Who do we need (Summer 2026)

[Bluearmyfox28]

On 02/07/2026 at 17:36, Bluearmyfox28 said:

So going to do a bit of a thread on here over the next few days with regards to potential targets if anyone is interested. Always loved scouting, so thought I would do a bit of a project, scouting every position barring right back for a Russel Martin system. I will post them by position group and rank them in order. I scouted leagues which I feel are realistic for us to buy from and only used players that are realistic in price, market demand and under the age of 26 for sell on value. The leagues I scouted are Swedish Allsvenskan, Belgium Pro League, Austiran Bundesliga, Czech First League, Scottish Premiership, Norway Eliteserien, League One and League Two. 

Left Backs:

1) Emmanuel Longelo - Motherwell, valued around £1.5m.

2) Jayden Meghoma - Brentford, Loan.

3) Merchas Doski - Viktoria Plzen, valued around £1.5m.

4) Reece Staunton - Grimsby Town, valued around £500k.

5) Kolbeinn Finnsson - Valerenga, valued around £500k. 

6) Oliver Zanden - Brommapojkarna, valued around £500k. 

 

Couple of side notes from this list. 1) I would be very surprised to see us not make a move for Jayden Meghoma on loan. Clearly got a good relationship with RM who gave him his debut at Southampton and also signed him for Rangers. 2) I really hope Reece Staunton gets a chance to play at a higher level and does not end up being one lost in the system of lower league football, he was seriously impressive. 

Edited 19 hours ago by Bluearmyfox28

[Bluearmyfox28]

On 02/07/2026 at 17:36, Bluearmyfox28 said:

So going to do a bit of a thread on here over the next few days with regards to potential targets if anyone is interested. Always loved scouting, so thought I would do a bit of a project, scouting every position barring right back for a Russel Martin system. I will post them by position group and rank them in order. I scouted leagues which I feel are realistic for us to buy from and only used players that are realistic in price, market demand and under the age of 26 for sell on value. The leagues I scouted are Swedish Allsvenskan, Belgium Pro League, Austiran Bundesliga, Czech First League, Scottish Premiership, Norway Eliteserien, League One and League Two. 

Defensive Midfielders: 

1) Elliot Watt - Motherwell, valued around £2m. 

2) Oliver Norward - Stockport, valued around £500k.

3) Archie Collins - Free agent.

4) Luca Connell - Barnsley, valued around £750k.

5) Dogucan Haspolat - KVC Westerlo, valued around £3m.

6) Charlie Savage - Reading, valued around £750k. 

7) Lukas Fadinger - Motherwell, valued around £500k. 

 

Couple of notes - 1) I know I said below the age of 26, but Oliver Norward makes way too much sense for us to sign for how much he would cost regardless of age. He is a cut above everyone in the league, reminded me very much of the impact Winks had under Enzo. 2) I don't have any league two players on the list, but Sammy Braybrooke looked a class above based on data and on field play. For context he was 100th percentile for succesful passes, 95.4th percentile for chances created, 97.7th percentile for succesful dribbles, 97.7th percentile for touches, 97.7th percentile for tackles and 100th percentile for recoveries made of all midfielders in the league. Unreal numbers.

Edited 19 hours ago by Bluearmyfox28

[Silebyfox_89]

1 hour ago, Bluearmyfox28 said:

Defensive Midfielders: 

1) Elliot Watt - Motherwell, valued around £2m. 

2) Oliver Norward - Stockport, valued around £500k.

3) Archie Collins - Free agent.

4) Luca Connell - Barnsley, valued around £750k.

5) Dogucan Haspolat - KVC Westerlo, valued around £3m.

6) Charlie Savage - Reading, valued around £750k. 

7) Lukas Fadinger - Motherwell, valued around £500k. 

 

Couple of notes - 1) I know I said below the age of 26, but Oliver Norward makes way too much sense for us to sign for how much he would cost regardless of age. He is a cut above everyone in the league, reminded me very much of the impact Winks had under Enzo. 2) I don't have any league two players on the list, but Sammy Braybrooke looked a class above based on data and on field play. For context he was 100th percentile for succesful passes, 95.4th percentile for chances created, 97.7th percentile for succesful dribbles, 97.7th percentile for touches, 97.7th percentile for tackles and 100th percentile for recoveries made of all midfielders in the league. Unreal numbers.

