Summer Transfer Window 2025/26

[Football Special]

1 minute ago, egg said:

That highlights the point that loaning in a first pick isn't as easy as it sounds. When we're not buying one, and can't loan one, then we loan in a 3rd pick which is exactly what we've done. 

Don't loan out your first pick then, unless you have a good enough replacement available,  which we clearly didn't 

[Saint NL]

https://www.reddit.com/r/Championship/s/nwP7hDwB0z

 

Worth a read 👀

[trousers]

3 minutes ago, Smirking_Saint said:

His a midtable level GK

And there was me thinking a club with aspirations to go up automatically this season would want a top level player (in this division) in such a key position to maximise our chances of achieving that aim... Maybe I'm just a tad too old fashioned...

Edited 9 hours ago by trousers

[Gloucester Saint]

1 minute ago, Smirking_Saint said:

Baz isn’t that bad

Some fans are just massive wet fannies

If the club had brought in a first choice target man and central defender with pace, rather than two more of their ‘projects’ to bloat an already huge and very crappy squad, this might be fair comment (second line, not about Gavin).

But they haven’t, so therefore it isn’t at this stage. The chances of any incomings which would actually be automatic selections and top of the league signings (given the financial advantage) seem very remote. By all means return with your duck and cigar emoji when Azaz and three other very high quality incomings are confirmed by COP Friday.

[Suhari]

14 minutes ago, Weston Super Saint said:

We scored goals last time around - eventually more than we conceded.  We're struggling on that front this time around...

True.

However, I believe the more direct style we're seeing this season will mean we score more than last. Assuming we sign a 10 and a winger or two.

And stop with AA through the middle.

[Football Special]

Just now, Saint NL said:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Championship/s/nwP7hDwB0z

 

Worth a read 👀

Some golden posts on there, how teams must love it when Sports Republic come calling , I remember Torino fans rejoicing when we bought Lyanco for example 

"Thank you Southampton you beautiful clueless bastards!" 

 

[Smirking_Saint]

1 minute ago, AlexLaw76 said:

No, probably someone better than McCarthy.. as mental as that sounds it seems

I would like someone better than McCarthy but its unrealistic now we’re stuck with him on 50k a week until next year

However aporoved his contract extension in 2024 needs to be shot with whoever also approved the previous one that saw us lose Forster

[Smirking_Saint]

2 minutes ago, trousers said:

And there was me thinking a club with aspirations to go up automatically this season would want a top level player (in this division) in such a key position to maximise our chances of achieving that aim... Maybe I'm just a tad too old fashioned...

I think you just mis the point entirely tbh

[Smirking_Saint]

3 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

If the club had brought in a first choice target man and central defender with pace, rather than two more of their ‘projects’ to bloat an already huge and very crappy squad, this might be fair comment (second line, not about Gavin).

But they haven’t, so therefore it isn’t at this stage. The chances of any incomings which would actually be automatic selections and top of the league signings (given the financial advantage) seem very remote. By all means return with your duck and cigar emoji when Azaz and three other very high quality incomings are confirmed by COP Friday.

As always Ill keep my powder dry, abd if that hasn’t happened Ill join you on the sidelines

But at the moment its just business as usual, happens every year, especially in the champ.. note none of our accompanying parachute clubs have bought either… its just what happens down here

[LGTL]

12 minutes ago, egg said:

Jeez. 

Who? 

 

She’d probably do just as well and would probably command less money. 

[Gloucester Saint]

6 minutes ago, Smirking_Saint said:

His a midtable level GK, maybe he’s turned a corner, his pre season form was good and has been largely decent in our matches so far

You can blame him for Stoke but on balance if was more the team and Stephens imo

The real question will be, for all of us moaning about how we’re overpaying for mediocre players and have a bloated squad, did they really expect us to sign a 3rd ‘1st choice’ keeper?

This post isn’t unreasonable in isolation until you then factor in Downs and Quarshie who are nowhere near top 2 or top 6 quality. Maybe in 2-3 years but we needed now players, not more squad ones which all we’ve signed under SR bar Ramsdale really. More waste.

Lavia turned a profit but barely played half the games. And we’ve lost the few stalwarts like KWP, JWP and esp Romeu.

[Draino76]

I am melting down. 

[egg]

2 minutes ago, LGTL said:

 

She’d probably do just as well and would probably command less money. 

