OldNick Posted 31 October, 2016 Share Posted 31 October, 2016 The team have performed well so far this season, but concerns of mine and oters during the summer that we needed a few more coming in due to the extra games and loss of goalscorers. No Long and Jrod left us pretty thin. I know it was only yesterday that ti eally showed but the gmes are coming quick and fast Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Wayman Posted 31 October, 2016 Share Posted 31 October, 2016 Our lack of quality in depth is beginning to show but so to is the toll of three games every week which has defeated far better teams than us over the years. This has been the main reason for calls for a 16 club Premier League over the years so that our top clubs can compete competitions without being also-rans. Injuries are inevitable but it is difficult for any club let alone Saints to buy top quality players just to sit on the bench to cover injuries and the like. The challenge of course is not to spot our deficiencies - any old fool can do that - but to put them right and that is not easy at all. Puel only has the cards dealt him in his hands and can't work miracles with them. Maybe we'll see some Puel inspired moves in and out in January so that he has a few more players of his own choosing and style at his disposal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldNick Posted 31 October, 2016 Author Share Posted 31 October, 2016 Our lack of quality in depth is beginning to show but so to is the toll of three games every week which has defeated far better teams than us over the years. This has been the main reason for calls for a 16 club Premier League over the years so that our top clubs can compete competitions without being also-rans. Injuries are inevitable but it is difficult for any club let alone Saints to buy top quality players just to sit on the bench to cover injuries and the like. The challenge of course is not to spot our deficiencies - any old fool can do that - but to put them right and that is not easy at all. Puel only has the cards dealt him in his hands and can't work miracles with them. Maybe we'll see some Puel inspired moves in and out in January so that he has a few more players of his own choosing and style at his disposal. Puel seems to be a very smart man and hopefully he can weave some magic or unearth a couple of gems from the youth. I think the way the team looked jaded yesterday underlines the need for a couple more players, although it is always hard to get decent players in in that window Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 31 October, 2016 Share Posted 31 October, 2016 Not entirely sure what people expect to be honest. How many premier league quality attackers do you think we can afford to have without playing them? The mistake isn't the amount of players we have, i'd say we've got that bang on (certainly better than the last two seasons). The problem we've got is we gambled on Jrod and, i'm sorry, but he's never going to be an asset to us again. He'll come back and maybe grab a goal once in a while but we cannot rely on him as a member of the squad. We need to replace him, but will have to wait till the summer as no-one will want to sell decent forwards in january. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 31 October, 2016 Share Posted 31 October, 2016 The team have performed well so far this season, but concerns of mine and oters during the summer that we needed a few more coming in due to the extra games and loss of goalscorers. No Long and Jrod left us pretty thin. I know it was only yesterday that ti eally showed but the gmes are coming quick and fast Neither long or jrod would have made a difference yesterday if you don't create anything it doesn't really matter who your attackers are On squad depth. We haven't missed Targett at all. Cedric is a miss because we cant rotate with Cuco. I think our squad is probably the best its ever been in terms of squad depth. We've rotated lots and still picked up results. Yesterday we played arguably our strongest team ( Hoj for Clasie and possibly Cedric apart) most of whom had enjoyed a rest mid week in the cup. You can point out several reasons why we lost yesterday squad depth isn't one of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wrensup Posted 31 October, 2016 Share Posted 31 October, 2016 How is it beginning to show, because we lost to Chelsea? ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sour Mash Posted 31 October, 2016 Share Posted 31 October, 2016 Neither long or jrod would have made a difference yesterday if you don't create anything it doesn't really matter who your attackers are On squad depth. We haven't missed Targett at all. Cedric is a miss because we cant rotate with Cuco. I think our squad is probably the best its ever been in terms of squad depth. We've rotated lots and still picked up results. Yesterday we played arguably our strongest team ( Hoj for Clasie and possibly Cedric apart) most of whom had enjoyed a rest mid week in the cup. You can point out several reasons why we lost yesterday squad depth isn't one of them. Agreed. If anything, yesterday showed the problem that our first choice 11 is a bit weaker than it has been previously, not that at our overall squad is weaker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gunnery Posted 31 October, 2016 Share Posted 31 October, 2016 Since these injuries I've noticed an alarming increase in told you so bedwetter types wallowing in the fact that we lost at home for the first time this season v the current best team in the league.