No transfer business.....

[gaffablade]

Looks increasing like no transfer business will be done until we know the destiny of Rammers and Berge.

To me, it seems a little odd to have pre-season friendlies without the team/squad players for the season in place.

Or just maybe it's no in's or out's this is the squad....SJ show us what you got.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

It is pretty disappointing to be going into August with no business done. We all know the squad has a lot of shortfalls, particularly in midfield.

 

[Lower Drop Blade]

I'm sure we have things in the pipeline most probably loans. Obviously Rammers and Berge leaving for around 60m would alter things.
Agree entirely with OP about shortfalls in squad at the present moment I wouldn't think we could get into top 10

 

[Carlton Blade]

Typical Tinpot United
All gone to Villa
Etc etc

 

[ancientblade]

It is pretty disappointing to be going into August with no business done. We all know the squad has a lot of shortfalls, particularly in midfield.

if berge stays we still need a midfielder to come in if he goes we need 2 for certain we just cant go with what weve got again regarding midfield

 

[CaptainMorgans]

if berge stays we still need a midfielder to come in if he goes we need 2 for certain we just cant go with what weve got again regarding midfield

And if Ramsdale goes he will definitely need replacing. We can't afford to sell these guys at the 11th hour & go with what we've got, our squad isn't up to it.

 

[BrianBadonde]

Surely no one expected us to do much business?

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Calm down yer great bunch of fannies. We knew we were going to be mainly in the loan market, and for the better loan players deals are done late.
Worst case is we play Birmingham with the side that beat Burnley last time out, but we also have Billy, Berge and RND to consider.

 

[Bashamed]

Maybe the last manager left us with a squad that Slav thinks it's good enough to get us up?

 

[S40BLADE]

Im more than fine with a shitty cheap loan only window only if we dont Deane and Fjortoft this window. Which cant help but feel we will.

 

[Mouth of the South]

A few thoughts (not based on any insight or ITK):
- Given his recent injuries, I can't see any club offering the asking price for Berge. A season-long loan with an option/obligation to buy is far more likely with an obliged purchase enabling Utd to spend against it
- Arsenal will eventually end-up making an acceptable offer for Ramsdale, who, given the lack of able cover, will be replaced by a loan
- Prem loans are unlikely to be finalised until after Prem squads have been confirmed i.e. after the start of the season
- I'm surprised more in-contact players (especially strikers inc. Mousset and Burke) have not moved on and that a least a couple haven't been brought-in - just highlights how difficult it is to get deals over the line at the moment
- The lack of creativity and scoring threat from midfield is a big concern, as is the lack of cover at CB.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Im more than fine with a shitty cheap loan only window only if we dont Deane and Fjortoft this window. Which cant help but feel we will.

What makes you think it’ll be a cheap shitty one? I’d suggest the later we run the better quality players we’re trying to get. If we’re really looking at the likes of Davies and Elliott then it shouldn’t be cheap nor shitty.

 

[Iffy Onuora's Shiny Head]

I'm very surprised we haven't moved in the loan market at least.

Granted Ramsdale and Berge need to be resolved, but regardless of that we are still lacking in central midfield and a couple of players with some flair and pace. Then we have the JOC position to cover now Bryan has left.

 

[S40BLADE]

What makes you think it’ll be a cheap shitty one? I’d suggest the later we run the better quality players we’re trying to get. If we’re really looking at the likes of Davies and Elliott then it shouldn’t be cheap nor shitty.

Just feel that in the event of a potential promotion that being left with the same squad that struggled desperately technically and physically with no additions just puts further pressure on us later down the line. I know its far from a apparent pressing issue RN but cant help feel that by not setting in motion a longer term transfer strategy that we are being quite naive.

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

I'm very surprised we haven't moved in the loan market at least.

Granted Ramsdale and Berge need to be resolved, but regardless of that we are still lacking in central midfield and a couple of players with some flair and pace. Then we have the JOC position to cover now Bryan has left.

The loan mark is almost impossible at the moment - top Premier League teams won't let players leave until late in the window as standard.

