Where do you want to see Saints strengthen? (From Daily Echo)

Bizarrely, I think we need a striker.
With Rickie playing deeper and Mayuka and Rodriguez playing breaking roles, we still have no replacement for Sharpe. Someone to put them away.

We could still do with cover for our centre backs and Clyne too, obviously.

Lens from PSV would still be a good signing and give us more flexibility in attack.

At least we are looking solid now and more composed when we don't have the ball, in addition to generally looking the better against our opposition.

Maybe if our fans could keep our composure too when the players make a mistake or we are defending, that might bring the greatest improvement in team performance?

I think we need to strengthen the crowd. Those Guly-haters need to be shipped out on loan somewhere rubbish and some proper supporters brought in.

Here goes

GK
Wish Butland
Real Given

CB
Wish Douglas
Real Davies

Winger
Wish Lens
Real Phillips

We must clear out those not in the first team squad:

Boruc Butterfield Dickson Martin Seabourne Chaplow Hammond De Ridder Forte Barnard Sharp - not a bad team that LOL

So this will leave in theory:

Davis Gazza (Butland) Clyne Richardson Shaw Fox Fonte Yos Hoover (Douglas) JWP Spider Davis Cork Punch (Lens) Adam Lee Guly Jay Rickie and Gaston

And some nippers.

Any advances on this.

Puddletown Saint wrote:
Here goes

GK
Wish Butland
Real Given

CB
Wish Douglas
Real Davies

Winger
Wish Lens
Real Phillips

We must clear out those not in the first team squad:

Boruc Butterfield Dickson Martin Seabourne Chaplow Hammond De Ridder Forte Barnard Sharp - not a bad team that LOL

So this will leave in theory:

Davis Gazza (Butland) Clyne Richardson Shaw Fox Fonte Yos Hoover (Douglas) JWP Spider Davis Cork Punch (Lens) Adam Lee Guly Jay Rickie and Gaston

And some nippers.

Any advances on this.

And Makuya :)

Defence, defence, defence. Put a CB as could only vote for one, but we could also do with full backs. We're doing okay at the moment, but we need cover. Knowing Cortese, he will bring in 3 strikers to offset goals conceded. :-)

I would like to select more then just one area but I think defence is at present are weekest area, but we could do with goaly and wingers as we seem not to want to use Tan Lee or De-riddler what is he saving these two for still no AL over christmas this could hurt us with the Sunderland game a mmust win game

St Retford wrote:
I think we need to strengthen the crowd. Those Guly-haters need to be shipped out on loan somewhere rubbish and some proper supporters brought in.

I know just the place. Then WE would have the bestest bestest everest anywherest ever ever ever fans!

St Retford wrote:
I think we need to strengthen the crowd. Those Guly-haters need to be shipped out on loan somewhere rubbish and some proper supporters brought in.

SAINTS FANS are magnificent - but will need to be at their noisy best when playing Sunderland.

When we travel AWAY to Fulham - we must dominate and own the place.

We must also record a WIN against Arsenal.

WE ARE SOUTHAMPTON.

RED ARMY. THE SAINTS GO MARCHING ON-ON-ON.

Definitely defense -since we tightened up at the back our fortunes have changed for the better.

If our season was based on the last 6 games we would be in a europe spot:

http://weekendfootba
ll.co.uk/analysis/fo
rm.asp?l=1&season=13
&formtype=&gamescoun
t=6

We are lucky to be not to rely on just one or two scoring.

Im sure there are bargains to be found in the lower divisions that can handle the pressures of the premiership

The defence has settled as most knew it would once we started keeping the ball in midfield and playing for 90 minutes... I agree with the first post, we actually do need a striker who can attack the goal more directly and play off holding attacking players. I would also like to see another strong midfielder signed who can also play at full back if need be.... they are obviously like gold dust but there are a few to be plucked from obscurity in France, Spain etc etc.... strangely I see no need to tamper with the defence or keeper....

MGRA wrote:
The defence has settled as most knew it would once we started keeping the ball in midfield and playing for 90 minutes... I agree with the first post, we actually do need a striker who can attack the goal more directly and play off holding attacking players. I would also like to see another strong midfielder signed who can also play at full back if need be.... they are obviously like gold dust but there are a few to be plucked from obscurity in France, Spain etc etc.... strangely I see no need to tamper with the defence or keeper....

