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January Priority

St Chalet

By St Chalet
in The Saints

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153 members have voted

  1. 1. If you could buy one player in January, what position would it be?

    • Goalkeeper
      75
    • Right Back
      5
    • Centre Back
      6
    • Left Back
      8
    • Defensive Midfielder
      3
    • Centre Midfielder
      0
    • Left Wing
      2
    • Right Wing
      1
    • Number 10
      5
    • Centre Forward
      48
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  • Poll closes on 13/12/25 at 14:00

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St Chalet

St Chalet

Posted
Posted

Having been to the game tonight I think we are a few 1st team choices light of challenging for top two / playoff win. If you had one chip where would you place it?

die Mannyschaft

die Mannyschaft

Posted
Posted

Definitely a forward on the basis that creative players always get subbed off and the few chances we have 2nd half get wasted. Armstrong is on fire but need another out and out natural goal scorer. 

Otherwise any position that's one of tge usual subs, we are very light on possession and creative play when subs made. 

  • Like 1
chiknsmack

chiknsmack

Posted
Posted

GK: we have two mediocre (at best) options, but won’t be buying one when we have Ramsdale on the books. Sell him in January and I still don’t think we’d bring in an upgrade. Had Pope kept him on the bench maybe we could’ve gotten him back in January, which would’ve been nice.

RB: Roerslev hasn’t impressed, Jelert hasn’t had a chance, Edwards CDAJFU. Bree is back from loan in January and would help, especially if Jelert’s loan is cancelled as is rumoured.

CB: THB and Wood look broadly competent. The others don’t. In preseason I was calling for a veteran leader who has played at a higher level; Spors decided Jack Stephens fit the bill (I was looking for someone who was actually good enough for the Championship). Unlikely with the numbers we have but would make sense, especially if we want three on the pitch at once.

LB: Manning can’t defend but is decent in attack and has free kicks in his locker (but so does Scienza). Welington is probably better. Jelert can cover here.

DM/CM: Bar Romeu we don’t really have any DMs; we have CMs who can tackle. Charles and Jander are too good for the Championship, Downes is good for this level. Four for two spots is plenty, especially when you have Aribo/Edwards and Bragg/Sesay as depth.

Number 10/AM: Azaz with Scienza as cover. Without those two it gets a bit messy (Matsuki and Fraser?) but if you can only buy one player it’s not going to be and upgrade on either of them, nor a third-choice Number 10 when we don’t play with one.

Left Winger/Forward: Scienza, Robinson, Edozie, Fraser. Plenty.

Right Winger/Forward: For wingers, it’s Fellows then nothing. In the current 3-4-3 it’s Fellows and Manning as wingers/wingbacks, so Azaz/Bree/Jelert are all right “winger” options. Without Fellows the better option would be changing to a 4-3-3 and playing an extra defender and midfielder instead of wingbacks. Four at the back, then Downes+Charles+Jander behind Azaz+Armstrong+Scienza.

Centre Forward: Stewart great but injured. Armstrong too good for this level. Archer in theory is up to this level but isn’t showing it. Downs is probably a busted flush, at least as far as this season goes. Robinson’s an option, Oyekunle has handled the step up to U21s and been around the squad, Dipepa has 30-odd games of senior football under his belt.


The attack and midfield are good and have decent depth. The defence and keepers are questionable. I suppose that’s borne out in the recent results when we’ve scored plenty but haven’t kept a clean sheet.

The fullbacks are okay. The keepers probably aren’t for changing whether we want them to or not. We have the numbers at CB to put together a decent enough trio. I’d be fine with bringing in no new players in January, but gun to my head I’d want a Fonte-like figure at CB. I’ve actually thought ahead that if we go up we could look at bringing back VVD (and it’s not just pining for a former player who moved on to bigger things); in the last year of his contract, being trashed as not good enough for an elite side anymore, but done enough to garner respect from his teammates when he tells them what to do and clearly good enough to anchor the defence of a mid-table PL side. So it’s the main hole I see in the side.

