I agree although I thought it rated a mention considering how important goals are. I challenge you to argue a case for starting Davis ahead of Ramirez, Puncheon, Lallana, or Lambert. Feel free to refer to everything else I said about Davis in your argument for his inclusion. EDIT: Also Jack Cork not scoring goals is very significant and would have cost him his spot if we had have brought in Lucas Biglia imo
Our only real attacking phase of play (although I did miss the first five minutes) had Lallana instrumental in it, got an assist was inches away from getting another and looked really dangerous we barley got the ball forward after that phase early in the second half. Puncheon then looked very dangerous late on but it was too late. So play both Lallana and Punch and perhaps swap Jrod for Ramirez or keep davis or whatever but think we definitly need Punch and Adam.
I wouldn't start Davis ahead of Puncheon, Lallana or Lambert, I'm arguing for him to start ahead of Ramirez. Davis was playing well when he was taken off yesterday and Ramirez didn't do anything memorable when he came on. He had a good chance but the referee had already blown the whistle because of his handball. I think Ramirez could be very effective against QPR, but I think Davis is in better form at the moment and deserves to keep his place. Plus, if we are going to start with two creative wingers in Lallana and Puncheon, perhaps a steadier hand like Davis to conduct things is more suitable than another creative player in the middle.
I definitely don't see this as being the easiest game we have left. I think at home to West Brom or Stoke will be, as hopefully they will be floating around in mid table safety by that stage of the season. QPR will be well up for this game, even without the added intensities that Arry's return brings. We cannot take their league position or uninspiring performances for granted. They are decent defensively and if Arry has clocked on how to counter our pressing style then they could cause us problems. In terms of the team I'd like to see. I don't really mind between Hooiveld and Fonte if Fonte isn't fully fit as he has been out for a while now. The rest of the back 4 the same. Cork and Morgan are mainstays. Lallana on the left, Puncheon on the right and Ramirez through the middle with Lambert up top. For me, if we are to see the best of Ramirez again this season he needs starts and this is a game I think he could do well in. I also like having the option of bringing a fresh striker off the bench and for that JRod is our man.
They have been the worst team in the league. Doesn't mean it will be an easy game though. They have nothing to lose now. They've got to go for it. This will be a game that they've got to target as a real possible win for them and they do have quality in their team, even if it has rarely been seen this season. I see Remy is just back from injury too and we haven't seen much of QPR plus Remy yet. I just don't see this being an easy game by a long shot although, as ever, I hope I'm proved wrong.
I certainly don't think this is our easiest remaining game. Our last six games include West Ham, Swansea, WBA, Sunderland and Stoke. All of them could potentially have nothing left to play for than pride. (I've excluded Spurs, as I doubt they will have top four wrapped up by then). I can QPR giving us a harder game than some of those sides. Any way, ten of my eleven are set in stone. I just can't decide between Davis and Gaston. Heart says Gaston definately. Head says Davis just. Boruc Clyne Fonte Yoshida Shaw Cork Morgan Puncheon Gaston/Davis Lallana Lambert Davis, Richardson, Forren, JWP, Gaston/Davis, Mayuka, Jay
Fair enough, although I will point out that Puncheon played Ramirez through on goal and if Ramirez's touch had have been better he probably would have scored. Davis was one of our poorest players against Newcastle so I would hardly say he is in form. I don't think Davis is that great defensively but it is hard to tell without watching for the whole game, I have seen Ramirez do some good defensive work as well, he isn't that strong but can get stuck in at times. It is also worth mentioning that QPR haven't scored 2 goals in a league game since Sat 15 Dec, and have only scored 19 goals this season the least of any side. I accept that Ramirez tries to do too much and can lose it in dangerous areas which can be very frustrating and could cost us points but the best way for him to learn not to do this is to play more matches. The scope for Ramirez to improve is massive, Davis on the other hand isn't going to improve much at all. Given that there is very little between them form wise it makes sense to choose Ramirez over Davis, even if it means we are 1% less likely to beat QPR I would still play Ramirez as if we can play him into form we will be a far superior side. I think that the team currently lacks someone who can split the defence open with a pass and someone who can shoot from long range. Apart from lallana's two good crosses, we played with no penetration. If Ramirez gets anytime on the ball against QPR he will quite likely destroy them Davis on the other hand will more likely than not pass it sideways.
