Transfer News, Gossip & Speculation Transfer Thread - Summer 2025 Edition.

[Grayson]

And no amount of being told to be patient will quell that. Every extra year we stay in this league is a misery

And once there, the same people complaining will be saying the exact same things in L2.

 

[kentblues]

Got to to love the summer madness of the Zone. We demand EFL standard players then get upset when we target them but they sign for an EFL club.

Sutton were tipped by a few on here last year with their impressive early signings. They failed so badly they are having to do the same this summer. Others warned how FGR big spend would see them stroll into L2. If not them then York.

The fact is we had good second half of the season with some excellent signings. As Yorkshire pointed out they have passed the bottle test with our three play-off games. We don't have to rush because we only need 4/5 signings. I for one don't care if that takes until October because its quality rather than quantity that gets you promoted. As this season proved....Don't judge at the end of September wait until May.

As you mention I think Sutton were impressive numerically rather than in terms of outright quality. Fortunately as you also mention we have the basis of a very good team, and just need to bring in 4-5. They just need to be better than we have as opposed to bench warmers. Or perhaps at a minimum a couple of real prospects and 3 where we bring in real quality in key positions if that helps manage the budget. But we need that quality that is better than we have.

 

[Blues4LifeDan]

Got to to love the summer madness of the Zone. We demand EFL standard players then get upset when we target them but they sign for an EFL club.

Sutton were tipped by a few on here last year with their impressive early signings. They failed so badly they are having to do the same this summer. Others warned how FGR big spend would see them stroll into L2. If not them then York.

The fact is we had good second half of the season with some excellent signings. As Yorkshire pointed out they have passed the bottle test with our three play-off games. We don't have to rush because we only need 4/5 signings. I for one don't care if that takes until October because its quality rather than quantity that gets you promoted. As this season proved....Don't judge at the end of September wait until May.

I do agree with you, especially only needing 4-5 players. However, that is only based on the assumption that we retain the squad that finished the season. I don't think that is a given at all.

We lost Goodliffe and Golding already, so 2 CB's need to be signed. Gus, KAF and Coker could all end up leaving too. Gus and KAF for obvious reasons, and Coker was already being watched by EFL clubs before his injury. He started to get back to his best towards the end of the season. He will undoubtedly have interest from the EFL. Bonne may also not accept his reduced terms contract. That's a lot of players from the starting 11 and matchday squad to potentially replace.

That means with 5 players already needed when the season finished, and possibly having to replace up to 6 others, a big recruit drive is needed. I just can't see us being able to successfully obtain that amount of players, that can then challenge at the top end of the table with the amount of money it would cost and the length of time needed to bed those players in.

Before anyone retorts with, it's all 'ifs' and 'buts', or COSU aren't showing intent if they let those players go, we know if an EFL club comes in for them, they are off. It's as simple as that. EFL clubs will 100% be sniffing around all three. That's absolutely fine, because that's the model we are trying to create. But trying to replace those players, whilst also trying to get the 4-5 we already needed is going to be so tough.

 

[amsemp]

I wonder if Sam Dreyer from Torquay is on the whiteboard. 22 year-old centre back, seems a passionate lad, decent size and looks a really good player. Won their young player of the season and got into the NLS team of the season. With Torquay not getting promoted, I wonder if there’s potentially a deal to be done there.

 

[Shrimper]

And once there, the same people complaining will be saying the exact same things in L2.

Remaining in League 2 is much more palatable than being in NL though

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

I wonder if Sam Dreyer from Torquay is on the whiteboard. 22 year-old centre back, seems a passionate lad, decent size and looks a really good player. Won their young player of the season and got into the NLS team of the season. With Torquay not getting promoted, I wonder if there’s potentially a deal to be done there.

He signed a new two year deal with them two weeks ago.

 

[Shrimper]

Is the transfer that people were talking about happening this week still on? Thursday/Friday announcement?

 

[sufc4life21]

This is league which only has 1 automatic spot, how on earth can we afford to be patient? This isn't league 2 where they have 3 automatic promotion spots. The squad itself looks skinny which needs to be bolsterd interms of numbers (preferably with 1st or 2nd choice targets added instead of 4th/5th choice targets). Even from squad moral point of view signings are needed to show the management and the current set of players we are serious about going for promotion. We have to continue to build on whats been achieved so far and not being left behind playing catch up which could cost us in the long run. Currently we have squad of 17 players that's very light interms of numbers, you need a squad of atleast 22/23 going into the first game of the season. Fully prepared squad with 5 1st/2nd choice targets signed up before ball kicked will more likely see us get off to fast start which is needed in this league to be competitive at the top end. I seriously hope we aren't messing around at the back end of August, that will cause issues with the management and owners.

 

[Flinty]

Didn't Justin say "Attack the league" rather than "go for the title".

I have no problem with him saying either and it's great to hear the enthusiasm and passion. But there is a difference in the wording.

This is my understanding , he never said we are going for the title as far as I remember more that we need to be in and around it this season…I think people have taken their own twist on the wording

 

[Finney on the wing]

Getting fed up of all the bleating about lack of signings. We don't have the money !! It's the COSU way or no way so get used to it. Be grateful we have a team at all. Despite all this, we are still very competitive. We just need patience and a bit of luck with signings.

 

[Napster]

Couple of forwards at Luton who could be on offer: Oli Lynch (spent some time on loan at Hemel last season) and Taylan Harris.

 

[Suffering shrimper]

Wonder if we’re interested in Harry Phipps from Dagenham out of contract a player that John still took to Dagenham from east Thurrock plays centre half but can play midfielder and do a job up front

 

[Uncle_Rons_Teapot]

If we don't win the league next season we've failed. It's all or nothing and if we fail Kev has to go

 

[dusterman]

Think a ball playing CB is our key signing this summer.

 

[It'sGrimUpNorth]

That would be a harsh decision should we get to the play off final again and lose.

 

[SUFCGoals]

Think a ball playing CB is our key signing this summer.

Someone like Goodliffe but is comfortable on the ball. And also doesn’t give away penalties, slip from a long ball and skew clearances in important games.

 

[Grayson]

Remaining in League 2 is much more palatable than being in NL though

I agree with you. It should be that the context of this stint in NL makes people more relaxed about L2.

It won't though. Those demanding success now always demand it.

Everybody wants new signings and success. It's just tolerance levels and patience levels that differ.

 

[Liam AAS]

Nothing wrong with JR's statement whatsoever. It's good to see some real positivity.

However, the people and procedures in place behind the scenes should support and allow Kev to build a side capable of "attacking next season" and "chasing top honours". From what has been said by a number of reliable posters on here, that does not appear to be the case right now. If anything the whole thing has been a bit of a hindrance.

This needs to change very quickly indeed, or COSU will not only have an angry gaffer, but 7,000+ fans that will vote with their feet and wallet..

I love this threat. Crowds are mad high and the town is finally engaging with the club. People aren't going to stop coming because the internal transfer process is too bureaucratic

 

[annie1954]

Is the transfer that people were talking about happening this week still on? Thursday/Friday announcement?

Unfortunately the Thursday / Friday announcements rumours usually run for about a month on Shrimperzone

 

[Fairport]

Think a ball playing CB is our key signing this summer.

And also can score goals from set pieces