Rate the Transfer Window

[Turkish]

Assuming Scienza gets done that's 5 in in the last 4 days of the window, dont remember us doing that sort of business before

On paper it appears a very good window. Got good money for all outgoing, reduced the wage bill, size of squad and looks like we've signed very well. 

[Bakovnetski]

Get a goalie and its a 10 from me

[Nordic Saint]

Worse than last summer's. We knew the team had a weak spine and that as our priority we urgently needed to strengthen 3 key positions in this window: goalkeeper, centre half and centre forward. We haven't strengthened any of them. 

[S-Clarke]

12 minutes ago, Nordic Saint said:

Worse than last summer's. We knew the team had a weak spine and that as our priority we urgently needed to strengthen 3 key positions in this window: goalkeeper, centre half and centre forward. We haven't strengthened any of them. 

Worse than last summer, the summer in which we brought in Adam Lallana, Cameron Archer and Ben Brereton Diaz to spearhead our Premier League attack?  Whilst bolstering our backline with Nathan Wood and Charlie Taylor?

Are you for real?

 

Edited 9 hours ago by S-Clarke

[AllyD]

12 minutes ago, Nordic Saint said:

Worse than last summer's. We knew the team had a weak spine and that as our priority we urgently needed to strengthen 3 key positions in this window: goalkeeper, centre half and centre forward. We haven't strengthened any of them. 

Ridiculous statement!

[Turkish]

9 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

Worse than last summer, the summer in which we brought in Adam Lallana, Cameron Archer and Ben Brereton Diaz to spearhead our Premier League attack?  Whilst bolstering our backline with Nathan Wood and Charlie Taylor?

Are you for real?

 

can i just remind saintsweb that this guy once said Calum Chambers was the new Bobby Moore.

[SNSUN]

Just now, Turkish said:

can i just remind saintsweb that this guy once said Calum Chambers was the new Bobby Moore.

I once said Jack Stephens would play for England. 🍺

[Nordic Saint]

6 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

Worse than last summer, the summer in which we brought in Adam Lallana, Cameron Archer and Ben Brereton Diaz to spearhead our Premier League attack?  Whilst bolstering our backline with Nathan Wood and Charlie Taylor?

Are you for real?

 

Yes, that one was bad but this one is worse. We bought Ramsdale and Fernandes last summer. At least we improved one of the key positions: goalkeeper. We haven't even done that this time.

[S-Clarke]

Just now, Nordic Saint said:

Yes, that one was bad but this one is worse. We bought Ramsdale and Fernandes last summer. At least we improved one of the key positions: goalkeeper. We haven't even done that this time.

Sorry, but you haven't got a clue if that's what you think.

[maysie]

32 minutes ago, Nordic Saint said:

Worse than last summer's. We knew the team had a weak spine and that as our priority we urgently needed to strengthen 3 key positions in this window: goalkeeper, centre half and centre forward. We haven't strengthened any of them. 

Someone’s been at the crack again.

[Nordic Saint]

1 hour ago, Turkish said:

can i just remind saintsweb that this guy once said Calum Chambers was the new Bobby Moore.

You'll certainly need to, Turkish as I didn't say that. Can you show me a link to this supposed statement on here? I'd be interested to see it.

[Turkish]

Just now, Nordic Saint said:

You'll certainly need to, Turkish as I didn't say that. Can you show me a link to this supposed statement on here? I'd be interested to see it.

It was on TUI on your user name on there. I’m not going to dig out links from years ago. If you want to pretend it wasn’t you then feel free 

[Lighthouse]

TBH it’s about as good as I could have realistically hoped for, on paper at least. I’ve not seen enough of some of the players but they at least come with glowing reviews from their own fans, in leagues comparable or better to ours. 
 

Seeing the long list of absolute garbage which has left the club is also hugely satisfying.

[Saint86]

I would give it an 8/10.

