Summer Transfer Window 2025/26

[ErwinK1961]

1 minute ago, Matthew Le God said:

Not remotely close to being 'pitiful' at Championship level.

Armstrong and Brereton Díaz are both best as wide forwards. Both prolific in the Championship.

Archer, prolific in the Championship 18 girls in 40 games.

Stewart prolific in a small sample of 13 games and 10 goals.

Downs top scorer for best team in 2.Bundesliga. 

Edozie and Fraser both effective in the Championship. Edozie had 6 goals from only 16 starts in the promotion season which is good end product. 

One of the main current issues is the number 10 role if Fernandes and Dibling leave. I'd be surprised  if we didn't see a number 10 role player arrive. In the short term, Joe Aribo would be a decent option at Championship level until we sign one, but looks like Fraser might also be in Still'sthoughts for that based on pre season. Neither ideal as 1st choice for the rest of the season, but may be needed until new signing beds in.

 

Why do you keep pointing to historic goalscoring records and continue to ignore the fact they are irrelevant, when we are short of people creating chances for them in the first place.

Fraser was effective mainly as a sub 2 years ago. Edozie is leaving FFS.

[Football Special]

17 minutes ago, trousers said:

Come on guys... sort this out between you... I'm very confused now... are we "far better" or "unequivocally weaker"...? 

We are weaker. 

[hypochondriac]

I am though starting to think that staying up after gaining promotion is an almost insurmountable task. Short of hitting on a goldmine of world ie youth players after promotion, there's just too much to do in one summer to get the squad to the required standard. Selling all of our prem quality players just means they will all need replacing again next year if we get promoted alongside trying to raise the overall quality of the squad. I'm not sure it's possible to do even with the world's best scouting etc.

[Matthew Le God]

Just now, ErwinK1961 said:

Why do you keep pointing to historic goalscoring records and continue to ignore the fact they are irrelevant, when we are short of people creating chances for them in the first place.

Edozie is leaving FFS.

Armstrong assisted 13 goals in the promotionaeason. Is that not creativity? Is Robinson not creative?

We do not know for sure that Edozie is leaving.

[Gloucester Saint]

18 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

That also equates to depth by the way, and not just strikers.

Wingers, 10's, wide forwards. Our options are currently pitiful and we'd do well to finish top 6.

We won’t be finishing top 6 unless there’s significant strengthening and 2-3, maybe 4 automatic starters come in at GK, AMC and wide areas. I didn’t say CB on the assumption THB stays. MLG will bang on about AA and BBD’s scoring records but they were woeful on loan last season at this level and confidence can’t be good. Not had great pre-seasons either. 

[for_heaven's_Saint]

58 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

Yeah he's been present in the friendlies, present in the training. I do agree with your 'life ring' bit, if there was interest I'm sure he'd be sniffing. He just knows there isn't any interest, so has played the ''I want to stay' card.

He (Sugawara) was an unused sub vs Espanyol and only came on half way through the second half in the game vs Castillon. I took that as a suggestion he might be one of the players that Still is going to exclude from the eventual squad…

[Gloucester Saint]

3 minutes ago, for_heaven's_Saint said:

He (Sugawara) was an unused sub vs Espanyol and only came on half way through the second half in the game vs Castillon. I took that as a suggestion he might be one of the players that Still is going to exclude from the eventual squad…

I wouldn’t be surprised to see Still bring a RWB in that he knows to add to the 3-4 other automatic starters we need, if SR allow him. 

Edited 15 hours ago by Gloucester Saint

[Matthew Le God]

3 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

I wouldn’t be surprised to see Still bring a RWB in that he knows to add to the 3-4 other automatic starters we need, if SR allow him. 

We haven't been using a wingback system as the main system.

[saintant]

1 hour ago, beatlesaint said:

This might surprise you but no two people are the same !!! 

Of course but you're admitting Dibling has a big flaw in his make-up in that he doesn't battle when the going is tough. Not a good trait.

[saintant]

1 hour ago, beatlesaint said:

This might surprise you but no two people are the same !!! 

