x

Who Should Replace Fonte Against Liverpool ?

The big question amongst Saints supporters is who should replace the injured Jose Fonte for the important cup tie against Liverpool.

Jose Fonte has been an integral part of the Saints central defence since their return to the Premier league in 2012, he has had many partners, but he has been a constant in the side.

Now he is set to miss the important Capital One Cup game against Liverpool and the big question is who does Ronald Koeman bring in to replace him.

A week ago it might have been more clear cut, Yoshida would have been the obvious choice from the point of view he has had game time, but at Manchester City the forgotten man of St Mary's came in and put in a display that must surely put him in line for a place in the starting line up.

That man is Steven Caulker who strangely has rarely played since joining on loan from QPR in the summer, Caulker had spent the previous 3 seasons as a regular in the Premier League for Swansea on loan, Cardiff and then QPR, in the last two seasons he was a virtual ever present.

That form had earned him an England cap and he looked to be continuing that form at St Mary's, but strangely it didn't happen and despite some promising performances early in the campaign he disappeared from view for two months before returning in the last round of the Capital One Cup against Aston Villa.

Since then he had 1 minute up at Sunderland before coming on at Manchester City ten minutes before half time for Fonte, he put in a strong performance and perhaps now is the time to let him show what he can do.

There must have been an off the field reason for his absence, but Yoshida for all his loyalty is not the answer and Saints need a strong defence on Wednesday night.

Caulker can provide that as he showed in the previous 3 seasons in the Premier League.

Ronald Koeman will have to change the back four against Liverpool, the first change from Saturday should be Caulker for Fonte, the second change should be Cedric Soares for Yoshida, I don't think there are many Saints fans who would disagree with that assessment, even before Saturday's game I think most could not see why Koeman keeps preferring Yoshida to Soares.

What to read next:

Eom fit & Darling all good for Portsmouth. Harry & Ben would have signed earlier
Plenty of signals today from Luke Williams that Swansea City were in a stranglehold situation up until Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan left the club. Not that it was breaking news.
Swansea City ready to increase misery on Pompey ?
The last time Portsmouth played was on November 9th. That day they beat Preston 3-1. Bearing in mind that came before the International break and some twenty one days ago tomorrow they certainly do come into this game fresh.
Swansea City : The final word on Derby County
The final word on Derby County 1 Swansea City 2.
Derby County 1 - 2 Swansea City - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Swansea City turn the tables on their bad luck & beat Derby
I am going to make no apologies for this match report. The win was deserved, but how it came about after so many poor performances in the second half I will never know. I haven’t been watching football as long as some and I am delighted of course the Swans got the points. However, we have seen teams do that to us for a few seasons. Just maybe for once it was our turn ?
Derby County v Swansea City : Team News
The Rams and the Swans butt heads at Pride Park Derby this evening with an 8pm kick off. We have our usual Indy involvement in the media centre at the ground, plus photographs with a match report as soon as we can after the game.
Rams v Swans : It’s Derby day this evening !
Swansea City have travelled up to the midlands to first rest and then prepare for this evenings testing encounter at Derby County (8pm) The squad is very much in need of some recovery after the seven goal thriller against Leeds United on Sunday.
Swansea City : Ronald is a cheat !
Ex referee, Keith Hackett has accused a Swansea City player of cheating in the clash between Swansea City and Leeds United in Sunday’s EFL Championship clash.The ex PGMOL boss has again commented on Leeds United, and this time he has the Swans in his focus.
Swansea City & Jason Levien : The crucial omissions
Jason Levien has spoken to Wales On Line and we have briefly looked at some of his responses and statements as he and Steve Kaplan leave the club. It’s all a part of the leaving party, just as an invisible burning effigy floats over Mumbles heading towards the Atlantic.
Swansea City : Those errors continue in a right old thriller
There will be dark and cold reflections on yesterday afternoon and the seven goals we witnessed at the Swansea.com stadium between the Swans and Leeds. Not least the fact it was one of those games that Swansea let slip away once again.