But how long will Lallana be out for in your expert medical opinion?

I don't see why we need another striker. We've got Rickie, JayRod, Sharp (due back next month) Tad Lee, Guly and Mayuka. And we often play a lone striker so that's plenty.

Midfield? We have Adam, Gaston, Punch, Cork and Morgan. For cover we have Chappers, JWP and Guly.

However at the centre of defence we only really have 3 - Fonte, Yoshida, and Hoover. None are brilliant and there's no depth, so lets strengthen here.

Just a commanding centre half.

Get Sharpe back (although I think a season long loan was agreed with Forest)
to run on to the passes from Gaston and the flicks from Lambert.
No need to panic and pay over the top for some over rated has-been.

It going to be a tough January window for us and it is for every limbo club. First we need the team to show that relegation is unlikely, as this will help attract the right calibre of player. No European standard player wants to join for five months of Premier League football, and immediately bouncing back from the Championship is never a given.

That being said and I'm sure NC is on this - no relegation release clauses. We'd certainly need this team to be able to bounce straight back.

Not knowing the budget makes it difficult to assess potential players but given we had to take an offset loan against ticket sales, it makes me think that the budget will be limited (perhaps £2m).

As Puddletown said, we've got a number of squad players remaining from our fantastic League One team (and some from last season) that are (and this is not meant as a criticism of them) draining our resources. We should be able to help a few more leave, if they want to, and this will help free up some budget. As with Ryan Dickson’s potential move to Crawley, I also wouldn't be paying them to leave.

I don't want us to risk the long-term/five year plan by purchasing a player like Scott Dann. I would rather we saved our money and risk it with the squad we have. Now we've played teams outside the top 10, we've proven that the team is good enough to stay up.

My hope is that the Recruitment Team keep doing what they appear to have been doing. Buy the best available players, under 24 as a replacement for the worse starter we have. Right now that's Jose Fonte, so I've voted for a centre-back.

I'm not sure who that replacement defender is; I'm sure someone playing Championship Manager could reel off a list of candidates from across the globe.

In addition I'd keep hunting down the long term keeper solution. I wouldn’t make a purchase (if needed) until the summer. I think the purchase of Gazza (rather than spending on Butland) was an outstanding move but he has shown that he will need a little more time, perhaps a loan spell in the Championship (if we can get a guarantee that he'll start) would be ideal. He is our Turnbull or Amos, and that's fantastic for the future.

If we were relegated, then he'd be my first choice for next season. If (When) we stay up, then I'd be making a purchase. Emulating Spurs capture of a 'Hugo Lloris' would be the aim. We did it with Gaston, so why not.

I saw the plans for the FDC on the New Forest council’s website and the progression photo’s on the official website. I'm advocating we fill it with the methodical purchase of players under 24, generally priced between £5m-£10m over the course of 3 years.

Our current long-term star starters are Adam, Morgan, Shaw, Cork, Gaston and Clyne. Our squad players would include Punch, Mayuka, JWP, Lee, Yoshida, JRod and Gazza. That’s thirteen of our top 6 finishing squad sorted. You can fill in the gaps for yourself.

I'd love to see another Goalkeeper plus more defenders to give us some more options. The back four have tightened up and their performance has improved significantly, however I'd like to see more depth in the squad there.

No need to mess around up front - we've got one of the best attacking packages in the PL.
Maybe a midfielder who plays in front of the back four to give them some more support? Someone with an experienced head

This is actually a hard one. Going back a month or so ago I would have said, Defence, Defence, Defence but recently they done little wrong. I’m sure (I hope) our Nige and Andy will know what they need.

I think they should go in hard for Rooney.

St Retford wrote:
I think we need to strengthen the crowd. Those Guly-haters need to be shipped out on loan somewhere rubbish and some proper supporters brought in.

Yes, even from a selfish perspective how the crocodile hat do we benefit by demoralising one of our own players...bit like scratching your own car, senseless..

Defenders,Mancienne,
Samba,M.Dawson,C.Daw
son(WBA) any of these,Phillips out wide,Defensive midfield, Sanchez or K.Toure(if not fat),Att\mid,Foresti
eri(Watford) and Llorente up front that will do for a while.COYR.

