In March Fraser Forster was injured with a broken kneecap but is now recovering well

I actually felt sorry for him. I was a nice lad at the time who had a horrific debut as a kid when Shilts was injured. 7-0 I think at Goodison.

 

Fraser not involved in U21's tonight, setback or ready for Wednesday?

 

Hopefully the latter...

 

Hopefully neither.

 

May be just too soon after the Chelsea game.

 

Chap in the row in front of me knows two of the physios at Staplewood and they told him they thought it was one of the worst injuries they'd ever seen a player recover from. If so then all praise their team and Fraser for dogged pursuit of a return to fitness.

Vin

 

As the video shows, it's a rare injury, so they were being a bit experimental. Well done to them and to Frazer.

 

I love the bit towards the end when they ask him about waving to the crowd

 

We would have played him earlier if we knew he would have so little to do. A cardboard cut out of Fraser should be used if he has to miss a game in the future.

 

Top man.

 

Amazing that our improved form, especially in defence, has coincided with FF return even though he hasn't had to save many shots but it appears the defence is far more confident now

 

Going to three at the back has also helped,

 

Specifically, playing Bertrand as third CB and swapping Jose and Virgil around was a stroke of genius as it solved a number of problems in one fell swoop.

 

Steven Caulker's exit to Liverpool was a temptation gone for Koeman, although I think he was finding it much easier to resist as time went on. Koeman said he swapped to 3 CBs last season at some point when form needed turning round. Back then he put Maya into the 3 and it worked, but putting Ryan into the left slot this time has been inspired, and proof that Bertrand is a fantastic defender as well as a very capable left-sided midfielder.

I jokingly mentioned on another thread that I'd accept £30M + Luke Shaw. It was a joke. I'd want a lot more.

 

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/sa..._piles_praise_on_Southampton_defence/?ref=rss

Forster praising the defence which means he has had to make 2 saves in 3 games since his return. Bit of a chicken and egg situation here...the defence is better, but is it better because having Forster makes the style change possible and give the defence confidence. Last season Forster had a very good record, but was also exposed to very few shots. Not that Stek was actually peppered with shots, but sadly one too many in some games .

Forster refers to the defence as Bertie, Jose and Virg....sounds like a group of muppets (luckily they are not ).

 

Very kind too of Stek to coincide his own injury with FF's return.