Is that Joe Rothwell's summer training partner?

[James]

7 minutes ago, Smirking_Saint said:

I would like someone better than McCarthy but its unrealistic now we’re stuck with him on 50k a week until next year

However aporoved his contract extension in 2024 needs to be shot with whoever also approved the previous one that saw us lose Forster

So the justification is that we should sign a player rival fans in our division are claiming as the worst goalkeeper they’ve ever seen because there’s no alternative? If Spors can’t find a keeper better than McCarthy for us to sign then he shouldn’t have been hired as our DoF, simple as. We are paying McC’s wages whether he plays or not, it’ll cost a lot more in the long run if we don’t go up because we are unwilling to admit previous mistakes in signing Baz and extending McCarthy. 

Edited 9 hours ago by James

[AlexLaw76]

8 minutes ago, Smirking_Saint said:

I would like someone better than McCarthy but its unrealistic now we’re stuck with him on 50k a week until next year

However aporoved his contract extension in 2024 needs to be shot with whoever also approved the previous one that saw us lose Forster

It was also unrealistic to sign another CB given how many we had........

[James]

3 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

It was also unrealistic to sign another CB given how many we had........

Who has already been dropped after two league games, brilliant stuff. 

[Suhari]

8 minutes ago, LGTL said:

 

She’d probably do just as well and would probably command less money. 

I'll put a call in to my old uni buddy, 'The Beastmaster'.

I'm confident he'll find out how well she commands her box.

[Smirking_Saint]

3 minutes ago, James said:

So the justification is that we should sign a player rival fans in our division are claiming as the worst goalkeeper they’ve ever seen because there’s no alternative? If Spors can’t find a keeper better than McCarthy for us to sign then he shouldn’t have been hired as our DoF, simple as. We are paying McC’s wages whether he plays or not, it’ll cost a lot more in the long run if we don’t go up because we are unwilling to admit previous mistakes in signing Baz and extending McCarthy. 

We’d need an injury to both Baz and McCarthy… previously we had Lumley, not much better

Man City’s third keeper was Scott Carson who played 1 game since 2019… stop being so fucking dramatic

What do you suggest we do ? Cancel Alex’ contract and sign another keeper ?

[Smirking_Saint]

5 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

It was also unrealistic to sign another CB given how many we had........

Im not convinced he was ever really signed as first choice, just had a good pre season, THB and JS are clearly our first choice CBs in what Id imagine ends up in Stills preferred 4 atb

[James]

4 minutes ago, Smirking_Saint said:

We’d need an injury to both Baz and McCarthy… previously we had Lumley, not much better

Man City’s third keeper was Scott Carson who played 1 game since 2019… stop being so fucking dramatic

What do you suggest we do ? Cancel Alex’ contract and sign another keeper ?

Why is it dramatic to point out this guy sounds crap? I’d make McCarthy the third choice keeper. Last time in the Championship we had Lumley on the bench most weeks. As I said, we are paying McCarthy’s wages whether we like it or not. I get that demoting Alex just emphasises how bad the previous mistake was but to avoid that at the expense of potentially making the team better by getting someone actually capable of challenging Bazunu is just bad management. The way Norwich and Sheff Utd fans describe Long it sounds as though all we’ve signed is a body…

Edited 9 hours ago by James

[AlexLaw76]

1 minute ago, Smirking_Saint said:

Im not convinced he was ever really signed as first choice, just had a good pre season, THB and JS are clearly our first choice CBs in what Id imagine ends up in Stills preferred 4 atb

But unrealistic to sign him anyway, given we already had.... Stephens, THB, Wood, Edwards, Taylor and Sanda.. Possibly include Bree

Not including ABK of course.

Edited 9 hours ago by AlexLaw76

[vectraman]

10 minutes ago, Smirking_Saint said:

His a midtable level GK, maybe he’s turned a corner, his pre season form was good and has been largely decent in our matches so far

You can blame him for Stoke but on balance if was more the team and Stephens imo

The real question will be, for all of us moaning about how we’re overpaying for mediocre players and have a bloated squad, did they really expect us to sign a 3rd ‘1st choice’ keeper?

Bazunu £12 million.  

McCarthy ~£70k a week minus relegation penalty. (40%?)
 

Stoke - Johannson signed for £1 million. 
 

