Aaron Ramsdale: return to Southampton confirmed

[midds]

Just now, STM said:

 

Im not sure what the point you are making here and perhaps it's just a case of not agreeing but Pope and Ramsdale is significantly better than Pope and Dubravka. 

 

Elanga is a good signing, Ramsdale would be decent one (although not in the context of Trafford) but ultimately the success of our window will come down to whether we can pull 2 or 3 more players out of the bag. I don't think anyone is confident we will.

Yeah but whoever plays - Pope or Ramsdale, the team isn't particularly better either way. Having the other on the bench could potentially benefit us if one or the other pick up and injury but even then the replacement isn't significantly better than the one who's out. Say Pope dislocates his shoulder again in October then the option of Ramsdale or Dubravka or the Greek for a few months doesn't seem like a huge bonus 

[Ginola14]

the meltdown here seems way over the top, are all fanbases this miserable when faced with a bit of adversity or is it a Newcastle thing?

 

he is a very good experienced PL goalkeeper, massive upgrade on Dubs, way better with his feet than Pope if we need to change the way we play, only 27 with room to improve, seems like he can be got for decent price etc - not sure who else we could realistically get that ticks so many boxes 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Loki679]

Just now, Ginola14 said:

the meltdown here seems way over the top, are all fanbases this miserable when faced with a bit of adversity or is it a Newcastle thing?

 

he is a very good experienced PL goalkeeper, massive upgrade on Dubs, way better with his feet than Pope if we need to change the way we play, only 27 with room to improve, seems like he can be got for decent price etc - not sure who else we could realistically get that ticks so many boxes 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is the Ramsdale thread, mate.

[gdm]

7 minutes ago, STM said:

 

Well I can't prove it now but I completely disagree. Pope would have started and eventually Trafford would have taken his place. Its also the view of a fair few journalists who were following the deal. 

If by eventually you mean a month or two I agree but no chance pope sees out the whole season as number 1 with Trafford on the bench 

[STM]

Just now, midds said:

Yeah but whoever plays - Pope or Ramsdale, the team isn't particularly better either way. Having the other on the bench could potentially benefit us if one or the other pick up and injury but even then the replacement isn't significantly better than the one who's out. Say Pope dislocates his shoulder again in October then the option of Ramsdale or Dubravka or the Greek for a few months doesn't seem like a huge bonus 

 

Im not saying you but wasnt this whole window about having greater depth?

 

In goalkeeping terms, noone has a good 3rd choice and IMO Dubravka will leave. So I think we are in a better place.

 

Weve got better depth at RW, which was crucial.

 

None of that will mean anything if we dont get a CB, CM and sort the striker mess out.

 

In isolation, our goalkeeper department is healthy. I know we all want a better keeper long term but clearly its having to wait.

[STM]

Just now, gdm said:

If by eventually you mean a month or two I agree but no chance pope sees out the whole season as number 1 with Trafford on the bench 

 

I'd have said somewhere around new year but yes, it would have been a transition.

 

I know you dont rate Ramsdale and that's fine, I won't try and convince you otherwise but I'll make a prediction that alot of opinions of him change by the end of the season.

[Ikon]

We haven’t even agreed a loan fee yet have we? People taking it for granted it will be agreed. I’m not even confident when it comes to agreeing a fee for Ramsdale anymore  

[duo]

Surely we've bigger positions to try and fill than this as well - I mean it's not as if we are not as short staffed as it is

[maybe_next_year]

On its own, this is fine. Proper 6/10 transfer.

 

It's an improvement in the squad but not the first 11 but probably the one position where we lack quality not quantity. 

[STM]

Just now, duo said:

Surely we've bigger positions to try and fill than this as well - I mean it's not as if we are not as short staffed as it is

 

Literally yesterday I was pleading that the club didnt solely focus on the Wissa/striker situation and tried to get other deals done. So im pleased they've done that.

 

Again, CB is the one for me. Please fucking sign a CB. 

[TRon]

2 minutes ago, Ikon said:

We haven’t even agreed a loan fee yet have we? People taking it for granted it will be agreed. I’m not even confident when it comes to agreeing a fee for Ramsdale anymore  

 

 

Look on the bright side. If this one falls through at least no one will be throwing themselves off the Tyne Bridge.  

 

(I hope...)

[midds]

2 minutes ago, STM said:

 

Im not saying you but wasnt this whole window about having greater depth?

 

In goalkeeping terms, noone has a good 3rd choice and IMO Dubravka will leave. So I think we are in a better place.

 

Weve got better depth at RW, which was crucial.

 

None of that will mean anything if we dont get a CB, CM and sort the striker mess out.

