Does anyone have an update on Ramirez fitness?

[pingwing]

I have not been impressed by Punch at all this season. Flatters to deceive. Behind Mayuka, Lee and Guly in my mind.

 

Thank god everyone is seeing this and its not me getting depressed at him.

[shurlock]

The link up play between Lambert, Lallana and Ramirez against Villa was sublime at times. They are our best players and need to start. Puncheon should give way, not Lallana

 

It worked because we played only two in the middle of the park and had width in the shape of Punch and AL. You would get none of that with a defensively-minded midfield 3. Lambert, Lallana and Ramirez would become bunched together so as not to getisolated and defences could squeeze up and play a high line with impunity.

We tried a midfield 3 last Xmas when Hammond, Morgan and Cork regularly started and without pace we looked narrow, predictable and very easy to defend against. Playing Jrod instead of Lambert would offer a partial solution given his greater pace and movement but IMO you lose more than you gain dropping Lambert.

Edited 2 November, 2012 by shurlock

[up and away]

Mayuka's pace is a must - If sacrifices have to be made, I would drop AL and play Mayuka/Ramirez/Lambert with a midfield 3 of Cork/Morgan/Davis.

 

Completely agree with Mayuka and the midfield of Cork, Morgan and Davis. I would add Ramirez into that midfield to get a solid base to work from. We have to tighten up and stop every game from looking like Christmas morning. That would leave one from Ricky, Adam and JRod with Adam just getting the nod. Lallana has been getting up and down really well and with Ramirez providing the bullets feel this would be more of a threat. Have been disappointed with the pairing of JRod and Ricky, coming to the conclusion to only use JRod as the main striker. Ricky could still be the best answer for what we have available but I don't see that as a winning formulae, just the best of what's left.

 

No issues with dropping Lallana, if Chung could provide the spark would go for it in an instant but it does not look to be there at present. If I have Ramirez providing the assists, just don't see a place for Ricky without making the side unbalanced. Yet get sufficient control and it could well be the way to go. WE have to find a solid platform from which to perform, such we can make small changes and know we are going in the correct direction. At present things are so bad it's extremely difficult to judge until we get that platform. Without doubt Mayuak and his pace just have to be included.

[david in sweden]

He had his own pre-season to get ready for the Olympics, so he's not starting from scratch.

 

of course, but being out injured for ....how many weeks?....isn't the same as maintaining fitness week in and out.....it'll take him a game or two to get back to any real form providing he is 100% fit.

[The Kraken]

of course, but being out injured for ....how many weeks?....isn't the same as maintaining fitness week in and out.....it'll take him a game or two to get back to any real form providing he is 100% fit.

 

If he's better than what we have in whatever state of fitness he's in, he'll be picked. If he isn't he won't.