A look at the Premier League Table makes interesting reading in that Saints are now in a position that barring a freak run of wins or losses their position wont change much either way, is it time to look towards next season ?

After the win at West Brom Saints sit comfortably 9th in the table, above them Newcastle sit 3 points ahead, but after that Manchester United are 7 in front and Spurs in 6th a massive 10 points clear.

Below its a similar state of affairs, Hull in 10th are 7 points behind and although Aston Villa could bring themselves within 4 if they beat Arsenal tonight, the rest of those clubs who are looking upwards rather than down are at least 8 or 9 behind.

What this should be telling us is that this season should be about consolidating what we have, perhaps looking for a good FA Cup run now, but more importantly starting the building towards next season.

Fans of Rickie Lambert had better look away now because what i am suggesting is not going to please them, but in football the best teams are not sentimental and as much as I love Rickie Lambert and what he has done for us, I can also see what the club is trying to do.

Over the past 18 months we have spend somewhere in the region of £65-70 Million on players, not an inconsiderable amount, however for most of this season, around half of that total has not done a lot for this club and im not counting injuries here as Wanyama was looking worth the money before he picked up his.

For some of that money spent it could be said to be now a question of seeing what we can get back, Yoshida and Mayuka look to probably not have much of a future at St Mary's, The Japanese defender could be said to have contributed last season, he was not quite as good as we hoped, but he did have a good game along the way last term, Mayuka has done little, he didnt fit in with our style of play and didnt look to have had much of a clue, he was an experienced player when he arrived so not all of his failure could be blamed on youth.

But what we really have to do now is look at Gaston Ramirez and Osvaldo and fin out if they can truly play within our system, I would say that so far neither have really been given a chance in a system that suits them.

I feel sorry for Gaston Ramirez, he was signed to provide the passing ability in the side, yet in very few games has he had the chance to actually pass the ball, Rickie Lambert's strengths do not lie in peeling off the defender and getting on the end of a defence splitting pass, he has not got the pace for that, this is no slur on Rickie, but it is just not his strength, likewise our passing game truly doesnt suit him either, look at the goals he scored in the past, it was all about getting the ball to him in the penalty area usually from a cross, as we are now wingless wonders and without a wideman in the true sense of the word, its not very often that Rickie gets the chance to thrive on the type of ball he craves.

So too many times Gaston Ramirez has found himself with the ball at his feet but with no one to pass to, on Saturday against West Brom he got in that position once and with devastating effect, but that was a rare opportunity to split the defence, normally the only option he has had has been to play it short and on to the next man, that is like asking Michaelangelo to paint the toilets in the Northam End, yes he can do it, but it isnt what he is good at and there are others who can do that just as well and quicker and in the case of Steven Davis run and win the ball more often as well.

So to Osvaldo, he arrived to great fanfare after a long chase in which we clearly had to pay more money than he was worth in transfer fee's and a lot more than he was worth in wages, yet after making him the club record signing we then bottled out of actually using him in his best position, I said back then that there would be conflict, that both he and Lambert wanted to and needed to play as the central striker if they were to get to Brazil this summer, Mauricio Pochettino having overseen the club record signing should have had the conviction to play him to his strengths rather than the hybrid system that we employed in order to have both in the same side, the stark result has been that neither has had a decent season, although both have had their moments.

So we sit in January with not a lot to play for in the Premier league apart from a place or two, we have around £28 million pounds worth of talent who will be hard to offload on a permanent basis due to high wages, so what have we got to lose in actually playing them in a system that suits them and that after all they were signed for.

Give Ramirez the chance to play with a central striker who has some pace and can make the runs, Osvaldo doesnt look the fastest, but he is a clever player and can make runs.

Osvaldo should be tried in the position that he was signed for, he needs to have a run of games up front on his own, be given like Ramirez the chance to show what he can do.

So where does Rickie Lambert fit in to all this, from a harsh non sentimental point of view Rickie is hanging on in there, he has been given a stay of execution so far in that Pochettino has strangely not done as most managers would do and played his record signing in front of the veteran, however like Osvaldo due to system employed to accommodate both it hasnt done him any favours, especially in his quest for England duty in Brazil, 3 goals from open play is exactly the same as Osvaldo has got in the Premier league, there are those that would suggest that Rickie can fit in the system by playing deeper and passing the ball, im sad to say it but im not one of them, he is an out and out striker and a good one, nay a bloody good one, certainly I have nothing against Rickie as a centre forward and i feel that if we changed the system he could have a few more years in him in the starting line up, but in today's Premier league we cant carry passengers in the hope they hit the odd decent pass etc, for a team in Saints position gone are the days when a Jimmy Case type player could sit in the middle of the park and let someone do their running for them, we have to have 10 fit athletes out there.

