Donatello

Let's not pretend we would contemplate spending £8-10m on a second choice RB. Gripe about Martina, by all means, but don't pretend Byram was ever an alternative.

Nor have I. A source would be welcome, else I'm calling shenanigans.

Be happy then, because he is. The reason he has largely been playing is because VVD wasn't available. It was Yoshida or Caulker.

And we will.

No, I know you're renowned for your denigration of Yoshida. I'm talking about the guys who see the erroneous pass and label his a "Championship" player because of *that*. You probably formed that opinion long ago

Haha, it's an outrage it is Ta.

Mhmm, Montero is going down the line every time (95% of the time) (based on what I've seen).

Many on here thought Yoshida was Most Improved Player last year too. I'm not saying I agree (I haven't given it any thought), but he obviously did something right to give some that impression. One erroneous pass and he's been cast out

Mate, don't bother. Just save yourself the time

Which press-conference was this? Post-ManU? Thanks in advance

Ta btw (thought I'd commented that yesterday).

Hmm, yeah, I somewhat accept that (rotating CMs), but Davis doesn't come close to resembling a DM, so I think his selection in that role is tactical (as opposed to rotation), I.e. he's playing in the DM position in namesake only (more freedom and whatnot). And I feel it's disingenuous to suggest that Yoshida is just a CB played at RB. He clearly has a versatility which other CBs don't possess (e.g. Fonte, Lovren, Caulker, Hoovield) - Adkins thought so too. CB isn't Blind's natural position but he does a job - I see Yoshida in the same vein (jack of all trades). Again, I can see what you're driving at, but I feel it's a tad unrealistic. For Southampton to have Soares/Martina/Yoshi as RB options isn't *that* bad. Soares as the starter, Yoshi as the strong but blunt presence, and Martina as out and out balanced cover. You seem to be seeking another big purchase-big wage (relative) player, which is you're prerogative/expectation. I don't mind us having to become a tad Pulis-esque at times...it certainly won't be the norm. We won't have Craig Dawson-types playing RB for anything approaching the majority. Reference Juanmi, that's just hyperbole. I can't be bothered to address it. He thinks Romeu is better. He thinks Stek is better. He thinks Clasie is better. Soares. VVD. That's 5 from 8 (1st team signings). Martina and Caulker were Europa players. Juanmi is a mystery but only because he hasn't made many bench appearances - for that fee, I wouldn't expect him to waltz in and claim Tadic's/Mane's spot. He's Elia's/Djuricic's replacement. Both were labelled dross by many on this forum, so any improvement with Juanmi is a positive, right? And a status quo isn't regressive.

....twice. He's opted for Yoshida instead of Soares....twice (Man U, and Midtjylland (H), when you could argue Soares wasn't 100% fit). It's all above you in black and white. JWP/Davis have started ahead of Romeu - is Koeman suggesting he's rubbish too? Or is it more likely that Koeman picks teams which he believes exploit/cover the qualities/deficiencies of the teams we play? I.e. being adaptable/pragmatic (from his perspective)

"Dry your eyes, mate. I know it's hard to take but Cedric has been starting."

Care to explain how an analogy which highlights how X is selected over Y in order to show preference is erroneous? Okay, if you must He started against Everton, he's started 6 games, and been on the bench for the remaining 4. Of those 4, one was away against Vitesse (3-0 up in tie - arguably rested), two were against FC Midtjylland (we all know why Koeman chose to do this, it's whether you agree or not - as stated at time, I thought Koeman employed arrogant tactics/selection, particularly away, in this tie). He got pretty dinged up away at Watford (head injury) in the game preceeding Midtjylland (H), which perhaps mitigates one of Koeman's decisions there. The forth game being United - for reasons Koeman stated (again, agree/disagree). To summarise, 10 games/start opportunities (6 league, 4 europe). Cedric has accrued 6 starts (5 league, 1 europe). Yoshida has played RB 2 times (1 league, 1 europe). Martina has played RB 2 times (2 europe). It's a 60-20-20 percent split (starts) so far, of which I'm prepared to suggest that 20% was a reasonable alternative (I.e. rested against Vitesse (10%), a cautious benching at home against Midtjylland due to knock at sustained at Watford (10%)). That difference will only widen with time because Cedric will undoubtedly (evidently!) start more than 60% of league games (and we no longer have European games - where alternatives were being selected). How is any of this an indication that Yoshida is preferred (the nature of comment I replied to) to both of our summer ('15) purchased right backs? Edit: as always, corrections welcome (memory = sieve).

If I have 10 ice creams and nine of those ice creams are Twisters, the remaining single ice cream being a Cornetto, you would draw the conclusion that I preferred Cornettos? Christ, I swear some of you guys on here are deliberately obtuse. If Gazza starts within the next 100 games I look forward to you acknowledging his preferential status too

Haha, the fact that disproves the claim in bold is literally a post or two above yours. Such is Koeman's preference for Yoshida, that he's started one league game (...the last game) out six at RB.

Where was this said? Please and thank youzzzz.

----------Stek---------- Cedric Fonte VVD Targett ------JWP----Reed----- Hesketh--JRod--Juanmi ----------Long---------- That midfield is probably too weak, but given the above mentioning of a weak MKDons side I'd give it a go. Alternatively, start with Romeu in place of Reed, who can replace Romeu depending on the first 45-60 mins.

How do you mean? Sorry, it's early (ish), my mind is somewhat foggy.

I simply cannot believe that someone could blame Yoshida and his crucial tackle (which unfortunately fell to Martial - no, sorry, you're right, he teed him up ), when Fonte went lunging for the ball, missed, and left his position empty for Mata to waltz into. Yoshida made up for Fonte's mistake! It was an exquisite tackle. That's the way I saw it at least. If Fonte doesn't make that miscalculation, Mata isn't running at Stek.

Agreed, I like the pressing, I enjoy watching it, *but* Batman's point was that our initial success of last year was due to players adhering to Poch's pressing under Koeman, which I simply can't see given the change in personnel. The merits of pressing aren't lost on me, I'm an advocate

I'll accept there's an issue when similar performances crop up against teams who are not Manchester United (or similar). Besides, isn't the mantra around here that we've not played well for most of the season, therefore making that question inapplicable (unless you're referring to last season's record point tally performances).

They were indeed here, but given that you press from the front (Pelle, Tadic, and Mane), I don't see how one can suggest that we were pressing like a Poch team (at any point under Koeman). You could potentially say players aren't as fit, I.e. there isn't as much energy (I'm not sure I accept that personally), but then we've lost of the most naturally athletic midfielders in the league. JWP covered more ground than anyone against West Brom, so I think It's fair to assume he's all right. And Fonte's fitness wasn't all that integral to the Poch system.