hcdajfu in the Championship

[ally_uk]

Good morning, Saints fans.

Who should we realistically be targeting for next season?

Who would you love to see come in?

For me, it’s clear we’re crying out for some height, strength, and a proper no-nonsense Roneu-type character to give us a strong spine.

I look at players like Smallbone—technically sound, but he just feels too lightweight at times.

So, what do you think?

Where do we need to strengthen most, and which realistic signings would make a real difference?

[leesaint88]

24 minutes ago, ally_uk said:

Good morning, Saints fans.

Who should we realistically be targeting for next season?

Who would you love to see come in?

For me, it’s clear we’re crying out for some height, strength, and a proper no-nonsense Roneu-type character to give us a strong spine.

I look at players like Smallbone—technically sound, but he just feels too lightweight at times.

So, what do you think?

Where do we need to strengthen most, and which realistic signings would make a real difference?

The obvious choice will be at right back, with KwP leaving and Sugawara likely to head off too all we're left with is Bree. Out wide will be another as players move on and again we're lacking upfront too. 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Romeu replacement, Ings replacement, Adams upgrade, Tella replacement, Stu replacement.

Then upgrades elsewhere.

[Wade Garrett]

Ramsdale replacement.

[badgerx16]

2 minutes ago, Wade Garrett said:

Ramsdale replacement.

Baz ?

( Bloody well hope not, but suspect SR think so ).

Edited April 10 by badgerx16

[Suhari]

Still haven't replaced the goals of Pelle and Mane.

[Baird of the land]

Cm has been a need all season. Even with Charles returning I think we’d need another option.

i’ll keep beating the drum for a cf.

I like onachu((hope he stays). Not convinced archer’s going to transform from a pumpkin or that nessy will be worth much. Guess we’ll probably need to move at least bbd before we can get someone, maybe Armstrong too.

lots of it will be driven by who we can actually shift. If it’s sugawara then rb rockets up the needs list.

[Wade Garrett]

23 minutes ago, badgerx16 said:

Baz ?

( Bloody well hope not, but suspect SR think so ).

Absolutely not, that was very much my point.

[BarberSaint]

A likely team:

 

                               Giving Bazinga

 

Handball Merchant,   Jack 'Where's my man?' Stephens, Jan 'Where do I stand?' Bednarek, Juan 'Ouch, that hurt' Larios

 

                                                          Flying 'Chicken Liver/gasteroenteritis' Down(es)

 

Samuel 'Fell over my own feet' Edozie,      Will 'I ever be a footballer?' Smallbone,                                    The very small Scotsman,

 

                                                         Kamaldeen 'Watch me run and scuff a shot wide' Sulemana,         Ross  'Where's the physio room?' Stewart

 

I can see that team breaking yet more records.

[Andrew Watson]

Josh Sargent at Norwich,if he can stay fit.  Odoh of Peterborough worth a punt as well.

[woodsaint1]

We already have plenty of players  who cdajfu in the Championship. We need to be identifying players who cdajfu in the PL should we get back

[Convict Colony]

Without being obtuse we don't need players who could do the job for us in the championship as we spent our entire season having players who are championship calibre.

We need a few players who can do the job for us the premier league who can develop and thus do the job in the championship and surround them with what we have left and buy additional premier league players when we go up and reduce our championship quality level players so most of the squad is premier league ready.

Edited April 11 by Convict Colony

[qwertyell]

2 hours ago, Convict Colony said:

Without being obtuse we don't need players who could do the job for us in the championship as we spent our entire season having players who are championship calibre.

We need a few players who can do the job for us the premier league who can develop and thus do the job in the championship and surround them with what we have left and buy additional premier league players when we go up and reduce our championship quality level players so most of the squad is premier league ready.

Which is why recruitment is going to be so hard. We need to bring in players who are PL quality, or that have the potential to become PL quality; or who are at the very least in the top percentile at Championship level - because getting promoted is priority one.

And they need to a) not be wanted by any clubs above the Championship, b) want to play in the Championship, c) want to play for us in the Championship. And available and affordable. 

It's a narrow field. 

