SaintTex

at this point, it is in the best personal interest of Wanyama and the best interest of the club that he knuckles down and commits himself 100%. We should all support that. If he pouts and is vanquished from the pitch for the year, the team loses his selling value and he loses his opportunity to jump to one of the big boys come June. Les, Ralph, etc. want to sell him next summer for £20m, not £8m. Wanyama wants to play for Arsenal or Spurs, not West Brom. It's in everyone's financial and personal interest that he gets back on the pitch as soon as possible and displays his abilities. I hope no one boos him. Maybe send him out for the MK Dons game away. Go from there.

I figure any English GK prospect worth his salt would salivate going to a club in which the goalkeeping coach is also the goalkeeping coach for England. On the face, this is a good speculative signing. I figure Watson knows plenty about the kid.

I agree with all this, but I am very curious to see how Clasie would perform as the second DM playing along Wanyama or Romeu type DM. This may be a transition/training year for Clasie, but with this being Wanyama's last season, Romeu and Clasie are our future DM pairing, which really excites me. Being: Romeu is the more defensive of the DMs, rough and tumble, making the hard tackles; where Clasie is the more offensive DM, distributing, finding passing lanes, but also cutting out opponent's passes and being a general nuisance to opponents. At least this is my aspiration. Jordy is on a 5 year contract, Romeu is on a 3 year. Time to look into extend Romeu's contract today? Lulz. So that is DM -- So now, the back 4. I am feeling good about Cedric, he has good instincts. The defensive part of the game can be taught. Then, you have Fonte which really our only worries at this point is age. Assuming Van Dijk, I have to hope he is everything we are looking for. Bertrand, again. we know what we have there. Cedric and Bertrand essentially on 4 year contracts, Van Dijk most likely at least 4 years, and Fonte has got 2 years left. Attacking MF/Forwards JRod on a 5 year, Tadic 3 years left, Mane is gone after this season. Juanmi is on a 4 year and I am betting is going to take Mane's place next season, not so much his role, but his place in the starting XI. to be honest, I am not sure where Davis' or JWP's futures lie in this club. Strikers,Pelle is in form, but he has 2 years left on his contract. I would be curious as to what the club has planned this summer with him. Long has 3 years left on his contract. Goalkeeping - would be nice to sign Stek. Forster I think is quality and when fit is likely better than Stek, but no guarantees with Forster's knee at this point) So, Next summer will have about £50 million to use with the Wanyama and Mane selling. I think all in we are in pretty good shape. It's been a rough start. we didn't handle Europa well. We lost some very key players, we have had key injuries, looks like we will have some late signing(s), but over all I think things are going to be fine.

This. We need a sound defensive platform for the offense tick. We got the benefit of the 2 yellows, which took the pressure off the defense, which in turn freed up the offense. It won't always be that easy. as many have said, we get VvD over the line, get Bertrand back on the pitch and Clasie in the midfield that defensive platform will be sound. I am as upset as anyone about the Wanyama situation (and if he really didn't have a stomach issue last Thursday then he really screwed up our Europa dreams) but we need him on the team. I think a Romeu/Wanyama paired with Clasie can work really well in a 4-2-3-1. However, Romeu's style of play will lend to knocks and suspensions. We need two physical DMs - Clasie, Davis, Reed are not. We need Wanyama. Really can't let him or Mane go at the point. the American broadcast was really playing up the Mane issue - it is like they had some vested interest in his head being turned to Man U.

tadic looking bright. On the left, where he should always be playing.

generally good results today.. with a win tomorrow, we could crack Top 10 then again, if we lose...18th

this whole 3 CB business has a lot to do with our FB situation right now. We are missing the considerable skills that Bertrand and Clyne bring to the pitch and what Southampton usually expects from a FB. A lot more than I thought we would. Give me a second to defend Koeman a bit here. He is in quite a bind - personnel wise. I think he really would like to play a 4 DB/2DM formation, but is limited. It's become obvious Soares, Targett, and Martina are all defensive liabilities, which puts extreme pressure on your two CBs. We have one very good CB and two very average CBs. It all falls apart. See Newcastle/Everton. So what do you do? Ironically, the 3 CBs at our disposal are all better defensively than the FBs we have available, so you get them on the pitch. So, you got 3 at the back and you take Cedric and Targett and put them on the wings. Now Cedric I think is up to the task, the problem is Targett is not. (I really thought Cedric should have started today.) That formation also lends itself to having 1 DM, which just so happens is all we really had available to us today. So, I get why Koeman went with this formation. Yes, one could argue that 4-2-3-1 is what is comfortable, but Targett and Soares are left exposed, Fonte and a Yoshida/Caulker pairing doesn't exactly fill you with confidence and then you most likely be forced to start Reed with Romeu. I know there are a lot of Reed supporters who think he would be up to the task. For whatever reason, Koeman does not. that leaves 4 players "attacking". JRod is not up to form, Tadic is an enigma, Mane is injured, These 3 items combined are the theme of the season so far. 01) Injuries - come on, we have been so unlucky 02) the usual summer defections have hurt 03) having important games (Europa) before the transfer window closes. Don't have the squad you want, players you do have are distracted. Koeman would love to play the 4-2-3-1. He just hasn't had the players to do effectively do it this season. -------------------Stek------------------------- --Cedric-----Fonte-----VvD-------Bertrand-- -----(Wanyama/Romeu)--- Clasie------------ (Mane/Juanmi) - (Davis/JWP) - (Jrod/Tadic) ----------------(Pelle/Long)-------------------- would love to find an AM to replace (Davis/JWP). I felt we gave up on Djuricic too quickly. I think Cedric can be an effective starting LB, but only if we have the rest of our defense and MF shored up, ie:(Wanyama, Clasie, and Bertrand healthy and VvD in the fold) So, I don't necessarily take a major issue with the formation today (though with a full squad I would advocate a 4-2-3-1), but would have preferred Cedric for Martina and Juanmi for Davis and Davis for Targett. -----------Stek--------- Yoshida-Fonte-Caulker Cedric - Romeu - Davis --Juanmi--JWP--JRod-- ----------Pelle---------- tldr: We miss Clyne and Bertrand tremendously.