What pisses fans off is paying ridiculous amounts of money for a ‘project’ and then pig headedly sticking with him because they can’t admit they got it wrong. He is worth ~£1 million as a mid table championship keeper. We have blown 12 times that on him, and no doubt we will spunk a new contract on him to ‘protect’ our investment. 

That is what annoys supporters. Literally wasting money. 
For 3 years or so the criticism of SR is the same - don’t buy projects, buy first team starters. This is why our squad is too big, it’s full of failed ‘aren’t we clever projects’ who nobody wants. 
Buy quality, buy it once. 
We were shopping in Aldi, for a Marks and Spencer’s party last season. 
Now it seems we are looking at going to the Salvation Army soup kitchens for a Tesco’s party this year. 
 

They don’t want to do the right thing, they want to continue being clever. We can all see that. 

[O_Lord_Marian]

25 minutes ago, Smirking_Saint said:

His a midtable level GK, maybe he’s turned a corner, his pre season form was good and has been largely decent in our matches so far

You can blame him for Stoke but on balance if was more the team and Stephens imo

The real question will be, for all of us moaning about how we’re overpaying for mediocre players and have a bloated squad, did they really expect us to sign a 3rd ‘1st choice’ keeper?

Maybe that's the issue, we don't need a 3rd choice but a 3rd keeper, who is better than the other 2.

[AlexLaw76]

 

[Gloucester Saint]

6 minutes ago, Smirking_Saint said:

Im not convinced he was ever really signed as first choice, just had a good pre season, THB and JS are clearly our first choice CBs in what Id imagine ends up in Stills preferred 4 atb

Fine, and did need pace back there. But still Wood, Edwards, Stephens extension - too much clutter on top of THB as well. Young French lad Sanda as well. No clear sense of what they are trying to do.

[AlexLaw76]

 

[St.JonB]

Great night to be a Saints fan. Sell Diblng and buy Norwich 3rd choice keeper. Surely we must have someone lined up that can come in and improve the 1st team? 

[sockeye]

1 minute ago, AlexLaw76 said:

 

Good, doesn’t seem like he’s anywhere near being on the pitch for us at the moment.

[sockeye]

49 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

He's a good player, he's not the quickest but he's got a physical presence and he can hold his own. He's good at making runs into the box, primarily a 10 or he can play as an advanced CM at a push - but he'll be the '10', the link guy and the guy delivering goals from midfield. 

Wouldn't fix the problems out wide, which I assume we're still working on sorting.

Thank you for your insight. I always appreciate it

[S-Clarke]

Just now, AlexLaw76 said:

 

Sounds like another guy who is ''good for the lads in the dressing room'', ala Stephens.

How about we sign some actual decent first team players, who instantly command respect and thus set standards that way, rather than being good at 'bantz'.

[Smirking_Saint]

2 minutes ago, James said:

Why is it dramatic to point out this guy sounds crap? I’d make McCarthy the third choice keeper. Last time in the Championship we had Lumley on the bench most weeks. As I said, we are paying McCarthy’s wages whether we like it or not. I get that demoting Alex just emphasises how bad the previous mistake was but to avoid that at the expense of potentially making the team better by getting someone actually capable of challenging Bazunu is just bad management. The way Norwich and Sheff Utd fans describe Long it sounds as though all we’ve signed is a body…

 

1 minute ago, vectraman said:

Bazunu £12 million.  

McCarthy ~£70k a week minus relegation penalty. (40%?)
 

Stoke - Johannson signed for £1 million. 
 

What pisses fans off is paying ridiculous amounts of money for a ‘project’ and then pig headedly sticking with him because they can’t admit they got it wrong. He is worth ~£1 million as a mid table championship keeper. We have blown 12 times that on him, and no doubt we will spunk a new contract on him to ‘protect’ our investment. 

That is what annoys supporters. Literally wasting money. 
For 3 years or so the criticism of SR is the same - don’t buy projects, buy first team starters. This is why our squad is too big, it’s full of failed ‘aren’t we clever projects’ who nobody wants. 
Buy quality, buy it once. 
We were shopping in Aldi, for a Marks and Spencer’s party last season. 
Now it seems we are looking at going to the Salvation Army soup kitchens for a Tesco’s party this year. 
 

They don’t want to do the right thing, they want to continue being clever. We can all see that. 

