Personally I think an important squad mentality is that no player's place is guaranteed, that's where complacency sets in, and it's always seemed to be something Ferguson has nailed into his players. Lallana and Ramirez are vital parts of our future but right now Davis and Rodriguez have earned their places and Adam and Gaston will have to work hard and wait patiently to get their chance. I'd even keep Jos in the side as his performance was also excellent against City. Fox would be the unlucky party, he didn't really let anyone down against City and played pretty well, but 'pretty well' isn't enough to keep Shaw out of the side for me. I'm hoping Mauricio thinks similarly. Tactically speaking I think we're also set up better for the coming game with Davis and Rodriguez so that doesn't hurt either.
This is definitely the furthest I'd go, but Rodriguez has settled brilliantly into the "run around all over the pitch and make something happen" role, that I'd rather he had another go at it, especially if Shaw comes in. Lallana, just like the others, will benefit from being kept out of the starting lineup a little bit longer, and he'll come on in the second half with Ramirez and rip Newcastle to shreds.
Well I think this thread has proved that some people were over reacting when saying our squad was thin. Against Newcastle our bench will probably be 7 from these players: K. Davis, Forren/Fonte/Hooiveld, Richardson/Fox, JWP, S. Davis/Ramirez, Rodriguez/Lallana, Mayuka. And that's assuming Guly's not fit. I can't believe people moaned when De Ridder went out on loan.
Shaw goes without saying imo, although Danny Fox admittedly hasn't done much wrong. Luke Shaw's just head and shoulders a better left back. Lallana is our best player. You play your best players. Not sure who I'd drop for him though, or even whether he'd be better coming off the bench again until he's match fit. And Fonte has been missed, massively imo. I don't think we'd have conceded twice from corners vs Wigan with him in the side. Nice set of problems, or options if you prefer, for the manager to have.
Forren's the mystery. Is he not good enough? Or not fully fit? Or is he just being kept out by players on form?
Forren's chance will come, I'm sure, and when it does it'll be up to him to sieze it. But what you really need in defence is a central pairing (and keeper) with an almost telepathic understanding. Fonte and Hooiveld had that last season, Fonte and Yoshida were developing something like it before Jose's injury.
-------------Boruc Clyne - Yoshida - Hoovield - Shaw -------Cork - Schneiderlin Puncheon - Davis - Rodriguez ------------ Lambert(c)----
Agreed...sometimes your best eleven at the moment doesn't consist of your 'best' eleven players. I wouldn't change anything save Shaw, either. Lallana will obviously be in the starting XI long-term, but as he's also coming off a major injury there's really no harm in having him work back into the lineup gradually.
I was surprised to see some of the early posts on this thread were Suggesting Fonte and Forren as the first choice centre backs. I am rather surprised you would consider an untried player in the Saints team let alone change a format that has been working rather well in my opinion. As others have Said Ramirez is rather an oddie he kinda doesn't fit into the side at the moment and if truth be known nor does Lallana. However Lallana can play on the right as well as the left so maybe that is what they have in mind who knows. Will be interesting to work out what is the strongest team however it just might not include some of our previous stars!!
No other thread that's suitable so I reckon I should tell you all that Luke Shaw has tweeted he's back in training!
Personally I'd leave Ramirez out. Rodriguez has to start, so much energy. Lallana and Davis can play rock, paper, scissors, or just have 45 minutes each. -------------Boruc--------------- Clyne - Forren - Fonte - Shaw ------Cork - Schneiderlin------ Puncheon - Lallana - Rodriguez ------------Lambert------------- Re: Centre-backs (ideally have these two playing but not for Newcastle game)