Anyway, goalkeeper cdajfu: Thomas Kaminski (32). Held his own in the PL last season, experienced, solid, and might be available for a song as Luton are in danger of going down to League One. 

[Convict Colony]

Honestly selling players will be easier than buying the right players this summer, it will be a tough tough job for Spors so I'm very excited to watch a an actual professional go about it.

I expect some undervalued gems, experts at pressing football and some athletes (a la Wenger esq ideal midfielder) to be physical and transitions.

[Saint Fan CaM]

GK: hoping that Ramsdale may stay for one more season - unlikely, but hopeful. Otherwise new no.1…Baz and McCarthy are damaged goods.

LB/RB: Bree, Sugawara, Welington, Larios - all good enough. KWP will leave.

CB: THB, Wood, Edward’s, + one new player needed…

DM: Downes, Charles + one new player needed

AM: Fernandes, Dibling + two new players required.

Forward/Striker: three new players required including a strong, tallish CF that has a football brain and knows where the goal is.

All other players not mentioned above are surplus to requirements and can leave the club or train by themselves. Don’t think 7 new players is too much to ask.

[gio1saints]

with thanks to Siri and ChatGPT: 
 

The ten tallest players in the EFL Championship for the 2024–25 season are: James Beadle (Sheffield Wednesday) at 201 cm, Jake Cooper (Millwall FC) at 199 cm, Conor Hazard (Plymouth Argyle) at 198 cm, Lukas Jensen (Millwall FC) at 198 cm, Illan Meslier (Leeds United) at 198 cm, Harry Souttar (Sheffield United) at 198 cm, Josh Griffiths (West Bromwich Albion) at 197 cm, James Trafford (Burnley FC) at 197 cm, Jacob Zetterström (Derby County) at 197 cm, and Tom Glover (Middlesbrough FC) at 196 cm.

At least one of these to get our average height up a bit. 

Edited April 14 by gio1saints

[Gloucester Saint]

That really would be a case of ‘watch out, Beadle’s about’.

You shouldn’t be able to lose him at set pieces at that height.

[LeG]

I'd look at buying up the captains (leaders) / best players in the champ and also getting some players down from the prem so we have some exp when we get back up. Bit like we did in league 1 and the champ under Padrew and Adkins. Ruthless and slightly arrogant, but also the best strategy. 

[Patches O Houlihan]

16 hours ago, Gloucester Saint said:

That really would be a case of ‘watch out, Beadle’s about’.

You shouldn’t be able to lose him at set pieces at that height.

According to wiki Taul Paul is also 201cm - one front post, the other at the back for corners would be an opposition defender's nightmare...

[Charlie Wayman]

On 10/04/2025 at 23:06, BarberSaint said:

A likely team:

 

                               Giving Bazinga

 

Handball Merchant,   Jack 'Where's my man?' Stephens, Jan 'Where do I stand?' Bednarek, Juan 'Ouch, that hurt' Larios

 

                                                          Flying 'Chicken Liver/gasteroenteritis' Down(es)

 

Samuel 'Fell over my own feet' Edozie,      Will 'I ever be a footballer?' Smallbone,                                    The very small Scotsman,

 

                                                         Kamaldeen 'Watch me run and scuff a shot wide' Sulemana,         Ross  'Where's the physio room?' Stewart

 

I can see that team breaking yet more records.

It's gallows humour Jim, as we know it...

[Pamplemousse]

The strategy of signing Premier League loan players worked well last time. You would assume teams like Everton, West Ham and Wolves will strengthen and there will be a few players available.

[OldNick]

On 10/04/2025 at 19:46, Suhari said:

Still haven't replaced the goals of Pelle and Mane.

we havent replaced the goals of Che lol

[TheAlehouseBrawlers]

7 minutes ago, OldNick said:

we havent replaced the goal of Che lol

There…corrected

[Tommy Mulgrew]

2 hours ago, Pamplemousse said:

The strategy of signing Premier League loan players worked well last time. You would assume teams like Everton, West Ham and Wolves will strengthen and there will be a few players available.

Yes, that number 24 at Everton would suit us well, driving forwards through the heart of the opposition defensive midfield, especially if Fernandes leaves.  😇

[CSA96]

Haji Wright, if Cov don't go up 

[hypochondriac]

On 10/04/2025 at 08:28, ally_uk said:

Good morning, Saints fans.

