How do you rate our options upfront & can we rely on them?

[Mr X]

Several of the commentators say we look gutless upfront & will need to invest in a couple more players if we are to have serious hopes of a top half finish. How do you see are options? For me we have no one that's going to score the 15-20 goals a season that's usually needed for a top half finish.

 

SRL = A terrific player on his day a good provider as well and a vital part of our team but his lack of pace and the fact he's getting on a bit means he's unlikely to score 15+

 

J Rod = The hardest working striker we have and has some nice skills but again not likely to get past double figures, often makes the wrong decision in a shooting chance, again good creater though

 

Osvaldo = potentially an immense talent that's without a doubt our best player on paper but so frustrating to watch I think its already clear he's unsettled for whatever reason and i have my doubts he will be here in january. Not going to get double figures this season.

 

Mayuka (loaned) = genuine pace and potential but naive and unproven did show a few glimpses of talent though

[norwaysaint]

I'm just trying to think if MP has shown any willingness before to bring in players previously frozen out? I can't think of any. Now gaston's out, he seems to be far from MP's plans, same for puncheon, lee and our other strikers. Sam Gallagher is the extra striker he's talking about now, so I assume mayuka stands little chance, although we as fans got to see little of the reasons for that. I agree with what most on here seem to have said, that osvaldo needs a run to get himself properly established in the team and it should probably be at the expense of Lambert, who, despite still being class and an important player for us, will probably have a diminishing impact for us as his age starts to tell.

 

despite being an under-achiever as far as goals go, JRod does fit into our system well and plays an important part, but you do have to wish he could score a few more. If he could be a bit more clinical, we may well have hit the top spot this seasons, albeit briefly.

[Olallana]

We need a proper no.10 surrounded by Lallana and Rodriguez and Osvaldo up top IMO.

 

And some patience with players but in that wish I know there are a lot of deaf ears on here...

[adrian lord]

The problem is simply that Lambert's alternative - Danni O - is not firing on all cylinders. It hasn't gone to plan in that respect and this is the conundrum that needs a big decision come Jan. There is still time for DO to get a run in the side and prove us wrong but time is fast ebbing away, as is our tilt at the title.

 

The scoring issue is not a problem when you have the 2nd tightest defence in Europe, but as soon as they get injuries or the keeper loses his head a bit, the paucity of 'goals for' come right back into the equation.

 

On another note, I can also sort of now appreciate why Fergie et al didn't like their top players doing International Friendlies.

Edited 24 November, 2013 by adrian lord

[CB Fry]

OP: Out of interest, which commentators has said we are "gutless up front"? Just one or two of the "several" would be great.

Edited 24 November, 2013 by CB Fry

[melmacian_saint]

Maybe Gallagher can refresh things a bit? I certainly wouldn't worry about trying.

[Glasgow_Saint]

I can honestly see us going 4-5 games without scoring (at some stage this season) Our imagination, options and confidence just seems to die in and around the final 3rd.

 

Mopo needs to work harder on this - we have an italian CF and two England strikers ffs, if he cant get goals from these.........

[Mr X]

I can honestly see us going 4-5 games without scoring (at some stage this season) Our imagination, options and confidence just seems to die in and around the final 3rd.

 

Mopo needs to work harder on this - we have an italian CF and two England strikers ffs, if he cant get goals from these.........

 

I honestly don't think Osvaldo is the right player for us in the ten games or so he has featured something just isn't working and he has shown little evidence that it will click if he can just get one or two goals im sure his confidence

Would take him on a run but doesn't look like scoring at the moment.

[Mr X]

OP: Out of interest, which commentators has said we are "gutless up front"? Just one or two of the "several" would be great.

 

It was all three of the commentators on the stream but it wasn't a fan commentary it was a proper professional broadcast I think most would agree we didn't create much of a goal threat yesterday

[kpturner]

Several of the commentators say we look gutless upfront & will need to invest in a couple more players if we are to have serious hopes of a top half finish.

Hey - let's start (yet another) thread with a completely fabricated statement!

[kpturner]

It was all three of the commentators on the stream but it wasn't a fan commentary it was a proper professional broadcast I think most would agree we didn't create much of a goal threat yesterday

So it is based on the comments of three nameless commentators on a stream for one match against the top team in the league? This despite the fact that our attacking options have been lauded in previous matches?

[Saint Garrett]

Lambert was dross yesterday. Offside about 5 times and didn't look like scoring, and touch was unusually poor. I think the he's fine when we're dominating a team (which is a lot), but for me when we go to these big clubs away from home, we should start with Osvaldo up top as he offers us much more in regards to willingness to run the channels and better on the counter IMO.

[CB Fry]

It was all three of the commentators on the stream but it wasn't a fan commentary it was a proper professional broadcast I think most would agree we didn't create much of a goal threat yesterday

 

Not creating much of a goal threat in one game and being described as "gutless up front" are two different things.

 

Have to say I haven't seen or heard any saying anything remotely like we are gutless up front but obviously three people on one stream yesterday obviously did. Obviously.

[shurlock]

It was all three of the commentators on the stream but it wasn't a fan commentary it was a proper professional broadcast I think most would agree we didn't create much of a goal threat yesterday

 

Was it the secret footballer per chance? All three of them

Edited 24 November, 2013 by shurlock

[kpturner]

Mr X and Glasgow Saint are using the same PC. I have seen the IP address

[Glasgow_Saint]

Mr X and Glasgow Saint are using the same PC. I have seen the IP address

 

We live together

[Village Saint]

OP: Out of interest, which commentators has said we are "gutless up front"? Just one or two of the "several" would be great.

 

 

Actually none did. Indeed every report I have seen correctly identifies that we played well but were let down by a ratrher stupid mistake. However, ackowledging that would spoil a good moan.