Great work all round 👏 

 

I thought I read Watt is going to Italy? 

[Bluearmyfox28]

4 minutes ago, Silebyfox_89 said:

Great work all round 👏 

 

I thought I read Watt is going to Italy? 

Thanks mate. I would not be surprised, seems to have a few clubs sniffing around. I seen he might be on his way to Turkey, he is unreal. I don't want watch Scottish football but I am 4 positions in and I already have 4 Motherwell players on my lists, I don't understand how they only finished 4th?!

[kingfox]

Fair few options we could take in the 8/10 role.

 

I see Peart-Harris has signed for Boro, but numerous other players could be gettable, mentioned Tommi O’Reilly numerous times already, but a few other possibilities…

 

Kamari Doyle(Brighton) - 4 goals, 5 assists on loan with Reading last season. Heard nothing but positive things from Reading journalists and fans regarding his loan spell. He was part of Southampton’s youth team when Martin was there, before Brighton snapped him up.

 

Harvey Knibbs(Charlton) - Missed two months with injury last season, but featured mostly from the bench, but he was very productive for Reading in League One, 17 G/A in the 23/24 season and 20 G/A in the 24/25 season.

 

Jamie Donley(Spurs) - Didn’t produce much in his loan spells in the Championship with Stoke and Oxford, but he looked the business for Leyton Orient at this level in 24/25, producing 18 G/A.

Edited 17 hours ago by kingfox

[Foxes96]

1 hour ago, Bluearmyfox28 said:

Defensive Midfielders: 

1) Elliot Watt - Motherwell, valued around £2m. 

2) Oliver Norward - Stockport, valued around £500k.

3) Archie Collins - Free agent.

4) Luca Connell - Barnsley, valued around £750k.

5) Dogucan Haspolat - KVC Westerlo, valued around £3m.

6) Charlie Savage - Reading, valued around £750k. 

7) Lukas Fadinger - Motherwell, valued around £500k. 

 

Couple of notes - 1) I know I said below the age of 26, but Oliver Norward makes way too much sense for us to sign for how much he would cost regardless of age. He is a cut above everyone in the league, reminded me very much of the impact Winks had under Enzo. 2) I don't have any league two players on the list, but Sammy Braybrooke looked a class above based on data and on field play. For context he was 100th percentile for succesful passes, 95.4th percentile for chances created, 97.7th percentile for succesful dribbles, 97.7th percentile for touches, 97.7th percentile for tackles and 100th percentile for recoveries made of all midfielders in the league. Unreal numbers.

Crazy stats from Sammy. Out of interest if he wasn’t ours, ie. Was currently a Chesterfield player, how would he rate compared to those others on your list? 

[FoxinNotts]

Any chance we can keep Harry Souttar!

 

Absolute machine

 

1 man wall of a defender

[Bluearmyfox28]

1 hour ago, Foxes96 said:

Crazy stats from Sammy. Out of interest if he wasn’t ours, ie. Was currently a Chesterfield player, how would he rate compared to those others on your list? 

Great question! hard one to judge because ultimately it is League two. I honestly thought Elliot Watt was unreal and to be honest in hindsight he probably should not be on the list as I was not aware of the actual concrete interest from Italy and Turkey but makes me feel justified on what I seen . Oliver Norwood is just a cheat code at this level, offers everything and is a leader. I would probably rank Sammy 3rd just above Archie Collins, dependent on value as that plays a role on the list. 

 

Based of what I seen the one area I am left confused is do you play him higher up in a No.8 role for his creativity and intensity or do you play him in the No.6 role to dictate the game. Good problem to have however. 

Edited 15 hours ago by Bluearmyfox28

[kingfox]

36 minutes ago, Bluearmyfox28 said:

Based of what I seen the one area I am left confused is do you play him higher up in a No.8 role for his creativity and intensity or do you play him in the No.6 role to dictate the game. Good problem to have however. 

From his sheer volume of passing, I see him very much as a 6. He averaged the 2nd most amount of passes per90 in League 2 last season.

 

The conundrum I have is do we view him as a starter, or do we use him as the backup 6, and get in someone like Archie Collins or Ryan Wintle as first choice.

