Match Day Thread Saints v West Ham - K.O. 3pm Saturday 19th August

It is one of the things that makes a top striker stand out from ok ones.

 

It's where it confuses me people saying Charlie should start ahead of him. Charlie's a good poacher, Gabbi is a very good footballer.

 

And if that ACM could pass and move himself? I might never sleep again.

 

Just one Vietto.....give him to us...

 

This is Stoke's assistant ground keeper...




Trying to explain to him that both incidents were shown, but he's not having it. Odd.

 

Funnily, I bumped into LTL outside (whilst I was sadly getting my picture taken in front of the Saints Mural ) and we discussed the very thing

 

I've never seen a man look so awkward being caught having his picture taken

 

Still not sure that Vietto's the answer there; I'd be happy to get him as another striker option (maybe in lieu of Long if sold), but he's more attacking than midfielder, as it were.

One I'd be kinda curious about in a probably-dreaming sorta way is Ante Coric. Has turned down moves to the world elite because he felt like he needed playing time, so perhaps he'd like to go somewhere that could really, really use an incredibly dynamic young attacking mid? Pleeeeeeeeease?


(Also Ziyech, because always Ziyech)

 

I know he's used more as a striker, but he has all the qualities of a 10 for me. Particularly in this league.

 

I could see it on a lot of teams, but we haven't seemed to like float-y 10s/second strikers. That might change under Pellegrino, but we seem to prefer that they be mids first and attackers second.

 

We have, I agree, however isn't that the point a lot of us seem to think needs tweaking slightly? If we sign one more midfieldy than attacky, we end up with the same. Maybe??

 

Exactly this. We need a Le Tiss. (I know they're once in a generation). Or at least an Ekelund. Both of whom were attacky more than midfieldy.

 

Definitely. I'd be quite happy with that particular change in tack, because I think that we can solidify enough at the back to carry two players with limited defensive duties. My concern with Vietto is that he'd end up being a bench striker with Davis as ACM, heh.

 

Davis and JWP are more midfieldy (as you rightly say) than attacky. And therein lies our issue.

 

That Sadio Mané CDAJFU

 

Actually this is exactly where I think people's hesitation/confusion with Davis comes from. He's an excellent footballer all round, but not defensive minded enough to be a great central midfielder, nor attacking enough to be a great CAM.

JWP is a bit different as he can be effective wide, but they're both victims of the modern system to an extent.

 

Yeah, I agree. It's just a matter of whether we'd deploy a player in that role who wasn't at least somewhat midfieldy. Puel took that plunge a couple times, but much preferred a trio of midfielders, and Pellegrino has shown similar tendencies in the early throes of the year. Might have to trick 'em with someone who'll make the odd halfhearted effort back, all while dreaming of pockets of space and sliderule passes.

100% agree with this, as well. I like JWP, but I'm still entirely uncertain of where he'll be when he's at his best five years from now. He's most dynamic crossing from the wing, but from an attacking standpoint he's a bit one-dimensional in open play; he isn't going to burst past anyone out there, nor cut inside.

 

Now we have Lemina for an effective pivot with Romeu though (something Puel never had) the opportunity is there to change that though.

 

Three CBs allows this, if you play defensive minded wing backs, allowing an attacker in the hole.

 

As above, I don't think you even need 3 CB. Having two proper DMs in place such as we now have, who slot back (as Lemina was doing a LOT today - it was an obvious tactical instruction) means you can afford that luxury. I think,