Duplicaate

Edited 15 hours ago by saintant

[saintant]

1 hour ago, beatlesaint said:

This might surprise you but no two people are the same !!! 

Duplicate

Edited 15 hours ago by saintant

[MarkSFC]

43 minutes ago, Chez said:

Does THB start for a single PL side? he wouldn't dislodge Burnley's pair, not sure Leeds or Sunderland would start him either, but maybe I'm mistaken.

I think thats the point really. We are not going to get north of 25m from any team for him, so why sell him?!

[Gloucester Saint]

2 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

We haven't been using a wingback system as the main system.

Makes it even more likely then if it’s a more conventional RB as Suga is woefully defensively and better going forwards. 

[S-Clarke]

20 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

Not remotely close to being 'pitiful' at Championship level.

Armstrong and Brereton Díaz are both best as wide forwards. Both prolific in the Championship.

Archer, prolific in the Championship 18 goals in 40 games.

Stewart prolific in a small sample of 13 games and 10 goals.

Downs top scorer for best team in 2.Bundesliga. 

Edozie and Fraser both effective in the Championship. Edozie had 6 goals from only 16 starts in the promotion season which is good end product. 

Robinson will be very effective this season. His age doesn't mean he can't be used.

One of the main current issues is the number 10 role if Fernandes and Dibling leave. I'd be surprised  if we didn't see a number 10 role player arrive. In the short term, Joe Aribo would be a decent option at Championship level until we sign one, but looks like Fraser might also be in Still'sthoughts for that based on pre season. Neither ideal as 1st choice for the rest of the season, but may be needed until new signing beds in.

 

You're stretching a little bit with those, and also ignoring the overall point I was making. It's also around depth and overall compatibility with the players/system being adopted.

Armstrong is a goal getter at this level, ditto Archer - cannot argue with that. I still don't think you can really include such a small sample re: Stewart and conclude that he is proven at this level.

In terms of BBD, from everything I've seen in my own eyes, he cannot play a wide forward in the squad we have or with the way we will  be playing. 

Downs and Robinson are total unknowns, you cannot say Robinson will be very effective at this level - he might be, but he's hardly played pro football. So it's not fair to put that on him really.

Fraser I can't include really, he shouldn't have been signed. He's two years old since the last time he was truly effective at this level, he's not very good.

So, even if Edozie stays (who is equally as limited), we'll have Fraser, Edozie, Robinson, Armstrong, BBD as our potential wide options. Awful, you can't dress it up any other way.

The manager has also proclaimed he intents to add out wide, so that would go against your view that our wide attackers are 'the best the league has got'. They're not.

Edited 15 hours ago by S-Clarke

[Danbert]

1 hour ago, beatlesaint said:

The THB injury over the past 3  months and the fact he's not back playing yet might just mean he stays until January or next summer. 

Or just the fact that actually he's pretty average 

[Chez]

39 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

Starting with a realistic 11, if the sales go as expected -

Bazunu

Suguwara - Quarshie - Edwards - Wellington

           Downes - Charles

Armstrong        Smallbone                     Fraser

                        Archer

Leaves us with subs of Bree, McCarthy, Robinson, BBD, Downs, Stewart, Stephens, Manning

Unequivocally weaker than our first game against Sheffield Wednesday 2 years ago. Certainly in attack which is bilge.

Hell of a lot of work to do if it all plays out as we expect.

Downs and Robinson to start, possibly? Is Smallbone really going to be our number 10?
 

[S-Clarke]

1 minute ago, Chez said:

Downs and Robinson to start, possibly? Is Smallbone really going to be our number 10?
 

If Aribo is sold or his future is up in the air, I'm struggling to see who else goes in the 10 role (if we haven't got anyone in by the first game)

Not sure either of those other guys will be ready to start, Robinson will initially be more effective as a sub I feel against tiring defences.

Edited 15 hours ago by S-Clarke

[Oisin]

30 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

 

Apart from having numerous players that have very good Championship goal scoring records.

You keep stating this as if it means it’ll happen this year. Most of them have played in the championship for over 12 months except Arma and BBD who were both poor last 1/2 season.  Archer had one season doing it, Edozie 1/2 a season since when he played poorly in Belgium,  Stewart 1/4 of a season since when he’s spent over 2 years on the treatment table, Fraser looks old and past it. 

