Harsh on Puncheon, but then again I'm pleased to see Jay keep his place. Very happy that he's stuck with Davis again. We can think about going to back to Gaston against QPR.
It's a bit of a surprise that Puncheon is on the bench. Don't know if it's tactical, but he is probably our most likely goal threat outside of Lambert. Also, what's going on with Forren?? Shaw was always going to start if fit. Who is playing on the right? JRod or Lallana?
I would guess that Yoshida is our 2nd best cb behind Forren. It's a mystery why Fonte is on the bench ahead of Forren, probably due to Forren being injure or quite likely just not fit enough yet. I imagine that the standards at Southampton are extremely high now that Pochettino is doing double sessions and all that. I rate Fonte but I think Yoshida is better at marking and reading the play as he has made the best interceptions of all our defenders.
#letoon (4-2-3-1): Elliot; Debuchy, S Taylor, Coloccini (c), Santon; Cabaye, Tiote; Gutierrez, Sissoko, Gouffran; Cisse #epl #saintsfc #nufc
Is Forren struggling with fitness or is he just not good enough? I know it's hard to displace successful players, but he can't make the bench now Fonte's back. Good to see Lallana back...Mauricio must like what he's seeing in training...still have Punch on, what has already been described as, a strong bench.
Newcastle's team looks pretty strong as well. Need to get some shots in on target to test out their gk. Let's hope Cisse has another off day.
yea i am happy with that, lallana > puncheon and rodriguez has been really good lately, also puncheon will make a great sub. I said last week i wanted Davis to start ahead of Ramirez so im fine with that, once again Ramirez is a great sub to bring on
My team would have been the same but Puncheon instead of Lallana. Happy with the team he's gone for though as it's the next best alternative in my eyes assuming Lallana plays on the right.
yeah bring Puncheon on for Lallana and Ramirez for Davis at some point. The other one might be a defensive change, but Mayuka is obviously another option. Pochettino's used all three subs every game so far
OptaJoe ‏@OptaJoe 102 - Morgan Schneiderlin is the only Premier League player this season to make more than 100 tackles (102). Battler. We'll need him today with the Toon's midfield.
I liked how we were slightly more direct than usual in the reverse fixture, partly because it prevented Tiote from putting himself about and having any sort of effect on the game. I wouldn't be against us going down that route again, especially with Jay in the team too.
Especially with the majority of their team having made the trip to the Ukraine (even though a majority didn't start). Get ball, get players upfield, make Newcastle expend a tonne of energy.
