Summer Transfer Window 2025/26

[gio1saints]

Just now, Matthew Le God said:

Not after a 40% relegation wage cut he won't!

Thank you MLG - if he’s only on £28k I’m sure he’s not queuing up at the food banks and it’s still a big wedge towards Finns salary. 

[Oldandtired]

24 minutes ago, trousers said:

How do we know whether that is down to the quality of service he's received rather than his own ability....?

Any player involved in previous managers' systems would have found it difficult to shine, they would have turned Messi into Smallbone within a month. I would at least give him till January to see if there is a player there when the uncertainty of the transfer window is gone, and perhaps a settled team evolves playing this manager's football.

Edited yesterday at 14:31 by Oldandtired

[trousers]

10 minutes ago, Saint NL said:

I posted this image in the Championship thread. From the first three league games, this suggests it's finishing that's the problem and not chance creation.....

 

Whilst 3 games is a small sample, those stats seem at odds to our apparent recruitment aims... i.e. concentrating on getting in chance creators rather than chance converters...?

[malcolm waldron]

20 minutes ago, benjii said:

Which part of Ireland is Matski from?

Shannon (his parents are massive fans of the former windmilling, horse race loving Saints legend).

[Matthew Le God]

2 minutes ago, gio1saints said:

Thank you MLG - if he’s only on £28k I’m sure he’s not queuing up at the food banks and it’s still a big wedge towards Finns salary. 

A 40% reduction of the figure you used isn't £28k

[Convict Colony]

1 hour ago, Osvaldorama said:

Sounds like Still has very little input into the transfer dealings at all from that press conference 

I've got some magic beans to sell you.

[trousers]

7 minutes ago, gio1saints said:

Yeah that two goals in 38 matches from our alleged best finisher does rather stand out a bit. Lovely man - perhaps too nice - but I’m sure we can do better. 

To be fair, he only started in 13 of those 38 appearances...

[OldNick]

I think the telling thing about Cameron was the other night, he was breaking away ahead of the defender, but got caught quickly and had to turn back. Im sure a top striker would have used hispace to get away and get a shot off, people say he's quick but that the other night told me otherwise. 

[Saint_lambden]

16 minutes ago, Saint NL said:

I posted this image in the Championship thread. From the first three league games, this suggests it's finishing that's the problem and not chance creation.....

 

Worth remembering though that we've gone behind in every game and at home in two of them which will have an influence on the amount of shots we've had (I think it was 27 v Wrexham). Against Ipswich, we struggled to create much at all really. 

[Matthew Le God]

"Southampton & Rizespor have made €4m offers for Fiorentina winger Jonathan Ikone (27) — Saints currently have the advantage"

 

Edited yesterday at 14:41 by Matthew Le God

[OldNick]

2 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

"Southampton & Rizespor have made €4m offers for Fiorentina winger Jonathan Ikone (27) — Saints currently have the advantage"

 

Thanks MLT

[beatlesaint]

One things for sure with these midfielders coming in, Smallbone is even further away from a starting place than ever before so fully expect to see him gone by Monday……to protect his Rep of Ireland World Cup place of course 😉

[Saint Scott]

2 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

 

 

Jonathan Ikoné?

[OldNick]

Just now, beatlesaint said:

One things for sure with these midfielders coming in, Smallbone is even further away from a starting place than ever before so fully expect to see him gone by Monday……to protect his Rep of Ireland World Cup place of course 😉

I feel sad for WS as he is a Saint and was integral in the last promotion. It must be tough being a player of your club you love to have his own disrespecting him time and again. Show him respect as he is a Saint

[Matthew Le God]

2 minutes ago, Saint Scott said:

Jonathan Ikoné?

Yes

[skintsaint]

5 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

"Southampton & Rizespor have made €4m offers for Fiorentina winger Jonathan Ikone (27) — Saints currently have the advantage"

 

[Hopper]

Fiorentina fans seem to want shot of him. Saying even 4 Million euros is too much.

Edited 23 hours ago by Hopper

[Turkish]

1 minute ago, OldNick said:

I feel sad for WS as he is a Saint and was integral in the last promotion. It must be tough being a player of your club you love to have his own disrespecting him time and again. Show him respect as he is a Saint

i agree, feel sorry for him. He's "one of our own" but for some reason fans seem to be really against him. Always seemed a decent guy and gave his best, is a decent championship player, not premier league level but then neither was anyone else. Weird why he seems to attract so much disrespect. 

