SaintBobby Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 I have - on relatively good authority - the view that Saints will NOT be signing any "marquee" players in this window. I still hate the term "marquee" (it's just French for "tent", right?). I understand that 3 quite substantial offers have been made - including to Crystal Palace and to Doncaster Rovers - but these are unlikely to lead to signings because either the club has not accepted the bid, or the player could not agree terms/was not interested. Saints also seem to be operating an "informal" pay ceiling of £10K per week. It's possible - but I'm not sure of this - that we have a few players tied to "top pay" contracts on this basis. So, for example, signing a new player on £12K a week, would possibly also involve giving a pay increase to c. 4 present players from £10K to £12k -meaning the real cost of signing such a player would actually be £20K a week. The salary issue is speculation. The substantial (and thus far rebuffed) NA bids are, I think, fact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shurlock Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 Is this just a rehash of the Danns/Stock rumours? Its so 2010.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintBobby Posted 14 January, 2011 Author Share Posted 14 January, 2011 I have no idea. Dont think so. Unless its a rehash of bids! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadaSaint Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 If we don't sign anyone it's (as likely as not) because A) Cortese, Reed and Adkins feel that we have a strong enough - and deep enough - squad to secure promotion, and B) they would rather keep their budget "up their sleeves" for the Summer, when we really will need it. The January window is a bit of a gamble anyway, because teams want to keep their best talent and because the really talented players, as a result, tend to be very expensive. It's a bit of a gamble, granted, but if the transfer budget is limited - and I suspect it is - I think we'll look back at this decision in the Summer and conclude that it was extremely wise. If the end of the season becomes a bit hair-raising due to the fixture backlog and the pressure on squad depth (as it will for most teams), I, for one, won't be second-guessing a management team that seems to be getting most of the major decisions right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eaststander Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 I seem to remember NA already stated that offers would be made and if they came off great if they didn't then move on with the squad we have. The issue with a "marquee" signing is the disruption that it could bring to the current squad who are clearly working with and for each other at the moment. The first 16/17 players in the squad now know there role in the squad/ team. One of the most impressive pieces of NA's management so far has been the use of the full squad without the use of the dreaded term "rotation". He picks teams on a horses or courses basis, and the players understand and seem to support each other in that strategy. You could argue that the one member who didn't get this strategy was loaned out to Milwall, and we may have played AOC a little more than will be good for a 17 year old first year professional in the long run. I still don't get some people on here who are not happy unless we sign a player every week. The squad is the strongest, it's now a question of managing it to produce to it's potential. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 Considering our stated youth policy aim, shouldn't we be looking to sign up good young talent for the future at reasonable cost rather than signing players in their prime for top whack? we have a strong squad and we can always use a few loans to cover the second half of the season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teddy Nutkins Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 Six weeks ago i would have been really concerned with the thought of not improving the squad in January, but all of the squad seem to have suddenly all started to show their full potential, which has enabled the manager to rotate his squad without affecting the quality too much. Obviously what we don't need is to lose players towards the end of the window, without the opportunity to replace them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 I have - on relatively good authority - the view that Saints will NOT be signing any "marquee" players in this window. I still hate the term "marquee" (it's just French for "tent", right?). I understand that 3 quite substantial offers have been made - including to Crystal Palace and to Doncaster Rovers - but these are unlikely to lead to signings because either the club has not accepted the bid, or the player could not agree terms/was not interested. Saints also seem to be operating an "informal" pay ceiling of £10K per week. It's possible - but I'm not sure of this - that we have a few players tied to "top pay" contracts on this basis. So, for example, signing a new player on £12K a week, would possibly also involve giving a pay increase to c. 4 present players from £10K to £12k -meaning the real cost of signing such a player would actually be £20K a week. The salary issue is speculation. The substantial (and thus far rebuffed) NA bids are, I think, fact. Thanks for the info. If that is the clubs position, well, we all just have to crack on and hope it is the correct position and nothing happens that causes the promotion campaign to become unstuck, since this would represent the biggest false economy in the clubs history... My personal opinion is that this is a mistake, for a variety of reasons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doggface Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 As I said on another thread, cadogan from palace is one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 wouldn't be surprised, believable. Adkins has made several comments about squad being good enough and bids are more speculative for future Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dellgirl Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 I have to agree with Alpine and that is a first,we are playing well at the moment because all our top players are sparking and eager,take out 2 injuries over several weeks, a suspension or two and a couple off form and we are looking vulnerable again. If we do not make the automatic places and I really hope we do,at least the powers that be