Southampton Banter Archive November 11 2013

11 Nov 2013 18:56:26
Was listening to Saints Hull on the radio and good old Dave said we should strengthen again in January to really show our ambition, what does everyone think about this? Who do we think we need? Wide player with pace? Full back cover? Only places we lack really

To be honest, we have a few positions in which our cover is not premiere league quality. we'd be shockingly exposed if lovren/shaw/lallana were injured.

My priority would be to buy young players who are happy to sit on the bench for a while so we don't look so shaky when fox/hooiveld is playing.

Yoshi is decent back up to Lovren, obviously not as good as him, however was better than Fonte last season. Granted Fonte looks a completely different player alongside Lovren, who is to say that Fonte can't play like that without him and improve Yoshi. Full back is debatable, Clyne can cover LB with Chamber's on the right, however as good a prospect and consistently improving he Chamber's is we will lack the quality of overlap that our narrow style requires. Lallana, average last season, but as good as anyone on his day this one, can't necessarily be replaced like for like. However, the players who would replace him such as Ramirez or Davies offer a quality that combined with the desired MoPo work rate wouldn't deteriorate the team, owing to the philosophy of don't concede and the chances will come

Would be a real statement of intent if we were top 6 come January and spent another £20m on recruits.

I'm not for frivolous spending, but we do need to add some squad depth and I'd like to make a statement that we're not just settling for a mid table finish.

I'd like Coutinhio from Liverpool, he should have chosen us in the first place.

11 Nov 2013 15:51:08
I know it's early and right now we would all take a spot in Europe with both hands, but as the BBC seem to be going today, do you think we could be considered dark horses for the EPL?

Look at the facts; St Marys is a fortress, we consistently get points against the lower sides but we also seem to do well against the big sides.

By and large I think any potential we have to finish top 5 or even win the league is decided in these next 5 games; if we can minimize our losses away at the big teams then we're in a with as good a shot as anyone else this year.

Thoughts?

'First 11' is good enough to be title contenders. The 'squad' is not.

Woaaaah hold on lads, we won't win league or qualify for champions league, the squad is far to weak let's all be grounded and look for that top 8 place poss place in europa. which let's face it do we really want that

I agree somewhat with SaintGazza but I see more than a first 11. I think we have a first 15/16 who are very good and all able to play a part in a top 4 challenge, plus a number of hungry youngsters who can slot in and out and not let any side down. I would still be worried about cover for Adam and Dejan but if that was sorted in January then we could certainly be a real problem to teams throughout the season.

Just hope the next two weeks break will not upset our momentum. If it doesn't, I have a real feeling we can get a win at Arsenal. There are certain weaknesses in their side which we have the players to exploit and in MP I believe we have a manager who will have made plans to do just that. And what better incentive for the whole club than the crazy possibility of a win taking Saints to the top of the league!

Saint Martin

Plus the added incentive, although obviously only a token incentive, if Liverpool lose or draw with Everton we go top. Who could've predicted that. I had £50 on saints w/o the big 6, more out of optimism than anything else but never dreamed we would have a top of the table clash just over a 1/4 season in

Saint Martin,

You say you're worried about cover for Adam and Dejan, are you not worried about cover for Luke? I'd question your sanity if you weren't worried by this.

Lallana is the least I'd be worried about of those three. And that says something, because he's our best player (imo).

11 Nov 2013 12:26:02
Emmanuel Mayuka scored an absolutely amazing goal tonight. Hopefully sending him out on loan will get the best out of him and he comes back to us a much better player.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1716w6_marseille-1-1-sochaux-amazing-goal-emmanuel-mayuka_sport

Although we need to manage our expectations to some extent I love the positivity. Who knows what we can achieve this season. We certainly shouldn't set ourselves any limits.

Wow. bring him back?