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Pros & Cons of Saints approach to transfers

Last updated : 19 August 2002 By Christian Kelly

While it could be argued that Piper used Saints only to get an improved offer from the Black Cats, Saints did have a golden opportunity to bring the player in.

Pros

Cons

Saints have a rigid wage structure that they shouldn't jeopardise for a single young player.

Saints wage structure is the lowest in the league which makes it hard to compete for anyone. It should be addressed.

Why risk the structure when players are overpaid anyway? It makes long term sense to keep wages as low as possible, especially in the current climate.

While wages are lowering, the changes will not be felt for a few years yet in the Premiership. Many Premiership clubs will still be easily able to outbid Saints even then. We must be more competative.

Saints have managed to survive every season in the Premiership with their pragmatic approach.

Saints have been fortunate on a couple of occasions with last gasp escapes and are not too far ahead of this season's relegation contenders. This is due in part to our inability to improve our playing staff.

Strachan is quite happy with his squad and can therefore afford to be careful over who comes in.

We desperately require some fresh blood to strengthen the team, in goal and on the flank. We need to bring in a couple of players to improve in the league and we can't afford to sit and wait.

Saints haven't got the finances to invest on anyone that good. Rupert Lowe quoted a figure of around £3 million to spend.

Having been a Premiership club with all the wealth that entails means that Saints are a bit better off than Rupert would like to let on. Saints could probably double that figure without too any worries. Also, the continued success in the Premiership brings it's own financial rewards and Saints will have to loosen their purse strings slightly if we are to move upwards rather than stagnate.

The current change in finances will mean that everyone else will have to cut back towards Saints levels of expendature. This will work in our favour as we are used to running a club under such restrictions. Saints will rise above clubs who simply can't cope with the financial circumstances.

Nearly every club in the league will still be spending more than Saints even when the next TV deal is negotiated. Saints need to adjust their thinking to become more competative so that we can still be in the division when that deal comes round. We don't have to bankrupt ourselves in addressing the situation either.

Slow, steady progress is the key for success in the league. Quick measures in bringing in players will be repented at leisure in the Nationwide. Just look at Bradford.

Slow, steady progress in the league gets you to the top of a little sub division of clubs. Investment is then needed to move into the next level. Saints should be looking to make that investment now. Piper and Etherington are the type of player we need to move forward as a club.

Fans are quite happy with the club's progress and feel that the future will be a bright one. There's no pressure from them to see new players come in.

The low turn out against 'boro may be an indication of the novelty value of the new ground. Saints need to be an attractive venue for fans to voice their support. Buying an occassional squad player isn't going to bring any new faces to the games.

Strachan is looking for a squad size of around 20 pros plus half a dozen youngsters. Brining in new players just adds to our numbers when we are trying to get the squad down to a manageable size.

Strachan's comments came before the trasfer window was introduced. We need larger squad now, especially if we are looking upwards. We don't want to be stranded in an injury crisis with only sub standard squad members to pick from. Getting in quality now will definitely pay off.

Strachan is looking to add players who may improve over time and are initially poorer than what we have. Their improvement will put pressure on the curent first team.

Bringing in players with hunger is one thing, but inevitably there will be several who just didn't make the grade and are just baggage on the wage bill. Surely a better policy is to add individuals who can go into the first team. That will be far more effective in putting pressure on the current players.It will also create a much better all round squad.