We need two quality defenders a CB & a rb to cover for clyne,Would think Kyle Naughton from spurs is realistic for as he can play left or right of defence,Need a pacy winger I reckon look abroad will be better then looking at championship wingers,Also really need another goalscorer if RL get's injured we are pooped

RedArmy1 wrote:

St Retford wrote:
I think we need to strengthen the crowd. Those Guly-haters need to be shipped out on loan somewhere rubbish and some proper supporters brought in.

SAINTS FANS are magnificent - but will need to be at their noisy best when playing Sunderland.

When we travel AWAY to Fulham - we must dominate and own the place.

We must also record a WIN against Arsenal.

WE ARE SOUTHAMPTON.

RED ARMY. THE SAINTS GO MARCHING ON-ON-ON.

Agree, we owe Arsenal one.

Our most important signing is getting a potential replacement for Cork incase he gets injured again. Our form drastically improved when he came back.
Not sure about the need for another keeper, Butland is over priced, and Gazza is just as good if not better. No to Given as he can't get in the Aston Villa team which we beat comfortably.
Another CB would be good, do we get one to replace one half of our current partnership, or do we get a young CB to challenge, but eventually replace a current CB?
I think we have adequate cover at RB with Richardson and at LB with Fox, but maybe bring in Boilsen from Ajax, who was linked in the summer to replace Fox.
Our options up top are good, with the front 4 being deadly, then Mayuka, Rodriguez, Steve, Lee all as good cover.

I think most of the team needs to be strengthed in some way.

We need a new keeper as Gazza is inexperienced and Davis is getting beyond it. Boruc is not good enough.

Fonte is fantastic in central defence but Maya/Hooiveld cannot keep up with the Premier League, we need a big towering centre-back with Fonte (like Sami Hypia was for Liverpool in his first season there).

Our full-backs in Clyne and Shaw are good, but we have no real good back up. Danny Fox is Danny Fox and Richardson and Butterfield just aren't good enough. We have the luxury here of signing either a first team player or a back-up.

Our central midfield is fine, Davis/Schneiderlin/C
ork are all great players. Chaplow is a good back-up, and we have stars like Ward-Prowse coming up.

Our wingers are fine in Ramirez/Lallana/Punc
heon with Guly a good back-up. I think we need another first team winger to work on the other wing to Puncheon and allow Lallana and/or Ramirez the space to attack or defend.

We need a new striker with pace and goal scoring abilities. Lambert is great at goal scoring but has no pace, and he has been a little off the mark as of recently. Rodriguez/ Lee/Mayuka are good but only as back-ups, as they have pace but not the eye that Rickie has. We need top accuracy at scoring and pace as well as heading and vollying as a striker (like Falcao at Atletico Madrid).

If we can do this then we can get serious stability and begin our climb of the Premier League table!

Carefull adjustments are all that's required,the harmony of a winning squad was already affected too much in the summer.

If they haven't already identified a centre half better then scot dann,then I would suggest not to bother and get Martin back in the fold as back up. The calibre of centre half we require is upwards of 5million,we have all seen what 2 million buys you- slightly better then average(yoshida).

I would also say an experienced head to offer competition for the holding role,spiderman and cork will not go whole season without dip in form-and that is not the role davis plays.

In terms of attack, no more additions-just get the team in enough winning positions to allow some game time for Mayuka. Its a hard one, the system we play only allows for one defensive passenger and to be fair to Ramierez he does try. But Mayuka is going to be a liability in terms of defensive responsibilitys in our current formation.

And as for a goalkeeper,once again the standard of keeper that will improve our current crop is going to cost between 5-10 million-not a wise investment at this stage.

But then what do we know, Don Cortese probably already has his puppet strings ready to pull !!!

Silvestre on a free till the end of the season as a back up CB. old and slow but more top level experience than you can shake a stick at and he could do a job for us on the training ground.pay as you play deal would be worth a punt.

Samba is a great call. Get him early and pay the price. He was a rock and scored goals.

Dont think we will get a better keeper than we have.

Charlie Austin anybody.............
............

