Saints January Transfer Window Thread - Part II

So, something like:

Boruc
Clyne-Fonte-Lovren-Shaw
Cork-Wanyama-Schneiderlin
Rodriguez-Lallana
Lambert​

 

That looks a very good team to me

 

Poor old Steve Davis

 

The idea that there is one true first eleven and all other players are unimportant is also quite tedious. When we need strength in midfield, play Wanyama, when we need finesse, or when Schneiderlin needs a rest, play Cork. There are ample opportunities for three players to rotate to fill a two-man vacancy.

 

I think it's also clear that we've been conceding far more goals with Cork on the pitch instead of Wanyama. If Wanyama was fit enough to start against Sunderland and Arsenal, we would have won those games.

 

This!. I'm a Cork fan but you can't deny the goal count without Vic has rocketed.

 

What would happen if Cork and Wanyama played together? Something which is apparently inconceivable to many.

And you really can't say for certain that we would have won those games with Wanyama playing.

It's also coincided with lots of defensive and goalkeeper injuries.

 

OK, I'm 95% sure we would have won those games and 99.99999999% sure we would have won at least 1 of those games. The simple fact is, we need a proper defensive midfielder in the side so either one of Cork and Morgan has to be dropped or Morgan is pushed further forward. And I am not convinced that Morgan being pushed further forward would work.

 

Very bold call. For all you know we might have lost 7-0 in both if Wanyama was on the pitch in Cork's place (equally we could have won both 7-0). To say "we would have won" is pure guesswork.

Vin

 

Who's to say that without Cork we would have passed them off the field in the respective first halves? We might have had less possession and therefore conceded more chances to the opponent.

 

Well, if we go by the facts, with Wanyama in the side we won 6 games out of 13 - 46% (excluding Villa because he went off at HT), conceding 10 goals. With Cork in the side, we've won 2 games out of 9 - 22%, conceding 14 goals (also excluding the Villa game). So Saints with Wanyama in the side has a win rate of more than double than when Cork is in the side.

 

Jees - have I come to the right place for transfer rumours

 

That's not fair, Cork played against much stronger teams than Wanyama did.

 

And, for much of the time, with a bundle of other changes to the team. So Wanyama has never played with Fox and Hoover behind him (as far as I can remember).

Can I stress, I'm not saying Cork or Wanyama are better, just that you can't look at games like that.

Vin

 

Wanyama played at Anfield, Old Trafford, The Emirates, Stamford Bridge admittedly with mixed results but there's no denying that our defensive solidity enable us to win at Anfield and draw at United. And we were solid at the Emirates, apart from the Boruc **** up and the penalty, neither of which were down to Wanyama.

 

Think we are all rumoured out. Less than 36 hours to go and not a sniff.

 

BIG NEWS: Aaron Martin has signed for Birmingham.

 

That's a very selective reading of the figures. Wanyama's absence also coincided with injuries to goalkeepers and multiple defenders, and more difficult games.

 

Whatever, I can't be arsed to argue this any more. I still think Wanyama and Schneiderlin should be first choice. And I think they will be the starters for the rest of the season, unless they get injured.

 

And that's why they will get injured. Rotation is key, especially in such a high energy position, and when you have players good enough to come in, as Cork has proven.