Rodriguez has hardly been poor he was responsible for our best chances and best defensive headers against West Ham, and he put in a good shift against Liverpool. Same team for me and Pochettino has been consistent with his team selection so I would be surprised if it wasn't. A huge part of Lallana and Rodriguez's role is to defend and they have both being doing this very well. I was so optimistic about Gaston last season but I have to doubt if he is going to come good with us, I still think he is just as talented but I'm not sure he'll stick around for much longer if he can't get into the current team on merit.
No, I'm with Lamballana on this one. Ramirez was marginally better in the first half, its true; he scored a great goal and made one superb lay-off. But for the rest of the game it was a mix of poor control, successful 5 yard sideways passes or unsuccessful attempts at anything more ambitious. The worst part of it for me was that he had a great opportunity here but it looked like he was just going through the motions. Based on this performance (repeat - for those who will be misconstruing what I said - based on this performance) he could be gone in January. The annoying thing is that he keeps showing glimpses as to how good he could be. Maybe he needs a run of games to give him confidence and belief but there is no one I would want to drop to give him this opportunity.
You do realise that Ramirez is rusty as hell right now? Wasn't it his first game of the season? He has been stepping up by doing extra training so proves he is ready to graft to get into the team.
Agreed. I don't really want to isolate Ramirez because none of them were brilliant. That said you could probably put any one of them in for Saturday and they'd do OK. Its always about his price tag I'm afraid. Does he want to be on the bench and do we want such an expensive player on the bench? When I say "we" I mean the management. It might be nice to have someone who you know has a bit of skill and can score a goal or two to bring off the bench but could that money be better utilised?
Um well as he is having extra training sessions I guess not. It proves he is hungry to prove himself if anything. Haven't heard of any one else doing it.
I desperately want Gaston to be a success here and was truly excited when we bought him but there have to be questions asked as to why he isn't a regular starter in Poch's side...It could be that he doesn't fit the high energy, pressing style of play and is less of a team player and more of an individual than the other players. I'll be amazed if Poch decides to change a team that has just won so impressively at Anfield, Gaston still remains a very useful 'impact' player to bring on if we need to unlock a tight defence with a piece of individual skill. The benefit of having JayRod and Adam on the wings is that their industry and defensive awareness allows Nat and Luke to bomb forward at will and cause problems for the oppo's defence.
Jay Rodriguez plays terrible defense, and his attacking has been mediocre at best. The difference is when Ramirez scores, it was "his one good touch the whole game," but when Rodriguez fails to score he still "created the best opportunity." That said, Rodriguez always puts in an effort and seems to be working dilligently (if somewhat fruitlessly thus far) to improve. I don't know about Ramirez as we haven't had a chance to see much of him but if MP really likes Rodriguez that much, then I'll trust him. The point is though, that Jay Rodriguez is playing because of his potential. If he doesn't improve fairly quickly, I think he'll be replaced in the starting lineup during the winter transfer period, if not by Ramirez sooner.
Boruc; Clyne, Fonte, Lovren, Shaw; Wanyama, Schneiderlin; Lallana; Lambert, Ward-Prowse Osvaldo Bench: Davis, Chambers, Yoshida, Cork, Ramirez, Rodriguez, S. Davis.
On the subject of Ramirez, and by judging from posters who saw him play before he signed for us, he wasn't that great in Serie A. However, he did show moments of brilliance and his high price tag was based on his potential, not based on what he's shown. If he wants to reach his potential then he needs a bit of catching up to do; he may only be 22 but he's not as good as the top players in Europe were at that age. Disappointed about Cork yesterday as I want him to get his place in the first team back. It's probably too late now, but in the early stages of the League Cup we could play mainly youth players who know each other and also as they're our best players in the cup, it seems (Reed, Chambers and Isgrove). Boruc Clyne Fonte Lovren Shaw Schneiderlin Wanyama Ramirez JWP Lallana Osvaldo Subs: Davis, Yoshida, Chambers, Cork, Davis, Rodriguez, Lambert.
What is noticeable is that he doesn't play that much for his country....however, perhaps he has massive competition for his position.
Boruc Clyne Fonte Lovren Shaw Schneiderlin Wanyama Lallana Davis Rodriguez Osvaldo That's what I'd play but I think Pochettino might play the same eleven as Liverpoool
I think JWP needs to play 2 assists last night to add to the Fonte goal against Sunderland. From the time he has been on the pitch, JWP has set up 3 out of the 4 goals that have been scored, Shaw getting the other after winning the penalty.
http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/ramirez-im-fighting-for-a-spot-1076686.aspx - may explain a thing or too.