I think with some spending we should have this first eleven:

1 XI:

Formation: 4 - 1 - 2 - 2 - 1

GK - Jussi Jaskelienen (West Ham)
CB - Jose Fonte
CB - Martin Skrtel (Liverpool)
LB - Luke Shaw
RB - Nat Clyne
CM - Jack Cork
LW - Jason Puncheon
RW - Adam Johnson (Sunderland)
AM - Adam Lallana
AM - Gaston Ramirez
ST - Demba Ba (Newcastle)

Subs:

GK - Kelvin Davis
DF - Maya Yoshida
DF - Frazer Richardson
MF - Steven Davis
MF - Guly Do Prado
MF - Richard Chaplow
ST - Rickie Lambert

Signing Jussi wouldn't be hard because of his age but he is underrated because he is a fantastic keeper and is improving all the time.

Martin Skrtel would probably be the most difficult buy because he is extremely good and playing for one of the top sides in the country. However because Liverpool aren't doing too well he may be leaving. Many teams are after him but he may be swayed by the potential of Southampton, because he announced he would rather go to a small team with good potential and play every week and have a long rise to the top than go straight to the top and spend most Saturdays warming the bench.

Adam Johnson did well at Man City before moving because he wasn't getting game time, and I think he could link up well with the striker and the attacking midfielders.

Demba Ba is one of the best strikers in the Premier League and would be very difficult to get, but he has a £7.5m release clause in the January transfer window and he could be swayed by Southampton's potential. He was persuaded to Newcastle by their potential.

I would tend to agree that an older experienced head in the back line can only benefit us.

Also, if the rumours are true about Adam being out for "months rather than weeks"...I would imagine we should adapt our style of play accordingly...we need to find the direct pass through the middle onto a pacy striker (something we seem to lack atmo imo).

Could be time for Jayrod, Mayuka or Chung to step up to the mark.

seven777. wrote:
Silvestre on a free till the end of the season as a back up CB. old and slow but more top level experience than you can shake a stick at and he could do a job for us on the training ground.pay as you play deal would be worth a punt.

I totally agree, he would be great to have around the training sessions and could still have the fitness to play the odd match or two, you don't get much more experience at top level footie than someone like him and he wouldn't cost a penny! (doubt his wages would be too high either) Definitely worth a punt

St Retford wrote:
I think we need to strengthen the crowd. Those Guly-haters need to be shipped out on loan somewhere rubbish and some proper supporters brought in.

Best comment I've read on this site in a while. Those supporters who boo Guly should be 100% ashamed of themselves and 100% ridiculed. Disagree by all means, but never, ever during the match. Saints are a team - boo one and you're booing all of them.

owen thesaints... wrote:

seven777. wrote: Silvestre on a free till the end of the season as a back up CB. old and slow but more top level experience than you can shake a stick at and he could do a job for us on the training ground.pay as you play deal would be worth a punt.

I totally agree, he would be great to have around the training sessions and could still have the fitness to play the odd match or two, you don't get much more experience at top level footie than someone like him and he wouldn't cost a penny! (doubt his wages would be too high either) Definitely worth a punt

I like Silvestre, pretty sure he can play left back too, so would provide good cover for Luke Shaw. And Chris Samba was a good shout, very solid defender.
It will be interesting to see if we go back in for Matt Phillips, still don't think we have enough pace. Having said that we signed Mayuka but never play him.

We need to get rid of some of our dodgy useless fans who do nothing for the team, you know the ones who boo Guly, and get in some replacemets who really understand about football.

I bet we only sign one centreback. We are scoring goals, midfield has tightened up but we have had our fingers burnt not investing in the defence.
We will loan in one quality centre back.

Which player would be the most difficult to cover for if he was injured for the rest of the season? I think that's where Saints need to strengthen. Where do you think that is?