Who should we realistically be targeting for next season?

Who would you love to see come in?

For me, it’s clear we’re crying out for some height, strength, and a proper no-nonsense Roneu-type character to give us a strong spine.

I look at players like Smallbone—technically sound, but he just feels too lightweight at times.

So, what do you think?

Where do we need to strengthen most, and which realistic signings would make a real difference?

Richard Kone.

[for_heaven's_Saint]

2 hours ago, Pamplemousse said:

The strategy of signing Premier League loan players worked well last time. You would assume teams like Everton, West Ham and Wolves will strengthen and there will be a few players available.

I agree, but we’ve got to try to avoid having to spend the majority of our transfer budget to sign them when we hopefully go up. Spending £40m to keep Downes and THB and not improving the team was a killer this summer. 

[lambtiss]

On 14/04/2025 at 18:03, Gloucester Saint said:

That really would be a case of ‘watch out, Beadle’s about’.

You shouldn’t be able to lose him at set pieces at that height.

Our defence would

[HarvSFC]

Evan Ferguson could be a loan option for the Championship next season. Not done anything at West Ham. Broja probably needs to step down a level too, hasn't done anything since that purple patch here three years back.

As for other ex-Saints we will be linked to this summer. Oxlade-Chamberlain fits the former player and crocked criteria. Shaw's still a couple of years off. Ings will undoubtedly be linked again, but I think Ward-Prowse has earned himself a stay at West Ham under Potter, although they have been bad this season, sitting in 17th.

[Dusic]

Milan van Ewijk - Cov RB - has looked decent when I have seen him.

[CSA96]

8 minutes ago, Dusic said:

Milan van Ewijk - Cov RB - has looked decent when I have seen him.

Big yes please

[sambosa75]

The team needs experience, character and leadership.

[chivvy]

Cardosa gotztepe 

 

Rodoni Coventry if mateus goes.

Adebayo Luton we need big man cover or starting. Scored goals in prem.. not pretty but effective.. handful. Battering ram.  Hold ball up for runners.

Awoniyi probably out of reach..

Ben Davies left sided centre back .. on a free subject to injury record.

Baum on loan from eintracht Frankfurt right back.. 

Katic plymouth.dominant aerial centre back threat from set pieces. Hoiveld type signing.

Antman go ahead eagles Finnish assist machine. But may be out of reach now relegated.

Franjo Ivanovich union gallise Belgium. Striker prospect but mobile and decent finisher. Goalscorer. Possibly out of reach

Isidori Sunderland = goals.. send them Stewart back the other way

Trai Hume Sunderland right back. See Ross Stewart part ex

Johanson stoke keeper.

Stefanos Tzimis greek youngster

Nathan zeze left footed centre back.. doubtful

The Celtic scouting team ! Get the players before they put a premium on them 

Heavily scout eastern European,Scandanavia and Germany

spors should have good knowledge

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 16 by chivvy

[chivvy]

Sargent and Sainz from Norwich ?

Just good solid championship performers

Edited Tuesday at 05:14 by chivvy

[Give it to Ron]

We have all these already!

Aaron Ramsdale
Gavin Bazunu
Alex McCarthy

Jack Stephens 
Armel Bella-Kotchap
Charlie Taylor
James Bree
Jan Bednarek
Juan Larios
Ryan Manning
Taylor Harwood-Bellis
Yukinari Sugawara
Nathan Wood
Welinton 
Joachim Kayi-Sanda
Ronnie Edwards

Will Smallbone
Joe Aribo
Tyler Dibling
Flynn Downes
Mateus Fernandes
Shea Charles
Kuryu Matsuki
Daouda Traoré

Paul Onuachu
Ross Stewart
Ryan Fraser
Kamaldeen Sulemana
Cameron Archer
Adam Armstrong
Sam Edozie
Ben Brereton Diaz
Juan 
Jay Robinson

How many outs do you think?

[Bakovnetski]

47 minutes ago, Give it to Ron said:

We have all these already!

