I'd add Cork right now. We missed his energy second half. I also think that Jayrod will continue to go from strength to strength.
Surely who we buy in the summer will effect where we may finish. After today we definitely need to strengthen the centre backs and possibly bulk the squad out in general!
I would agree with you if we do not buy a top quality DM in the summer, if we do then Cork will be the one making the subs bench not Morgan
Who we sign and how well/quickly they adapt will be everything to where we finish. If we were to go into next season with a new CB who has settled almost instantly then I reckon we can finish about 10th
^ whs We currently have virtually zero competition for places in the squad which just isn't healthy when the system we play involves the players putting huge effort in for 90 mins. The team picks itself, even more so with the 2 suspensions kicking in. Buy better than what we have over the summer and make our established players have to fight tooth and nail to play, that's when sustained progress will emerge.
I have been saying that. Our team virtually picks itself because of lack of real quality in depth. Our style of play increases the chances of players becoming jaded or injured. We will be fine this season (though LB now a problem), but next season will be an issue if we play the style Mauricio favours from the start.
Lallana, Ramirez, Davis, Puncheon, and to a lesser extent Guly and Mayuka were all competing for 2 positions. Hooiveld, Forren and Fonte are also competing for a starting birth I feel. If we sign a very good rightback, winger, and centre mid we will have competition for every outfield position. Even without signings the natural improvement of the squad will provide enough competition I feel. If Targett, JWP, Seagar and Chambers are deemed ready for the premier league I would rather see them compete for a place than anyone else. I don't think Pochettino's style is going to wear out grown men, maybe shaw but when you have the best sports science and a 7-14 day break there isn't going to be any fatigue come match day. Furthermore we will have a pochettino pre-season to iron out any physical flaws.
I agree with this however I'll add that we still need better quality at CB and maybe a LB depending on Targett's progress. I'd also like another CF too.
We have the nucleus of a very good squad, and I really don't think it's realistic to expect too many additions over the summer. Anyone we buy has to be as good as we've got, and we've got good players in all positions. Real shame we missed out on Coutinho. A signing of similar calibre, if there is one available, and a defensive midfielder as cover for Cork and Spiderman but certainly not as replacement for either, and we're good to go. We won't be challenging for a top four spot next season though, that's a fantasy. Top half should be our target.
If we get a good winger in we will be able to play Rodriguez as a striker whenever we want to. I think 3 frontline CFs would be too much when there is really only one role for a CF. I would rather see us sign 2 wingers before a CF, Rodriguez and Lambert are about the best we can get. Even if we wanted to improve on them we would be risking 15 mil+ I reckon. And if we get a good rightback in we will be able to switch clyne to the left as he has played well there and considers himself to be able on both sides. I would love a top class CB, for some reason I think we will struggle to get a real top of the line quick cb but we should be able to get a a reasonable improvement in.
However, the red card for Fox and the injury for Shaw show that you do need cover in these positions. Where would we be if this happened to JRod and Ricky...need equal quality players all fighting to be in the match day team.
The one thing that I think Saints lack is impact off the bench. I remember reading a while ago that we've scored four goals from subs and I don't think that number has changed. Based on our starting team 11, the players who didn't feature who I feel are good enough cover are Ramirez, Puncheon, Fonte and Davis (not many teams have two top goalies, he'll do for now). So that means that we need a new RB and a new LB, depending on Targett's progress, as well as a new striker. Our two decent strikers are both needed to start, meaning we haven't got an impact striker, someone in the mould of Le Fondre or Hernandez; Mayuka could be that person but it's hard to call if he will improve. I think that JWP could do with a short loan to the Championship at the start of the season, I think he has the quality but also needs a bit more game time. Being greedy, we could do with a pacey winger to come off the bench. Lens? Ince?
