Saints transfer rumour thread

Yeah, I'm not trying to criticize so much as trying to figure out what his best role is here. He's fast and he can finish, but he's not really a player you want dwelling on the ball for any length, and we're a team that (the occasional long ball over the top notwithstanding) doesn't really look to play out strikers in all that often. If we're going to press as hard as it appears we will, going to a late-game counter-attacking setup with Rodriguez, Mayuka and some combination of Lallana/Ramirez/new signing is intriguing, though.

 

I wasn't intending to criticise Jay Rod, and I accept that he is a different type of player from Rickie. My concern is that using him as an impact sub definitely isn't getting the best out of him. Burnley used him as a twin striker alongside Charlie Austin so why can't we find a way of playing him off Rickie?

 

It's difficult trying to work both Rodriguez and Ramirez into a lineup with Rickie, because one of them will inevitably have to play out of position, and neither has looked good doing so. And given their respective impact to date, I'd rather not shift Gaston to the wing to accommodate Jay.

 

If you had fish and chips, would you add a beefburger just because you had one. (Alright, I suspect a few of you might).

 

Mayuka has pace.

 

Rodriguez has looked more than competent whenever he has played as a centre-forward. He's scored 3 goals in the 2 cup matches when he has started up front, and he's only played 419 minutes as a centre-forward in the league. 2 goals in just under 5 90-minute periods isn't a bad return. You have to remember also that he hasn't played at this level before this season so with more game time he would improve I am sure.

 

I guess it's just about balancing making sure we stay in the league/have strength in depth in all positions and brining through youngsters/giving game time for players like Mayuka and Rodriguez to settle.

A loan signing up front would ensure both in my eyes and I'd like to see this happen (possibly with Lee then going on loan to a championship club for the rest of the season).

 

Agreed PTF!

 

Lee will be sold I think.

 

Yeah I don't see the value in loaning him out when it seems he won't be deemed good enough for the premier league anyway.

 

Spanish targets?

 

Basically got to be considered a flop signing.

 

no real harm considering we got him on a free transfer

 

I get the feeling the plane may be heavier on the way home. It would make sense that they changed the camp to Spain if there could be an arrival/s joining.

Well I can live in hope can't I? It's all gone very quiet! Shhhhhhhhh..........

 

Maybe Pochettino is friends with Messi...

 

Mustn't get our hopes up too high, but we must sign someone else surely. Surely?

 

Yeah...but how would he cope away at Stoke on a cold winters night. Oh we've had that fixture already...carry on!

 

Messi wouldn't get many games once Lallana is fit...that would have to be clear to him.

 

Tancredi Palmeri ‏@tancredipalmeri
Coutinho update - Southampton expected to raise the bid to 12m € in the next days, according to Sky Italy

 

Beat me to it!