Jack Cork - New Deal?

[SO16_Saint]

Anyone seen this? Mirror: Jack Cork is the latest Southampton player to be given a new deal. #twitter92 #uksportsnetwork

[pangy]

I wont believe it until I see a picture of Jack wearing a watch

[Burnsie]

A terrific player, whose contribution was overlooked somewhat because Schneiderlin was that bit more showy .... if Wanyama signs, does he play alongside Cork rather than MS? That would seem a better fit to me.

[Saint Charlie]

Hopefully - has 2 years to run on his current one but has earned a new one I think.

[beatlesaint]

I hope this is true, Cork is a fantastic player for us, hope he doesnt get forced into a bit part role with the arrival of Wanyama.

[Saint Garrett]

Definitely earned a new one. Get him tied down!

[richardc]

I cant see anyway that we will play with 3 defensive centre midfielders - particularly as he has stated GR will play a lead role this season - MS and VW are both box to box players and so it would be more logical one of these plays alongside JC, however MP wont drop our player of the season and isnt going to spend 12.5m on a player for the bench, so I can only see JC dropping down. MS and JC played so well together as they complimented each others style. I really hope MS and VW dont become another Gerrard/Lampard situation two great players that cant play together

[ant]

I'd say we need all three anyway; strength in depth is so important in the PL. Cork, Schneiderlin and Wanyama will all get plenty of playing time. We were found desperately short when Jack was injured at the start of last season and very lucky Morgan lasted the distance.

[Saint_clark]

I'd say we need all three anyway; strength in depth is so important in the PL. Cork, Schneiderlin and Wanyama will all get plenty of playing time. We were found desperately short when Jack was injured at the start of last season and very lucky Morgan lasted the distance.

 

Indeed. We were also forced to play very understrength sides in the League cup, hopefully we can have a good run this time.

[Isla Wight]

I think that the side improved greatly when Cork returned last season. I like him a lot. Just needs to add a few goals to his game though.

[Sour Mash]

I'd say we need all three anyway; strength in depth is so important in the PL. Cork, Schneiderlin and Wanyama will all get plenty of playing time. We were found desperately short when Jack was injured at the start of last season and very lucky Morgan lasted the distance.

If we'd had all three players last season, then someone would have missed out on a fair bit of playing time. Would help if we have good, long runs in both cups.

[Saint Charlie]

If we'd had all three players last season, then someone would have missed out on a fair bit of playing time. Would help if we have good, long runs in both cups.

 

Some games we can certainly play all 3. Would also be nice to have another tactical option later on in games.

[DuncanRG]

I think that the side improved greatly when Cork returned last season. I like him a lot. Just needs to add a few goals to his game though.

 

I'm convinced people wouldn't say this if he had scored a goal off his backside or something at some point in the Championship. It's only the fact he's never scored that makes people worry about it.

 

Anyway, he more than deserves a new deal and if he signs I'll be pleased he's committed to competing with Morgan and Wanyama.

[stu0x]

Three players for two positions, especially central midfield, should be an absolute minimum in terms of playing staff for the Premier League. It is no coincidence that our most shambolic period defensively last season is when Cork was out.

 

We were also incredibly lucky that, barring those initial games, neither Cork nor Morgan had any moderate or serious injuries. That is very unlikely to be the case again given the positions they play and the amount of work they do.

 

Add in fatigue, loss of form, the fact that we will certainly play the three together in at least parts of games next season (away to the likes of United/City/Chelsea for example, when overloading the midfield is key to controlling the game), and hopefully more Cup games, and there will be more than enough playing time for all three players. Id expect all three of them to hit 30+ appearances.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

Cork can fill in at full back too and we are short of cover in these positions.

[SNSUN]

Great news if that's true. He's still young, he's good at what he does, he transformed the defensive side of the team when he came into it last season, and he's English, which is always a plus. I wonder if he'll still get plenty of game time though, some talented juggling needed in the squad rotation department by Pochettino I reckon. I can see Morgan being pushed up higher though - in the Davis role from the tail end of last season. He's good enough to fulfil that role, whether we'd miss his talents defensively makes it a gamble.

 

Still it's a long season, plenty of time for all 3 DM's to get game time.

[buctootim]

Three players for two positions, especially central midfield, should be an absolute minimum in terms of playing staff for the Premier League. It is no coincidence that our most shambolic period defensively last season is when Cork was out.

 

We were also incredibly lucky that, barring those initial games, neither Cork nor Morgan had any moderate or serious injuries. That is very unlikely to be the case again given the positions they play and the amount of work they do.

 

Add in fatigue, loss of form, the fact that we will certainly play the three together in at least parts of games next season (away to the likes of United/City/Chelsea for example, when overloading the midfield is key to controlling the game), and hopefully more Cup games, and there will be more than enough playing time for all three players. Id expect all three of them to hit 30+ appearances.

 

 

Agree with all of this. We play a high tempo game that takes its toll. If we rotate properly all will play a big part.

[DuncanRG]

If we're going to play all three I wouldn't be surprised to see Wanyama play further forward instead of Morgan. He's a proven goal threat and Cork and Morgan already have their defensive understand locked down.

[buctootim]

If we're going to play all three I wouldn't be surprised to see Wanyama play further forward instead of Morgan. He's a proven goal threat and Cork and Morgan already have their defensive understand locked down.

 

I wondered whether part of the deal for Morgan signing a new contract was that we agreed to play him further forward.

[Chez]

I think that the side improved greatly when Cork returned last season. I like him a lot. Just needs to add a few goals to his game though.

he really is woeful in front of goal and never looks like scoring, but you have to wonder whether VW is going to score many more. Lack of goals from both doesn't worry me too much though as Cork more than made up fro it with some sparkling performances. Brave man to drop him as when he wasn't in the side and when he was subbed we were poor.

[DuncanRG]

I wondered whether part of the deal for Morgan signing a new contract was that we agreed to play him further forward.

 

Is there any suggestion of that? Didn't happen this season after he signed. As with all these new contracts it will have mostly been about giving him Premier League wages.

[buctootim]

Is there any suggestion of that? Didn't happen this season after he signed. As with all these new contracts it will have mostly been about giving him Premier League wages.

 

No suggestion, just think it is a possibility. I think he has been getting forward more this season just gone.