As I said back in September, Rickie needs to be playing, if he hadn't got in the England squad then he would perhaps have been happy being more of a squad player, he still has a lot to contribute in that area, but the next four months are crucial for him, if he has another like the last four then he will be lucky to get on that plane to Brazil.

Perhaps the ideal solution would be a short term loan, find him a Premier league team who need him to play week in week out so that he can force his way as a definate to Brazil with a flurry of goals in a system that suits him, he could then return to St Mary's next season to play another part in our revival.

I do feel that Saints have a great opportunity to find out if Ramirez and Osvaldo can have a future at the club, we have the chance to try and get them playing in our system, they are undoubtably great players who would flourish in that "right" system, so lets take this chance to try them and not have regrets when they succeed elsewhere after leaving St Mary's

Perhaps we can afford to throw £28 million away, perhaps we are happy to have done so, but for me I would prefer to give them the chance to show their worth, they havent really been given that chance so far and perhaps its too late, they might both be disallusioned with the way they have been treated and its beyond redemption ? I think it will be if things continue for the rest of this season, but if we show a little faith then perhaps we can reap the benefits.

In the case of Osvaldo and Lambert I want to see both on that plane to Brazil, I want to see them both going as Southampton players, I dont think that will happen if they are both used the same way as they have been in the first half of the season.

But it does stretch farther than just what benefits the players get, we have an opportunity to get our planning for next season in early, identify where our weak links are and where we need to improve and therefore identify targets early and get in before other clubs have a chance.

From the past 18 months it is clear that when we have done this ie Rodriguez and Lovren it has been a success, however the longer the transfer window has gone on we seem to have ended up with so called marque signings who have cost more than they really should have.

Our squad is only going to get better with some promising youngsters probably not quite ready to burst through but starting to get near to that point when they will, we have made our mistakes both in signings and in increasing the expectations of supporters excessively high, so much so that 9th position now feels like failure, whilst Im all for high standards, also believe in realistic targets and we can achieve these next season, if we show that we can think ahead then we could exceed them again next season.

Photo: Action Images

dirk_doone added 11:23 - Jan 13 Loan out one of our leading goalscorers? Are you mad? Where would we be without his goals and assists this season and last? Probably in the Championship and out of the FA Cup.
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ItchenNorth added 11:24 - Jan 13 Absolutely spot on. Really good article. People probably get on here that I'm a Ramirez fan but; you have to play him in a number 10 role behind your number 9 (lead guy). Its plain to see that both Osvaldo and Ramirez have bags of talent, but both need to be in the right system as you point out.
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ItchenNorth added 11:27 - Jan 13 One further thing though, I'd keep Ricky. You can always change your system if its not working out. Options from the bench are priceless.
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GeordieSaint added 11:41 - Jan 13 Ricky is like Teddy Sheringham, he was never fast so the next couple of years wont make him any slower. I agree sometimes the system does not suit him but there is no way he should go. He has several years left at this level and we should all enjoy it together. If Saints did for some reason go back to a more traditional 442 ish system he would be a lot more effective. If not, the best teams all have several options up front. If we want to become a top team strength and depth is crucial.

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SaintNick added 11:46 - Jan 13 Firstly of Rickie's six Premier goals, two have been penalties and one a free kick, I would suggest his goal threat is not as potent as it was, through no fault of his own i would add but the system doesnt suit him Where would we be without those goals ? well only one has been decisive in earning us extra points and that was the penalty on the opening day at west brom. Osvaldo has a better goals to game ratio Dirk you are missing the point, it doesnt matter what he has done, with nothing to play for in the league we can afford to build for next season, if he went on loan and we had a cup run we could recall him for the later rounds I agree Rickie would be a great option off the bench, but this would effectively kill off his england hopes, thats why I think a loan would reward him for his service and give him the chance to get to Brazil

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montecristo added 11:51 - Jan 13 I see no point in getting rid of Ricky Lambert, he is mercurial, what would we get for him??But I totally agree with with what Nick says about Ramirez Ive been banging on about it even when fans were saying offload him. The crucial point now is whether he has now picked up the strength to last 90 minutes, I suspect he has , and if so to his credit, because that would have taken serious hard work in the gym.

