Why does appear Martin appear to have jumped the queue on here? He's only made a handful of L1 appearances, so I hardly think that qualifies him to start our opening Championship match vs Leeds. Even allowing for Jaidi's lack of pace, Seaborne has always been the next in line under Adkins. I really can't see that changing. I personally would have Jaidi without a seconds thought. Adkins may go Jaidi, or may go Seaborne. But Martin just doesn't come into it. Not yet any way.
Yeah I was thinking that, especially with Jaidi's lack of pace, but I'm not entirely convinced that Martin or Seabourne is ready to step up yet.
Yes I agree. Seaborne just seems to be unpopular, which is a shame because I think he will play a lot of games next season.
But that's one of my points. Does Adkins rate him? Or more precisely, does Adkins rate him above Seaborne? I don't think so. As SH rightly says, Seaborne just appears to be unpopular. But I will happily go on record now and say Seaborne will play more games than Martin this season.
To be fair, I think Pardew rated him more. He seemed to feature on the bench and in first team games more from memory, although these were in games when we had little to play for. I think some fans always want a scapegoat, and once Puncheon left, it was Seaborne's turn. I don't think he's too bad but I wouldn't want him playing 20 + games in the Championship. Both martin and Seaborne have showed they are capable and they're both still at an age of which they can develop further and both performed well against experienced strikers in Ormerod and Euell against Blackpool in January. They're good squad players, that's for sure.
It's clear to me that Adkins does rate him, having given him a new 3-year contract untill 2014 and the way he spoke about Martin when he played was also positive stuff
I agree with the back line but would have Snider in for Hammond and Barny in for Connolly for home games but for away games replace Barny with Guly and play 4-4-1-1 to boost the midfield
Slight difference though between long-term and short-term thinking. In my mind, we'd have been stupid not to give Martin a new contract. He could be a top centre-back in the future. But that doesn't mean you chuck him in at the deep end, by getting promoted and suddenly promoting him from 4th choice CB to 2nd choice CB. I still completely believe that Martin is behind Jaidi and Seaborne in Adkins' pecking order (remember Adkins also gave Jaidi a new contract this summer, and I think Jaidi would be on quite a bit more than Martin). The interesting thing, assuming we don't sign a new CB, is whether or not Adkins promotes Seaborne ahead of Jaidi. I don't want him to (I want to give Jaidi some games first, just to see if he can produce the sort of form at this level that he showed in L1), but my gut feeling is that Seaborne will get the nod.
Davis Butterfield, Jaidi, Fonte, Dickson Chamberlain, Cork, Hammond, Lallana Lambert, Barnard Subs - Bart, Seaborne, Harding, Guly, Connolly, Schneiderlin, Chaplow Fitness & transfers pending this is my prediction for Adkins 1st eleven against Leeds and unless I see a lean towards another formation in the forthcoming friendlies I think we'll stick with 4-4-2 as 1st choice. I think the size of the squad is right and it's up to everyone to prove they can cut it in the championship. Barnard is 1st choice for me as Rickies partner. He has great movement up top, holds the ball up well and gets in defenders faces and wins free kicks. If needed Guly & Connolly can make an impact from the bench as they have a little more class on the ball. Guly can also play out wide which is why Holmes & Forte have not made my bench.
Saints 1st Half Team: Davis. Richardson, Fonte (c), Seaborne, Dickson. Chamberlain, Cork, Schneiderlin, Lallana. Guly, Lambert That's the first half team for tonights game - Looks like that's what Adkins see's as our strongest line up. Also Harding isn't playing at all tonight, and wasn't in that photo earlier?
Interesting that today's 1st half team is: Davis. Richardson, Fonte (c), Seaborne, Dickson. Chamberlain, Cork, Schneiderlin, Lallana. Guly, Lambert I wouldn't be surprised in the slighest if that XI started against Leeds. Indeed, depending on how Jaidi finds life in the Championship, I might well say that that is my favourite XI. (Though Guly vs Barnard vs Connolly is a very tough shout).
Originally Posted by st_brendy Why does appear Martin appear to have jumped the queue on here? He's only made a handful of L1 appearances, so I hardly think that qualifies him to start our opening Championship match vs Leeds. Even allowing for Jaidi's lack of pace, Seaborne has always been the next in line under Adkins. I really can't see that changing. I personally would have Jaidi without a seconds thought. Adkins may go Jaidi, or may go Seaborne. But Martin just doesn't come into it. Not yet any way. Got to agree with you st_brendy. I don't understand how this has happened either as you have said in other posts Martin to jump from 4th choice to First choice over Jaidi & Seabourne is strange. As you have said " Martin just doesn't come into it, Not yet anyway" Think this remark is spot on. Personally think Jaidi & Seabourne are ahead of Martin and so does Adkins think this. He has proved this last season as Martin would of featured more if Adkins thought Martin was better than the other 2. It was clear if Jaidi or Seaborne were fully fit then Martin as 4th choice didn't even feature on the bench. Can't see him walking into the team ahead of the other 2.
Think this could be the starting 11. Great line up sounds like Adkins was pleased with the first team at Gallen. This seems the strongest team he put out. Although I would be torn between Connolly or Barnard starting. Also sorry will be probably be heavily debated but I am a Harding fan so would start him.
