May as well get going with this since with Sullivan at the helm, season ticket renewals slow, and the football vacuum to commence, this will soon be all the "news" there is.
Can Potter and MacCauley pull multiple rabbits out of the hat, or will Sullivan 'try really hard' with all of them before grabbing a few aging bargains from Big Willie Salthouse?
Window this close season comes in two parts:
Part 1: 1st June to 10th June
Part 2: 16th June to 1st September
So I’m getting good going forward but shit defender vibes.
I suppose Potter really wants to play a back 3 and doesn’t want his fullbacks being pinned back making last ditch tackles etc.
I just think if he can’t sort out our central midfield problems it’s all going to go to mush anyways. No matter how attack minded you want to be with all that wingback stuff. So often it’s ended up as a back 5 in two banks as the better teams push us back and we have no midfield outlet to control the game.
so I’m cautiously optimistic about KWP etc if we get a powerhouse CM in to get this team functioning properly.
are we looking at any??
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 18 Jul 2025, 11:25
by BillyJenningsBoots
If Potter wants to play a 3 and wing backs then KWP as a right sided wing back makes perfect sense. Plus as some are saying if he wants flexible players he can do a job at left wing back.
He is good going forward but hit and miss from what Ive heard defensively.
If you check his stats for last year in a poor Southampton side he looks pretty good. Then compare his stats with AWB from his last season at Man Utd and KWP are way better. Even more interesting is obviously AWBs stats are mssively better in his first season with us.
So who's to say KWP wont improve with a better system and players around him.
Oh and his age? Well hes 6 months older than AWB!
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 18 Jul 2025, 11:17
by Eerie Decent
Deflection from what? You think the lad is absolute pony, I'll hold my hands up and say I haven't watched him as much as you. AWB I had seen enough of to know he was going to be a very good player for us, against pretty much every other cսnt on here at the time, this lad I don't, so you can have that one. Although claiming he is on Sam Byram's level is ridiculous, which makes me doubt your story.
I'm not going to let any of that get in the way of a supposed West Ham, watching Southampton regularly, and cheering a goal they scored. What the fuck.
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 18 Jul 2025, 11:06
by southbankbornnbred
I celebrated Flynn scoring the equaliser, as it was a running joke between me and my mate. I told him they only had one good player, and he was ex-West Ham.
southbankbornnbred wrote: ↑18 Jul 2025, 10:01
KWP is a Partridge signing if ever there was one.
A player whose best is the bottom 25% of the Prem and the top 25% of the Championship, signing for a manager who inhabits that world in his mind and (with one exception) in his achievements.
It’s Glenn Roeder meets Sam Byram.
I’m delighted, naturally. Can’t wait.
In what games did you watch him, and what was it that has made you liken him to Sam Byram? Or was it when you watched him get his couple of caps for England?
Unlike you I don't watch loads of Southampton, but I thought he played really well against us, good on the ball and very quick, something we massively lack in the squad.
Looks pretty good in that montage to me. Shrewd signing.
Well, one of the people I work closely with is a huge Southampton fan, so I got dragged off to the pub to watch them quite a bit last season.
I remember KWP getting murdered by Liverpool's wingers (Diaz and Salah) when Liverpool went down there and beat them, scoring three (or four?). The Japanese winger (Mitoma?) at Brighton brutalised him, and scored, during what was an otherwise dull game (I think Flynn scored for Southampton, as I remember celebrating that). Other televised games, too. Watched him against us at the athletics track, during the 1-1 draw. He was bang average, although lively when he had space to run. And we weren't great - as everybody knows.
Honestly, every time I've seen KWP he has been poor, or bang average. Genuinely can't recall a moment where I thought he's got something we really need - apart from his pace. He played in a terrible side, admittedly, so confidence was probably very low and they rarely had possession. You'd hope he'd be more effective with us, but I think the quality of our squad is heading in the wrong direction at the moment. Let's hope that changes.