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 31 October, 2016 Share Posted 31 October, 2016 Agreed. If anything, yesterday showed the problem that our first choice 11 is a bit weaker than it has been previously, not that at our overall squad is weaker. We have a lot of players at similar level through out the squad good Pl level players with one or two who could player higher. We are more than match for any team when we play well ( which we certainly didn't yesterday). What we lack is that one attacking player with that bit extra to be able to turn games or put away that half chance on a regular basis not sure a club like us can ever afford one of those though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miltonaggro Posted 31 October, 2016 Share Posted 31 October, 2016 I agree that we do lack strength in depth, particularly up front. I've also been very impressed (and pleasantly surprised) with the way that Puel has coped with the dearth of fit forwards, particularly given the number of games and need for genuine squad rotation. Koeman would not have coped so well with this situation, and this from a previous diehard Koeman fan. I think Puel is a thoughtful manager playing the long game, and will thus fully assess the entire squad and the rigours of the premier league before trimming and bringing in (relatively) expensive additions of his own, perhaps one from France in January, with two or three more in the summer. We were outplayed yesterday by a team that cost ten times ours, the best footballing side we've faced this year by a country mile, already looking like title contenders. No disgrace, onwards and upwards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldNick Posted 31 October, 2016 Author Share Posted 31 October, 2016 Since these injuries I've noticed an alarming increase in told you so bedwetter types wallowing in the fact that we lost at home for the first time this season v the current best team in the league.... injuries are always going to happen unless you are really lucky, like Leicester last season. They lost none of their key players. Therefore it would be perhaps prudent to have backup especially as we were relying on Jrod to come good to make up for losses to ur goalscoring. It was not a case of losing to Chelsea, although had we had more zip and energy then we may well have given them more of a game (Long would have stretched their defence with his pace)our performance against Sunderland also showed our lack of depth as we were poor there as well. Anyway, Iam hopeful that we will show our preious good football and energy when we play Inter on thursday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nordic Saint Posted 31 October, 2016 Share Posted 31 October, 2016 The team have performed well so far this season, but concerns of mine and oters during the summer that we needed a few more coming in due to the extra games and loss of goalscorers. No Long and Jrod left us pretty thin. I know it was only yesterday that ti eally showed but the gmes are coming quick and fast To be honest, I don't think Long and Rodriguez would have made any difference yesterday. Mane and Pelle might have done though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tajjuk Posted 31 October, 2016 Share Posted 31 October, 2016 Including Jay Rod as a squad option may have been a mistake, though to be honest from the rumours I think we wanted to loan him out for 6 months, even a year and wanted to get another striker in. But for whatever reason that didn't happen. And you have to remember that Martina was on his way out but then Pied got injured. So I don't think the squad is 100% as Puel and Reed envisaged it, I think we should be scouring the globe for a goal scorer though doubtful if we can get one in January. But on the face of it, we pretty much have two players for every position, you can't ask much more than that otherwise you are just having players not even getting bench time. I mean before they go injured I'd imagine both Jay Rod and Long were probably agitating for more game time and it's unlucky to get both your left backs injured at the same time. I mean when Man Utd had 4 centre-backs out injured at once and played Carrick there was anyone questioning their depth? You just aren't going to keep 3 players happy for every position, which is where the development/youth team comes in. Look at the all the millions Chelsea have spent, but if Costa got injured they'd have Batshuayi and that's it, no other recognised striker in their first team squad. So two injuries in the same position and they'd be struggling just like us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hutch Posted 31 October, 2016 Share Posted 31 October, 2016 The team have performed well so far this season, but concerns of mine and oters during the summer that we needed a few more coming in due to the extra games and loss of goalscorers. No Long and Jrod left us pretty thin. I know it was only yesterday that ti eally showed but the gmes are coming quick and fast Has the squad size limit been removed? Did we fail to name our full 25-man squad? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Le God Posted 31 October, 2016 Share Posted 31 October, 2016 The team have performed well so far this season, but concerns of mine and oters during the summer that we needed a few more coming in due to the extra games and loss of goalscorers. No Long and Jrod left us pretty thin. I know it was only yesterday that ti eally showed but the gmes are coming quick and fast - We play a system with 3 attacking players. - We have 6 first team attacking players... Austin, Boufal, Long, Rodriguez, Tadic & Redmond. That is 2 players per position (a ratio most managers ask for), if we had any more it would be bloating the squad and leave a number not even in the matchday 18, plus block the pathway for Olomola, Hesketh, Gallagher etc etc. How many senior attacking players do you think Saints should have? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alanh Posted 31 October, 2016 Share Posted 31 October, 2016 injuries are always going to happen unless you are really lucky, like Leicester last season. They lost none of their key players. Therefore it would be perhaps prudent to have backup especially as we were relying on Jrod to come good to make up for losses to ur goalscoring. It was not a case of losing to Chelsea, although had we had more zip and energy then we may well have given them more of a game (Long would have stretched their defence with his pace)our performance against Sunderland also showed our lack of depth as we were poor there as well. Anyway, Iam hopeful that we will show our preious good football and energy when we play Inter on thursday Bit in bold - Long wouldn't have made any difference yesterday as there was no space for him to run into. Chelsea defended with two banks of 4 / 5 when we had the ball and were looking dangerous. Their defenders were good enough to block or clear pretty much every through ball and cross we attempted. Regarding squad depth, it is probably stretched as thin as we can manage at the moment but the upside is that we have learned that Sam McQueen has the potential to be a Prem quality player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dellman Posted 31 October, 2016 Share Posted 31 October, 2016 The squad is strong, rotating them is the key skill and Puel has had it up till yesterday, but choosing Classie over Hoj and leaving Boufal on the bench didn't look too clever Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 31 October, 2016 Share Posted 31 October, 2016 The squad is strong, rotating them is the key skill and Puel has had it up till yesterday, but choosing Classie over Hoj and leaving Boufal on the bench didn't look too clever This. Puel seems terrified of using Boufal; I wonder just how fit he is. Claisse needs to move on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super_Uwe Posted 31 October, 2016 Share Posted 31 October, 2016 I'd be worried about our prospects if we lose a few more key players in the next few weeks, but overall I think we have about as good a squad as we could realistically hope for. Everyone has been really impressed with Sam McQueen coming in and looking completely at ease; if the squad was too packed full then he probably wouldn't be getting a look in, even with the injuries. You have to have a balance to make sure everyone is getting enough opportunities and being fresh enough to perform well when needed. Chelsea's top players were the difference yesterday. It's always been the same in that regard when you play the better teams; most of your players will need to play well and hope the opposition have an off day. No shame in that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALWAYS_SFC Posted 31 October, 2016 Share Posted 31 October, 2016 (edited) The team have performed well so far this season, but concerns of mine and oters during the summer that we needed a few more coming in due to the extra games and loss of goalscorers. No Long and Jrod left us pretty thin. I know it was only yesterday that ti eally showed but the gmes are coming quick and fast One defeat where we were beaten by a very organised and talented side and we have a thin squad all of a sudden...... Personally i think our squad is pretyy good, not like Man city but decent and Claude Puel is doing a fine job of managing the multi game situation Edited 31 October, 2016 by ALWAYS_SFC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cat Posted 31 October, 2016 Share Posted 31 October, 2016 This. Puel seems terrified of using Boufal; I wonder just how fit he is. Claisse needs to move on. Boufal played 90 minutes on Wednesday after being out for 5 months. He's hardly going to start the next gamr. Personally I'd start Hojbjerg at every opportunity because I really rate him although I see why he was rested because he also played 90 in the cup and will start on Thursday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ErwinK1961 Posted 31 October, 2016 Share Posted 31 October, 2016 Only change I'd have made in the summer was getting a more reliable forward in place of J-Rod. Other than that, I think the squad's the best depth we've had in a long time. Overall quality probably could be better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 31 October, 2016 Share Posted 31 October, 2016 The squad is strong, rotating them is the key skill and Puel has had it up till yesterday, but choosing Classie over Hoj and leaving Boufal on the bench didn't look too clever No way was Boufal going to be able to play another 90mins yesterday he wasn't even supposed to play 90 in the cup game the other night. He said in his after match interview he was struggling at the end of the Sunderland match. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALWAYS_SFC Posted 31 October, 2016 Share Posted 31 October, 2016 This. Puel seems terrified of using Boufal; I wonder just how fit he is. Claisse needs to move on. No he doesnt, it`s in your strange chocolate infested head.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Give it to Ron Posted 31 October, 2016 Share Posted 31 October, 2016 - We play a system with 3 attacking players. - We have 6 first team attacking players... Austin, Boufal, Long, Rodriguez, Tadic & Redmond. That is 2 players per position (a ratio most managers ask for), if we had any more it would be bloating the squad and leave a number not even in the matchday 18, plus block the pathway for Olomola, Hesketh, Gallagher etc etc. How many senior attacking players do you think Saints should have? One more than we have now - simply because Jayrod hasn't proved he can come back - Austin cannot play at the top level every game and we have no-one who can cover him in that role. We need a Pelle/Lambert type striker to hold and link it up as well as put away . Tadic, Boufal, Redmond, Olomola (not ready based on u18/23 games or Hesketh can do that. Austin needs help at times and we have no-one that can do that - Long can't play that either - when teams block our full backs like Milan and Chelsea we need another option - through the middle to target man who lets in Redmond, Tadic, Boufal etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr. Kucho