We hadn't lost while Lallana was out injured. He came back and we lost. I would drop Lallana and play Guly who is a much better player.
QPR will sit back and we'll have to bring the game to them. Shouldn't be too worried about their attack but we need to be able to break them down. Boruc Clyne Fonte Yoshida Shaw Cork Schneiderlin Puncheon Lambert Lallana Rodriguez Subs: Davis, Fox, Forren, Davis, Ramirez, Mayuka, Guly.
I'd go with: Boruc Clyne Yoshida Fonte Shaw Cork Schneiderlin Puncheon Ramierez Rodriguez Lambert Bench: Davis, Richardson, Forren, Davis, Ward Prowse, Lallana, Mayuka If Shaw's not fit, Clyne to LB, Richardson at RB, Fox on the bench.
Actually I wasn't convinced by him at Newcastle, particularly in the 2nd half. Although Fox coming on may not have helped his cause. I did feel really sorry for him though when the ****er that was the Newcastle announcer announced to the whole stadium that he had scored the own goal. What was the bloody point!
No I agree with you, he was superb against City so I would play him against QPR but he will know himself he has to play at the top of his game because he has got some serious competition now with Forren signing and Fonte fit again. The luxury of having 4 good CB's is a complete contrast to earlier in the season.
Feels harsh to leave out Davis who has been excellent of late but Punch had his best display in a Saints shirt in the reverse fixture so it would be difficult to leave him on the bench again. Also difficult to leave out J Rod who has really impressed as of late but I think he could be perfect as an impact sub and Gastón will tear QPR's defence a new one in his favoured position. Boruc Clyne - Hooiveld/Fonte (if fit) - Maya - Shaw Cork - Schneiderlin Punch - Gastón - Lallana Lambert Bench: Davis, Forren/Fonte, Fox, Ward-Prowse, Davis, J Rod, Mayuka
Completely forgot about Guly, I'd definitely have him on the bench if fit as well. Got to love the maverick samba assassin.
Calm down peeps. My opinion and I'm certainly not on my own. As a poster says above I would not pick Davis ahead of Lambert, Lallana or Puncheon. I have them in my team but at the moment Davis (for me) is ahead of Gaston. Yes he is unspectacular but I feel that he provides a better link between our midfield 2 and our wingers than Gaston. With Lallana, Puncheon and Gaston then it leaves a slightly larger gap between the front and back than with Davis. I certainly wouldn't be putting Gaston in ahead of Lallana as a couple have done but that is their opinion just as I gave mine. Gaston also seems to be a bit 'down' at the moment and I would bet that satchel face will tell his players to get in and around him. Davis would give as good as he gets and laugh it off where I can see Gaston getting ruffled by it. I don't think it's going to be a very well mannered affair on Saturady. On top of it being a relegation six pointer Twitchy will have all his players trying to gain any advantage they can. Going to be a lot of diving, niggling and a multitude of 'banter' going on.
I think you and another poster are right in saying that Davis provides a better link between other midfielders however Gaston provides a far superior link with the goals. When Gaston came on he got kicked quite a bit and got up, he's probably been kicked more than anyone in our team so I think he is used to that sort of thing. Apparently Gaston was the 3rd most booked player is Serie A so he can dish it out as well.
Or like I suspect...he reacted to what he is dished. No idea really but I think if he starts it will be more than he has had so far. We'll see. I suspect Pochetino will remove one of the other attacking mids if he starts Gaston and like I said I wouldn't put him ahead of Lallana, or Puncheon. Davis isn't playing a typical 'hole' role so we are more like 4-2-1-2-1 with him in there. If we go 4-2-3-1 with Gaston, Puncheon and Lallana that is very very attacking. Even Alex Ferguson would say so and he has some of the best attacking players around. We can't chanceit in our position though in my eyes. Next season maybe? In a 'must get points' relegation run in? Bit risky IMO. Just to add.....about Gaston getting kicked a fair bit? He does go to ground a lot but easily? Similar to Lallana or maybe a little worse than Lallana he tends to go to ground very easily.
Agree with some others that it will be a tetchy game on Saturday. Needs a strong ref and looks like with Webb we have one.
My team would be: Boruc Clyne - Fonte - Yoshida - Shaw Cork - Morgan Puncheon - Ramirez - Lallana Lambert Subs: K.Davis, Richardson, Hooiveld, S.Davis, Guly, Mayuka, Forren. On paper, possibly our strongest XI. I only dropped Hooiveld because I'd be concerned about him facing up to Loic Remy, who appears to be back to fitness. I'd have him on the pitch later in the game if we're winning narrowly and Samba gets hauled up front. Shaw back in the side if he's fit, if not it's gonna have to be Fox. I think Ramirez will thrive in a good atmosphere at St. Mary's and technically he's our most gifted player, I think him, Punch and Lallana could run rings around QPRs not so mobile centre backs.
Can't see Hooiveld keeping his place. Although he wasn't at fault for any of the goals he looked very shaky in the second half in particular. At least twice he got isolated on a straight sprint with Cisse, and almost lost the ball in our half through hesitation. Surely Forren or Fonte is going to come in
This has been one of the most diverse team line-up threads in a while. People are substituting Ramirez, Puncheon and Lallana, something some people wouldn’t have dreamed of doing at some points this season. Just shows how we’re starting to see quality competition for places in the squad.