Tomiyasu is a free agent and could maybe fill it, but is an injury risk and apparently close to joining Ajax. I’m not watching enough PL this season to know of anyone who’s been benched but is still in that “too good for the Championship” range.

Turkish

Turkish

Posted
Posted

I don’t know why there are so many votes for a centre forward. Our current one is the top scorer in the league, we’re not going to get better come here. Archer, Stewart when he’s back are going to be back up with Damien Downs about to explode.  We’re not nor should we be bringing in another one. 

the issue is conceding not scoring. 5 centre backs who are all much of a muchness and a goal keeper who has finally made some decent saves but you still look at every week and are waiting for a mistake. 
 

id be surprised if we spent any money but clearly the issue is goalkeeper and defence 

  • Like 11
Dusic

Dusic

Posted
Posted

Starting GK and impact sub #10 option for me.

If Jelert is seen as being made of glass then might as well return and replace him which would also free up Fellows to play as one of the #10s as needed.

S-Clarke

S-Clarke

Posted
Posted

Goalie is up there for sure, most people can see it. McCarthy is OOC in the summer and George Long leaves - Ramsdale will come back for a week and then go again, so if we've upped our game (as shown with Leo, Jander etc) then we need to start scoping for a new GK, and I'd like to see one in January.

Realistically we won't though. I expect Bazunu to sign a new contract shortly, and in the summer we'll spend the time signing 2nd and 3rd choice goalies again.

Matthew Le God

Matthew Le God

Posted
Posted
14 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

Goalie is up there for sure, most people can see it. McCarthy is OOC in the summer and George Long leaves - Ramsdale will come back for a week and then go again, so if we've upped our game (as shown with Leo, Jander etc) then we need to start scoping for a new GK, and I'd like to see one in January.

Realistically we won't though. I expect Bazunu to sign a new contract shortly, and in the summer we'll spend the time signing 2nd and 3rd choice goalies again.

Perhaps not if we have been promoted.

  • Like 1
St Chalet

St Chalet

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Weirdly I've gone for a right-back. Fellowes going off last night had Fraser at RWB looking like a fish out of water. Getting in a proper RB would potentially enable us to go with 4 at the back and get Fellowes further up the field.

Do think Goalkeeper would be a great addition but can't see it all the time we have Ramsdale and Bazunu on the books.

  • Like 1
Saint86

Saint86

Posted
Posted (edited)

We need another left winger / attacking mid style player. Currently the cover for Azaz and Scienza just isn't good enough. Its bad enough at the moment when we take off Scienza and go into "camp our box" mode once the game is almost already won (only to almost throw it away - or indeed do as per Millwall)... but if we have to start games without some of our best attacking players we will struggle.

Edited by Saint86
Saint86

Saint86

Posted
Posted
30 minutes ago, St Chalet said:

Weirdly I've gone for a right-back. Fellowes going off last night had Fraser at RWB looking like a fish out of water. Getting in a proper RB would potentially enable us to go with 4 at the back and get Fellowes further up the field.

Do think Goalkeeper would be a great addition but can't see it all the time we have Ramsdale and Bazunu on the books.

I considered fellows at RWB, but actually we have Roerslev and Jelert who can play there when fit.

  • Like 1
SNSUN

SNSUN

Posted
Posted

Striker. Baz has flaws but has at least made some good saves recently, and ideally needs replacing long term, but we need a striker more. No Stewart for God knows how long, Archer ineffective, Downs non-existent, we’re relying heavily on AA. We Need a big but mobile striker for something different, and hopefully someone who knows where the goal is. Cheeky bid for Norwich’s Sargent if his valuation has dipped since the summer…

  • Like 3
Daft Kerplunk

Daft Kerplunk

Posted
Posted

When our injured midfielders and defenders come back, we should be better in the second half so really, our lack of players to continue the work of Scienza and Fellows is the thing we are crying out for.  Those are top of the championship level players so we won't get that good but that's the most important area for me. 

