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Do we Need Anyone Else?

Lighthouse

By Lighthouse,
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Lighthouse

Lighthouse

Posted
Posted

With Lee, Falque and Puncheon on the bus, it has to be asked. Wide men and strikers were the main priority for most people it now seems we have:

 

Strikers: Lambert, Guly, DC, Lee, Barnard

Wide men: Falque, Lallana, Steve, Holmes, Puncheon

 

I think we're pretty well covered, although I wouldn't cry if we signed Marvin Sordell. The only other place I can see we need covering is a month loan at CB, depending on the fitness of Jos, Jose and Jaidi.

 

Poll mods?

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S-Clarke

S-Clarke

Posted
Posted

Before Puncheon had his massive u-turn I would have said a wide man was required for another option - but this has now seemingly been solved and Punch is the equivalent of a new signing really.

 

I think we could do with 1 more striker. I don't class Guly as an out and out forward for a start - and then all we have after that is Connolly, Lambert and Lee.

 

CB looks a little short - but we can get by at the mo, if it gets more severe we have the loan market to dip into.

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S-Clarke

S-Clarke

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Surely has to depend on Barnard and DC's fitness? I still think we're one quality striker away from 'not needing anyone else'

 

+1. We can't rely on Connolly to be fit for the rest of the season, and Barnard isn't going to be ready for a while yet.

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Dr Who?

Dr Who?

Posted
Posted

Barnard - never fully fit

DC - never stays fit for long enough

Guly - not that great away, and can only seem to play with Lambert

Lee - no idea how good he is.

 

This leaves only Lambert who we can 100% rely on. If he gets injured then we are still light. DC and Barnard IMO will not be with us next season.

 

With the wide players only Lallana has proven that he can do it at this level. Loan player looked lost the other night, and Steve is not looking that great.

 

I still think we need a striker and a centre back. I do think puncheon has something to prove and could do a good job for us, but only Time will tell.

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hypochondriac

hypochondriac

Posted
Posted
Barnard - never fully fit

DC - never stays fit for long enough

Guly - not that great away, and can only seem to play with Lambert

Lee - no idea how good he is.

 

This leaves only Lambert who we can 100% rely on. If he gets injured then we are still light. DC and Barnard IMO will not be with us next season.

 

With the wide players only Lallana has proven that he can do it at this level. Loan player looked lost the other night, and Steve is not looking that great.

 

I still think we need a striker and a centre back. I do think puncheon has something to prove and could do a good job for us, but only Time will tell.

 

Pretty much agree with that.

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Badger

Badger

Posted
Posted

I'd still like the quality goalscorer or striker we have been after since last summer. Hooper would be first choice but seemingly not available.

 

Puncheon's return probably rules out Sordell.

 

After that I would still like a CB and a GK , as injury to Kelvin leaves us needlessly up sh!t street in a panic.

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sotonjoe

sotonjoe

Posted
Posted
Barnard - never fully fit

DC - never stays fit for long enough

Guly - not that great away, and can only seem to play with Lambert

Lee - no idea how good he is.

 

This leaves only Lambert who we can 100% rely on. If he gets injured then we are still light. DC and Barnard IMO will not be with us next season.

 

With the wide players only Lallana has proven that he can do it at this level. Loan player looked lost the other night, and Steve is not looking that great.

 

I still think we need a striker and a centre back. I do think puncheon has something to prove and could do a good job for us, but only Time will tell.

 

This; except the criticism of Steeeeeve.

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ART

ART

Posted
Posted

He's a local lad but sadly a Skate but think Joel Ward would be a good signing seeing how bad things east of eden. I learned during listening to TalkSport during the night Steve Williams objecting to being mentioned as an ex Saints player. He then shocked me by saying Pompey have always been his team. So who knows, playing for Southampton isn't the end of the world for every skate

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The9

The9

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Posted

I suggested in December that 2 CBs including Hooiveld would be Prem planning, that's now even more important with the current injuries.

 

I still think a Prem-standard striker could be the difference, we don't really have any players who can create goals for themselves out of nothing with Lallana off form and De Ridder out of the team, and we need someone up top who teams haven't scouted as part of the Saints line up to make ourselves less predictable.

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The9

The9

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As long as we put Richardson (a very good RIGHT back - arguably our player of the season so far) at RIGHT back and not Dan Harding (a mediocre LEFT back) - what was THAT all about?

 

I'd imagine Richardson wasn't fully fit, he only came on because Hooiveld got injured.

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VectisSaint

VectisSaint

Posted
Posted

CB should have been at least equal top priority with striker from the start. Hooiveld is really only a replacement for Seaborne, we needed another CB before Seaborne was hurt. WE still need one now as this week has illustrated, fit CBs, Aaron Martin and ..... The Number 5 shirt is still vacant, that tells me that a new CB is still expected.

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Aardvark

Aardvark

Posted
Posted
I'd imagine Richardson wasn't fully fit, he only came on because Hooiveld got injured.

