Agreed. Almost exactly whatt I would have written. No player will be an automatic starter.
Summer 2013 Transfer Rumour Thread
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Agreed. Almost exactly whatt I would have written. No player will be an automatic starter.
I love Cork and for me he was probably the third best player last season after Morgan and Rickie, but the fact is that he is fairly technically limited, he's not the biggest, he's not the fastest, he's not the best passer, or tackler, or dribbler, or shooter (haha). What he is, is incredibly hard working, determined and tactically aware, not to mention versatile, he does a lot of things well but doesn't stand out in any regard, this makes him very valuable to us but the fact remains that he (like everyone else) can be improved upon, but he more so than some others.
It would allow us to rotate a lot more, and he's also the perfect substitute as he's so versatile and it would allow us to make much better defensive substitutions, for example we could bring him on for the CAM in our 4-2-3-1 and revert to a 4-3-3 with for example (a very optimistic example) him, Morgan and Wanyama, there is enough ball playing ability there to get by but it would also make us very very solid.
It would allow us to rotate a lot more, and he's also the perfect substitute as he's so versatile and it would allow us to make much better defensive substitutions, for example we could bring him on for the CAM in our 4-2-3-1 and revert to a 4-3-3 with for example (a very optimistic example) him, Morgan and Wanyama, there is enough ball playing ability there to get by but it would also make us very very solid.
Doing him a little dis-service there Mikey. Corkie has lots to over. He just keeps it oh so nice and simple.
Don't get me wrong FLT, I do think he has a lot to offer, like I said, he does a lot of things well and he is very valuable to us because of that, but when you break him down he is kind of your classic jack-of-all-trades, he doesn't stand out in any particular area technically (he does mentally), he doesn't take hold of a game he just manages it. These are valuable skills in the right circumstances and will continue to be value for us, but someone like Wanyama would be a step-up. I think with the chaos that was our defence when he came in, we needed someone exactly like Cork to come in and steady the ship and solidify us, keep things simple and shield the back four, but moving forward we should be building a defence that is capable in it's own right and doesn't need that kind of baby-sitting. As I said I think he would be a very valuable squad player and substitute, I could still see him starting 10+ games and featuring as a sub more often than not, but I think a powerhouse like Wanyama or a very technically gifted player like Nainggolan would give us an edge that Cork doesn't.
For those that didn't know you can see James Ward-Prowse play against Gonzalo Bueno in a friendly this Sunday before the World Cup starts...that's if both players play of course! 
Agreed, and his understanding and partnership with Morgan, makes him and Morgan better players IMO and we throw that away at our peril. Their partnership is essential to our high pressing game and allows the more creative licence to create higher up the pitch. Corky's ability on the ball is underrated, he is very neat and tidy and his passing is accurate.
I don't understand why people are so against dropping Cork. I love him as much as everyone else, but it's incredibly narrow-minded to suggest that even if we sign someone like Wanyama or Nainggolan they can play backup to Corky.
People don't like change, I like Cork and think he is a good player. To achieve what Cortese wants to achieve people will have to realise that some players that were in the first team one season won't be the next. They also need to realise a few players we have grown close to won't be here next season. It's all part of how the club is now run.
Aren't we moving toward a squad that rotates to keep them fresh? Nobody works harder than Morgan and corky. New signings would ease the pressure a bit. Plus, you can expect JWP to playa much bigger part this year.
All the stats suggest that the Cork/Morgan partnership were one of the most effective in the Premier League and it's my opinion that Corky brings the best out of Morgan but we will wait and see who will come in to add competition in CM...One thing is certain JWP won't like being pushed further down the pecking order.
I guess some people are against change, even if it does help the club progress.
I think a few people need to snap out of this simplistic idea that we have a best XI which will always be our go-to lineup if everyone's fit. Different games call for different kinds of players, and as good as the Cork/Schneiderlin pairing has been, that doesn't mean it ticks every box. Both Wanyama and Nainggolan offer height and strength, which are things we've perhaps been lacking in the middle. Wanyama can also play at CB, where we all know we're lacking in quality, and Nainggolan can play in the AMC role or even out wide, so both players would bring new options to the team and a multitude of different ways we could set up. Perhaps signing one of these players would mean that Cork starts 15-20 games in a season, rather than all 38, or perhaps Cork, Schneiderlin and the new guy could all be played together while Ramirez plays out wide or drops to the bench.
Options, people. They're important.
Options, people. They're important.
I'm not against dropping him and agree with mikeys follow up; just saying that he is underrated. A powerhouse or a real playmaker would be awesome. I said last year that some of our heroes will be dropped this year and will have to be to progress
The fact that Cork, one of our best players last season, could easily be dropped shows our ambition. Only Boruc, the full-backs and Morgan are effectively guarenteed first team football next season.
No-one is guaranteed first team football.
We definitely need to sign another holding midfielder so we've got three players competing for two positions but Jack would be well up for that contest. It's what managers of top teams refer to as a "nice problem to have". Don't assume he will be the one that loses out. And, of course, the right pairing will differ over time depending on form and opposition. Plus, at the moment if Jack or Morgan gets an injury we are in serious trouble (as evidenced by the start of last season).
I also don't agree that Morgan was better than Jack last season. That may be the commonly held view but that doesn't make it right. I don't expect anyone to agree with me but I don't care.
We definitely need to sign another holding midfielder so we've got three players competing for two positions but Jack would be well up for that contest. It's what managers of top teams refer to as a "nice problem to have". Don't assume he will be the one that loses out. And, of course, the right pairing will differ over time depending on form and opposition. Plus, at the moment if Jack or Morgan gets an injury we are in serious trouble (as evidenced by the start of last season).
I also don't agree that Morgan was better than Jack last season. That may be the commonly held view but that doesn't make it right. I don't expect anyone to agree with me but I don't care.
Totally agree with all of this, we need more options especially when playing against physical, strong teams.
Put it this way, AT, I don't disagree that Jack was a vital part of the partnership and was, as you say, sorely missed at the start of the season. Morgan has the more impressive stats in terms of passing, interceptions, tackles, and kilometres run, but he was freed up to play that role by Cork's more holding role alongside him. Morgan had the more glamorous side of the central midfield but Jack was equally important.
Just wandered onto Saints Web: Tadanari has turned down a move to Tokyo due to dissatisfaction with playing time, Hooper may be going to Reading, and Lovren is expected to sign soon (whether soon is what everyone else means by soon or is a Saints soon is unclear).
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