YOU are the manager. Ignore Koeman and who he likes (and doesn't like). Ignore who Koeman has and hasn't liked since taking over. You are the manager for the next game. You pick the side. I'm interested to see what sort of sides people would play if they were the actual manager for the next game. My side: -----------------Long -------Tadic--Ramirez-Mane ------------Reed---Wanyama -Bertrand-Yoshida-Fonte-Soares ----------------Gazzaniga Bench: Stekelenburg, Targett, Romeu, Van Dijk, Davis, Clasie, Pelle I'd be giving instructions specifically to Bertrand not to bomb forward so much. I'd be looking for a slower build up, for the side to keep control of the game and the ball better (easier said than done against Arsenal). Not to force crosses so much. The DM's to stay in position, focusing purely on keeping it simple, feeding the ball to the attackers and protecting the back four. My reasoning for Reed, Ramirez, Yoshida? Reed was great when he's had chances. His energy seemed to rub off well on the team. VVD and Fonte look a shambles lately. I'd like to see Yoshida get a chance in his actual position for once, in a back four. Ramirez has had good end product in the Saints shirt, when he's had chances. And I think Ramirez' work rate was under-rated. Pelle gets rested (knee) and Long comes in (who has statistically comfortably better end product than Pelle anyway) For Koeman since Ramirez and Reed are out the equation I'd like to see Yoshida in for VVD, Romeu for Clasie. Clasie in front of the DM's that some have mentioned isn't a bad idea. I'd prefer Romeu over Davis as a DM next to Wanyama personally. Yoshida in for Fonte or VVD is an option for Koeman. Reverting to 4-4-2 with Long and Mane up top is an option. But this isn't about the side for the next game for Koeman. It's about if I, or you, were manager.
-----------------Godders -------Tadic--DTLW-Mane ------------Reed---Wanyama -Chilco-FatLeTiss-My Dad-Laces ----------------Gazzaniga
Agreed with all, but would have Van dyk at cb and would celebrate the Ramirez winner assisted by Reed
Gazza Cedric VVD Fonte Yoshida Targett Reed JWP Romeu Mane Juanmi Long Subs: Davis, Bertrand, Davis, Wanyama, Tadic, Pelle and Seager
I take it I'm not the only one who hasn't been impressed with Wanyama just recently (today I thought he was one of our three worst players, alongside the two CBs)? Given how desperate so many people suddenly seem to be to get Reed into the team, I'm surprised at how many are sticking with Vic (not just on this thread). Any team other than Arsenal up next, and I'd be dropping Vic (probably for Romeu). But Arsenal's central midfield can be bullied, and when Vic is on form there are not many better at bullying.
Wanyama tends to good against Arsenal. Wanyama's not at fault for the back four being at sixes and sevens from the first kick off the game. Wanyama made 7 tackles today and 4 interceptions, that's a good return for a DM against anyone. He's a very good ball winner. I thought he played well personally. High passing completion too. Both centre backs were very poor. Cedric and Bertrand were very poor defensively, although good going forward. The attack has no end product at the moment. I think Reed and Wanyama is a good combination personally. They compliment each other well imo. Both very good ball winners. Speaking of being good against Arsenal..Gaston scored and had a goal incorrectly disallowed against Arsenal in the past in the same game at St Mary's. Yes, a long time ago. But he's not had that many chances since..
Hmm.. ...good points... Managed to confuse myself thinking about 3 centre backs. So drop Yosh to bench. Add Ramirez - rest Pelle and Wanyama completely.
Gazzaniga Cedric - VVD - Yoshida - Targett Romeu - Clasie Mane --- Juanmi --- Bertrand Long We'd probably get stuffed, but we'll probably get stuffed anyway. Would be a combination rest/boot to the arse for some of the ever-present players who haven't been in their best form, though.
.Mane. Tadic. Long Clasie Vic. Romeu Bertrand. VvD. Jose/Maya Cedric Gazza Reed Maya/Jose Davis S Ramirez JWP Pelle Davis K