Injury to which Saints player(s) causes the most problem? With what consequences?

[Giordano]

At present i'd say these, in this order:

 

1. CF.Rickie Lambert. Osvaldo is not Rickie. Yet. Jrod is Not Rickie. Lee is Not Rickie. No like for like replacement. Change in playing style probable.

2. CB. Lovren. Maya and Jos are a league or two below him. Big problemo. Not as big as last year though because we defend so much higher up the pitch than last year, but still big problem.

3.GK. Boruc. KD is experienced at our style of play and loyal and a great bloke, but he is not a top EPL reserve goalie. Nor is Gazza. No Boruc - disaster.

4.FB. Shaw and Clyne : We've seen what happens when they don't play. No overlaps, less offensive play, the opposition FB and wide players attack us ~ not the other way round. Chambers is promising as RB if NC goes to LB with LS out or if NC is injured but putting in Maya at LB or Fox is changing how we play - for the worse. Big problemo.

4. DM. Morgan/Big Vic. Cork or SD or JWP would replace them. But MS in particular is a class above in that defensive role. We got replacements that can adapt but not quite as good.

5. AM. Ads. On fire at present energy levels at 11. GR is misfiring. Jrod and JWP different types of player. No same standard replacement at present. No inspirational Ads in the team - we play a different kind of game. Problemo.

[Saint Garrett]

Erm....have to say either Boruc or Shaw, as our backup is so awful.

 

Lovren would be key but we were relatively tight last season under Pochettino, despite Lovren being a huge upgrade.

 

Lallana on current form would be a huge miss, but we potentially have players who can come in and cover him - despite not being as good.

 

So would have to go with either Boruc or Shaw.

[VectisSaint]

Boruc, Shaw, the rest

[Window Cleaner]

Boruc, Shaw, the rest

 

nah Shaw we could live with for a game or so, Clyne to the left, Chambers on the right, not desirable of course but not the absolute end of the universe. Boruc however is something else, given KD's dismal failure to control anything at all at Sunderland..well it just makes you shudder.

[Glasgow_Saint]

Boruc 100%

[Bucks Saint]

Boruc 1st. Shaw 2nd if he plays Fox. Not if Clyne and Chambers cover. Lovren 2nd if not. Lallana 3rd

[toofarnorth]

The defence + GK really. Would play Yoshida over Hoiveld if Lovren or Fonte were injured, but that doesn't seem to be MP's favoured option. Have a lot of faith in Chambers, but left back is a worry. I actually rate KD higher than most so wouldn't be a disaster if Boruc missed a couple, but long term injury would not be ideal.

 

We have good depth in midfield with Cork & Davis on the bench and up front ramirez should be able to cover AL and JR, similarly if one of Rickie or Osvaldo gets injured we are pretty good with one striker.

[Saint Charlie]

1. Boruc

2. Lovren

3. Lallana

4. Shaw

5. Morgan