[OldNick]

Just now, Hopper said:

Fiorentina fans seem to want shot of him. Saying even 4 Million euros is too much.

We.ve seen this with multiple players over the years. If they have he same percentage of dinlos on thier site as ours I wouldnt worry too much 😀

[Saint Scott]

3 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

Yes

Looked a decent player at Lille a few years ago. Not sure he's done much since. 

Relatively risk free at that price however 

[OldNick]

2 minutes ago, Turkish said:

i agree, feel sorry for him. He's "one of our own" but for some reason fans seem to be really against him. Always seemed a decent guy and gave his best, is a decent championship player, not premier league level but then neither was anyone else. Weird why he seems to attract so much disrespect. 

Thise same fans would have been lapping him up with his goals and the superb pass for the play off run in. Some players just seem to be the but whatever, and if you really look at it he has done more for Saints than either Fernandes or Tyler combined (not money of course )

[gio1saints]

17 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

A 40% reduction of the figure you used isn't £28k

Thank you again my double implant dental surgery and brain still under sedation from it this lunchtime is not a good enough excuse - certainly on this forum where mild temporary brain impairment can be considered an advantage probably even an asset - but in any case math was never my best subject : £24not have to go to food banks weekly salary it is. 😆. Details are important! 

[beatlesaint]

Just now, OldNick said:

Thise same fans would have been lapping him up with his goals and the superb pass for the play off run in. Some players just seem to be the but whatever, and if you really look at it he has done more for Saints than either Fernandes or Tyler combined (not money of course )

He has, I don’t disagree and I was being tongue in cheek cos some of the treatment he’s had has been a disgrace. But he is not likely to fit in with what Still wants so it’s best for all concerned if he moves on.

We can’t say player a, b, and c aren’t good enough but then keep player a cos he’s one of our own ! 

[revolution saint]

8 minutes ago, Turkish said:

i agree, feel sorry for him. He's "one of our own" but for some reason fans seem to be really against him. Always seemed a decent guy and gave his best, is a decent championship player, not premier league level but then neither was anyone else. Weird why he seems to attract so much disrespect. 

Martin playing him in a deeper midfield role when Downes got injured didn't help.  It's just not his game.  Kind of feel he became a lightning rod for dissatisfaction with the style of play than anything specific to Smallbone.

Edited 23 hours ago by revolution saint

[OldNick]

2 minutes ago, beatlesaint said:

He has, I don’t disagree and I was being tongue in cheek cos some of the treatment he’s had has been a disgrace. But he is not likely to fit in with what Still wants so it’s best for all concerned if he moves on.

We can’t say player a, b, and c aren’t good enough but then keep player a cos he’s one of our own ! 

That is true but to be fair he hasnt played this season, and it is his level as he proved 2 seasons ago 

[TheSoundman]

12 minutes ago, Turkish said:

i agree, feel sorry for him. He's "one of our own" but for some reason fans seem to be really against him. Always seemed a decent guy and gave his best, is a decent championship player, not premier league level but then neither was anyone else. Weird why he seems to attract so much disrespect. 

I think it was that Cup game against Liverpool that turned the tide. If I recall correctly we were still in it and fighting, WS came on, gave the ball away and they scored. I remember being pissed off with him myself at the time.

[LocationRemot3]

Honestly the window is now coming alive and feel like Spors and the new recruitment team are really showing their chops.

 

It’s a shame about Fernandes but let’s all be honest, he is way too good to rot in the Championship.

 

UTS 

[LGTL]

BBD going back to Sheff Utd on loan

[skintsaint]

2 minutes ago, LGTL said:

BBD going back to Sheff Utd on loan

win win

[Harry_SFC]

23 minutes ago, Hopper said:

Fiorentina fans seem to want shot of him. Saying even 4 Million euros is too much.

Seems to have lost his way a bit but at that price seems pretty good for the Championship 

[beatlesaint]

2 minutes ago, LGTL said:

BBD going back to Sheff Utd on loan

Good old Rueben 🤣

[trousers]

33 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

"Southampton & Rizespor have made €4m offers for Fiorentina winger Jonathan Ikone (27) — Saints currently have the advantage"

 

Flippin' 'eck Tucker... we're going to have a complete new starting 11 in September at this rate! #fromoneextremetotheother

[Harry_SFC]

5 minutes ago, LGTL said:

BBD going back to Sheff Utd on loan

Not another loan 🙄 guess it's too much to ask for anyone to actually pay a fee for him. 

[Turkish]

Just now, Harry_SFC said:

Not another loan 🙄 guess it's too much to ask for anyone to actually pay a fee for him. 

would you?!