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Toussaint added 12:23 - Jan 13 It`s in Lambert`s contract to stay a Saint if he chooses,yet when I watch us play the only thing that seems to be really missing is a top quality fast powerful consistent striker.not sure Osvaldo fit`s the criteria of the system , Saints should try and get some of their money back for him asap he`s 27 years old and un-disciplined and wont play more than 20 games a season in UK..If we get a fast powerful striker things will open up even more for J-Rod and El Capitano` Gaston on the other hand should be kept here agreed he seems to be finally getting it...a young quality left-back that dosen`t mind sitting behind Luke Luke, a quality under-study goal-keeper and a young up and comming centre-back to learn from Lovren and Fonte

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halftimeorange added 12:27 - Jan 13 Is it me or did Lambert look like a man distracted on Saturday. It's not often he cedes goalscoring freekicks to other players, nor does he often fail to beat a wall. I wonder if he's considering his options? As for Rodrigues I do not think he has what it takes to be a consistently top goalscorer. I don't think his purchase can be classed as a success, not yet, anyway. From where I was sitting i thought that Ramirez's defence-splitting pass to Lallana was a fortunate mishit however, I find myself in agreement with the sentiment that Ramirez and Osvaldo need a different system to suit their undoubted abilities. Loan Ricky out - no way!

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JDawg added 12:51 - Jan 13 To me we need a Plan A and a Plan B. Plan A works (or was working) a treat. Lambert, JRod, Lallana and Davis or Ward-Prowse. A good British leading 4 as Al Murray would say! Plan B is not quite there yet but to me it centres around Ramirez, he just needs a partner in crime. Maybe that is Osvaldo but I would rather we got a pacey winger who can cross the ball with accuracy (bread and butter to Lambert) and get on the score sheet a 5+ times a season. Plan B would then make us more direct and would change the pace of the game, both invaluable in the last 30 odd mins of a game. One thing that is important for Plan A or Plan B is keeping the back 7 consistent though out the match. There is no need to change Spiderman or Wayama/Cork (injuries and shockers aside) they should know how to fit into both systems. It's the final 3rd we struggle in not the rest of the pitch (assuming Fox and Hoover aren't anywhere near the pitch).

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owenthesaints added 13:02 - Jan 13 Good article and plenty to discuss, but I think it is really unfair that Steven Davies has to paint the toilets at the Northam End? And if he is that quick, I need the kitchen done at home!
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BoondockSaint added 13:33 - Jan 13 We need pace up front, plain and simple. Ramirez and Osvaldo need someone to pass to and/or tick-tack the ball with. We have no one who stretches a defence like say, Torres for Chelsea. Even if they don't score, they open up areas for other players and the opposition have to keep and eye out for them at all times. Not to mention the counter attack threat.
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Zambucco added 13:46 - Jan 13 From the beginning of the season, I was a firm believer that with the additions to our squad we were genuine contenders. It has taken until now for me to change my stance and accept we are not ready yet. Our injuries haven proven that the squad is nowhere near good enough, we just don't have the quality in depth. So during Saturday's game, I was also appraising how are squad should change and how we need to build. We know that our style is here to stay, that the plans for the future will be ruthless, unfortunately that will mean several favourites not fitting in. This is a heart rending situation for die hard Saints fans brought up on a diet of a family club, loyal and always giving their all. ~So what if we never won anything! That has changed now, we will things, we will challenge and with comes a new philosophy, players will be like chess pieces used as long as they are useful and sacrificed for the greater good. This is where Rickie Lambert comes in, he has changed out of all recognition to the player who joined us back in League one, he has become a legend. BUt our syle does not suit him, yes he still contributes so much, but we need his goals and they are not there any more. Strangely enough if he did go to West Ham, I have full belief his goals would return in bucket loads as there style suits him. My other vote for a player to move on is equally controversial, Jack Cork, yes a very good player, but in my opinion, not ready to take us to the next level. He does not command respect in the middle as Wanyama and Schneiderlin do, he does not possess the nous and skill of the very under rated Steven Davis, nor the skill of Adam or Ramirez. At present I believe our most potent strike force potentially is Ramirez / Osvaldo. I also think once Ramirez is up and running he will be able to service Rodriguez with the sort of balls he thrives on, but he needs to sharpen up his shooting, his missed attempts are far too great for a striker at this level. You can't doubt his work rate. So in total agreement, let us consolidate our position, push for a great cup run. Take the opportunity to use some more youngsters. Without doubt the back room staff have already earmarked incoming players for the next level, and I don't think it will be this transfer window. Keep up the excellent thought provoking work Nick

