Separating the men from the boys

An encouraging sign was the return from the cold of the talented, if frustrating, Rudi Skacel. With the transfer window closed there is little point at leaving such an experienced and high earning player on the sidelines. Despite wanted to leave the club for well over a year, he has still proved a committed player on the pitch and is the best option we have available at left back.

There is still a gaping hole at right back but Lloyd James is at least steadily improving in defence and has provided good delivery going forward, particularly on the rare occasions he gets to the by-line.

Inside Saints do have experience in the form of Perry and Saeijs, albeit little backup with Lancashire and the deadline day signing of Hungarian Liptak.

In front of them Saints have yet to find the right combination of passing ability, grit and playmaking despite a number of talented players. Surman and Schneiderlin are too similar, but could work well alongside the rugged talents of (Johnny?) Wotton.

Gillett may offer bite and energy, but is not the right partner for Wotton as Saints then lack a playmaker in central midfield. If Wotte can get Schneiderlin fired up then he has the talent to get Saints' passing and moving and can provide the killer pass.

This would allow Surman to play at left midfield in Holmes' absence, where he can overlap and interchance with Skacel to provide genuine quality down the Saints left.

Another option is Jason Euell who provides Saints with plenty of experience as well as a physical presence and a goal threat, even if he lacks the silky passing skills of Scheiderlin or Surman. He also remains an alternative partner up front for Saganowski, but is not the target man we lack.

No one has yet established themselves on the right of midfield. McLaggon has certainly impressed in his cameos from the subs bench but showed against Sheffield United that he is not yet ready to start on a consistent basis. If Saints had any kind of backup at right back, then Lloyd James would be worth a try.

Shame that the rejuvenated Dyer is out on loan as he would prove a good option with McLaggon keeping him on his toes. Ryan Smith is another option but has yet to show his quality on any extented basis despite some flashes of potential.

Lallana of course has plenty of talent, but struggles to hold his position at right midfield. When he does, he looks effective and creates chances, but he is short of confidence at present and may be best reintroduced as an impact player from the subs bench for McLaggon to help both of their games develop.

Up front Saganowski has provided a welcome injection of quality, but lacks a consistent partner with John and Rasiak's high wages keeping them out on loan. McGoldrick has come in for a good deal of criticism, but shouldn't have been tasked with leading the line on his own in his first full season and with a cooler head in front of goal may yet be a decent Championship striker.

Wright-Phillips and the youngsters White and Patterson are yet to convince they can be a consistent source of goals.

Up front, as with right back, particularly now Saints are looking to play two strikers, Saints badly need more options and are on the search for another quality striker to partner Saganowski and relieve some of the pressure from McGoldrick's shoulders.

If Saints can find that player and it is a big ask, then there is a decent balance of experience and talent to provide hope that Saints can indeed turn it around. Injuries at the wrong time and anything less than a fired-up team and this transitional season will be one from the Championship to League One.

The following line-up has its weaknesses, particularly up front and on the right side, but may well be the best available team to try and turn our form around.

Davis
James Perry Saeijs Skacel
McLaggon Wotton Scheiderlin Surman
Euell Saganowski