]

Say we don’t get the fees we are holding out for on JWP and Lavia, do they stay? If so, do we need to sell other players we would rather have kept like Tella and Kamaldeen?

I think 3 of those 4 leave, unfortunately. Tella being most likely to stay as the transfer value doesn’t get us the quality required IMO.

[gio1saints]

He was already captain in Saturday last 20 mins. 

[gio1saints]

Nathan Tella is the kind of player that if he stays at SFC and scores a few goals pre Xmas will be on the radar of every misfiring EPL team in the Jan window. And £20m will be cheap for him then. 

[Lee On Solent Saint]

1 minute ago, gio1saints said:

Nathan Tella is the kind of player that if he stays at SFC and scores a few goals pre Xmas will be on the radar of every misfiring EPL team in the Jan window. And £20m will be cheap for him then. 

But if we are pushing hard for promotion, in and around the top 2, we won't be selling.

[goodymatt]

3 minutes ago, Fabrice29 said:

Stephens isn’t very good or consistent. We know this because he’s been with us for 10 years now and he’s not been very good or consistent. Relying on him this season and making him captain (as has been suggested) would be mental.

Hard to argue, however I’m hopeful (perhaps blindly) he will be more consistent at this level.

He has only had little patches of good form in the past. I recall he was making a starting place his own (keeping Sali on the bench) and went of injured in our 0-0 draw at City (robbed a pen that day weren’t we!). I think that spell up to then was his best in a saints shirt. Plenty of comments at the time it was because he had finally been given a run in the team. Over his time here though I can’t think of any other decent enough runs.

[miserableoldgit]

1 hour ago, gio1saints said:

He quite obviously was instructed to hold the ball, even patiently walk it up field a bit, Bazunu style - and wait until he found the right pass to a full back or midfielder in the match v AZ. Did it multiple times.  He’s not going anywhere. He’s a starter. And I think JWP gave him the armband when he came off in that match - which is another signal of trust. 

Shea and Stephens are my most likely starters at CB for Sheff Wednesday. Bednarek to get first start at Gills. 
 

 

But is he in "The Circle?"🤔

[Sheaf Saint]

4 minutes ago, goodymatt said:

Hard to argue, however I’m hopeful (perhaps blindly) he will be more consistent at this level.

He has only had little patches of good form in the past. I recall he was making a starting place his own (keeping Sali on the bench) and went of injured in our 0-0 draw at City (robbed a pen that day weren’t we!). I think that spell up to then was his best in a saints shirt. Plenty of comments at the time it was because he had finally been given a run in the team. Over his time here though I can’t think of any other decent enough runs.

He played well for the whole of the run we went on til the end of the season after project restart in 2020.

[StrangelyBrown]

2 hours ago, EBS1980 said:

Ronnie Edwards from Peterborough  or Harwood-Bellis from City are the two obvious ones.

Edwards is too good for L1 again and Harwood-Bellis is a good leader and fresh off his loan at Burnley, won’t get a look in at City but probably will have PL clubs wanting him.

Bazunu was too good for league 1.... Just saying (I know nothing about Edwards so this isn't a judgement of his ability)

[manji]

14 minutes ago, Fabrice29 said:

Stephens isn’t very good or consistent. We know this because he’s been with us for 10 years now and he’s not been very good or consistent. Relying on him this season and making him captain (as has been suggested) would be mental.

Martin likes him and maybe he wasn’t coached properly. There’s a good committed player in there.

[TheAlehouseBrawlers]

10 minutes ago, goodymatt said:

Say we don’t get the fees we are holding out for on JWP and Lavia, do they stay?

I think both will go and I think we’ll get what we value them at. There’s no real rush from either side, it will go nearer end of window, each just waiting for the other’s knees to buckle.

But I think we’re in the driving seat and  it may even end up in a bidding war over Lavia. JWP to West Ham eventually.

With regards Walker Peters, somebody’s going to get a bargain there imo.

 

[macca155]

4 hours ago, Fabrice29 said:

Agreed, which is a shame. 

Oh come on that's unnecessary. Stephens is a perfectly good defender. Obviously not top PL standard but he brings commitment and a bit of steel. Be a good Captain.

Certainly good enough at our current level. With the drop in income this year, he's an asset to keep.

Edited 2 August, 2023 by macca155

[Dman]

2 hours ago, EBS1980 said:

Ronnie Edwards from Peterborough  or Harwood-Bellis from City are the two obvious ones.

