Slugger Posted 6 July, 2016 Share Posted 6 July, 2016 We currently have VVD and Fonte clearly first choice, we then have Yoshida and Gardos behind them but in no way pressuring them for a start. Jack Stephens probably next in line. 1. Do we need to bring in some proper competition for VVD and Fonte or are we happy with what we have? 2. Are Yoshida or Gardos 3rd CB quality for a team with European aspirations, especially considering that with EL games the 3rd choice will feature a lot this season? 3. Would our season be majorly affected if either Fonte or VVD missed upwards of 10 games this season? Interested in how people view this position depth and quality wise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a1ex2001 Posted 6 July, 2016 Share Posted 6 July, 2016 Would always like to see us strengthen but I'm not sure we will get a player significantly better than Yoshi willing to sit on the bench most of the season Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
max_saints Posted 6 July, 2016 Share Posted 6 July, 2016 Yoshida is good enough to be 3rd choice CB. Posters on here keep suggesting Yosh is not good enough to be backup but never actually say who is better than him and would be content with sitting on the bench most of the season. Caulker? lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jai27 Posted 6 July, 2016 Share Posted 6 July, 2016 We currently have VVD and Fonte clearly first choice, we then have Yoshida and Gardos behind them but in no way pressuring them for a start. Jack Stephens probably next in line. 1. Do we need to bring in some proper competition for VVD and Fonte or are we happy with what we have? 2. Are Yoshida or Gardos 3rd CB quality for a team with European aspirations, especially considering that with EL games the 3rd choice will feature a lot this season? 3. Would our season be majorly affected if either Fonte or VVD missed upwards of 10 games this season? Interested in how people view this position depth and quality wise. I'm fairly happy with it. I actually think Yoshida is fantastic cover (although I know i'm in the minority with this opinion) and Gardos showed flashes of quality before his injury. Assuming it takes a few months for Gardos to get back up to speed with a series of U21's matches under his belt then there is the possibility of bringing in another CB. However I just can't see us signing anyone better than Yoshida who's happy to be 3rd choice. That leaves Stephens, Turnbull and McCarthy. Obviously all are unproven at this level but considering the noises the club have been making about bringing through youth again i'd expect to see them training with the 1st team much more and ready to be called upon if needs be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lighthouse Posted 6 July, 2016 Share Posted 6 July, 2016 Think we're pretty well sorted for now, we've still yet to see the best of Gardos and Yoshi is more than capable as back up. Most of his dodgy moments came filling in at RB, at CB he is pretty decent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_Ash Posted 6 July, 2016 Share Posted 6 July, 2016 Our whole spine needs strengthening if we are to be competitive in the Prem, Euro and 2 cups. 3-4 players that can challenge for the first team. Redmond is one but 3 players through the middle now would be good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baird of the land Posted 6 July, 2016 Share Posted 6 July, 2016 Having 2 internationals(Gardos & Yoshida) as cover seems reasonable to me. Unless we need to ship one of them out i don't really see the need to bring in more competition. Given how set the first choice 2 centre backs are i think we'd struggle to attract anyone of higher quality than these 2 anyway. Equally I'd like to see Stephens given an opportunity at some point personally in one of the cups or group games to try and prove himself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alanh Posted 6 July, 2016 Share Posted 6 July, 2016 No need for any additional players this season. The extra matches are a chance for us to blood the likes of Gardos, Stephens and Turnbull to see if they have what it takes to become Fonte's replacement in a couple of seasons. Next summer, or the one after (if / when we sell VVD) is probably the time to be bringing in a new player. Agree with St Ash's comment about strengthening the spine, but believe that the Wanyama and Mane replacements are the really important ones this summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nolan Posted 6 July, 2016 Share Posted 6 July, 2016 Yoshida last season P20 - w 8 - D 6 - l 6 - pts 30 What's the issue? Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkSFC Posted 6 July, 2016 Share Posted 6 July, 2016 I think we do need to look at getting a new CB, ideally a left footed one. It's not as important though as getting a really good DM and Mane replacement. I think we might see a loan in this position to give Gardos and Stevens a bit of breathing space and then next summer make a permanent signing of neither have proven themselves good enough to oust Fonte. VVD will play 2-3 more seasons then go not just the one people seem obsessed with. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammysaint Posted 6 July, 2016 Share Posted 6 July, 2016 I need to see more from Gardos as IMO he can become a solid CB, but I feel a loan deal to a championship club maybe needed to help him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Le Timmier Posted 6 July, 2016 Share Posted 6 July, 2016 1. Happy 2. Yes 3. Possibly, but it's unrealistic to think you could employ someone of equal quality to VvD or Fonte who would be content to be the back up plan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadhall Saint Posted 6 July, 2016 Share Posted 6 July, 2016 Not seen a lot of Gardos but I'm ok with Yoshi being 3rd choice. We wont get much better just to sit on the bench anyways we should be introducing the young CB's we already have over a (what would surely be) journeyman. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 6 July, 2016 Share Posted 6 July, 2016 Not seen a lot of Gardos but I'm ok with Yoshi being 3rd choice. We wont get much better just to sit on the bench anyways we should be introducing the young CB's we already have over a (what would surely be) journeyman. Wouldnt it make more sense to get a top class replacement for Fonte and keep the cover spots for academy products? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRM Posted 6 July, 2016 Share Posted 6 July, 2016 We are allowed to play 4 over - aged players in the rebranded JPT that Saints are entering this year so another good chance to give the likes of Gardos and Stephens more games, i think the current 4 centre backs are fine, plus Bertrand can fill in there as a back 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobM Posted 6 July, 2016 Share Posted 6 July, 2016 I don't think it'll be long before Fonte becomes a real concern. Last season he had moments where he looked like his head wasn't in the game and made more errors and bad decisions than in all his years before combined. Maybe this year he will be better, with a new manager in place and hopefully an improved Cedric alongside, but if not I'd like to see us sign a real top-class CB to replace him. This year we should be fine. We have enough CB's as cover so if we sign anybody, it should improve the first-11, IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ozzmeister Posted 6 July, 2016 Share Posted 6 July, 2016 I think we are fine at the moment. I do think though we need to start looking at a replacement for Fonte, I think he has one more season at peak ability then will start to fall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VectisSaint Posted 6 July, 2016 Share Posted 6 July, 2016 Wouldn't be overly concerned if we sold/loaned back to Romania Gardos. Nice bloke and all, and was a shame that he was injured, but from what I saw he didn't really give us much that Jack Stephens cannot provide now (i.e. backup for Fonte). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VectisSaint Posted 6 July, 2016 Share Posted 6 July, 2016 We are allowed to play 4 over - aged players in the rebranded JPT that Saints are entering this year so another good chance to give the likes of Gardos and Stephens more games, i think the current 4 centre backs are fine, plus Bertrand can fill in there as a back 5 Actually we are allowed to play 5 over age players, though the definition of u21 is different to the usual rules (21 or under on June 30), so some u21 players (in terms of the PL U21 League), would not be classified as u21 for the EFL Trophy. Also there are only 3 games in the group stage, it is not home and away, so number of potential games is still relatively small. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 8 July, 2016 Share Posted 8 July, 2016 (edited) The key question here is not how many CB's we have .....but how many of them can stay fit and in-form. Gardos was out completely last season and so there is no way anyone can assess his form, but * one or two more long term injuries like that could put us in dire trouble. Competition is good for everyone and planned usage of subs can be a win-win situation for lots of players - especially in a long season. [B]NOTE[/b]:* Those fans who remember Chris Baird's career with Saints saw a raw, homesick 16 year old (from N.I. come to The Dell) and through a series of injuries and loans, waited nearly 5 years for his debut, and just 2 months later played in an FA Cup Final, after which he was forgotten and went out on loan again. After returning, he became 5th choice CB, and only