Saints Strongest XI

Exactly what it says on the tin. No injuries, no suspensions, no Asian/African cup competitions. Have a go...

-------------------- Forster ----------------------
Clyne - Alderweilde - Fonte - Bertrand
------- Schneiderlin - Wanyama -------
---- Elia -------- Mane --------- Rodriguez --
--------------------- Pelle ----------------------

Subs: Boruc, Targett, Cork, Davis, Tadic, Ward-Prowse, Long

 

Agh, I forgot about Reed!!

Gonna need a bigger bench.

 

Forster; Clyne, Fonte, Alderweireld, Bertrand; Ward-Prowse, Wanyama, Schneiderlin; Mané, Pellè, Tadić.

Subs: Boruc, Yoshida, Cork, S. Davis, Ward-Prowse, Elia, Rodriguez.

 

Nice try, but no Steven Davis; he's a must in midfield and Koeman knows it.

 

----------------Forster-------------
-Clyne---Fonte-Alderweireld-Bertrand-
----------Wanyama-Schneiderlin--------
-Ward-Prowse--Mane---------Tadic------
--------------------Pelle--------------------------

Bench: K.Davis (Boruc), Yoshida, Reed, S.Davis, Elia, Rodriguez, Long.

Elia instead of Mane possibly. Not seen enough of him yet, but he was great against Newcastle.

 

..........................Forster...........................
.......Yoshida.....Alderwereild.....Fonte.....
Clyne.....Schneiderlin...Wanyama...Tadic...Bertrand
........................Mane.....................................
............................Pelle..................................

Subs; Davis K, Gardos, Targett, Davis S, Cork, Long, Reed, Elia

 

I was thinking about this too, It's just too difficult to pick a best XI.., As any of the Mane, Elia and Rodriguez could play.

but herei is mine,
Forster
Fonte Alderwierled Gardos
Clyne Schneiderlin Wanyama Bertran\
Davis
Pelle Rodriguez.

Bench ; Boruc, Yoshida, Targett, Cork, JWP, Tadic, Mane

 

You've got Ward-Prowse in the side and on the bench!

 

Away from home I'd agree, but at home I think the Morgan/Victor combo allows for a more attacking team. If you still want Davis, I'd play him instead of Vic.

 

I apologise for the capitals!

STEVEN DAVIS has to be in every first 11!!!

 

We don't need Tadic, Mane and Elia all in the team. Yes, it could add pace and flair but we need someone with a great engine and vision like Davis or failing that Ward-Prowse.

The best thing is that we are amassing a squad which is what we need.

 

Davis s is a must. Cant we play 15

 

I know this is just a what if.... But first thing for me is 'who are we playing against?'

 

Do people think our system could be adapted to fit 2 of Elias, Rodriquez, long or mane off of pelle. I assume that is koeman's favoured idea with the Dutch style 4-3-3.
Downside is almost all are far superior out left or through the centre.

I don't think mane plays when we have 3 up. He doesn't have enough going back.

I would think :

Forster

Clyne, Fonte, Toby, Bertrand,

Wanyama, Schneirderlin, Davis,

Rodriguez, Pelle, Elia

From: Davis, Gardos, Yoshida, Targett, Cork, Ward-Prowse, Reed, Tadic, Mane, Long

Front 3 is based on: Rodriguez recovering to last years heights and Elia's work rate and all round play showcased so far

Yikes. When everyone is fit our squad looks really good. Apart from holes in squad depth for Central Striker (rumoured to be in the market at the moment), Right Back and Goalkeeper.
I know Toby can play right back but an extended injury to Clyne will then leave us stretched across defense. Also he won't offer the same wing-back style

But it is what it will look like at the end of the summer that will be interesting. Some of the best players could be tempted by bumper new pay deals at other clubs (notably Morgan, Cork, Clyne, Toby and Rodriguez). But no use worrying about that now. It has already been shown that it is highly likely the club has this in hand (especially if, as some people claim, we agreed to let Morgan go after one year back in the summer)

 

There is an article in the Sunday Times discussing Man City's strength lies in the fact that they have a very strong "B" team.

Ours is improving... (chosen from those not in my A-team)

---------------------- Boruc ---------------------
McCarthy - Yoshida - Gardos - Targett
---------- Reed ---------------- Cork -------------
Ward-Prowse --- Davis ------ Tadic
-------------------------- Long ------------------

 

Boruc is not at the club. Man City have a very good reserve goalie who they can call on from the bench
Ours is improving but the big difference is Man City and Chelsea have proven internationals compared to our academy players.
It is massively unfair and FFP cannot change it so not much can be done.
The only solution would be an actual cap on wages for a whole squad

 

I was thinking about this yesterday, with everyone fit we have a very good squad but boy is it wonky. We have 6 CMs, 2 left wingers, 3 inside forwards/strikers who are better in our systems on the left, 1 RB, no right wingers and 1 GK (Sorry Kelvin, still love ya). If we go long periods without many injuries it's going to be tough for Ron to keep everyone happy especially since he doesn't like much rotation, I suppose some nice European games will give us more games to share out!

 

Forster
Clyne Fonts Alderweireld Bertrand
Schneiderlin Wanyama
Mane Davis Tadic
Pelle

Not worried about current injuries as Toby and Morgan could be back for Swansea, who aren't that good at the moment.

 

Definitely...so underratred

 

Barcelona at the Nou Camp.....next October.