Went for Puncheon, Gaston and Lallana, but nearly switched Lallana for JRod. Mauricio said that Lambert and Rodriguez were starting to work well together (though it was to a direct question, so doubt he'd have said anything else). Lallana has lost his way a bit, but how do you get match ready without playing matches?! We have so many midfielders who are almost the business...shame we can't meld them into one that can score.
Amazing isn't it! If anyone had said you would consider dropping Adam for Punch at the start of the season you would have been sectioned!
It's interesting because I think Ramirez has been good for us, yes he's had his frustrating moments. But the last two games a lot of our attacking chances have come through him, something we need to maintain. He's also got better in his defensive duties, the only thing that seems to have gone downhill is his Set Plays. He's had to adapt to Saints style, which is tricky because he's had to get used to playing with Lambert, someone completely different to Suarez/Cavani. Which is also why I think Coutinho has fitted in so well at Liverpool, how many times have we seen Coutinho play balls through to Suarez? A lot harder for Ramirez to replicate with Lambert, with the through-balls slightly off. On current form, Rodriguez, Ramirez, Lallana/Puncheon (they can fight for it)
some of my observations from sat: 1) Gaston gets beyond the other three attackers a lot. There were countless times on sat where he made a run, then the vision / ball wasnt played for him and instead we retained possession in the middle of the pitch. He looked to be getting annoyed by this as he kept setting off and was rarely released. When it worked, he nearly chipped Bunn. 2) J Rod obviously fits well with the high pressing tactics as he looks very fit and works very hard 3) Guly shouldnt be forgotten as he looked good when he came on and is very versatlie. 4) We really do need attacking fullbacks to get extra width. We struggled with Yoshida who offensively was woeful, whereas when Shaw got forward on the other flank they couldnt cope. Dont know if Richardson is injured, but we need Clyne or him RB to support the right sided attacker.
Lallana, whilst not performing to the best of his abilities recently, is a boyhood Everton fan and will be right up for Saturday's game so I'd start with him. Rodriguez has been one of our most impressive players in the last 10 games in my opinion so he's earned his place. Gastón is an attacking threat unlike any other in our squad and has seen his best performances against the 'bigger' teams. Therefore I'd start with those three, although I might be tempted to rest Rickie and put J Rod up front with Lallana, Davis and Gastón behind.
Why do we have to choose three? They're not going to stay fit/in-form all season long, just pick whoever is available, playing well at the time, and suits the tactics for a particular match.
While it's a brain-ache, it's nice that we have this dilemma; we clearly have strength in depth. I put Lallana - Gaston - Rodriguez, although due to the fact that there is no obvious 'best 3', I would certainly advocate Puncheon and Davis starting many games, depending on form.
Who should play or who should start? Went with punch davis and lallana on the basis that they should start not play the whole match. Punch gives their LB a very hard time and even if his end product isn't always fantastic he can terrorise defenders at times. Davis as I feel we need a steady hand there to start with even if he doesn't have the flair of gaston. lallana to start simply as I think Rod does really well against tiring legs- looked fantastic when he first came on against qpr. But i would say sub Davis for Gaston at 60m and lallana for J-rod at a similar time. unless we are comfortably in the lead (against l'pool?!) in which case guly in the centre- a bit of physical presence and can help out the defence. Although I can see why people are suggesting we start without lallana. Who would have thought we would be saying that?! On a seperate note I think (providing we stay up) gaston will shine next season.
On paper: Lallana, Gaston and Puncheon, but... Clyne needs Puncheon to play in front of him. Gaston affects the side's balance, we'll need Davis' to add solidity in midfield. Rodriguez is our most on form attacker and does a bit of tracking back. Use Lallana and Ramirez for impact subs, especially if we're behind/need a goal. Rodriguez-Davis-Puncheon It can also allow for rotation, with Rickie drifting out wide and Rodriguez becoming more central.
For me JRod is more consistant than Punch and Lallana is better than Punch and Ramirez is a quality player that we would miss if not playing so I would start with JRod, Ramirez and Lallana. However, Shaw showed on Saturday how easy a quick player can get past most fallbacks which is something that Lallana could not do even when he had the chance. I would have a more direct and speedy option like Rowe or Mayuka on the bench along with Punch who is fairly quick but not direct. JRod has suprised me by being quicker than most. Sorry to prattle on about speed of players , but we really need to be getting the ball to Rickie in dangerous areas again.
Depends on who we are playing against. I think the 3 players over which the real debate lies are: Puncheon Rodriquez Davis For a defensive team I'd say Puncheon or Davis For a match where we'll have a lot of possession/chances Puncheon For a game where chances are limited but and we have an equal share of the ball Rodriquez.
But at least we know Lallana can. At the start of the year he was our best player. Ramirez has only had a select few good games
We are in a dog fight so flare and skill does not play the biggest part at this stage for me. Puncheon, Davis and Rod. Lallana and Gaston on the bench gives us huge impact as subs against tiring teams in the second half.
Simon Peach: "#SaintsFC captain Adam Lallana has been voted the second best young player in the Premier League by top-flight managers."
What are peoples obsessions with putting Lallana in? Don't get me wrong, he is a great player. Persoanlly though I think he has looked very average this season (regardless of an injury). When he plays he tries to be to clever and usually ends up losing the ball. We have looked better without him to be honest. Also I still don't know if i agree with him being captain. He doesn't really act like one. If something happens in a game its usually Lambo or Fonte who are at the ref fighting the corner.
