A signing that has worked

[toledo]

Let's go back to the summer and the need to rebuild after a terrible EPL experience.

Who would have thought, at the time, that one signing would make the contributions to this season the way he has? Who would have thought that this player was even available: a current international who could not get playing time in a, then, Championship team! Who would have thought that one signing would have the impact on the season, the foundation of the team, and on other players?

Step forward Harry Souttar, what an unbelievable impact you are having on this quickly rebuilt team, and, at times, very young team,

Thank you for what you have brought to SUFC,

toledo

 

[GodricBlade]

He was simply fucking superb yesterday.
We should do everything we possibly can to sign him - he suits us & we suit him.

 

[Bladesman101]

I think he’s one of the main reason Anel is back to his best!

 

[coaxingstar71]

Credit is due to Wilder for all the signings he made pre season. I can't think of any poor ones.

Remember seeing Souttar play for Stoke at the Lane in 2022-23, a game we won 3-1. He was obviously an imposing figure but can't say I was impressed. I thought he was just big and slow.

However, he's been excellent and I think it's helped him that he's playing alongside Anel, who Souttar admits, is more mobile. Not sure if Leicester want to sell, but it would be interesting to know how much they'd want. We'd only be in a position to buy him if either we get promoted or this takeover actually happens and Wilder is given a large transfer pot. As I understand it, he's on a season long loan and as long as he's playing, I don't think he can be recalled. Not sure what would happen if another club came in for him in January. Otherwise I don't think there will be any movement until the end of the season, but assuming one of the two scenarios above happens then maybe £10-12m wouldn't be unreasonable. If he's only got a year left on his contract at Leicester at the end of the season then we might even get him for less.

 

[John Street West Terrace]

The difference Souttar & Cooper have made to our back line is there for all to see , we gave an air of calmness about us at the back now .
Last season the number of set piece goals we were conceding or sitting back on the 6 yard box to defending too deep cost us dearly .
Souttar is one of the reasons we’ve conceded so little , as well as being a colossus in the air he’s also the organiser at the back & Anel has benefited massively from this . Hope we can sign the lad after his loan .. been immense

 

[beatific blade]

Never Fall In Love With A Loan Player - Episode #76

Bladey pessimism tells me we will lose to Boro in the play-offs and they'll sign him for the PL

 

[Sheffsteel]

The difference Souttar & Cooper have made to our back line is there for all to see , we gave an air of calmness about us at the back now .
Last season the number of set piece goals we were conceding or sitting back on the 6 yard box to defending too deep cost us dearly .
Souttar is one of the reasons we’ve conceded so little , as well as being a colossus in the air he’s also the organiser at the back & Anel has benefited massively from this . Hope we can sign the lad after his loan .. been immense

Defending set pieces and crosses has been a massive reason behind all our clean sheets.

At Championship level most teams rely heavily on goals from crosses and corners
however this season I've gradually got to a point where there's no need to worry.

It's almost boring because Souttar, Ahmedhodic or Moore 9 times out of 10 head the ball away from corners
and even on the rare occasion this doesnt happen we still have Cooper as a safe paid of hands to punch the ball away or make saves.

Also agree that Anel is back to his best because there's less pressure on him. Souttar has become our Harry McGuire, our main central defender and Anel is there as secondary centre back ready to cover for Souttar, it also means that Anel has opportunities to have some forward runs.

 

[SwissBlade]

The difference Souttar & Cooper have made to our back line is there for all to see , we gave an air of calmness about us at the back now .
Last season the number of set piece goals we were conceding or sitting back on the 6 yard box to defending too deep cost us dearly .
Souttar is one of the reasons we’ve conceded so little , as well as being a colossus in the air he’s also the organiser at the back & Anel has benefited massively from this . Hope we can sign the lad after his loan .. been immense

It goes further than this. Cooper, Souttar, Souza and Moore have given us a proper spine and we've worked our system around this. In theory you can take one of these elements out and maintain the structure if the player is like for like, but i think these four have been exceptional and we don't have like for like anyway.

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

Let's go back to the summer and the need to rebuild after a terrible EPL experience.

Who would have thought, at the time, that one signing would make the contributions to this season the way he has? Who would have thought that this player was even available: a current international who could not get playing time in a, then, Championship team! Who would have thought that one signing would have the impact on the season, the foundation of the team, and on other players?

Step forward Harry Souttar, what an unbelievable impact you are having on this quickly rebuilt team, and, at times, very young team,

Thank you for what you have brought to SUFC,

toledo

Well said. Sometimes a signing is successful not only because of the individual performance, but also because of their influence on players around him. A bonus for a loan player to do that.

 

[ShockingBadBuy]

Well said. Sometimes a signing is successful not only because of the individual performance, but also because of their influence on players around him.

Yep. On top of all his other attributes, most of the time Souttar positively radiates calmness and composure—not something we can necessarily say about Anel or the full-backs, whatever their own many strengths, individually and collectively.

Cooper does the same. The air of assurance that he and Souttar have brought to our back line has made a major difference this season.

 

[71Blade]

Is there a call back clause in Jan inserted in the loan? just concerned if he is called back and possibly Rak Saki could leave us short?

 

[Houston_Blade]

I was completely wrong about Souttar, like others have said he also improves Anel just by being there.

 

[steve26272]

Let's go back to the summer and the need to rebuild after a terrible EPL experience.

agreed

Also had someone at the end of last season told us we would face the pigs with Anel, Souza & JLT, add in 3 freebies including a lone striker, and rely on 4 academy lads we’d have been screaming

Yet here we are, joint top

Fair play to those lads, and CW for bringing it all together in quick time

 

[toledo]

Its because you live in TX, lol.... a red state like OH!!!

 

[GrunkyPeep]

I like our strategy for this years transfers, it looked like we tried to sign captains.

 

[232 Bramall Lane]

I just worry every time he flies off to play for Australia and hope he returns fit.
Bahrain away next Tues night follows a "home match" v Saudi Arabia.

 

[BalticBlade]

We've not had a centre half who can read the game like Souttar can since Paul McGrath. His biggest 'weakness' is probably his lack of pace, but his impeccable reading of the game means this hasn't been an issue so far.

 

[elgoog44]

I think sometimes a Player can suit a club and manger and together they shine, i thought Souttar was not going to make a big impact and was hoping for Worrell as i thought he would make a huge impact and be the type of player we needed, but glad we got Souttar, it very much reminds me of Jags and Morgan, and as long as we can keep both fit and on form the defence looks amazing and it's nice when a team attacks not to think "well that will be a goal then!" Cooper, Burrows and Gilchrist also very much a big part of it also, and to have back ups that are just as good in Seriki, McCallum and Shackleton is just amazing.

Feels like again Wilder is building something and if everything is finally sorted with the take over, He might have the backing to make further adjustments should another visit to the promised land come to fruition.