I said it in pre-season and nothing has changed my opinion we need a big quick mean International CENTRE-HALF to pair with Fonte`,Yoshida to cover them both off the bench and somebody to replace S.Davis we seem to play poorly when hes in the centre

Agree with those calling out the Guily haters,our TEAM has just climbed out of the bottom three after weeks of looking doomed and our fans are booing players,they should be banned from the club

take a look at these, the second website wouldn't suprise to me as adkins knows him well and I would love to see him arrive at st mary's!

http://weekendfootba

ll.co.uk/analysis/fo

rm.asp?l=1&season=13

&formtype=&gamescoun

t=6

http://www.dailymail
.co.uk/sport/footbal
l/article-2245704/So
uthampton-want-Gary-
Hooper.html

http://www.dailymail
.co.uk/sport/footbal
l/article-2245569/So
uthampton-want-sign-
Scott-Dann.html

A month ago we needed a decent cb, fb & rb for alternatives......bu
t after only shipping 4 in the last 6 games the wish list has been thrown out of the window, thank you JC you truly have made the difference! I trust the management team to do the right thing, hopefully there will be another Gaston suprise but if not hey ho, its all part of the fun of being a happy clapper!!

Voted for a CB. We need a strong spine in the team. Want somebody big and mean, scared face and bent nose, somebody who will bully the opposing striker and make him think twice about entering his patch. Remember McGrath. Then we will stay up and move on. Onwards and Upwards, Together as One!

Sainty saint saint wrote:

MGRA wrote:
The defence has settled as most knew it would once we started keeping the ball in midfield and playing for 90 minutes... I agree with the first post, we actually do need a striker who can attack the goal more directly and play off holding attacking players. I would also like to see another strong midfielder signed who can also play at full back if need be.... they are obviously like gold dust but there are a few to be plucked from obscurity in France, Spain etc etc.... strangely I see no need to tamper with the defence or keeper....

But how long will Lallana be out for in your expert medical opinion?

how the F*** would I know ?

the court case for the sads down the road has been adjourned

https://twitter.com/
nabilhassan79/status
/278961776685617152

Baddesley Bill wrote:
I would tend to agree that an older experienced head in the back line can only benefit us.

Also, if the rumours are true about Adam being out for "months rather than weeks"...I would imagine we should adapt our style of play accordingly...we need to find the direct pass through the middle onto a pacy striker (something we seem to lack atmo imo).

Could be time for Jayrod, Mayuka or Chung to step up to the mark.

its knee ligaments so will depend on the amount of damage. Luckily one of the UKs leading knee specialists is based in the city... no doubt he will be on the case...many Southampton Skiers with private medical insurance know who I am on about...

Think Hooper is a lost cause now, Celtic are digging there heals in to keep him. and with a price of 10 million minimum i think money could be spent more wisely. Striker would be good but think we are top heavy with strikers, Mayuka looks a good prospect and has yet to feature in a full prem game. Might be a chance to bring back Sharp, cause think the attack misses a natural goal poacher, would be a shame to lose him to forest and for them to go up. But NC has alot of connections, so the press talks alot about players in the prem clubs as potential targets, knowing NC it's none of them and are talking to foreign players instead!.

I think our starting eleven is now pretty decent and more than good enough to survive. And credit for that, above all, goes to Jose Fonte for really stepping up to the plate and delivering for us. No question he deserves the captain's armband should Adz take time to recover.

But the dilemma is there's no point bringing in some inferior understudy but nor is there much to achieve from brining in someone that would disrupt the defensive understanding that's been built up in the team unless it's for someone really sh1t hot that would push Yoshida down to the bench.

So basically what I'm saying is we should buy Puyol or no one. Or, at least, we need a player who is the defensive equivalent of Ramirez who says "We are Southampton - don't f*** with us."

I've no idea who that might be, but then I don't have a network of scouts reporting to me.

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:

St Retford wrote: I think we need to strengthen the crowd. Those Guly-haters need to be shipped out on loan somewhere rubbish and some proper supporters brought in.

I know just the place. Then WE would have the bestest bestest everest anywherest ever ever ever fans!

I'm afraid gents that we will have to agree to disagree on this one.

If Guly can pull out 90 minutes to match his nine minutes against Reading, a lot of us will start to get behind him again.

But until he fights for the shirt, he doesn't get a free pass to our support just because he pulls on our shirt.

He could learn a lot from Puncheon.

Meanwhile, I agree that booing him is silly. I don't want to see the Guly of 2012 on the pitch without an attitude and effort makeover. But booing him upsets the rest of the team and can only slow him from turning the corner.