[The Kraken]

Dirk saying “I never said them fings” 🤣🤣🤣

[aintforever]

It’s good that the squad has been given a refresh but it should have been done earlier in the window to give us a better chance of promotion.

[S-Clarke]

4 minutes ago, aintforever said:

It’s good that the squad has been given a refresh but it should have been done earlier in the window to give us a better chance of promotion.

It really isn't that straight forward.

[Patches O Houlihan]

4 minutes ago, aintforever said:

It’s good that the squad has been given a refresh but it should have been done earlier in the window to give us a better chance of promotion.

Have you only just started watching football? 

That's not how a transfer window works out - even if you are f**king Liverpool

[trousers]

I gave last year's window a 4/10, which turned out to be a tad too generous, so somewhat wary about going too high this time around. 

As such, and all things considered, I'll give this one a 6.5/10.

Whilst we've arguably now got the best bunch of creative final-third players in the division, I'm not convinced we have 'best of breed' in the following positions: goalkeeper, centre-back, defensive midfield or centre forward. 

I'm fairly confident we'll match Martin's Championship achievement, i.e. reaching the play-offs, but I've a nagging doubt that we could've / should've done more in one or more of the aforementioned positions in order to to maximise our chances of automatic promotion.

In other words, give me a better keeper, a Fonte, and a Lambert and I'd feel much more confident. 

We march on! COYR!

 

[Verbal]

3 minutes ago, trousers said:

I gave last year's window a 4/10, which turned out to be a tad too generous, so somewhat wary about going too high this time around. 

As such, and all things considered, I'll give this one a 6.5/10.

Whilst we've arguably now got the best bunch of creative final-third players in the division, I'm not convinced we have 'best of breed' in the following positions: goalkeeper, centre-back, defensive midfield or centre forward. 

I'm fairly confident we'll match Martin's Championship achievement, i.e. reaching the play-offs, but I've a nagging doubt that we could've / should've done more in one or more of the aforementioned positions in order to to maximise our chances of automatic promotion.

In other words, give me a better keeper, a Fonte, and a Lambert and I'd feel much more confident. 

We march on! COYR!

 

So without them we don't "march on"? We just sort of "mince about!"?  

[stknowle]

Not prepared to rate it. Been burnt too many times.

[sfc4prem]

8 minutes ago, trousers said:

I gave last year's window a 4/10, which turned out to be a tad too generous, so somewhat wary about going too high this time around. 

As such, and all things considered, I'll give this one a 6.5/10.

Whilst we've arguably now got the best bunch of creative final-third players in the division, I'm not convinced we have 'best of breed' in the following positions: goalkeeper, centre-back, defensive midfield or centre forward. 

I'm fairly confident we'll match Martin's Championship achievement, i.e. reaching the play-offs, but I've a nagging doubt that we could've / should've done more in one or more of the aforementioned positions in order to to maximise our chances of automatic promotion.

In other words, give me a better keeper, a Fonte, and a Lambert and I'd feel much more confident. 

We march on! COYR!

 

So essentially, you'd have hoped for a better defender than Quarshie, and a better striker than Downs. Oh, and for the club to have realised that old crisp-packet hands needed improving upon.

[sockeye]

Still a 6/10 for me. Although I think that Archer will come good, I don't think our current striking options are that strong. I also think our defense is a bit lethargic and mediocre, and do we really have to bring up Bazunu again? Anyway, I think we've recruited well in the second half of the window, particularly on the wings and in midfield (well, those make up most of the signings, anyway). I don't know much about the latest incomings, especially those that came from non-EFL clubs like Jander and Jelert, but they seem to be highly rated. Well it's down to Still and the squad to perform now, let's see how the next few months unfold.

[Toussaint]

Somewhere between 1 and 10. Not a flipping clue. The only player I’d heard of was Fellows.  I’ve been so hopelessly overly optimistic in previous windows that this time I shall reserve judgement until Christmas. 

