Matthew Le God

I haven't defended the usage of the formation. I pointed out that 352 has 8 central players, so isn't lacking centrally.

The Saints outside broadcast team and their equipment for today's game in Austria

Looking better 2nd half with a higher quality of player on the pitch.

I think... Salisu Bednarek Bella-Kotchap Lyanco Stephens Valery Is the correct order of quality for them. So Ralph is correct on them. With Bella-Kotchap the unknown quantity.

I see them as our 4th and 5th choice centre backs. Salisu, Bednarek and possibly Bella-Kotchap all ahead of them in pecking order. With Valery as 6th choice.

I'd suggest today's midfield and attack are also unlikely to start together particularly often in the PL either. Lots of the 1st choice players all not starting today. Today's starting line-up players may come in and out of the team, but they'd be supported by higher quality 1st choice players which would make a difference.

Perhaps spelling his name correctly would help you to be even clearer!

3 centre backs, 3 central midfielders, 2 strikers. That is 8 outfield players in central areas! The only width is the 2 wingbacks.

The middle of the pitch is flooded with Saints players in this 352 formation.

Player quality impacts the effectiveness of the formation. We won't be using these players in the PL barring a monumental injury crisis.

I doubt we'll be starting many PL matches with Small and Edwards as our wingbacks and Valery, Lyanco and Stephens as centre backs together.

It is essentially our 2nd or even 3rd string.

Thierry Small looks a long way from being ready for the 1st team. Not going to write him off as he is still only 17 years old. A loan might do him good.

It is early in pre-season, we played on Saturday with one XI getting 60 minutes and the other getting 45 minutes. Looks like they are simply switching them round and we may also see the more established played in mass changes later. What else were you expecting from a pre-season game at this stage of the summer?

He is injured.

Questions about a new striker at end of this video...

The club could be open to selling him and if no deal is currently close then it would be daft to not take him on the tour. He still needs to train and if a deal fails to materialise and he hasn't had a pre-season then he'd be behind everyone else.

Not really, as my second sentence points out the flaw.

Extra highlights...

A rumour at last...

This is a good watch on the topic...

What is your point then?

If someone bid £80m for Ward-Prowse do you think he wouldn't be sold? Every player has a price no matter what a club may say.