Summer Transfer Window 2021

[Matthew Le God]

1 minute ago, ally_uk said:

If Villa came in with a 40 million bid for Prowse would you accept it? 

[HarvSFC]

15 minutes ago, ally_uk said:

If Villa came in with a 40 million bid for Prowse would you accept it? 

Ask this at the fans forum.

Edited 10 August, 2021 by HarvSFC

[hypochondriac]

17 minutes ago, ally_uk said:

If Villa came in with a 40 million bid for Prowse would you accept it? 

No. I think it would take 50 and even then I'm not sure we have a need to sell this summer. 

[DT]

Good news from forum: JWP seems to be staying. Bad news: not planning on getting a decent keeper

[Ted Bates Statue]

4 hours ago, Jeremy Corbyn said:

Guy doesn't even have a wiki, pass.

Neither did Livramento until 5th August 😂

[Turkish]

22 minutes ago, DT said:

Good news from forum: JWP seems to be staying. Bad news: not planning on getting a decent keeper

What did they say?

has anyone asked about expanding the stadium yet?

[saint michael]

19 minutes ago, Turkish said:

What did they say?

has anyone asked about expanding the stadium yet?

No but the cushions on the seats are to help people sleep through it better

[S-Clarke]

21 minutes ago, Turkish said:

What did they say?

has anyone asked about expanding the stadium yet?

Close! There was a stadium question, it was about the placement of the away fans.

Rather bizarrely the club did an active piece of work looking at the options for that, and the stand they choose was the Kingsland rather than the Chapel - and obviously because of Segregation they couldn't put them in the Kingsland (no shit).

£5m it would cost to do the works required etc. It was pretty much put to bed, if the stadium was built again it would be looked at. Doesn't seem like it will ever change.

[Turkish]

3 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

Close! There was a stadium question, it was about the placement of the away fans.

Rather bizarrely the club did an active piece of work looking at the options for that, and the stand they choose was the Kingsland rather than the Chapel - and obviously because of Segregation they couldn't put them in the Kingsland (no shit).

£5m it would cost to do the works required etc. It was pretty much put to bed, if the stadium was built again it would be looked at. Doesn't seem like it will ever change.

LOL, I knew there would be a question about moving the away fans to the corner too 🤣🤣

[SNSUN]

As long as Ralph realises Fraser is marginally the better keeper of the two pretty early on this season, then I can make my peace with us not bringing in a new keeper this summer. Both will cost us points but neither have got us relegated.... yet.... and both have played for England so they must have been half good at one time or another. Next summer though we need a proper goalkeeper so let's hope we are scouting now!

 

As for other positions, to make this a decent summer for transfers, we need a first choice centre back,  especially if Vestergaard leaves, a CB/DM hybrid that Ralph has alluded to, a back up left back and, IMO, another attack-minded midfielder along the lines of Stu Armstrong. (Delaney?)

 

Defense though is the most important to strengthen now, so let's hope we can get it done. We still have money in the bank from the Ings transfer and will have money if we can sell Obafemi and Vestergaard so let's use it! None of this 'keeping it until January just in case' malarkey. The squad needs to be strong NOW!

[S-Clarke]

3 minutes ago, SNSUN said:

 

 

Defense though is the most important to strengthen now, so let's hope we can get it done. We still have money in the bank from the Ings transfer and will have money if we can sell Obafemi and Vestergaard so let's use it! None of this 'keeping it until January just in case' malarkey. The squad needs to be strong NOW!

They might be keeping their cards close to their chest, but it doesn't sound like we are actively pursing any specific positions. They all seemed quite happy with the depth.

The only thing mentioned is that they may look at signing a player for the B team who could then cover the first team if required.

If Vestergaard leaves, that changes and they reiterated that they will reinvest in a replacement.

Edited 10 August, 2021 by S-Clarke

[Dusic]

So sounds from the forum like the following from here til end of window:

- CB only if Vestergaard leaves and seems like they will (rightly) sell if we get an offer and he won't extend. Replacement would be a young player to develop i.e another Salisu type

- LB more likely to be a B team player who could possibly step up, as Ralph happy with Livramento or Djenepo (or KWP moving across) as backup to Perraud. Clearly they will want to give Livramento games so I reckon KWP moving across and Tino at RB would be first option if Perraud misses games.

- No mention of a #6 but previously Ralph said any CB would likely also be able to play there.

- Ralph said at #10 we have enough good options, which is certainly true numbers wise so can only see something there is either Moi goes or suddenly something exceptional came up on loan.

- No GK. Semmens mentioned a three window strategy, I think GK will be in the third of those when contracts expire.

To be honest, numbers and depth wise that all makes sense. Obviously always a desire to add quality but there isnt really one position we are short of options aside from LB, and that is addressed as above.

