Just look at the bench. If we have to chase a winning goal (or equaliser) in the 2nd half, we'll have plenty of options.
Have fun those of you who are there. I'm actually quite stoked. 3-0 win for us with a Wanyama hat-trick.
Unusual, but can't say Ron isn't recognising the previous formation wasn't working defensively! I think it's good that he's not afraid to experiment when something clearly hasn't been working - sometimes I think managers get a bit too afraid to change things up in case it gets worse, but if you don't then you'll never manage to start fixing issues instead of working around them. Only issue I have with playing 3 centre backs is we're very thin in depth at centre back with the injuries, so if one of them gets injured we may have shot ourselves in the foot a bit. Still, hopefully that won't happen!
Sorry to see JWP loosing his place as we desperately need his dead ball delivery and Davis has not shown any form at all so far. What is it with RK and Davis? Doesn't seem to matter how poorly he plays, his place seems to be always safe. Oh well, seven man defence, might be able to stop us conceding but won't help us scoring though...scruffy 0-1 will do me
The only disappointment for me is JWP not playing. I thought he had one of his better games on Thurs plus his corners were causing real problems.
I'm one of Davis' biggest critics, but even I can't be disappointed with Ron going with him ahead of JWP. Given how much stick I have given to the likes of Seb Larsson in the past - players who can offer very little else on a football pitch other than a set piece delivery - it would be hypocritical of me to now call for us to play JWP just for that reason. And besides, it's not even like JWP's set pieces do actually lead to us scoring a lot of goals (directly or indirectly). It's just that everyone else's set pieces in our team, by and large, are not even of an acceptable standard.
To be fair Pochettino before him picked him every week, although his form was a lot more consistent under Pochettino. I think he may find it tougher this season especially if Ward-Prowse continues to show what he did this week and Clasie looks like he'll compete for the 3rd CM slot rather than 2nd DM.
Really defensive line up. 5 defenders and 2 DMs and Davis. Surprised. Mane and Pelle are going to need to be on top form with that line up. And Cedric will need to bomb forward at every opportunity.
It will be a 3-5-2 when attacking, with Targett and Soares getting up and down creating the width. Formation worked out well when we played it a few times last season.
And removes any need for Mane to have to put a defensive shift in. Formation should allow for him to attack the heart of Watford's defence. Over and over again.
People are reading far too much into the formation. Saints don't have a set formation and will use 2 or 3 centre backs depending on form and the opposition. You will see the formation - such that it is - change as the game develops. As someone else pointed out the wing backs will be under tremendous pressure to change their role when with and without possession. It has no bearing on how we will set up to play next week.
Obviously... It's still very defensive . You don't often see a team set up with five defenders, two DMs and a player like Davis if they play a back three.
It's only very defensive if we play with a back 5 and Cedric and Targett don't get forward. This formation worked to great effect at Palace last season and we scored 3 goals.
Slight difference. One DM and Bertrand against Palace. I would have preferred JWP over Romeu in this formation. Or at least over Davis.
