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Two things lacking from the current squad

doddisalegend

By doddisalegend,
in The Saints

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Dusic

Dusic

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Posted

Agree with both. The second is a big problem since we lost VVD. Last season we had Fonte, VVD, Wanyama and often Pelle.

 

Now Romeu is the only strong player we have. Need rectifying.

 

Would add a third - severe lack of mobility in the centre of midfield making us easy to counter attack.

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HKsaint

HKsaint

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We don't have the speed to counter-attack. Instead of direct running and shoot, Boufal dribbled again and again waiting their defenders to come back. If it were mane or long, he would run pass the only defender or two and shoot. The difference between mane and long is mane scored and long shot wide.

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Alanh

Alanh

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1) Leadership on the pitch especially at the back were someone needs to take charge and organize the defence

 

2) some strength/size/physical players. We seem to have a team of technically good players who are easily knocked off the ball and struggle to compete physically.

 

Agree with both of these points. Regarding the second one, I am seeing a few people asking for a VW replacement to partner Romeu. I think the better strategy is to get a Morgan replacement who is relatively big, mobile and able to make a telling pass, as well as make an interception.

 

I don't know who that is but for me it needs to be a priority for the summer.

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S-Clarke

S-Clarke

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Lack of leadership through the spine pretty much. We also lack the power and pace which made us a threat in seasons gone past.

 

We have a good side, good technical players, good quality, good opportunities and possibilities (etc. etc..!)

 

Any team will miss VVD. The club also know they dropped a bollock not replacing Fonte, so that's two leaders gone. Pelle was also more of a miss than many assumed he would be, not only did he hold the line better than anyone else we now have - but he was also a presence and a bit of a personality. We've got a team full of nice guys at the moment, we just need some strong bastards at the back, someone to help Romeu and maybe a Pelle type focal point up top.

 

We're not miles away from it, we don't need a huge overhaul or enormous surgery as some suggest. I'm sure the club are aware and we'll see what happens in the summer, which by all accounts will be a huge summer for us.

 

Ideally, this summer needs to be about evolving our squad - not worrying how we're going to be replacing our current players.

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mrfahaji

mrfahaji

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Posted
Lack of leadership through the spine pretty much. We also lack the power and pace which made us a threat in seasons gone past.

 

We have a good side, good technical players, good quality, good opportunities and possibilities (etc. etc..!)

 

Any team will miss VVD. The club also know they dropped a bollock not replacing Fonte, so that's two leaders gone. Pelle was also more of a miss than many assumed he would be, not only did he hold the line better than anyone else we now have - but he was also a presence and a bit of a personality. We've got a team full of nice guys at the moment, we just need some strong bastards at the back, someone to help Romeu and maybe a Pelle type focal point up top.

 

We're not miles away from it, we don't need a huge overhaul or enormous surgery as some suggest. I'm sure the club are aware and we'll see what happens in the summer, which by all accounts will be a huge summer for us.

 

Ideally, this summer needs to be about evolving our squad - not worrying how we're going to be replacing our current players.

 

Agree with most of this, but probably not with needing a Pelle-type player. Gabbiadini holds the ball up decently due to his good ball control, and generally our style of play means the ball will be coming in to his feet. And we'd probably be sacrificing Gabbiadini in order to play this player you suggest. Pelle was good at dealing with more direct balls that we played under Koeman, but I can't see we will play enough of those to justify a 'big number 9' type. In addition, we do have Austin who is a bit more in that mould, if not a like-for-like replacement.

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S-Clarke

S-Clarke

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Agree with most of this, but probably not with needing a Pelle-type player. Gabbiadini holds the ball up decently due to his good ball control, and generally our style of play means the ball will be coming in to his feet. And we'd probably be sacrificing Gabbiadini in order to play this player you suggest. Pelle was good at dealing with more direct balls that we played under Koeman, but I can't see we will play enough of those to justify a 'big number 9' type. In addition, we do have Austin who is a bit more in that mould, if not a like-for-like replacement.

 

I can see what you mean with regards to Gabbiadini in terms of his close control, he doesn't seem to win enough in the air to be a focal point type though. I'm not saying replace him as a starting player, but just someone else with a bit more height and strength to give us another option up top. Gabbiadini has also played from the flanks at his previous club, so there is flexibility in the way we can use him if we want.

 

I think it's sensible to have a mix it up option, not saying that needs to be our main style, but just other alternatives if the passing game doesn't work. It's not necessarily bad football if it's executed right and not just a case of lumping it up, but if you think back to when we had Lambo in the team - and then Pele - a fair few of our goals came from the fact players used to get in and around him when he knocked the ball down, or headed it on. Just gave us a chance to get points and wins in games where we haven't really done enough football wise.

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SuperSAINT

SuperSAINT

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Assuming we are sticking to 4-2-3-1.

 

- 1 commanding centre-back to replace Jose.

- 1 to replace Virgil.

- Quick wing/forward to replace J-Rod. (Mane-esque)

- Sigurdsson for Tadic (if he goes)

- DM specialist to partner Romeu.

(I like Davo, but not good enough in the DM role against the top sides IMO.)

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S-Clarke

S-Clarke

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Assuming we are sticking to 4-2-3-1.

 

- 1 commanding centre-back to replace Jose.

- 1 to replace Virgil.

- Quick wing/forward to replace J-Rod. (Mane-esque)

- Sigurdsson for Tadic (if he goes)

- DM specialist to partner Romeu.

