Ricky was suspended for Cov away, which we won 2-1, Forest away which we won 3-0, and Leicester at home which we lost 2-0. So clearly we can score goals without him, but he is talismanic and we really do want him fit for the rest of the season. He wears the shirt of Matt LeTiss, after all.
Agree with this too. Embarassing how quick some of the posters are to jump on a well-thought out question. Compared to WHAM, our squad doesn't have as much depth. It's West Ham's comparative advantage, just like Reading's form (I know we're all in form, but their win-rate is the standout here) is their comparative advantage in this situation, and maybe our recent experience in a similar situation is a comparative advantage of ours. No one's having a go!
Oh, and of course WHAM's other comparative advantage is playing - and winning - with ten men. Wouldn't mind that one for us. Where, out of interest, does anyone think Saints' squad lies in terms of strength in this division? Is ours the second strongest in the Championship?
I don't doubt our strength in depth however how many key players do we have that the cover wouldn't be able to replace? Let's see. Davis, Hooiveld and Fonte (if we lose both we only have Martin) Adam, Rickie. That is alot of players that we can't live without.
Are people actually mad? our squad depth is amazing! The only weak part of our squad is possibly the CB position but everywhere else is strong! Everyone keeps going on about us losing Lambert and Lallana and yes it would be bad for us but we are not the only team who have their 'better' players! If West Ham lost Nolan,Green and Cole? It goes for every other team as well!! it's not just limited to Southampton!
I know, I found the observations slightly amusing, myself. If first choice players get injured, in any team, then second choice players replace them. Our second choice players are no weaker than anybody else's.
I'm sure there will be loads of unexpected twists and turns yet...but why do must people see Saints v Reading and WHU v Reading as must win?...I'd love Saints to beat them, but if the three clubs maintain their form, draws would maintain the status quo, even a draw for us and a Hammers win could be good, so many permutations...and is there another club lurking to make a late run
Interesting debate. I agree that it is frustrating that people don’t think we have strength in depth. Unfortunately that is the case with almost all teams; when you watch your beloved team day in, day out, you get to know the players well and you therefore have a lot of players who you know are great back up that other teams’ supporters have never heard of. Looking at our bench on Saturday, with the exception of Sharp, how many other fans are really aware of the quality on our bench: Harding, Martin, Guly and Hammond are truly great players for us and one of the strongest benches i have seen for a long time, but that’s because they’ve shone for the last year or so, a lot of which we were in League 1. Similarly, when you look at WHU’s bench yesterday, who as Saints supporters would honestly get excited about the names, Boffin, Potts and Baldock (Cole and O’Neil the exceptions), but I’m sure WHU fans consider them stronger than our bench and vice versa. I think the point is that unless all the bench are household names, then who really can compare?
Without jumping on high horses its fair to say you have probably six or seven good quality front players though its hard to know why when most matches you play one up front.I think you will go up because of Sam,s approach to the game and to be fair your midfield worked there butts off doing the closing down against Cardiff much the way Leeds played against us. In all fairness you need promotion if you look at the size and cost of your squad and it could be bad news if we maintain our form and Reading sneak in the back door high risk stuff from the hierachy at Upton Park
I think we have a strong squad with players that can come in and do a job all over the pitch. Centre back would be a slight concern if we lost one and a real concern if we lost both. After Saturday if we lost Kelvin Davis I would be very worried. Although Bart is a quality keeper I am not sure how much the pressure would get to him particuarly after the Blackpool game. In midfield and up front we have plenty of cover to choose from so no worries there. We can all hope that Reading have peaked too early but it obviously remains to be seen. Still worried about Brum as well, if they are just having a little stumble now and regain their form of a few weeks ago they will really be pushing us. But, its in our own hands and as long as we keep doing what we are doing then we will finish in the top two.
We can survive an injury to any players save Lallana, Lambert and Davis without a real drop-off, I think, and even without one of Lallana/Lambert we can still win games. Now, would we do well with both of them out for an extended period? Possibly not, but no team at this level really has the depth to lose their two best players without some difficulty. And hopefully, we won't have to find out the answer to that question over the remaining twelve.
When I look at the remaining fixtures, it gives me a lot of confidence. The next 3 games look pretty straightforward for both us and Reading, but West Ham have a very tough fixture against Leeds, followed by Boro and Burnley. I will be astonished if we don't at least match West Ham's form over that period, and Reading will have to play Peterborough and Blackpool after that, culminating in the Hammers and Reading facing off at the end of March. Our March fixtures look relatively easy in comparison and I'll be surprised if we're not top come April.
. Readings match after Pompey is home to Leicester,that is certainly not straightforward. Dont you remember what they done to us a few weeks ago?
I do, and that was very disappointing because they are not a good side. A home game against Leicester should be easy.
It's annoying the points we have dropped against lower teams, but then getting 3 points against Leeds made up for some of those. Reading will drop points and it's essential that we take advantage.
Leicester have one of the best teams in the division,just not very consistent. They played us off the park a few weeks ago, and could quite easily do the same against Reading.
Everyone says they have a great team, but I don't understand. Yes, they spent a lot of money on a lot of players this season, but in my opinion those players are quite mediocre Championship-quality players. They're not a threatening side at all. We were poor against them and should have done a lot better.
Tbh It depends what Leicester team turns up on Saturday! Anyway i am happy with our run in becuase we do well againest the better teams. The games we have lost this season have been when teams come sit back for a draw and then nick it ( Hull). We outplayed both of you when you came to madejski ended up beating West Ham 3-0 and Saints managed to nick a draw. When teams come and attack us thats when we are at our best. Our defence + Goalie are outstanding so we just counter attack with Kebe , Mcanuff and Roberts. I could see us slipping up againest Donny ,Pompey etc when they come and play for a draw!
We will have to wait and see until Saturday, but the fact they beat Norwich in the cup, and in my opinion made us look poor, makes me think they are a side that can raise their game for the "bigger" matches. Beckford can be a very good championship striker when the mood takes him (although i am glad they signed him rather than us), Nugent always has been a good championship player, and players like Danns,Dyer and Wellens are hardly mediocre. They certainly carry more of a threat than most sides in the league,and it wouldnt suprise me at all if Leicester done us a favour on Saturday,and took at least a point at Reading.