  • Like 1
Matthew Le God

Matthew Le God

Posted
Posted
14 minutes ago, Sunglasses Ron said:

I see absolutely no reason why we can't have both (a goalkeeper and striker).

I'm greedy, I know, but I've been a good boy this year.

A striker to do what? Be a capable back up to Armstrong? Archer meets that brief.

  • Confused 2
notnowcato

notnowcato

Posted
Posted

A Walker-Peters at RB behind Fellows would bring the balance needed for a 4 at the back system. 
 

Obviously we’re not getting KWP back but that’s the type and standard of FB we need. 

Saint86

Saint86

Posted
Posted
8 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

A striker to do what? Be a capable back up to Armstrong? Archer meets that brief.

The interesting thing about capable strikers, is that they score goals...

  • Like 1
  • Haha 1
Saint86

Saint86

Posted
Posted (edited)
4 minutes ago, BARCELONASAINT said:

I'm in the minority here but i firmly believe we need a commanding no nonsense CB that will command the defence and help our weak minded defenders from conceding so many chances! 

Tempted to agree, but also pretty sure the reason we're suffering for this is because we are sitting back 2nd half and allowing sides to push up on us, overload the wb/fbs, and ping crosses in at leisure. I feel more attacking options (to improve on fraser / aribo as a minimum) would allow us to maintain a threat going forward, and therefore alleviate a lot of the pressure on the defence - at least more than having a defender who can wind balls in the air and allowing teams to pressure us ever deeper (also, Quarshie should fit this bill regardless).

Edited by Saint86
DellBlockH

DellBlockH

Posted
Posted

Not sure we need anyone - or not anyone we could get who'd improve our current team. Our squad is too big as it is. We need to hold on to Scienza, obviously. And perhaps ship out Aribo who looks as though he'd be happier elsewhere anyway. Once Stewart is fit, we'll have a good Adam substitute. And Archer is looking OK - just needs a goal for confidence.

Matthew Le God

Matthew Le God

Posted
Posted (edited)
1 hour ago, Colinjb said:

About that.......

 

59 minutes ago, Saint86 said:

The interesting thing about capable strikers, is that they score goals...

Archer has shown he can do that in the Championship, so has Stewart (who is due back soon). 

We do not need an upgrade on Armstrong while we are in the Championship for the lone striker role. So what profile of striker do you think would be happy to pay 2nd fiddle to Armstrong and sit on the bench instead of Archer and Stewart?

Next summer if we are promoted is the time for a striker upgrade on Armstrong. Not now.

Edited by Matthew Le God
  • Like 2
sledger

sledger

Posted
Posted

we loaned out in my oppinion our 2 best full backs to rivals in taylor and bree ,if there loans agree it i would start by recalling them,that would stiffen the defence.I would get in a new no 1 but i dont think the club will do anything and a big target man(experienced) so we can change our tactics.

  • Confused 2
Matthew Le God

Matthew Le God

Posted
Posted (edited)
10 minutes ago, sledger said:

we loaned out in my oppinion our 2 best full backs to rivals in taylor and bree ,if there loans agree it i would start by recalling them,that would stiffen the defence.I would get in a new no 1 but i dont think the club will do anything and a big target man(experienced) so we can change our tactics.

They are our worst fullbacks and we don't use a system that uses fulbacks.

Edited by Matthew Le God
Willo of Whiteley

Willo of Whiteley

Posted
Posted

We aren’t buying a goalkeeper, you may as well rule that out.

I think we’ll get a wide player on loan, hopefully someone in the Scienza mould.