Posted 31 October, 2016 Share Posted 31 October, 2016 I think we are doing well on the pitch, losing to Chelsea is no shame, they were very strong yesterday. What does concern me is the amount of injuries we have had so far, McCarthy, Targett, Bertrand and Long all have had hamstring injuries this season. In most cases hamstring injuries are down to weak lower back muscles, glutes and hamstrings. The chance of getting these muscle related injuries can be minimalised with good strength and conditioning, good nutrition and enough recovery time. With the fixture conjestion we have, recovery training (think of myofascial release, low inpact strength training and massaging) and nutrition must be at its best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldNick Posted 31 October, 2016 Author Share Posted 31 October, 2016 One defeat where we were beaten by a very organised and talented side and we have a thin squad all of a sudden...... Personally i think our squad is pretyy good, not like Man city but decent and Claude Puel is doing a fine job of managing the multi game situation you are jumping to the conclusion that I believed it was a thin squad all of a sudden. It was in the summer and still is now. The manager is doing a very good job as well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALWAYS_SFC Posted 31 October, 2016 Share Posted 31 October, 2016 you are jumping to the conclusion that I believed it was a thin squad all of a sudden. It was in the summer and still is now. The manager is doing a very good job as well It isnt... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fan The Flames Posted 31 October, 2016 Share Posted 31 October, 2016 No one wanted JRod to leave before he was injured, but now people are prepared to write him off. He is our player and we just have to deal with getting him back to fitness, we have invested a lot of wages whilst he was injured and his transfer fee is now diminished so it's in our interest to try and bring him back and if that means the squad have to carry him then so be it. It is just unfortunate that Long got an injury as well whilst out with Ireland. People moan when players don't stick by the club but want the club to not stick by JRod. Fortunately the club is prepared to wait, for now and it will be great when RJod is back to full fitness and banging them in again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heisenberg Posted 31 October, 2016 Share Posted 31 October, 2016 The squad is thin and we knew that - but the club decided making a transfer profit was more important again this summer. Think we were the only premiership side with a positive net spend? Puel is doing ok with what he has, very poor start followed by a decent spell and we seem to be back in a mini bad spell again (2 wins from 7) Hope we invest (sell nobody) in January Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldNick Posted 31 October, 2016 Author Share Posted 31 October, 2016 No one wanted JRod to leave before he was injured, but now people are prepared to write him off. He is our player and we just have to deal with getting him back to fitness, we have invested a lot of wages whilst he was injured and his transfer fee is now diminished so it's in our interest to try and bring him back and if that means the squad have to carry him then so be it. It is just unfortunate that Long got an injury as well whilst out with Ireland. People moan when players don't stick by the club but want the club to not stick by JRod. Fortunately the club is prepared to wait, for now and it will be great when RJod is back to full fitness and banging them in again.be under no illusion that Jrod would have been here had he not got injured. He was Spurs bound Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldNick Posted 31 October, 2016 Author Share Posted 31 October, 2016 It isnt... IYHO of course Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALWAYS_SFC Posted 31 October, 2016 Share Posted 31 October, 2016 be under no illusion that Jrod would have been here had he not got injured. He was Spurs bound FACT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldNick Posted 31 October, 2016 Author Share Posted 31 October, 2016 FACT Yes,a business contact was very friendly with him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fan The Flames Posted 31 October, 2016 Share Posted 31 October, 2016 be under no illusion that Jrod would have been here had he not got injured. He was Spurs bound Maybe, but you all would have moaned that we didn't try to keep him. Now we are trying to keep him you are not interested, I would like to see a fit JR playing for us and the only way that is going to happen is if we bring him through this injury. A top ten club should be able to cope doing that. We are simply not going to bloat the squad just to deal with an injury crisis, that is what fringe players are for and we as a club want that pathway open. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALWAYS_SFC Posted 31 October, 2016 Share Posted 31 October, 2016 Yes,a business contact was very friendly with him Ok... Was he a taxi driver .