Apart from that I see every reason to share your optimism …

I’m quite happy with our defensive and deeper midfield options; I’m not as depressed as many at our GK situation. But I seriously worry for our attacking options, especially if and when Fernandes and Dibling are sold. The only player we have (and are likely to keep) who actually excites me is Robinson and he’s a kid. 

[ErwinK1961]

37 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

Armstrong assisted 13 goals in the promotionaeason. Is that not creativity? Is Robinson not creative?

We do not know for sure that Edozie is leaving.

Armstrong got those assists playing in a different system and style to how Will Still plays.

Can Armstrong play as a proper winger? Most people know the answer to this (except you).

Robinson is a child who has barely played any senior football, he may well be excellent in the future but we cannot be relying on him.

Of course Edozie is leaving FFS

Edited 14 hours ago by ErwinK1961

[Doctoroncall]

30 minutes ago, coalman said:

And have terrible records in teams that don't create chances for them.

That’s the key element. I do wonder if we play a different system because of the lack of competent wingers atm. 

[Osvaldorama]

Agree with the above. Squad feels like it’s a bit of a shit show currently. 

Lots to be done; barely any time to do it. 

[saintant]

47 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

Starting with a realistic 11, if the sales go as expected -

Bazunu

Suguwara - Quarshie - Edwards - Wellington

           Downes - Charles

Armstrong        Smallbone                     Fraser

                        Archer

Leaves us with subs of Bree, McCarthy, Robinson, BBD, Downs, Stewart, Stephens, Manning

Unequivocally weaker than our first game against Sheffield Wednesday 2 years ago. Certainly in attack which is bilge.

Hell of a lot of work to do if it all plays out as we expect.

Don't like the look of your proposed line up at all. Continuing last season's lack of height and strength with Archer, Fraser, Smallbone and Armstrong. Rather see Downs or Stewart up front. We will of course be bringing in new players so need to make some moves quickly to try to give them some training with the group so they can be in the side for the first game.

[Challenger]

I am waiting for the "fun" few weeks promised by SR, but it's beginning to look like a normal transfer window to which we are accustomed.

[Chez]

26 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

Not remotely close to being 'pitiful' at Championship level.

Armstrong and Brereton Díaz are both best as wide forwards. Both prolific in the Championship.

Archer, prolific in the Championship 18 goals in 40 games.

Stewart prolific in a small sample of 13 games and 10 goals.

Downs top scorer for best team in 2.Bundesliga. 

Edozie and Fraser both effective in the Championship. Edozie had 6 goals from only 16 starts in the promotion season which is good end product. 

I agree, its not pitiful in the championship and I applaud your continuous efforts to tell people that we have players that have done it at this level before. 

Keep in mind though that BBD scored 14 goals in 43 games back in 22/23 season. That's a little while ago now. Stewarts goals again came from 22/23 too and Archers goals were from 21/22 and 22/23.

It's good to have this track history, but it's the present and future that matters. Are these guys now confident, comfortable with the system and being supplied with the chances they all need (because none of them really create things out of nothing on their own)? 

I am always mindful that Deli Ali scored 10, 18, 9, 5 and 8 goals in consecutive season for Spurs...and then, well, he didn't score goals for Spurs. Things change quickly in football.

[benali-shorts]

Aren't we allowed 5 loans? I'd imagine we'll use most if not all of them and (remarkably) we used the loan market quite effectively last Championship season.

If THB, Dibling and Fernandes go for say £80-90m, that would be 9 out & c.£120-130m in (Paul, Sulemana, KWP off wages, Ramsdale loan + wages, Edozie, Bednarek). £10m out so far on 2 players. If we lose those three plus say another couple (11 out), we'd only need 4 or 5 replacements (7 in in total), i.e. mainly loans? Maybe one or two permanents, but can't see many more than that. 

£100m player trading profit, younger profile squad. Spors' CV will never have looked so good. 