I’ll reply to both of these, and its the last ill say on the subject as it just doesn’t sink in…

We have Bazunu and McCarthy, both probably earning 50k a week, we also have Ramsdale technically still on the books and potentially returning, although unlikely its there

As such.. what is the point on signing a further keeper ? That may or may not then need to be replaced if and when we get promoted ? Because I know for a fact if we signed a champ keeper now for X a week on a 4 year deal, he’d get pelters when he fails in the prem

Its unrealistic, better off saving our money for if/when we go up, or next year when we know whats happening with Ramsdale and we don’t have McCarthy on the books

Bringing in a third keeper on loan only further validates this position imo, and allows us flexibility next year when the position is clearer

And yes, I think Bazunu is good enough that we can get promoted with him and Ive seen enough already to further think that, if Im wrong Ill be the first to admit it

Id rather this year we strengthen the front line effectively

[Gloucester Saint]

1 minute ago, AlexLaw76 said:

 

Edwards back to QPR would make sense as well. JS, THB, Quarshie and Wood - plenty.

[trousers]

24 minutes ago, Smirking_Saint said:

I think you just mis the point entirely tbh

That'll be certain other posters rubbing off on me...

 

[James]

3 minutes ago, Smirking_Saint said:

 

I’ll reply to both of these, and its the last ill say on the subject as it just doesn’t sink in…

We have Bazunu and McCarthy, both probably earning 50k a week, we also have Ramsdale technically still on the books and potentially returning, although unlikely its there

As such.. what is the point on signing a further keeper ? That may or may not then need to be replaced if and when we get promoted ? Because I know for a fact if we signed a champ keeper now for X a week on a 4 year deal, he’d get pelters when he fails in the prem

Its unrealistic, better off saving our money for if/when we go up, or next year when we know whats happening with Ramsdale and we don’t have McCarthy on the books

Bringing in a third keeper on loan only further validates this position imo, and allows us flexibility next year when the position is clearer

And yes, I think Bazunu is good enough that we can get promoted with him and Ive seen enough already to further think that, if Im wrong Ill be the first to admit it

Id rather this year we strengthen the front line effectively

Fair enough. I have little confidence Bazunu is good enough for a team chasing the autos and, if Baz gets injured, no confidence that McCarthy is. That’s the difference in opinion. We can’t change what we are paying the goalkeepers we currently have but the reason we pay people like Spors is to find players that are better than what we’ve got. It can clearly be done, I doubt Johansson at Stoke is on anything like £50k/week so it’s clearly possible for other teams to improve the position without spending the earth. 

Edited 8 hours ago by James

[egg]

2 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Edwards back to QPR would make sense as well. JS, THB, Quarshie and Wood - plenty.

I think we've been hedging our bets on who moves on out of the CB group. I'm not sure what's gone wrong with Edwards though, he seems a cracking prospect and did so well at QPR last season. 

[Gloucester Saint]

Just now, egg said:

I think we've been hedging our bets on who moves on out of the CB group. I'm not sure what's gone wrong with Edwards though, he seems a cracking prospect and did so well at QPR last season. 

Not quick enough for a 4, hence Quarshie I guess?

[Smirking_Saint]

6 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Fine, and did need pace back there. But still Wood, Edwards, Stephens extension - too much clutter on top of THB as well. Young French lad Sanda as well. No clear sense of what they are trying to do.

Obviously we’ve both seen Sanda out the door, so maybe we look to move on Wood or Edwards, especially if we go back 4

Arguably if we stick back 5 then ‘maybe’ we’d need the extra cover, hard to tell really..

Id actually of expected us to keep Sanda as the back up tbh

[egg]

Just now, Gloucester Saint said:

Not quick enough for a 4, hence Quarshie I guess?

I thought height rather than pace, but he seems short of something that Still wants. Personally I like Wood, and assuming we play a 4, he's ample alongside THB, Stephens and Quarshie. 

[James]

1 minute ago, Smirking_Saint said:

Obviously we’ve both seen Sanda out the door, so maybe we look to move on Wood or Edwards, especially if we go back 4

Arguably if we stick back 5 then ‘maybe’ we’d need the extra cover, hard to tell really..

Id actually of expected us to keep Sanda as the back up tbh

Agreed re Sanda, he looked decent in the minutes he got last season and is one of the few that likely isn’t traumatised by the shit show that was last season. 

[Badger]

6 minutes ago, egg said:

I think we've been hedging our bets on who moves on out of the CB group. I'm not sure what's gone wrong with Edwards though, he seems a cracking prospect and did so well at QPR last season. 

