Yeah, this time last year Yan looked like the solution to our RB problem. Hard to know why he hasn’t progressed as we’d hoped, but he’s still young. In truth it’s not a bad position to be in, having an experienced pro and a promising youngster as our two RB options. Personally I wish we still hadTargett pushing for Bertrand’s place.
Cedric really worries me. He exposes the already shaky CB's far too often. Wish I knew what the solution is, but we just need to plod on. And hope. God that makes the last few minutes unbearable.
Cedric has his limitations, but he’s a decent PL standard RB. No one player is the cause of our defensive frailties, that’s a collective problem imo. The last few minutes of any game where Saints have a one goal lead will always be unbearable.
Officials update. Wednesday 4th December 2019 19:30 KO Referee: Kevin Friend. Assistants: Mark Scholes, Adrian Holmes. Fourth official: Lee Swabey. VAR: Simon Hooper. Assistant VAR: Andy Garratt.
It's ridiculous that the starting back four and substitute CB are with players that have been here for the past three seasons when it has been patently obvious that this is the weak link in the team. We still haven't replaced Jose let alone Van Dick and will always ship cheap goals as a result which is shown in the negative GD and only 2 clean sheets in the PL all season. If we don't splash the cash on an experienced International CB in January we face a struggle no matter how well the team might play going forward.
Problem is, no-one is going to want to sell an international CB in January ... let alone trying to convince an international CB to join a relegation battle in January.
I'd settle for a loan from a big club anywhere as long as he is not a crock like that one we got from Juve a couple of years ago, Caceres?
He was poor on Saturday and played a lot deeper than usual, his passing was safe and ponderous and his set piece delivery (goal apart) was way below his usual standard, he also gave away crucial possession too. Can only hope that that superb goal fosters some self belief and he goes on a run of form similar to the second half of last season.
Regards CBs and defence in general, I’m not sure the problem is entirely down to personnel. It looks like something to do with the way the whole team is being coached to defend, and I’m not pointing any fingers at Ralph because it’s been that way for a while. If we do get someone in in January, he needs to be a proven leader because that is something else we lack.
I think we should really go for Norwich, we can't defend so lets attack. Watching them yesterday, they do play out from the back but aren't very good at it so lets do the high press: McCarthy Valery-Bedders-Stephens-Bertie JWP - PEH Dejenpo- Boufal- Redders Ings
Liking that team but swap Boufal with Redders (or Stuey/JWP bringing Oriol in behind) in the hole behind Danny. I would replace Jack with Maya too but i'm not sure that Ralph will. Boufal has to play wide as he is great at getting to the byline as is Djenepo.
Totally agree but it is nonetheless frustrating when the chance of a quick break is wasted by a player doing a 180 toward his own goal and passing back. I didn't boo on Saturday. I've never booed. But I did let out a slight groan on the third occasion in as many minutes. If the players hear a collective groan (which was quite audible at times) then they should realise they're not doing what is expected of them. Face forward and use their pace - that's all I ask.
Same here. I think we should remember that Ralph said last year we needed a complete rebuild in the summer. In reality we are playing with exactly the same group of players other than Djenepo. There are reasons why the rebuild didn't take place which I fully accept (wages too high, contracts too long...etc) but Ralph should not be judged until he's got a few of his own players in and that includes a decent back up RB.