I voted full backs. We have enough cover at cb by comparison. I feel alright with jos coming on for Yoshi or Jose. But the idea of jos on for Clyne is just terrifying, and we know with utter clarity that fox isn't a sound replacement for young shaman.

St Retford wrote:
I think our starting eleven is now pretty decent and more than good enough to survive. And credit for that, above all, goes to Jose Fonte for really stepping up to the plate and delivering for us. No question he deserves the captain's armband should Adz take time to recover.

But the dilemma is there's no point bringing in some inferior understudy but nor is there much to achieve from brining in someone that would disrupt the defensive understanding that's been built up in the team unless it's for someone really sh1t hot that would push Yoshida down to the bench.

So basically what I'm saying is we should buy Puyol or no one. Or, at least, we need a player who is the defensive equivalent of Ramirez who says "We are Southampton - don't f*** with us."

I've no idea who that might be, but then I don't have a network of scouts reporting to me.

Fonte seemed to improve when playing alongside Yoshi as opposed to Hooiveld. Not sure why this is. Anyone got any ideas?

City Saint wrote:

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:

St Retford wrote: I think we need to strengthen the crowd. Those Guly-haters need to be shipped out on loan somewhere rubbish and some proper supporters brought in.

I know just the place. Then WE would have the bestest bestest everest anywherest ever ever ever fans!

I'm afraid gents that we will have to agree to disagree on this one.

If Guly can pull out 90 minutes to match his nine minutes against Reading, a lot of us will start to get behind him again.

But until he fights for the shirt, he doesn't get a free pass to our support just because he pulls on our shirt.

He could learn a lot from Puncheon.

Meanwhile, I agree that booing him is silly. I don't want to see the Guly of 2012 on the pitch without an attitude and effort makeover. But booing him upsets the rest of the team and can only slow him from turning the corner.

I don't think we're disagreeing. I'm not asking for anyone to worship him - just don't blindly boo him. When he gets brought on it's usually to do a job, which is to shore up the top of the pitch by adding muscular presence and making the ball sticks there and making sure our defence starts in the opponent's half. It's not what he came into the game to do, but Nigel obviously rates him to do it and that's good enough for me.

Red n White wrote:

St Retford wrote:
I think our starting eleven is now pretty decent and more than good enough to survive. And credit for that, above all, goes to Jose Fonte for really stepping up to the plate and delivering for us. No question he deserves the captain's armband should Adz take time to recover.

But the dilemma is there's no point bringing in some inferior understudy but nor is there much to achieve from brining in someone that would disrupt the defensive understanding that's been built up in the team unless it's for someone really sh1t hot that would push Yoshida down to the bench.

So basically what I'm saying is we should buy Puyol or no one. Or, at least, we need a player who is the defensive equivalent of Ramirez who says "We are Southampton - don't f*** with us."

I've no idea who that might be, but then I don't have a network of scouts reporting to me.

Fonte seemed to improve when playing alongside Yoshi as opposed to Hooiveld. Not sure why this is. Anyone got any ideas?

Dunno. Jos never really got much of a run out in the Prem, which is funny as I think last year he was our best defender. I guess he made a few mistakes in those first few games (who didn't?) and it affected him more than others. I hope Nigel has been building him up because we'll definitely need him again sooner or later.

I think the most urgent place to strengthen is central defence, ideally with someone better than Fonte and Yoshida. If we can't get one, then at least someone who would provide some competition for a place.

St Retford wrote:

City Saint wrote:

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:

St Retford wrote: I think we need to strengthen the crowd. Those Guly-haters need to be shipped out on loan somewhere rubbish and some proper supporters brought in.

I know just the place. Then WE would have the bestest bestest everest anywherest ever ever ever fans!

I'm afraid gents that we will have to agree to disagree on this one. If Guly can pull out 90 minutes to match his nine minutes against Reading, a lot of us will start to get behind him again. But until he fights for the shirt, he doesn't get a free pass to our support just because he pulls on our shirt. He could learn a lot from Puncheon. Meanwhile, I agree that booing him is silly. I don't want to see the Guly of 2012 on the pitch without an attitude and effort makeover. But booing him upsets the rest of the team and can only slow him from turning the corner.