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SingaporeSaint added 14:41 - Jan 13 I wouldn't give up on this one yet! Plenty still to enjoy. Some of the points above are good. When we look at Saints we have one of the best starting defences and some of the best midfielders in the league. We are mid table at best up front and our cover defensively and in goal quickly gets to league 1 standard. A priority needs to be adequate cover at C back, left back and in goal. The expensive bit is upfront. I for one think J Rod has enough to be a squad player for a team in the top half - none of the other forward players mentioned do. If we want a 'number 10' then in Adam Lallana we have someone who is streets ahead of Ramirez, though I'd keep him in the midfield. Osvaldo doesn't have the cut and thrust for the league and Ricky needs to be part of the squad rather than a guaranteed starter. I think we can cash in from the Milan clubs for Ramirez and Osvaldo and I would. What to do with the cash - how about testing Villa's mettle for Benteke?.... Imagine him with a bit of service from our midfield and JWP's delivery.

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slynch added 15:38 - Jan 13 StNick. You've got all the stats? Who are the best strikers at Saints in goals per minute played??
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thegeneral added 16:58 - Jan 13 I think in many ways a mid table club is stuck between a rock and a hard place. The higher the league position the more likely big names are to come to the club, but the very best will always want champions league football. We are lucky that the academy has produced because we would not be able to attract players like Shaw and Lallana into the club by transfer. I think a lot of work went on behind the scenes to get Ramirez and Osvaldo and i also believe they were bought with one eye on Europe, not for this season but further down the line. However neither of these two are world class and until we can finish between 1st - 6th in the league we are unlikely to be considered by top players. Pochettino comes a bit unstuck because he wants to walk the ball into the back of the net with comparatively average players for this style of football. There's good reason why managers like Allardyce's teams play like they do, he realises he can't afford to try and play pretty football with the personnel available to him. So the club has to be steadily progressive and this means that favourites have to move on and dead wood cut out. On the other hand we have to be very careful to recognise when plan A doesn't work we need a plan B, and for me Ricky is too important at this stage to let go. Whats wrong with lumping it up the field to him when we're two nil down? There are plenty of players in the squad that should have been moved on already, perhaps they are part of the relegation safety net, that should we have been relegated in the first season or two when our top players bugger off they are there as backup. Now that we have established ourselves (famous last words) as a premiership team again, it is now time to think about the future, build a squad with a plan A AND a plan B, say goodbye and thank you to a number of players and most importantly of all not sell our homegrown talent because they are our only way into the premier league heights.

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kristianJ added 18:56 - Jan 13 I agree with parts of the article, such as planning for the future and focusing on the FA cup, but I wouldn't get rid of Rickie and I think to base our attack around Osvaldo would be a daft move based on the evidence so far. To date he has only scored 3 premier league goals (and two of those were put on a plate for him). His 3 goals aside (which is a pretty poor outlay) his overall contribution in games has been pathetic. He doesn't cope well with the physicality of the league, he doesn't have pace and his link up play seems to be non-existent. I've lost count of the number of times he has hung on to the ball to long and needlessly given it away. I also echo the comment about his lack of discipline. If we can get our money back (or close to it) we should! As for Ramirez, I think I'd have to conclude that he's been a flop so far, but I think he has much more potential than Osvaldo. He clearly has creativity, he just needs to find more consistency. I think it has taken him some time to adapt to the speed of the EPL and at times last season he was too slow to release the pass. I would probably persevere with him for a bit longer, if only because when Lallana gets injured we tend to lack creativity and Gaston could be a useful deputy. I do agree with the need for more pace up front - this is where we went wrong in the summer, we should have bought someone quick up front, to complement our passing game. Osvaldo was not the man to fulfill that role.

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zonehead added 20:14 - Jan 13 Yea good idea to loan Ricky out lets not bother with the FA cup either!
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