 

 

[gio1saints]

Just for once I’d like to see Saints put out a fresh no scar tissue want to win team :  GB in goal, Downs and Robinson up top, Quarshie and Edwards at CB’s, Matsuki at #8, Shea and Sanda in the middle and top up the remaining positions with what you got left over from the squad.

But the gist is : play these players NOT the ones we already know what they got ( or in many cases NOT got). They get thrashed - SR need to get the chequebook out . No point watching Cameron, Adarma Fraser and BBD being impotent v Brighton over and over again…

Edited 14 hours ago by gio1saints

[The Realist]

why are people still talking about Edozie?  I thought he had already left to Strasbourg.

Dibing is leaving and so is Fernandes I'm afraid to say.  THB also likely to go.

Its more than a shame but that's life.

 

[Gloucester Saint]

1 minute ago, The Realist said:

why are people still talking about Edozie?  I thought he had already left to Strasbourg.

Dibing is leaving and so is Fernandes I'm afraid to say.  THB also likely to go.

Its more than a shame but that's life.

 

You’re certainly living up to your name 😉

Agree with that bar THB, with his injury and relatively long contract, as much SR would love to sell another asset, he won’t attract enough profit at the moment for them as the buying clubs will want to see him fit. Will be sold next summer I’m sure which SR will be licking their lips about.

[LeBizzier69]

1 hour ago, benjii said:

It won't be anything like that. This is far more realistic:

----‐---------Bazunu------------

Stephens Stephens Stephens Stephens

-----Stephens Stephens Stephens----

Stephens-----Stephens-----Stephens

 

We could alter the classic “team of Gary Breens” song for our Jack.

[Matthew Le God]

10 minutes ago, The Realist said:

why are people still talking about Edozie?  I thought he had already left to Strasbourg.

He has not left.

[Chez]

51 minutes ago, saintant said:

Don't like the look of your proposed line up at all. Continuing last season's lack of height and strength with Archer, Fraser, Smallbone and Armstrong. Rather see Downs or Stewart up front. We will of course be bringing in new players so need to make some moves quickly to try to give them some training with the group so they can be in the side for the first game.

That lack of size in that line up is a concern. If we go longer, more often, Archer is not ideal as the focal point of the attack. Bree, Taylor, Stephens, BBD, Downs and Stewart would all provide more height. Whether we want to be playing all or some of those, I am not sure. 

Edited 14 hours ago by Chez

[trousers]

1 hour ago, Matthew Le God said:

Not remotely close to being 'pitiful' at Championship level.

Armstrong and Brereton Díaz are both best as wide forwards. Both prolific in the Championship.

Archer, prolific in the Championship 18 goals in 40 games.

Stewart prolific in a small sample of 13 games and 10 goals.

Downs top scorer for best team in 2.Bundesliga. 

Edozie and Fraser both effective in the Championship. Edozie had 6 goals from only 16 starts in the promotion season which is good end product. 

Robinson will be very effective this season. His age doesn't mean he can't be used.

One of the main current issues is the number 10 role if Fernandes and Dibling leave. I'd be surprised  if we didn't see a number 10 role player arrive. In the short term, Joe Aribo would be a decent option at Championship level until we sign one, but looks like Fraser might also be in Still'sthoughts for that based on pre season. Neither ideal as 1st choice for the rest of the season, but may be needed until new signing beds in.

 

Is there any reason why you focus on players' hard skills and hardly mention their soft skills, if at all? (that's a rhetorcial question, in case it's not obvious...)

Yes, we obviously have players that have played well in this division before (that goes without saying, except for those that like to repeat such observations several times... ), but you're assuming that, psychologically, they are in the same place now as they were back then. It's not unreasonable to question if they are mentally capable of achieving what they've achieved before, as well as physically, given what they've subsequently been through...

Edited 14 hours ago by trousers

[Colinjb]

Just now, trousers said:

Is there any reason why you focus on players' hard skills and hardly mention their soft skills? Yes, we obviously have players that have played well in this division, but you're assuming that they are in the same place now as they were then psychologically. It's not unreasonable to question if they are mentally capable of achieving what they've achieved before, as well as physically...
 

If it cannot be quantified by a computer simulation he isn't interested.

