29 May 2024 09:21:05
Excited to be back in the Premier League and looking forward to posting with you all next year!

Top on my wish list is Downes, a spine of experienced Premier league players, plus some championship and Scottish stars.

To loan out young players for experience, limit the moneyball signings and keep some in the kitty for Jan. Then I think we can have a good crack at it, while being a stronger side if we drop down.

Here are some early transfer thoughts based on rumours, performance and contracts. Players to leave or loan in brackets.

GK: TBC (Lumley or McCarthy)
RB: Ben Johnson (Bree)
LB: Perraud (2 of Larios, Manning, Meghoma)
CB: 1 or 2 of Van den Berg/Joe Rodon/ABK/CC (Lyanco)
CM: Downes, Matt O'Riley (Charles)
RW: Whittaker/Gnoto/Brooks (Ameyaw)
LW: Summerville/Jack Clarke and Fraser (Edozie or Sulemana)
AM: Szmodics/Alcaraz, Lallana (Rothwell)
ST. 2 of Ings/Chris Wood/Broja/Rutter/Carlton Morris (Adams, Mara, Ballard)

Would love to hear your thoughts

1.) 30 May 2024
30 May 2024 08:16:41
Championship to premier league is a huge step up for a striker, very few make it successfully. I like Whittaker and he potentially has the best chance of making that leap, his finishing is very good. Ben Johnson would be an excellent squad player as he can play both full back positions. Caleta car has been outstanding for Lyon this season, I really would like to see him and ABK back, that would give us 4 quality centre backs. Josh Brownhill maybe worth a punt as he’s out of contract, MCcatee from Man City? It’s going to be interesting what happens and let’s hope lessons have been learnt within the recruitment department.

2.) 30 May 2024
30 May 2024 17:52:47
You tend to find the championship strikers that make it in the premier league, are ones that got promoted with a club. So fingers crossed Armstrong may be able to continue some sort of scoring from.

3.) 31 May 2024
31 May 2024 08:51:04
Ben Johnson seems shrewd. We have a good record of RB and LBs from London clubs (Bertrand, KWP, Clyne) . KWP will go at some point, so we have a replacement ready.

Also see former Saints Clyne and Soares are out of contract - could add depth and leadership. ABK, CC and Perraud would be welcome, if they want to return.

I think Whittaker or Jack Clarke is worth a punt. If we get relegated and AA leaves, we have an integrated replacement. I agree with Saint Kenny that most success stories are part of a promoted side though.

Matt O'Riley sounds interesting. We have a good record of midfielders from Scottish clubs.

I feel we need a proven Premier league GK and DM. West Ham are savvy negotiators and I can seem them taking Downes to the wire. In a 4 2 3 1, another DM is needed.

I am feeling more positive now. With 5 solid signings and a few carefully considered punts we have a shot.

4.) 02 Jun 2024
02 Jun 2024 11:22:52
Definitely need to look at experience of premier league. Brownhill has another year on his contract, my mistake. There are some really good players who made moves, much to early in their careers, to top 10 premier league clubs. They might need a good pre season and an arm around the shoulder, good players don’t suddenly become bad players they just need encouragement and to actually play. That scenario is where I believe we will pick up a few gems if the recruitment department has a mind to do so.

5.) 02 Jun 2024
02 Jun 2024 22:26:05
Those type of signings would be great.

I did a geeky little analysis comparing the signings of the promoted sides that all went down this year vs the promotion sides that all stayed up the year before.

Big takeaway was that the sides that stayed up bought 2x more PL experienced players aged over 27 (few big money signings and then loans or frees) with a focus on defence and keepers vs relegated sides with more young, championship midfielders.

We need a balance but with a tilt towards PL.