Dear "ollysaints1", I have decided to totally disregard your opinion for the following three reasons: 1) You call Jay Rodriguez "one-goal", grow-up and support the player ffs, he's played hardly any games this season in his natural position and still managed 2 goals (albeit one wrongly disallowed) - give him a chance maybe? 2) Cortese signed Mayuka? And you're basing this on what? Twitter gossip about Cortese knowing his agent. Even if that was the case (and I still think it's unlikely) then it is far more plausible that Nicola suggested Mayuka to Nigel and he then scouted the player/watched footage before making the final decision. Cortese has said in interviews before that he doesn't get too involved with the footballing decisions at the club. 3) Probably most importantly: You'd leave out Ramirez from the starting line-up?! Anyway, I hope you appreciate my reasoning. Regards SK
Errrm Yes. Last season we struggled when either was out. They link together so well that one without the other isn't as effective however we have a dearth of forwards now so being without Lambert wouldn't be as bad as being without Lallana. Last season when Lallana was out we struggled. When we were without Chamberlain the year before we didn't. Shows how much Lallana brings to the side. If Lambert was out we would have to change things too but we do have replacements but Lallana IS our best player and Adkins clearly thinks the same. If Adkins had to pick one of Ramirez, Lallana and Lambert and HAD to put theother 2 on the bench who do you think he would choose?
We will miss Lallana, but think we would miss Lambert more. He is involved in so much of our game and are attacking line is still Lambert + A.N.Other. We are rich in midfield, although our jewel is Adam. Let's hope he isn't out for too long.
I agree I think Rickie would be the bigger miss. If I was an opposition manager he would be the one I'd like to see missing!
Nigel Adkins admits Southampton's two-week break from playing has given Adam Lallana the chance to return from injury without missing a game.Lallana picked up a knee injury during last weekend's win over Reading and the club are sweating over the full extent of the problem.Southampton do not have a game until December 22 when Sunderland visit St Mary's, giving Lallana extra time to recover from the injury, and Adkins is hoping his skipper will be able to make a speedy recovery."We will assess the injury in the next few days but the good news is that we do not have a match now until December 22 so he has extra time to recover," said Adkins."Had there been a game this weekend, who knows? Adam's knee is immobilised and we will see how he gets on."
But how soon after the injury did he say that. Most papers are just repeating what he said on Saturday. Be more confident if he said it today...by now they will have a pretty good idea how severe it is and whether rest or invasive treatment is needed. Sometimes swelling can take time to settle before they know for sure, however.
I have to point out thats what he said immediately after the game, all this other news has come out after he said that.
I would like to see Ben Reeves given a shot. The lad is quality, seems to read the game well. Also feel he would work well with Shaw. Mayuka I can't see being too reliable defensively, that is why i presume he has not been playing. Too much of a luxury.
I've decided to avoid thinking the worst & employ Nigels optimism on this one. Might as well get hacked off when theres something official to get hacked off about. UpTheSaintAdam
If he is out, we'll miss Adam for two reasons. 1) because he has the sort of talent that can't simply be replaced, either in the transfer market or from among the squad, and.. 2) because he is the sort of player you pay good money to watch. We can work around the former, and we've been a little spoilt with the latter in recent years, but there's simply no way he wouldn't be a massive loss. I really hope his injury is nothing serious, but in the meantime i'll just assume that the usual silence from the Lubyanka is good news not bad.
His injury was particularly poignant as it happened only minutes after the fans in the Northam/Kingsland gasped at the skill with which he captured a skyball and brought it under control with one majestic sweep of his right foot. He will be an even better player the more games he plays in the PL.
If that had been me trying to control that ball, I would have danced around underneath it like a drunken rugby fullback, missed trapping it with my foot and have the ball bounce up and break my nose. p.s I am available to play at short notice for the Sunderland match, maybe the club could arrange some Benny Hill theme music to accompany me?
That was certainly a top bit of ball control - i couldnt believe it when he was in heap shortly afterwards. Whichever way you look at it Adam Lallana is not somebody who you would want out of your team. Speedy recovery required Adam !
Noooooo! Don't tell me that Sammy's injured. Now that is serious...why is not on the OS Damn the Code of Silence.