 

If Winks and Skipp both leave, we of course need someone, but a lot will depend on how Braybrooke is viewed.

[Bluearmyfox28]

3 minutes ago, kingfox said:

From his sheer volume of passing, I see him very much as a 6. He averaged the 2nd most amount of passes per90 in League 2 last season.

 

The conundrum I have is do we view him as a starter, or do we use him as the backup 6, and get in someone like Archie Collins or Ryan Wintle as first choice.

 

If Winks and Skipp both leave, we of course need someone, but a lot will depend on how Braybrooke is viewed.

See I have an unpopular opinion of we need to sign players rather than just depending on the academy lads. We have to get out of this league this year no matter what otherwise we are in the shit. We are going to play around 60 games this season so I think you need two starter capable players in each position. For me you get Archie Collins on a free, rotate to keep them fresh and to build competition. Sammy can offer you depth in the 8 role as well I guess. 

[Ric Flair]

2 hours ago, kingfox said:

Fair few options we could take in the 8/10 role.

 

I see Peart-Harris has signed for Boro, but numerous other players could be gettable, mentioned Tommi O’Reilly numerous times already, but a few other possibilities…

 

Kamari Doyle(Brighton) - 4 goals, 5 assists on loan with Reading last season. Heard nothing but positive things from Reading journalists and fans regarding his loan spell. He was part of Southampton’s youth team when Martin was there, before Brighton snapped him up.

 

Harvey Knibbs(Charlton) - Missed two months with injury last season, but featured mostly from the bench, but he was very productive for Reading in League One, 17 G/A in the 23/24 season and 20 G/A in the 24/25 season.

 

Jamie Donley(Spurs) - Didn’t produce much in his loan spells in the Championship with Stoke and Oxford, but he looked the business for Leyton Orient at this level in 24/25, producing 18 G/A.

CHARLIE WEBSTER

[kingfox]

42 minutes ago, Bluearmyfox28 said:

See I have an unpopular opinion of we need to sign players rather than just depending on the academy lads. We have to get out of this league this year no matter what otherwise we are in the shit. We are going to play around 60 games this season so I think you need two starter capable players in each position. For me you get Archie Collins on a free, rotate to keep them fresh and to build competition. Sammy can offer you depth in the 8 role as well I guess. 

Very much in the same camp mate, we need to have that balance of quality, a few experienced heads and a bunch of academy lads, it’s just sensible squad management. 
 

Braybrooke intrigues me the most though, just because of what he produced in League 2, if he can replicate anywhere near that in League 1, then surely he is starting 11 material.

 

But at the end of the day, with departures expected, whether Braybrooke and Page are viewed as starters or backups, we’ll need another 6 and 8. 
 

With Collins and Wintle both available on frees, one of them just feels like a no- brainer imo. Then presuming Russell goes with a 4-3-3 formation, then we need a Jordan James replacement.

 

As @Ric Flair said, Charlie Webster has to come near the top of that list for me.

 

Then Chaplin, along with Kamari Doyle, Harvey Knibbs or Jamie Donley to fit the other 8/10 role would be ideal for me, unless Russell views BDCR and Alves as CAM’S.

[Bluearmyfox28]

20 minutes ago, kingfox said:

Very much in the same camp mate, we need to have that balance of quality, a few experienced heads and a bunch of academy lads, it’s just sensible squad management. 
 

Braybrooke intrigues me the most though, just because of what he produced in League 2, if he can replicate anywhere near that in League 1, then surely he is starting 11 material.

 

But at the end of the day, with departures expected, whether Braybrooke and Page are viewed as starters or backups, we’ll need another 6 and 8. 
 

With Collins and Wintle both available on frees, one of them just feels like a no- brainer imo. Then presuming Russell goes with a 4-3-3 formation, then we need a Jordan James replacement.

 

As @Ric Flair said, Charlie Webster has to come near the top of that list for me.

 

Then Chaplin, along with Kamari Doyle, Harvey Knibbs or Jamie Donley to fit the other 8/10 role would be ideal for me, unless Russell views BDCR and Alves as CAM’S.

Yeah I have been looking at the No.8's for a RM system and I will be honest they are hard to find! It's like he wants a player fully capable of playing as an 8 but also a 10. They seem like hot commodity's and the ones you do find will be out of our price range. Hard find for the budget and level we are playing at.

