At the age of only 21 he has already played over 100 games for Saints, he came to Saints as a future prospect with clubs such as Arsenal and Chelsea after his signature at a young age. For me he is what makes Saints tick and with his consistent performances over the last few seasons he is very unlucky not to be given a automatic place in the starting line-up. Last season he was excellent and was very unfortuante to get a lenghty injury which kept him out the side but for me this season his game has improved even more. Looking back over the last few games, he has contributed to many of the wins and even a late equaliser against Burnley. But the game for me against West Ham was the main reason why we won. Simply because they couldn't keep up with are passing, he would get it and move it on. Switching play all the time and the fact that his passing is pin point we always manage to keep possession. He has plenty of skill, manages to break up play and gets into the right positions to pick up the ball. We all know his main weakness: Goalscoring. However, this season I have seen him get into much better positions to score and has been very unlucky not to have picked up a few more. To any of the fans last night who went to Palace, there was only one person out on the field who looked head and shoulders above everyone else. He was simply outstanding and for youngsters such as Ward-Prowse what a great example to follow. I saw his comments after the game and it really is scary that he's only 21, how good is he going to be when he hits his peak about 26/27? Time will tell but I am extremely happy that he signed his contract extension because with him and Lallana on long-term deals these are two of the most exciting players outside the Premier League. P.S I also love our other centre midfielders but for me Schneiderlin has stood out the most!!
I am one of the people who think we should have a midfield duo of Cork-Schneiderlin Schnedierlin is an awesome, technically gifted player and he was superb last night by sounds of it, and against West Ham - definetley a starter for me
I would agree, although I have soft spot for Hammond as he works so hard so I can see why Adkins starts him with Cork and of course he is the Captain. But I think as the season goes on the partnership will be Cork and Schneiderlin. Also as he played a full game yesterday I think he won't start saturday which will be a shame but we will just have to wait and see.
I agree with the above comments. He has grown into a very good player, one of our best. Probably the only good thing that came out of the Jan Poortvliet era, afterall, he was the man who signed him!
He's growing on me, but still not convinced. We've looked strongest as a midfield unit with Cork & Hammond as the central pairing. When Morgan has started some league games, seems to have matched when we have conceded early goals. Maybe not his fault, but doesn't quite play at the energy levels of Deano & Jack. Yes, he has qualities that those two lack, but it's all about the right team, especially when Lallana plays and we probably need more box to box work in central midfield to allow the likes of Adam & Guly to do their thing. I feel less concerned as I did when Morgan comes into the team now, but he still has things to learn.
I really like Jack Cork but I'm starting to think our best centre-mid partnership is Hammond and Schneiderlin. Hammond has been in the form of his life this season and I think Schneiderlin will be a top Premier League player one day. It's great having the competition there though as Chaplow is also playing brilliantly and Ward-Prowse looked excellent yesterday.
Only problem with morgan is his french mentality, one game he'll play pure class then the next 2 he'll do nothing.
Wonder if he's young enough to count as home grown..? I can't remember if it's 3 years when they're 21, or 3 years by their 21st birthday.
Morgan Schneiderlin has the odd off day but is by far the most complete all round talent we have in the middle of the park, he is only 21 and improving all the time, Hammond is having to play to the best of his ability to keep him out where as give Morgan a run I think he has a couple of extra gears.... Does anyone remember that chip he do e over the top of the defence at Ipswich this year, simply class!!!
I agree that he is a future premier league player, especially the way he played against united in the fa cup. It's also mad to think that was the last time we were beaten at home!
Question you should ponder on is... why does Nigel Adkins not make him first choice midfielder? I would hazard a guess that like myself (yes, I am comparing myself to Lord Nigel of Adkins) he rates Morgan's ability, but still not convinced he can deliver and do a job for him every single game. But its good that all our midfielders are kept on their toes fighting for a place... on merit.
Seriously? I think Cork is fantastic, and a certain starter. Indeed for me, him and Fox have come in and overtaken Fonte in the "first-name-on-the-teamsheet" pecking order (still behind Lallana and Lambert of course). Personally, Cork-Schneiderlin is my favoured pairing. I love both of them, and believe that both are capable of playing in the Premiership very soon. But I do think that Cork-Hammond is the most effective and suits us the best, especially when Guly, Lallana, Lambert and Connolly are all in the XI too.
Oh how times have changed! Not too long ago debates over team selection centred around who was least likely to make a complete a**e of it. (the "he's more unreliable than him" debates) Now we have an embarrassment of riches. Ahh happy days!
I suppose I do feel very comfortable with any of our centre-mid partnerships. Cork has been excellent when he has played and I think he will be able to play in the Premier League. I just have always liked the partnership of Hammond and Schneiderlin and I thought it worked really well against West Ham.
I think Morgan is a fabulously talented footballer. I also think that Jack Cork and Dean hammond are great midfielders. Richie Chaplow is also a great engine available for that midfield slot. But what I like best is that we have the choice of the four of them and Nigel just about seems to be getting it right in the combination he goes for each game. None of them think they are a certaintity to start a match, but I'm confident whatever combination of those four Nigel gos with. I was surprised that Morgan didn't start against Reading as I thought he was excellent against west ham. Having that choice in the middle is awesome and I'm happy that come Saturday Nigel will once again make the right choice. I do think the game against Middlesboro will suit Morgan.
having 4 good CM's means nigel gets to pick the 2 most suited to the opponents style of play, perfick.