 

[Booker4]

I think there was an article saying Berge going did not effect midfield recruitment, but in reality it will change how much money we have, it's a waiting game for now, but I can see Davies coming on loan as that's a no brainer and we're not waiting on anyone to leave first in any of the central defensive positions and that's where we need extra bodies.

 

[A Storm of Blades]

Freeman is like a new signing, Berge is a £30m midfielder if he stays, I’m convinced he’s going to use some players in new positions (Bogle/Lowe). We do need more creativity in midfield and depth in defence, however the starting 11 we can put out easily challenges for the title

 

[BettingBlade]

Think it’s less about improving the squad per se and just having a couple of faces to freshen it up and give different competition for places.

There’s bound to be a bit of a hangover from last season, a few players spent a lot of time out with injuries and the defence was never really settled either. We probably need another defender and an extra body in midfield

I’d be surprised if we get to the end of August and haven’t signed anyone at all, however, it may be that we’re waiting on outgoings before we get anyone else in. In which case I’d be extremely concerned if we lose anyone at this late stage before the start of the season and are faced with having to replace them at the eleventh hour. You would hope Slav has targets in place should he have to make a move but clubs will know our position which may prolong the negotiation process and lead to us overpaying or missing out altogether.

Having said that though, Wilder always got his business done early which was a pleasant surprise when it was happening. Maybe we need to get used to the realities of the transfer market. Wilder appeared to be the exception and not the rule in that respect.

 

[Bladesman]

Freeman is like a new signing, Berge is a £30m midfielder if he stays, I’m convinced he’s going to use some players in new positions (Bogle/Lowe). We do need more creativity in midfield and depth in defence, however the starting 11 we can put out easily challenges for the title

I think Slav might see Freeman and Didsy in the creative roles.

 

[BushBlade]

I think there was an article saying Berge going did not effect midfield recruitment, but in reality it will change how much money we have, it's a waiting game for now, but I can see Davies coming on loan as that's a no brainer and we're not waiting on anyone to leave first in any of the central defensive positions and that's where we need extra bodies.

I suspect Liverpool would prefer to loan him to a PL club as, if he does well, his value will increase significantly. I wouldn’t be surprised if they hang on until late in the window to see if clubs like Norwich, Brentford, Burnley etc pick up injuries to their defenders and need a loan. If they don’t, then they’ll be prepared to loan him to a championship club.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

Just feel that in the event of a potential promotion that being left with the same squad that struggled desperately technically and physically with no additions just puts further pressure on us later down the line. I know its far from a apparent pressing issue RN but cant help feel that by not setting in motion a longer term transfer strategy that we are being quite naive.

I think the idea would be we’d be looking to keep a fair proportion and if not obviously you have the budget to buy if you really have to.

 

[Skiliman]

If we keep Rammers and Berge and get a CB and CM on loan (Davies and Hourihane?) I think we go into next season stronger than last.

 

[Champagneblade]

I think the challenge is that we are not short on overall numbers.

It's not as if we had 12 players like Wednesday. We only had 4 or so out of contract who have all left and at the same time we have a few younger players stepping up.

I'd not be surprised to see us start with what we've got and then all out business being done in the week before transfer deadline day.

Bettinelli is going to Chelsea so he's one option off the table.

 

[SouthportBlade]

If we move to a 3-4-3, we only have 2 central midfielders in the starting line up.

Dropping the 3 from last year makes quite a big difference, with returning loans / injuries all of a sudden there's 6 player for 2 positions.

Fleck
Freeman
Norwood
Berge
Osborn
Slater

Not saying we aren't short or quality, but Berge (if he stays), Freeman (if he comes good) and Slater (if he continues to improve) are almost 3 new signings. Obviously three big ifs, but might not be as chronic as we think in middle of the park.

Slater aside all of the above are proven performers at Championship level.

I'd still like to see some incomings, and suggest we will see this. However, CBs are a bigger priority at the moment?

 

[SufcBilly]

Reckon someone else should make another thread with their piss soaked bloomers by their ankles.

