Assume everyone is fit. Who would you start with? (I wanted to start a less pretentious thread). Personally: Forster Bertrand Clyne Fonte Gardos Big Vic Scheiderlin Davis Mane Tadic Pelle Yes, I wouldn't start Toby or Jay.
I like the 4-2-3-1 formation, in which case I'd say... Forster; Clyne, Fonte, Alderweireld, Bertrand; Wanyama, Schneiderlin; Mané, Tadić, Rodriguez; Pellè.
Fonte and Gardos looked as if they'd played together superbly for years against Arsenal so, injuries aside, I'd start with that pairing. Clyne and Bertrand either side of them. Morgan and Victor holding. Pelle, Tadic, Mane and one other from SSDavis, Cork, or Long. And Forster, of course. Aside from the embarrassment of defensive riches, the 1st eleven is almost picking itself, due to a few injuries. The sub's bench takes a little more thought. SKD, two from these three again - SSDavis, Cork, or Long, Targett, Alderweireld [and/or Yoshida if fit] and any Academy chappies Koeman fancies to give a day with the first team squad. EDIT: Oh..! Assume everybody is fit..! Don't know. Where does Jay get in there..? JWP..? Sub's bench first, I'd say.
So the only obvious worries in the squad seem to be subs for Forster and Pelle (a hold up type striker as clearly Jay, Mane and Long could all cover there) And of all positions it will be these two that will be hardest to get people in for (as they will be obvious subs). It will be interesting to see how the new set up rates the development prospects of the younger keepers and Sam Gallagher Whether the answer becomes apparent in January or next summer remains to be seen...
I'm drooling at the mere thought of what Jay can do with the service from Tadić and Pellè.....If he returns with the same pace and timing of his runs of last season, then I can see him getting a bucket load of goals.
When Jay got injured the informed said he'd be back in October. Recently I heard January. Yesterday, I heard December. Any bids for November..?
Forster Clyne Fonte Alderweireld Bertrand Wanayama Schneiderlin JWP Tadic Pelle Rodriguez SUBS: k Davis, Targett, Gardos, Cork, Mane
I'm of the thought that CB pairing is so much more better with a left footer,. Forster Clyne fonte Gardos Bertrand Wanyama Morgan Davis Tadic Pelle Rodriguez Subs Davis Targett Alderwiereld Cork JWP Mane Long.
Talking to someone yesterday who suggested that Saints can afford in terms of Fair Play Regulations to spend another £20m in the January window, so the opportunity to strengthen remains. If we can get through December and still be in the mix then glory could beckon..
Personally we don't need any more investment in January. Much rather our effort went to tying down players to new contracts. Clyne, Cork, JWP and Rodriguez. Nice to know though
Surely if Gardos starts on the left, you'd have to play Alderweireld on the right? My first choices are Fonte and Alderweireld, but don't think we should drop the latter.
Forster Clyne Fonte Alderweireld Bertrand Davis Wanyama Schneiderlin Tadic Pelle Mane Gardos is right footed on transfermarkt and fifa. I think he is very strong on both feet? In the youtube videos he is dribbling with his right foot.
It's amazing all of our summer signings have been a resounding success so far. What were the chances for that to happen? I had my doubts about this season largely due to the fact that it's inevitable to make some bad signings (Mayuka, Forren, Osvaldo, Gaston to name a few), players that don't make an impact for whatever reason. But no, every player we bought made an improvement on our squad. Forster is amazing, Gardos and Toby are great CB's, Bertrand already has more goals and assists for us than Shaw in all of his career, Pelle is scoring wonder goals, Tadić is creating bucketload of chances, Mane already earned a penalty for us and has an assist to his name. Even Long is making a nuisance of himself. I've got to give credit to Les Reed and our scouting team, great job!
I think my choice would depend on who we were playing and where. Most of the debate for me is, once again, centre midfield and the fact that, like last year, it is Wanyama or Cork. If this question had been posed after Cork's goalscoring streak I suspect that Cork would have featured in most peoples' teams. Right now Wanyama is favourite. When we are in possession I'd rather have Cork but when the opposition have the ball I'd rather have Wanyama. Against Swansea I thought that Wanyama starting was the right decision, yesterday I would have gone with Cork. Generally though, I can't argue with the above. What a joy it is to even be having the debate. It means we have real choices and can change tactics as and when required.
___________Forster____________ _Clyne__ Fonte__Alderweireld__Bertrand _Ward-Prowse__ Wanyama__ Schneiderlin _____Tadic__Pelle__Mane________
