thought the midfield were excellent today, Ramirez's best game so far and showed what some of us knew he could do. Livermore stepped out of huddlestones shadow and showed he can still play. The whole midfield got about the pitch without thudd slowing the game/team down. Tom would be getting splinters on the bench for me.
I wouldn't be against huddlestone taking a long spell on the bench at all! Our team is suited to in your face get at them style with quick attacking football and unfortunately Tom doesn't allow us to do that as he slows the game down to much. And because of that we are then left in a position were yes we have good possession but we are left needing the sort of end ball to unlock a defence that our team isn't capable of. Without him we are quick to attack and we catch teams out of position
Ramirez got stuck in and applied himself more today. Hernandez did for his goal too but didn't do it enough overall. If they can both keep getting stuck in and battling for balls they could be good.
We seriously need to keep the team we had today Then if we can instill the same work ethic we had today We might just scrape it
Not done enough for me certainly not for the amount of money Southampton would want , ps can we get him to practice taking corners
Worth bearing in mind that Tom Huddlestone looked like he was getting back to his best form in the Sunderland game. For me, at the moment, Ramirez and Livermore must start and it's between Meyler and Huddlestone for the third birth in midfield. I really liked Ramirez's technical ability right from day one and would be delighted if we signed him permanently (if we stay up of course). However, Soton paid £10m for him so negotiations on the fee might be very difficult.
yeah.. hmm there could be someone cheaper out there. (they may want some of their cash back, from what we screwed out of them for Shane Long)
I don't think Southampton will expect to recover their outlay, he's obviously surplus to requirements and they will probably be looking at improving anyway. That said, he's changed as a player so much since his arrival, he's far more physical/less lightweight and looks like a player suited to English football. The player that arrived was like a limp beanpole that you could blow over by farting on. Saints will obviously have seen his progression and may have a place for him in their squad. He was excellent today and I think that's only the first or second time he's played in his proper role behind the striker with wingers either side of him, just look what happens when you play players in a position and system that suits their style and ability. Definite must buy for me though assuming we stay up and they'll sell. Even if he does cost £10m; we may get an equally skilful player from abroad for slightly less but then there's the will he/won't he, potential settling in period and the gelling. Gaston is a ready made fit to hit the ground running. Whether that costs an extra £3m it's worth it. Can't put a price on continuity. Unless we plan on carrying on with the 5-3-2.
I think Ramirez was outstanding today. Saints I believe actually paid £12m to £12.5m for Ramirez. I'd like City to sign him, if they could get him for £6m. Then for the Summer a first choice keeper and another striker. Goals win games and four decent strikers at the club help to cover injuries, suspensions and loss of form. Pretty pleased with N'Doye, Hernandez and Jelavić. I think they are 3 decent strikers for this league.
reckon Kasper will stick with Lesster WHEN they go down? we COULD offer him European football in a few seasons time. Question is, would he like to progress his career?
Livermore definitely looks better when Huddlestone isn't playing, he raises his game considerably. I suspect £6m would get Ramirez, unless someone decent in Spain comes in for him.
Id drop huddlestone for remainder of season, we've looked so much better without him in the team. Im afraid. And with diame coming backz id like to see livermore,diame and ramirez in midfield, ramirez eas fantastic today
Huddlestone eventually has a good game but it just doesn't happen often enough, we need a more consistent and reliable player in the middle.
I agree, Huddlestone was probably one of our best players against Leicester and Sunderland, not only was he getting stuck in but he was dictating the game, he might be slow but by hell he can pick out a pass. Meyler shouldn't be in the team, the fact that people are thinking we should stick with him when Tom comes back in are crazy, Meyler's distribution consists of passing it 3 metres to the nearest person, he's about as technical as a pissed up 60-year old man with two left feet on crutches. We have Livermore in there to graft and scrap as he does most of the time, Ramirez to pick out the pass in the final third and Huddlestone to dictate the game/protect the defence.
