Let's keep

[Saint Fan CaM]

Disregarding the plausibility (this is my wish list) and acknowledging the title of the thread is ‘let’s keep’…

Ramsdale 🙏🏼 

Sugawara; THB; Edward’s; Taylor; Welington

Charles; Big Les (on loan?); Fernandes 

AA; Stewart; Edozie; Sulemana; Dibling

The rest of ‘em can go on frees as far as I’m concerned (with the exception of KWP who we know will go anyway). In reality I suspect at least three of the above will be sold and a good few not listed will be retained, so it will be interesting to come back to this thread at the end of the window to see how far adrift we are.

Edited Monday at 08:51 by Saint Fan CaM
Missed Fernandes!

[Lighthouse]

23 minutes ago, Mixedkebab said:

Respect opinions, but wanting to keep those 2 dodgy keepers, and Stephens with his annual costly balls ups, is madness.

I'm not going to argue the keepers because I know I'm in a minority but Stephens is perfectly adequate in the Championship, especially if he's not first choice. Any player we sign in that league is going to make mistakes, that's why they're in the Championship.

[Miltonaggro]

Be a dream to keep hold of Ramsdale or Fernandes, but that’s not the game these days so a pipe dream. Likelihood is that agents have already had advanced talks with interested parties. Dibling will be intriguing as been out of form for months and given age could really do with a stellar season in the championship under a dynamic manager to show what he can do. Looking forward to seeing Edwards, Charles and Stewart start regularly. 

[Saint Fan CaM]

1 minute ago, Miltonaggro said:

Be a dream to keep hold of Ramsdale or Fernandes, but that’s not the game these days so a pipe dream. Likelihood is that agents have already had advanced talks with interested parties. Dibling will be intriguing as been out of form for months and given age could really do with a stellar season in the championship under a dynamic manager to show what he can do. Looking forward to seeing Edwards, Charles and Stewart start regularly. 

I’m hoping that Still will be the sort of manager who will say to Dibling “right lad, go out there, have fun and score me some goals”. And that promise of freedom might keep him with us.

[Disco Stu]

11 minutes ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

I’m hoping that Still will be the sort of manager who will say to Dibling “right lad, go out there, have fun and score me some goals”. And that promise of freedom might keep him with us.

The glimmer of hope that I have is that the £100m asking price was a hands off statement.

[kitch]

Ones I'd want to keep for next season (regardless of likelihood or viability):

KWP
Matty F
Ramsdale
Dibling
Charles
THB
Downes
Robinson (and any of the other promising youth players that have been on the fringes)

(eta: Edwards - forgot about him, he needs a run in the team)

Ones I'd actively want to fuck off:

Bednarek
Smallbone
Stephens
Manning
Sulemana
BBD

Ones I don't care what they do:

Everybody not mentioned above. I know Arma and Archer score goals in the champ, but I'm just massively underwhelmed by them. Arma is like Bednarek in that he's been in and around one of the worst squads I can remember. Clean break wouldn't be a bad thing. Archer - meh, genuinely not arsed either way. Tall Paul is painful to watch, no idea how effective he'd actually be, so would be open to trying him but equally won't shed a tear if he goes. Ross Stewart I don't trust to stay fit, though ability-wise I think he'd probably be the best striker we have next season. Can't rely on him, though.
Everyone else...I genuinely don't care. Will take a long time for any of that squad bar one or two to earn back the respect and trust of fans. Sad state of affairs to be completely non-plussed really, but here I am.

Edited Monday at 09:33 by kitch

[Gloucester Saint]

29 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

I'm not going to argue the keepers because I know I'm in a minority but Stephens is perfectly adequate in the Championship, especially if he's not first choice. Any player we sign in that league is going to make mistakes, that's why they're in the Championship.

This we agree on, we’d have to part-subsidise Jack’s wages somewhere else when as an actual centre back and not shoehorned in out of position at full back or midfield, he still does a decent job at Champ level. There will be so much turnover that we can’t realistically move everyone on who had a stinker of a 24/25.

[benjii]

2 hours ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

Something similar worked for Forest. My reply wasn't to be taken seriously. Am fully aware that we will not be getting rid of a full squad. 

They broke the laws and managed 32 points. They were extremely lucky to stay up, and if they'd gone down they would probably have imploded.

[Gloucester Saint]

11 minutes ago, benjii said:

They broke the laws and managed 32 points. They were extremely lucky to stay up, and if they'd gone down they would probably have imploded.

Their owner definitely would if his recent outburst at Nuno was anything to go by.