Edited 10 August, 2021 by Dusic

[qwertyell]

Still got an empty slot for another domestic loan. Wouldn't be a surprise to see that filled at the back end of the window.

[spyinthesky]

21 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

Close! There was a stadium question, it was about the placement of the away fans.

Rather bizarrely the club did an active piece of work looking at the options for that, and the stand they choose was the Kingsland rather than the Chapel - and obviously because of Segregation they couldn't put them in the Kingsland (no shit).

£5m it would cost to do the works required etc. It was pretty much put to bed, if the stadium was built again it would be looked at. Doesn't seem like it will ever change.

I wonder if there could be an experiment where all the 'singers' from the Northam moved to the Kingsland for a cup tie in an attempt to fill one end with noisy supporters rather than move them around the stadium with fragmented support?

[Baird of the land]

I do really hope we can get someone in who can cover dm. Djenepo being talked up as a left back is a slight concern, though it is interesting to hear idea of b team lb possibly being brought in. Not sure if Ralph meant to confirm that vestergaard will leave (though I fully expect him to given he hasn’t signed a contract)

[Charlie Wayman]

9 hours ago, nta786 said:

 

Birmingham as an area has diseases localised to the area much worse than Covid, perhaps 2nd to the city of Liverpool. 

Tasteless nonsense. Shame on you.

[Cartman]

No new goalkeeper.

[Wiggles31]

So not signing a midfielder then? Great window so far but my word if JWP or Romeu gets injured (like last season!). 

[S-Clarke]

6 minutes ago, Wiggles31 said:

So not signing a midfielder then? Great window so far but my word if JWP or Romeu gets injured (like last season!). 

We've still got Diallo, who is getting better - good player.

And, surprised to me tbh. We've seemingly signed Jon Jo Shelvey

[Mikey88]

6 minutes ago, Wiggles31 said:

So not signing a midfielder then? Great window so far but my word if JWP or Romeu gets injured (like last season!). 

I agree but I dare say with the numbers we have in the 10 position they will say Romeu, JWP, Diallo and if needed Armstrong, we have enough

[MarkSFC]

12 minutes ago, Wiggles31 said:

So not signing a midfielder then? Great window so far but my word if JWP or Romeu gets injured (like last season!). 

That wasn't actually stated. They never got asked specifically and either cleverly or by accident never mentioned CM. Ralph only mentioned LB and it possibly being a youngster if we get one and that we have enough in tbe no 10 type role and does not want to block Tella (when asked about Lookman).

 

I'd be surprised if we do not sign a CM. And a CB when Vestergaard moves on. 

[Cartman]

3 minutes ago, MarkSFC said:

That wasn't actually stated. They never got asked specifically and either cleverly or by accident never mentioned CM. Ralph only mentioned LB and it possibly being a youngster if we get one and that we have enough in tbe no 10 type role and does not want to block Tella (when asked about Lookman).

 

I'd be surprised if we do not sign a CM. And a CB when Vestergaard moves on. 

Think that will be one player, a Boubacar Kamara type who plays both CB and CM.

But no GK.

[S-Clarke]

I think part of the problem with signing a new GK is the wages that Fraser and McCarthy are already on, unless we have a buyer for one of those it just isn't going to happen.

You can't realistically have 3 goalkeepers earning upwards of 50k p/w at a club like ours, it's a bit insane.

So as others have alluded to, the goal keeping position is one for next year. And I'm fairly sure it will be addressed and will probably be one of the first signings of the next window. We'll have much more wage space to play with without Fraser on the books.

Let's just hope we stick to 'one' this season and see how they get on. If what is in front of them performs better, hopefully they'll have less hitting their goal.

Edited 10 August, 2021 by S-Clarke

[verlaine1979]

How many CB/DM combination players are out there? Guardiola loves putting a DM in his back four, but aside from that, I can't think of many players who regularly swap between the two positions.

So is the priority a CB who can fill in at DM or vice versa?

[MarkSFC]

4 minutes ago, Cartman said:

Think that will be one player, a Boubacar Kamara type who plays both CB and CM.

But no GK.

Thomas Delaney fits the bill but more CM than CB  and if Vestergaard goes I'd assume it will be a CB who can do the  CM role.

[stknowle]

1 hour ago, Dusic said:

So sounds from the forum like the following from here til end of window:

- CB only if Vestergaard leaves and seems like they will (rightly) sell if we get an offer and he won't extend. Replacement would be a young player to develop i.e another Salisu type

- LB more likely to be a B team player who could possibly step up, as Ralph happy with Livramento or Djenepo (or KWP moving across) as backup to Perraud. Clearly they will want to give Livramento games so I reckon KWP moving across and Tino at RB would be first option if Perraud misses games.

- No mention of a #6 but previously Ralph said any CB would likely also be able to play there.

- Ralph said at #10 we have enough good options, which is certainly true numbers wise so can only see something there is either Moi goes or suddenly something exceptional came up on loan.