Aaron Ramsdale
Gavin Bazunu
Alex McCarthy

Jack Stephens 
Armel Bella-Kotchap
Charlie Taylor
James Bree
Jan Bednarek
Juan Larios
Ryan Manning
Taylor Harwood-Bellis
Yukinari Sugawara
Nathan Wood
Welinton 
Joachim Kayi-Sanda
Ronnie Edwards

Will Smallbone
Joe Aribo
Tyler Dibling
Flynn Downes
Mateus Fernandes
Shea Charles
Kuryu Matsuki
Daouda Traoré

Paul Onuachu
Ross Stewart
Ryan Fraser
Kamaldeen Sulemana
Cameron Archer
Adam Armstrong
Sam Edozie
Ben Brereton Diaz
Juan 
Jay Robinson

How many outs do you think?

As many as possible

[ErwinK1961]

Finn Azaz

[badgerx16]

1 hour ago, Give it to Ron said:

We have all these already!

Aaron Ramsdale
Gavin Bazunu
Alex McCarthy

Jack Stephens 
Armel Bella-Kotchap
Charlie Taylor
James Bree
Jan Bednarek
Juan Larios
Ryan Manning
Taylor Harwood-Bellis
Yukinari Sugawara
Nathan Wood
Welinton 
Joachim Kayi-Sanda
Ronnie Edwards

Will Smallbone
Joe Aribo
Tyler Dibling
Flynn Downes
Mateus Fernandes
Shea Charles
Kuryu Matsuki
Daouda Traoré

Paul Onuachu
Ross Stewart
Ryan Fraser
Kamaldeen Sulemana
Cameron Archer
Adam Armstrong
Sam Edozie
Ben Brereton Diaz
Juan 
Jay Robinson

How many outs do you think?

After the obvious departures; Ramsdale, THB,  Dibling, and ABK, I would like to see the back of Stephens and Bednarek, Bazunu, McCarthy, and Smallbone, ( though I suspect the 2 keepers will be competing for #1 next season ). Can't see Sulemana wanting to play in the Championship either.

It all then depends on whether the new manager thinks he can get a tune out of players like Armstrong and BBD who have shown they can do well in the second tier. Probably 2 of Archer, Stewart, and Onuachu will go, certainly if Arma and BBD return, as we won't be playing with 4 strikers. Fernandes has probably earned a move to another Prem team.

 

Edited Tuesday at 07:55 by badgerx16

[lambtiss]

On 11/04/2025 at 15:37, Convict Colony said:

Without being obtuse we don't need players who could do the job for us in the championship as we spent our entire season having players who are championship calibre.

We need a few players who can do the job for us the premier league who can develop and thus do the job in the championship and surround them with what we have left and buy additional premier league players when we go up and reduce our championship quality level players so most of the squad is premier league ready.

Excellent point. In the dark days of League 1, we bought players who could rise through the league with us; Fonte and Lambert being prime examples. 

[Gloucester Saint]

47 minutes ago, badgerx16 said:

After the obvious departures; Ramsdale, THB,  Dibling, and ABK, I would like to see the back of Stephens and Bednarek, Bazunu, McCarthy, and Smallbone, ( though I suspect the 2 keepers will be competing for #1 next season ). Can't see Sulemana wanting to play in the Championship either.

It all then depends on whether the new manager thinks he can get a tune out of players like Armstrong and BBD who have shown they can do well in the second tier. Probably 2 of Archer, Stewart, and Onuachu will go, certainly if Arma and BBD return, as we won't be playing with 4 strikers. Fernandes has probably earned a move to another Prem team.

 

If Bazanu and McCarthy are competing for GK then top half would be a brilliant achievement by Rohl or whoever comes in.

Gavin has just conceded a whopping 15 goals in just 8 games at one of Belgium’s biggest and most successful clubs before getting injured. You don’t get automatic promotion or any promotion conceding 2 goals a game in the Champ. Loan him out and sell him for a nominal fee in the final year of his contract. Another SR folly to go in the bin if the club is to recover.

Edited Tuesday at 08:42 by Gloucester Saint

[OldNick]

1 hour ago, badgerx16 said:

After the obvious departures; Ramsdale, THB,  Dibling, and ABK, I would like to see the back of Stephens and Bednarek, Bazunu, McCarthy, and Smallbone, ( though I suspect the 2 keepers will be competing for #1 next season ). Can't see Sulemana wanting to play in the Championship either.

