13 Aug 2024 15:32:39
I feel a lot of us are a bit down about the lack of funds and activity, so thought I would paint a positive picture.

1. We move on some of ABK, Sulemana, Onuachu, Mara etc. and with the 12m already est. in the bank, we unlock a 50m treasure chest.
2. We trade Charles plus 15m for O'Riley, then get Lavia on loan or alternatively McAtee on loan plus 15m on a winger.
3. Our scouts finally nail it, we splash 25m on a superb striker and uncover the next Pelle or Mane.
4. We throw 10m at Ramsdale, KWP, Fraser and Lavia to bring them on board.
5. We now have a strong spine, Sugawara, SAA, Dibling and Diaz go on to have standout seasons, we finish a respectable 15th and then march on up the table like we did last time we went up!

1.) 14 Aug 2024
13 Aug 2024 21:53:52
Onaucha might help us until Christmas, by then the transzspor fans will be baying for the boards blood for not signing him in August and we’ll get the 12 million euros we’re asking for. 2 big loans are getting closer and Fraser will be a Saints player before closure of the transfer window. Will that be enough? Not sure, if I was asked to bet then I would probably be at 1/2 for relegation. Points deduction of other teams might save us, don’t think Ipswich have a chance and I really think this is Everton’s year which leaves one more team. COYR

2.) 14 Aug 2024
14 Aug 2024 10:33:15
What are those 2 loans @2408?

I do think Onuachu deserves a shot. He has been scoring for fun in the Belgian and now Turkish leagues, so why not give him 30 mins a game as a plan B, if the fee is not enough. Our chances will be limited in the prem so somebody who can head (and score from range) may be key.

I think our survival is 50/50 too. If we can sign a real playmaker and goalkeeper, get lucky with teams around us and THB, Downes, Diaz, Sugawara, Armstrong, SAA and Alcaraz make the grade, I think we can stay up but all those 3 need to happen.

3.) 14 Aug 2024
14 Aug 2024 12:00:03
Like your thinking on raising money for new incomings and you could probably add Alcaraz to that list - personally would like to see him stay. That should unlock roughly 60m in transfer funds - ABK 12M, Alcatraz 12M, Sulemana 7M, Onuachu 8M, Mara 7M plus 12M already in the kitty. This also trims our wage bill significantly.

At this point, I would try to simplify our Transfer strategy as follows and in order of necessity:-
1. Goalkeeper (preferably Ramsdale) is top priority. I would propose a loan offer to Arsenal with a clause to buy (as with THB this year) probably somewhere in the Region of 30M. Failing that a straight out approach for Sam Johnstone from Crystal Palace - 15M/20M.
2. Absolutely offer Shea Charles plus 15M for Matt O'Riley. Should be enough to get the job done.
3. The biggest punt of this strategy will be finding a proven striker within the remaining budget of 25M/30M. Our record hasn't been good in recent times. Not since the acquisitions of Pelle and Mane have we found someone who can produce goals to the level required for EPL. AA excellent at C'ship level but at EPL level, he won't get enough goals to keep us up at least. Don't really know who fits that bill - maybe Eddie Nketiah (another punt though) .
4. Finally, I would then consider a loan move for some of the names already mentioned McAtee, Lavia etc. but I don't really think we could pull either of those moves off. So I'm going to suggest something that might be a bit unpopular. For me, Jack Stephens won't cut it at this level and we seriously need to look a better option than him at CB. THB needs an experienced man beside him to progress. Bednarek is a steady option but any first 11 involving Stephens and Manning will left exposed. Last year, while Stephens was out injured we went on a 20+ unbeaten run and when he came back we struggled to get over the line. What really worries is that RM seems to be tied in to both players.

All in all, we are only a few moves away from a team good enough to compete in the EPL but if we don't solve those issues above, I fear it could be a long season. COYS

4.) 14 Aug 2024
14 Aug 2024 14:14:27
Reply to saintthatakickinthehead, McAtee is still a real possibility and a goalkeeper as our 2 allowed loans. Broja is not happening at the moment. O’Riley is just too expensive and I think McAtee is a better player. What is absolutely evident is that Saints are not prepared to buy any mercenaries from other leagues, they want players who want to play in the premier league not just collect their pay cheques, that was the problem with 22/23 purchases. Don’t be surprised to see a couple of last minute freebies involving older experienced premier league players.

5.) 14 Aug 2024
14 Aug 2024 16:59:00
Thank you @2408.

Good to hear we have learnt some lessons from 22/23 and if McAtee is better than O'Riley, that is more money in the bank.

@St. Marty. I agree with your concerns about Stephens and Manning. I think the LB plan is KWP, Taylor or Wellington then Woods or Edwards as back up CBs but RM does has his favourites. I am am probably over optimistic about a marquee striker but we could do with 1 more. I would prioritise over a right winger, as I think we will be 3 5 2 with wing backs most of the time and if we do go 3 up top chasing a game I can see Armstrong there or SAA with Diaz or a new striker down the middle.

Our defensive and DM cover is a concern so some experienced freebies sounds good.

6.) 14 Aug 2024
14 Aug 2024 21:03:41
Apparently Russell is pulling out the race for O'Riley not sure if it's a credible source but he said at the moment we aren't in the race.

Honestly we need a stronger midfield with teams interested in Alcaraz now ABK probably going to Hoffenheim tho I heard the had a issue with his medical. If we do get this 'pelle' Fotis Ionndis for allegedly a whopping 30m around that mark hopefully we should be midfield!