Iâd go with Boruc Clyne, Fonte, Yoshida, Shaw Puncheon, Cork, Schneiderlin Lallana Ramirez Lambert Jason Puncheon has been one of Saintsâ best players this season, and I see his performances warranting him a start ahead of Rodriquez. Take Lambert perhaps off around the 75th minute for Rodriquez.
Puncheon has to start, no question. And, whoever said Cork needs to score more goals - that isn't his game. His job is to keep the midfield tidy, a job he does incredibly well. Boruc Clyne Fonte Yoshida Shaw Punch Cork Morgan Lallana Ramirez Lamber
Yoshida has done very well, but I feel MP needs to have a look at the whole squad before the end of the season so I would play Jose and Forren.
I can pick 9 players that would start regardless. I struggle with 2, I would go with the following for QPR. Boruc Clyne Fonte Yoshida Shaw Cork Schneiderlin Puncheon Rodriguez Lallana Lambert I feel QPR will be a very physical game and wonder if Davis should start ahead of Lallana and put Rodriquez out on the left. Harry would have done his homework and will close us down to try and stop us playing. Samba is going to be given the task of marking Lambert and having the extra height on the pitch with Rodriguez may help. Jos was unlucky yesterday. I feel Gaston should be used as impact like Lallana in this game. Is Forren injured? Although that said others are ahead of him with the way they have played. I hope someone has locked Fox up and makes sure he is nowhere near St Mary's or if he is, he is in the stand well away from the pitch.
It's a tough call between Davis and Ramirez, but I would start Ramirez. I feel this is a game in which he can shine, his best games have been at home against poor opposition (Aston Villa and Newcastle) and whilst we've been playing well with him in the side, I don't think Davis's form individually has been good enough to warrant leaving Ramriez out. Puncheon definetely has to come back in for Rodriguez. Given that we're at home I'd start Luke Shaw, but I think we're going to have leave him out for some of this run-in. His inexperience really showed yesterday and I'm worried that he could get targetted in other games. He's obviously super-talented and I have no doubt he is going to be a quality player, but we're asking too much of a 17 year old lad at this stage of the season.
I am a huge Ramirez fan, however I would pick Davis on Saturday. He is instrumental in the performances of Cork and Morgan.
I'd go for Ramirez. By the way I think I did see you yesterday briefly pre kick off. Was your son wearing a red and white jester's hat by any chance?
I don't think any of Saints' remaining games are that simple. It seems to be mostly away games against lower-ranked sides and home games against better sides. Some of the good teams may be safe and not care, but on the other hand some of the bad teams might already be in disarray. Or it could work the opposite way where the good teams still want to climb the table and the bad teams are desperate to survive. On balance, I think it's a manageable schedule and I feel like we have a pretty good chance of pulling out 2-3 wins and 2-3 draws and that should be enough. But there isn't one game that I feel is a gimme or is a must win or that we should write off. Just keep plugging away and play well and the points we need will come in one fashion or another. I would go for Ramirez against QPR personally. I think that is a game Saints can control and QPR will likely have to sit back. As such, an creative attacking guy is more useful than a more defensive player. And it would be good to get Ramirez going as I think he still needs some time to find a comfort level. Away games, I would lean towards Davis. But to be honest, it's a close call and I don't really think that position is all the most critical one. If the defense/Boruc play well, Saints can stay up with either Ramirez or Davis in one of the central midfield slots. I would say the same with Puncheon vs Rodriguez on the wing. I'll trust Pochettino's judgement there.
