Article: Who is good enough for the Prem? | Football Southampton

I've higlighted the two I disagree with most. I think Fox would fare very well at Premiership level. He was probably one of Burnley's
more promising aspects in their bid to stay in the Premiership a few years ago.

Bialkowski is still young enough and is already an immense keeper on a good day imo. I have ever confidence in him being preened into an established Premiership keeper. He will hopefully be the next Reina or Cech.

 

Fox, Schneiderlin, Lallana, Cork and possibly Lambert, that is litirally it.

 

I have no real idea, Lala and Lambert for sure, of the others? Pass.

 

Lots of people saying that Fonte, Hooiveld, Cork and Schneiderlin are good enough. I agree that they are good players, but we've shipped far too many goals this year and I think the spine of the team plays a role in that. So, what I mean is that surely one/two of these four could do with being replaced by prem class if we were to go up..

 

I have decided I am not good enough to support a team in the top flight. I much prefer watching the honest professionals in the lower leagues than the overpaid diving nancies of the Premiership, so I may have to put myself on the market if we go up.

 

Kelvin - Richardson - Fox - Fonte - Jos - Lallana - Lambert - Sharp

 

2 months ago I would have said they would be fine in the prem (Fonte though has struggled with fitness and form this season though) I hope in 2 months time I will be thinking the same again

 

I think Lallana, Fonte, Fox, Morgan, Sharp and Lambert and possibly Cork. Look at the way Grant Holt is performing, i sure Lambert can do the same. Morgan will be given more time and the pitches will be better. His game against Man U in the cup last season was one of the best games i have seen him play. I feel Davis, Jos, Frazier, De Ridder, Hammond, Chaplow, Martin and possibly Puncheon and Guly will be ok back up. I feel sorry for Bart as if we go up we will need an experienced pair of hands between the sticks that is better than Davis so i think we will be moved on. I would keep the youngsters too. But the rest i would let go.

 

Would expect Kelv to take a much more back-seat role if we get promoted, with a new keeper coming in + Bart as back up. Confident in Fonte, Hooiveld, Cork, Schneiderlin, Lallana, Lambert, Sharp. Those who can do a job; Richardson, Fox, Hammond, Chaplow, Punch. Don't know about De Ridder, he may thrive and can't cast judgement on Lee.

 

Players shouldn't be taken in isolation...Is Saints prem-ready? Some players can be not quite Premiership level but are an integral part of a team that is. Others are prem-quality but are never in the right team to shine (Lambert anyone?).

 

Good enough to start: Fonte; Fox; Puncheon; Morg; Cork; Lallana; Guly; Lambert
Good back up: Davis; Frazer; Hooiveld; Hammond; Chaplow; Sharp;

Not good enough: The rest

Can't judge Lee.

 

Wow, my 1st article!

 

Fonte hasn't been the same this season, so I have my doubts. Yes he has had a injury etc, so I am willing to be proved wrong.

 

Fonte, Hooiveld, Fox, Puncheon, Cork, Schneiderlin, Chaplow, Lallana, Guly, Sharp, Lee and Lambert are the only one's I'd have full confidence in being able to step up to the challenge of playing Premiership football week in week out.

Davis, Richardson, Bialkowski, Hamomond, Martin* and De Ridder would be adequate cover, whilst Harding will be kept as back up too (much to my disappointment)

That's 19 players who I think will be in our 25 man squad if and when we get there - leaving 6 spaces vacant for new players.

Barnard, Dickson, Forte and Seaborne won't make it and will probably be sold in the summer and I also don't think Connolly, Butterfield, Jaidi or Holmes will be offered new contracts.

*Martin may well develop into a top Premier League player one day, but a starter? Not just yet!

 

Definitely good enough: Lambert, Hoovield
Probably good enough: Lallana, Richardson, Cork.

Unsure: Davis, Fonte, Fox, Hammond, Morgan, Chaplow, Guly, Sharp, Lee, Martin, Reeves

Not good enough: Bialkowski, Harding, Butterfield, Puncheon, Connolly, Barnard, De Ridder, Holmes etc.

I still feel happy about the squad. If Adkins can be flexible and get his tactics right game to game I can see us avoiding relegation if we get there.

 

We appear to have moved forward in my view by the signing of Sharp and Lee. Although both untried at a higher level I believe both to be more than capable to holding their own in the premier league as will Lambert. Hoover should be ok and probably Cork, Richardson and Fox......Doubts for me at the moment are Guly, Spider and sorry to say Lallana, Fonte and Hammond . Reeves and Martin remain good prospects as does a couple of other youngsters. The rest I'm sorry to say will not in my view make the cut as they say. Talk about sticking my neck out, but there you are that is my view at the moment.

 

Why are people saying Lee? He has barely played in England so we still don't know if he is even good enough for the Championship yet

 

Our opinions are based on what we have seen of Lee so far also the fact he is a full international for Japan. Not to mention several times I have seen him during some of those internationals on TV. Most notably the game against Australia. I have no Idea how he is going to adapt to the English game. My gut feeling is he will adjust well. If you think about it he is one player in our squad that actually has played at a higher level than the Championship and certainly higher than the Premier. There is at this moment no rhyme or reason why he should not be good for us!

 

I don't think we signed anybody in Jan. if they weren't good enough for the Prem - plus Lee is a full japan international and from what we have seen, looks good with lots of promise

 

Good enough: Lallana, Lambert, Fox, Cork, Puncheon, Hooiveld
Probably good enough: Richardson, Hammond, Schneiderlin, Fonte

Jury's out on the rest. I'm sure some of them will step up and show what they can do, like players who we thought weren't good enough for the championship have done this season.