Very disappointing but I see little option but to play Fox. I think it is safe to predict we will give up at least one down his wing. Can we keep it to one and pick up two ourselves? I like the idea of Cork, VW, Morgan in the middle with Morgan forward. I think we need more DM to cover our defenders. With the travel I doubt Gaston and Maya even make the sub list. Lambert, JR, and Lallan up front.
Yay! Somebody else gets the idea that players have specific positions. Can we please stop talking about playing a Cb or CM at fullback. They are different positions and require different attributes. Fox is our second choice LB and like it or lump he will play. Unless we sign someone or targets gets bumped up.
With a fit squad I think we would try to beat a strong wba midfield: Boruc Clyne Maya lovren Shaw VW cork Morgan J rod Lallana RL If clynes back but no Shaw, chambers rb and Clyne lb. If both out chambers and unfortunately fox.
Interesting that alot on here are less affraid of playing Chambers than Fox playing, does that say alot for Chambers or alot for Fox ?
I think we're over reacting to Fox. He's had a couple of bad games but is still an experienced player at this level. Chambers is untested but bags of potential. If they both have to play so be it!
I think it's a case of knowing Fox and thinking that every youngster is the next Shaw or JWP. Two managers now have trusted Fox as an emergency back up, so he isn't good enough to be in the starting line up but is too good to warrant spending money on a sub.
Agreed Fran. We need to get behind Foxy when he plays as it can't help him when the crowd are on his back the minute he runs on the pitch At the end of the day he is a Saint and is doing his best
I won't get on Fox's back if he plays, but in my opinion he is the worst full back I have ever seen. Ever! It is all down to his (lack of) positional sense. Of course he can kick a ball and take good free kicks and corners, and of course he tries his best but where he positions himself on the pitch has cost us points time and time again. I would take anyone out of the academy ahead of him.
I am hoping that Guly has a good season this year. Have never been one to slate him, but just have a feeling he will step up this season, although he may be limited to coming on later in the game. If we don't sign another forward, he may get chances to play in his preferred position behind the main striker (when inevitable injuries set in).
Agree, would love to see the Guly of old getting a couple of goals every other game. I would worry if Ricky is injured and we just had J-Rod with Guly behind though. On a related note I thought Guly was given a 1 year extension on his contract last year- has he re-signed?
Guly was excellent on Saturday. Worked very hard. Pre Season seems to have had an impressive effect on the whole squad. I think we may well enjoy the next 9 months.
Fox is terrible defensively and will cost us points. Pochettino gave Fox quite a bit of unnecessary game time which would suggest that he has some faith in him which is worrying. And I would also have to question Targett's prospects if he isn't close to being better than fox at this stage. I would play clyne at leftback once he's fit (and shaw isn't) if Chambers looks like he can cope. Our system relies so much on our fullbacks that it would be handy to have 3 decent ones, I anticipate that Chambers will be able to cope with being a backup, an extended spell would be asking too much of him physically and mentally given the way we play.
Targett is only a kid...too much, too soon can make or break a player. Probably better to nurture some youngsters.
He isn't wholly responsible, obviously, but when Fox played the bulk of a match, we shipped more than half a goal more than we did otherwise. His experience notwithstanding, he is not a Premier League-calibre left back, and it doesn't bode well if we're facing a couple months of him starting.
