Finn Azaz - Official: Signs 4 Year Deal

[CSA96]

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, CSA96 said:

This is what it is all about

[LGTL]

Much better. We should be aiming to sign the best players in this league and he’d be up there. 

[Saint Matty 76]

Can’t say I know too much about him but his numbers are really impressive.

I think we have a good striker in Archer who is permanently starved of service so hopefully he can help us there. Still need a wide-player or two to take some pressure away from Robinson.

Robinson - Azaz - Fernandes behind whichever striker is currently the hot hand?

[OldNick]

My Boro supporting friend says he;s very good but has no pace. 

[Saint NL]

I think everyone here will agree this a major step in the right direction. Good move.

[Dman]

1 minute ago, Saint Matty 76 said:

Can’t say I know too much about him but his numbers are really impressive.

I think we have a good striker in Archer who is permanently starved of service so hopefully he can help us there. Still need a wide-player or two to take some pressure away from Robinson.

Robinson - Azaz - Fernandes behind whichever striker is currently the hot hand?

Charles / Downes, Fernandes*

Guilvaogui** Azaz Robinson 

Archer 

Is what I'd be looking at. Maybe slightly attacking, but at this level, you're not getting much better than that. 

* assuming he stays 

** assuming he signs and we dont get another. 

[skintsaint]

Good signing, now a good solid ball winner and the team looks pretty solid.

[sockeye]

Decent player for this level, happy with this. Hope he can kick on immediately as we need it.

[trousers]

Am I right in thinking this fella has similar attributes to Stu Armstrong? (a player I don't feel we've ever properly replaced... up until now...?)

[Suhari]

Can he cook?

[Toadhall Saint]

As with all new signings I’ll reserve judgement until I see him playing but if the reports are correct - it would seem a very good signing.

[HarvSFC]

Very happy with this one. Signing the best of League One and the Championship has helped us each time we've been down here.

[santolijador]

Alfie confirming it here; 
 

 

[AlexLaw76]

YouTube highlights video, sponsored by Steve DeRidder

 

[Midfield_General]

Nice

[trousers]

2 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

YouTube highlights video, sponsored by Steve DeRidder

 

The first name that entered my head whilst watching that was "Lallana"....

[Maggie May]

Finn Azaz, Azaz

He’s quick and he’s f**king class

He’s better than Alcaraz

Finn Azaz, Azaz 

[Convict Colony]

4 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

YouTube highlights video, sponsored by Steve DeRidder

 

finally a professional poster emerges, I've been missing a lot of YouTube highlights from a lot of links, posters been getting lazy 💪

[trousers]

2 minutes ago, Maggie May said:

 

Finn Azaz, Azaz

He’s quick and he’s f**king class

He’s better than Alcaraz

Finn Azaz, Azaz 

If he doesn't "hate Pompey" then I ain't interested mush

[CSA96]

Here's the Boro forum reacting to the news as it broke - see midway on page 4558: 

https://www.oneboro.co.uk/forum/topic/13565-the-official-summer-transfer-window-202526-season-aka-azaz-a-saint/page/4558/#comments

Edited Wednesday at 15:56 by CSA96

[S-Clarke]

Like Mads, this is the sort of signing we need. Someone who can walk into the side from day 1, ready made improvement.

He's a top level Champ performer, so it's a no brainer in a position we need.

He's not quick, but he can play between the lines and isn't the smallest - so he's not going to get knocked off the ball easily, he can hold his own. Good runs into the box, shoots from outside of the box. Exactly what we don't have today, and he's proven as one of the best in the league at it.

[trousers]

Just now, CSA96 said:

Here's the Boro forum reacting to the news as it broke - see midway on page 4558: 

https://www.oneboro.co.uk/forum/topic/13565-the-official-summer-transfer-window-202526-season-aka-azaz-a-saint/page/4558/#comments

Seems a bit of a mixed bag... no extreme views one way or t'other but definitely more leaning towards the 'disappointed' end of the scale.

[Saint Mikey]

Looks good on both feet which is a bonus.

[trousers]

2 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

Like Mads, this is the sort of signing we need. Someone who can walk into the side from day 1, ready made improvement.

He's a top level Champ performer, so it's a no brainer in a position we need.

He's not quick, but he can play between the lines and isn't the smallest - so he's not going to get knocked off the ball easily, he can hold his own. Good runs into the box, shoots from outside of the box. Exactly what we don't have today, and he's proven as one of the best in the league at it.

Yep... he's a 9/10 signing for me (gut feel)

Edited Wednesday at 16:00 by trousers

[S-Clarke]

See, this is the sort of comments you want to see from the fans of the current club:

Quote

Gutted to lose Azaz. All things considered it’s a good fee and he probs pushed for the move. But it’s still disappointing to be selling to a fellow championship club.

From Saints perspective, it’s an unbelievable signing. Got arguably the best 10 in the league (certainly in terms of goal contributions) for a fraction of what they sold Dibling for. 