Edwards is too good for L1 again and Harwood-Bellis is a good leader and fresh off his loan at Burnley, won’t get a look in at City but probably will have PL clubs wanting him.

Harwood-Bellis the the one we should be going all out for. I'm very, very surprised that Burnely haven't signed him..?

I'd be delighted with Harwood-Bellis, Stephens, Bednerak, Awe as our 4 CB's next season. 

[woodsaint1]

1 hour ago, EBS1980 said:

But Stephens and Bednarek are the experienced ones. Don’t need another tbh, especially as Lyanco is still about too

also Edwards played a season in championship already, 21/22 season so would be first team ready.

Good point about Edwards, didnt realise his championship experience. Really dont want to be relying on Lyanco as an experienced head 😱

[Give it to Ron]

4 minutes ago, macca155 said:

Oh come on that's unnecessary. Stephens is a perfectly good defenders. Obviously not top PL standard but he brings commitment and a bit of steel. Be a good Captain.

Certainly good enough at our current level. With the drop in income this year, he's an asset to keep.

You could hear Stephens marshalling the defence on Saturday especially given such low numbers you could hear everything 

[manji]

7 minutes ago, Fitzhugh Fella said:

The whole window has become very tedious 

Didn’t Martin say that the interview after the Alkmaar game ? . I sure he said he was fed up with the background chatter. I’ve given you stick in the past for which I apologise BTW .So shoot me down if you want but I reckon our trio Wilcox, Mowbray and Martin have pretty good plan in place.Admittedly I was saying the same thing last season but there seems to be a feeling of order.

im quite shocked how poor other teams plans are as well.

[freshen up]

I quite like the idea of JS being captain, would certainly be more vocal/commanding than JWP imo

[coalman]

6 minutes ago, Dman said:

Harwood-Bellis the the one we should be going all out for. I'm very, very surprised that Burnely haven't signed him..?

I'd be delighted with Harwood-Bellis, Stephens, Bednerak, Awe as our 4 CB's next season. 

I'm sure they're putting up posters as we speak.

[hypochondriac]

4 minutes ago, manji said:

Didn’t Martin say that the interview after the Alkmaar game ? . I sure he said he was fed up with the background chatter. I’ve given you stick in the past for which I apologise BTW .So shoot me down if you want but I reckon our trio Wilcox, Mowbray and Martin have pretty good plan in place.Admittedly I was saying the same thing last season but there seems to be a feeling of order.

im quite shocked how poor other teams plans are as well.

What teams are you thinking of? Can't say I've looked at much of other teams this summer to be honest. 

[goodymatt]

Bazunu

Tino (or replacement)

Bednarek

Stephens 

Manning 

Charles/Smallbone

JWP (or replacement)

Alcaraz

Tella (or replacement)

Sulemana/Edozie 

NEW

We should be signing 2x CBs, GK competition and a striker, based on squad to date. Surely any more will be replacing our prized assets: JWP, Lavia and Tino.

Martin has played 3 at the back in the past too so he might want 5 on the books, that 5th one should be Zach Awe, stepping up when needed.

Edited 2 August, 2023 by goodymatt

[Whitey Grandad]

1 hour ago, SambaMaverick said:

At the very least he plays for the shirt - and he's better than Lyanco.

That’s a very low bar.

[hypochondriac]

7 minutes ago, goodymatt said:

Bazunu

Tino (or replacement)

Bednarek

Stephens 

Manning 

Charles/Smallbone

JWP (or replacement)

Alcaraz

Tella (or replacement)

Sulemana/Edozie 

NEW

We should be signing 2x CBs, GK competition and a striker, based on squad to date. Surely any more will be replacing our prized assets: JWP, Lavia and Tino.

Martin has played 3 at the back in the past too so he might want 5 on the books, that 5th one should be Zach Awe, stepping up when needed.

Isn't Charles the Lavia replacement? 

[Fitzhugh Fella]

12 minutes ago, manji said:

Didn’t Martin say that the interview after the Alkmaar game ? . I sure he said he was fed up with the background chatter. I’ve given you stick in the past for which I apologise BTW .So shoot me down if you want but I reckon our trio Wilcox, Mowbray and Martin have pretty good plan in place.Admittedly I was saying the same thing last season but there seems to be a feeling of order.

im quite shocked how poor other teams plans are as well.

My big worry is RM’s insistence on possession based, play out from the back football. I just wish he would mix it up a bit and not be so reliant on one system. I’d like to have more faith but it’s just that I don’t think the current players are good enough.