[Daft Kerplunk]

Whatever happens, there needs to be a complete vibe shift at the club, more of the same is going to go exactly the same way.  Solak seems to have begun this by bringing in Spors and getting rid of people behind the scenes, next is the player cull. 

Since the days of Les not having Paul Mitchell to guide or a legend of the game in Koeman to attract players, recruitment has overall been a failure.  Seeing posts about how this team would be good in the championship highlights it.  Our standards and expectations should be far higher.  Being above Brighton and Bournemouth consistently should be a requirement from us as fans, not this weird passive and shit Martin Semmens narrative about how grateful we should be just to exist. We can and should consistently be in the top half of the Premier League given the potential of the city and area.

Hopefully Dragan sees this and wants a team that can deliver it, and one that gets rid of the likes of BBD, Armstrong, Stephens, Bednarek, Smallbone etc. and perhaps because they are young, Fernandes and Dibling (if he is up for being coached and motivated) will stay for at least a season more, Ugochukwo realises he's not getting first team football at Chelsea so decides to leave and stay here, Ramsdale is up for it as the leader of a new era then we can have some optimism.        

Edited Monday at 14:10 by Daft Kerplunk

[SWLondon Saint]

I see it more like:

Players I'd like rid of but we'll be stuck with: Bazunu, Stephens, BBD, Smallbone, ABK.

Players I'm pretty neutral about, wouldn't mind leaving but we'll also be stuck with: McCarthy, Sugawara, AA, Manning, Bree, Stewart, Sulemana, Onuachu.

Players we should keep but won't be able to: Fernandes, Dibling, Ramsdale.

[HarvSFC]

Definitely a decision to be made regarding Stewart this summer. His contract runs out next summer. We can't give him another one, considering he's been injured for two years of it. So, do we let him go now that he seems to have been injury free for a month or so. Recoup a couple of million as I expect one Championship club will take a gamble on him, and his goal at the weekend will have helped. Or, do we hang on to him, he either gets injured again, or plays a role in wherever we finish the season and then off he goes on a free.

[SW11_Saint]

On 25/05/2025 at 20:18, benali-shorts said:

That is ridiculous. He played very well today. 

Lots of running, zero end product. He looked interested (as he does in season finales… “buy me”), but that’s about it. 

[benjii]

12 hours ago, SWLondon Saint said:

I see it more like:

Players I'd like rid of but we'll be stuck with: Bazunu, Stephens, BBD, Smallbone, ABK.

Players I'm pretty neutral about, wouldn't mind leaving but we'll also be stuck with: McCarthy, Sugawara, AA, Manning, Bree, Stewart, Sulemana, Onuachu.

Players we should keep but won't be able to: Fernandes, Dibling, Ramsdale.

I think we'll be able to move BBD and Tall Paul. ABK too, even if it's just a loan, won't be here. 

[benjii]

3 hours ago, HarvSFC said:

Definitely a decision to be made regarding Stewart this summer. His contract runs out next summer. We can't give him another one, considering he's been injured for two years of it. So, do we let him go now that he seems to have been injury free for a month or so. Recoup a couple of million as I expect one Championship club will take a gamble on him, and his goal at the weekend will have helped. Or, do we hang on to him, he either gets injured again, or plays a role in wherever we finish the season and then off he goes on a free.

We keep him. We will be raising enough cash from other sales. The potential upside of him staying fit and hitting form outweighs the risk of forgoing a couple of mill.

[musesaint]

Just had a quick flick through this thread and, to be honest, I was shocked by some of the unjustifiable comments about Adam Armstrong. Yes he’s struggled at Premier League level (most of the current squad have) but does anyone remember the important goals he scored in the 23/24 Championship season, including two in the play-off semi-final home leg against West Brom - or perhaps even the winning goal he scored in the play-off final against Leeds? 

[Oldandtired]

I can’t think of any names off of the top of my head but for me what might be intriguing is if under this manager who reportedly might go about things a bit differently to what we’ve been used to recently can revitalise a few players who we might just have written off. Charlie Taylor is maybe one.

I think that the transfer window, the pre season and the early part of next season could be very interesting. Of course, then I’ll wake up and realism will set in…

Edited yesterday at 09:09 by Oldandtired

[Saint Fan CaM]

23 hours ago, Disco Stu said:

The glimmer of hope that I have is that the £100m asking price was a hands off statement.

Tell you what, any offer North of £60m for Dibling and I’d be snapping your hand off! For a Championship club that’s a decent war chest to assist in getting more quality into the squad - i.e.  3 x circa £20m carefully chosen players in the core of the 1st team could transform our fortunes and see us lift the Championship trophy.