 

Fair comment but;

(a)Why was he on the bench if not fit?

(b) How come that when he did come on he looked so much better than Harding and didn't look to be struggling?

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Saint Martini

Saint Martini

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Posted

We still need an other CB in my opinion. At the start of the season we had Fonte (Quality), Seaborne (Decent), Martin (Promising) and Hooiveld (At that time a questionmark). Now we have two quality CB's (Fonte & Hooiveld) but only Martin as backup (don't really know if we can count on Seaborne anytime soon). We need a quality backup for Fonte and Hooiveld, preferably one that can play RB aswell.

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LaptopSaint

LaptopSaint

Posted
Posted

Very happy to give Punch a chance but let's face it - none of us would be that surprised if he flounces off again in three weeks and refuses to sit on the bench. So I still wouldn't mind a speedy wide man. CF totally depends on how well Lee fits in - different system, difference language... could be a masterstroke sealing promotion or (at least for this season) a bit of a non-event.

Still think a CB is the main priority. Long term injury to either Jos or Jose leaves us in trouble. Heard v good reports about the Birmingham lad Butland but never seen him play.

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david in sweden

david in sweden

Posted
Posted (edited)
With Lee, Falque and Puncheon on the bus, it has to be asked. Wide men and strikers were the main priority for most people it now seems we have:

Strikers: Lambert, Guly, DC, Lee, Barnard

Wide men: Falque, Lallana, Steve, Holmes, Puncheon

 

I think we're pretty well covered, although I wouldn't cry if we signed Marvin Sordell.

The only other place I can see we need covering is a month loan at CB, depending on the fitness of Jos, Jose and Jaidi. Poll mods?

 

Do we need anyone else? YES; OF COURSE.... We are this close to the top and must get it right now.

 

3 weeks ago NA said we had 13 injuries /suspensions, I don't want to see us in the same position 3 weeks before the end of the season.

 

The list your posted LOOKS impressive, but Falque is only on loan and will go back to Spurs, Lee is still untried in England (though we all hope he's the real thing)

Barnard is unlikely to play for us again this season, and we can only hope that DC stays fit. Puncheon has to prove himself to the club (and the fans) all over again.

 

Let's hope Fonte is back soon, as we may not see Seaborne (no pun) again this season either, and with Jos out injured for an undefined period and Jaidi retiring in June.. Aaron Martin is our only fit CB.

 

We all know our best eleven..(or best sixteen anyway) and most of the rest aren't good enough to break into the present CCC team, let alone challenge for a spot in the Premiership and I expect half a dozen at least to be on their way..if not more!...as we have Academy lads waiting in the wings.

 

YES we need more, and NOW! . We can sort the wheat from the chaff at the end of May..regardless of where we will be playing next season.

Edited by david in sweden
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revolution saint

revolution saint

Posted
Posted
He's a local lad but sadly a Skate but think Joel Ward would be a good signing seeing how bad things east of eden. I learned during listening to TalkSport during the night Steve Williams objecting to being mentioned as an ex Saints player. He then shocked me by saying Pompey have always been his team. So who knows, playing for Southampton isn't the end of the world for every skate

 

Surely that isn't right? If anything he'd be an Arsenal fan but Pompey? Struggling to believe that......

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david in sweden

david in sweden

Posted
Posted (edited)
Fair comment but;

 

(a)Why was he on the bench if not fit?

 

(b) How come that when he did come on he looked so much better than Harding and didn't look to be struggling?

 

 

(a) we don't have any other experienced defenders to choose from. It's Ok trying out Academy lads in midfield, but judging by tonight's 1-5 drubbing from the Notts. Forest kids.. we don't have any suitable young defenders either.

 

(b) he looked better than Harding because... along with several others on Monday night ... Harding had a shocking game !

Edited by david in sweden
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millbrooktonian

millbrooktonian

Posted
Posted

what about poaching po**ey striker, Futacs ,this was in the skate news webiste :

Portsmouth striker Marko Futacs has revealed that he still has not signed a new contract with the Championship club. by @SkySportsPeteF1252012 12:47:22 PM 12:47 PM 6 .

He looks half decent, would certainly rub salt in their wounds

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ART

ART

Posted
Posted (edited)
Surely that isn't right? If anything he'd be an Arsenal fan but Pompey? Struggling to believe that......
I am only quoting from Steve Williams on TalkSport during last night. He was representing a Daily Express colleague who was unable to appear. He was introduced as former Arsenal and Southampton player to which he sort of cleared his throat, objected being linked with Saints. He then said his true love since childhold and today was the club down the road, currently in difficulty. Portsmouth. I was so shocked and lay awake for hours. I nearly got up to come on the forum to ask if anyone else had heard him. I am disgusted as Steve was always one of my Saints heroes.

 

I went to bed earlier than usual at 10pm ET and listened on and off till till 2 or 3 am ET. I'm trying to go through the Mike Graham show hoping to find it. I could have been on earlier before Mike Graham. They talk so much tosh on Talksport I tend not to listen unless anything interesting comes on.

