My only concern with Shaw is that he got physically bullied at Stevenage. But then they are a big ale-house punt-playing side. Other than that, he's mobile and assured. Mirrors Clyne's runs on the other side well, might give a bit more balance there.
I hope Fox starts. When we learn to protect the full back when he's caught forward then I will start to criticize whoever plays there. If our tactic is to overcommit both full backs then the midfield needs to use their brain better Yoshida having no idea with the ball at his feet isn't helpful. He keeps giving it back to Fonte or passes it to Fox when he's already about to be pressurized so he lumps it long instead of giving it back to Yoshida under pressure
Having seen all the games this year, I would be fully behind NA giving Shaw his debut tomorrow especially with Dyer on the wing as LS is considerable quick off the mark than DF, will play a proper full back role (not a wing back) and will stay out wide rather than wandering into play left sided centre back exposing Adam L to the speed of premiership wide men. Cut out the balls into the centre from out wide on the left and the pressure on our under fire centre backs is lessoned. You can see all the teams now loading up down their right to attack our left side defence as Fox is struggling and Adam isnt quick enough As for missing DF left foot crosses, those at The Hawthorns will have noticed that with his confidence shattered DF crossing isn't what it was last year, he got behind the WBA defence 2 or 3 times Monday but delivered poor crosses that amounted to nothing Luke Shaw ......YES!!!!!
I'd start Fox. Really think his danger from set pieces, especially at home, is underestimated, and could make the difference on Saturday. Regardless of how you think Fox would fare against him, Shaw making his first league start against Dyer is a big ask. IMO WBA on Monday was a much improved defensive display by all involved (Gazza didn't even have a save to make), and to disrupt that back line again for such a crucial game isn't something i'd personally do. Hope Shaw has a blinder if he plays though
Love to be proved wrong but he hasn't quite looked prem level everytime I've seen him play. Can imagine him being quality in the future though. Interview with him is in tomorrows programme + on the site http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/shaw-top-flight-bow-amazing-477907.aspx so I think we can expect him to start.
I use to be a fan of Fox always use to stick up for him. But he tucks in far to much, he must think he is a Cb. Often he is even behind one of our Cb's!, I can't stick up for him anymore sorry he's ****e.
I'd start with Shaw. **** it! Although Fox played one of his better games against WBA, I think that on the whole he's been a bit of a weak link defensively. I don't think that you can't blame Lallana for players getting down the left flank, Lallana's an attacker so what do you expect? Plus Lallana has his fair share of interceptions anyway and does a lot of tracking back himself, as much if not more than you would expect from a LW. Haven't seen Shaw play but I always thought he was an attacking full back who was good at set pieces?
Too many people excuse Fox, he alone has been responsible for so many of the goals we've let it, including a couple at city, he headed the ball back in the box when it was going out! I don't think he is covered properly, i believe this is the left sided centre midfielders job, always has been in the teams that i coach, when the whole team shifts across. I think Shaw, will do more of a job, he did one thing Fox didn't against WBA and that was make a tackle! so i will live in expectation.
I was saying last season Fox drifts in too much and couldn't defend to much denial from most on this forum ... seems some people overlooked that necessity as he was getting the assists on a regular basis, or that is "how modern full backs play" as was stated by a few people
My only concern with Shaw, bearing in mind the importance of this game, is that should he make one mistake and be responsible for a conceded goal, then it will be murder on here for a while. The keyboard warriors and their, "he should never wear a Saints shirt again" theme will be on display. The trouble is that, in the Premiership, which are the less-important games to blood our young players?
If Shaw is good enough and mature enough then he is old enough. He WILL make mistakes like all kids do but its worth a go. If he makes a mistake that leads to a goal etc and we lose then so what if the usual keyboard warriors slag him off on a bloody website - this wont bother Shaw nor Saints one iota !
See, I used to say that, but not so sure anymore. I mean, why does Fox always tuck inside, but not Clyne? Shouldn't the defence be symmetrical? If it were a 'team order' then Clyne would too, which he doesn't, so it must be an individual order to Fox, and I'm 90% sure that is in order to make up for his lack of pace, and pace is a department in which Shaw is not deprived. So, Shaw to start for Sure!
As shaw has a grand total of less than 45 minutes in the PL under his belt, on what basis are those who say he's already better than Fox coming to that opinion?
I agree, in an ideal world we would have probably loaned him out to a championship side this season. But Saints are definitely not in an ideal world right now, and if Shaw starts tomorrow in place of Fox, I trust Adkins judgement. If he fails to shine though, I would be disgusted if Saints fans got on a 17yr olds back.