 

In isolation, our goalkeeper department is healthy. I know we all want a better keeper long term but clearly its having to wait.

In other outfield areas then adding depth was/is crucial yeah, no doubt. We're short of bodies and quality in loads of areas but with the GK position I think we had 2 choices - sign a huge upgrade on Pope OR do nothing and focus all funds/attention into the other gaps in other positions. Adding Ramsdale into the mix of GKs we have doesn't improve the team at all. It strengthens the bench slightly but how often do we change the keeper during the match? I just don't get it, it's pretty much pointless 

[Ikon]

Just now, TRon said:

 

 

Look on the bright side. If this one falls through at least no one will be throwing themselves off the Tyne Bridge.  

 

(I hope...)

Aye  I mean I’m ok with him signing. As long as it’s dirt cheap and that it doesn’t mean us wasting a second on this instead of much higher priorities. 
 

He might be decent for us. Not quite what I expected from this window though… 

[hoppaz]

The club come out with soind bites stating they will only ever buy players who will improve the first team. Ramsdale is Pope mk 2. Only improves on Dubs. Seems like we are panick buying now. Would prefer us to at least try for Ederson.

 

 

Edited July 28, 2025 by hoppaz

[STM]

Its not the most important point but its a point i want to make anyway...

 

Regardless of the quality, i.e even if we do a couple of like for like transfers that dont take us forward loads but at the very least keep us ticking, its absolutely vital that we have fresh faces in the squad.

 

The squad was getting noticeably stagnant with the same faces. There is a fine line between a tight knit group and a group that loses its spark.

 

Perhaps its just me but Elanga seems have a visible impact to the dynamics of the group and Ramsdale (whether you rate him or not) is a real good character, who will offer similar freshness.

 

We need more than just fresh faces, but we absolutely do need fresh faces.

[Ikon]

City want him as 3rd choice. 

[STM]

4 minutes ago, midds said:

In other outfield areas then adding depth was/is crucial yeah, no doubt. We're short of bodies and quality in loads of areas but with the GK position I think we had 2 choices - sign a huge upgrade on Pope OR do nothing and focus all funds/attention into the other gaps in other positions. Adding Ramsdale into the mix of GKs we have doesn't improve the team at all. It strengthens the bench slightly but how often do we change the keeper during the match? I just don't get it, it's pretty much pointless 

 

Fair points. I suppose its the part we dont know. For example, im fairly sure the club told Dubravka that they would allow him to leave this summer when they signed a keeper.

 

Its this background that meant we pretty much had to sign a keeper and, of course, make sure it was some sort of upgrade, even if a minor one.

 

I'll be flabbergasted is Dubravka stays.

[Kid Icarus]

 

 

"Didn't disgrace himself" is the best review of him from last season that I've found.

 

 

[duo]

Hope for once has given some Hope

 

 

[Boey_Jarton]

25 minutes ago, PauloGeordio said:

Trafford was our No1 choice. He's off the table. Signing Ramsdale as an interim upgrade on Dubs (off to Saudi?). Frees up money for elsewhere and we can sign a No1 next season when Pope goes. 

You have more faith in our recruitment team than me. 

[Kimbo]

6 minutes ago, duo said:

Hope for once has given some Hope

 

 

It would be pretty funny if they managed to fail with this one.

[midds]

8 minutes ago, STM said:

 

Fair points. I suppose its the part we dont know. For example, im fairly sure the club told Dubravka that they would allow him to leave this summer when they signed a keeper.

 

Its this background that meant we pretty much had to sign a keeper and, of course, make sure it was some sort of upgrade, even if a minor one.

 

I'll be flabbergasted is Dubravka stays.

I just think the only way we improve the GK position specifically would be to go big or do nothing and delay it for a year. Ramsdale falls between both stools, we've not got worse but it's getting a new kettle when you've got giant holes in your roof and no front door

[oldtype]

It does seem like we're making a late pivot from trying to buy like a "Top 6" club to trying to buy like an "Other 14" club.

 

That sucks, but I don't think it's a bad decision given the realities of the market. Plenty of good players to be had as the biggest fish in the smaller pond.

[Big Geordie]

Massive over-reaction on here re this news.  If he comes in, he'll provide good competition.

 

But then again - why do we have and need so many keepers? Unless Dubs and the Greek lad are going to move on? 

[AyeDubbleYoo]

1 minute ago, Big Geordie said:

Massive over-reaction on here re this news.  If he comes in, he'll provide good competition.

 

But then again - why do we have and need so many keepers? Unless Dubs and the Greek lad are going to move on? 

I’d say we only have 1.5 Pl standard keepers at the moment.