 

[CSA96]

3 minutes ago, trousers said:

Seems a bit of a mixed bag... no extreme views one way or t'other but definitely more leaning towards the 'disappointed' end of the scale.

I think it's a bit like us with Dibling and Fernandes (obviously Azaz's output vs Dibling's output is incomparable) but in terms of, selling Azaz is giving them hope re: Hackney staying

Sounds like they also need a few more players but didn't have much in the coffers to get the deals done with, but now they will have

Edited Wednesday at 16:02 by CSA96

[Andrew Watson]

Excellent signing.

[S-Clarke]

1 minute ago, CSA96 said:

I think it's a bit like us with Dibling and Fernandes (obviously Azaz's output vs Dibling's output is incomparable) but in terms of, selling Azaz is giving them hope re: Hackney staying

Sounds like they also need a few more players but didn't have much in the coffers to get the deals done with, but now they will have

I think it's exactly that, they'd somewhat become resigned to losing 'one of', not that they want to.

I think the views are quite positive all around, they all rate him really highly. That's what you want to see.

[RedArmy]

Now we’re talking. 
 

 

[hypochondriac]

A good signing. A bit slow apparently so makes those wingers even more important but great stats for this league so should give us lots of assists and goals which is what it's all about.

Edited Wednesday at 16:05 by hypochondriac

[Chez]

28 minutes ago, trousers said:

Am I right in thinking this fella has similar attributes to Stu Armstrong? (a player I don't feel we've ever properly replaced... up until now...?)

I'm not sure he is quite as dynamic as Stu was, who's touch and the pace he did things was 'stand out' at Championship level. 

[hypochondriac]

6 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

See, this is the sort of comments you want to see from the fans of the current club:

 

Agreed. Rudoni would have been my first choice but that isn't always possible so these are the type of players we need to be targeting .

[Convict Colony]

Looks like a great buy, Grok says he can go on to be a top tier no.10, his current stats.

Not worried about pace for a no.10, he's creating chances, the brummie tadic

[trousers]

 

A good watch / listen

Edited Wednesday at 16:12 by trousers

[Chez]

14 minutes ago, trousers said:

Seems a bit of a mixed bag... no extreme views one way or t'other but definitely more leaning towards the 'disappointed' end of the scale.

The comment: "he is a passenger when out of possession and doesn't fit Edwards' pressing style" is a little concerning.

[CSA96]

Boro correspondent for Northern Echo

 

[trousers]

It sounds like his forte is putting the ball on a plate for strikers.... so I guess we'll soon discover if our strikers' profligatory has been down to poor service or their lack of clinicality....

Edited Wednesday at 16:17 by trousers

[Give it to Ron]

This finally our Tadic replacement? Was Dusan quick don’t seem to remember him being that .

Good record in this division.

[gio1saints]

Who does he displace? He is obviously a starter. Other regular starters if here and fit , on current form (imo) : 

Bazunu, Stephens, THB, Mads, Fernandes, Charles, Downes, Fraser Robinson, and now Azaz. That makes ten.
Room for a centre forward basically - Archer presumably or a big guy?

 

or does he cushion the blow of losing Fernandes and becomes a genuine #10 for us??
 

 

Edited Wednesday at 16:23 by gio1saints

[S-Clarke]

Really positive views from Plymouth fans too:

Finn Azaz to Saints £12 million | PASOTI

[CSA96]

2 minutes ago, gio1saints said:

Who does he displace? He is obviously a starter. Other regular starters if here and fit , on current form (imo) : 

Bazunu, Stephens, THB, Mads, Fernandes, Charles, Downes, Fraser Robinson, and now Azaz. That makes ten.
Room for a centre forward basically - Archer presumably or a big guy?
 

 

Hopefully one of the three bloody centre backs 

[trousers]

3 minutes ago, Give it to Ron said:

This finally our Tadic replacement? Was Dusan quick don’t seem to remember him being that .

Good shout. I got Lallana vibes when watching the video above but Tadic fits as a comparison too

[Miltonaggro]

Along with Mads, just the type of signing we need to make if serious about a swift return to the Prem.  Good work Spors!

[Disco Stu]

Good signing.

[Turkish]

Id never heard of him until last week but i am going to nod along in agreement that this is a great signing

[Colinjb]

The 'Boro forum are sad to see him go.

That equals good business for me.

[Turkish]

20 minutes ago, trousers said:

It sounds like his forte is putting the ball on a plate for strikers.... so I guess we'll soon discover if our strikers' profligatory has been down to poor service or their lack of clinicality....

a zero assists season ahead, he must be pony

[Paulwantsapint81]

Straight into 10 shirt?

Hope he is the new Lallana/Tadic 

Lack of pace never remember MLT being quick

[stevematthews635]

39 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

A good signing. A bit slow apparently so makes those wingers even more important but great stats for this league so should give us lots of assists and goals which is what it's all about.

Tadic was not blessed with pace but didn't too bad.  Not comparing him to tadic mind