Ryan Fraser

[stevematthews635]

Anyone know what's happened to him?  Fewer sightings of him than the Loch Ness Drogba.

 

Another utterly pointless signing

[Gloucester Saint]

9 minutes ago, stevematthews635 said:

Anyone know what's happened to him?  

Probably swigging Iron Bru on Weston Shore. Or maybe we need a picture on a milk carton to go with Larios and Stewart?

Time to give these a call https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unforgotten

Edited March 31 by Gloucester Saint

[Toussaint]

1 hour ago, stevematthews635 said:

Anyone know what's happened to him?  Fewer sightings of him than the Loch Ness Drogba.

 

Another utterly pointless signing

Injured apparently, coincided with his bestie Russ getting shit canned 

[Whitey Grandad]

1 hour ago, stevematthews635 said:

Anyone know what's happened to him?  Fewer sightings of him than the Loch Ness Drogba.

 

Another utterly pointless signing

He played well at Wembley.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

1 hour ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Probably swigging Iron Bru on Weston Shore. Or maybe we need a picture on a milk carton to go with Larios and Stewart?

Time to give these a call https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unforgotten

Looking forward to seeing the new dodeca-milk cartons that fit in our players who have posted missing. 🙂

[disconnect]

3 hours ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Probably swigging Iron Bru on Weston Shore. Or maybe we need a picture on a milk carton to go with Larios and Stewart?

Time to give these a call https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unforgotten

Larios is actually playing regularly with the under 21s at the mo!

[austsaint]

3 hours ago, Whitey Grandad said:

He played well at Wembley.

Fraser, along with the likes of  McCarthy, Manning, Smallbone, Armstrong etc are all players who contributed to the promotion, but should have been offloaded at seasons end.   Let’s hope the lesson is learned if we’re fortunate enough to bounce back next season.

[Lee On Solent Saint]

There was absolutely no need to turn Fraser's loan into a permanent move. Another signing that highlights how Martin surrounds himself with his fan boys.

[Gloucester Saint]

14 hours ago, disconnect said:

Larios is actually playing regularly with the under 21s at the mo!

Good for him. After 3 years at the club, let’s hope he’s actually contending for the first team squad and adult football in year 4. I’ve heard of signings for the future but this is getting towards the extreme. 

[Pamplemousse]

He'll be alright for us next season, and then we get rid.

[Midfield_General]

3 hours ago, Pamplemousse said:

He'll be alright for us next season, and then we get rid.

Very much doubt he’ll be here next season. Feels like he’s thrown his toys out, which he’s got a lot of form for doing - he refused to play for Bournemouth, and then fell out with Howe at Newcastle as well. Now Russ has gone I think he’s having another sulk, the precious little darling. 

Just one of many bang average players who needs to go from a horribly bloated squad stuffed with mediocrity that needs gutting and clearing out from top to bottom. 

Edited April 1 by Midfield_General

[Holmes_and_Watson]

3 minutes ago, Midfield_General said:

Very much doubt he’ll be here next season. Feels like he’s thrown his toys out, which he’s got a lot of form for doing - he refused to play for Bournemouth, and then fell out with Howe at Newcastle as well, the precious little darling. 

Wasn't it under Howe at Bournemouth too?

When he arrived, he had a definite impact. I thought that would increase, as he got Match sharpness. If anything, he dropped into the levels required for RussBall. Some moments, but certainly not the same.

A late flurry at left wing-back presumably reminded the club how prepared to be versatile he was. That, and their inability not not sign left backs. It wasn't a position I thought he'd be in for long though.

As a cheap squad player, I had no real problem in him signing. SR had a lot of places to fill. But, like nearly everyone else, the season's been a complete dud.

While he might be okay next season, we should have other options (unless they all go first), and I can easily see all parties wanting to move on.

[BarberSaint]

He could play for Sholing.

 

Just do remember to update his font of all knowledge page though.

[Midfield_General]

45 minutes ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

Wasn't it under Howe at Bournemouth too?

When he arrived, he had a definite impact. I thought that would increase, as he got Match sharpness. If anything, he dropped into the levels required for RussBall. Some moments, but certainly not the same.

A late flurry at left wing-back presumably reminded the club how prepared to be versatile he was. That, and their inability not not sign left backs. It wasn't a position I thought he'd be in for long though.

As a cheap squad player, I had no real problem in him signing. SR had a lot of places to fill. But, like nearly everyone else, the season's been a complete dud.

While he might be okay next season, we should have other options (unless they all go first), and I can easily see all parties wanting to move on.

Yep. Fell out with Howe at Bournemouth, then burned all his bridges and refused to play in order to push through a 5 year deal at Newcastle under Steve Bruce. Then, less than a year after he signed, Newcastle canned Bruce and replaced him with Howe. Howe gave Fraser a year, then not only dropped him but permanently fucked him off into the under-21s, never to be seen for them again. 