won't have far to look for the reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 squad has lovely depth - scored off bench 4 out last 5 games Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai_phil Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 Question. When does the mid-season Transfer Window for Loans expire? Can understand that we would want to only buy players who improve our squad at the moment (due to planning to play in the NPC next year) Can also understand the logic behind not wanting to mess up a wage structure (look at the muppets Liverpool & The Skates have in their squad that they are paying fortunes to and cannot get rid of). But also we could dip our toes into the loan market for some cover from bloated PL squads. Man City for example seem to be trying to loan a player to every club in England at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danish Saint Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 I have every confidence in the club, the players, the size of the squad, the manager and the chairman. I don't see any need to strengthen the squad at present. I would rather wait till the summer window, with more free transfers being available. With the re-signing of Lallana, adding Chaplow and Guly (?) on permanent contracts while not having to sell any players at present, is more than a sign of strength IMHO. It shows me, that the club is willing to leave open a couple of spots in case of injury/suspension to the kids, which falls perfectly into place with Cortese's plan of establishing a club with a lot of homegrown talent. Look at this from the perspective of a 17-year old Academy player: The first team is doing very good, but the club is leaving posibilities open for you to prove yourself. Had that been me, I would work and train even harder to be ready for that day and opportunity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintBobby Posted 14 January, 2011 Author Share Posted 14 January, 2011 Thanks for the info. If that is the clubs position, well, we all just have to crack on and hope it is the correct position and nothing happens that causes the promotion campaign to become unstuck, since this would represent the biggest false economy in the clubs history... My personal opinion is that this is a mistake, for a variety of reasons. You and I actually agree on the need for a cpl of signings. However, Im sympathetic to the club if it's a genuien question of price/wages being too high. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 Question. When does the mid-season Transfer Window for Loans expire? Can understand that we would want to only buy players who improve our squad at the moment (due to planning to play in the NPC next year) Can also understand the logic behind not wanting to mess up a wage structure (look at the muppets Liverpool & The Skates have in their squad that they are paying fortunes to and cannot get rid of). But also we could dip our toes into the loan market for some cover from bloated PL squads. Man City for example seem to be trying to loan a player to every club in England at the moment. 8th Feb to 24th March according to Wikipedia though the reference linked doesn't actually mention those dates. 8th Feb would be right as the loan window doesn't open until a week after the Transfer Window closes. March 24th also seems to be in line with the old end-of-season transfer deadline, which was the 3rd week of March. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transfer_window#cite_note-19 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxstone Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 It might be successfully argued that our "marquee signing" has already been made when Adam Lallana extended his contract. For me that was a key piece of business very well done! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustMike Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 i have to ask...source? all our dealings so far have been hush hush, nothing to suggest this still is the case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustMike Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 It might be successfully argued that our "marquee signing" has already been made when Adam Lallana extended his contract. For me that was a key piece of business very well done! and maybe Guly too. Id be happy with a couple of decent signings, capable of doing a job bot in L1 and Championship, they dont have to be marquee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgeweahscousin Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 It might be successfully argued that our "marquee signing" has already been made when Adam Lallana extended his contract. For me that was a key piece of business very well done! This, we won't sign anyone better than him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West End Saint Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 It might be successfully argued that our "marquee signing" has already been made when Adam Lallana extended his contract. For me that was a key piece of business very well done! Spot on that was the best signing we could have made by far I would like to see Guly signed but getting Lallana & Chaplow signed it has been a good transfer window. If we dont sign anyone else I am not that bothered we have a very good squad it would be nice to see some players come in but to get players in that are better than what we have will be dificult should be a different story in the summer as long as we go up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joensuu Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 We are not desperate to buy, but are on the look out for bargains. Getting players of quality to drop to league one isn't easy (unless we pay over the odds, which I can't see Cortese doing). As such the chances we will buy anyone in this window have always been slim. As such, bringing in loans is definately a more sensible strategy for the club. