If we play the same way next season, teams will know it, expect it and we'll struggle to recreate this year. Sometimes people don't realise that the hardest job of the manager is creativity in playing style. I don't understand why people think changing the way we play is bad. We've changed the way we play about a dozen times this year. Anyone think we've played the way we did against Hull all season? The way we played away to united was different to how we played against Chelsea and Arsenal and most games. Subtle changes sometimes, but changes. If a team turns up to play us next season and we have Pelle and/orHernandez, then they won't know exactly what they'll be facing and that is important. I can't help but think that our recent having to grind results out has been because teams know what to expect.
This. Chicarito is by no means a bad player but he doesnt suit our style so either: we'd have to change our system, he'd have to change the way he plays or he'd be a fringe player who only came on sporadically to offer something different and his wages would make that a waste for us. Good player but not for us I think.....thats if he even wanted to come here.
We do change our system and if we don't, then we would play the same all the time and it would be easy to play against. I'm not saying Hernandez is the man for us, just that I don't get this "but we'll have to change our system" lots of people talk about... We need options and flexibility; something different for when a change is needed. Can't people see that? And what is "our style if play?" Lump it to a big man? That's what it's been lately, but not how it was earlier in the season, so we have already changed and if that is our style, then please can we change it.
Adapting is part of the game I agree but chicos style is pretty much in total contrast to what we're playing at the moment so its rather drastic. I agree we should look for variety in our attacking play but not someone who requires a team wide reshuffle/strategy change whenever he enters or exits the pitch
If Chicharito did come to Saints you'll all have to learn to spell his nickname properly! Personally I think he'd fit really well, making late runs into the box to pick up crosses or through balls or, indeed, Pellè's knock downs and flick-ons. His sheer pace over a few yards is breathtaking.
I'm torn on this. After the first half of the season, I wouldn't have wanted us to sign Hernandez; his involvement in build up play isn't great, he's not a fantastic dribbler, nor is he creative. However, in the second half of the season (coinciding with our relatively "poor" form), i'd be all for him. Our current style of play relies on us to get men around Pellè, which he'd be perfect for. We could desperately do with someone with his finishing abilities, when games have been tight and we've been looking for someone to pick it up off our midfield in and around the box with clever movement - which I expect we'll need a lot more of next season. This would mean, though, that he wouldn't start every game, or would mean variations in our tactical set up to fit him in (low block 442 like at Chelsea or 3 at the back?), and I think he'd be looking for a team he could start every game for, after numerous seasons of being resigned to the subs bench.
Perhaps I'm being dumb but can anyone tell me why they're so certain he won't fit in? Can someone describe in leymans terms what his style is? Where exactly he has played? Etc. Cheers!
Seems to play as a second striker or as a no. 10 just behind the striker. He's on loan at Real Madrid this season, here's the goals and assists he's had there: I think he'd fit in rather well!
Indeed. So any reason why he can't play off Pelle with 2 players wide and 2 CDM's covering the back 4? And why wouldn't we want to go 4 4 2 on occasion? A lot of top teams will do this on occasion.
Hernandez has only started two games this season and a lot of his appearances tend to be 10 minute cameos but he's not a second striker. He mainly plays in the middle of a front three. At Man Utd he played as a central striker as well. He reminds me a bit of Solskjaer to be honest. He wants to play games by the sound of it. As a player stepping down from some really big teams (and having turned us down in the past?), I would think he'll expect to start pretty much every game if he signs. That's not necessarily a problem in itself but since we reached the Premier League we've generally played 4-2-3-1 (or a slight variation). All our age group sides play this formation as well and that seems to be part of the club's philosophy. Are we going to change that to accommodate Hernandez? Because he simply isn't big enough to play up front on his own in the Premier League and for one reason or another I don't see him playing any of the other attacking roles. One more minor thing is that he doesn't really fit the profile we go for. He'll be 27 in the summer and is on his way down from a bigger club, not a youngster on the way up. He seems more the sort of signing Spurs, Everton, Newcastle or West Ham would make.
However if he joins us as it stands he will be competition with Pelle, Mane, Long, JRod and if the press are to be believed Charlie Austin too....phew thats one hell of a front line to pick from unless we don't buy/sell some
I don't want a player who will see a move to Southampton a step down in his career. I'm not saying Hernandez has that attitude, I can't really tell, but if he's not in a least bit enthusiastic about coming here, then I would steer clear of him. I also think this would be a WHU type of signing, big name player who was on the books of a top club, though not so good to remain there but still searching for wage as if he's still there. We should base our transfer philosophy on unearthing hidden gems. Instead of going for the likes of Hernandez, we should try to spot a new Bony or Benteke.
If we signed Hernandez, I'd be disappointed if he didn't start the majority of games. He scores goals and when I go to St Marys, I want to see us score.
I think everyone is reading way too much into the need to change/adapt our style. Good teams do it two or three times per game. Hernandez is exactly what we need and, like you say, he's world class. I second your "take him in a heartbeat".