I don’t see a lot of change. I’m very confident that Aribo and Edozie will be on their way out, maybe a couple of other fringe players out on loan too.

sledger

sledger

Posted
Posted
51 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

They are our worst fullbacks and we don't use a system that uses fulbacks.

there full backs and wingers they still need to defend and manning couldnt defend his own life,never stops a cross coming in.Maybe if we had decent full backs we could revert to a flat back 4 and then we could stiffen the midfield and get fellowes higher up the pitch all the time.

trousers

trousers

Posted
Posted
35 minutes ago, Appy said:

A forward with similar attributes to Scienza, seems to be the one player we can’t replace. 

This. 

If there's a Scienza clone somewhere up Spors' sleeve, then go get him in January.

Dark Munster

Dark Munster

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

We aren’t buying a goalkeeper, you may as well rule that out.

I think we’ll get a wide player on loan, hopefully someone in the Scienza mould.

I don’t see a lot of change. I’m very confident that Aribo and Edozie will be on their way out, maybe a couple of other fringe players out on loan too.

Maybe not, but there's nothing stop us shipping that crap one back to Norwich and bringing in a decent* replacement on half-season loan.

 

* decent = better than our current two crap ones.

  • Like 1
Badger

Badger

Posted
Posted
3 hours ago, Matthew Le God said:

 Archer meets that brief.

 

2 hours ago, Matthew Le God said:

 

Archer has shown he can do that in the Championship, so has Stewart… 

You don’t give up banging this drum do you ? 
 

Based on his time with us to date, Archer seems a waste of money and space. Irrespective of what he did some years ago elsewhere.

And Stewart in case you hadn’t realised is perpetually injured. 

Matthew Le God

Matthew Le God

Posted
Posted (edited)
10 minutes ago, Badger said:

 

You don’t give up banging this drum do you ? 
 

Based on his time with us to date, Archer seems a waste of money and space. Irrespective of what he did some years ago elsewhere.

And Stewart in case you hadn’t realised is perpetually injured. 

What profile of striker do you think would be happy to play 2nd fiddle to Armstrong and sit on the bench instead of Archer and Stewart?

Edited by Matthew Le God
Badger

Badger

Posted
Posted

There’s no immediate name I’d go for or put forward. With his recent other successes hope Spors/ Lederer have their eye on one (but of Scienza standard not Downs) 

In terms of profile, we might look at a player seeking more exposure or opportunity (such as a Delap who went to Hull) as loan or longer term signing. AA may not be available every game and opportunities are likely to be there.

The availability or identity of another option doesn’t alter the limitations of those currently available. I’d agree with you re Stewart, but we are in the realms of David Connolly again “ would be ….. if he didn’t spend so much time in the treatment room”

Give it to Ron

Give it to Ron

Posted
Posted (edited)
16 minutes ago, Matthew Le God said:

What profile of striker do you think would be happy to play 2nd fiddle to Armstrong and sit on the bench instead of Archer and Stewart?

What makes you think Stewart will be on the bench and not the treatment table?

Just a thought maybe if we had a target man for the last 20 minutes or our plan A isn’t working we could have that option on the bench? 
Footballers are mercenaries if the wages are more and we are in top 6 they will more likely come.

Edited by Give it to Ron
  • Like 1
West end Saints

West end Saints

Posted
Posted
5 hours ago, Matthew Le God said:

A striker to do what? Be a capable back up to Armstrong? Archer meets that brief.

Huge downgrade on what we have seen so far. A player with  11 goals for a good side in 2022 season and a total of  3 goals over last two seasons won't scare sides when he comes on

  • Like 1
Saint Fan CaM

Saint Fan CaM

Posted
Posted
5 hours ago, Matthew Le God said:

 

Archer has shown he can do that in the Championship, so has Stewart (who is due back soon). 

We do not need an upgrade on Armstrong while we are in the Championship for the lone striker role. So what profile of striker do you think would be happy to pay 2nd fiddle to Armstrong and sit on the bench instead of Archer and Stewart?

Next summer if we are promoted is the time for a striker upgrade on Armstrong. Not now.

