Don't agre with many of the above but my 2p's worth of opinion This is aiming for a side equivalent to Everton which I think is a fair target: Good enough for first choice 11: SKD, Morgan, Lambert, Lallana, Cork, Lallana, Hooiveld, Guly Subs/Reserves : Sharp, Lee, Fox, Harding, Martin, Fonte, Richardson, Puncheon, Hammond, Bialkowski, Seaborne. Players that will definitely not stay / make the grade: De Ridder, Chaplow, Butterfield, Jaidi, Barnard, Connolly, Holmes, Dickson, Forecast, Forte. * - Rose tinted glasses for many that think fonte is good enough for the prem. He hasn't added 10% to his game like the others under Adkins. and is on the downslope of form IMO. Fox polaying in the Prem before doesn't mean he is good enough for us to be akin to Everton. He needs to take a long hard look at Hibbert and Baines. Both put in a much harder shift, both are better defenders and neither of them hoof the ball from the half way line!!! Sharp will not be at the levelto be first choice striker unles we don't buy anyone Lee might make it but we can't tell yet. My assessment remains as it did at Christmas. We need to make an overhaul of the defence, leave the midfield alone and add a striker plus fill in spaces in the back up. Our style has changed half way through this season because people cottoned onto how poor our defence was. If they had worked that out early we would be 10 points or so worse off IMO. That is why we have become reliant on Lambert!!! Because Hooiveld is having to hoof the ball upfield and with Fox also in there that means hoof whenever we are pressured.
I've said the same about Fonte, he looks far to casual with the ball for my liking. Don't agree with Harding or seaborne being ok as back up. They are no way good enough. I also think Guly will leave aswell.
You've given me another giggle, but I'm here to tell you that such places are said to exist. They are called League One & Two and the Premier League. However, according to my theory, these places have no real substance as Southampton FC is not a part of them, and they exist [if that can be called their status] in a twilight of near zero-point energy and disordered matter. Like a disused house with sheets covering the furniture, but all it takes is for SFC to come into the place, switch on the lights and throw off the covers. The various news and sporting medias would have us believe that those other places exist in full and function as we think our league does, but they don't. I kind of feel sorry for the Championship, for in a few weeks time, we'll be powering that place down for good long while. Maybe, it'll never exist again in the sense that we currently know it. Now you know why Reading are so anxious to accompany us. We give them substance. And looking at the clock, I'm way behind drifting off to that universe where I can lie down.
I returned from London on Monday just in time to see MOTD and it was the first time I had watched a whole programme since the dark day we were relegated from the Prem. Like you, SS, I take little interest in football worlds not shared with Saints, but I suspect that this hypothesis of yours needs further testing. Actually, having decided that watching MOTD was a good way of passing the time until the mighty Saints made their appearance on the telly, I got very interested in watching Norwich take Spurs apart. Now I am not a Spurs hater, in fact I have always admired the club, but I did enjoy watching Norwich make them look so ordinary. This was Norwich. The last time we met we won 2-0 at their place but it didn't prevent them gaining promotion, and going on to do what we dream of doing and getting a second promotion. It was simply inspirational. If we can emulate their achievements I will be a very happy bunny indeed. Now I know nothing about other teams or their players, but the received wisdom seems to be that Norwich, and Swansea, have built slowly and kept the team spirit and momentum that saw them gain promotion in the first place. Care will need to be taken if we secure promotion in the next few days or weeks. This team has incredible unity and belief. I'd give them a fair chance of beating a number of premiership outfits.
I have to agree about Fonte.....his form has dipped a tad. Although to be fair everyone of the team have had periods when they haven't been at their best. I think the Premier may be more suited to Guly's style of play or at least I hope so. Have been somewhat disappointed in his attitude of late his body language is suggesting he is not a happy bunny. I think Sharp will be ok in the premier as will Rickie, as for Lee the signs are good but I guess we will have to wait until next season to judge that. Barney in my opinion will not make the grade, I don't think they will keep Connolly for another season. So another up and coming striker needed or perhaps from the academy? How old was Shearer when we gave him his chance 17? I also think two other players will not make the grade.......Hammond is one......Richardson is tother (Butterfield is another) So Centre Midfield and right back a definite plus we still need a wide man for the right of midfield we are so lopsided. Players out will be Jaidi, Connolly, Holmes, Puncheon, Butterfield, Dickson, Bartosz Bailkowski, Tommy Forcast. We are due a big clear-out.....there also may be a surprise or two in addition.
I'll just put who I think can do it in the prem in the starting 18. Davis fox, richardson, hooiveld, fonte lallana, cork lambert, sharp, tadanari possibly schnedierlin on the bench but I think we'll have to make some decent signings. Richardson has been class this season so thoroughly expect him to still be with us. I imagine we will ship out guly despite adkins seeming to like him.
Definites - Davis,Fonte,Hoover,Schneiderlin,Lallana,Lambert,Lee. Possibles/Back Up - Fox,Do Prado,Cork,Hammond,Chaplow,Sharp,Richardson Squad players - Harding,Martin,De Ridder,Biakowski, Out - Connoly,Butterfield,Jaidi,Seabourne,Barnard,Forte,Forecast(is he really still on the books),Puncheon(had his 2nd chance,didnt take it),Dickson,Holmes. Signings needed Keeper to challenge Super Kelv Right back Left Back(possibly) Top quality centre half to challenge Fonte and Hoover Central midfielder Right Winger - Matt Philips ?? Striker - Young target man. Jay Rod??
Nice answer CH~H[SUB]2[/SUB]0 . I agree with you that the theory needs testing out, and I suggest we all gather together on 18th August 2012 to do just that** **IF, and all that.
Because for me he is only backup at the minute. Those Guly haters who say he is no good on the wing are wrong. He got all those assists and a lot of his goals whilst playing from the wing. He was better than Chaplow at that point in time however Chaplow did a great job in midfield before his injury he is now showing why he is known as such an up/down player from previous clubs. So on that thought if he is backup now he will be third in line in the Prem. I think Guly will stay especially if (assuming we go up) a smiling cheerful Liverpudlian walks up to him after the season ends and says excitedly 'Improved contract time - What do you think Guly?' Need to reward our important players Fella One of the academy will be blooded behind him IMO. I think Fonte will remain as backup unless he doesn't want to be a backup. I also think that we will get replace left back, right back as well and just leave Jos as the remnants of this year's poor defence!!! Harding is controversial yes but I am assuming we are going to play a fluent 'Swansea' style of Premiership football. If it is to be Stoke style instead then Fox fits the bill. Harding is pretty similar in style to virtually every premiership full back. They aren't defenders, they are wingers. Good Premier sides have 2 central defenders and the rest is more a case of the team defending as a unit than full backs also being defenders. Harding/Lallana combination is much more of a threat than Fox/Lallana and a midfield of Cork/Schneiderlin is about as cautious as you can be to have 2 defensive midfielders that can very quickly slot back into defensive mode when we lose the ball. That then gives Lallana and Guly room to move in behind the strike pair and Harding/Richardson (or their replacements) to push on down the wings with 4 to aim at. That's how I see it however all the TV games Adkins has tried something else.