[Gingeletiss]

On 26/05/2025 at 10:02, Lighthouse said:

I'm not going to argue the keepers because I know I'm in a minority but Stephens is perfectly adequate in the Championship, especially if he's not first choice. Any player we sign in that league is going to make mistakes, that's why they're in the Championship.

No he’s not. He has been a huge part of our demise, he stinks the place out. Why on earth do you bang on about him being worth another shot. Just get rid of him.

[Lighthouse]

4 minutes ago, Gingeletiss said:

No he’s not. He has been a huge part of our demise, he stinks the place out. Why on earth do you bang on about him being worth another shot. Just get rid of him.

That's the first I've heard about this, what issues is he causing in the dressing room? I don't rate Jack as a PL player in any way but if we're talking about a reserve CB in the Championship then the threshold has been set by Danny Seaborne and Darren Powell. You're going to be severely disappointed if you think that better players than Wood and Stephens are going to come here and sit on our bench.

[Saint Fan CaM]

32 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

That's the first I've heard about this, what issues is he causing in the dressing room? I don't rate Jack as a PL player in any way but if we're talking about a reserve CB in the Championship then the threshold has been set by Danny Seaborne and Darren Powell. You're going to be severely disappointed if you think that better players than Wood and Stephens are going to come here and sit on our bench.

Do you think Stephens will be content to sit on the bench, lose his Captains armband and take a salary reduction? Not sure he will be content with that, although I’m not certain he’d get a better offer!

[Dusic]

Perhaps some question marks over THB sale if his injury is a bit more serious than is being made out?

Awful timing from his perspective with missing the U21 Euros too.

Re the likes of Stephens, Manning, I don't really get the hate. Perfectly fine players for a Championship squad, who have experience of being promoted from it. We will need to keep some players...

Edited yesterday at 10:45 by Dusic

[Whitey Grandad]

8 minutes ago, Dusic said:

Perhaps some question marks over THB sale if his injury is a bit more serious than is being made out?

Awful timing from his perspective with missing the U21 Euros too.

Re the likes of Stephens, Manning, I don't really get the hate. Perfectly fine players for a Championship squad, who have experience of being promoted from it. We will need to keep some players...

Manning is an adequate footballer.  Stephens is just inadequate. 

[Dusic]

19 minutes ago, Whitey Grandad said:

Manning is an adequate footballer.  Stephens is just inadequate. 

There are much bigger issues for Spors this summer than trying to get rid of Jack Stephens. That is just a fact.

[Gloucester Saint]

Mentions of Daren Powell. Shudders. The only centre back to be made entirely from glass. Not the non-shatter variety.

Edited yesterday at 11:22 by Gloucester Saint

[The Realist]

my thoughts:-

Players that I want but clearly not staying as too good: Ramsdale, KWP, Dibling and Fernandes.

GK: Need to sign (x1) (as Ramsdale and Lumley leave), McCarthy, Baz + promote Academy GK to be 4th choice.

RB : Bree and Suga are ok.

LB : Taylor and Wellington ok (Larios, Manning to leave)

CB's: Edwards, THB, Wood, Stephens ok. Kayi-Sanda back-up + Academy ok. (Bednarek, ABK leave)

DM: Downes, Charles ok.  Need (x1) signing to replace Aribo, Smallbone and Big Les (back to CFC)

AM: Need to sign to replace Fernades + loan signing to replace Dibling

CF: Stewart main striker but injury prone so maybe keep Archer but not that fussed. Could do with new signing here to replace Tall Paul and challenge Stewart

RM/RW: Arma, Robinson + Need new signing here. Let Fraser leave.

LW : Sulemana (suit Will Still's style I suspect), Edozie. Need new signing here to replace BBD, SAA.  

So in total : GK, AM (x2), Wingers (x2), Striker = 6 as minimum to sign - clearly need better attacking players.

[Jeremy Corbyn]

On 26/05/2025 at 09:37, Lee On Solent Saint said:

Perhaps with Charlton in the Championship, Jones might want to take Bree from us.

A certain Kayne Ramsey is smashing it for them at right back, don't think Bree would start.

[Gloucester Saint]

4 hours ago, musesaint said:

Just had a quick flick through this thread and, to be honest, I was shocked by some of the unjustifiable comments about Adam Armstrong. Yes he’s struggled at Premier League level (most of the current squad have) but does anyone remember the important goals he scored in the 23/24 Championship season, including two in the play-off semi-final home leg against West Brom - or perhaps even the winning goal he scored in the play-off final against Leeds? 

