Maybe you are right. I'm not a fan of squad rotation for the sake of it which is what some teams appear to do. But if its applied thoughtfully, looking at the opposition, the conditions etc, then it has its place.
Rotation will be key next season. We have more than enough competition for most places and a little rotation may be key to give us strategic options.
Davis Fox, Hoiveld, Fonte, Richardson Davis, JWP, Ramirez De Ridder, Mayuka, Barnard This will be our cup team.
----------------Boruc -Clyne---Lovren/Wanyama---Yoshida---Shaw ------Wanyama/Cork-Schneiderlin -Puncheon-----Davis/Ramirez----Rodriguez ---------------Lambert(c) No mention of Puncheon at all? Have I missed something?
At the very least, we'll need him in January if Victor is away and that's if Victor has kept him out the team. We may play Victor, Corkie and Morgan.
Frazer Richardson isn't a Southampton player and Pochettino has said he is looking to get rid of Barnard and De Ridder so I doubt they'll be used in the cup.
Also he's indicated he'll be taking the cups seriously so I wouldn't be surprised to see a few more first-teamers involved this season, and as others have said, with more competition for places we should be able to be more competitive in the cups.
Personally I'd like to see us give the FA Cup a proper go and just let the youngsters handle the League Cup. I care so little for that competition that I often don't even watch our games.
I want new players, but also want to play all our old team as well. OK, if the ref can't count. The main thing is having options, either starting or coming on from the bench. Some players, such as Puncheon and Davis, will obviously play fewer games than others, but they will have every incentive to shine when they get the chance. Competition in training and on matchdays will benefit everyone. I hope Mauricio treats the cups seriously...we are the type of team that should do well.
Dream:4-5-1 Boruc Clyne-Lovren-Forren-Shaw Ramirez-Wanyama-Banega-Schneiderlin-JRod/Lallana Damiao/Osvaldo What will actually happen: Boruc Clyne-Lovren-Forren-Shaw Schneiderlin-Wanyama Puncheon-Ramirez/Davis-Lallana/JRod Lambert/Damiao Sad really
Just to mix it up I'll propose a 442, which is a possibility Boruc Clyne forren lovren Shaw Gaston wanyama schneiderlin Lallana Rod lambert
Interesting how many people are putting Forren in when presumably no one has seen him play? I guess with his fee he will have something about him but I think we'll have to wait and see what he's like.
For me; Boruc Clyne - Lovren - Forren/maya - Shaw Schneiderlin - Wanyama - Cork Ramirez - Lallana/New winger Lambert/JRod With a new winger, I think top 8 is possible.
