This is a very important week for Saints and the supporters want to see Claude Puel put out a little more of a first team in Prague than he has in the other Europa League ties.

In general the Saints supporters have understood just what Claude Puel has been doing in rotating his squad in both the Europa League and League Cup games, they understand that the team has a hectic schedule and that hasn't been helped by various injuries.

However there comes a time when you have to play your best team even if it means stretching them a little bit to do so.

Put bluntly this is a very important week and we don't want to put any of it at risk, 2,000 Saints supporters are spending hard earned money to travel to Prague and they deserve to see the something near the strongest XI that Saints can put out.

Although the result won't be fatal to Saints Europa League hopes should they lose, winning the group is important to avoid the clubs dropping down out of the Champions League, that being the case we need to win in Prague to put winning the group in our own hands.

There is an old saying in football about taking each game as it comes, this is the time for Claude uel to do that and put out a side in Prague to win the game.

Of course there will be subtle changes, but in general they should be kept to a minimum it should all be about winning the game.

Likewise the trip to Arsenal next week, we have a great chance in that competition, Arsenal will likely put out a weakened side, but that does not mean we should, weith a full side out its a great opportunity for our first semi final in either the FA or League cups in 14 years, we have to do our best to take it.

Most Saints fans have warmed to Claude Puel and his way of doing things, but sometimes you have to forget squad rotation and go for it, yes over a season players cant keep playing 2/3games a week, but they are fit enough to do so at crucial times of the season and this week is one of those times.

Photo: Action Images

smiffdub added 16:45 - Nov 22 I certainly don't disagree. However as far as I can see the team we put out on Sunday was pretty much our best 11. And they proceeded to play according to Puel''s tactics and gave us arguably the most negative game of football we've seen from a Saints side at home in decades. At this point it's not so much a bout squad rotation, but we should be thinking more about Puel's general tactics which by and large have made all of our games less interesting Or attractive than we're used to, and in some cases they been downright dismal and negative

3

PatfromPoole added 07:07 - Nov 23 Can virtually guarantee that neither Fonte nor Bertrand will play, with them both not having played a minute of Europa League football so far this season.
0

SonicBoom added 09:34 - Nov 23 I think he' rotate again and with tricky games to come I can see the point. Also Prague were not that impressive at St Mary's so no reason why we can't go there and win despite rotation.
-3

hmmm added 13:24 - Nov 23 We are at the start of a block of 9 games in 29 days. So Nick, when do you suggest players are rested?
-2

GeordieSaint added 13:55 - Nov 23 He won't but I reckon he will next week against arsenal. A nil all draw on Thursday will be the aim with maybe nicking one but have a crack in the league cup. Something like this Forster Martina VVD Yosh McQueen Romeou JWP Claisse Boufal Redmond long Lots of changes but not exactly a reserve team. Everton and arsenal are more important, win against the Israelis at home and we should be fine and there is a good run of winnable league games coming up.

0

GeordieSaint added 13:56 - Nov 23 Meant Rodrigues instead of Redmond.
0

vanmans added 13:59 - Nov 23 Saints have left Jose Fonte and Dusan Tadic at home so no best team then. Without Tadic we have no one to create any openings.
2

saintjeff52 added 11:29 - Nov 24 Disappointingly, Mr Puel tinkered with the side to face Inter, last time out. It made the task of beating them much more difficult. Luckily, we won in the end. Fonte and Tadic aren't even in the Squad, ( Yes I know Tadic has a busted Face ), though I read the excuse that Fonte has a foot injury. Seeing as he hasn't played in the UEL at all, there is no doubt that Mr Puel will put out a weakened Side again. If fit, Bertrand must start, along with Cedric. If we win tonight, we could be on our way to qualifying for the next stage.

2

bstokesaint added 12:42 - Nov 24 I don't think we should necessarily put out a 'poor' side, but this in itself suggests we have some poor players. I don't think we have, although I can see the case for suggesting we are weaker attacking-wise than last season and some of the newer signings still need to prove themselves. I thought the whole point of squad rotation was that the players coming in seize their opportunity, which keeps the team competitive. In theory anyway. I think as much as criticizing the manager for his tactics there are a few players that could put their hands up and say they've underperformed so far this season. Presumably the whole point of bringing in a manager like Puel was to find a manager who understands how to rotate and be effective in domestic and European competition simultaneously. As others have correctly pointed out too Prague were one of the weakest teams to visit St Mary's this season so without being complacent we should be able to beat them with a team that isn't necessarily our best XI. I'd imagine what would anger the fans paying to see the game in Prague more would be a team that didn't put in the effort and fight for every ball. Not like against Liverpool.

-1

dirk_doone added 18:53 - Nov 24 Since our attack was sold, I'm not sure we've even got a full side left. If the defence is sold next year, there won't be any side - not at this level anyway.
3

IanRC added 19:57 - Nov 24 Well what a load of tripe that was ..... Somebody remind me why we bought Redmond, absolutely dreadful and Rodriguez has lost all confidence should have put i us 1-0 up in the first 5 minutes and we would have coasted into the knock out round now we have to win to progress and for that to happen there needs to be considerable improvement. Everton and Arsenal must be quaking in their boots.

3

deanosfc8 added 20:57 - Nov 24 Sooooo gutted for the fans out there! 3 away games 0 goals. There was nothing positive to take from tonight, Safe journey home to all that made the effort.
4

darthvader added 21:10 - Nov 24 Absolutely carp. No interest or urgency from anyone Sparta deserved to win we were shocking . Why take your so called better plAyers if they don't play or start ? Let's get p!ssed
3

vanmans added 22:04 - Nov 24 What a load of crap. Half of our players out there tonight are not good enough for the 1st division let alone the prem. Players like Martina, Claisse, Boufal, Redmond, Rodrigues, Yoshida and JWP are just not good enough. Squad rotation means replacing good players with equally good players. We don't have enough good players in our squad to do this so this system must be stopped before we are dragged into a relegation fight. I just don't like watching saints this season its all so boring. How could the board sell Pelle and Mane without buying good striking replacements.

4

SanMarco added 23:12 - Nov 24 It will be difficult to spin the verdict on this as anything other than very worrying. We are dull, predictable and ponderous and the 'strength-in-depthers' who still believe have different definitions of depth and strength to me. I agree with all those who point out that tonight was about poor quality players. Clasie, JWP, Redmond, Boufal and JRod all had their chance to show they have something to contribute against Sparta Prague second eleven. JRod at least has an excuse - the rest (including of course the hapless Martina) were useless. It is one thing Redmond disappearing against Liverpool but against opposition that poor? Let's not kid ourselves that we have loads of big stars to come back in - not where it counts anyway. I reckon we will be happy with 0-0 on Sunday - the first 0 in that scoreline looks fairly nailed on. The commentators were doing their bit to further the VVD rumour. If we sell VVD in January we could very well be relegated playing in front of 20,000 at most. Anyone that thinks that's over the top wasn't watching tonight.

3

Blogs 31 bloggers

Cheltenham Town Polls