[Patches O Houlihan]

Bearing in mind the change in atmosphere that we have had since Dragan took over the running of things and since Spors showed up maybe there has been some thinking over a longer time period than just the next season:

Let's assume that PSR would make it hard financially for us to do a Forest and sign a whole new team assuming we were promoted to the PL. We'll have enough funds to bring in some good signings - but not enough for a whole team. 

So what is the answer?

Well Strikers are the most expensive position and the most difficult to land for Southampton. No chance we're going to get a PL worthy striker in this window. Jan window seems unlikely. Most likely is next summer assuming we were promoted. 

If you were an aspiring high quality striker willing to join a newly promoted team you'd want to see that the club you were joining were going to provide you with the chances to make you look good.

So in order to sign that player next summer we have to deliver an establish creative attacking force that can deliver those chances - hence that's where we've spent our money, gambling that our existing defenders and strikers will do what need them to do to achieve promotion. 

The alternative is to sign an expensive striker now who isn't good enough next year and be short of funds when we really need to go hard at the market.

We have loaned out Rambo so that the goalkeeper situation should be sorted if we are promoted. So we would just need to buy a few defenders and midfielders.

Thought on this?

 

Assuming we get our Brazilian I'm going for a 7 - having been impressed with the last few days, and also the shifting of Sulemana and Onuachu early for good money.

Edited 6 hours ago by Patches O Houlihan
Rambo

[SNSUN]

Date	Pos.	Player	Subsequent club	Join date	Ref.
30 June 2025	DF	Derrick Abu	Valenciennes	1 July 2025	[33][34]
	GK	Joe Lumley	Bristol City		[33][35]
	DF	Kyle Walker-Peters	West Ham United	20 July 2025	[33][36]
	GK	Josh McNamara	Eastleigh	2 August 2025	[33][37]
	DF	Josh Lett	Currently unattached		[33]
	DF	Lewis Payne	Currently unattached		[33]
	MF	Adam Lallana	None (retired)		[33][38]

 

And potentially Scienza in and Aribo out. I like this window, refreshed and out has given us a chance. Good money in, especially for Sulemana and Onuachu, good transfers in especially Azaz and Fellows, proven Championship performers. I think we're now lacking depth at FB with Welington out, and at CM, but that's just personal preference. Looking forward to the season. There's always January.

Solid 7 out of ten currently. Could rise.

EDIT: OK the copy and paste from Wikipedia didn't work but look it up yourselves you lazy gits.

Edited 6 hours ago by SNSUN

[AlexLaw76]

 

[ErwinK1961]

Despite some very good business on paper, plus removal of a fair amount of dross, hard to give this anymore than a 6 really (at this point in time).

GK still a massive blind spot, Bazunu not good enough for a hopeful auto challenger.

Defence I like the arrival of Mads. Jelert seems decent on paper, I also think Quarshie gives us something different and given time could be a key player. But the fact we still have Stephens starting every game is a nonsense really.

Midfield, Jander looks a good signing. Charles and Downes alright for this level. Aribo MAY be hanging around. Azaz I’m sure will be great. But still think we lack a strong DM. 

Wide, Fellows looks good and interested to see how Scienza gets on if we sign him. Robinson and Fraser good options. No real complaints here.

Strikers, had hoped to see a bit more movement. I have no issue with Downs, he’s barely played and hoping he will get better with game time. Would have liked to have seen one of Archer or Armstrong go (probably the latter). Got too many options and none of them stand out, not going to keep them all happy..

We’ve done well to shift who we have, some for money I’d never expected to see. 

Edited 5 hours ago by ErwinK1961

[OneMrsWallace]

27 minutes ago, trousers said:

I gave last year's window a 4/10, which turned out to be a tad too generous, so somewhat wary about going too high this time around. 

As such, and all things considered, I'll give this one a 6.5/10.

Whilst we've arguably now got the best bunch of creative final-third players in the division, I'm not convinced we have 'best of breed' in the following positions: goalkeeper, centre-back, defensive midfield or centre forward. 

