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pez86

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  1. What a signing that would have been, would have added even further to that team that rose up the leagues the last few seasons. We had a heck of a scouting department back then for spotting youngsters. Despite the misunderstanding of others, thanks for sharing - interesting stuff.
  2. Positions and quality wise I would go exactly with this, although I doubt we'll manage to get all six positions filled. I would also add another keeper to the list if we fail to tie down Boruc. Someone queried why back-ups, I think we want players who can compete and push for places, if they're better than great but realistically are we really going to spend big money on getting better players than Clyne/Shaw/Schneiderlin? Even if we did surely these are young players who will be top (potentially world class) players in a few years so best keep them in the team and develop them. My suggestions for signings (hopefully realistic) would be... Top CB- Shawcross from Stoke if they go down. Otherwise people are raving about Astori but I haven't seen him play. Really wanted Yanga-Mbiwa who went to NEwcastle in the winter, shame to miss him. Back up RB- I like Trippier-was superb for Burnley last season, haven't followed him this season but unless he has dropped off I'd go for him. Lowton from Villa if they go down (and not just because he scored a couple of screamers). Back up LB-Lucas Digne from Lille- may well struggle to get him as he has been linked with some top clubs and wouldn't be satisfied with a back up spot but could be a good option to rotate with Shaw. Young, great prospect, already played a good number of games at a high level. Would take the pressure off LS. Competitive CM- Chalobah on loan from Chelsea. Done a great job for Watford this season- will be a top player. Winger- Saw Salah against Spurs, he did look good and exciting and a good shout but very raw. I'll go along with Scott Sinclair as he would be ready to slot in immediately- may be looking for guaranteed first team football though. Another could be Younes Belhanda. CF- For me this should be someone who is sniffing around JR and RLs spots, but probably one who will develop in coming years and improve. Perhaps taking a gamble on a Championship player (Austin, Rhodes) although I think that for the cost it will be difficult to find someone worthwhile. Perhaps someone from the continent. I personally think someone who is able to both lead the line or take a deeper more creative role would be ideal. Hard to find.
  3. For me I'd go for... Curtis Davies- Have concerns over Fonte (also think we need a right back) doing a really top job in the Prem, despite all he has achieved for us over the last couple of years. Davies looked like a future England player in his younger days, stalled a bit but looks well back on track at Brum. Quick, good in the air, decent distribution and doesn't make too many mistakes. He's a real leader too. Adam Clayton- Think we need a bit more in centre mid in the Prem, an all rounder to compliment Morgan/Cork in protecting the defence and building attacks. Would fit in well with the MODERN midfield hardman that so many on here were crying out for. He gets stuck in, wins the ball and doesn't shirk a tackle (look at his bookings count- the main downside really) but also has bags of quality on the ball. I've been really impressed with him when I've seen him play, he can dictate play, hit a pass, plays with his brain and is all round quality really. Maybe a little bit defensive for what we need but I think he has the ability to attack if given license and certainly would set up attacks nicely. A poor man's Xabi Alonso. Vicente/Burke- As much as I think we need another striker I think a wide right midfielder is our number one priority. Burke has done a good job and I don't think we should let age be a barrier in the first few Prem seasons- need good performers no matter what their age. Burke is maybe a little slow but again a very clever player who has lots of end product. I think Vicente is class but not sure if we want such a left footed player on the right. If we're happy with that and can keep him fit I think he'd be worth a punt as a signing, if not someone to rely on. That just leaves us to pick up Van Persie on the cheap as our new front man to go with these three.
  4. Maybe unhappy about the signing of Pekhart? More competition for a place he already hasn't got. JP alluded to some people being disappointed by the extra competition in his post-match interview. Unless he changes his game I can't see Stern getting too many starts ahead of DMG and TP this year. Could be the end for him?