[ant]

I was shouted down last summer for suggesting we should disregard sentimentality, thank him for his service and look to sign better.

Seemed patently obvious that whilst he'd played a role in the Champ, his days at the top level were numbered. 

But what do I know?

[Miltonaggro]

Liked him last year, direct and tricky in the championship. Wonder if he’ll survive the Spoor’s scrutinisation! 
 

 

Edited April 1 by Miltonaggro

[The Kraken]

On 31/03/2025 at 21:01, Whitey Grandad said:

He played well at Wembley.

Fairly sure that was last season.

[trousers]

3 hours ago, ant said:

I was shouted down last summer for suggesting we should disregard sentimentality, thank him for his service and look to sign better.

Seemed patently obvious that whilst he'd played a role in the Champ, his days at the top level were numbered. 

But what do I know?

I would venture that there were more people agreeing with you than disagreeing...

#thevocalminority

[bpsaint]

Important player for us last season, but as with so many others in the squad it should have been a thank you for your service, there’s the door.

One of Martins boys who he liked having around the place, no idea why we signed him on a perm.

[Lighthouse]

46 minutes ago, bpsaint said:

Important player for us last season, but as with so many others in the squad it should have been a thank you for your service, there’s the door.

One of Martins boys who he liked having around the place, no idea why we signed him on a perm.

Because he was cheap, Championship quality squad filler, in keeping with our transfer strategy. No different to Wood, Archer, BBD, Sugawara, Taylor, Lallana and Cornet.

[Badger]

1 hour ago, Lighthouse said:

Because he was cheap, Championship quality squad filler, in keeping with our transfer strategy. No different to Wood, Archer, BBD, Sugawara, Taylor, Lallana and Cornet.

Christ, I’d forgotten all about Taylor. Just googled him to find he’s still with us and didn’t go out on loan. 
 

What a pointless signing. Have to wonder whose choice he was. 

[Winnersaint]

2 hours ago, bpsaint said:

Important player for us last season, but as with so many others in the squad it should have been a thank you for your service, there’s the door.

One of Martins boys who he liked having around the place, no idea why we signed him on a perm.

Perhaps because RM was still here last summer and as you said liked having him around the place. that said you're not wrong on his contribution last season.

[JWade]

I never heard about him being injured, seems like a weird one, something must have happened behind-the-scenes because he's been missing for months.

Hopefully Will Still can sort things out with him as he'll be a handy asset to have in the Championship. 

[Doctoroncall]

Nothing on Physio room about an injury.  Scored some important goals and created plenty when getting promoted. Let’s see if he has the same appetite this time, just a question of attitude I’d guess. 

[Toussaint]

11 minutes ago, Doctoroncall said:

Nothing on Physio room about an injury.  Scored some important goals and created plenty when getting promoted. Let’s see if he has the same appetite this time, just a question of attitude I’d guess. 

As far as I am aware he's been effectively on strike, he has a history of being disruptive at other clubs and needs to go.

[Miltonaggro]

1 hour ago, Doctoroncall said:

Nothing on Physio room about an injury.  Scored some important goals and created plenty when getting promoted. Let’s see if he has the same appetite this time, just a question of attitude I’d guess. 

Have the impression that Will Still will be able to tease out, assess, and action pretty quickly with Fraser and the rest of the AWOL gang.

[Doctoroncall]

2 hours ago, Toussaint said:

As far as I am aware he's been effectively on strike, he has a history of being disruptive at other clubs and needs to go.

 

1 hour ago, Miltonaggro said:

Have the impression that Will Still will be able to tease out, assess, and action pretty quickly with Fraser and the rest of the AWOL gang.

Poor attitude is difficult to overcome. 
 

let’s hope with Still and Spors, they can rebuild the squad and remove those not required or interested. Hoping together, they are the real deal. 

[Miltonaggro]

2 minutes ago, Doctoroncall said:

 

Poor attitude is difficult to overcome. 
 

let’s hope with Still and Spors, they can rebuild the squad and remove those not required or interested. Hoping together, they are the real deal. 

Yep, think he’s on his way.

[AlexLaw76]

ridiculous that he was kept on

[Gloucester Saint]

2 hours ago, Toussaint said:

As far as I am aware he's been effectively on strike, he has a history of being disruptive at other clubs and needs to go.

Interesting, do share further if possible. Know about the history with Howe and him, but wasn’t aware of him being on strike. Although I didn’t read about a ruptured Achilles or an ACL either, which are the only injuries which could’ve kept him out that long without some return games in the u23s. If he has been on strike, stressing that with a huge if, and not even at Staplewood without the club’s permission, then that could be a straight termination of contract. On the other hand, it may be a very ill relative in Scotland and on the fringes of the squad with a void season it’s been compassionate leave with no need to make public knowledge. 

