TBH I've always thought we should be able to effectively utlilise the 3-5-2 formation. We've got attacking full backs who can operate as wing backs and with Lavia we have the midfielders as well.
The issue I always had with the 3-5-2 is it made us look even more useless going forward I think we have the players to play it from a defensive point of view (as long as they understand the role). A 3 of ABK, Salisu and DCC on paper looks pretty good with Perraud, KWP and Livramento at full back and Lavia in front. The issue is then the other 4 outfield players will almost certainly be JWP, Adams + 2 others and that wouldn’t fill me with confidence of scoring any goals
And in turn that ends up making us more vulnerable defensively because teams aren’t scared of any attacking threat so can pile forward more Half of the reason TAA got away with playing like he does at liverpool for so long is that teams would be scared to overcommit in attack in they were caught short against the likes of Salah and Mane
You might have perraud and KWP at full back and have Tino on the wing as a lot of you called out for.
Can anyone remind me how to update your friends and family online? Logged in but can't seem to find option.
Willy Caballero picking his all time best 11, from people he has played with. Spoiler alert. No Saints players in it. Bigger spoiler alert, no de Bruyne.
So shocked that he didn't pick Walcott for the influence in the dressing room. Even more shocked that he didn't pick Mo El as one of the best midfielders he had played with.
Interesting brief on the young players who have travelled to the Spain training camp. https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/23183200.southamptons-youngsters-spain-first-team-chances/
The Saints return flight VOE9285 A320 EC-NUP due in to Hurn (currently closed for snow clearing) has been diverted to Cardiff! 15:25 Flight currently over Winchester heading back in to Hurn.
I think that this statement is quite worrying. I have a nasty feeling about Sports Republic. Just wondering what the supporter's reactions would be if we fail to pull out of the relegation zone by January and we have not resolved the striker situation. My gut feeling is that the goodwill towards SR could dissipate quite quickly. Everyone was happy with the changes in the summer but the decision to either sack Ralph or recruit a proven goalscorer strike me as being left too late. If we were going to stick by Ralph, I think we should have cashed in on JWP and binned Adam Armstrong to acquire a marquee signing. I cannot see Jones appealing to any European strikers and think we will probably end up with people being signed from Luton. The current appointment does remind me a lot of David Jones' appointment 25 or so years ago. Not sure this is where EPL football is now. Interested to read that Kompany is now being touted for Holland manager - maybe just as well as we did not nick him from Burnley.
Sorry Ian but that bit in bold is ludicrous. We've hired Jones for his ability as a manager, not to be a scout or work in the recruitment department. Not many managers have a huge amount of say on transfers any more. Why would we completely change our transfer policy just because we've changed manager?
When did we decide not to recruit a proven striker? I can recall us agreeing terms with two of them in the summer, before the deals fell apart. SR were willing to break the club’s transfer record to land either Gakpo or Ramos, and that was after spending £70-£80 million on other positions.
And both Gakpo and Ramos have now proved to be that they would have been a good choice. So our recruitment policy is working, even if we missed out this time.
I was being cynical, Tom. . I am not sure how close we were to signing Gakpo as I feel he was not keen. The proof will be in the pudding as to where the club will be by the end of January. I do feela bit sceptical about it, to be honest.
Well it’s a bit of a stretch to say it’s working seeing as we didn’t sign either of them. I’m sure we think Bellingham would be a good signing, doesn’t mean we have a chance of signing him