Armstrong and Archer are similar, although AA is twice the player and so Archer is happy to sit on the bench as understudy. Stewart, even if he could keep fit, is a different type of striker…more of a CF and it is here that we need better. 

Stewart would be more than happy to spend most of his in the treatment room or watching from the bench if indeed that were possible. It is high;y likely he will be released when his contract is up, if not before. So we need a good solid CF - a player that is equal in quality to AA, but a different animal…a tall brick house guy who,can also defend our box at set pieces.

St. Ciervo

St. Ciervo

Posted
Posted (edited)

So difficult to choose. If we are going up, CF #1. If we are staying down, a goalie to challenge Baz. But we are in limbo, so reach into whatever hat you got Scienza out of...

Edited by St. Ciervo
Matthew Le God

Matthew Le God

Posted
Posted (edited)
6 hours ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

 

Stewart would be more than happy to spend most of his in the treatment room or watching from the bench if indeed that were possible.

Utter bullshit

Edited by Matthew Le God
  • Haha 1
Willo of Whiteley

Willo of Whiteley

Posted
Posted

Ross Stewart shouldn’t be offered a new contract. If he was unfit for work as much as me he’d have gone down the fitness to work route and been paid off.

We’ve established it would be “nice” to have a new GK, but we aren’t going to cancel George Long’s loan, no one is picking up Alex McCarthy’s wages when he has six months left, and we won’t be selling our current first choice in Gavin Bazunu. So you may as well rule out the GK option until the summer.

I think we’ll only bring in a wide player, someone who hopefully injects a bit of pace.

I would like to see a CB leave for someone better but again realistically I don’t think it’ll happen. 
Equally I’d like to see a better left sided WB, but again I doubt this will change as long as Larios is on the books and we have Welington as back up.

AlexLaw76

AlexLaw76

Posted
Posted
4 minutes ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

Ross Stewart shouldn’t be offered a new contract. If he was unfit for work as much as me he’d have gone down the fitness to work route and been paid off.

We’ve established it would be “nice” to have a new GK, but we aren’t going to cancel George Long’s loan, no one is picking up Alex McCarthy’s wages when he has six months left, and we won’t be selling our current first choice in Gavin Bazunu. So you may as well rule out the GK option until the summer.

I think we’ll only bring in a wide player, someone who hopefully injects a bit of pace.

I would like to see a CB leave for someone better but again realistically I don’t think it’ll happen. 
Equally I’d like to see a better left sided WB, but again I doubt this will change as long as Larios is on the books and we have Welington as back up.

When you say no chance of a new keeper, Alfie House believes it can/should happen, even mention Sunderland’s keeper as an example of a possibility 

Turkish

Turkish

Posted
Posted
10 hours ago, Badger said:

 

You don’t give up banging this drum do you ? 
 

Based on his time with us to date, Archer seems a waste of money and space. Irrespective of what he did some years ago elsewhere.

And Stewart in case you hadn’t realised is perpetually injured. 

It’s one of those rare occasions that MLG is right. We’ve got 4 strikers on the payroll who cost about £45m between them. Our first choice is the leagues leading goal scorer, we’re not replacing him so we’re looking for back up players. Why are we going to add another back up striker when we’ve got 3 already 2 of which have proven themselves more than capable in this league? The only way we’re being another one in is if 2 leave. 

  • Like 2
Harry_SFC

Harry_SFC

Posted
Posted
46 minutes ago, Turkish said:

It’s one of those rare occasions that MLG is right. We’ve got 4 strikers on the payroll who cost about £45m between them. Our first choice is the leagues leading goal scorer, we’re not replacing him so we’re looking for back up players. Why are we going to add another back up striker when we’ve got 3 already 2 of which have proven themselves more than capable in this league? The only way we’re being another one in is if 2 leave. 

I agree. Striker is a priority if we get promoted. A keeper should be the priority in January. 

  • Like 2

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