He's a squad player, and a freebie, so it's not the end of the world. But my bigger worry is that it's indicative of the club's (and manager's) mindset at the moment.
I stopped reading when you said you celebrated a Southampton goal.
Fucking hell.
Re: Summer Transfer Window 202ive 5 | Official Thread
Posted: 18 Jul 2025, 11:03
by fraser
I've just read that Whetstone is putting it out there that there was a considerable signing on fee as well as agents fees and more expensive PL player wages... So maybe us saving money to spend elsewhere theories are being nipped firmly in the bud..
southbankbornnbred wrote: ↑18 Jul 2025, 10:01
KWP is a Partridge signing if ever there was one.
A player whose best is the bottom 25% of the Prem and the top 25% of the Championship, signing for a manager who inhabits that world in his mind and (with one exception) in his achievements.
It’s Glenn Roeder meets Sam Byram.
I’m delighted, naturally. Can’t wait.
In what games did you watch him, and what was it that has made you liken him to Sam Byram? Or was it when you watched him get his couple of caps for England?
Unlike you I don't watch loads of Southampton, but I thought he played really well against us, good on the ball and very quick, something we massively lack in the squad.
Looks pretty good in that montage to me. Shrewd signing.
Well, one of the people I work closely with is a huge Southampton fan, so I got dragged off to the pub to watch them quite a bit last season.
I remember KWP getting murdered by Liverpool's wingers (Diaz and Salah) when Liverpool went down there and beat them, scoring three (or four?). The Japanese winger (Mitoma?) at Brighton brutalised him, and scored, during what was an otherwise dull game (I think Flynn scored for Southampton, as I remember celebrating that). Other televised games, too. Watched him against us at the athletics track, during the 1-1 draw. He was bang average, although lively when he had space to run. And we weren't great - as everybody knows.
Honestly, every time I've seen KWP he has been poor, or bang average. Genuinely can't recall a moment where I thought he's got something we really need - apart from his pace. He played in a terrible side, admittedly, so confidence was probably very low and they rarely had possession. You'd hope he'd be more effective with us, but I think the quality of our squad is heading in the wrong direction at the moment. Let's hope that changes.
He's a squad player, and a freebie, so it's not the end of the world. But my bigger worry is that it's indicative of the club's (and manager's) mindset at the moment.
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 18 Jul 2025, 11:00
by RootsRadical
I thought Potter played AWB right of a back 3 once or twice last season?
I could be wrong though.
KWP is still a good signing for all the other reasons I stated imho. Plus he's free which when you're trying to sign 6 or 7 new players with our buget is a big help.
Do also recall many on here having the same negative thoughts about AWB this time last year.
I'm feeling quite optimistic despite being well aware of the issues Sullivan causes. (Yes I know this is West Ham)
Fulkrug looking leaner & fitter with a full pre season. Todibo hopefully too. We still have Summerville & Guilherme and the new LB. Aguerd may stay and Mavro could be off.
if we can actually sign all or most of the heavily linked signings and shift the deadwood our squad would look consiberably stronger and younger.
I'm hearing we have serious interest in signing Grealish, Elliot, Morton, Khannouss & Pinamonti, plus a new keeper.
if that comes off I'm not going to complain.
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 18 Jul 2025, 10:59
by Lee Trundle
dealcanvey wrote: ↑18 Jul 2025, 10:57
not sure what there is not to like about this signing.
It's a Sully special?
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 18 Jul 2025, 10:59
by John Drake
Decent going forward but a poor defender at this level is how I see KWP. If that fits in with what the manager wants then so be it
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 18 Jul 2025, 10:57
by dealcanvey
32 year old coufal replaced by 28 year old walker peters.
Has spent last few years at Southampton being one of their better players. Done well enough at times to earn himself an England call up. Something Wan Bissaka did not manage (which is hard to believe but that’s another discussion.
transfer fee amounting to zero. Experienced in the premier league and ticks the HG box.
can also like Coufal, offer cover on the left. From what I have seen of him he has a lot of pace.
not sure what there is not to like about this signing. Seems to me like a step in the right direction.
