The Saints Squad as it now stands... where are the gaps?

[SaintJackoInHurworth]

I am not so much concerned about the depth as others, as much as I am about the quite diverse styles of the players we've got in the squad.

 

If we were to assume that Pochettino likes to play a certain way regardless of the players at his disposal (which I think is the case from what I can tell) then it is a little concerning to think what the impact a few injuries may have on the team at this moment.

 

For example, I am not overly concerned about Fox being our back-up left-back. If you look up and down the league you'll find that most teams have back-ups at full-back who aren't as good as the first choice. My concern is more that he doesn't appear suited to the way the team wants to play - he has average pace, is easy to be turned, and prone to lots of ball watching which mean his weaknesses can be exposed by being high up the pitch. So it is not so much Fox that is an issue, more that it is Fox being asked to play in a style which really places the emphasis on his weaknesses.

 

So on one hand you may say it is good to have an array of talents in the squad to choose from, but when you are asking them all to play in a certain way there will inevitably be players who benefit and players who struggle a little, plus some players who may feel their strengths and key attributes can't be taken advantage of.

 

Having said that, the biggest gap for me is in the final third anyway. The majority of our forward thinking players have attributes which support a slow, considered build-up and that is the opposite to the vision Pochettino has. Yes when we have possession and build from the back it is nice but the idea is to win the ball high up the pitch and create an opening very quickly through some incisiveness, and that has been dearly lacking at times this season. In fact I think Rodriguez's increased importance to the team has come from him being able to run at players, be direct, and take chances rather than have to slow everything down like he had to at the start of the season. It would be nice to have another forward player like him and I consider that to be our biggest gap at the moment. It doesn't need to be a winger, or a striker, or have to be an attacking midfielder - any of the aforementioned will do, but someone who can carry the ball and 'have a go' would be good to have. The consequence of this is that he attracts attention and opens up space for others as well, so it is far more than the individual benefit of having a player like this.

 

If we're going to win the ball high up the pitch, there is no point slowing it down and letting the opposition get men behind the ball after we do it. We need to have purpose and try some one / two touch stuff to take advantage of it. Hopefully with the depth we now have with Wanyama as well as Cork and Schneiderlin we reduce the threat of the break on us that will occur when we lose the ball high up the pitch as well, but I definitely think we need something extra in the final third.

 

I'd agree with a lot of what you say there, but I would argue it is BOTH an issue of strength in depth AND having players that fit to the different systems that the manager will employ against different opposition (I don't think he will have one system/style of playing exactly, though he does have a single ethos of how to win).

 

I would argue, for example, that at left back we have a lack of strength in depth (if both Shaw and Fox get injured we have few other options), a lack of quality in depth (Fox is not as bad as some suggest, but he is positionally naive and gets caught out too often) and a lack of personnel that fit to Pochettino's system (Fox's approach of bombing up the wing only works where you have a system where someone else is tasked with filling the gaps he leaves behind him).

 

Similarly at right back if Clyne gets injured, Stephens and Chambers are options that could fill that role, but both are only young and inexperienced and while both have played in that position, they have both also played elsewhere. Cork is another option, but this has not generally been his preferred position (though if, as we all suspect, he loses his place to Wanyama, I guess he will play wherever he can get a game!) So, there are a lot of question marks in this position if Clyne gets injured.

[Sidney Fudpucker the 3rd]

Its as much about weakness as "gaps"

 

Another CB, get rid of Fonte or Hooiveld

 

Winger with pace

 

Striker

 

Another GK, make Kelvin GK-Trainer.

 

We had a CB. A very highly rated one who we paid a fair amount for, never played and sold back to the club he came from. :-/

[NickG]

Its as much about weakness as "gaps"

 

Another CB, get rid of Fonte or Hooiveld

 

Winger with pace

 

Striker

 

Another GK, make Kelvin GK-Trainer.

 

Agree re winger with pace - on paper Mayuka looked possible but not being used for some reason, and maybe aiming higher now.

 

Striker also agree. Usually said you need 4. With our systems and potential use 'in the hole' of Lallana or Ramirez we maybe would not get a lot of use out of four but at least three.

 

Keeper - think KD is ideal as a sub. Good character to be involved with the squad. Experienced if needed to quickly come on - not always easy as keeper. Plus GK often come on to face a penalty - his strength. If we are aiming high I don't think he is the standard for a run as first choice.

 

Disagree re CB. Unlikely teams use more than three. I think Lovren / Yoshida look good for first choice and Fonte as third. JH or Jack Stephens or even VC if we are struggling.

 

However, if we are looking at some of names linked with can't be bad

[ghq]

What is to become of Gazzaniga? I thought he showed touches of brilliance at times and although I understand he wasn't the answer at the time,

neither was Davies. So how do you progress a young keeper? I'd hate to see him kept on and end up like Bialkowski, but what do you do to advance him? Another Gk brought in now would probably see the end of Gazza, which I think would be a pity.

[Kingsbridge Saint]

What is to become of Gazzaniga? I thought he showed touches of brilliance at times and although I understand he wasn't the answer at the time,

neither was Davies. So how do you progress a young keeper? I'd hate to see him kept on and end up like Bialkowski, but what do you do to advance him? Another Gk brought in now would probably see the end of Gazza, which I think would be a pity.

 

Agreed - Gazza looked half decent until the pass out to Yoshi which is in danger of derailing his entire career. Bit of a high price to pay for one moment of idiocy. We need to nurture him properly and give him a run. He would look good with a League cup medal around his neck.