[benjii]

6 minutes ago, LGTL said:

BBD going back to Sheff Utd on loan

[SWLondon Saint]

22 minutes ago, Turkish said:

i agree, feel sorry for him. He's "one of our own" but for some reason fans seem to be really against him. Always seemed a decent guy and gave his best, is a decent championship player, not premier league level but then neither was anyone else. Weird why he seems to attract so much disrespect. 

I think it's because of his close association with Russball unfortunately, which hasn't done him any favours development wise either. Every man and his dog on here could see he needs to up his level physically and he needed to be told that - like Ralph did to JWP - to compete, but instead he got Russ blowing smoke up his ass.

[Chez]

24 minutes ago, Turkish said:

i agree, feel sorry for him. He's "one of our own" but for some reason fans seem to be really against him. Always seemed a decent guy and gave his best, is a decent championship player, not premier league level but then neither was anyone else. Weird why he seems to attract so much disrespect. 

He's a terrific passer of the ball. The weight of pass is brilliant. Decent first touch, gets up and down and composed in front of goal.

What he isn't is terribly physical. His tackling was lightweight and fans don't tend to be happy when they see a central midfielder lose a tackle they should be winning, which happened during the promotion season. That waqs certainly something that annoyed me, but overall he was great that season.

I think what happened at Old Trafford is the main reason for the disrespect shown to him. He came on, made perhaps one poor pass and possibly missed tackle - and then the defeat was placed on his shoulders. Other subs were made, but he took the blame. It was harsh to say the least, but that's football supporters for you.

[trousers]

12 minutes ago, LocationRemot3 said:

Spors and the new recruitment team are really showing their chops.

My favourite phrase of the day

Welcome to the forum sir / ma'am 

[HarvSFC]

Don't know if the Ikone link is reliable or not, but looks like he plays predominantly as a right winger, like Fellows. Cheap backup option in a long Championship season? Looks more than good enough for that. Bad players, particularly forwards don't get into the France squad in 2019.

Or, he could be another Cornet, once good, now awful. 😂

[Midfield_General]

11 minutes ago, LGTL said:

BBD going back to Sheff Utd on loan

God bless Ruben Selles

Ings, BBD and apparently after Redmond. Sheffield Utd fans will be chuffed to bits, they were meant to be promotion contenders 

Edited 23 hours ago by Midfield_General

[Chez]

40 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

"Southampton & Rizespor have made €4m offers for Fiorentina winger Jonathan Ikone (27) — Saints currently have the advantage"

 

Fast, tries to beat people but a bit of a 'bobbler'. He's played at a higher level (Ligue 1 and Seria A) than most of the guys we are currently linked with, so maybe his videos are slightly less impressive. But overall he feels out of kilter from the players we have been looking at. Not convinced.

[SWLondon Saint]

2 minutes ago, Chez said:

He's a terrific passer of the ball. The weight of pass is brilliant. Decent first touch, gets up and down and composed in front of goal.

Don't disagree, but as I said, Russ has been bad for his development because he's gotten into the habit of only playing 'safe' backwards and sideways passes. He never looks to turn / take on the half turn and go, and in the PL with the pressing systems so developed, if the opposition know you always go backwards and sideways, you're a sitting duck. Which he was, and we were.

You have to earn the right to pass it in the PL and I don't think Russ ever got that.

[vectraman]

39 minutes ago, skintsaint said:

Not exactly Mr prolific at any time in his entire career…Averages a goal about every 10 games. We already have lots of forwards who are of similar non exciting stats…

[hypochondriac]

3 minutes ago, vectraman said:

Not exactly Mr prolific at any time in his entire career…Averages a goal about every 10 games. We already have lots of forwards who are of similar non exciting stats…

No idea who this guy is but aren't the main attributes we need from wide the ability to cross, beat a man and some pace?

[ant]

Think some of links will need to start being taken as the smoke & mirrors they likely are. All sorts of games going on behind the scenes.

Not a chance we're serious about signing them all!

[Harry_SFC]

1 minute ago, hypochondriac said:

No idea who this guy is but aren't the main attributes we need from wide the ability to cross, beat a man and some pace?

Plus all of his stats are from top leagues. We predominantly need players to get us out of the Championship. If they are good enough for the Prem then that's even better. 

[gio1saints]

God it’s all getting too much. Leo Scienza now according to fab Romano?

[trousers]

 

 

[Appy]

 

[Appy]

Just now, trousers said:

 

 

FFS Trousers