Saint Fan CaM

#saintsy 😉

One for the future or a seasoned pro ready to get us goals from the get go? Hope this is not the only striker we sign!

Think we need to be all over Dembele and Karlsson…think that would give us the potential for a much more positive season IF they can step up to the EPL of course. On paper we would have the strongest squad we’ve had for quite some time and give Ralph something to tinker with. Mmm, actually thinking about it, perhaps it’s not such a good idea after all!🤪🤔😏

Thought he looked pretty composed but yes, it’s early days. I just hope Ralph decides on his best team and it doesn’t include McCarthy and Bednarek!

Yes agree certainly an option - guess it depends on Perraud being fit.

My view is the Prem demands more than a two man midfield so 5 at the back is a luxury…better to have a true DM that stays back to protect the backline if the fullbacks are caught upfield. Strikers a must though.

Yeah I really liked his presence on the ball…much more forward thinking than I expected. Just hope Ralphball doesn’t coach that out of him.

I think B-K and Salisu would be a good CB pairing, so my hope is that any remaining budget goes on 2-3 attack minded forwards that are good enough to start. If you don’t score you don’t win games!

We need to strengthen the left side attack…with options open to us being Djenepo and Redmond that side is weak in attack and to a lesser extent defence. As has been said often, we need at least one new striker who will be able to claim a start, as our current options will relegate us through lack of goals. I’m also concerned to see the same lack of intensity in attacking moves - the coaching has not improved in that regard yet.

I like Lavia and Aribo like looks like he has something about him - better decision making than Djenepo. But yes, our movement and passing around the oppo area is poor.

Djenepo and Bednarek having their usual shockers. Jeez there’s still a lot to do before the season starts!

Tend to agree with this, but it also matters which player. There are some fairly recent examples of more expensive signings we’ve made where we’ve regressed as a performing team/club rather than improved as a result. I also believe balance in a team is important especially in defence…e.g. a balanced pair of full-backs seems to benefit a side, same for two compatible CB’s, same for a creative no.10 and a striker? With the injuries and departures we’re currently suffering in key positions, it’s difficult to predict whether the squad has actually strengthened with the signings we’ve made. I can understand why some might consider the first team weaker than last season.

That’s the thing with Saints, sometimes it will go quiet and then an unexpected signing will materialise out of nowhere. It would be a crying shame if Broja went to WH - a player we’ve built knowledge around and a young striker who will only get better. Instead I expect we’ll go with another unproven player and risk another poor performance season…a dangerous game when other teams are improving.

I’ve heard he’s a bit of a flake, but I think he’s Fab.

Interesting that Aribo gets the hallowed no.7 shirt - could be a good omen and tends to define what his role is going to be on the pitch (i.e. AM). Wish there was more movement on the deadwood at this point and a new striker on-board.

I don't think signing Winks would be a bad move and particularly if we get a comparable fee for Diallo if he's off. The possible problem I can foresee is that Winks would only move to quickly gain a place in the starting 11, but I can't see where that opportunity is going to come from - will he really offer more than any of our present options - not sure? As others have said, in terms of budget there is a desperate need to improve our striker options - this should take priority over any other position now. Not too many solid rumours however - even Delap seems pie in the sky.

https://www.footballfancast.com/southampton-transfer-rumours/southampton-liam-delap-transfer-news-saints-ralph-hasenhuttl-fabrizio-romano-premier-league-update-gossip-rumour Not sure if this one has been posted already. Equally unsure if LD is ready for a starting position, but must have something about him to be at City still.

My thoughts too - obviously a bit of a handy geezer. Never seen his name before and don't know what position he plays in - presumably a forward of some sort?

Good to read the club now wish to concentrate on a striker, although the market seems slow at the moment - everyone waiting for everyone else to make a move. Broja surely must be somewhere in the mix you would think - I reckon with our new squad additions the link-up play with midfield could be better than last season. Knowing Saints though we'll sign someone completely left-field who no-one anticipated.

Just got me some Monaco tickets - will be good to be back at SMS. Having given up the ST I might sob a little. 😉😄

I hope we don't lose KWP - I just don't think Tino (even when fit) provides the same level of defensive guile (yet). Our defence is one area where we cannot afford to rely on players that are "learning their trade".

Interesting take on Adams which I'm not fully in agreement with. I agree he has lots of potential and I would love this season to be the one he really shines in, but so far he has followed the path of other Championship strikers trying to make it in the Prem in my opinion (including Armstrong). Part of my observation with this is that he does NOT seem to find the right positions to take advantage, however to be fair that may be a facet of the lack of penetration and service he receives from a weak attacking midfield - i.e. the interaction between all our forward players is shockingly poor. Makes me wonder what form of attack coaching actually takes place. If he's only picking up half-chances then there's only half a chance (or less) that he's going to score. I think the other issue is he is very one footed which perhaps with specific coaching could improve his game significantly.

Not sure we should judge a quiet period as negative but I know what you mean. I wouldn’t be surprised if WHam have not made a bid because they’re just tyre kicking…we are probably in the same place with an equal chance of making a bid. Whether our offer is then favourable remains to be seen, but it’s not been ruled out.

Just set the starting price at £70m and the stories will evaporate. He’s worth that to us.

On the face of it this could be the signing of the window, but there’s reason to be wary in that it’s an incredibly low fee in relation to other deals. The vids of his tricks etc are reason to be optimistic though.