- No GK. Semmens mentioned a three window strategy, I think GK will be in the third of those when contracts expire.

To be honest, numbers and depth wise that all makes sense. Obviously always a desire to add quality but there isnt really one position we are short of options aside from LB, and that is addressed as above.

Hmmmmm, hope they're playing their cards close to their chests ref midfield, We're still too weak in there. Vest going and a MF that can do a decent job at CB as well if we can't afford both in that scenario.

[Toadhall Saint]

2 hours ago, ally_uk said:

If Villa came in with a 40 million bid for Prowse would you accept it? 

No

[Turkish]

4 minutes ago, MarkSFC said:

Thomas Delaney fits the bill but more CM than CB  and if Vestergaard goes I'd assume it will be a CB who can do the  CM role.

Everyone keeps on about him but has there been any recent links? I seem to remember a vague kink months ago and that’s it. 

[Baird of the land]

3 minutes ago, verlaine1979 said:

How many CB/DM combination players are out there? Guardiola loves putting a DM in his back four, but aside from that, I can't think of many players who regularly swap between the two positions.

So is the priority a CB who can fill in at DM or vice versa?

I think i’d prefer Mid who can also play cb. I hope I get another Steve Davis moment and get one of my favourite N.I players in McNair to saints, though my guess the club will look at someone a bit younger.

[CityRanger]

7 minutes ago, verlaine1979 said:

How many CB/DM combination players are out there? Guardiola loves putting a DM in his back four, but aside from that, I can't think of many players who regularly swap between the two positions.

So is the priority a CB who can fill in at DM or vice versa?

I remember Gullit / Koeman / Hoddle playing those twin roles effectively in their career but obviously they’re players of the highest calibre. Not many about I’d guess.

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, Baird of the land said:

I think i’d prefer Mid who can also play cb. I hope I get another Steve Davis moment and get one of my favourite N.I players in McNair to saints, though my guess the club will look at someone a bit younger.

We need a starting quality CB if (when) Vestergaard leaves.  Going into a season with Salisu, Stephens, Bednarek, & a midfielder who can fill a gap, would be hilarious.

[MarkSFC]

1 minute ago, Turkish said:

Everyone keeps on about him but has there been any recent links? I seem to remember a vague kink months ago and that’s it. 

Not that I've seen. Like Vestergaard he can't be many days back from his holidays so perhaps that's why. Who knows but I really hope we get another strong DCM.

[Baird of the land]

2 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

We need a starting quality CB if (when) Vestergaard leaves.  Going into a season with Salisu, Stephens, Bednarek, & a midfielder who can fill a gap, would be hilarious.

Not sure I agree. We signed salisu to replace our 4th choice cb with view to him becoming into a starter. If club thinks he’s ready to start, we would be in the market for competition with Stephens for backup.

[SuperSAINT]

8 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Everyone keeps on about him but has there been any recent links? I seem to remember a vague kink months ago and that’s it. 

Not really good ones.  Danish & German media are normally pretty good if anything was happening.

I read Roma were looking at him after the Xhaka deal fell through. 

[verlaine1979]

I tend to think we need a specialist CB who could, if absolutely necessary, step up to cover Romeu. Circulating the ball quickly between our back four and GK is so vital to how RH wants us to play, that we need an upgrade on Bednarek if Vest leaves.

However, on the flip side, when was the last time a successful team sacrificed their settled CB pairing to plug a gap in midfield? Seems far more common to do it the other way round and make-do at CM.

[Turkish]

16 minutes ago, MarkSFC said:

Not that I've seen. Like Vestergaard he can't be many days back from his holidays so perhaps that's why. Who knows but I really hope we get another strong DCM.

 Can’t see it personally. Romeu is good and would cost a lot to improve on, Diallo is our young hungry and guaranteed to Improve player and JWP is captain and probably first name on the team sheet. Can’t see is bringing in anyone better than those 3 so expect it’ll be another youngster or what was called a utility player in old money. 

[Sidney Fudpucker the 3rd]

Have we actually strengthened our squad or just bought in replacements who are of a lower quality?

We leaked goals last season, so surely the defence was the priority? Perraud replaces Bertrand. Upgrade or downgrade? Only time will tell.
We've got cover at RB which is good, but we need a CB and with Vestergaard seemingly on his way out, you could argue that we need 2 CB's.
We also need cover at LB and a defensive midfielder. 

I genuinely hope that Armstrong and Broja do the business for us, but as things stand, I can't help but feel that we've only gone sideways.

Personally, I still think we still need 3 players, unless we're going to find a CB who can play as a DM and a LB who can cover as a CB? In which case we might get away with 2. 

 

 

[Sidney Fudpucker the 3rd]

A CB who can cover as a DM. It's going to be Phil Jones, isn't it?