(I like Davo, but not good enough in the DM role against the top sides IMO.)

 

Davis is better in the role just in front of two sitting midfielders in my opinion. The role which allows him to drive forward with the ball and open the play up, he's not as effective in a CM role and comes up short in the physical bits.

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SuperSAINT

SuperSAINT

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Davis is better in the role just in front of two sitting midfielders in my opinion. The role which allows him to drive forward with the ball and open the play up, he's not as effective in a CM role and comes up short in the physical bits.

 

Agree with that. Because he's smart enough to drop back to make it a "3" when needed.

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SKD

SKD

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Have said for a while Davis isn't good enough defensively to play in a 2 in midfield.

 

Priorities for the summer:

 

CB (2 if / when we sell VVD)

DM to play alongside Romeu

No.10/Attacking midfield

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S-Clarke

S-Clarke

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Have said for a while Davis isn't good enough defensively to play in a 2 in midfield.

 

Priorities for the summer:

 

CB (2 if / when we sell VVD)

DM to play alongside Romeu

No.10/Attacking midfield

 

If Tadic goes, then yeah we'll need a number 10 type. But if he stays, then I don't see any reason.

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mrfahaji

mrfahaji

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I can see what you mean with regards to Gabbiadini in terms of his close control, he doesn't seem to win enough in the air to be a focal point type though. I'm not saying replace him as a starting player, but just someone else with a bit more height and strength to give us another option up top. Gabbiadini has also played from the flanks at his previous club, so there is flexibility in the way we can use him if we want.

 

I think it's sensible to have a mix it up option, not saying that needs to be our main style, but just other alternatives if the passing game doesn't work. It's not necessarily bad football if it's executed right and not just a case of lumping it up, but if you think back to when we had Lambo in the team - and then Pele - a fair few of our goals came from the fact players used to get in and around him when he knocked the ball down, or headed it on. Just gave us a chance to get points and wins in games where we haven't really done enough football wise.

 

True, I guess then it comes down to whether you think Puel wants to be flexible enough in his tactics to have a 'direct' alternative. I like how we play at the moment, albeit with a few tweaks, but I'm not sure I can see Puel introducing that style. Do you not think Austin offers a bit more in that regard?

 

You're exactly right about Davis in your other post btw, unfortunately he isn't a big enough goal threat (as a creator or scorer) to convince me that he should be a starter for us in that AM position if we are going to improve next year. Currently he may be good enough to be in our strongest starting XI, but would like to see an upgrade.

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Micky

Micky

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Totally agree with the OP and thought it was abundantly evident last night. I wouldn't say all of our players are lightweight but certainly Boufal, Davis and JWP got out-muscled a few times, thus losing the ball. Have to say, I thought Tadic showed good body strength on occasions though and shielded it well.

 

As for leaders - that's VVD and Fonte. So yeah we have lost that element this season. But leaders are bred through confidence on the pitch - normally first picks on the team sheet, so hopefully going into next season we have VVD back (PLEASE) and Romeu will step up to the plate as well.

 

To be fair - given what we have had to deal with this season - we have actually coped quite well. But yeah - a little more time in the weights room please gents, and a little more vocal on the pitch.

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qwertyell

qwertyell

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Posted
We don't have the speed to counter-attack. Instead of direct running and shoot, Boufal dribbled again and again waiting their defenders to come back. If it were mane or long, he would run pass the only defender or two and shoot. The difference between mane and long is mane scored and long shot wide.

Sadly our only player with real speed is the perennially inept Shane Long who ruins every quick counter attack in his own unique way in any case.

 

But, yes, mobility is a big issue. Romeu, Davis, Ward-Prowse, Hojbjerg, Clasie, Tadic are all plodders. Tadic and Boufal are physically incapable of passing first time at pace too, killing every counter to self-indulgently piddle around in circles for a while.

 

Redmond seems like he should be quick, but rarely lives up to that impression.

 

So, in summary, we're slow, physically lightweight and short. Among other things...

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Lord Duckhunter

Lord Duckhunter

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Posted

There is a problem with leaders. The keeper is an experienced player yet he hardly says a word. Yoshida is very quiet, even Stephens seems louder than him, maybe because of his lack of English . For all his good work OR doesn't seem to be the type either. If your keeper, centre halves & CM's are quiet you're really struggling to get leadership. There is a lack of leaders in the game, so we were lucky with VvD & Jose (Toby wasn't really one or Big Vic or Lovren). It wouldn't surprise me if we're having the same conversation next season, even with 3 or 4 new players.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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EBS1980

EBS1980

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Posted
I think in a nutshell the team is unbalanced. Hopefully this will get sorted in the summer.

 

I think that's because we planned to play a different way this year. When we switched back i feel it was a case of making do. Hopefully it'll be addressed in the summer window.

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5string

5string

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Posted
1) Leadership on the pitch especially at the back were someone needs to take charge and organize the defence

 

2) some strength/size/physical players. We seem to have a team of technically good players who are easily knocked off the ball and struggle to compete physically.

 

1) I'm surprised Bertrand hasn't been more of a leader at the back. Otherwise, yep, need VvD back plus A.N.Other this summer.

 

2) I think (1) might cover this, or extra rugby-style 'conditioning' sessions in the gym for all. On the other hand I'd say a more mobile AM, a la Coutinho, who other teams don't want to have on the ball with an inch of space in their half - I think JWP was meant to be in this role, passes well, but he's not mobile enough & doesn't score nearly enough.

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