I know Nigel keeps saying that it's all about the squad and I agree we have to pick a side to win any particular game. Just for fun though what in your view is our strongest 11. Do you play Chung or Billy? Steeeve, Chappers or Guly? Morgan, Hammond or Cork? and just to get the arguments flowing Martin or Jose? I think mine is Davis Richardson, Jose, Jos, Fox Guly. Cork, Morgan, Adam Ricky and Billy Subs Chung, Hammond, Steeve, Martin, Chappers
That is no doubt our strongest team, although still unsure as to who makes the team better, Chaplow or Guly. It's a good dilemma to have. Bench however should read Lee, Hammond, Chaplow, Connolly and Martin.
Have left out Harding, Connolly Falque, Puncheon, Bart, Reeves, Butterfield etc etc. Just shows how storng the squad is.
I think the best team for winning games is completely different to the best team in terms of technical ability. Like de Ridder and Guly - arguably at the same level of skill but with different qualities, and de Ridder, although doesnt start, does a much better job coming off the bench and affecting the game than Guly would. For our best, best XI I'd choose: Davis Richardson, Jose, Jos, Fox Puncheon, Cork, Schneiderlin, Lallana, Lambert, Sharp but the team I wanna see play would be: Davis Richardson, Jose, Jos, Fox de Ridder, Cork, Schneiderlin, Lallana Lambert, Lee I think de Ridder is our Antonio Valencia who just offers directness and goalscoring opportunities. Big decision to start him but I'd make it. People say he's inconsistent but if he played 90 mins straight he'd do more right than wrong - which is arguably better than Guly. He gives us speed which we lack (our next fastest player is Lee then Lallana, both who arent that fast but their work rate gives them that edge). He just seems to be the player who can break defences even when we're playing badly. That bit of selfishness and burst of speed that will beat a defence regardless of quality.
Oh also I'd like to mention that I could quite easily see a midfield of Cork, Schneiderlin and Chaplow working together, in the case of us needing to use one striker or experimenting. Cork offers protection to the back 4 and can retain possession, Schneiderlin can spread the ball and dictate, and Chaplow offers a threat going forward, someone to harry their midfield and generally do everything. Also gives license to players like Lallana to stay further up the pitch. Something like: Davis Richardson Fonte Hoolveld Fox Cork Chaplow Schneiderlin Puncheon Lallana Lambert
Davis Richardson-Martin-Hooiveld-Hammond Guly-Schneiderlin-Cork-Lallana Lambert-Lee Sorry for Hammond. Can't stand the Fox hoofs and each to their own opinion and all that, plus I want Lambert taking the free kicks again. lol Struggling up front because we haven't sen much of Lee but so far looks a cracker. No Fonte even more controversial, however he's not really been on it this season. Out of form rather than over the hill but Martin has played well bar a few games. And of course this is based on seeing many games on player with highlights so that is all I can base an opinion on. Edit - Harding not Hammond
I agree with ImpsSaints, Fox's long balls annoy me and we often lose possesion from them and I would rather he play it on the deck I think Adkins would probably go with this as our strongest team: Davis Richardson Fonte Hooiveld Fox Guly Schneiderlin Cork Lallana Lambert Lee Subs: Martin, Hammond, De Ridder, Sharp, Chaplow
Not bad at all. However, if Chung is fit, I'd put Sharp on the bench with Lee starting. I might also swap Martin for Harding. If he isn't fit then I'd probably have Puncheon on the bench as an option, for pushing Guly up front with Rickie. Tbh, with Saints' squad, there's loads of options, most of them pretty good too.
TSS I agree up to a point just think Billy needs a couple of full games and a goal to get his confidence up. Saturday will have helped but a goal at Hull ot at home on Saturday would do wonders.
My top TV/Stream based team (I don't get to go to matches) is: SKD Richardson Hooiveld Fonte Fox Chaplow Schneiderlin Cork Lallana Guly Lambert Haven't seen enough of Lee/Sharp to rate them above Guly. BTW, can someone fill me in on the utterly bizarre Sharp bashing being conducted by a few on here? What on earth is that all about?
Agreed, how can people slate Sharp when he has rarely played? It just shows that no ones place in the team is guaranteed!
Yes, I see what you mean, but I don't think we should be gambling with a player who may be misfiring due to confidence issues, or settling in, when there is the bigger picture of winning a game. Chung has fitted in extremely well and gives a refreshingly different dynamic to the forward line, and he's beginning to link up with Rickie very well indeed.. Billy will get plenty of chances, and I'm sure he'll be a success for Saints. Let's be concerned about winning this league first, and be concerned about the odd player, not being at their best, during training. For instance, Chaplow needs some work too. I've suggested Sharp should sit on the bench anyway, and I'm like Adkins, in that I would tend to find a time to bring him into the game. So he gets some more minutes to contribute. I think that's the way to go with him, rather than giving him the full responsibility in starting a game, at present.
I don't think it's a case of Sharp struggling, more a case of how well Chung has been playing. His movement and energy are amazing, Billy will have to wait his turn and take his chance when it comes.
Indeed. I was only suggesting that Sharp may have a confidence issue. He may indeed be fine, but you have summarised it so much better.
You must be joking. Skill wise Guly is on a different planet to De Ridder, Guly will be in the team if/when we make the PL and De Ridder will be gone. He is nowhere near the same standard or quality as Guly. We have seven maybe eight players good enough for the PL: Guly, Lallana, Lambert, Schneiderlin, Cork, Davis, Lee and maybe just maybe Hooiveld but I am yet to be convinced of that. As for the others I will be very happy to be proved wrong but please do not ever suggest that De Ridder is as good as Guly.
