I will move on from the DM argument. I think it's the defence personally, but we'll have to agree to disagree. Now to facts rather than opinions with Ramirez vs Lallana in the Premier League continued. Sorry, I was too tempted to do it. I hadn't got round to comparing their end product per minute I don't think. To add even more spice to it I'll add Tadic to the equation. I think it's only fair (to start with anyway) to Ramirez and Lallana to not count Tadic's 2 penalties in this personally, so I won't (I do eventually).
In the PL Ramirez has been directly involved in a goal every 201.4 minutes (scored the goal himself or directly assisted). Lallana he has been directly involved in a goal every 250.8 mins.
Tadic has been directly involved in a goal every 214.4 minutes. But one mustn't forget that he was directly involved in several goals against Sunderland. Without that freak 8-0 game and the two penalties he's down at being directly involved in a goal every 284.18 minutes. Interestingly with the two penalties (and the goals he was involved in against Sunderland).. minus one for missing a pen in the loss vs Burnley which I think is fair.. Tadic is directly contributing a goal every 201 mins in the PL compared to Ramirez' 201.4.
Specifically for Saints in the PL Ramirez has been directly involved in a goal every 172.1 minutes. Lallana was directly involved in a goal every 242.9 minutes, despite having the luxury of long runs in the side as a starter and the confidence gained from getting the captaincy. Tadic is contributing every 189.18 mins despite the luxury of being the penalty taker and scoring 2 from the spot (this is without knocking one off for the Burnley miss, a game we lost 1-0).
I will add that Ramirez has made 68 Premier League appearances and 34 starts in the PL in total for anyone interested. But has only made 2 premier league appearances and played 34 minutes in total under Koeman in the league.
All I can do is continue to despair at Koeman's treatment of Ramirez since June 2014 considering his end product. Two appearances in the PL. 34 minutes played, one assist. Surely a player with such end product has to at least have been getting plenty of chances from the bench. This season and last. There is absolutely no doubt for me that Koeman will cost us several points this season, and did last season, with his handling of Ramirez.
For those interested Mane has been directly involved in a goal every 163.9 minutes for Saints. Every 172.45 minutes for Rodriguez. Lambert was involved in a goal directly every 141.74 minutes for Saints in the PL (a great return, although helped by pens). Every 211.18 mins for Pelle. And remarkably Long is on a direct contribution every 168.42 minutes, suggesting he should be getting more chances as a starter. Long can be frustrating at times with his touch, and control of the football, but the stats really do support him strongly.
In conclusion. For Saints:
Player Name - Directly involved in a goal (via scoring the goal or directly assisting) per X minutes. Including penalties.
Lambert - 141.74
Mane - 163.9
Long - 168.42
Ramirez - 172.1
Rodriguez - 172.45
Tadic - 189.18
Pelle - 211.18
Lallana - 242.9
This does interest me and doesn't take long for me. I'm quick with numbers and enjoy this type of thing (although I'm well aware that some don't). Yes, it's "just" direct end product being compared. But it's extremely, extremely, important for an attacking player.