 

For what it's worth I think he will want two 8/10's, to leave us with Chaplin, a new signing, BDCR and Page. Preferably a right footer for balance. 

 

Kamari Doyle is high on the list already. Great player.

Edited 13 hours ago by Bluearmyfox28

[kingfox]

19 minutes ago, Bluearmyfox28 said:

Yeah I have been looking at the No.8's for a RM system and I will be honest they are hard to find! It's like he wants a player fully capable of playing as an 8 but also a 10. They seem like hot commodity's and the ones you do find will be out of our price range. Hard find for the budget and level we are playing at.

 

For what it's worth I think he will want two 8/10's, to leave us with Chaplin, a new signing, BDCR and Page. Preferably a right footer for balance. 

 

Kamari Doyle is high on the list already. Great player.

Downes, Smallbone and S.Armstrong were usually his main three at Southampton, with Charles, Rothwell and Aribo as backups, you thoroughly expect a similar plan with ourselves.

 

After all the fancy names we conjure up, it could just end up being Smallbone as he’s a free agent.

 

But we’ll definitely need three midfield additions, maybe four depending how he views BDCR and Alves.

[Bluearmyfox28]

7 minutes ago, kingfox said:

Downes, Smallbone and S.Armstrong were usually his main three at Southampton, with Charles, Rothwell and Aribo as backups, you thoroughly expect a similar plan with ourselves.

 

After all the fancy names we conjure up, it could just end up being Smallbone as he’s a free agent.

 

But we’ll definitely need three midfield additions, maybe four depending how he views BDCR and Alves.

I would not be surprised, I had a look at Smallbone's stats under RM in the championship and they are unreal. I was going to put him on the list but thought I might get shot down for it . I am surprised he is only 26!

 

Honestly, I think both Stephy and Monga will go so I see Alves as the back up to a main man out left. RM likes playing inverted wingers which on the left I think is Alves' best role. Hopefully he has learnt to release the ball sooner. 

[MPH]

If we don’t get first Dibs on Matty Warhurst, I’ll be surprised. Man City striker, 19, entering the last year of his contract. Was prolific in the youth team according to the Mail. Host of Div1 clubs after him and we are not mentioned but I’d be surprised if we are not working on this..

[Foxes96]

7 hours ago, Bluearmyfox28 said:

Yeah I have been looking at the No.8's for a RM system and I will be honest they are hard to find! It's like he wants a player fully capable of playing as an 8 but also a 10. They seem like hot commodity's and the ones you do find will be out of our price range. Hard find for the budget and level we are playing at.

 

For what it's worth I think he will want two 8/10's, to leave us with Chaplin, a new signing, BDCR and Page. Preferably a right footer for balance. 

 

Kamari Doyle is high on the list already. Great player.

 

6 hours ago, kingfox said:

Downes, Smallbone and S.Armstrong were usually his main three at Southampton, with Charles, Rothwell and Aribo as backups, you thoroughly expect a similar plan with ourselves.

 

After all the fancy names we conjure up, it could just end up being Smallbone as he’s a free agent.

 

But we’ll definitely need three midfield additions, maybe four depending how he views BDCR and Alves.

 

Great discussion this. Agree with both your points. Only thing I would add is based on this we are currently overloaded in CDM. So unless we can offload a few of these, which obviously most of us want, then any additions in this area would surely be overkill? 
 

I can also see Braybrooke being used in a more advanced position, especially initially. Believe he played as a 10 a couple of times last season and looked capable there. Could also give you balance then on each side to either go a more attacking player (BDCR & Chaplin) or slightly more defensive (Page & Braybrooke) depending on the situation. Sadly I just can’t see us shifting all 3 of Skipp, Hamza & Winks. 

 

 

8/10: BDCR / New? 

6: Skipp / Braybrooke / Winks / Hamza 

8/10: Page / Chaplin? 
 

[kingfox]

8 hours ago, Bluearmyfox28 said:

I would not be surprised, I had a look at Smallbone's stats under RM in the championship and they are unreal. I was going to put him on the list but thought I might get shot down for it . I am surprised he is only 26!

 

Honestly, I think both Stephy and Monga will go so I see Alves as the back up to a main man out left. RM likes playing inverted wingers which on the left I think is Alves' best role. Hopefully he has learnt to release the ball sooner. 

