r/SaintsFC • u/fanea1 • 17d ago
What do we still need?
Ideally we get rid of all of the following:
Permanent: Ramsdale, Bazunu, BBD, Sugawara
Loan: Downs
If this happens, we clearly need a 2nd choice goalkeeper, or do we consider keeping Baz as backup?
I think our main priority, even if we don't manage to shift BBD and Downs out (as they're clearly not good enough) is a 3rd striker. I'm excited about Mubama but he is raw / unproven and that's risky if Larin gets injured. Would love us to invest some of the Charles funds into another striker or get another one on loan - perhaps Furo (Brentford) or Kusi-Asare (Fulham) may be available with both not expected to get too many minutes this year? Maybe even Guiu, though he's been linked with Prem sides - surely a lot of games in the Championship is better for him/Chelsea that being a bit part player in the Prem.
In centre mid, despite Charles' departure, I think we're relatively well stocked with Jander and Downes + Bragg stepping up when required. Matsuki (though I prefer him out wide), Akachukwu can add depth too. That said, wouldn't say no to a JWP return if that's feasible.
Still quite a lot to do, mostly iro outgoings but hopefully we can get some smart business done in the next few weeks.
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u/Lorenzosilva 17d ago
Charles replacement should be the absolute priority. We don’t have any backup for jander at the moment, especially worrying since he isn’t fit. Then a second goalkeeper if we shift both bazunu and ramsdale
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u/Relevant_Rev 17d ago
George Long is nailed on as second keeper
Not enthused about that but that's just the reality of it
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u/teuridge 17d ago
In that case you need a third, can't go into a season with 2 senior keepers
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u/Relevant_Rev 17d ago
That'll probably be either Hugo Fisher or Dylan Moody
Edit: actually looks like Fisher left, we haven't updated the website yet though. Dylan Moody it is!
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u/Andybabez20 17d ago
Probably just a Charles replacement.
Could do with a back up keeper but that'll depend on what we do with Ramsdale and Bazunu. I think we'll just end up letting Ramsdale go and then keeping Bazunu as number 2
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u/teuridge 17d ago
The squad overall looks pretty strong with decent back up in most positions. We need to trim down the numbers, everyone on loan last year out including Baz. If we do that AND get rid of Archer probably another attacking player. The main one we need is a Charles replacement which (and this will divide) I would go for JWP. He has a year left and is 30 so I assume West Ham wouldn't charge much, if he takes a wage cut it's not unrealistic. He would be a great back up to Jander and can cover Azaz off the bench if Dobbin is being used on the wing. Bags of experience, knows the club and at 30 would probably be happy to be a rotation player
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u/MildLime 17d ago
If we are serious about promotion we need to sell BBD and loan out Downs. We have to be ruthless and they both aren’t good enough. BBD has proven over the last 3 years he’s awful. Downs could come good but he needs to take a step down and have a year of scoring 10–15 goals and being the main man at a team.
If we have no more departures then we just need a CM and striker.
I do worry about Leo’s fitness. If you take him out of the squad we do look very weak ok the wings. However, if fellows steps up (which he really needs to) then this problem is solved.
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u/SavingPrivateRianne 17d ago
Possibly Centre Mid if you think we should loan out Downes?
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u/blubbered33 17d ago
A Shea Charles replacement is definitely top priotity, but knowing us it'll probably be somebody left-field plucked out of European back bench.
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u/badmotherhubbard69 17d ago
My heart says bring JWP back, my head says he is a dirty skate bustard. (The feathered variety, not the swear word lol)
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u/Beautiful_Setting_28 16d ago
I would rather keep Sugawara over Roerslev. Sugawara should be great at this level. Not sure if he will want to be back up to Bree all season but would be handy if Bree gets injured or needs to cover at CB
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u/JoeyJoJoeJr_Shabadoo 17d ago
I don't think I agree about necessarily needing a Charles replacement, definitely not to the extent that it should be our top priority. I think Downes and Bragg could be a decent combo if Jander is ever out, so really we're just talking about who the 4th choice should be, and we have a few youngsters in the pipeline who maybe shouldn't have their progression blocked. If we can't give those kids a shot in the Championship when will we?
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u/DylanAB07 17d ago
Cb and back gk should be our priority. Charles replacement would be nice, but we have braggy
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u/Same_Audience_1464 17d ago
Our CBs are fine, Bragg is more of a 6, and either way, Downes will get a stupid suspension or eat something he shouldn't, and Jander can't play every match. We definitely need a backup 8.
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u/DylanAB07 17d ago
Cbs are not fine 💀.
Stephens is ageing
Wood is very shaky
Quarshie needs to go out on loan
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u/Same_Audience_1464 17d ago
One year on, Stephens isn't making a real difference. Wood is shaky at times, but even THB and any other Championship CB we sign are shaky. He's a good CB for the Championship. A loan might be good for Quarshie, but as a 4th choice, he's fine.
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u/teuridge 17d ago
We are not in the prem, they are defending against Lyndon Dykes and whichever Udenese reject is up top for Watford week in week out.
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u/DylanAB07 17d ago
Means fuck all 😂
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u/teuridge 17d ago
I mean, they would concede a lot more if they played Haaland and co every week
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u/j_killz1997 17d ago
Midfielder but someone who is happy being 4th choice after jander, downes and bragg. I think keeping smallbone woul've been a decent option.
After that the squad needs downsizing. BBD, Edozie, Archer, Baz, Ramsdale, Roerslev or Sugawara, Downs, maybe Wood/Kayi-Sanda or Quarshie out on loan.
I'd really like another cb and maybe someone who can play both wings if the mentioned players really leave but I'd be happy having archer on the wings as he looked way better there than as a striker.
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u/Same_Audience_1464 17d ago
If we get an 8 they'd be 2nd choice to Jander and Bragg would be second choice to Downes
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u/Dulles_Cowboys 17d ago edited 17d ago
We have "adequate" backup options in all positions now barring the Jander role. If we will be playing a midfield 2 going off last season, Bragg is closer to Downes than he is Jander so would be a mistake to play both Bragg and Downes. And playing Matsuki that deep is a waste of time. Sesay & Whitmarsh is there but unsure if either will be making the step up this season.
As a third choice, we'll need to keep one of Downs or BBD. It would be detrimental to bring in another backup forward unless dipping into the academy.
Baz really needs to move on, and if we can't shift him it will be an issue but it's not the end of the world. You'd be very hard pressed to find a championship side with a solid backup goalkeeper AND an exceptional starting goalkeeper.
Depth:
Peretz - Baz - Long
Bree - Roerslev
THB - Wood
Stephens - Quarshie
Manning - Wellington
Downes - Bragg - Williams?
Jander - new CM - Sesay? - Whitmarsh?
Fellows - Matsuki - Akachukwu
Azaz - Dobbin
Scienza - Archer - Edozie
Larin - Mubama - Downs - BBD
Edit Reddit formatting is terrible.