 

[Booker4]

I suspect Liverpool would prefer to loan him to a PL club as, if he does well, his value will increase significantly. I wouldn’t be surprised if they hang on until late in the window to see if clubs like Norwich, Brentford, Burnley etc pick up injuries to their defenders and need a loan. If they don’t, then they’ll be prepared to loan him to a championship club.

Fair point Bush, more waiting no doubt on this one.

 

[Yogi]

If we move to a 3-4-3, we only have 2 central midfielders in the starting line up.

Dropping the 3 from last year makes quite a big difference, with returning loans / injuries all of a sudden there's 6 player for 2 positions.

Fleck
Freeman
Norwood
Berge
Osborn
Slater

Not saying we aren't short or quality, but Berge (if he stays), Freeman (if he comes good) and Slater (if he continues to improve) are almost 3 new signings. Obviously three big ifs, but might not be as chronic as we think in middle of the park.

Slater aside all of the above are proven performers at Championship level.

I'd still like to see some incomings, and suggest we will see this. However, CBs are a bigger priority at the moment?

Centreback definitely should be the priority right now as it stands we’ve lost 3 from last years squad which need to be replaced with none of the kids quite ready to step up yet imo.

 

[Danny_Blade]

I'm not saying 100% that the club is playing it this way as none of us fans can know for sure.

But if they are then I don't understand why no new signings are to be made until we sell someone first, as though we're acting like a hard up, cash strapped club that has hit hard times. Granted I know we're not made of money but as we've only just dropped out of the Prem with parachute payments to come for the next 3 seasons. I'm also not saying we should be splurging those payments either but come on, compared to clubs that haven't just come down like SUFC have then surely we should be in a healthier position than those that were already in the Championship last season and beyond, especially as they wouldn't have had any matchday revenue coming in AS WELL AS what PL revenue brings.

It doesn't make any sense because if the club really want to return to the PL within the parachute payment window then we must improve the team, it really is as simple as that. I'm going to go out on a bit of a limb here where I could easily have egg on my face later down the line, I don't think this team as it is is good enough to go straight back up. I think Slav is a decent manager but I don't think he's the wonder worker type.

 

[Aeres]

I suspect Liverpool would prefer to loan him to a PL club as, if he does well, his value will increase significantly. I wouldn’t be surprised if they hang on until late in the window to see if clubs like Norwich, Brentford, Burnley etc pick up injuries to their defenders and need a loan. If they don’t, then they’ll be prepared to loan him to a championship club.

I think that's a very fair point when you look at the case of Joe Willock last year. He only played 14 games for Newcastle and now the figures quoted are in excess in 30m. That just simply wouldn't have happened if he'd gone to a Championship club, no matter how well he'd performed.

 

[BettingBlade]

I'm not saying 100% that the club is playing it this way as none of us fans can know for sure.

But if they are then I don't understand why no new signings are to be made until we sell someone first, as though we're acting like a hard up, cash strapped club that has hit hard times. Granted I know we're not made of money but as we've only just dropped out of the Prem with parachute payments to come for the next 3 seasons. I'm also not saying we should be splurging those payments either but come on, compared to clubs that haven't just come down like SUFC have then surely we should be in a healthier position than those that were already in the Championship last season and beyond, especially as they wouldn't have had any matchday revenue coming in AS WELL AS what PL revenue brings.

It doesn't make any sense because if the club really want to return to the PL within the parachute payment window then we must improve the team, it really is as simple as that. I'm going to go out on a bit of a limb here where I could easily have egg on my face later down the line, I don't think this team as it is is good enough to go straight back up. I think Slav is a decent manager but I don't think he's the wonder worker type.

I just wonder if the Brewster and Berge signings are eating more into future budgets than first predicted. Let’s be honest, they weren’t signings made in the notion that they’d be good players to bring us back up. They were signed in the hope that we’d kick on and become an established Premier League side.

I hope and I do think the pair of them will be like new signings themselves at this level. Especially if we hold on to Berge. However there is an argument to be made that fees received for Berge and Ramsdale could be better spent to strengthen the squad as a whole at Championship level.

Tbh, if a decent amount had come in for Rammers right at the start of the window I’d have been tempted to take it and re-build. I can only think that the lack of incoming rumours is pointing towards us keeping hold of our big money players.