WALK DMC

Interestingly Udoh scored two goals ....

Against Bournemouth, I seem to recall that Fernandes dropped into a more defensive role in the 2nd half. He played the same position in Portugal last year. If Aribo continues at LCB (which he excelled in the 2nd half v both Bournemouth and Ipswich), Fernandes could continue in the more defensive role and allow someone like Groenboek to step into the more forward role. I think that Fernandes is a player of great potential and remains my player of the year, however I'd still like to see more goals or assists for a player of his talent, although playing for an awful team probably doesn't help .....

The other positive is the fact that we have 6 players returning to the squad with good experience of the Championship; Edwards, Charles, Brereton Dias, Adams, Bazunu & Edozie. Some may be sold, but will help to fund other reinforcements.

There is an argument that the reason why he has dropped Ugochukwu a couple of times now (Palace, Bournemouth) because he is pretty certain not to be here next year and wants to see how other players such as Smallbone can do. I don't buy into the "Ugochuckwu needs a rest argument", we're not playing during the week at the moment. As for the formation; it isn't working well and the number of goals that we're conceding playing it is pretty awful. I also wish that he would be a little more flexible and switch systems during the game occasionally.

It's a fair question, but I think that there are scenarios where he could end-up at Saints next season: He will be 31 years old this year and while he has never been a player that has relied on pace, age does start to become relevant This year has been a wasted season to date, which must be frustrating for him. Dropping down a league and playing every game would probably be attractive (particularly as he is getting older - see point above) Southampton is his spiritual home If West Ham want to get rid, they may pay a large chunk of his wages if allow him to go on loan I can't see him moving as right wing back, but somewhere in midfield would probably work I certainly wouldn't be surprised to see him put on a Saints shirt next season, although there are plenty of variables that may prevent it happening. Still, it would make a nice change to have JWP from West Ham to Saints rumours in the transfer window instead of the usual Danny Ings ones .....

Archer already has experience of the Championship with Preston and Middlesbrough and was successful with both scoring 18 goals in 40 appearances. That's the biggest reason why I'm concerned, plus he has demonstrated this season that he has good finishing. Shame that he hasn't more of a physical presence though.....

I read that he is playing out of position and that his preferred role is in midfield.

I guess that there is another scenario: people will be expecting him to tear up an inferior league based on what he has done this year in the Premier, but just suppose he has a poor or average season in the Championship. He was never a prolific scorer in the under 21 team (or in the Premier this year), so what happens if he shows moments of potential but ultimately doesn't deliver scintillating goal or assist statistics; his value to other teams may drop significantly. Will clubs pay £55m for a player who has had an ordinary season in the Championship ? And of course, as Larios and Stewart have demonstrated, injuries can play a big part. I am not suggesting for one moment that any of those scenarios will happen, but maybe it could be a consideration for selling him now or in the summer while his price is high. Of course, there is another similar scenario; Tyler destroys the Championship, grows as a player and his value continues to increase exponentially. I personally think that with the number of teams chasing him at the moment, there is little chance of him staying beyond the summer, but only time will tell.

The interview with him when his signing was announced stated that he wasn't able to complete the Brazilian season due to injury but was working hard to regain fitness. The implication was that once he was fit again he would be challenging for a place in the 1st team. Your suggestion may yet prove correct, but at the moment that's not the message coming from the club. He also has far more senior experience than Joachim Kayi Sanda so I'd be surprised if we don't see him in the Saints team this season particularly as we are light on strong LWBs. I guess that we'll find out in the next month or so.

You're right, although I doubt Larios will ever return from his series of injuries which have been over 2 years now. Maybe his only hope is to change his name to Lazarus. Charlie Taylor is better as a LB in a back 4, or LCB, so could play a role complementing a LWB such as Manning or Welington.

Plus he is still barely 21 years old, at that age there is an expectation that Charles will continue to improve.

Ronnie Edwards has his first start for QPR. Leicester have already scored 5 after just over an hour of play.

Maybe Big Les has been recalled by Chelsea and this is his last game, hence the desire to try other combinations. Real shame if so.

Totally agree with your message, although I think that Sugawara has a really decent cross on him and certainly has the ability to pick out a player (see goal v Everton as a good example). However, while Sugawara has made a few mistakes, he also hasn't had a consistent run in the team where we play to his strengths either.

Weirdly, I've thought that Manning has performed well this season and displayed skills that I wouldn't have given him credit for last season. I'm still not keen with him as left back as I think his defensive abilities get exposed, but as a left wing back, he hasn't let us down this year; and hasn't looked out of place in the Premiership.