Danny Ings is surely a starter when Saints play Crystal Palace after being rested at Chelsea, but who will step down to make way for him.

I predicted that Ralph Hasenhuttl would prioritise games and rest Danny Ings over the festive period and Chelsea was the best game to do that, but now the unexpected win and the performance of both Che Adams and Michael Obafemi has left the Austrian manager with a dilemma.

Ings surely has to be restored to the side given his goal record and one out of Adams or Obafemi has to give way and both have valid claims to stay in the side.

Some will say that it is Obafemi who should stay in, but that is taking a simplistic view because he scored a great goal, he might have taken the plaudits for that strike but it should not mask over the fact that Adams had the better overall performance and worked hard throughout showing talents we never thought he had.

So this is one that is hard to call, Obafemi offer the raw pace and Adams has a little more to his game overall in terms of guile, so which will Ralph opt for ?

It's a headache for the manager, but a nice one to have, finally he has players challenging for positions rather than the past couple of months where the starting XI has virtually picked itself.

Overall though it does mean he will have an option off the bench whichever plays and that is always good.

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perazi added 09:48 - Dec 27 Yes, both Obafemi and Adams justified the faith Ralph showed, and let's hope that the 4-2-4 formation and brave style of play is here for keeps. I would play Adams up front with Ings - I liked his game on Saturday; his hold up play, strength and willingness to run the channels - the goals will come for this lad. Obafemi is a good option off the bench.
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SaintNick added 10:04 - Dec 27 The good news is we have options now as confidence is coming back to the team
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SNAILOB added 10:28 - Dec 27 If Long is fit then both will be dropped in favour of Ings & Long. If Long not fit, would like to see Adams have the chance to work alongside Ings. Think this would benefit Adams greatly.
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the_saint added 11:47 - Dec 27 Which one out of Long, Adam's or obefemi up front with ings. I just cant call it. But please please keep Armstrong in in the last few games hes been an unsung hero
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Saint55 added 12:08 - Dec 27 I get the point you are making is really about options as you say. But Che Adams must start at home as he is the better footballer, brings others into play and is tactically more astute. Obafemi is a good choice away.
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SaintPaulVW added 12:11 - Dec 27 Imo Adams needs a run of games. If we can rest ings a bit and bring Adams in more that may be the best for both players. Obafemi strikes me more of an impact player who could nick a goal at any time. Potentially a lovely problem to have.
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StEdmund added 12:19 - Dec 27 Obafemi 's goal reminded me of the great Danny Wallace. Bodes well for the future.
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LoisDeem added 13:00 - Dec 27 Djenepo to return too. The O'bafemi / Adams axis (and indeed Redmond) and performance displays the whole paradox of picking strikers and forward players, so it will take a brave man to make that call. Fortunately, it would appear we have a brave man for a Manager, which this fan will trust above most others. We need a St Mary's full of vocal believers prepared to lose their voices for the clash with the people who do actually live in glass houses.

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Colburn added 14:41 - Dec 27 We still have a busy run of games to come with New Year etc and we need Ings to be fresh all through the season. It wouldn't harm for Danny to be on the bench again then start the Spurs game. Definitely continue with Adams no matter what.. I wouldn't be disappointed to see the same starting line up as yesterday if they are all fit.
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HoustonSaint added 15:45 - Dec 27 Remember that Ings & Adams started together at the beginning of the season and it didn't work. Bring back Ings for this one and Obafemi for his speed if Long is still not fit. Spurs Weds so rotate Adams back in for that one to keep Ings fresh.
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Peterx added 16:18 - Dec 27 Agree with HoustonSaint. Pretty sure he will start Ings and Obafemi if Long not fit (which seems likely) because of Obafemi's pace. Bring on Adams for Ings later in the game. Can't see Djenepo and Boufal getting more than a cameo given the way Armstrong has been playing and the way Redmond played against Chelsea.
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underweststand added 16:51 - Dec 27 Danny Ings needs a reliable partner. Shane Long is good in bursts - in between injuries and if / when he is fit...and make a decision ...before the end of the season, if OK we should give him an extension ..meanwhile ..I'd play Adams and Ings to start (or ) some combination of Ings / Obafemi so that we have a constant attacking force during a predicted 95 minutes. However, we MUST play Armstrong, he has sklill and is creative and gives some bite to midfield where JWP runs his socks off, (statistically proven) but is one of the lightweights in the side. This is one game I'd like to see us win well. Too often we have been far too charitable to Palace and that must stop. We need to stabilise a midtable position and with Spurs, Leicester and Liverpool games all coming up in the coming weeks, we must get some other strikers on the score sheet (other than JUST Ings) . We may get Boufal back in the game soon , but scoring with just one " goal of the season" effort isn't going to be enough in the long term.

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davidargyll added 17:02 - Dec 27 I'd start with an unchanged team. And keep Danny on the bench. Why change a really hard working team that WORKED...? That way we've got him up our sleeve with still two more games inc the Cup to go. Why risk him?
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