Edited May 27 by Gloucester Saint

[suewhistle]

Whenever I hear these sorts of stories I always think someone in payroll should also be disruptive and go on strike..

Or else employment lawyers should be a lot more immaginative when drawing up the contracts, and the medical staff treating "injuries" should use very large and blunt needles.. you get the idea.

 

[Dusic]

3 hours ago, Toussaint said:

As far as I am aware he's been effectively on strike, he has a history of being disruptive at other clubs and needs to go.

The idea that he would be "effectively on strike" seems quite ludicrous.

On strike from/to force what? 

[coalman]

He was a good loan to help us get out of the Championship and provided the kind of direct threat we needed. We shouldn't have signed him permanently during the summer. Certainly should not have played him at wing back at any juncture this or any other season. Doubt he's the player to get us out of the Championship this time around. Disruptive or not it will be good if we can get him off our books.

[Matthew Le God]

4 hours ago, Toussaint said:

As far as I am aware he's been effectively on strike

If that were true... he wouldn't be getting paid.

I think the real reason we haven't seen him, is we have a very bloated squad and can only have 20 players in a matchday squad and he no longer had his mate as manager.

[The Kraken]

There’s a difference between “effectively on strike” and “on strike”.

We know only too well how footballers can engineer a solution that means they don’t play. Flynn Downes did it this season, if we believe the reports. I’m sure he still got paid.

Fraser was only ever going to a bit part at best. Once Martin went, and as said with a bloated (mediocre) squad there was no way in for him. And he has a history, so wouldn’t be surprised either way.

[Saint_clark]

Another one of Russells mates that should never have been signed/kept on. Last summer should have seen us replacing Fraser, Smallbone, Downes and Stephens and yet they were all kept on. 

[Toussaint]

15 hours ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Interesting, do share further if possible. Know about the history with Howe and him, but wasn’t aware of him being on strike. Although I didn’t read about a ruptured Achilles or an ACL either, which are the only injuries which could’ve kept him out that long without some return games in the u23s. If he has been on strike, stressing that with a huge if, and not even at Staplewood without the club’s permission, then that could be a straight termination of contract. On the other hand, it may be a very ill relative in Scotland and on the fringes of the squad with a void season it’s been compassionate leave with no need to make public knowledge. 

I’m not itk, I didn’t mean literally, as in industrial action, just that he was in a mega sulk since Russell left.

I find it hard to believe that if he was available he wouldn’t have found his way into a the match day squad. The Bournemouth bit is well documented. The other thing I heard was on the TSP, that he wasn’t allowed to train with the first team at Newcastle because of some mischief. You’ll have to trawl back through if you want to hear it.

Edited May 28 by Toussaint

[Toussaint]

10 hours ago, Saint_clark said:

Another one of Russells mates that should never have been signed/kept on. Last summer should have seen us replacing Fraser, Smallbone, Downes and Stephens and yet they were all kept on. 

And yet he backpedaled on his influence in the summer transfer window in a recent interview. 

[beatlesaint]

47 minutes ago, Toussaint said:

And yet he backpedaled on his influence in the summer transfer window in a recent interview. 

Did he really ? Why am I not surprised. Bloody teflon !

[gio1saints]

Crucial preseason for RF. His non season for us in the EPL hangs over him like a cloud. I don’t think it’s working myself. He’s trying but not seen one devastating pass or move created out of nothing by him-yet. He is decent at running harrying and keep possession - but I’m not sure those are the ideal prime characteristic for a creative risk-taking Saints #10. 

WS has played him several times now-and starting- as a mobile #10 - and not even once as a winger, which was his career long position. My personal view is that as a wide player his best characteristic is his defensive workrate - better than our other wide players - and his experience - but as a #10- no. 

He is third choice behind MF and TD imo for that. Those are the only two players with the technique and vision for the role in current squad * awaits incoming new signing lol. 
 

Love his character but I feel he needs get that “scared to score Fraser “ tag that I mentally envisage whenever I see him, off his back. Get more ruthless more devastating a lot less jovial “ wee man”. Get angry get goals get assists get greedy - and forget your squad popularity. 
 

[East Kent Saint]

He could watch old Saints games with "shoot on sight or even not in sight " Pelle , including passing with the chest to bring his fellow attackers in play !

Edited Sunday at 09:48 by East Kent Saint

[S-Clarke]

3 hours ago, gio1saints said:

Crucial preseason for RF. His non season for us in the EPL hangs over him like a cloud. I don’t think it’s working myself. He’s trying but not seen one devastating pass or move created out of nothing by him-yet. He is decent at running harrying and keep possession - but I’m not sure those are the ideal prime characteristic for a creative risk-taking Saints #10. 

WS has played him several times now-and starting- as a mobile #10 - and not even once as a winger, which was his career long position. My personal view is that as a wide player his best characteristic is his defensive workrate - better than our other wide players - and his experience - but as a #10- no. 

