Cracks me up how all 5 of our Prem-era managers had Davis as a certified starter, yet hardly anyone here picks him. #clueless
A number of points: 1. I take the point that it may depend on the opposition. My 11 may well be best suited to playing away to the top sides. 2. Stephens looks to me and many other observers that he may well develop into a defensive midfielder player, think Eric Dyer. He played DM at Swindon for much of his loan period and if memory serves played right back for Plymouth in his youth, thus when Cedric overlaps there is natural cover. 3. It seems to me that Lemina is more box to box than a defensive midfielder. 4. The system allows for 2 strikers, and Long's presence will likely create more space/chances for Gabbi.
Seconded Not liking Davo is clearly a religion because it doesn't matter how much the evidence points to him being a key player for us there will always be Davo-deniers
The influence that Steven Davis has on the team is such that he is practically a barometer for Saints quality of play. When Davo is playing well Saints are inevitably playing well.
Our current formation relies on runners into the box from midfield which has a fatal flaw in it - none of them can shot. I would therefore go to a 5 3 2 or 4 4 2 (that out of date useless formation)