Saint Fan CaM

No don’t agree entirely - there’s only one way you can possibly predict if a ‘mature’ player will perform to expected or better levels and that’s to review historic data. In Che’s case he’s hardly set the World alight both in the Prem or indeed last year in the Championship. Thats all you need to know he’s not worth a new contract, but his obstinate behaviour in signing a new contract with Saints makes it a nailed on NO for me.

Sounds like a good signing - just a bit surprised to read that he’s not considered ‘one for the future’.

Bit of a rollercoaster with the Wood signing? 🤣

That’s interesting. You could argue that we’re holding our own with the THB £20m fee, however I do hope that’s not our only big spend this window. There can’t be too many more £m’s in the bank and we desperately need an upgrade on Adams.

Isn’t Lumley still with us making up the three (although obviously Baz is out long term)? As others have said, can’t see another GK coming in as no.1 when McCarthy is in place.

You’re just no fun. 😉

Good - I wouldn’t want him for more than that money. Injury issues aside, he’s nowhere near the performance levels KWP showed last season (arguably not his best). I think most supporters understand the need to trade players, but for goodness sake to survive in the EPL you’ve got to bring in at least an equal level or preferably improve. In fact I’d argue he’s no better and no less a risk than Bree.

Would Anthony Martial be worth a punt as a free agent? Good age, has got EPL experience and knows how to score a goal at the highest level.

The one position we must prioritise in terms of spending more is striker - someone an order or two above Adams. No goals means no win, even with the best defence. It did for us two seasons ago after 3-4 seasons of neglect and must not be a failing again. It’s early days yet in terms of signings, but I’d like to see some strong rumours surface!

I thought Wood was a left footed CB. If so, I think we might see him start as THB’s partnering CB sooner rather than later, however I just read he’s right-footed, so not sure whether there’s an advantage.

One of those names you know of, but not sure of the detail/quality. If he’s better than Manning then it’s very good business. Be interesting to see how he gets on.

I can only relay what I’ve been told by someone close to the club - it may be misguided but I don’t think it is based on the detail. It would be great to think we’ve got some spending power, but as some on here have reflected, every indication is that weee not dipping into the £15m + player market. Yes, there’s value in the free market…sometimes there are experienced players that can help, but too many and there’s no flair, no pace and no imaginative skill. It’s early days of course, but the indications so far are we’re going to have an uninspiring window and a very tough season ahead. But who knows, Martin maybe able to knit together enough of a decent squad to get us through.

I doubt we can even afford him, unless it’s a loan to buy deal.

Those are your emotive words, not mine. It’s true that no promotion would have seen the club in a very difficult financial position. It’s true that we’re seeing some very ‘careful’ player trading and there will be no big multi-million pound spending spree as many are predicting. Im sure that disappoints you, but it is what it is.

Really…and how do you know this? Whatever the answer, it’s semantics and the same end game. What do you predict the highest spend on one player will be this window? I wager it’ll not be above £20m. It will be interesting to see how other bottom-half clubs spend.

As predicted by some of us (not CoT), the club is financially strapped and has to take some difficult decisions in terms of financial balance. I’d argue that there are more pressing positions to fund than GK and Alex is an acceptable risk. Of course it does indicate the club are still focussed on the Baz experiment which will be a disaster if he’s put back in as no.1 - we shall see.

For such a crucial position and for a 1st team starting player proven in the system, you’d have to say £15m is reasonable and not unexpected. Clearly negotiations need to be conducted but not getting Downes over the line will severely dent our chances of staying up.

That’ll be a really crap deal if true, but probably inevitable. Difficult to argue Downes is not highly effective for RM’s system and so I guess hands are tied.

Glad that there’s a mutually beneficial deal in place to move him on, but I for one thought he brought some steel and passion to an otherwise crap season. Good luck to the guy.

And much in the same way Manning was signed to appease RM. Bree may not be the answer, but that means Manning is even less so IMO.

And yet Bree was better than Manning in my opinion (in fact better than a number other players), however there’s every chance he gets to play under RM?

Nice, but would much prefer a black collar and sleeve ends.

Very, very cringe, but it’s sold so someone fell for it!

The article seems to imply that he had a good season at Mainz which has obviously put him on the radar and raised his stock (price). Seems a very Saintsy signing.

Yes write off as far as an EPL team is concerned. He’s crocked and by the time he’s ready to make any form of comeback (if his injury actually allows it) we might relegated again, or looking to kick on and consolidate our place in the Prem. I’ll wager he’ll not come back at 100% his previous form, even if that previous form was the worst in the Championship! There’s no denying it - the lad’s aspirations to be a top level keeper are over.