I don't think we're disagreeing. I'm not asking for anyone to worship him - just don't blindly boo him. When he gets brought on it's usually to do a job, which is to shore up the top of the pitch by adding muscular presence and making the ball sticks there and making sure our defence starts in the opponent's half. It's not what he came into the game to do, but Nigel obviously rates him to do it and that's good enough for me.

Alrighty, I can see common ground there. I'd like to see Guly get back to the energized guy who shows up in League 1. If he can step up do a job for us now, bring it on.

On a related note I'd like to see more of Mayuka. Maybe with Lallana's injury the opportunity will come up.

I don't want to see us buy too many more now, we have a crew we brought in who unsettled the side a bit at first. Now that things are more settled, we might get more points by continuing with the starting 11 and using the squad as cover. Any new arrivals would hurt the balance at a critical time.

St Retford wrote:

Red n White wrote:

St Retford wrote: I think our starting eleven is now pretty decent and more than good enough to survive. And credit for that, above all, goes to Jose Fonte for really stepping up to the plate and delivering for us. No question he deserves the captain's armband should Adz take time to recover. But the dilemma is there's no point bringing in some inferior understudy but nor is there much to achieve from brining in someone that would disrupt the defensive understanding that's been built up in the team unless it's for someone really sh1t hot that would push Yoshida down to the bench. So basically what I'm saying is we should buy Puyol or no one. Or, at least, we need a player who is the defensive equivalent of Ramirez who says "We are Southampton - don't f*** with us." I've no idea who that might be, but then I don't have a network of scouts reporting to me.

Fonte seemed to improve when playing alongside Yoshi as opposed to Hooiveld. Not sure why this is. Anyone got any ideas?

Dunno. Jos never really got much of a run out in the Prem, which is funny as I think last year he was our best defender. I guess he made a few mistakes in those first few games (who didn't?) and it affected him more than others. I hope Nigel has been building him up because we'll definitely need him again sooner or later.

I think hooivelds own goals spooked everyone, him most of all. But anyone who applauds the fans the way he does deserves another chance to step up. He has the makings of a legend, but the step up to the prem really hurt his confidence. The last few times I saw him play he looked scared of his own shadow.

City Saint wrote:

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:

St Retford wrote: I think we need to strengthen the crowd. Those Guly-haters need to be shipped out on loan somewhere rubbish and some proper supporters brought in.

I know just the place. Then WE would have the bestest bestest everest anywherest ever ever ever fans!

I'm afraid gents that we will have to agree to disagree on this one.

If Guly can pull out 90 minutes to match his nine minutes against Reading, a lot of us will start to get behind him again.

But until he fights for the shirt, he doesn't get a free pass to our support just because he pulls on our shirt.

He could learn a lot from Puncheon.

Meanwhile, I agree that booing him is silly. I don't want to see the Guly of 2012 on the pitch without an attitude and effort makeover. But booing him upsets the rest of the team and can only slow him from turning the corner.

Amen to that brother!

STID

St Retford wrote:

City Saint wrote:

Seedhouse the Unrepentant wrote:

St Retford wrote: I think we need to strengthen the crowd. Those Guly-haters need to be shipped out on loan somewhere rubbish and some proper supporters brought in.

I know just the place. Then WE would have the bestest bestest everest anywherest ever ever ever fans!

I'm afraid gents that we will have to agree to disagree on this one.

If Guly can pull out 90 minutes to match his nine minutes against Reading, a lot of us will start to get behind him again.

But until he fights for the shirt, he doesn't get a free pass to our support just because he pulls on our shirt.

He could learn a lot from Puncheon.

Meanwhile, I agree that booing him is silly. I don't want to see the Guly of 2012 on the pitch without an attitude and effort makeover. But booing him upsets the rest of the team and can only slow him from turning the corner.

I don't think we're disagreeing. I'm not asking for anyone to worship him - just don't blindly boo him. When he gets brought on it's usually to do a job, which is to shore up the top of the pitch by adding muscular presence and making the ball sticks there and making sure our defence starts in the opponent's half. It's not what he came into the game to do, but Nigel obviously rates him to do it and that's good enough for me.

