Quite a few games we played with 3 mid fielders Cork, spider and Davis. Now I would love us to go with Cork, spider and victor. Cork sitting deep with Spider and victor pushing forward when they can. I think Davis would be a good backup.
Interesting that Cork made more recoveries than Spider since Poch arrived. As I've said before, I think a lot of our players play above themselves for Saints. In our team, players really achieve their potential if they buy into our plan and work hard. I think they recognise it and don't hanker to move on to a supposedly better side where their talents may just get buried.
Great article, but despite outlining the value of wanyama, cork, and schneiderlin I would be very concerned to see all 3 start, we'll see though. As the article says our defensive midfield was our strength but I think it compromised our creativity and attacking drive. The times that schneiderlin and very occassionally cork drove forward they looked threatening so perhaps with wanyama alonside them we will constantantly see late runs from midfield. Playing the 3 would imo do nothing for our width and attack in general but we'll have to see how the team plays, cork, schneiderlin and wanyama will no doubt have great seasons. However I wouldn't be at all surprised if the team failed to score regularly.
I think you are right Rabbit, they will all have great seasons but I suspect all 3 will not play together that often, unless we are trying to close out a game maybe.
Very good point, but it's quite a call not to play one of our best players. Cork is one of those unsung heroes, in that he does very little that makes a great piece of highlight footage. Yet for me he is an essential part of the machine. Does Mauricio see the other two playing higher up the pitch? We certainly need to add goal threat. We should have won at Spurs, Sunderland and at home to Stoke, but lack a real goal threat. Rickie is a god, but needs support. I'll trust Mauricio. He has shown he knows what he's about.
I would be confident that any professional footballer with the right training could press adequately, we don't need a team of athletes to operate a good press. Buy good footballers and spend time on their tactical awarness and they will press just fine. Wanyama I hope was bought for his footballing ability not for his athleticism and pressing ability. Without Ramirez we were poor to dreadful in possession for the tail end of last season. The games against Stoke and Sunderland showed a clear lack of attacking ability something an improved press won't solve. We need to get the best out of ramirez something i'm not confident pochettino will do.
Would having three defensive minded midfielders provide a bit more wide cover? This would mean the likes of Lallana and Rodders wouldn't have to spend so much time tracking back.
Where does Punch fit in? Suppose he will get a few sub appearances. Shame as he can score nice goals, but he's now down the pecking order.
I've always suspected he has a bad attitude and is a little selfish. He'll probably drop down order behind spider, cork,wayanama, lallana, gaston and new striker.
I don't think Punch's attitude is wrong. He had a bad setback, overcame it, got back in the team and got a new contract. He is also popular with the team according to reports. I think his chances decreased because of change of tactics. Unless there are a lot of injuries, he will be used mainly as a tactical sub.
We can certainly mix things up by playing 4-3-3 if desired, or going to more of a 4-5-1 when defending a lead, swapping out our 10 for one of the DMs.
Just a bit of uncorroborated rumour to throw in. Apparently Punch did crap on the pre-season VO2 max tests at Solent and threw up at the end. Poch was not happy.
Misread that...thought you meant he literally crapped during the testing. His reputation proceeds him