Can you post or send via DM please mate 🙂

 

Difficult to judge which kind of wingers Martin would want, at Southampton he often stuck Adam Armstrong in a wide position, but used more natural wingers on the left. If that ends up being the case, if Mavididi leaves, I can see him getting replaced by Emilio Lawrence on loan. But if inverted wingers are going to be his deal, then you instantly think both BDCR and Alves are ideal for that job. It’s why I’m keen on seeing Keillor-Dunn as a potential signing, you can either play him as the main striker or off the LW.

 

2 hours ago, Foxes96 said:

 

 

Great discussion this. Agree with both your points. Only thing I would add is based on this we are currently overloaded in CDM. So unless we can offload a few of these, which obviously most of us want, then any additions in this area would surely be overkill? 
 

I can also see Braybrooke being used in a more advanced position, especially initially. Believe he played as a 10 a couple of times last season and looked capable there. Could also give you balance then on each side to either go a more attacking player (BDCR & Chaplin) or slightly more defensive (Page & Braybrooke) depending on the situation. Sadly I just can’t see us shifting all 3 of Skipp, Hamza & Winks. 

 

 

8/10: BDCR / New? 

6: Skipp / Braybrooke / Winks / Hamza 

8/10: Page / Chaplin? 
 

I don’t expect any signings until Winks and Skipp are shifted, I’m just glad there’s actual links to their possible departures, all you can do is pray that both bugger off  

 

If you get in Archie Collins for example though, you could potentially play him further forward too, he’s covered pretty much every central midfield position throughout his career. 
 

As I said in another post, the amount of signings could depend on how BDCR and Alves are viewed, it would be no surprise if he uses both out wide in a 4-3-3. 
 

I also wouldn’t be surprised if Hamza stays but gets used as an inverted full-back, don’t think you can use him any other way in a Russell Martin system tbh.

[Bluearmyfox28]

3 hours ago, Foxes96 said:

 

 

Great discussion this. Agree with both your points. Only thing I would add is based on this we are currently overloaded in CDM. So unless we can offload a few of these, which obviously most of us want, then any additions in this area would surely be overkill? 
 

I can also see Braybrooke being used in a more advanced position, especially initially. Believe he played as a 10 a couple of times last season and looked capable there. Could also give you balance then on each side to either go a more attacking player (BDCR & Chaplin) or slightly more defensive (Page & Braybrooke) depending on the situation. Sadly I just can’t see us shifting all 3 of Skipp, Hamza & Winks. 

 

 

8/10: BDCR / New? 

6: Skipp / Braybrooke / Winks / Hamza 

8/10: Page / Chaplin? 
 

I think personally that’s why we are seeing a slow start, they can’t make deals until the deadwood is moved on, the squads bloated.

 

Hamza I see as a right back, he’s not comfortable on the ball enough for a RM system and would offer you emergency depth should a new signing and Braybrooke not be available.
 

Winks is going to be gone I think there is no two ways about that. Finally, with Skipp I think his book value and wages are simply too high to keep around. What I see happening with him is a loan deal which has a fee to soften the annual cost whilst another club contributes to his wages. So it’ll still hurt but not as much.

[Bluearmyfox28]

59 minutes ago, kingfox said:

Can you post or send via DM please mate 🙂

what would you like sending sorry mate? Smallbone’s stats?

[Sankey93]

Go and sign Wes burns he’s a free agent makes total sense! Championship clubs will want him I know but offer him a 2 year deal decent wages he will blast in league 1

[kingfox]

46 minutes ago, Bluearmyfox28 said:

what would you like sending sorry mate? Smallbone’s stats?

Yes please mate 👍🏻

 

His possession and creativity stats(Key passes/chances created) in particular.

[suffolk fox]

We need a decent Striker end of.

[boosmanana]

Robbie Ure.

He's actually Scottish, ignore the title of the video.

 

[kingfox]

16 hours ago, kingfox said:

Kamari Doyle(Brighton) - 4 goals, 5 assists on loan with Reading last season. Heard nothing but positive things from Reading journalists and fans regarding his loan spell. He was part of Southampton’s youth team when Martin was there, before Brighton snapped him up.

Gerrimin!