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 18 Jul 2025, 10:56
by Eerie Decent
Funny thing is, most (and I mean most) on here were slagging AWB off to the heavens on here last summer, now he's the second coming of Cafu.
Even funnier, I was one of the very few who said he'd be class for us, and now I think everyone is going just a bit overboard on him, even though he is quality.
Funny old game.
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 18 Jul 2025, 10:51
by Eerie Decent
Who knows, I haven't watched him enough in full games to give absolutely clarity on how good/shit he is, like some have. But when I have seen him, he's looked decent to me, and again, he's very quick, which is in dire need for us.
Homegrown, quick, good on the ball, covers both sides at wing back or full back, peak age, and apparently the consummate professional. By no means a world beater, but you've got planks likening him to Sam Byram, so clearly they've never watched him play.
southbankbornnbred wrote: ↑18 Jul 2025, 10:01
KWP is a Partridge signing if ever there was one.
A player whose best is the bottom 25% of the Prem and the top 25% of the Championship, signing for a manager who inhabits that world in his mind and (with one exception) in his achievements.
It’s Glenn Roeder meets Sam Byram.
I’m delighted, naturally. Can’t wait.
In what games did you watch him, and what was it that has made you liken him to Sam Byram? Or was it when you watched him get his couple of caps for England?
Unlike you I don't watch loads of Southampton, but I thought he played really well against us, good on the ball and very quick, something we massively lack in the squad.
Looks pretty good in that montage to me. Shrewd signing.
Ok… I’m interested now! Those clips (I know it’s YT etc) .. he’s very good on the ball isn’t he? Seems very balanced on both feet and can play well on the left and right (unlike Coufal).
this just begs more questions now: why hasn’t he had a better career with the capabilities he seems to have? What are his weaknesses? I didn’t seem much defending on the clips so maybe it’s that?
looking at those clips, is Diouf better than him? Or just younger?
if KWP in training is doing stuff like in those clips then he starts on the left with AVB on the right.
there must be a catch!
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 18 Jul 2025, 10:36
by Tomshardware
Lee Trundle" wrote: ↑18 Jul 2025, 10:34
"AWB could play on the right side of a back 3"
I keep seeing this suggestion. He's never played there in his life from what I can gather. I have no idea why people suddenly think this.
(you're not the only one Brenty)
Also I don't understand why anyone would want to put him there anyway, one of his biggest assets is bombing forward and assisting and popping up with the odd goal.
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 18 Jul 2025, 10:34
by Lee Trundle
"AWB could play on the right side of a back 3"
I keep seeing this suggestion. He's never played there in his life from what I can gather. I have no idea why people suddenly think this.
(you're not the only one Brenty)
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 18 Jul 2025, 10:32
by Eerie Decent
southbankbornnbred wrote: ↑18 Jul 2025, 10:01
KWP is a Partridge signing if ever there was one.
A player whose best is the bottom 25% of the Prem and the top 25% of the Championship, signing for a manager who inhabits that world in his mind and (with one exception) in his achievements.
It’s Glenn Roeder meets Sam Byram.
I’m delighted, naturally. Can’t wait.
In what games did you watch him, and what was it that has made you liken him to Sam Byram? Or was it when you watched him get his couple of caps for England?
Unlike you I don't watch loads of Southampton, but I thought he played really well against us, good on the ball and very quick, something we massively lack in the squad.
Looks pretty good in that montage to me. Shrewd signing.
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 18 Jul 2025, 10:29
by RootsRadical
KWP is 28 not 38 so is in his prime for at least a couple more years. He will get plenty of minutes.
We have 4 fullbacks inc Scales. KWP is probably a better left sided option at wing back than Scarles . There will be Injuries, suspensions, rotation and 2 of them will be at the AFCON in Jan/FEB.