I'm fairly confident we'll match Martin's Championship achievement, i.e. reaching the play-offs, but I've a nagging doubt that we could've / should've done more in one or more of the aforementioned positions in order to to maximise our chances of automatic promotion.

In other words, give me a better keeper, a Fonte, and a Lambert and I'd feel much more confident. 

We march on! COYR!

 

Agree with a 6.5. Interested to know who folks think should be our main two CBs because I can't see a combination that isn't going to give the opposition easy chances. 

[aintforever]

41 minutes ago, Patches O Houlihan said:

Have you only just started watching football? 

That's not how a transfer window works out - even if you are f**king Liverpool

Some deals go right to the deadline obviously but we didn’t have to leave it so late for so many. We could have flogged Dibling to Everton ages ago and probably pushed through a couple of deals. I guess time will tell how much our poor start will cost us, just hope the new team gels in time to get a result against the Skates.

[Patches O Houlihan]

1 minute ago, aintforever said:

Some deals go right to the deadline obviously but we didn’t have to leave it so late for so many. We could have flogged Dibling to Everton ages ago and probably pushed through a couple of deals. I guess time will tell how much our poor start will cost us, just hope the new team gels in time to get a result against the Skates.

I don't think we would have got as good a price as we did for Dibling and Fernandes if we had sold them early.

Our start is pretty much par with teams relegated from the PL over the last few seasons. 2 months ago we were most worried about Ipswich. 

We'll want to do well in the next four games though otherwise we really will have created a mountain to climb.

[Paul_B]

6/10. Too many weaknesses still. Can't see us achieving anything more than mid-table (maybe upper mid-table now if the additions are any good, as opposed to lower mid-table which I was predicting a few days ago).

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, Paul_B said:

6/10. Too many weaknesses still. Can't see us achieving anything more than mid-table (maybe upper mid-table now if the additions are any good, as opposed to lower mid-table which I was predicting a few days ago).

is this a bit of fun?

[S-Clarke]

1 minute ago, Paul_B said:

6/10. Too many weaknesses still. Can't see us achieving anything more than mid-table (maybe upper mid-table now if the additions are any good, as opposed to lower mid-table which I was predicting a few days ago).

Lol. How can you give it 6/10, and then proclaim a relegated side who has just spent £45m is going to finish mid table?

If we finish ANYWHERE near mid-table with these players then something has catastrophically gone wrong.

I'm sure we are full of wums on this thread.

[hypochondriac]

Right then now that's finished. It's pretty hard to rate any window. Last year my rating was much too high. On paper we've done an excellent job of replacing the players we have lost and adding some threat going forwards. I'm concerned about our defence but I'm hoping that gets sorted and we couldn't realistically add another cb. We didn't have to keep Stephens but it's a choice and we probably would have replaced with another experienced player so I'm not too upset about it on reflection. Bit one for me as I've mentioned is in attack where I don't really think we have enough and we're relying on some of these players to suddenly find form. The Downs signing and the amount we paid for him seems inexplicable to me personally. Overall though I think it's been a good window. 7/10.

[die Mannyschaft]

7.5/10

The Pompey game will be a good test to see how players cope under expectations and pressure.

Need another rate the window after 4 games. A lot of the player before haven't worked out but then no real game plan and tactics. This time on paper we should be a better unit. Although a goal keeper and forward the two most important positions have not been added to.

[bpsaint]

Impossible to really give it more than 6/10 considering we’ve lost Ramsdale and Baz is back to being first choice GK, Quarshie has the ability to look decent and shite at the same time so JS is still playing every game, and we haven’t bought in a convincing striker, just a young lad that seems like the second coming of Sekou Mara.

[Greenridge]

1 minute ago, die Mannyschaft said:

7.5/10

The Pompey game will be a good test to see how players cope under expectations and pressure.

Need another rate the window after 4 games. A lot of the player before haven't worked out but then no real game plan and tactics. This time on paper we should be a better unit. Although a goal keeper and forward the two most important positions have not been added to.