You could argue 8 of last years starting 11. Tadic would have started, but he is carrying some mystery injury. Forster Clyne - Fonte - Alderweireld - Bertrand Wanyama - Morgan Mane - Davis - Tadic Pelle

It's not all that shocking of a line up once you realize the squad available to us. I basically called it. --------------Stek---------------- ----Yoshida--Fonte--Caulker---- Martina------Romeu------Targett ----Davis-----JWP-----JRod---- --------------Pelle---------------- Although, I think Cedric would be a better choice for Martina and I would like to get Juanmi in there for Davis for a bit more firepower. COYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wanyama being out throws a wrench in formation. Do we start Reed or Davis as a 2nd DM? Can we go it alone with one holding DM (Romeu)? Should we? If so, what is the optimum formation? If we are "going for it" is a 3-3-3-1 the way to go, considering what we need and the personnel available? --------------Stek---------------- ----Yoshida--Fonte--Caulker---- Cedric------Romeu------Targett ----Juanmi-----JWP-----JRod---- --------------Pelle---------------- (assumes Wanyama, Tadic, and Mane are not available) or do we go 4–1–3–2? It is pretty aggressive in attack and Koeman has always been hesitant to pair up Pelle. If you go with this, I think you take Cedric out and put Yoshida in at RB. ----------------Stek--------------- Yoshida--Fonte--Caulker--Targett --------------Romeu--------------- ---Juanmi-------JWP-----Davis--- -----------Pelle-----JRod---------- (assumes Wanyama, Tadic, and Mane are not available) Regardless, I think we need JWP and Caulker on the pitch so that we give ourselves a chance with a set piece as it may come to that if we are struggling in a 0-0 game. We need a goal. one goal. I do like our chances. 0-1 we advance 0-2 we advance 1-2 we advance 2-2 we advance Best scenario: We score an early goal. That forces FC Midtjylland to have to go at us, we counter with a second goal. Game over. They would then have to score 3 goals to advance.

3 good responses. While I agree that it is alarming the amount of turnover we have had, it is not the board's fault, but the very nature of modern football. Every single player we lost these past 2 years (but would have loved to have retained) went to a traditional big club that will pay 2 to 3 times the wages - wages we cannot afford to pay. We have been a victim of our own success. The board has fostered this success as is there is obvious quality in the club from top to bottom. The ManU's and Liverpool's of the world are not plucking players from Newcastle, West Brom and Sunderland. If we were poor, no one would even take notice of us. We will always be in a constant state of recovery (if we maintain our general quality), but the only recovery that is going to occur is to maintain mid-table status. Last year we got to 7th, this year could be 12th, the next year we may inch up to 8th, the following year back down to 13th. The best players will be plucked from the team whenever we threaten the Top 6. The best players understandably will willingly go, and we will fall back. There is a ceiling in this league for clubs like ours (look at the final table for the last 2 decades) and it will be not be allowed to be broken. There is not much "the board" can do about it.

Nail meet head. When the strategy is that we need two very defensive DMs to help our back 4, we lose all opportunity in attack. You have essentially fielded 7 players who by design are not looking to score during the course of play. I keep thinking our best 11 includes Clasie, Wanyama and Romeu on the pitch, but I am starting to rethink that. If we can get our back 4 sorted (VvD), we probably need only Wanyama or Romeu on the pitch with Clasie, which would then free up a slot for some more creative options; ie: Tadic. (as frustrating as he is, he is our most creative player). Plus, between Wanyama and Romeu, they are going to be suspended a lot, so there will be some unavailability there at times. Also if we get into the group stage, there will be more games to share between them. So, I am thinking like more like: --------------Stek-------------- Soares--Fonte--VvD--Bertrand ------Wanyama----Clasie------ -Mane-----Tadic---Rodriquez-- ------------Pelle----------------- or --------------Stek-------------- Soares--Fonte--VvD--Bertrand -------Romeu----Clasie-------- -Mane-----Tadic---Rodriquez-- ------------Pelle-----------------

