The Summer 2025 Transfer Window Thread

[prawnking]

Yes we need new players, no it hasn't been good enough so far, don't pretend we've lost loads and loads of good players though, we have lost three (four if you squint a bit with Sarabia, but who would have renewed his contract, basically no-one).

Thing is though, even if we replace the WBs (looks a big if atm) and Arias/JSL/Lopez works OK, we're still looking at a load of shit outside the first XI, and we've lost the likes of Doyle and Sarabia who at least could do a job when coming on. I'd have wanted Vitor to have some decent bench options on top of replacing our key outgoings, but we haven't even done the latter yet.

With how glacially slow we're moving, I'm not confident we won't be looking at a weaker squad than we ended 24/25 with, and that's unacceptable when you consider that losing those three starters and retaining our PL status were all obvious months ago

 

[Wilf Wolf]

We saw with GO that opponents very quickly learned how to play against his set up and this good run never looked like being repeated. Expecting VP to continue his form of last season would be optimistic if he had the same squad. After losing the players we have I can’t see how he’s going to deliver anywhere close to the points haul he did last season. He’s competent but his results against better sides last season don’t point to him being a miracle worker.

 

[Lycan]

We saw with GO that opponents very quickly learned how to play against his set up and this good run never looked like being repeated. Expecting VP to continue his form of last season would be optimistic if he had the same squad. After losing the players we have I can’t see how he’s going to deliver anywhere close to the points haul he did last season. He’s competent but his results against better sides last season don’t point to him being a miracle worker.

I think the longer Vítor has with a squad the stronger and more stable it'll look. The issue at the moment is that he's only got half a squad.

 

[Wilf Wolf]

I think the longer Vítor has with a squad the stronger and more stable it'll look. The issue at the moment is that he's only got half a squad.

Obviously that’s the main issue but I do think his abilities may be being overestimated by some.

 

[Mel Evo]

Obviously that’s the main issue but I do think his abilities may be being overestimated by some.

I think the phrasing there is a bit harsh, but I agree that opponents won’t take long to work out how to play against the makeshift system he did exceptionally well to put in place last season. That’s why in addition to to the four first team departures (regardless of him not being an option to keep, you have to account for replacing Sarabia’s minutes as he came on for significant time in every game, pretty much) you’ve got to look at more incomings. Though I doubt we’ll manage to do that. So I agree with all the above - it’s both a question of basic numbers and quality. Which all demands much quicker activity.

 

[prawnking]

A team that has lost 3 nailed on 1st team starters, gutted the bench which was already quite shallow…and replaced them with an inexperienced kid, Arias who could be anything, a youth team player, and two coming back from serious long term injuries. Were in as bad, if not worse, situation than the start of last season.

I am convinced we will be in the same danger unless things improve quickly.

I had a horrible feeling in the back of my mind after the brilliant atmosphere of Leicester and 'six in a row' last season that it could be the high watermark of Vitor's tenure by some distance, and it would be slowly downhill from there, still hope I was wrong

 

[Wilf Wolf]

I had a horrible feeling in the back of my mind after the brilliant atmosphere of Leicester and 'six in a row' last season that it could be the high watermark of Vitor's tenure by some distance, and it would be slowly downhill from there, still hope I was wrong

It will be his high watermark if we don’t bring in at least four more PL quality players. Tick tock ….

 

[AndyWolves]

I had a horrible feeling in the back of my mind after the brilliant atmosphere of Leicester and 'six in a row' last season that it could be the high watermark of Vitor's tenure by some distance, and it would be slowly downhill from there, still hope I was wrong

Of course it was. Winning 6 in a row is unlikely to happen for wolves again in the PL

 

[prawnking]

I didn't mean it that literally, more the team clicking and the good vibes

 

[Loki]

Thing is though, even if we replace the WBs (looks a big if atm) and Arias/JSL/Lopez works OK, we're still looking at a load of shit outside the first XI, and we've lost the likes of Doyle and Sarabia who at least could do a job when coming on. I'd have wanted Vitor to have some decent bench options on top of replacing our key outgoings, but we haven't even done the latter yet.

With how glacially slow we're moving, I'm not confident we won't be looking at a weaker squad than we ended 24/25 with, and that's unacceptable when you consider that losing those three starters and retaining our PL status were all obvious months ago

As the team stands, I would have hung on to B. Traore too.

 

[Dire Wolf]

As the team stands, I would have hung on to B. Traore too.

I agree. He may not ideally suit VP's style of midfielder, but if/when injuries and suspensions happen I'd rather have a warm body than a vacuum as a replacement.

 

[sycophantia]

I agree. He may not ideally suit VP's style of midfielder, but if/when injuries and suspensions happen I'd rather have a warm body than a vacuum as a replacement.

I'd have thought he'd fit Vitors style perfectly, big, athletic, fairly quick, enthusiastic. Guess he just doesn't think he's good enough.

 

[prawnking]

I'm not bothered we moved Hobbs on, but if appointing Teti (with all the change associated with that) has been a big factor in our slow progress in what is a vital window for us, then it doesn't look the wisest move (or it's just been handled poorly)

 

[BillyDee]

Or the real problem is still here.

 

[Mel Evo]

I mean, we simply have to be signing a new CM given the outgoings. I can’t believe VP thinks what we currently have looks as much as even the bare minimum, including JRB and Munetsi in the analysis. An injury or two to our starters and just imagine the starting XI

 

[prawnking]

I mean, we simply have to be signing a new CM given the outgoings. I can’t believe VP thinks what we currently have looks as much as even the bare minimum, including JRB and Munetsi in the analysis. An injury or two to our starters and just imagine the starting XI

Someone will be along soon to tell you it's impossible to get a good enough player who'd be happy to sit on the bench while Gomes and Andre have the shirts

 

[Kenny]

Someone will be along soon to tell you it's impossible to get a good enough player who'd be happy to sit on the bench while Gomes and Andre have the shirts

Late Liam did that 2 weeks ago...

 

[Mel Evo]

Late Liam did that 2 weeks ago...

Same guy who thinks Tommy Tom Tom Doyle is that player and actively wants him to play that squad role. Simply another victim of the increasingly common and mysterious’ circumstances’. So, plenty to be wrong about.

 

[Lycan]

Boro have accepted a bid from Ipswich for Hayden Hackney. Seems like he's going to hold out and wait to see if a PL club matches the bid. I've always been impressed when I've seen him play, I wouldn't mind us taking a look at him.

 

[Stan Hullis]

We could do with some more home grown players as well, as has been mentioned.