Firstly I have finally succumbed to not606. I recognise some old acquaintances and friends in BeddyTare, ChocolateBoxKid (the ever pessimist), JentheSaint etc. Haven't seen Channonwidetogolac. I just wanted to say though that I think we could have a serious striker problem in the coming weeks and months. I'm sure most Saints fans have this in the back of their minds. Adkins acted as if Barnard isn't a Southampton player in his interview after yesterdays (great) game. Barnard was there yesterday in his suit but questions need to be asked over where he is and what the plans are in relation to him. Lambert getting injured just doesn't worth thinking about. Fair enough we did try hard and we put a few bids in for players in the transfer window but I think Cortese and Adkins have underestimated the need for attacking players. I also thought Frazier Richardson created a massive hole in our side yesterday. Jack Cork stepped into his position but I think Jack can't replace such a force from left back. I think with Richardson coming back into the side next Sunday our defence will be better and more solid and we'll step on Brighton to take top spot. COYR!
all players who don't play are required to turn up in there suits or tracksuits - barnard is still recovering from injury, and has just signed a new contract so is obviosuly in Adkins plans - how did Adkins act because im sure it wouldnt be as described
Agreed Essentially we have two fit out and out strikers in Connolly and Lambert. Guly, De Ridder and even Forte can do a job there but it's not there favoured position.
Also what about barnards court case, im seriously thinking he could go down the more i think about it .
Agree massively with what you say about Richardson. He's massively vocal as well, there was no communication whatsoever yesterday. With regards to strikers, our bids suggest they are looking, I'd be surprised if somebody doesn't arrive on loan...
i'm pretty sure forte is predominantly a striker, and we also have doble and perhaps another academy star to step in if worse comes to worse
I had precisely the same conversation with a friend after the game yesterday - I wouldn't feel too confident about our goalscoring potential if we lose Ricky, but even more his all round play bringing in Lallana / Connolly etc
Obviously losing Rickie would be a blow to any club, but I have serious belief in Guly. He is a confidence player, if everyone rallies behind him he can play some amazing football. I don't want to tempt fate but I think we could cope.
Didn't we also have hoskins on the bench for the swindon game? And he's been the top goalscorer in the u21s for a good two seasons hasn't he? So maybe he could do a job?
Adkins said yesterday in his post match interview on BBC Radio Solent: - Richardson wanted to play but NA didn't want to risk him (calf problem) - Harding jarred his knee in training on Friday therefore didn't play - Barnard has signed a new contract and is recovering from knee injury Just makes me wonder why Jack Cork was prefered at RB to Danny Butterfield, must be agility/age etc...
I rarely agree with DTLW but I agree with everything on this occasion Guly really impressed me yesterday, I even made a thread asking what others thought of his performance. But I think he has been one of the top performers this season
Firstly Hi and welcome to the Saints site......Nice to know another of "the old school" has decided to join us. I think the situation that NA found himself in was a bit difficult as I understand the Richardson wanted to play but NA said he wanted to make sure his injury was totally clear. I wasn't aware that butterfield was injured also. I thought it might be a shade early for Fox to get involved..........He did ok after a few unsteady moments in the beginning and got better as the game progressed. As for Hoover.....he did ok but you can see he is game rusty.....and maybe should take responsibility for maybe one if not both Forests goals. His covering of Fonte was not good some of the time but did get better as the game progressed. Cork too was exposed as it is clear this is unfamiliar territory for him although I am told he played this position up at Leicester. Cork did better in the second half. As for a striker yes I have to agree we have good cover in Connolly or Barnard but cover for Ricky.......you are right here we are sadly lacking. May be he will bring in an out and out striker of Lambert's type. Although there ain't many of them about to be fair.....none that I can think of in anyone's reserves not being used. So indeed it maybe an expensive purchase may have to be made to cover Ricky, not an easy task.
It just seems if Guly sets one up, scores one, does something amazing early doors and the crowd chant his name he plays with a spring in his step, sometimes he is too quick to doubt himself and eases out of games.
Guly was fantastic yesterday, his skills were world class. He ran out of steam a bit in the 2nd half but I'm starting to notice his work off the ball a lot more now. I think he's one of the first names on the team sheet right now.
I recognise the concern for the lack of a striker should Rickie get injured. But I don't think it's a serious problem. However, if Barnard does get a guilty verdict and he spends some time away at that old fart's pleasure, then I'd agree the options close down. On the other hand, there are other attacking options, but we need to have a few more Cup matches to explore them. I thought Forte did well last time out, but that was against Swindon. Nevertheless, he scored, and he does seem to chip in with a goal quite regularly. What we don't have is other players who can lead the attack anywhere near as well as Rickie does, so Saints would have to change anyhow. And then again, name me a player in the championship who does lead the line as well as Rickie..? Few and far between.
Rickie Lambert,Guly,Connolly,Barnard(if not in Jail),De Ridder and Hoskins(in case you didn't know we are very serious about introducing our youngsters into the 1st team).
I agree,i was disappointed a striker didn't come in to be honest,think we need another option up there,like you said all we need is an injury and we'd be short of options.Hopefully nigel has got a loan lined up.