He is third choice behind MF and TD imo for that. Those are the only two players with the technique and vision for the role in current squad * awaits incoming new signing lol. 
 

Love his character but I feel he needs get that “scared to score Fraser “ tag that I mentally envisage whenever I see him, off his back. Get more ruthless more devastating a lot less jovial “ wee man”. Get angry get goals get assists get greedy - and forget your squad popularity. 
 

And based on how the pre-season has gone, he shouldn't be anywhere near the 11. Robinson should be firmly in front of him.

Edozie is another one, who has once again, failed to do anything of note which makes him look like a viable starting option for us.

The wide areas really concern me as we have zero quality depth in those areas. It's no surprise we don't create much.

[Toussaint]

5 hours ago, gio1saints said:

Love his character but I feel he needs get that “scared to score Fraser “ tag that I mentally envisage whenever I see him, off his back. Get more ruthless more devastating a lot less jovial “ wee man”. Get angry get goals get assists get greedy - and forget your squad popularity. 
 

Really ? I’d say that’s what has cast a dark cloud over his career.
 

To your other point, he is way too old to play on the wing. He was in decline when we took him on loan in the championship, and that was 2 years ago. We should never have signed him permanently, I think he needs to go. 

Edited Sunday at 14:43 by Toussaint
Typo

[gio1saints]

2 minutes ago, Toussaint said:

Really ? I’d say that’s what has cast a dark cloud over his career.
 

To your other point, he is way too old to play on the wing. He was in decline when we took him on loan in the championship, and that was 2 years ago. We should never have signed him permanently, I think he needs to go. 

I thought he was ok + the first year in the Championship. But his extension was a mistake. He may have been in “decline” but he was plenty good enough for us in the Championship certainly compared to SE and any other s  who had a go too left upfront as he was more effective defensively AND offensively than others. 

Agree we needed better for EPL but I cannot say I think his character sucked for Saints. If anything in a squad quiet as a mouse at least he played a team role supporting whatever asked to do ( mainly track back and tackle!) He was no Gordon Strachan but he’s did/does have a little bit of devilment about him. Some personality. Sam could do with some of that but I guess being so young don’t help. 

[AlexLaw76]

5 hours ago, gio1saints said:

 

Love his character but I feel he needs get that “scared to score Fraser “ tag that I mentally envisage whenever I see him, off his back. Get more ruthless more devastating a lot less jovial “ wee man”. Get angry get goals get assists get greedy - and forget your squad popularity. 
 

What do you love about it?

[gio1saints]

I love he’s got a smile on him. Some personality. And that, year we went up, he was prepared to do exactly what he was told by RM to make it happen. And he seemed to be a team player that contributed to the whole and club success rather than his own ( admittedly damaged) image from previous clubs. 

[Gloucester Saint]

3 hours ago, Toussaint said:

Really ? I’d say that’s what has cast a dark cloud over his career.
 

To your other point, he is way too old to play on the wing. He was in decline when we took him on loan in the championship, and that was 2 years ago. We should never have signed him permanently, I think he needs to go. 

It’s odd because he’s only what 31? Unless he’s had a horrible injury I can’t recall, he shouldn’t have lost most of his pace. He’s had spells under Howe and last season not playing but not the same thing as wear and tear/physiological decline.

[Dman]

I'd rather see him on the wing, than I would BBD or Armstrong. He's been playing behind the striker in pre-season, which he's been pretty poor at. 

Good enough to be back-up to a new first choice left winger, but wouldn't be upset if he moved on. 

[S-Clarke]

8 minutes ago, Dman said:

I'd rather see him on the wing, than I would BBD or Armstrong. He's been playing behind the striker in pre-season, which he's been pretty poor at. 

Good enough to be back-up to a new first choice left winger, but wouldn't be upset if he moved on. 

I think that statement alone illustrates how bad our attacking wide options really are. I don't think either Fraser or BBD should be anywhere near the starting 11 of a decent outfit, I'd like to think the club don't either - but then they did offer Stephens a new deal.

[pimpin4rizeal]

21 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

I think that statement alone illustrates how bad our attacking wide options really are. I don't think either Fraser or BBD should be anywhere near the starting 11 of a decent outfit, I'd like to think the club don't either - but then they did offer Stephens a new deal.

Not sure what people want really . On the wings in the attacking positions we have the options of AA someone who’s scored 20 plus goals in multiple seasons there,dibling can play there he’s still here, bbd wasn’t great last season but he’s also scored 20 plus playing out wide at this level  . Fraser who had excellent end product last time in this league and then you still have Robinson and edozie .. all of these look decent options at championship level ?

even if we sign another in that position it’s not gonna be a given they start over that bunch 

Edited Monday at 10:02 by pimpin4rizeal