Edited by ART
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The9

The9

Posted
Posted
Fair comment but;

(a)Why was he on the bench if not fit?

(b) How come that when he did come on he looked so much better than Harding and didn't look to be struggling?

 

Because we had lots of players missing and he could have been below par or not worth risking unless an emergency arose, which it did.

I'd put the second one down to his professionalism, possibly modern medication and the fact he wasn't being asked to play more than about 15-20 minutes.

 

Then again he might have been 100% fit and fine, can't guarantee he was injured, can I?

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The9

The9

Posted
Posted
On the subject of RBs, what's the story with Butters? I'm guessing he is inured any idea how long for and when his contract is up. Wiki says a 1 year deal signed in 2010, so I'm guessing he has a 1 year extension until this summer.

 

IIRC a number of players got automatic extensions or new deals when we got promoted and I think he was one of those.

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S-Clarke

S-Clarke

Posted
Posted
On the subject of RBs, what's the story with Butters? I'm guessing he is inured any idea how long for and when his contract is up. Wiki says a 1 year deal signed in 2010, so I'm guessing he has a 1 year extension until this summer.

 

Yeah, him along with Harding got automatic 1 year extensions upon promotion. Harding's deal was then extended a little longer IIRC.

 

But he is injured unfortunately, he's had a bit of an unlucky season really. I don't think he's far away but he keeps picking up niggles and match fitness wise he's not really close to play alot of minutes I guess.

 

I don't think we need another RB though tbh. We've got young Stephens who's a quality young player, and also Cork who can do a job there in emergencies.

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Saint Garrett

Saint Garrett

Posted
Posted

Butterfield came on against Forest last week, was surprised to not see him there on Monday night if Frazer was injured. The only explanation is that neither of these were fully fit on Monday. Harding can surely only play if we're really really desparate because he is so bad its unbelievable.

 

Henderson is crap, he's just a massive lump, he wouldn't fit into the way we play.

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SteveStone

SteveStone

Posted
Posted
We need a central defender badly. On Monday the weakness of our squad players was obvious. Martin needs another year to mature, A loan move would be good for him.

 

We looked decidely shaky at the back against leicester, and if this is how we fare against decent fast breaking opposition we most certainly need another quality CB, martin looked above his station, fonte whilst good last season hasn't been anywhere near as solid this, seabourne still out, jaidi ready for his pension, jos out now; if we dont get decent cover this window it could well cost us an automatic promotion spot...

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RobM

RobM

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Posted

Agreed with the CB idea. We need cover, not necessarily somebody to better what we have, but somebody big and strong who can do the simple CB duties well, the stuff that doesn't necessarily need a long-term partnership with the other CB (like stuffing it into row z).

 

A loan for the rest of the season for somebody who accepts they wont be a first team regular would be ideal. If only we had Jaidi available, he is what I'm describing!

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The9

The9

Posted
Posted
Agreed with the CB idea. We need cover, not necessarily somebody to better what we have, but somebody big and strong who can do the simple CB duties well, the stuff that doesn't necessarily need a long-term partnership with the other CB (like stuffing it into row z).

 

A loan for the rest of the season for somebody who accepts they wont be a first team regular would be ideal. If only we had Jaidi available, he is what I'm describing!

 

I don't understand why firstly you'd want to target someone who isn't as good as those we have, and secondly why you'd want a player who doesn't address the problem which has developed, which is our current centre-backs (using Hooiveld and Martin) not being good enough or confident enough quick passers to start our attacks from the back. They also don't have the presence of mind to bring the ball out like Fonte does, which means opposing midfield and defences can just sit and wait for the whack and pick up the 2nd ball without having to consider breaking ranks to close anyone down, which Leicester did all night on Monday.

 

A hoofer is only a decent signing if the alternative is no-one to play alongside Martin in the very short term.

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RobM

RobM

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Posted

A hoofer is only a decent signing if the alternative is no-one to play alongside Martin in the very short term.

 

Which is exactly my point :) Martin is great cover for Fonte and Jos, we also have two injured CB's in the background, one of which retires at the end of this season. We could go out and spend a wedge on a Prem-ready CB that is better than Fonte and Jos, but those two have been superb for us so I don't think that's the priority.

 

What I do worry about is if Martin gets injured, we don't have an out-and-out CB ready to step into this level.

 

Once we're in the Prem I think we'll need to invest in this area again, which is part of my reasoning for not spending big money now. Prices for an established, quality, better-than-we-have CB in the Jan transfer window would be crazy-high as no club wants to break up a good defence. I don't think it would be right or fair to sign a NPC-level CB with no promise of first team football, especially with Seabourne hopefully coming back at some point, so a 'lump' to secure our defence in Martins absence, a short-term solution until we're back to full fitness or in the Prem.

 

Just my opinion :)

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