Interesting little piece in the Guardian.

[doddisalegend]

In their 10 things to look out for in the PL this weekend article.

 

 

https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2017/jan/13/premier-league-10-things-to-look-out-for-this-weekend

 

4) Southampton need to find some consistency in the league

 

Southampton are a curious side this season. Their run to the EFL Cup semi-final, possibly the final should they hold on to their lead over Liverpool, has been achieved at least in part because they have a pretty even level of quality in their squad. Their “second string” isn’t a massive step down from their first-choice XI, so when teams ring the changes for the games deemed less important, Claude Puel’s side is less affected. The question then becomes whether that level of quality is quite good enough in the league because on the basis of their recent games it hasn’t been. Before the cup interval they had lost three games in a row, including a strange performance against Tottenham in which they were excellent for 20 minutes but departed the field in mind and spirit, if not body, after that. Their consistency in talent seems to be their strength but their inconsistency in performances their weakness. “Now it’s important to show this level in all of our games in the Premier League,” Puel said after the victory over Liverpool. At least he’s aware of the problem and the bubbling frustration within their support. NM

 

Kind of ties in with thoughts that we have a good squad our best 11 is probably open to debate more than ever before. Interesting idea that our weakend cup teams are not as weak as other teams.

[Mattio]

I agree our weakened team is stronger than most other teams, if we played second string v second string against most teams we'd beat most teams, however, our first team is weaker than most other teams, which means our 10th place at the moment seems justified.

[trousers]

In their 10 things to look out for in the PL this weekend article.

 

https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2017/jan/13/premier-league-10-things-to-look-out-for-this-weekend

 

4) Southampton need to find some consistency in the league

 

Seems a reasonable assessment of where we are.

[Morse]

Some very valid points, not lest the description of our game against Spurs. How we could have spent the first 20 minutes looking like we could tear them a new one, and then scuttle back into our shell and hide for the rest of the game is anyones guess.

[sandwichsaint]

Solid explanation of the bleeding obvious.

 

(x - y ) + vz + va =

 

Where x is the original squad, take away y (the best players), and add v multiplied by z, where v is the number of new players added and z represents a cheaper, younger, emerging player, you end up with something less than the original x. Repeat for a few years and add 'a' (academy players) to the equation and we will end up with three teams where the second and third teams are better than most people's but the first team is never quite as good as it might have been. The (sustainable) Southampton Way in a nutshell.

[baggytrousers]

Solid explanation of the bleeding obvious.

 

(x - y ) + vz + va =

 

Where x is the original squad, take away y (the best players), and add v multiplied by z, where v is the number of new players added and z represents a cheaper, younger, emerging player, you end up with something less than the original x. Repeat for a few years and add 'a' (academy players) to the equation and we will end up with three teams where the second and third teams are better than most people's but the first team is never quite as good as it might have been. The (sustainable) Southampton Way in a nutshell.

 

You missed a bit :

 

 

(x - y ) + (vz + va)(t) = >x

 

Give it time, mate !!! Give it time !!!

[The Saint]

Solid explanation of the bleeding obvious.

 

(x - y ) + vz + va =

 

Where x is the original squad, take away y (the best players), and add v multiplied by z, where v is the number of new players added and z represents a cheaper, younger, emerging player, you end up with something less than the original x. Repeat for a few years and add 'a' (academy players) to the equation and we will end up with three teams where the second and third teams are better than most people's but the first team is never quite as good as it might have been. The (sustainable) Southampton Way in a nutshell.

 

Well said that man...

 

Just wish I understood it...!

[for_heaven's_Saint]

Undoubtedly the question for a club our size is: is it better to have a more talented first team but with little in reserve or a balanced squad with a less talented (and perhaps less prolific and entertaining) first team?

 

The answer for me hinges on the cup(s). I'll happily accept us resting players and sacrificing a few league wins if it means we bring home silverware.

Edited 13 January, 2017 by for_heaven's_Saint

[doddisalegend]

Undoubtedly the question for a club our size is: is it better to have a more talented first team but with little in reserve or a balanced squad with a less talented (and perhaps less prolific a entertaining) first team?

 

The answer for me hinges on the cup(s). I'll happily sacrifice a few league wins if we bring home silverware.

 

Arguably though if we can get a good squad with a decent level all over then it would only take a couple of "star" players to push it up a level. Of course building a team like that takes a bit of time unless you have top six style finances.

[eelpie]

Undoubtedly the question for a club our size is: is it better to have a more talented first team but with little in reserve or a balanced squad with a less talented (and perhaps less prolific and entertaining) first team?

 

The answer for me hinges on the cup(s). I'll happily accept us resting players and sacrificing a few league wins if it means we bring home silverware.

 

Much better that we do that against Liverpool and in the Final than for the FA Cup when we might just be that closer to relegation and less able to risk experimenting with a weakened team.

[Dusic]

We have improved squad depth without doubt but our best starting XI now is nowhere near the quality of last seasons, nor the season before (which was probably our best overall) with this side most weeks:

 

Forster; Clyne, Fonte, Toby, Bertrand; Schneiderlin, Wanyama, Davis; Tadic, Mane, Pelle

 

If we were to add 4 more players of genuine quality, who are nailed on starters out wide, up front, in central midfield alongside and a good Fonte replacement then we would have a really good team again backed up by able deputies, and will have benfitted by improving the overall standard of the squad although may well have some unhappy players next season if as is likely there is no Europe and far more weeks without a midweek game.

 

In that team above its the central midfield that is miles better than now IMO, perfect mix of strength, mobility and technical ability. Plus also a maverick player in Mane which Boufal may end up being of course.