[Turkish]

1 minute ago, Sidney Fudpucker the 3rd said:

A CB who can cover as a DM. It's going to be Phil Jones, isn't it?

In all seriousness on our budget we could do a lot worse 

[MarkSFC]

8 minutes ago, Turkish said:

 Can’t see it personally. Romeu is good and would cost a lot to improve on, Diallo is our young hungry and guaranteed to Improve player and JWP is captain and probably first name on the team sheet. Can’t see is bringing in anyone better than those 3 so expect it’ll be another youngster or what was called a utility player in old money. 

Yeah it might cost too much to improve directly on Romeu. But the fact that Ralph has stated he wanted to keep Lemina suggests he wants someone else there. 

We were horribly exposed without Romeu last season and although Diallo will improve I'm not convinced another sustained period of his absence will be suitably coveted again. We should be looking at someone who will essentially takeover by the end of next season. 

[Turkish]

Just now, MarkSFC said:

Yeah it might cost too much to improve directly on Romeu. But the fact that Ralph has stated he wanted to keep Lemina suggests he wants someone else there. 

We were horribly exposed without Romeu last season and although Diallo will improve I'm not convinced another sustained period of his absence will be suitably coveted again. We should be looking at someone who will essentially takeover by the end of next season. 

I think I see Diallo as more of a replacement for Ward Prowse than Romeu. Good at picking all lose balls and then using the ball. Like you say when Romeu Isn’t there we really lack a physical presence and get exposed. 

[The Kraken]

12 minutes ago, Turkish said:

I think I see Diallo as more of a replacement for Ward Prowse than Romeu. Good at picking all lose balls and then using the ball. Like you say when Romeu Isn’t there we really lack a physical presence and get exposed. 

Agreed. Diallo seems a lot more forward-thinking than especially Romeu and also a bit more than JWP for me. Different player entirely to Romeu and doesn’t offer as much sheer protection to the back 4. I like him as a player though.

[MarkSFC]

14 minutes ago, Turkish said:

I think I see Diallo as more of a replacement for Ward Prowse than Romeu. Good at picking all lose balls and then using the ball. Like you say when Romeu Isn’t there we really lack a physical presence and get exposed. 

Yeah I'm not really seeing a "stopper" in Diallo, yet. Much more a distributor. 

We need another Romeu type for sure.

[egg]

27 minutes ago, Turkish said:

In all seriousness on our budget we could do a lot worse 

I agree. When he was playing regularly he was decent. He's been out for ages though, but assuming he's injury free he wouldn't be the worst signing and would give the squad some experience and leadership. 

[Wiggles31]

Yeah I don’t see Diallo as a replacement for Romeu. CDM is our weakest position squad wise. Fingers crossed we get someone in. Delaney sounds perfect. 

[Cartman]

54 minutes ago, Sidney Fudpucker the 3rd said:

A CB who can cover as a DM. It's going to be Phil Jones, isn't it?

Quote

"If Jannik leaves, the replacement will again be someone on their second or third contract [in their career] & we can think about making money with him & after three years we can say okay, the bigger clubs are coming & to sell is not the worst thing.”

So no, not Phil Jones.

[Turkish]

22 minutes ago, egg said:

I agree. When he was playing regularly he was decent. He's been out for ages though, but assuming he's injury free he wouldn't be the worst signing and would give the squad some experience and leadership. 

He’s become a bit of a joke figure the last 3-4 years and whilst he does pick up a lot of knocks and has been out for a year he’s still a decent player to have. Only 29 too and like you say will add experience and leadership which we lack.

[SuperSAINT]

10 hours ago, Sidney Fudpucker the 3rd said:

A CB who can cover as a DM. It's going to be Phil Jones, isn't it?

Much more likely to be Flavius Daniliuc / Nat Phillips / Kiki Kouyate / Koni De Winter / Leo Hjelde type (of players linked)

Edited 11 August, 2021 by SuperSAINT

[Saint Matty 76]

Absolute madness if we don’t bring in another CDM. As mentioned above, we need another Romeu type player as JWP/Diallo/Smallbone/Armstrong all fall into the ball carrier mould rather than Romeu’s. 

I don’t personally rate Romeu too highly and think he can be improved upon quite easily. I hope we don’t mess this up because we look good depth wise everywhere else other than here.

[Ex Lion Tamer]

9 minutes ago, Saint Matty 76 said:

Absolute madness if we don’t bring in another CDM. As mentioned above, we need another Romeu type player as JWP/Diallo/Smallbone/Armstrong all fall into the ball carrier mould rather than Romeu’s. 

I don’t personally rate Romeu too highly and think he can be improved upon quite easily. I hope we don’t mess this up because we look good depth wise everywhere else other than here.

I agree but cling to the fact that there a lot of smoke and mirrors at the moment. Remember when we were "backing away" from Armstrong?