I cut Ramirez some slack on the whole "gasses easily" thing. I think he's struggled with injuries a bit, and then those spells on the sidelines keep him from getting truly match fit.
Moreover, it seems to be no one can play 90 minutes in that position under MP's system. Lallana regularly gets subbed out. When Rodriguez was deployed more in that role he was always gassed the end of the game. Lambert struggles badly.
The way I see it, Saints have a forward combination where the two players in the center can switch off between being the advanced guy and the false nine-ish guy so they share the burden. Then you have JWP/Davis who play more of a support role. They'll sneak into the box every now and again but mostly they are playmakers who spread the ball to players further up. The other attacking midfield/winger position is the tough one. Because it's an attacking role where you are supposed to get into the box and get behind defenders and run into open spaces, but you still have to play the press and get back on defense. When you run into the box or into open space away from defenders, that's just that much farther you have to run back to cover when the ball is lost. So they all run themselves into the ground.
I would say that Ramirez has earned himself a longer look, but I always felt like he should have been seeing more time anyway. Nothing has really changed for me. Ramirez is a good player, sometimes brilliant. He's always been capable of play like today (and let's face it, that goal was a bit lucky). But with Lallana playing well it will be tough for him to get into the side. And it seems as though Lallana fits MP's style much better.
Ramirez could play a role as a second half impact player like he did today, but we're paying a lot of money for him in that role. And we might be able to make a lot of money if we sell him. I still think we need another attacker but if we get one it should be someone better than anyone we currently have. And that might drop Lallana into the role of impact sub. I am open to the idea of selling Lallana but apparently that is blasphemy. And it must be said that Lallana is playing better and has more invested in the squad and Ramirez seems to be unhappy. I don't think we should just get rid of Ramirez at any price, but if someone will stump up say, 9-10 million for him we'd have to strongly consider selling.
