When the transfer window was introduced a dozen or so years ago the authorities hoped that it would stop the disruption that transfer speculation was causing during a season, it hasn't quite been the success they hoped for,but is there an alernative. Those old enough to have been watching football in the early part of this century ( Ok 12 years ago but it does sound dramatic) will remember that back then there was no transfer window, then clubs were free to buy and sell players right up to what was known as transfer deadline day, usually in late March.

So if we think that the chaos in the current transfer window is chaotic then back then it wasn't just for three months in the summer and January, it was year round.

So when Saints fans moan now about late bids for Mane & Wanyama and the disruption that may cause, they should perhaps consider that it is still better than what we had before when you could never actually be sure there was not going to be player tapped up and demanding a transfer to the final month of the season.

We found out on numerous occasions that a couple of month in the season when a big club suddenly had a long term injury or was struggling that they would come calling at any time.

So in that respect the transfer window has succeeded, its not perfect, but once we get past the end of both windows at last we have a four month period of stability and that is something we never had in the past.

Ideally the transfer window would end when the season starts but the problem with that is that the big European leagues do not start on the same dates, so the window is actually closing when the final big league is starting, not ideal for us in the UK as we have a two week period usually after the season starts and indeed three weeks this year, but if we shut our window when our season started we would be at a disadvantage to other leagues notably Italy who start later.

So in essence the transfer window works and is doing its job but it is not perfect, what we did not have so much back in 2002 when the window was made compulsory by FIFA was the internet and social media to the level we had today. Yes it was starting but we did not have twitter, facebook and a plethora of other sites that enable supporters to go into meltdown when they hear their favourite squad player is going to be sold to Rochdale.

This is where the transfer window is made to feel much worse than it actually is, every rumour seems like the gospel truth when it concerns one of your own players being sold, although conversely when its about a player you are trying to sign, common sense seems to prevail and supporters tend to get a little more perspective if only through pessimism.

So to cap, yes the transfer window is flawed and that could be put right to a degree by making all European leagues kick off on the same weekend, most peoples gripes seem to be that the transfer chaos continues after the season starts, that would help a lot of things if there was parity in start dates. But ultimately the end of the window is only a date whenever it is and there is always going to be rumours stirred up by the media.

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SanMarco added 09:26 - Aug 26 The major European leagues have all started now. A compromise could easily be reached for all to start mid-August. There is also the qualifying rounds for the Euro competitions e.g. Celtic, Man U and of course Saints might argue that they don't know a vital part of their season until this week. We could easily be planning an extra signing contingent on us getting through to the group stages. The two windows a season is here to stay because it gives Sky a chance to do their 'slam shut' production number twice a year...

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johncutler285 added 09:41 - Aug 26 I think managers should only be sacked / hired during transfer windows just to make things harder on those ND's who don't give their managers a chance!
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saintsinner added 10:22 - Aug 26 Tie the deadline day to the relevant start date of the prospective players league. So if an EPL club wants to buy an EPL player then they have to do that before the EPL season starts. If an EPL club want to buy a Serie A player then they have until the Serie A season kicks off. If a Serie A club want an EPL player they have to do their business before the EPL season starts. Simple! Most clubs will/should have identified who they want to replace/release, and with whom, before the deadline day and this would ensure you start the season without the disruption or rumours we are currently seeing.

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birminghamsaint added 10:24 - Aug 26 I can't see why the window shouldn't be reduced - most business is done in the last few days anyway. I think the first step to a more level playing field is to sort out the loan system, which is being abused. Perhaps teams to have a cap on the playing squad of players registered to them (suggestions for a number - 40?) and they would remain registered to them, even if loaned out, unless perhaps they are loaned out to a lower division team regardless of the country (so Vitesse would not be able to take Chelsea loanies, even if you think the Ere Divisie is of a lower standard) I feel that the main problem of the transfer window is that bigger clubs are able to 'stockpile' all of the quality players, who are usually loaned out or content to sit on the bench. Players should have to start considering whether they are seriously going to get playing time, rather than just going for the biggest pay offer.

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Scummer added 11:08 - Aug 26 I would welcome a shorter window, closing mid August. And I like that idea about a cap on the number of "owned" players. And I would love to see a system where the base wage of a player for flat across all teams in a league, and it was only bonuses on playing time, goals, clean sheets etc. that brought their wages up. That would give key players food for thought before "stepping up" to become peripheral figures for one of the top 6, and would help to keep the league a little more competitive..

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BoondockSaint added 13:52 - Aug 26 Agree with Scummer-mid August for all leagues. Additionally, I would not have a winter window. Yes, some may say it's to help teams worried about relegation, but let's be honest, it's to help big rich teams shore up their teams when they look in danger of sliding down the table. Plus, having half the season played allows these teams to see what players are doing well on smaller teams and they can then scoop them up. WIndow shuts mid-August for players and managers-that's it-" You have to dance with who brung ya."

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SaintBrock added 15:09 - Aug 26 Why would anything change? Everyone is talking for months about the premier league which is exactly what Sky want with all the money they've committed to it. Pity they don't have a rule that clubs have to name their full squads before the first match of the season... but of course they won't?
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Whatsforpud added 00:30 - Aug 27 Saintsinner is right. The only window should be in the summer, closing as he describes. If you can be cup-tied in a season, you should be league-tied for a season as well. Why do players sign say a 3-year contract, then ask to leave after one? They all might as well be rolling contracts as most workers are in the real world, where they have to give a week/month/three months' notice! Managers would have to make the right signings in the summer, and work with what they have. This would encourage better coaching to develop the players they have, rather just spending their way out of trouble all the time. As it stands, medium-sized clubs like Southampton will just be developing good players for the benefit of the bigger ones.

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