Less than two weeks with no (official) games between now and then. Asking a lot for them to gel at that point. 
 

Will need more time before a meaningful assessment can be made, as you say. 

[Sidney Fudpucker the 3rd]

6/10.

We replaced the players we sold with reasonable replacements but I don't think we've addressed the glaring issues. We needed a keeper, a CB and a striker and didn't sign any of them. Well, we signed a keeper who's worse than what we already have, which is quite some achievement! That signing makes no sense at all! 

Maybe, Still feels that all these attacking midfielders are going to provide the goals so didn't see the need for a striker?

Why he hasn't addressed our defensive issues is a mystery. We've been throwing away the lead in games for years. It should have been the first thing that was addressed and I don't think it has been. 

We won't finish top 6!

[AlexLaw76]

Ridiculous squad, but not perfect.

When we are loaning players, who can't get a sniff here, to team who will be pushing for playoffs, then you know the squad is top 3, by some distance.

Now, over to the manager. Arguably, he has been backed to a greater extent that Rusty was. Just ditch the formation that shall not be named

[S-Clarke]

This window has been the root and branch clear out we all wanted, we've reduced the risk of any '12' point hangovers by doing this. As with any clear out of this scale will still be question marks over certain areas as you can't do it all in one window. There are still things to be done in future windows, but this is a pretty fast start.

Leavers:

Onuachu, Sullemana, Bree, Taylor, Smallbone, Brereton-Diaz, Larios, Bednarek, Armel Bella-Kotchap, Suguwara all gone - players I know we all feel needed to go and it was time to shift them on. The wages freed up there is huge. Aribo and Edozie still to go.

We also had to lose Ramsdale, Dibling, Fernandes and KWP as our only proven PL players - but that's what you pay for with relegation. Big fees recouped and more big wages off the wage bill. 

CBs:

Quarshie, Edwards, Wood, Stephens, Harwood-Bellis - Stacked in numbers. We were never going to add anything else there. We've got good Champ CB's in Wood and THB, a prospect in Quarshie with some interesting attributes - and QPR's player of the season. We've got lots of options and versatility in CB with different profiles. I wasn't too keen on Stephens new deal, but you can't say we have a poor group of CB's for this level.

Full Back

I really, really like what we've done at full back, we've unquestionably upgraded the left side and the depth all across. Jelert, Mads are top tier signings. With Manning and Wellington also in the mix.

DM/CM

Midfield has had a bit of a refresh too. Matsuki, even though he was here already, is a new signing really. Jander looks like an elite talent and I think we've picked well there. Charles, Downes, Jander, Matsuki, Jelert, Edwards who can all cover CM makes it look like we have some good depth there.

AMC/Wide

The attacking midfield and wide areas have been revamped entirely, it will be like watching a new team in these areas. Leo & Fellows bring direct dribbling unpredictability, they are players who can stretch the game and are able to operate on either side. Azaz is a pure 10 with the stats and record to back up, Leo can also operate as a 10. Once you add Armstrong, Fraser, Robinson to that group we are absolutely stacked with all sorts of options. There are so many goals in this group.

Strikers

We have Stewart, Downs & Archer as our '9's. I guess some feel it looks a little light, but I think people are writing Downs off before he's even kicked a ball - I don't understand how people have decided he's not good enough already. We weren't going to add another striker to a group where we already had 3, plus players like Armstrong or Fraser who 'can' play there in the right setup. 

GK

For me, the worst outcome of the window. We had a gap in the GK department with Ramsdale & Lumley leaving, rather than signing a GK to genuinely push Bazunu we signed someone who is never really expected to play. I think that is a huge error. If we're not going to replace Bazunu that's fair enough, but at least bring someone in wo can challenge him.

Overall:

7/10. It would have been 9 or 10/10 had we got the GK right.

