After his ten minute cameo at Anfield can Gaston Ramirez finally make his mark at St Mary's with a telling contribution.

Gaston Ramirez did not know he was heading for his wilderness years when he joined Saints in the summer of 2012 as Nicola Cortese's marque signing, little did he know that he wasn't just heading for the Premier league but oblivion.

In truth his signing was ill thought out and more to do with the then Chairman wanting to show he could spent big money on a player as it was clear from the start that the way Saints played just didn't suit Ramirez's style.

The Uruaguyan was clearly a passer of the ball, but with Rickie Lambert up front he did not have an outlet for his talent for playing a through ball.

Therefore in a total of 124 Premier League games he could have played for Saints he has started just 23 with a further 23 off the bench including Sunday's 10 minute cameo role against Liverpool.

But as he heads into the final six month's of his contract, the question is can he make a contribution to Saints which so far has cost the club around £12 million to buy him, plus at least the same again in wages etc, indeed by the time things like National insurance contributions and bonus's are taken into account the total cost could rise to near on £30 million.

Not that Ramirez himself is to blame, as mentioned he was never suited to our style and indeed he never seemed keen to come to England, however Saints made him an offer he could not refuse and that is not his fault.

Unlike Osvaldo he has kept his own counsel and done nothing else but keep his head down and try to force his way into the reckoning.

On Sunday he made a vital contribution in the final minutes with a fine header back across goal for the equaliser and that could at least repay some of his cost come the final reckoning, but will this be his final contribution or will he have a final swansong ?

Ramirez himself knows how tough it will be to force his way into the side as he said on the club's official website.

“I was very happy for the point and to come on. It was a really difficult game and we tried to keep our level. Even at 1-0 down the team was still working hard to get the point,” Ramírez told saintsfc.co.uk.

“I felt happy to come on the pitch because I don’t remember the last time I played for Southampton in the league.

“It was a really good stadium and a big game. I’m working hard to get that chance, and the chance came.

“Everyone at the club knows what I’m doing. I’m very happy to stay here and work for Southampton and fight for my place.

“Of course it is a difficult season for me because I’m not playing too much, so I’m working hard to get any chance and then I will try to profit from that.”

Ramirez also confirmed that he spoke to the manager about this season.

“He told me at the beginning of the season that it will be hard,”

“That’s because sometimes he prefers another player.

“But in football you never know. In football, it’s strange sometimes. You need sometimes one chance to change everything.

“Sometimes you have to make a decision on your future. My decision was to stay here, fight for a place and play for Southampton.

“I’m working very hard. I try to impress the manager to give me a chance and profit from that.

“I’m very happy here. Southampton gave a lot to me and my family, so I want to repay that on the pitch. The only thing I can do is work hard.”

So will it have a happy ending for Gaston Ramirez at Southampton ? the chances arent great, but at least he might be able to make some contribution in the last six months of his contract, clearly he knows that he has to play for contract somewhere, even if it is away from St Mary's with plenty of rumours doing the rounds that he may be paid off in January to enable him to find a new club.

In the meantime whilst we have a few injuries perhaps it will give a window of opportunity for Gaston Ramirez.

Photo: Action Images

IanRC added 22:37 - Oct 27 I hope so, he certainly has talent.
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IWOZTHERE added 22:50 - Oct 27 To be honest, I haven't seen enough of him to form an opinion but Rk thinks enough of him to keep him in and around the squad so he must have the talent. Perhaps just as important, he's never caused any trouble and seems to have the right attitude so good luck to him!
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forest_saint added 09:53 - Oct 28 Totally disagree with the author. Ramirez is a brilliant player that we have treated abominably. Far better than Juanmi and should be in the team.
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montecristo added 10:17 - Oct 28 I completely agree with Forestsaint. Gaston is the type of player who can open up defences, how many times have Saints struggled in the final third because he has not been there to be called upon. He is the best we have at the defence shredding pass its the way the game is played at saints that sometimes gets found out you need room for flair players if you are going to be successful. Otherwise teams just come and park the bus knowing that Saints are inclined to be predictable. If Koeman has a brain he will know this , get Gaston fit and bring him in even from the bench.

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BaselSaint added 11:52 - Oct 28 Hard working and loyal and of great character - I wish him all the best in the coming months.
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DPeps added 12:22 - Oct 28 I guess the other player Gaston is alluding to is Tadic. For me there's not much between them: both infuriating and excellent in equal measure. Tadic is just better at staying injury free, although he does get fatigued. I'd start Gaston tonight and bench Tadic
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bstokesaint added 12:23 - Oct 28 I hope Gaston gets a run out tonight and further game time over the next few months. I thought he showed glimpses of being a special player when he first joined. Attitude-wise he's definitely got Osvaldo sadly didn't have.
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BoondockSaint added 12:52 - Oct 28 What's the hurry to get rid of him? If Mane goes for big money then we need a player like Gaston. If only that our set pieces would improve with tall players like him, Fonte, Virgil, and Pelle causing trouble. What I cant' understand is Koeman doesn't give him a proper chance and yet J-Rod, Long and even Kelvin Davis can be ineffective all they want and still get more chances. We are always bemoaning whining, selfish players who have crap attitudes and no loyalty, and here we have one who is the complete opposite and it's "lets hope he scores a goal or two so we can get rid of him"????

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