[david in sweden]

Many strikers have in and out patches, but (statistically) scoring once every 3 games is about par for the course (OK wrong sport), but at this level it's even harder.

looking at last years final totals it was 34 year old Lampard and 31 year old Lambert who were top scorers, and even Rooney couldn't reach their total....and we didn't have Svarez or RWP.

 

Saints had a slow start this season; only 3 goals in the first 5, games....then 8 in the next 5, and 4 in the game v. Hull. Things are improving.

 

along the way Lallana scored in successive games,.....Rodriguez 3 in 4 games.....and Lambert has 3 in the last 7 games, and we are not totally dependent on the front men either, as both centre-backs and two of the midfielders have also netted...all in the first 12 matches.

 

The very great praise we have received from all directions for our style of play and domination of possession has had its price, and we have scored fewer than some people had expected, but we should remind ourselves also that you only have to score one more than the opposition to get the points and that has been quite successful.

 

Honestly speaking if we get two players scoring more than 10 goals this season, I'll be pleasantly surprised and until we get a front line that can score 2 or 3 a game, we'll have to hope that those players we have can stay fit.

Edited 24 November, 2013 by david in sweden

[Glasgow_Saint]

We dont seem to setup with intent away from home. Infact we have scored only 4 on the road this season and only 5 in the last 10 away from home.

 

With 3 quality international strikers you have to wonder why we do score so few

[Griffo]

The problem is simply that Lambert's alternative - Danni O - is not firing on all cylinders. It hasn't gone to plan in that respect and this is the conundrum that needs a big decision come Jan. There is still time for DO to get a run in the side and prove us wrong but time is fast ebbing away, as is our tilt at the title.

 

 

[NickG]

Several of the commentators say we look gutless upfront & will need to invest in a couple more players if we are to have serious hopes of a top half finish. How do you see are options? For me we have no one that's going to score the 15-20 goals a season that's usually needed for a top half finish.

 

SRL = A terrific player on his day a good provider as well and a vital part of our team but his lack of pace and the fact he's getting on a bit means he's unlikely to score 15+

 

J Rod = The hardest working striker we have and has some nice skills but again not likely to get past double figures, often makes the wrong decision in a shooting chance, again good creater though

 

Osvaldo = potentially an immense talent that's without a doubt our best player on paper but so frustrating to watch I think its already clear he's unsettled for whatever reason and i have my doubts he will be here in january. Not going to get double figures this season.

 

Mayuka (loaned) = genuine pace and potential but naive and unproven did show a few glimpses of talent though

 

Is this made up?

 

I've not seen any reports or any commentator saying we are gutless upfront.

 

I've seen loads saying three of our forwards deservedly got places in the England team.

 

I have not seen or heard one report predicting this current squad will finish outside of the top ten.

 

Where are these? Who has said that we need to invest to have serious hope of top 10? I suspect you have made it up.

 

Express - If Southampton were mortified by the way they conceded, it didn’t show in their play.

 

Far from being knocked out of their stride, they continued to have the majority of possession and the quality of their play was a delight to watch.

 

Their two England debutants both nearly scored before half-time. Adam Lallana had a dipping volley tipped over the bar, while Jay Rodriguez saw his shot scooped clear by Arsenal keeper Wojiech Szczesny.

 

The best move of the match came in the 52nd minute, a kaleidoscope of quick, clever passes with Rickie Lambert heavily involved. It ended with Lallana striking a fierce shot too close to Szczesny.

 

Southampton were asking serious questions of Arsenal. This may have been a surprise ‘top-of-the-table’ clash, but there was quality on show.

 

Arsene Wenger

"I'm very happy because we were against a good team and they showed why they made good results before.

 

"They are a good team and if they had won today they would have been level with us at the top of the league, so that shows how good they are.

 

"We couldn't take our chances but we took advantage of their mistakes. It's a very good win."

 

Guardian

Southampton flew into action after half-time, playing with the zest and determination that has taken them so far up the Premier League table. Arsenal showed the defensive focus, though, to ensure the visitors' efforts were not easily turned into clear chances. A Rickie Lambert shot was blocked, and Rodriguez's lung-busting run halted, before Szczesny was called upon.

Southampton played well, but paid the price for two critical errors. They want to move on. Arsenal are not in the mood to look over their shoulders.

 

 

Mail -

an excellent Southampton side.

, the quality and industry of their front four in Rickie Lambert, Jay Rodriguez, Adam Lallana and James Ward-Prowse is something to behold. Rodriguez had struggled on his England debut a week ago, not so here. He refused to concede any cause as lost.

 

Telegraph

Southampton will take away much of which to be proud in what is shaping up to be a remarkable campaign for the south coast club. there was never any likelihood of another disintegration. They even enjoyed the majority of possession, had more shots and won more corners against Wenger’s table-toppers, who could not breath easy until the final few minutes.

 

 

 

struggling to find these reports just loads saying how good we are, how we are contending at the top and how great our forwards our (plus a decent Italian on the bench!)

 

some weird posts here lately??

 

 

People say we need to sign top players and then moan that Ramirez and Osvaldo are not in the team.

 

I wonder if Alpine etc feel the same dislike for Cork as they aim at Ramirez due to his lack of involvement (as Cork has played even less)

[disconnect]

I honestly don't think Osvaldo is the right player for us in the ten games or so he has featured something just isn't working and he has shown little evidence that it will click if he can just get one or two goals im sure his confidence

Would take him on a run but doesn't look like scoring at the moment.

 

Worked pretty well for us against Palace? Dominated the defence that day. I know their defence is weak, but he did look a class above. I'm keeping the faith - a few games, get rid of those niggly injuries, and maybe a few more starts and sure he'll get a few more goals before the new year.