Gavin Bazunu G Southampton b.2002

[Jolly Red Giant]

If they believe that Bazunu is their goalkeeper for the future a loan until January might be what they do, or a loan to the end of the season to cover themselves in case of other injuries while hes recovering, but if they buy a new Keeper it wouldnt look good for Bazunu

I think Bazunu needs some competition to drive his development - he hasn't had that at Southampton since he joined.

[Jd2793]

saints going up isnt great news for baz really is it? injury coupled with poor form this year , they'll definitely looking for a new no.1. hopefully his agent keeps ears to the ground once hes back fit. even a 6 month loan deal back to the championship after he recovers would be good.

[JR89]

saints going up isnt great news for baz really is it? injury coupled with poor form this year , they'll definitely looking for a new no.1. hopefully his agent keeps ears to the ground once hes back fit. even a 6 month loan deal back to the championship after he recovers would be good.

They're still a selling club and Bazunu is an investment they hope makes them a few quid. Think whoever comes in will likely be for one season but the worry is if he's having a good season it's gonna be hard to drop him and fans will want said keeper to remain as number one.

[John83]

It's a risk, but the most likely outcome is they leak goals like a sieve in the Premiership anyway and wind up rotating goalkeepers more out of hope than anything. There's no point worrying about it; he should aim to fully recover from the injury first and then figure things out. He was probably too expensive for them to leave on the bench long term anyway. They'll play him or look to sell.

[Jolly Red Giant]

It's a risk, but the most likely outcome is they leak goals like a sieve in the Premiership anyway and wind up rotating goalkeepers more out of hope than anything. There's no point worrying about it; he should aim to fully recover from the injury first and then figure things out. He was probably too expensive for them to leave on the bench long term anyway. They'll play him or look to sell.

Bazunu will not be fit to play until the new year at the earliest - and unless there is a massive upgrade in the squad and a change in approach from Martin, they will likely be rooted to the bottom of the PL by Christmas, leaking goals all over the place. Indeed - I think it is likely that Martin will be gone by Christmas. I would expect Bazunu back in the team as soon as he is fit - but it will be more like two seasons ago than last season in terms of what happens then. By the way - it is false to say that Bazunu was in poor form last season - overall he played well, in a team that does not defend (which makes the goalkeeper's job very difficult). The problem is that he is stuck in a team that will likely be bouncing between the PL and Championship for the next few years (and if they fail to get promoted any year they will end up as a mid-table Championship team). Bazunu is probably stuck there for another three seasons because of his contract - unless he makes a major step forward and gets a transfer to a PL club.

As I said before - there is a massive and growing gulf between the PL and the Championship and the likelihood is that we will just see a rotation of the promoted clubs getting immediately relegated. Forest were lucky this year and because of the fair play stuff, could get dragged into a relegation battle next season - but at best the three promoted clubs will be in the bottom four.