[Wade Garrett]

19 minutes ago, gio1saints said:

Just for once I’d like to see Saints put out a fresh no scar tissue want to win team :  GB in goal, Downs and Robinson up top, Quarshie and Edwards at CB’s, Matsuki at #8, Shea and Sanda in the middle and top up the remaining positions with what you got left over from the squad.

But the gist is : play these players NOT the ones we already know what they got ( or in many cases NOT got). They get thrashed - SR need to get the chequebook out . No point watching Cameron, Adarma Fraser and BBD being impotent v Brighton over and over again…

How is that a no scar tissue team with GB in goal?

 

[aintforever]

6 minutes ago, trousers said:

Is there any reason why you focus on players' hard skills and hardly mention their soft skills, if at all? (that's a rhetorcial question, in case it's not obvious...)

Yes, we obviously have players that have played well in this division before (that goes without saying, except for those that like to repeat such observations several times... ), but you're assuming that, psychologically, they are in the same place now as they were then. It's not unreasonable to question if they are mentally capable of achieving what they've achieved before, as well as physically, given what they've subsequently been through...

No reason why they can’t play better than they did before as well.

[trousers]

3 minutes ago, aintforever said:

No reason why they can’t play better than they did before as well.

Indeed. As a fence sitter, I of course agree.... but there are some that seem to believe it'll only go one way, and turn a convenient blind eye to the alternative outcome....

Edited 14 hours ago by trousers

[Gloucester Saint]

5 minutes ago, Wade Garrett said:

How is that a no scar tissue team with GB in goal?

 

Because he produced a decent 45 minutes in a pre-season friendly so according to some of our fanbase two years of being by far the worst keeper in his division and a wretched spell on loan in the Belgian top flight earlier this calendar year doesn’t count.

I look forward to selling them some bridges as well.

Edited 14 hours ago by Gloucester Saint
Worst not worse

[aintforever]

1 minute ago, trousers said:

Indeed. As a fence sitter, I of course agree.... but there are some that seem to believe it'll only go one way, and turn a blind eye to the alternative....

But surely you can only judge a squad on how they have performed previously?

 

[S-Clarke]

47 minutes ago, saintant said:

Don't like the look of your proposed line up at all. Continuing last season's lack of height and strength with Archer, Fraser, Smallbone and Armstrong. Rather see Downs or Stewart up front. We will of course be bringing in new players so need to make some moves quickly to try to give them some training with the group so they can be in the side for the first game.

Don't get me wrong, that's not my preferred team at all. I'm just going with a word case option should the transfers playout as predicted. 

Not sure Downs will be ready to start yet.

Edited 14 hours ago by S-Clarke

[SWLondon Saint]

I think the public turning down of 27M for Dibling is clearly from our side and it's a good thing - clearly the signal from the club is piss off with your fire sale type offers, we're OK on the finances, if you want Dibling and Fernandes, we'll let them go but you have to get close to our valuation.

I think THB will stay though because where would he go? Not good enough for established PL sides and the promoted ones will feel they've got equivalent quality already. Not sure any European side can afford him.

[EBS1980]

This is the downside of the transfer window not shutting before the season starts.

yes we will lose more players, but we will also sign more players too. Not before the season starts but come end of transfer window I’m sure the squad will look quite different. The frustration is we will have played 5 games before we get to that position.

We have to accept our place in the food chain and can’t just buy players and sit with a huge squad and then start to sell who we don’t want. We aren’t Liverpool.

[Scummer]

38 minutes ago, benali-shorts said:

Aren't we allowed 5 loans? I'd imagine we'll use most if not all of them and (remarkably) we used the loan market quite effectively last Championship season.

 

 

The owner said he doesn't want to go down that road again as it cost us a lot to sign THB and Downes just to stand still

[hypochondriac]

1 minute ago, Scummer said:

The owner said he doesn't want to go down that road again as it cost us a lot to sign THB and Downes just to stand still

Well we seemingly aren't going down the road of keeping any of our premier league players so there aren't many other roads to go down. We will utilise the loan market and possibly not bother buying those loans if we get promoted. 