Nobody else bar Brum or Ipswich could match what he’s on anyway even with the relegation cut. Not that he’d be on my move on list anyway.

Edited yesterday at 11:26 by Gloucester Saint

[beatlesaint]

I dont really understand why people want rid of Armstrong, not in the Championship anyway, surely out wide and with pace he is a Will Still type player ?

[Gloucester Saint]

8 hours ago, benjii said:

I think we'll be able to move BBD

🤞 

[benjii]

13 minutes ago, beatlesaint said:

I dont really understand why people want rid of Armstrong, not in the Championship anyway, surely out wide and with pace he is a Will Still type player ?

Yep. Can play across the front line and even did a decent job in CM a couple of times at the start of last season. Never had any issues with attitude/arrogance/disicpline or anything else. 

[Whitey Grandad]

27 minutes ago, Dusic said:

There are much bigger issues for Spors this summer than trying to get rid of Jack Stephens. That is just a fact.

A fact?

One of your facts.

[SaintBobby]

I actually think we have a good Championship squad (even with a few leaving) - just a dire Premier League squad.

[Forester]

18 minutes ago, The Realist said:

my thoughts:-

Players that I want but clearly not staying as too good: Ramsdale, KWP, Dibling and Fernandes.

GK: Need to sign (x1) (as Ramsdale and Lumley leave), McCarthy, Baz + promote Academy GK to be 4th choice.

RB : Bree and Suga are ok.

LB : Taylor and Wellington ok (Larios, Manning to leave)

CB's: Edwards, THB, Wood, Stephens ok. Kayi-Sanda back-up + Academy ok. (Bednarek, ABK leave)

DM: Downes, Charles ok.  Need (x1) signing to replace Aribo, Smallbone and Big Les (back to CFC)

AM: Need to sign to replace Fernades + loan signing to replace Dibling

CF: Stewart main striker but injury prone so maybe keep Archer but not that fussed. Could do with new signing here to replace Tall Paul and challenge Stewart

RM/RW: Arma, Robinson + Need new signing here. Let Fraser leave.

LW : Sulemana (suit Will Still's style I suspect), Edozie. Need new signing here to replace BBD, SAA.  

So in total : GK, AM (x2), Wingers (x2), Striker = 6 as minimum to sign - clearly need better attacking players.

I think this is a pretty good list,  albeit I would also be open minded about BBD in championship and would retain Manning.   I am astonished that so many other people are letting the frustration of this season overtake judgement on some good pro’s for championship like Armstrong, Aribo etc.  For me this season is primarily about retention and small number of sales and buying even smaller number to reduce squad somewhat.  It is unrealistic to buy “ready for Premier League” players with championship budget.  It’s horses for courses.

[Greedyfly]

On 25/05/2025 at 22:04, sockeye said:

This isn’t CEX you know. We won’t be able to flog 20 odd players

In fairness if anyone is going to take them, it'll be CEX!

[Lee On Solent Saint]

29 minutes ago, Jeremy Corbyn said:

A certain Kayne Ramsey is smashing it for them at right back, don't think Bree would start.

Bree is pretty versatile. Can play as CB too. Just think we can do better as a starter in my opinion 

[SWLondon Saint]

Tbh my main issue with Stephens is not his ability in the Champ - I think he's at least above average as a CB in that league. The main issue is his absolutely crap behaviour as captain this season with the 2 sendings off, which he at least deserves to be stripped of the captaincy for. 

[Zorba]

Let’s keep..

..the ball more and score more goals this season?

..our best players on the pitch for 90 minutes?

..a clean sheet against the skates home and away?

..believing in Will (Still not Smallbone!)?

..the faith. We are Saints! ?

 

 

 

 

[Oldandtired]

Do they publish a retained list? If they do when will it come out?

[Gloucester Saint]

2 minutes ago, Oldandtired said:

Do they publish a retained list? If they do when will it come out?

Won’t be very long list as most of the contracts expire either next year or 2027.

Edited yesterday at 12:22 by Gloucester Saint
List

[Gloucester Saint]

33 minutes ago, Greedyfly said:

In fairness if anyone is going to take them, it'll be CEX!

Let’s hope CEX isn’t on the beach this summer.

[AlexLaw76]

We need wide players who can deliver quality in the box....or be a threat from wide, and not just run, cut back and play across their 18-25 years defensive line

[JWade]

On 25/05/2025 at 20:15, Wade Garrett said:

I thought he had his best game for the club today.  Funny how we all see things differently.

If that was his best game for the club then that fully justifies selling him.