Also AWB could play on the right side of a back 3 with KWP at Wing Back so his signing gives Potter plenty of options tactically and for rotation.
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 18 Jul 2025, 10:20
by southbankbornnbred
Putting aside fresh faces, like Diouf, my big worry about West Ham right now is that we’ve recently been bringing in a lot of people with proven track records that are very much about the “survivalist” bottom half of the Premier League - and spending a lot on them.
Potter (one top-ten finish, 9th)
Kilman has never finished top 10.
JWP has rarely done so.
KWP has rarely (if ever?) done so.
And, of course, we know that the chairman thinks 17th is good enough every year.
There are exceptions still at the club, of course: Bowen, Paqueta, AWB etc. We need more of that, or the first team’s mentality will become a bit too “just happy to be here”.
Genuinely, you can sense our capacity/ceiling within the Premier League getting lower at the moment. We need better than this with future signings. It’s time for Potter to up his game.
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 18 Jul 2025, 10:19
by El Scorchio
It's squad depth, which we will need in winter, on a free. Wages a bit high but because it was a free it's not awful and the contract length is sensible so it's pretty low risk despite his age. Provided it doesn't stop us bringing in those players we really need, and viewed in context at the end of the window provided we do get those players we need, I think it's OK.
The antithesis of a sexy move but it's a sensible one, and it's hassle free and quick to do. We're now set at full back/wing back. Decent, practical business
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 18 Jul 2025, 10:01
by southbankbornnbred
KWP is a Partridge signing if ever there was one.
A player whose best is the bottom 25% of the Prem and the top 25% of the Championship, signing for a manager who inhabits that world in his mind and (with one exception) in his achievements.
It’s Glenn Roeder meets Sam Byram.
I’m delighted, naturally. Can’t wait.
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 18 Jul 2025, 09:53
by fraser
Potter turned him down at first because Diouf was his priority, if Potter plays KWP ahead of him it would be very odd
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 18 Jul 2025, 09:43
by threesixty
I think KWP is a weird signing because of his age really. He’s 28, so you think he needs regular 1st team football. But he’s not better than AWB. You’d never rather have KWP on the pitch over AWB. So I bet he ends up starting as left back because this Diouf guy will take time to settle. Then that kind of destroys the progress of both Diouf and Scarles.
it’s not like we have Europe etc. we have really 1 focus and we’re not blessed with amazing players everywhere so rotation is a bit pointless.
it feels a bit, “it was on offer in Aldi for half price so I bought it but it isn’t really what I need” thing.
I dunno. It’s Just squad padding really. Which is fine. But I’m in favour of the whole senior / junior backup model in all positions. Not several of the same player profile with the same ages etc.
Coufal did not like the lack of game time he got, why should KWP? (Maybe he likes collecting money and not playing??)
Re: Summer Transfer Window 2025 | Official Thread
Posted: 18 Jul 2025, 09:28
by eusebiovic
Russ of the BML" wrote: ↑18 Jul 2025, 08:36
Logistically KWP is a sound move.
It makes our full back positions probably the strongest in the squad with AWB, Diouf, Scarles and (apparently) soon to be announced KWP who can play both sides. And with AFCON looming we will need Scarles and KWP.
£75k a week is alot for KWP. But he comes with no fee and we do have the wages available. And if, against all of my better judgement and sense, we are unbelievably having a half decent season by AFCON, he could be a very important player for us.
Does make me laugh though, we have been linked with Arnau Martinez (RB at Girona) who is 22 and up and coming. Girona had agreed to sell for £13m and player wanted move yet we have procrastinated and now that move will be off. Sulli's backers will say its shrewd as its saved us £13m, but we all know the truth.
The lad at Girona would be a far better signing, less wages plenty of top level match experience under his belt and ready to kick on. Plus decent resale value if he gets homesick and wants to return to Spain.
Which is highly unlikely because he's a northerner...that type of Spaniard can adapt like a fish to water over here...