It all then depends on whether the new manager thinks he can get a tune out of players like Armstrong and BBD who have shown they can do well in the second tier. Probably 2 of Archer, Stewart, and Onuachu will go, certainly if Arma and BBD return, as we won't be playing with 4 strikers. Fernandes has probably earned a move to another Prem team.

 

Personally Id like to keep Stephens, he is passionate and did well last season. A good tough determined player.

[OldNick]

On 15/04/2025 at 14:53, for_heaven's_Saint said:

I agree, but we’ve got to try to avoid having to spend the majority of our transfer budget to sign them when we hopefully go up. Spending £40m to keep Downes and THB and not improving the team was a killer this summer. 

Everton have a shedful who are out of contract, inc Dacoure and Gana. Tough, streetwise and decent midfielders.

[badgerx16]

53 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

You don’t get automatic promotion or any promotion conceding 2 goals a game in the Champ..

How many did we concede last season ?

[hypochondriac]

26 minutes ago, OldNick said:

Personally Id like to keep Stephens, he is passionate and did well last season. A good tough determined player.

I'd be alright with keeping Stephens in the squad and then binning him once we get promotion. Quite a few of these players will be more than good enough for the championship just not good enough for the league above and that's fine. 

[Gloucester Saint]

52 minutes ago, badgerx16 said:

How many did we concede last season ?

Between 60 and 70, unless Baz hadn’t have gotten injured, we would never have won the playoffs. With McCarthy we were much harder to beat and score against in the play-offs. Martin’s style of play meant MK, Swansea and Saints all conceded far too many, but with a back line of KWP, Bednarek, THB who are exceptional players at Champ level, the tally conceded up to the injury was especially alarming. 

Edited Tuesday at 10:19 by Gloucester Saint

[Saint86]

27 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Between 60 and 70, unless Baz hadn’t have gotten injured, we would never have won the playoffs. With McCarthy we were much harder to beat and score against in the play-offs. Martin’s style of play meant MK, Swansea and Saints all conceded far too many, but with a back line of KWP, Bednarek, THB who are exceptional players at Champ level, the tally conceded up to the injury was especially alarming. 

Most of the goals against came in 6-7 matches, most of which were in the first few games when we had huge player turnover and a complete change in playing style to "martin ball".  Outside of those games, we averaging just over 1 goal against per game. Baz was doing alright, even with the suicide football in front of him. The bigger issue now is that rather than having a year to develop, he's had a year out with a nasty injury that will certainly have impacted his sweeper keeper play (which was one of his main strengths). Subject to what manager/style Sports Republic bring in next, i think its quite possible Baz won't have a place at saints beyond the summer regardless (i'm sure many will rejoice at that).

Edited Tuesday at 10:44 by Saint86

[Convict Colony]

2 hours ago, lambtiss said:

Excellent point. In the dark days of League 1, we bought players who could rise through the league with us; Fonte and Lambert being prime examples. 

Am framing this thanks 

[wild-saint]

Totally agree it killed us. To a lesser extent losing che on a free that we didn’t replace. 

[Chez]

On 15/04/2025 at 12:26, Pamplemousse said:

The strategy of signing Premier League loan players worked well last time. You would assume teams like Everton, West Ham and Wolves will strengthen and there will be a few players available.

for those worried about us signing more championship level players that offer nothing on promotion, loaning in PL players again makes the most sense. Rak-Sakyi has been decent at Sheff United. It will be interesting if he can get a place at Palace, another PL gig or is sent out to the championship again.

[disconnect]

1 hour ago, Chez said:

for those worried about us signing more championship level players that offer nothing on promotion, loaning in PL players again makes the most sense. Rak-Sakyi has been decent at Sheff United. It will be interesting if he can get a place at Palace, another PL gig or is sent out to the championship again.

We were very interested previously, wonder if we'll go back. Not ready for prem yet, but would be worth doing it at a top level in the Championship again. If Sheffield Utd dont go up I imagine he'd go there for another season.