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oxfordshire_saint Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 If we end up flogging Puncheon, then I think we could do with bringing in a right-sided midfielder, possibly on loan, to take a bit of the weight off of AOC's shoulders. Can't really see any other areas of the team where we could go out and get anyone substantially better than we already have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doctoroncall Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 So where are the gaps? If Punch and AOC stay, don't really see a problem as there seems to be a few youngsters that can step in for the odd game and if it's longer term then the loan market should suffice. Isn't Bournemouth's squad one of if not the smallest in the league and they are doing OK, just like last season. So I think the issue of picking up the three points is more than just a numbers game, thankfully we have Adkins who seems to know how to utilise the squad well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chez Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 Considering our stated youth policy aim, shouldn't we be looking to sign up good young talent for the future at reasonable cost rather than signing players in their prime for top whack? we have a strong squad and we can always use a few loans to cover the second half of the season. very interesting point. The £40k we spent I think) on Walcott was some of the best money we ever spent, perhaps now is the time to be speculating on youth (like we did with Best and Blackstock) again in this way if that is possible. I agree fully with the option of loans - perfect way to cover injuries, give the squad a lift AND bring in that little bit of extra quality that is much harder to do if you are trying to buy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chez Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 So where are the gaps? If Punch and AOC stay, don't really see a problem as there seems to be a few youngsters that can step in for the odd game and if it's longer term then the loan market should suffice. Isn't Bournemouth's squad one of if not the smallest in the league and they are doing OK, just like last season. So I think the issue of picking up the three points is more than just a numbers game, thankfully we have Adkins who seems to know how to utilise the squad well. left midfield? As much as I rate Dickson, if Lallana got injured perhaps that might be a weakness. We certainly struggled withut him at the start of the season. Maybe I should keep my faith in Dickson, and again a loan would probably be the best option should Lallana get injured. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintscottofthenortham Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 I'm more than happy with the squad we have. I don't see any need to improve on what we have a cause a disruption. Maybe we need a bit of cover if we get a few injuries/suspensions, but this I feel will be dealt with in the loan market. Cortese said he only wants to bring players in who will better us. Doing that in the January window is very difficult. Our transfer activity will happen in the summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Tone Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 left midfield? As much as I rate Dickson, if Lallana got injured perhaps that might be a weakness. We certainly struggled withut him at the start of the season. Maybe I should keep my faith in Dickson, and again a loan would probably be the best option should Lallana get injured. Don't forget Puncheon is left-footed and indeed I believe played on the left in his successful loan at Millwall. It was Pardew that was determined that he was a right winger. I'm happy enought with the squad as it is IF we keep everyone. A loss of AOC (Arsenal rumour even stronger today, albeit with a loan-back), or indeed puncheon, or a failure to sign Guly, and then we'd definitely need more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 It might be successfully argued that our "marquee signing" has already been made when Adam Lallana extended his contract. For me that was a key piece of business very well done! And now he's injured. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 (edited) very interesting point. The £40k we spent I think) on Walcott was some of the best money we ever spent, perhaps now is the time to be speculating on youth (like we did with Best and Blackstock) again in this way if that is possible. I agree fully with the option of loans - perfect way to cover injuries, give the squad a lift AND bring in that little bit of extra quality that is much harder to do if you are trying to buy. On the loans front I'm amazed how many of our league rivals seem to bring in PL youngsters, it's something we don't seem to do. Mind you that could just be becuase we're not your average league one side we seem to loan players out to higher divisions rather than bring loans in. I don't think a lot of teams in this division could put out a decent team without using the loans system to full effect. Having said that if there are promising PL youngsters out there for loan I'm not sure why we don't chance our arm a bit more on the loans front. Edited 14 January, 2011 by doddisalegend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 Too many assumptions on here that everyone is going to stay, and stay fit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lallana's Left Peg Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 Too many assumptions on here that everyone is going to stay, and stay fit. The loan window is open until the end of March, that is a safety blanket. While you need a decent squad, you can't have a massive one full of established pros, it just won't work unless you are one of the best and biggest clubs in England where people would want to stay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joensuu Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 Too many assumptions on here that everyone is going to stay, and stay fit. There also isn't a position (except perhaps in goal) where we don't have 2 excellent options and 2 adequate options. Do you want to bloat the squad? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 The OP says that we won't sign any marquee players, not that we won't sign anyone at all. I.E We won't be signing any Fontes or Lamberts but we might well find ourself with another Chaplow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 The loan window is open until the end of March' date=' that is a safety blanket. While you need a decent squad, you can't have a massive one full of established pros, it just won't work unless you are one of the best and biggest clubs in England where people would want to stay.[/quote'] If someone like Lallana gets a long-term injury, we aint going to be able replace him in the loan market. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 If someone like Lallana gets a long-term injury, we aint going to be able replace him in the loan market. We aren't going to be able to replace someone like Lallana full stop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 There also isn't a position (except perhaps in goal) where we don't have 2 excellent options and 2 adequate options. Do you want to bloat the squad? Its not me thats gone on record saying the club has tabled significant bids for players, its the squad. I am assuming NA and NC see something in the squad they are not yet comfortable with. Of course, it might be the squad has clicked and that this was prior to our 5 game winning streak. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 Too many assumptions on here that everyone is going to stay, and stay fit. True, but were is the cut off point how much cover can we get in without bloating the squad? How many really good players are going to come in to sit on the bench knowing they're only there in case somone gets injuried? At some point we have to let our youth players come through the ranks and take a chance on them don't we? Players like Harding, Butterfield and Connolly would walk into most league one sides and are becoming mere fringe players for us. I doubt there is a team in the division that would have Barney starting on the bench most weeks. I see your point I really do, but at some point we have to say we have enough players don't we? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 The OP says that we won't sign any marquee players, not that we won't sign anyone at all. I.E We won't be signing any Fontes or Lamberts but we might well find ourself with another Chaplow. Bit unfair on Chaplow hasn't he played PL? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 True, but were is the cut off point how much cover can we get in without bloating the squad? How many really good players are going to come in to sit on the bench knowing they're only there in case somone gets injuried? At some point we have to let our youth players come through the ranks and take a chance on them don't we? Players like Harding, Butterfield and Connolly would walk into most league one sides and are becoming mere fringe players for us. I doubt there is a team in the division that would have Barney starting on the bench most weeks. I see your point I really do, but at some point we have to say we have enough players don't we? This Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 True, but were is the cut off point how much cover can we get in without bloating the squad? How many really good players are going to come in to sit on the bench knowing they're only there in case somone gets injuried? At some point we have to let our youth players come through the ranks and take a chance on them don't we? Players like Harding, Butterfield and Connolly would walk into most league one sides and are becoming mere fringe players for us. I doubt there is a team in the division that would have Barney starting on the bench most weeks. I see your point I really do, but at some point we have to say we have enough players don't we? The lets get rid of some who simply arent needed any more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 Bit unfair on Chaplow hasn't he played PL? Yes, but marquee signing for me means big money for a player that's performed consistently well over a period of time. Like Lambert and Fonte. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 Yes, but marquee signing for me means big money for a player that's performed consistently well over a period of time. Like Lambert and Fonte. Fair enough, that makes Chaplow a bargin basement signing then:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norwaysaint Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 Sounds about right, they've said they want a sensible, sustainable structure, so they're not offering crazy wages. The players who want to sign for a league one club generally aren't worth taking up to the Championship and the players who are worth having there generally don't want to sign for a league one club. It's fair enough, we won't get too many players worth signing who would drop down or move sideways rather than up for our wage structure. If we go up, a whole new load of transfer options will open up to us, silly to have loaded up our squad with mediocrity before then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 The lets get rid of some who simply arent needed any more. Who you got in mind? we had a big old clear out last summer (was it 14?). Wotton probably isn't in our long term plans (but I get the feeling he is being kept so he can be re-called in an emergency) I can see him and Jiadi going in the summer. Other than that I suppose it's the players who have come up from the youth Like Doble who seem to have no chance of getting close to the first 11. However that would go against NC stated plan to build from our youth players if we got rid of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 It might be successfully argued that our "marquee signing" has already been made when Adam Lallana extended his contract. For me that was a key piece of business very well done! and a higher level midfielder (Chaplow) and possibly a forward who can score very regularly, versatile, unpredictable an fast - Guly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 Who you got in mind? we had a big old clear out last summer (was it 14?). Wotton probably isn't in our long term plans (but I get the feeling he is being kept so he can be re-called in an emergency) I can see him and Jiadi going in the summer. Other than that I suppose it's the players who have come up from the youth Like Doble who seem to have no chance of getting close to the first 11. However that would go against NC stated plan to build from our youth players if we got rid of them. Holmes, Wotton, Forecast and Pulis are the last of the deadwood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 To be honest.. If we keep the squad till the end of the season.. What ever that means then we should be fine Obviously.. Like the other 91 clubs. We have to be lucky on the injury front Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 There also isn't a position (except perhaps in goal) where we don't have 2 excellent options and 2 adequate options. Do you want to bloat the squad? exactly, they won't sign for sake of it when squad has more than enough cover for every position. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 Holmes, Wotton, Forecast and Pulis are the last of the deadwood. Connolly ? Harding ? Mills ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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