Southampton Will Have Almost A Full Squad When They Return To Premier League Action
Tuesday, 13th Dec 2022 15:10

Saints form died a little in the final two months of Ralph Hasenhuttl's reign, but it could be said that some of those poor results were down to players out injured, when the Premier League returns on Boxing Day Nathan Jones will almost be back to full strength.

When Saints beat Chelsea 2-1 on Tuesday 30th August things were looking good, 7 points from their first 5 matches was a solid start and with the good form of some of the new boys to the squad, the season looked to have some promise to it.

But this game would be Romeo Lavia's last for two months as he joined Tino Livramento on the injury list and they would soon be followed by Armando Bella-Kotchap and Kyle Walker Peters who would miss the last games of Ralph Hasenhuttl's time at the club as the team could only manage 5 points of their next 9 matches that ultimately cost the Austrian his job.

But those 4 missing players were crucial, they could be said to be 4 of Saints best 5 players if you add James Ward Prowse to the total.

Nathan Jones had both Lavia and Bella-Kotchap back in the fold by the time he took over for his first game in the defeat at Anfield, although he would probably have had little input into the team selection that day, having to rely on his coaches given only having been at St Mary's for a couple of Days.

That seems like a lifetime ago now with the World Cup getting in the way, but the break was good for Saints as they are now able to have virtually a full squad ready for action when Premier League action returns in a little under two weeks time.

Lavia & Bella-Kotchap will have had time to get back to full time training with the latter being in the Germany squad for Quatar and Kyle Walker Peters is now fit again after his issues.

All 3 should be back in the squad for the visit of Brighton and be fit and ready to go.

The only one of those four injured players not likely to play is Tino Livramento, although he has returned to squad training, he still has a little ways to go and the final games of this year might be a few weeks too early, however he could be back in January.

But we can get around missing Tino, the pace of Kyle Walker Peters back in the fold will be a big help at the back.

Although some will blame our poor form entirely on Hasenhuttl they are being a little uncharitable, he was hit with injuries at the wrong time and we couldn't get a run going, now Nathan Jones doesn't have those problems, with a full squad we are quite capable of pulling clear of relegation, add to that a new signing or two in January and we should be fine.

Photo: Action Images

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landsdownsaint added 18:15 - Dec 13 I know I bang on about it but I wouldâ€™ve liked Ralph too have this fresh start but thatâ€™s not too be , looking forward too getting behind the lads & NJ , on paper with a full squad available we look the business
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SWH1748 added 04:55 - Dec 14 But just how many fresh starts Lansdown Saint ? He had many and got runs going only to collapse agai. Rightly or wrongly time will tell on wether the board have made the correct call, and by that I mean on his replacement because it was definitely time for the change. UTS
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wessexman added 10:35 - Dec 14 Whatever the rights or wrongs of Ralph's departure.....Jones is going to have to hit the ground running. For me....premiership survival is the name of the game.
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highfield49 added 11:41 - Dec 14

As much as I was prepared to support Ralph, despite the results roller coaster, the time for change felt right. Of course he could have achieved consistency with a full squad at his disposal but he clearly failed to impress the owners that this was a likely outcome. With Brighton, Fulham, Forest, Palace, Everton, Villa, Brentford and Wolves matches upcoming it couldn't be a better time for the new manager syndrome to kick in. We all know that several wins from these fixtures is going to be essential to the club's future. Let's get behind the team and help them with any vocal support needed in the weeks ahead.

Ifonly added 11:48 - Dec 14

Have we had 5 key people out injured for the last year? Is that why we've played so badly for the last year? Of course not. The injuries didn't help RH but they only hastened what was going to happen anyway.

Now we're in a relegation battle and unlike you I don't see any easy way out. The fit again players will help but we'll still have the same long term problems we had before. When clubs in the relegation zone rely on January signings it rarely ends well. It's possible that we can go on a run of good form, but I wouldn't bank on it. If NJ turns this around he will have done a great job.