Article: Southampton's squad | Southampton FC, Football

There is no denying that everyone was delighted with the victory over Manchester City yesterday, however for me the most pleasing aspect was seeing how many of the fringe squad players, who may have been regulars last season, have found their feet and come in and put in some excellent performances in some tough matches; on paper our line-up appeared no match for the Champions. For instance, Jos Hooiveld looked out of his depth in the first few weeks of the season, however today he looked assured and indomitable in the air, the player he was last season in the Championship. It will be difficult for Forren to oust him in this kind of form and he deserves his place after recent performances.

In recent games Daniel Fox, Frazer Richardson and Richard Chaplow have all put in important shifts for the club. Now these players have often been deemed not good enough but when called upon in recent weeks after making the initial adjustment none of them have let themselves down. It is committed and determined players like these that it is great to have around. The same goes for Kelvin Davis and Tadanari Lee, if called upon.

 

Agreed. I think that we would have seen Lee introduced had it not been for Fox's injury.

 

Jos performed poorly at a time that everyone struggled and never got a chance once the defence settled down. He is not a top top defender who can do it all on his own, but he is a good player who can do his part when the team click. Glad he has got a second chance by stepping into the breach when needed. He deserves that.

 

Yes, he was very important for us last year and scored goals at critical times, such as against West Ham.

 

I completely agree. Right near the end of the game Aguero was running into the penalty area and Jos was coming over to him. My heart was in my mouth and my head was back at the 3-2 defeat earlier in the season. Jos robbed Aguero of the ball by poking it away AND ran out of the area with it at his feet. That was a huge indication of how far Jos has come!

 

Fonte and jrod took a bit of flack early doors too and its good to see how quickly they have adjusted. Our form over the last couple of months has been amazing. We have a great mix and so many of the team have got long long careers in front of them, hopefully with saints and for such a young squad playing exciting football and being top of the fair play league shows how mature they are too.

 

I have been very critical of Danny Fox in the past. Whoever that bloke wearing number 13 was yesterday, was a huge improvement.

 

Jos is a very decent man too, so I'm delighted that he's really being able to show his value again to the team.

 

Poch certainly has a dilemma on his hands against Newcastle, it seems as if we will have a fully fit squad barring any training injuries and probably Guly will just be beginning his comeback and not match-fit if the initial prognosis is correct. No-one deserves to be dropped but we've got four of our best players sat in the wings in Fonte, Shaw, Lallana and Ramirez, and Forren who was surely brought in thinking he would be getting into the first-team fairly quickly. I myself can't even decide, in terms of Lallana and Ramirez my head says that Davis and Rodriguez should be given the rewards for their performances, Adam and Gaston should be told that they are valued immensely but no players' spot is guaranteed and they will have to work and wait patiently to get back into the side. But at the other end, I'd be much more inclined to tell Fox and Hooiveld good effort but bad luck, because Shaw and Fonte have to be in the first team. Probably would slot Shaw straight back in as time on the pitch is the most valuable for him, and because whilst Fox didn't let anyone down he didn't put in a standout performance, which for me Jos, Davis and JRod did.

 

Shaw must be shoo in and probably Fonte, replacing Fox and Jos. Lallana is a harder one and amazed that I have to think about it.

 

I think we are an improved side sinnce Davis has replaced Ramirez. In recent weeks, I hasten to add!

 

Agreed with the OP, it is very pleasing to see players stepping up. I'm slightly surprised with Jos, as he was acquiring a bad habit of own-goals, and being guilty of defensive errors, but now, unless he's playing against out-n-out pace, he's coping admirably.
Frazer came on against ManC and was fine. Fox was fine going forward, his pinged 60yd free-kick to Rickie was a gem. He was a little less comfortable in retreat. Ward-Prowse was fine also. To complain would be carping, really.

 

First two names on the sheet every week have to be Schneiderlin and Cork.

 

It's good that we have a 2 week break for players like Shaw, Fonte and Ramirez to get fit and improve our side even more, not that they were needed yesterday...

 

At the beginning of the season, JRod was seen as a long term replacement for Rickie only, now he has made himself almost a nailed on starter but in what positions I do not know

 

If Shaw is fit I would say he comes in for Fox. Fox did ok yesterday but Shaw is better. CB is tougher. Jos has done well since he has been in. Fonte may be better but less to choose from than LB. I'd really like to see Forren. Maybe he can get a game in with the U21. The way we play now we will be using our subs higher up the pitch to keep the pressure on in the last quarter of the game. It is a good problem for MP to have.

 

I'm a big fan of Richardson and Chaplow. Two of the hardest workers you'll ever see.

 

Agree with that. Love watching Chaplow tear around.

 

I still remember that goal he nearly set up for Fonte last season against Boro(?) where he got the ball on the edge of our box and took it to their byline, riding about three or four tackles on the way. Brilliant energy. He's not been the same since he was injured though.

 

Tbf he hasn't had much of a chance. Just good to see him involved.