Emmanuel Mayuka joins Sochaux on loan

But not Steven Davis...? Bizarre. No I wasn't at the game, but he was described by BBC radio and numerous forum posters who did go as being totally out of the game for the first half and only improving in the second half.

 

No one was good in the first half, Mayuka was direct and dangerous. Exactly what we were lacking against Sunderland and Norwich.

 

Most of us entered the year believing that we were short an attacking mid/winger, though.

 

Barnsley have conceded 18 goals in 6 games. They make every attacking player look good.

 

No point being disrespectful. Some of the premier league sides didn't find it easy at home against worse opponents. Whilst we won easily away from home. Comparing a cup to the league doesn't work either. Look at Wigan last season.

 

That's true. We're not any worse off though, I don't think.

You could also see it that we've replaced Mayuka with Osvaldo (improvement) and Puncheon with Isgrove (step down).

 

Well what if their defending has been atrocious in the cup and the league?

 

But we had a problem with depth last year, and we really haven't changed that. We had a worrying number of minutes (generally at fullback and attacking mid) going to 'get by' options, and we haven't really changed that.

Not asking for big-money signings here, but a somewhat-capable left back and a winger on loan shouldn't be terribly difficult to acquire, nor terribly expensive.

 

They drew 0-0 in round one and went through on penalties. So not sure what you're getting at there.

 

Against a League One team.

 

Come on guys, this is not a controversial view, at least 50% of the people on here who have expressed a view either way think losing Puncheon and Mayuka is a blow. Those who are calling me names should play the ball not the man, if you disagree with my arguments then respond to them, don't try and discredit them with ad hominem attacks.

Those who say they weren't in Pochettino's plans so it's not a problem, I'd like to know how you know his plans and if you're right, I think Pochettino's plans could maybe use some work. Either way there are legitimate questions to answer.

 

We've lost Mayuka and gained Osvaldo, I can't consider that as a blow in the slightest.

Losing Puncheon with no immediate replacement, fair enough that is. But one I feel we can overcome.

 

We don't need Mayuka at the moment. We have three strikers, Lambert, Osvaldo and Rodriguez, and we also have six more players who can play behind the strikers - Ramirez, Lallana, Davis, JWP, Guly and Isgrove.
That's pretty good competition for four attacking slots.

We might do with a pacey winger purely because we lack that kind of player, but we have a decent number of player at our disposition and we do not lack in numbers.

 

Mayuka was backup to Puncheon's position, so that loss compounds the loss of Puncheon. Everyone's saying he's a striker but it's pretty clear he was cover for the wide positions.

I don't think that is good cover. Would you be happy starting a game with Davis, Guly and Isgrove as the 3 behind the striker?

 

How is it pretty clear that he was wide cover? You've just said that others can't claim to know Poch's plans and intentions.

You are now doing the same.

Facts being facts, Mayuka was found up front more than anything. When he started, it was up front.

Mayuka is a striker.

 

We're down a goal. Four of Lambert/Osvaldo/Rodriguez/Ramirez/Lallana are starting, one is injured. Our best option to send a player on to get a goal is...Davis, maybe? I like both he and Ward-Prowse, but neither are terribly dynamic attacking players at this moment in time.

 

When he started, sure, but when he was brought off the bench in league games it was virtually always in place of a wide player. So that tells you what he was in the matchday squad for.

And that's a fact so read and understand what I say before you accuse me please.

 

Okay then, you can be right if you really want it that much...

*ruffles hair*

 

You didn't get the bit about playing the ball not the man then?

 

No I wouldn't, but i don't see that as a realistic possibility.

If that was the situation (Lallana injured), MP could easily start Davis or JWP and keep one of the flair players as an impact sub.