On paper I think we look weaker than last time without the PL experience of KWP/Bednarek/Adams/Stu and co, but we've added proven Championship players to the mix who have operated at the highest levels in this league, and have the stats to back it up. Arguably we look a bit more balanced than we did last time, albeit without as many 'names'.

Edited 4 hours ago by S-Clarke

[Dusic]

Hard to rate until you have seen the new signings play but on paper it looks good and certainly we have a squad capable of automatic promotion.

In particular I like the way this window has obviously been planned, we havent actually been linked strongly with that many players, seem to have done a lot of it quietly and every signing has a pretty clear purpose and fit to the team.

We have been crying out for genuine change and we have that now - an opportunity for new key players to emerge and a nice mix of tried and tested and players that seem to be on the up.

Also far less reliance on loans which is good and leaves PL loan spots free for Jan if needed.

[Greenridge]

9 minutes ago, Sidney Fudpucker the 3rd said:

6/10.

 We needed a keeper, a CB and a striker and didn't sign any of them. 

Why he hasn't addressed our defensive issues is a mystery. We've been throwing away the lead in games for years. It should have been the first thing that was addressed and I don't think it has been. 
 

Quarshie at CB plus Jelert and Roerslev. 

[Osvaldorama]

6/10 

Goalkeeper - shocking

Full backs - rate them   
Centre backs - passable for champ. I think they can develop under a good manager. Hopefully WS is him  

CM - lack muscle. Good on the ball. Hopefully will be enough  

Wingers/AM - stacked. Fair play 

Strikers - archer can finish. They all have a lot to prove.  

Overall very happy, except with the business ends. They’ve given us a chance of turning the ship around. 

Edited 4 hours ago by Osvaldorama

[leeham_69]

8 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

I think people are writing Downs off before he's even kicked a ball

The problem is it’s taken him 4 appearances to actually get a touch 😆

and yet despite that he does somehow look not terrible and I have hope.

good summary 🙏

[West end Saints]

8/10

We have improved team and squad with financially killing the club.

Compared to last championship season, looking at please who player half of the time at least and won flat off..

We still have Ryan Fraser, Flynn downes, Ryan Manning,

Lost KWP 

But will multiple signings, strength physicality, character of Mads, Jelert, now have wellington - clearly better.

CB Are Quarshie , wood and edwards and THB a downgrade from Jan B?. Not convinced we won't be stronger.

Attacking - Armstrong,Edozie, Aribo, I will be very surprised that Robinson,scieca, Azuz and fellows.

All better than last season

Low expectations 

 

 

[Appy]

We’ve signed better players than we did last summer, looking at quality over quantity finally, difficult to rate it until later in the season though 

[spyinthesky]

2 minutes ago, Appy said:

We’ve signed better players than we did last summer, looking at quality over quantity finally, difficult to rate it until later in the season though 

Spot on quote.
The new signings provide a sense of optimism but we wont see the real outcome for a few games when the players all get to know one another and Still gets the system right.

[saintant]

35 minutes ago, die Mannyschaft said:

7.5/10

The Pompey game will be a good test to see how players cope under expectations and pressure.

Need another rate the window after 4 games. A lot of the player before haven't worked out but then no real game plan and tactics. This time on paper we should be a better unit. Although a goal keeper and forward the two most important positions have not been added to.

Don't agree that the Pompey game will be a litmus test or much of an indicator other than maybe how we cope under pressure. It's a one-off huge derby game and the first for some in the squad so trying to play football will almost go out the window. Much rather judge in a handful of games time when Will Still has had more time to work with the squad and the players start to gel.

[beatlesaint]

Without seeing most of these play yet it’s a hard call but on potential and type of player I’d say 7.5 out of 10.

I know it wasn’t gonna happen but I wanted Bazunu and Stephens gone with the rest of the “scar tissue” and a top notch, for this league, centre forward bought in. But hey if they can provide service for what we’ve got then fair enough.

I do worry with Capt Jack and the keeper we will continue to leak silly goals.