 

Summer 2017 is crucial. Need to go back to fewer additions of higher quality and I don't think we need to sign anyone who isn't a nailed on starter unlike this summer when we needed back GK, RB etc.

 

Get it right and without the European distraction we can have a great season. But a mediocre summer will see us fall away from the top 6 and probably the likes of Everton if they spend their millions well.

[9-3]

We have improved squad depth without doubt but our best starting XI now is nowhere near the quality of last seasons, nor the season before (which was probably our best overall) with this side most weeks:

 

Forster; Clyne, Fonte, Toby, Bertrand; Schneiderlin, Wanyama, Davis; Tadic, Mane, Pelle

 

If we were to add 4 more players of genuine quality, who are nailed on starters out wide, up front, in central midfield alongside and a good Fonte replacement then we would have a really good team again backed up by able deputies, and will have benfitted by improving the overall standard of the squad although may well have some unhappy players next season if as is likely there is no Europe and far more weeks without a midweek game.

 

In that team above its the central midfield that is miles better than now IMO, perfect mix of strength, mobility and technical ability. Plus also a maverick player in Mane which Boufal may end up being of course.

 

Summer 2017 is crucial. Need to go back to fewer additions of higher quality and I don't think we need to sign anyone who isn't a nailed on starter unlike this summer when we needed back GK, RB etc.

 

Get it right and without the European distraction we can have a great season. But a mediocre summer will see us fall away from the top 6 and probably the likes of Everton if they spend their millions well.

 

I Like this team.

[The9]

In their 10 things to look out for in the PL this weekend article.

 

 

https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2017/jan/13/premier-league-10-things-to-look-out-for-this-weekend

 

4) Southampton need to find some consistency in the league

 

Southampton are a curious side this season. Their run to the EFL Cup semi-final, possibly the final should they hold on to their lead over Liverpool, has been achieved at least in part because they have a pretty even level of quality in their squad. Their “second string” isn’t a massive step down from their first-choice XI, so when teams ring the changes for the games deemed less important, Claude Puel’s side is less affected. The question then becomes whether that level of quality is quite good enough in the league because on the basis of their recent games it hasn’t been. Before the cup interval they had lost three games in a row, including a strange performance against Tottenham in which they were excellent for 20 minutes but departed the field in mind and spirit, if not body, after that. Their consistency in talent seems to be their strength but their inconsistency in performances their weakness. “Now it’s important to show this level in all of our games in the Premier League,” Puel said after the victory over Liverpool. At least he’s aware of the problem and the bubbling frustration within their support. NM

 

Kind of ties in with thoughts that we have a good squad our best 11 is probably open to debate more than ever before. Interesting idea that our weakend cup teams are not as weak as other teams.

 

Puel is clearly saying that because he, like anyone who is paying attention, knows that after the League Cup semi-final second leg the only way we're playing a run of midweek games for the rest of the season is if we make the FA Cup semis or draw every FA Cup tie.

 

He'll finally get to pick his first team without considering any other matches away to Sunderland on 11th February - if we don't need an FA Cup 4th round replay. The last time he was able to pick a team without there being a match within the same week to consider was on the 27th August.

 

Since then we've played Sat-Thu-Sun-Wed-Sun-Thu-Sun... International Break... Sun-Thu-Sun-Wed-Sun-Thu-Sun... International Break... Sat-Thu-Sun-Wed-Sat-Thu-Sun-Wed-Sun-Wed-Sat-Mon-Sat-Wed-Sat-Wed-Sun-Wed-(Sat)-Tue-Sat... and then a midweek off (assuming we don't need a replay against Arsenal) and then the Sunderland game.

 

From the 11th Feb, the matches will be Sat-(Sat)-Sat-Sat-Sat-Sat... Int Break... Sat-Wed-Sat-Sat-Sat-Sat-Sat-Sat-Sun with only FA Cup replays, postponements or the League Cup Final adding any midweek games. We will have no reason to be rotating the team at that point, and criticism of tinkering would actually be valid, instead of utterly short-sighted.

 

People who think there's a problem with the manager rather than the fixtures are missing the point entirely.

Edited 13 January, 2017 by The9

[Saintsteve7]

Puel is clearly saying that because he, like anyone who is paying attention, knows that after the League Cup semi-final second leg the only way we're playing a run of midweek games for the rest of the season is if we make the FA Cup semis or draw every FA Cup tie.

 

He'll finally get to pick his first team without considering any other matches away to Sunderland on 11th February - if we don't need an FA Cup 4th round replay. The last time he was able to pick a team without there being a match within the same week to consider was on the 27th August.

 

Since then we've played Sat-Thu-Sun-Wed-Sun-Thu-Sun... International Break... Sun-Thu-Sun-Wed-Sun-Thu-Sun... International Break... Sat-Thu-Sun-Wed-Sat-Thu-Sun-Wed-Sun-Wed-Sat-Mon-Sat-Wed-Sat-Wed-Sun-Wed-(Sat)-Tue-Sat... and then a midweek off (assuming we don't need a replay against Arsenal) and then the Sunderland game.

 

From the 11th Feb, the matches will be Sat-(Sat)-Sat-Sat-Sat-Sat... Int Break... Sat-Wed-Sat-Sat-Sat-Sat-Sat-Sat-Sun with only FA Cup replays, postponements or the League Cup Final adding any midweek games. We will have no reason to be rotating the team at that point, and criticism of tinkering would actually be valid, instead of utterly short-sighted.

 

People who think there's a problem with the manager rather than the fixtures are missing the point entirely.

 

Top post that man!

[CB Fry]

Much better that we do that against Liverpool and in the Final than for the FA Cup when we might just be that closer to relegation and less able to risk experimenting with a weakened team.

We're not going to be close to relegation, we're not going to be relegated this season.