Agree with this. Really feel he could offer something, not convinced by the others (THB apart). Edwards I’ve always thought had the greater potential as well.

[Smirking_Saint]

2 minutes ago, James said:

Fair enough. I have little confidence Bazunu is good enough for a team chasing the autos and, if Baz gets injured, no confidence that McCarthy is. That’s the difference in opinion. We can’t change what we are paying the goalkeepers we currently have but the reason we pay people like Spors is to find players that are better than what we’ve got. It can clearly be done, I doubt Johansson at Stoke is on anything like £50k/week so it’s clearly possible for other teams to improve the position without spending the earth. 

FWIW I don’t think Baz is much better than mid table, maybe he’ll prove me wrong either way (better/worse) only time will tell, but I do think he’s started well

McCarthy I agree is shite, he’s somehow managed to get us to pay him for 10 years, but we’re stuck with him, a 2 year deal was a lovely Wilcox leaving gift, no idea why that was sanctioned, especially if we’d lined up Ramsdale

Johansson is an odd one, no idea how nobody took a punt on him at 1m, its obvious he’s an excellent keeper, there must be a downside somewhere but ive not found it yet

TLDR (as i can’t be arsed to carry on); 

- I don’t think Baz is great and definately don’t rate McCarthy but both should be enough to get us promoted (not bad enough to cost us IMHO)

- We’re stuck with both with the ghost of Ramsdale over head

- Signing another 1st choice keeper probably a waste of money

- Long is probably shit but its a necessity signing, not likely to play

 

[Badger]

15 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

 

Translated as : he’s a great guy, just a shame he’s a shit goalkeeper. But he’ll fit in really well with our other shit goalkeepers. 
 

[saintant]

12 minutes ago, Smirking_Saint said:

 

I’ll reply to both of these, and its the last ill say on the subject as it just doesn’t sink in…

We have Bazunu and McCarthy, both probably earning 50k a week, we also have Ramsdale technically still on the books and potentially returning, although unlikely its there

As such.. what is the point on signing a further keeper ? That may or may not then need to be replaced if and when we get promoted ? Because I know for a fact if we signed a champ keeper now for X a week on a 4 year deal, he’d get pelters when he fails in the prem

Its unrealistic, better off saving our money for if/when we go up, or next year when we know whats happening with Ramsdale and we don’t have McCarthy on the books

Bringing in a third keeper on loan only further validates this position imo, and allows us flexibility next year when the position is clearer

And yes, I think Bazunu is good enough that we can get promoted with him and Ive seen enough already to further think that, if Im wrong Ill be the first to admit it

Id rather this year we strengthen the front line effectively

Bazunu ruptured his achilles on 19 Apr 2024, Stoke signed Johansson from Rotherham on 18 May 2024. Just saying.

[Turkish]

27 minutes ago, Smirking_Saint said:

We’d need an injury to both Baz and McCarthy… previously we had Lumley, not much better

Man City’s third keeper was Scott Carson who played 1 game since 2019… stop being so fucking dramatic

What do you suggest we do ? Cancel Alex’ contract and sign another keeper ?

3rd choice goalkeeper should surely be the aspiration for all young kids. You get to be a footballer, get to train, decent money and medals but don’t have to do any actual work. 

[Turkish]

Just now, Badger said:

Translated as : he’s a great guy, just a shame he’s a shit goalkeeper. But he’ll fit in really well with our other shit goalkeepers. 
 

He’ll fit in as the other two won’t have to worry about losing their place to him

[Convict Colony]

Honestly the moaning about us loaning a 3rd choice keeper is like complaining about the benches on the titanic.

[Disco Stu]

.

Edited 8 hours ago by Disco Stu
double post

[CB Fry]

Now we have the Dibling cash, who is volunteering to track the outbound flights from Krasnador airport?

[Disco Stu]

2 minutes ago, Turkish said:

3rd choice goalkeeper should surely be the aspiration for all young kids. You get to be a footballer, get to train, decent money and medals but don’t have to do any actual work. 

 

[SfcPhil]

Only Sugawara, Bella-Kotchap, Taylor, Aribo, Smallbone?, Edozie, Matsuki?, Brereton Diaz? to go then.

That'll take us the best part of a week then we'll have about three hours to bring in their replacements.