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldNick Posted 31 October, 2016 Author Share Posted 31 October, 2016 Ok... Was he a taxi driver .... Lol , nice one, nor a photocopying machine salesman. He may be driving a taxi now as he did a bad job for my business at the time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cartman Posted 31 October, 2016 Share Posted 31 October, 2016 We don't lack numbers but we do lack better quality than what we currently have in some positions. Martina, Clasie, Long, they would all be surplus if we bought new starting quality players in those positions, pushing Cedric, Davis and Redmond/Austin down to our 2 choice XI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco Stu Posted 31 October, 2016 Share Posted 31 October, 2016 I know it was only yesterday that ti eally showed but the gmes are coming quick and fast Don't those mean the same thing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whelk Posted 31 October, 2016 Share Posted 31 October, 2016 Don't those mean the same thing? They say rapid these days. Even commentators are says no it. They'll be saying a goal is sick soon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alanh Posted 31 October, 2016 Share Posted 31 October, 2016 We don't lack numbers but we do lack better quality than what we currently have in some positions. Martina, Clasie, Long, they would all be surplus if we bought new starting quality players in those positions, pushing Cedric, Davis and Redmond/Austin down to our 2 choice XI. You could say the same about almost all of our squad. With the possible exception of Forster, VvD and Romeu, we should be able to afford a player who is better than just about every other player for their given position. We obviously can't afford to do that across the whole squad and our philosophy is to buy promising players in who can develop and grow with us. My guess is that next summer we will again see us replace the players who leave and then improve squad quality in one or two areas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cat Posted 31 October, 2016 Share Posted 31 October, 2016 They say rapid these days. Even commentators are says no it. They'll be saying a goal is sick soon And players who are out-skilled will have been burned Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DuncanRG Posted 31 October, 2016 Share Posted 31 October, 2016 Only change I'd have made in the summer was getting a more reliable forward in place of J-Rod. Other than that, I think the squad's the best depth we've had in a long time. Overall quality probably could be better. Agree with this. Austin, Rodriguez and Long are in their own ways unreliable, Long less so. Pelle could be counted on to improve the team in most circumstances, even if he wasn't scoring. Otherwise, our squad depth is very good indeed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 31 October, 2016 Share Posted 31 October, 2016 Nothing wrong with our squad depth, what other teams at our 'level' can change teams between cups and the league as we have done and maintain the competitiveness? We're in a position where a lot of our players are of a similar level - so changing personal doesn't necessarily have such a big impact. I think for a club of our size we've managed the squad really well and have put together a nicely balanced and competitive squad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldNick Posted 1 November, 2016 Author Share Posted 1 November, 2016 Don't those mean the same thing? lol, not in my house, that was quick and get them off fast have different meanings Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dark Munster Posted 1 November, 2016 Share Posted 1 November, 2016 injuries are always going to happen unless you are really lucky, like Leicester last season. They lost none of their key players. Therefore it would be perhaps prudent to have backup especially as we were relying on Jrod to come good to make up for losses to ur goalscoring. It was not a case of losing to Chelsea, although had we had more zip and energy then we may well have given them more of a game (Long would have stretched their defence with his pace)our performance against Sunderland also showed our lack of depth as we were poor there as well. Anyway, Iam hopeful that we will show our preious good football and energy when we play Inter on thursday They are lucky again this season too. Or maybe not. http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36189778 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dark Munster Posted 1 November, 2016 Share Posted 1 November, 2016 I think we are doing well on the pitch, losing to Chelsea is no shame, they were very strong yesterday. What does concern me is the amount of injuries we have had so far, McCarthy, Targett, Bertrand and Long all have had hamstring injuries this season. In most cases hamstring injuries are down to weak lower back muscles, glutes and hamstrings. The chance of getting these muscle related injuries can be minimalised with good strength and conditioning, good nutrition and enough recovery time. With the fixture conjestion we have, recovery training (think of myofascial release, low inpact strength training and massaging) and nutrition must be at its best. This. I'm sure the club are being very professional in this regard, but Leicester seem to have taken it to another level. I hope we are looking into copying them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fitzhugh Fella Posted 1 November, 2016 Share Posted 1 November, 2016 Nothing wrong with our squad depth, what other teams at our 'level' can change teams between cups and the league as we have done and maintain the competitiveness? We're in a position where a lot of our players are of a similar level - so changing personal doesn't necessarily have such a big impact. I think for a club of our size we've managed the squad really well and have put together a nicely balanced and competitive squad. So having Olomolo on the bench is acceptable? He has barely played a game for the U21s. Not knocking the lad but its very much bare bones and you see nothing wrong? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wade Garrett Posted 1 November, 2016 Share Posted 1 November, 2016 Why get another striker in when we'll have Gallagher back next season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 1 November, 2016 Share Posted 1 November, 2016 So having Olomolo on the bench is acceptable? He has barely played a game for the U21s. Not knocking the lad but its very much bare bones and you see nothing wrong? Your suggestion of Lambert is even more "bare bones" than Olomolo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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