got into the side due to a massive injury crisis in the defence. He took his chance well and was outstanding for a couple of seasons and was voted Saints Fans Player of the Season (2006-07) and surprisingly ended up moving to Fulham for £3 million (no small sum even then). Despite a stop-start career and loan-outs, Chris has over 70 international caps for N.I. and aged 34 returned to Fulham at the end of last season and played 7 more games. For people like Jack Stephens - making the bench might seem a huge challenge, but (like Baird) being the right man in the right place at the right time can lead to success. Edited 9 July, 2016 by david in sweden Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toomer Posted 9 July, 2016 Share Posted 9 July, 2016 Yoshi made a couple of mistakes when he played as a full back but has been fairly steady when he has played centre back not seen enough of Gardos to form a real opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeteCampbell Posted 9 July, 2016 Share Posted 9 July, 2016 I agree with the posters who said Yoshi is a quality 3rd choice centre half. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Forest Steve Posted 9 July, 2016 Share Posted 9 July, 2016 Wouldn't be surprised to see Yoshida go before the end of the window ... seem to remember reading an interview with him fairly recently, saying at this stage of his career he needed to be starting more regularly. That's unlikely with us but he's an international and I'd of thought there would be plenty of takers out there who could offer him that. ........ Jon Stones replacement maybe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
st alex Posted 9 July, 2016 Share Posted 9 July, 2016 Not really sure we should ever be signing people as 'back up' (unless they're youngsters). Surely if we want to improve as a team we should be signing players who could compete with Fonte and VVD for a starting place. Otherwise we risk diluting the squad down. Would like to see Jack Stephens given some game time but honestly have no idea how capable he would be in the Premier League. Not sure there's too much value in having Gardos here if he just blocks the path to the first team for Stephens. VVD could easily pick up a long term injury and Fonte could easily pick up a few red cards over the course of the season. Would feel nervous if we had to play Yoshi & Gardos together. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FriendlySaint Posted 10 July, 2016 Share Posted 10 July, 2016 Unrealistic to expect us to bring in a CB. Fonts and VVD will not be happy being anything but first choice. We won't find better back up CB's happy to sit on the bench and just be back up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slugger Posted 10 July, 2016 Author Share Posted 10 July, 2016 (edited) Unrealistic to expect us to bring in a CB. Fonts and VVD will not be happy being anything but first choice. We won't find better back up CB's happy to sit on the bench and just be back up #urbanmyth We are a 6th placed PL team in Europe. No other top half team would have Yoshida as their 3rd CB. Harsh but true. Edited 10 July, 2016 by Slugger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Duckhunter Posted 10 July, 2016 Share Posted 10 July, 2016 We need somebody to put pressure on Jose & VvD . The gap between them and our back ups is too big . Maybe somebody like Chambers who can play elsewhere , I wouldn't be happy if one of the back ups had to play more than once in a while Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALWAYS_SFC Posted 10 July, 2016 Share Posted 10 July, 2016 #urbanmyth We are a 6th placed PL team in Europe. No other top half team would have Yoshida as their 3rd CB. Harsh but true. Harsh and crap, who are these centre backs then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkSFC Posted 10 July, 2016 Share Posted 10 July, 2016 We do not need a new CB.....didn't you hear, we are selling everyone and playing the U21s?! Seriously though we do; Yoshida is a decent squad player but like others have said if he is to be relied on for more than just a few games we would not be as secure at the back as most teams in the top 10. I think Tomkins for 10m would of been a shrewd buy but really I hope we get a young one who not only puts pressure on Fonte but is better. That makes our CB position strong, and if we want to go far in the cups we need this quality of depth. A left-footed one may make a lot of sense but they are a rare commodity! None of know how good Gardos is or may be and it would be great if he proves us all wrong but right now he needs a bit of development I've unfortunately. Stevens may come good but I think he may end up being a good championship / EPL level player which is a shame. There is a player in the U21s, (A Jones??) who I saw a few times last season and my instinct was that he has the potential, still in his teens I think but I'm sure our resident geeks will correct me! Either way he's at least a season or two away from the first team, 2-3 at least from being good enough to be first choice, so one decent one know is perfect. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slugger Posted 10 July, 2016 Author Share Posted 10 July, 2016 Harsh and crap, who are these centre backs then? Thats for the scouts. If its crap then which teams from last season's top 10 would happily have Yoshida as their 3rd CB? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwertyell Posted 10 July, 2016 Share Posted 10 July, 2016 Thats for the scouts. If its crap then which teams from last season's top 10 would happily have Yoshida as their 3rd CB? Man United had midfielder Daley Blind as their 2nd CB... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALWAYS_SFC Posted 10 July, 2016 Share Posted 10 July, 2016 Thats for the scouts. If its crap then which teams from last season's top 10 would happily have Yoshida as their 3rd CB? Who are the better centre backs in these teams then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALWAYS_SFC Posted 10 July, 2016 Share Posted 10 July, 2016 Thats for the scouts. If its crap then which teams from last season's top 10 would happily have Yoshida as their 3rd CB? Who are the better centre backs in these teams then? Should i take your zero response to mean that you realise that you were wrong?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slugger Posted 10 July, 2016 Author Share Posted 10 July, 2016 Should i take your zero response to mean that you realise that you were wrong?? Sorry, have you on ignore so didn't see your response until I temporarily changed that. I would say the following are superior players to Yoshida ultimately: Wimmer Dier Gabriel Mangala Zouma Jones Rojo Lovren Tomkins The 3rd CBs of Stoke are possibly the same level as Yoshida. I'm fairly certain if Saints released him no top half PL sides would sign him. He is a good 4th CB I think and seems a very good guy, not disruptive etc. But the drop in quality between Fonte (our 2nd best CB) and Yoshida (our third) is significant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALWAYS_SFC Posted 10 July, 2016 Share Posted 10 July, 2016 Sorry, have you on ignore so didn't see your response until I temporarily changed that. I would say the following are superior players to Yoshida ultimately: Wimmer- Simmilar to MS Dier- MIDFIELD Gabriel- Is he third choice...rotates in and out Mangala- Really !! been poor Zouma -Average Jones- average Rojo- Fullback Lovren - inconsistant Tomkins- LOL The 3rd CBs of Stoke are possibly the same level as Yoshida. I'm fairly certain if Saints released him no top half PL sides would sign him. He is a good 4th CB I think and seems a very good guy, not disruptive etc. But the drop in quality between Fonte (our 2nd best CB) and Yoshida (our third) is significant. MY is a decent 3rd choice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slugger Posted 10 July, 2016 Author Share Posted 10 July, 2016 MY is a decent 3rd choice Of that list of players which ones are not better CBs than Yoshida? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALWAYS_SFC Posted 10 July, 2016 Share Posted 10 July, 2016 Of that list of players which ones are not better CBs than Yoshida? Jones Tompkins Zouma Mangala Wimmer is on a par IMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattyd Posted 13 July, 2016 Share Posted 13 July, 2016 We currently have VVD and Fonte clearly first choice, we then have Yoshida and Gardos behind them but in no way pressuring them for a start. Jack Stephens probably next in line. 1. Do we need to bring in some proper competition for VVD and Fonte or are we happy with what we have? 2. Are Yoshida or Gardos 3rd CB quality for a team with European aspirations, especially considering that with EL games the 3rd choice will feature a lot this season? 3. Would our season be majorly affected if either Fonte or VVD missed upwards of 10 games this season? Interested in how people view this position depth and quality wise. Sorry to say that neither Gardos or Yoshida are Premier league quality. We have five more competitive games than normal (late entry into League cup included) and need more than cover, we need rotation. We are a rich club and therefore can afford to invest in quality. I would then sell Gardos to recoup a proportion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 13 July, 2016 Share Posted 13 July, 2016 I like Yoshi. Great third choice, I would only look to bring someone else in if they are markedly better then VVD or Fonte, frankly, I don't think there are many available to fit that bill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Le Timmier Posted 13 July, 2016 Share Posted 13 July, 2016 Sorry to say that neither Gardos or Yoshida are Premier league quality. How do you explain Yoshida playing in 20 league games last season for a team that finished 6th in the Premier League? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Professor Posted 13 July, 2016 Share Posted 13 July, 2016 Fully accept that my opinion is only that of one unsophisticated fan but I see Yoshida as an excellent 3rd CB. As said, 20 Prem games last season and in addition a regular full international. With Gardos back from injury plus Stevens and Turnbull CB doesn't look a problem to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHAPEL END CHARLIE Posted 13 July, 2016 Share Posted 13 July, 2016 He seems to have a aquired a band of supporters on here, but I can't be the only saints fan who starts to worry whenever it looks like Yoshida is going to play. Perhaps playing week in and week out he would perform satisfactorily - but right now coming off the bench he looks very much like a 'weak link' to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stknowle Posted 13 July, 2016 Share Posted 13 July, 2016 He seems to have a aquired a band of supporters on here, but I can't be the only saints fan who starts to worry whenever it looks like Yoshida is going to play. Perhaps playing week in and week out he would perform satisfactorily - but right now coming off the bench he looks very much like a 'weak link' to me. He's alright, can be good but my instinctive reaction to news that he is coming on or starting is "oh no, I hope he doesn't **** up." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patrick Bateman Posted 13 July, 2016 Share Posted 13 July, 2016 Sorry to say that neither Gardos or Yoshida are Premier league quality. We have five more competitive games than normal (late entry into League cup included) and need more than cover, we need rotation. We are a rich club and therefore can afford to invest in quality. I would then sell Gardos to recoup a proportion. Sorry to say, but Maya phoned me, he said "That mattyd, he's not mongboard quality" Sorry pal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobM Posted 14 July, 2016 Share Posted 14 July, 2016 He seems to have a aquired a band of supporters on here, but I can't be the only saints fan who starts to worry whenever it looks like Yoshida is going to play. Perhaps playing week in and week out he would perform satisfactorily - but right now coming off the bench he looks very much like a 'weak link' to me. It all depends where he's going to play. Yoshida at RB is a lability. Yoshida at CB, his actual position, is a decent enough 3rd choice. The vast majority of criticism he received came after performances at RB. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Appy Posted 14 July, 2016 Share Posted 14 July, 2016 Jones Tompkins Zouma Mangala Wimmer is on a par IMO They are all far better than Yoshida. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sour Mash Posted 14 July, 2016 Share Posted 14 July, 2016 #urbanmyth We are a 6th placed PL team in Europe. No other top half team would have Yoshida as their 3rd CB. Harsh but true. Saint Charlie, why did you change your User Name, but not what you post? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monkadill Posted 14 July, 2016 Share Posted 14 July, 2016 MMMM, Everton rumour on VVD - http://www.blueheartbluesoul.com/everton-are-favourites-to-sign-southampton-defender-virgil-van-dijk.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint IQ Posted 14 July, 2016 Share Posted 14 July, 2016 Sorry, have you on ignore so didn't see your response until I temporarily changed that. I would say the following are superior players to Yoshida ultimately: Wimmer Dier Gabriel Mangala Zouma Jones Rojo Lovren Tomkins The 3rd CBs of Stoke are possibly the same level as Yoshida. I'm fairly certain if Saints released him no top half PL sides would sign him. He is a good 4th CB I think and seems a very good guy, not disruptive etc. But the drop in quality between Fonte (our 2nd best CB) and Yoshida (our third) is significant. LOL, the only one's I'd have over Yoshida are Wimmer and Zouma. They play for far bigger clubs so it's understandable they have better options. Mangala, Jones, Gabriel, and Rojo have been dodgy as, so was Lovren until the last 6 months and he was in the FIRST choice pairing with Sahko. Tomkins is now going to be first choice at Palace and Dier played midfield for the whole of last season! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErwinK1961 Posted 14 July, 2016 Share Posted 14 July, 2016 Saint Charlie, why did you change your User Name, but not what you post? Aha! I was thinking this afternoon I wonder where Saint Charlie has disappeared to. Sad really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now