[Gloucester Saint]

Just now, EBS1980 said:

This is the downside of the transfer window not shutting before the season starts.

yes we will lose more players, but we will also sign more players too. Not before the season starts but come end of transfer window I’m sure the squad will look quite different. The frustration is we will have played 5 games before we get to that position.

We have to accept our place in the food chain and can’t just buy players and sit with a huge squad and then start to sell who we don’t want. We aren’t Liverpool.

Newcastle are having the Isak issues and bringing in, Everton is well documented and pushing Dibling’s price up. Sunderland have signed lots but needed to, they are at decent PL values unlike SR’s July Lidl bargain aisle dash, but still won’t be enough having lost Bellingham. Transfer window system is as broken as PSR and crazy that what are essentially FTC employees are as complex to hire as buying a house.

[trousers]

9 minutes ago, aintforever said:

But surely you can only judge a squad on how they have performed previously?

 

I guess so, but all that does is underline the subjectivity of coming to a judgement in the first place. Our championship players could perform to the same levels they've performed at before, or there's equally the possibility they might not. Some people seem to be suggesting that because they performed well before, it's likely they'll do the same again, which is creeping towards non-sequitur territory. All I'm doing is keeping an open mind where others perhaps are not...

Edited 14 hours ago by trousers

[Farmer Saint]

2 hours ago, trousers said:

It's looking likely that at least two of our best players listed in that table will be leaving this window (i.e. Fernandes & Dibling). Yes, of course, there's every chance we *could* replace them with players that are better than what Martin had, but that's supposition at the moment.

Grateful if you could answer my actual question: Which players do we have now that are "far better" than the equivalent players Martin had in the Championship? Just a simple list of players will suffice. Cheers 👍

It's all supposition though - we haven't sold them yet. It's very difficult to judge how good a team is when not at the end of the transfer window. It's why the phrase "at the moment" is key.

But fine, Ramsdale, Dibling and Fernandes. I also think Archer is a very good Championship player and if he plays will score a lot of goals. Downs is an unknown but Adams was no great shakes. I would say KWP is better than anything we have now (although our piss poor defences have also been on his watch as well), but apart from that we have a lot of the same players with more experience. For instance, THB is now an England International. Downes is older and more experienced.

Edited 14 hours ago by Farmer Saint

[Dusic]

4 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Well we seemingly aren't going down the road of keeping any of our premier league players so there aren't many other roads to go down. We will utilise the loan market and possibly not bother buying those loans if we get promoted. 

Solak said we likely wouldn't use the loan market as much as we did previously so interesting to see if that plays out.   

I think we are in the stage where 'what we all knew deep down was likely to happen but had a vague hope it wouldn't' is happening. In the last week its has become clear that Ramsdale, Dibling and very likely Fernandes will (personally think THB too). Thats a kick in the teeth. But once those are done then there isnt anything else to fear.

Our squad is big and we have a lot of competent Championship players. If we are deriding players like Aribo and Smallbone, who were pretty good last time at this level, then it shows its not too bad.

What we clearly need is a couple of x-factor players in the final third. We will have a month and a decent stack of cash to be able to sign them and if we get that right then those predicted lineups will look strong again. And there is certainly time to achieve that.

[Chez]

8 minutes ago, Scummer said:

The owner said he doesn't want to go down that road again as it cost us a lot to sign THB and Downes just to stand still

If you spend the money now, you have the player, but the money you have just spent is not there the following summer. The end result (players in and bank balance available) is the same.

[Chez]

11 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Sunderland have signed lots but needed to, they are at decent PL values unlike SR’s July Lidl bargain aisle dash, but still won’t be enough having lost Bellingham.

Will be interesting to see how Sunderland fair. They have spent about £130m according to transfermarkt, which tends to be conservative and not include add ons. Just how much does a promoted side (especially one coming u through the play offs) need to spend to have a chance.

[Doctoroncall]

19 minutes ago, Scummer said:

The owner said he doesn't want to go down that road again as it cost us a lot to sign THB and Downes just to stand still

Also said we don’t need to sell the good players… things change it seems. 
 

I think it will depend on what choices there are to get a decent quality player in compared to a loan player.