egg

Are you serious? In this system our full backs have no cover whatsoever. The wide midfielders/attackers (for the last half hour they were in fact BWP and McG - 2 alleged strikers) do not know whether to get back or not. The point was in fact made by the sky commentator. The 2 midfielders cannot get over to support otherwise we get overrun in the middle of the park. The best 2 full backs in the world would have a tough time with no cover. Lloyd James is never going to be the next Cafu but he is so exposed he looks worse than he is. Further up the pitch the widemen looked awful and the rest of the team completely disjointed. We looked a whole lot better when we went 424, or whatever it was, following the subs. We had 2 "normal" strikers and 2 "normal" CM players and looked much better. If we went 442 it would give cover to the fullbacks, give us more strength and options up front where we are plainly lacking. Based on the last half hour, and assuming Schneiderlin is still crocked, we have 2 of Gillett, Surman (those 2 would be choice), Cork, Wotton and James (before you laugh I have seen him play loads of times at CM paired with Gillett and they play really well together). The wide berths could be filled by Lallana, Smith, Surman orThomson. I know we have loads of centre forwards with recent expereience as wingers but I prefer to see round pegs in round holes. I have never really been a believer that systems make much difference but having seen us get battered down the flanks and look gash up front most of the season it is bloody obvious to me that this system is not the best for us.

Oh please, only Morgan and MCG of those have been all but ever presents this season. They are tall but hardly powerhouses. If you really think that a big guy in goal and a few other tall but slight and/or inexperienced and/or crocked players render us suitable for an injection of Billy Davies "style" then you are as mad as a box of frogs on acid. We have a squad of inexperienced footballers. I would much rather see them play football this season than see Billy Davies "educate" them in his psycho football ways.

While I agree it scares the life out of me that we have a coach who is making it up as he goes along. With that said. I can not see what on gods earth Billy Davies, or many other coaches, could do better with the squad we have and the resources available at the club. His teams play with a big lump at the back, one up front, and 9 filling the other positions. Our boys weigh in at about 9 stone 6 a piece. Hardly the ingredients for the Billy Davies pub team approach is it? Some people need to wake up and smell the reality. We only have kids available so need a coach to get the best from those kids. Billy Davies aint that man.

I have seen this lad develop over the last few years and have been impressed. It's just just that every time I have seen him play it has been as a holding CM or occasionally at CB - never RB. I like the current managers ideas and salute the attempt to bring through youth, but to ruin the confidence of a good young player by playing him out of position is criminal. I agree that on the whole he has been poor this season, but take my hat off to the fella for giving it a go in a position that is alien to him. If we have any CB cover then I would move cork to RB. If not we have no alternative but to persist with James or chuck in another kid, Hatch (who I think has real future and is a natural RB) or Thomson who has loads of real talent and is a raw talent. Whats the lesser of 3 evils? James defo has a future at the club - just not at RB. Poor kid.

Cheers. How I missed your post I don't know! Panic over.

I hope you are not serious! There is no large number. The 18 at Exeter plus Killer, BWP, Davies when fit and maybe Thomas are our squad of available players ( I say this as Rasiak, Euell and Skacel do not appear to be "available" and will be sold if offers come in). I honestly cannot see how we can hope to fulfil ressie and under 18 fixtures with the players currently at the club. Very worrying. I also wonder what has happened with the 3 nippers I mentioned above. Racine apparently looks very good and appears to have disappeared without trace!

Have noticed that Racine has gone missing - according to JP he had great promise. Imudia and McNish also appear to have gone. Who the hell are going to field in reserve and under 18 games? We only have about half a dozen under 18's.

Noted. Still does not warrant the "panic" question imo. Last time round Killer was in discomfort during the games - feeling the knee etc. By all accounts he was ok during the game. I read the quote differently to you and Alpine. Maybe my glass is half full! Fingers crossed his knee being sore is "just" a natural reaction to 90mins of proper action and that he will be fine.

2-0 Saints. Stern John double.

This is a silly thread! What evidence is there to even ask the question "has killers knee popped already" ? The answer is none. If you read the page on the os Killer says that his knee is a bit sore, but that he will be ok in the pool, ok on the bike and hopes to resume training in a few days. No hint of any serious problem at all. Forget any medical explanation - it is surely obvious that with what he has been through there is likely to be a reaction whenever he trains and/or plays. The hope is that he and the club manage it corretly and that he can play most of the league games.

Is hard to dsagree with many of SaintRich's views. Excellent post. This is a really strong league. Loads of transfers for a £mil plus tells a story. I would love to think that we can compete for a top 6 spot but looking at the competition I think mid-bottom end about best for us. Sadly.

It pains me to say it but 3-1 Cardiff.

I think that Stern will be wasted in that role - he remains our best CF imo. This thread highlights one thing though, the flexibility of our system. For example, Lallana could adopt a role on either wing or in the hole. BWP down either wing or CF. Dyer down either wing. Surman could play in the hole as could Euell or even Skacel. I could go on. The point is that during the season -and even during games I reckon - we will see a lot of players in a lot of roles. Should be fun!