The trouble is Rets he doesn't do that job when he comes on , I don't think it's a coincidence that when Guly is subbed for Rickie we drop back. Rickie pins defences back but Guly just runs the line and follows it wherever it is - He shouldn't be booed though, not only for his and the teams sake, but the reputation of our club.

STID

We do need a defender, but we also need a midfielder Steven Davis hasnt been what i was hoping for

damoose wrote:
I said it in pre-season and nothing has changed my opinion we need a big quick mean International CENTRE-HALF to pair with Fonte`,Yoshida to cover them both off the bench and somebody to replace S.Davis we seem to play poorly when hes in the centre Agree with those calling out the Guily haters,our TEAM has just climbed out of the bottom three after weeks of looking doomed and our fans are booing players,they should be banned from the club

Agree with this in its entirity!

damoose wrote:
I said it in pre-season and nothing has changed my opinion we need a big quick mean International CENTRE-HALF to pair with Fonte`,Yoshida to cover them both off the bench and somebody to replace S.Davis we seem to play poorly when hes in the centre

Agree with those calling out the Guily haters,our TEAM has just climbed out of the bottom three after weeks of looking doomed and our fans are booing players,they should be banned from the club

I agree with the Davis part, I think he looks a bit weak and easy to knock off the ball. I also agree with the Booing part. I have made no secret on here of the fact Guly is not one of my favourite players, I think he often lacks commitment, but I would never boo any one in a saints shirt, and nor should any other fan! All that being said, I think he looked excellent when he came on last week against Reading, and all the fans around me were having a good laugh about the possibility of being proved wrong for any negative thoughts they may have had about his appearance, we would all have loved him to score.

As far as where we need to strengthen, I am with Magnette, just look to where we would be hurt the most if our first choice was out! Get well soon Adam!!

STID

MGRA wrote:

Sainty saint saint wrote:

MGRA wrote:
The defence has settled as most knew it would once we started keeping the ball in midfield and playing for 90 minutes... I agree with the first post, we actually do need a striker who can attack the goal more directly and play off holding attacking players. I would also like to see another strong midfielder signed who can also play at full back if need be.... they are obviously like gold dust but there are a few to be plucked from obscurity in France, Spain etc etc.... strangely I see no need to tamper with the defence or keeper....

But how long will Lallana be out for in your expert medical opinion?

how the F*** would I know ?

That does surprise me.

I think they need to strengthen the pie selection

Cover for Shaw because Fox worries me
Cover for Clyne and cover for the CB position A first choice solid keeper Not much to ask could probably be financed by selling playe4rs like De-Ridder Barnard etc

A class centre back and a gritty midfielder.

TheSaintsMan wrote:
I think with some spending we should have this first eleven:

1 XI:

Formation: 4 - 1 - 2 - 2 - 1

GK - Jussi Jaskelienen (West Ham)
CB - Jose Fonte
CB - Martin Skrtel (Liverpool)
LB - Luke Shaw
RB - Nat Clyne
CM - Jack Cork
LW - Jason Puncheon
RW - Adam Johnson (Sunderland)
AM - Adam Lallana
AM - Gaston Ramirez
ST - Demba Ba (Newcastle)

Subs:

GK - Kelvin Davis
DF - Maya Yoshida
DF - Frazer Richardson
MF - Steven Davis
MF - Guly Do Prado
MF - Richard Chaplow
ST - Rickie Lambert

Signing Jussi wouldn't be hard because of his age but he is underrated because he is a fantastic keeper and is improving all the time.

Martin Skrtel would probably be the most difficult buy because he is extremely good and playing for one of the top sides in the country. However because Liverpool aren't doing too well he may be leaving. Many teams are after him but he may be swayed by the potential of Southampton, because he announced he would rather go to a small team with good potential and play every week and have a long rise to the top than go straight to the top and spend most Saturdays warming the bench.

Adam Johnson did well at Man City before moving because he wasn't getting game time, and I think he could link up well with the striker and the attacking midfielders.

Demba Ba is one of the best strikers in the Premier League and would be very difficult to get, but he has a £7.5m release clause in the January transfer window and he could be swayed by Southampton's potential. He was persuaded to Newcastle by their potential.

HEADS GONE moment there. Why would saints have ONE midfielder? Jack Cork couldn't do a job that he can't even do now.