SNSUN

15 June 2024 DF Leon Elliott † Crystal Palace Free transfer [1] 25 June 2024 MF Abube Onuchukwu † Aston Villa Free transfer [2] 30 June 2024 FW Omari Hutchinson Chelsea £20,000,000 [3] 1 July 2024 DF Ben Johnson West Ham United Free transfer [4] 5 July 2024 DF Darragh McCann † Glentoran Undisclosed [5] 12 July 2024 DF Jacob Greaves Hull City Undisclosed[a] [6] 13 July 2024 FW Liam Delap Manchester City Undisclosed[b] [7] 17 July 2024 GK Arijanet Muric Burnley Undisclosed[c] [8] 1 August 2024 DF Conor Townsend West Bromwich Albion £500,000 [9] 16 August 2024 FW Sammie Szmodics Blackburn Rovers Undisclo I said earlier I don't think Ipswich's business is that exciting. Hutchinson had a decent season last year but that's a lot of money for someone yet to prove themselves in the Prem. Johnson on a free isn't bad, I think he was a target for us at one point but was only ever a back up for West Ham. Delap may or may not make it, probably a similar risk to Archer. Muric wasn't even Burnley's first choice last season but has Championship experience and Szmodics has had one great season last season, an ok season before that and meh seasons before that... and he's nearly 29. Townsend I don't know much about but I don't think he's very good from what I've read. Greaves is their best buy, Champ team of the year and young. But I prefer our business. What Ipswich have done is strengthen their team well if they go down again, much like us. Also remember Ipswich have gone straight up twice. That's a huge jump for a team with the same core of players. We did it, Norwich did it the season before we did (but that was a long time ago), but when we did it we had a remarkable backbone of players that just kept getting better. Staying up is a huge ask for Ipswich, which is contrary to what their fans think as they appear to be positive that they will do well at this level. I still think the 3 that went up will go down such is the gap now between the Prem and Championship, but I think Saints have given themselves a chance. Still time in the transfer window for both though.

I once predicted Jack Stephens to make an England squad, around the time he was keeping Martin Caceres out the team, so I'm going to keep my mouth shut on this one. Although I think THB isn't a million miles away from the England team.

That's Mara almost definitely gone then too. Tis a good day. Strikers will likely be Archer, Stewart, BBD and AA then. I still suspect Onuachu will be off but with Stewart's fitness suspect I wouldn't be against keeping him. Unless the idea is still to bring another striker in but I doubt it.

Welcome aboard Cameron! A striker at last! Done deal.

@Saint Garrett any ideas?

Ugochukwu... we may not have a buying clause and Chelsea may rate him now, but it's Chelsea... they'll probably have signed another ten DMs by next summer and we could end up signing him permanently anyway. 🤪

It is a sensible transfer policy so far. I said at the start of the summer that it's likely the three that go up, go down, and our transfer dealings should have one eye on that. So far we have both strengthened the team should we go back down and simultaneously brought in some promising younger players that can grow with the club should we stay up, along with some experience. We're in good shape for whatever happens this season. Loaning the right players to add quality to the first team and staying up should be very much attainable. Ipswich likewise, they haven't signed Prem players as such but if they go down they have strengthened their team for another push. I don't want Saints to become a yoyo club but the more Prem time we get, the stronger the squad will become overall. With Ugochukwu and Archer coming in, we just need one more AM/winger type and a GK (Aside from any more outs).

Well we were promised 2 in by the Newcastle game… Ugochukwu and Archer. Cutting it flaming close though!

Had a good spell at Boro, not so much at Sheffield United. Probably a Championship level striker but young, hungry and could improve.

Found the auto-link. Try this: https://fantasy.premierleague.com/leagues/auto-join/sr14ev Courtesy of Saint Garrett who did start the league…

There are 2 codes above, unsure if either work. I can’t remember who created the League. Saint Garretts is probably correct?

They're all lower league punts or back up players and they may or may not make the difference. Szmodics may be a decent signing but really he's nearly 29 and he only had his best season last year. Greaves was in the Champ TOTY so that's probably a decent punt but the rest? Meh. I'm happier with our business than theirs so far... but we need to finish it off by the end of the month. Not that anyone cares but If I had to say whose business I think is best so far I'd probably have to begrudgingly say West Ham.

Yep. Code is above, I'm assuming it still works as I just get entered automatically.

Bumpity Bump Everyone got their teams in for the first fixtures? Deadline is 6.45pm tomorrow! Not that it matters because victory shall be mine. Or my daughter's, because I have two teams in.

Probably because the other options are Sulemana, Edozie and some youngsters. We're very light creatively in an attacking sense. Alcaraz is still young and will improve but if we get what we want for him then great. We need players that can contribute regularly and are ready now, not in a few years.

Good year 2001. Back to my fun filled single days spending most days drunk whilst earning £3.50 an hour crewing a passenger boat on the Thames. I'm old.

Miovski gone to Girona so we can stop that HCDAJFU staple from the last year or so.

You can't spell reassess without ARSE. Which is what it will be if the deal falls through.

That sounds like a rant that got delayed for a year! I actually think most of our recruitment has been quite good this summer - sure we haven't done enough... yet, but what we have done appears to be good. Bringing in Downes who was so key to us last year was vital, Sugawara comes with a good reputation as does Edwards, BBD will give us something and Lallana and Taylor offer us experience. Only time will tell but I don't think the business has been bad this summer - we just need to finish it off with the last 3 or so pieces of the jigsaw to build a team that can survive.

The lis said about him, the better. 😀

I do suspect our intention is still to sell him (and bring in a replacement/loan) but I think we've given him a number in case a move falls through and he stays. Same with Charly although he's previously said he's happy to stay. I'd be happy enough if we kept both to be fair.

Incidentally I'm pleased to see SAA and Dibling given shirt numbers - really hope this means they'll be an option this season and not loaned out. There's still time yet so I'm not getting my hopes up though.

He's 32 from what I saw...? https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/news/article/mens-squad-numbers-updated-for-2024-25

We haven't sold a striker for big money and technically we have 5 on the books - Onuachu, Stewart, Mara, BBD and AA. Until we can ship a couple out I'd be surprised if we brought another in.