Saints' squad taking shape (From Daily Echo)

Saints' squad taking shape

9:01am Thursday 3rd July 2008 in

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AFTER the release of the retained list, Jan Poortvliet's squad for his first season in charge of Saints is starting to take shape.

With five former first team players released, two more retiring and a whole heap of loans having gone back to their clubs, it is all change - again - at St Mary's.

That is set to continue as it is expected at least a few players will be sold over the summer whilst there may yet be another signing and a couple of loans arriving before the big kick-off at Cardiff on August 9.

With pre-season games now less than a week away, Poortvliet will be starting to formulate ideas in his mind as to who might occupy each position in his new look team.

Poortvliet's first decision will be which formation to adopt.

He has hinted at a 4-3-3 which would be similar to the way Chelsea lined-up in Jose Mourinho's early days with two lively wingers off a front man.

Behind that, you have a three-man central midfield, which could contain three defensive players or possibly two holding midfielders and one to play in behind the front man - Adam Lallana is the perfect candidate for that role with David McGoldrick in the mix as well.

• Read a complete breakdown and evaluation of the Saints squad in today's Daily Echo.