No I said he was primarily a centre back. But he can play defensive midfield and I would give Pierre and Romeu a rest for this one so I would play him there tomorrow.
I think Hojbjerg needs some game time he looked off the pace against Brighton. I would also like to see Djenepo, Boufal and Danso get some minutes. But who knows!
I can understand Danso starting as a stand-in LB away at Brighton with their threat in the air at set pieces, but I would have thought Fulham would have been an opportunity for Vokins. Clearly not if he played last night. Armstrong has to start, and maybe Obafemi for Ings
To be honest, I would have liked Ralph to have brought in a central defender from the reserves with a view to getting a look at him against senior opposition. I would be very surprised is Hoedt features and still think he has no future at the club. We have not seen Danso in his true position yet so we cannot judge but I would have anticipated him getting a run out too. Yoshida, Benarek and Vestergaard are all erratic at best and I would still like to see the central defensive position strengthened in January. I would be concerned if Stephens features again and it was a great surprised to me that he has not pitched up at a Championship / Division One team this summer. Aside from Danso who is an unknown, I would have thought the Fulham match would have presented an opportunity to look at who else we have who could step up.
Assuming we go through tonight, can I give up the right to do the United thread and do the next round of the cup instead?
As confirmed and certified (or certifiable) Saints fans which of the following scenarios is likely to be played out. Confidence is high because we have finally won a game (with a clean sheet to boot) and now face a lower league team (carefully ignoring the fact that they finished quite close to us last season ). A. Will Saints build on this and blow Fulham away whilst playing exciting football? B. Will Saints play like they have never seen each other before and the manager is a complete stranger and a) lose b) win by a single goal c) draw (not forgetting penalties )
Fulham v Southampton (19:45) Referee: - ROBERT JONES ( http://www.football-lineups.com/referee/2788/ ) Assistants: - Nigel Lugg and Michael George Fourth Official: Alan Dale
i reckon of the three competitions we enter this season this one is our most likely chance of silverware. FA Cup possible and Prem League Title 10 / 1 at best.
I would have thought the manager has a pretty good idea of individual capabilities, it's how they combine and react in a match situation that he can't so easily predict from the training field.
Looking forward to an evening at Craven Cottage tonight. I'll be the one sweating profusely and wearing a Saints training shirt in a bid to get some air to my back after the 40-minute tube journey.
****ing hell Jonny that's some serious upper you've taken, last week you reckoned that there was no point in us turning up against Manure!....