01) This game reminded me a lot of the 2nd game of last season against West Brom that ended 0-0 draw. toothless, dull, anemic. I remember having a sinking feeling after that game that we were in for a rough season (not to mention the dreadful first half against West Ham the following match.) We went on an incredible run after that.. wishful thinking I suppose. 02) interestingly, we didn't have a second draw of the season until the 12th match of the season. Doesn't mean much really, just interesting. 03) When I saw the lineup announced, 0-0 seems to be what the obvious result would be today. 04) that being said, I like the formation but not with the squad we have available at the moment. Would look a lot better with these players. ------------------Stek-------------------- Cedric--Fonte--VvD--Caulker--Bertrand --------Wanyama----Romeu------------- -----------------Clasie-------------------- ----Mane--------Pelle------------Tadic--- Tadic/Bertrand is a proven matchup. Mane is Mane. Pelle is Pelle. Cedric can provide good crosses. Hopefully, Clasie can distribute. I like Caulker's presence on set pieces in front of the opponent's goal. I think the Wanyama/Romeu pairing will work, but they are going to be suspended on yellows a lot! Need to coordinate their suspensions. my 2 cents.. as us Yanks say.

15 minutes of highlights.. didn't see the game, but it looks like we had our chances. No way Caulker's goal should have been disallowed.

this. Will be almost zero width with this line-up. JWP is going to need to step up big time as he is going to be the main distributor of the ball - Looks like most everything will be going through the middle.

Chips without mayonnaise is not chips.

more like... -------------------Boruc-------------------- --Clyne - Lovren - Alderweireld - Shaw-- --------Cork-------------Schneiderlin------ Lallana--Oxlaide-Chamberlain--Puncheon ----------------Lambert--------------------

--------------Stek---------------- Soares--Fonte--Caulker--Targett ------Wanyama-----Romeu------ ------------JWP/Davis----------- ----Juanmi-----Pelle---Mane--- 01) Be defensive first, pair Wanyama and Romeu 02) Get Caulker in for Yoshida 03) Let Cedric and Targett play, build their confidence back up 04) Put JWP or Davis in an offensive posture, distributing (the Clasie spot in the future) 05) play Mane on the right, can be creative and won't require the need for Targett going forward 06) hope that Mane and Cedric link up better together than Cedric did was Tadic 07) Give Juanmi a go on the left (can Juanmi play on the left?), if that is not working, take out Juanmi at half, move Mane to the left, bring in JRod on the right. I have to admit I am a bit flummoxed over what is our best front three at the moment and what players best link up with the MF and fullbacks we have available today. Two months from now I am imaging this as our strongest lineup, although if in form, it could be Tadic on the right for JRod. --------------Stek-------------- Soares--Fonte--VvD--Bertrand ------Wanyama-----Romeu---- --------------Clasie-------------- ----Mane-----Pelle-----JRod----

https://twitter.com/georgeyboy85/status/632514986208792580

Missing 5 of our back 7 from last year. Forster Clyne Alderweireld Bertrand Schneiderlin Pretty devastating. I am not wetting the bed yet. Let's get Clasie, Betrand, and Van Djck (assumed) on the field and see how we perform. Yet anyone with a brain in their head could take a look at out defensive line up and players before the game and see at least two goals were going to be allowed today.

Nice job. 01) You called for the signing of another CM; said we should look at Romeu (We got Romeu) 02) You said we need Van Dijk and as well as a second CB (4 days later after this post we signed Caulker) 03) Van Dijk, Van Dijk, Van Dijk. I really want you to be 3 for 3!

Salivating. Clasie running the show, distributing Romeu and Wanyma ruling the MF Fonte and VvD strong last line of defense Cedric and Bertrand bombing down the wings Mane, Pelle and JRod/Tadic doing what they do bench 2 - offensive super sub options galore (choose from : Long, Juanmi, Tadic/Jrod) 1 - backup GK (choose from : Gazza, Forster) 2 - DF (choose from: Caulker, Yoshida, Targett, Martina) 2 - MF ( choose from: Davis, JWProwse, Reed)

if true... in Romeu £4.0 mil Juanmi £4.0 mil Cedric £4.7 mil Martina £1.0 mil Clasie £8.0 mil Stek LOAN Caulker LOAN TOTAL £22.7 mil out Clyne £12.5 mil Schneiderlin £25.0 mil Alderweireld TOTAL £37.5 mil ---- REMAINING KITTY : £14.8 mil Seems like a good amount left for Van Dijk. Then, Les Reed can go on a well deserved Holiday with by all accounts a stronger squad (IMO) and no money spent to get it.

it's all a bit sad really.. PL stats 2012-2013 : 15 goals | 04 assists | 3133 minutes | 35 starts | 09th in the league for goals total 2013-2014 : 13 goals | 10 assists | 2820 minutes | 31 starts | tied for 13th in the league for goals total -- 2014-2015 : 02 goals | 02 assists | 0825 minutes | 07 starts | tied for 109th in the league for goals total 2015-2016 : ?????? even sadder, he made his own bed. Liverpool's top scorer in 2014-2015 : Gerrard with 9 goals - and Sterling was 2nd with 7 goals.