  5. Tonight was the first time I've had a chance to see the new look Saints, and I have to say I enjoyed it, a MASSIVE improvement on the excuse for a football team we saw last year. Some reflections on the game player by player... Bart- Didn't have much to do but did what he had to well. Still looks a bit shaky on decision making, coming off his line etc but was pleased with his performance. Although many would consider his time wasting at the end 'professional' it did annoy me a bit - after a great performance why not keep moving the ball about and demoralise b'ham even further!? James- Very solid defensively at RB. Got well to support the attack well. Not the most exciting player on the pitch but did his job very solidly. Surman- For me a disappointment, his touch was poor and I felt he wasn't up to his usual standards, probably giving the ball away more than any other player. As someone else mentioned he looked so much better when moved into the centre of the park, playing more like we would expect. Still can't complain. Thomas- Solid. Defensively very good, outstanding in the air. Not the greatest footballer ever but Cork alongside him was more than helpful in that respect. Cork- Excellent on the ball, made a couple of great driving runs. Almost played as our sweeper at times, setting up attacks from the back. Reads the game well and looks like a very good signing. My only concern is that he was beaten to nearly every header by Bent or O'Connor. I think would work better as a DMC or RB. Nonetheless an assured performance. Schneiderlin- Very good, impressed by his strength and composure on the ball. Didn't shine but I think it was noticeable that Saints did not keep the ball as well after his substitution (likewise with Gillett). Always looking to receive the ball. Think he works better playing deeper rather than higher up the pitch. Gillett- Showing that he has become the player he has always promised to be. Tigerish, tireless, excellent passing, again he is always looking for the ball. A fans favourite in the making. Wotton- Very solid. Good tackling, gave good aerial presence in midfield and shielded the defence well. Didn't stop talking and supporting the other players. Didn't play with the same fluidity of some of the younger players but didn't need to. Didn't try to do anything beyond his own ability. Excellent. Lallana- Excellent second half display in particular I felt. Shone when moved into the centre rather than on the wing, where his instinct led to him not always offering enough width. Great skill and enthusiasm, would love to see him on the ball more, making more direct runs like he did for the goal. Great goal, was desperately unlucky not to score in the first half too. Holmes- MOTM for me, showed great skill, good positional awareness and good work rate. Hugged the line well and offered a good option on the left. Scored a good opening goal and looks like a good free signing. McGoldrick- Worked hard, held up the ball well and showed desire. I am a big DMG fan but I was a little concerned at his flat-footedness, his anticipation didn't seem to be great and he wasn't always ready to receive a pass, especially as the game wore on. I think he can be a very good striker for Saints, but I think the team need to use his a bit better. At his best with his back to goal or when given a ball to run on to. Subs John- Did ok, didn't work as hard as McGoldrick but clearly that bit more experienced. IMO we looked better without him. Still useful striking experience off the bench. Mills- Thought he was very good, supported the attack well and solid defensively. Look like a better LB than Surman did. First time I've seen him play (that I remember) and was impressed. Good prospect. General comments: Saints played really well and kept possession well, particularly in the first half when ball retention was quite outstanding. Held their own well when Bham came at them and although not as good in the second half they still did well, restricting the opposition to speculative efforts. Felt that a bit more movement will be necessary in the final third if we are to see the extra goals that JP desires, particularly when DMG drops off. But overall mightily impressive stuff. Here's hoping the lads can keep it up, and I really believe they can!
  6. Is using youth a contingency plan, or a long-term strategy that will be pursued even when the finances improve?
  7. McGoldrick deserves a run. Okay he hasn't scored well (if at all) in the CCC yet but he has the potential to be a good player for Saints. Rasiak and John do have good goal scoring records but how many goals will we lose because of their lack of interplay/effort? JP has clearly said that he is looking for a striker who will do more than just score, and DM seems to be that man. He is fast, strong and has a good eye for goal, if the management put their faith in him I see no reason why he can't score a lot of goals (as well as helping the team all round and defending from the front) alongside his mates. In terms of the other stuff about younger players not performing, I think it's fair to say we haven't given youngsters a proper chance for a good amount of time. Yes they have had occasional runs in the team, but these haven't always been under the best circumstances. Of course the current crop of youngsters will make mistakes, but the only way they can grow is with experience. With a new season ahead, and everyone starting with a clean slate, I reckon this can be a quality season for a DM as well as a good number of our other young players.
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