WHO SHOULD LEAD THE ATTACK?

Now that Stern John has gone on loan, who do you think should lead the attack?

Taken from the Echo website..

Which striker can fill Stern John's boots at Saints?
10:34am Saturday 25th October 2008
By Adam Leitch »

JAN Poortvliet will have to rely on four strikers who have scored just five Championship goals between them to provide Saints’ firepower this season following the departure of Stern John.

Saints yesterday confirmed that the Trinidad & Tobago international had joined Championship rivals Bristol City on loan until January 1.

John, who had scored 20 goals in 50 appearances for Saints, joins fellow experienced hitmen Marek Saganowski and Grzegorz Rasiak in being loaned out by Saints.

The most pressing worry for Poortvliet, not just for today’s game at Swansea but over the course of the season, is who will now provide the goals that Saints so desperately need.

The head coach has been left with four recognised central strikers in 20-yearolds David McGoldrick and Jordan Robertson and 19- year-olds Tomas Pekhart and Matt Paterson.

McGoldrick has scored more goals than any of the others, having netted three times for Saints in the Championship.

He can also count eight other League One goals during loans at Port Vale and Bournemouth.

Robertson has scored once for Saints since joining on loan from Sheffield United. He also has scored nine goals in loan spells at Torquay, Northampton, Dundee United and Oldham.

Pekhart, on loan from Tottenham, has one goal scored on his Saints debut while Matt Paterson is yet to get off the mark having only made one sub appearance for the team so far.

Saints also have two players who have appeared as attacking midfielders who could play through the middle.

There is teen Jamie White, who hasn’t scored for the club yet, and Bradley Wright-Phillips, now the highest scorer available to Poortvliet courtesy of his 18 goals in 89 games for the club.

John joined Saints in August 2007 as part of the deal that took Kenwyne Jones to Sunderland.

His goals saw him end the campaign as one of the top Championship scorers and included two on the final day that helped Saints avoid the drop.

John’s contract expires next summer and he will be free to sign a pre-contract agreement with Bristol City in January if his loan move goes well.

In the official release of the news from the club, Poortvliet was quoted as citing financial reasons for the decision.

He said: “Stern has spoken to Bristol City and we have agreed that he will join them on loan.

“He is one of the bigger earners at Southampton and the club’s financial situation means that we are unable to guarantee him first team football and the wages that go with it.

“Bristol City play 4-4-2, so the way they play will better suit Stern’s style.”

Poortvliet had recalled John for Tuesday’s 0-0 draw at Sheffield United and afterwards praised the Trinidadian for his display.


Rudd Gillett, Saffhampton says...
10:42am Sat 25 Oct 08
Just shows you how much RL wants to run us down and then ala Ken Bates buy us for a pound! We are going down with that strike force if you can call it that!Just shows you how much RL wants to run us down and then ala Ken Bates buy us for a pound! We are going down with that strike force if you can call it that!

Shazza (the genuine article, not an imposter), says...
10:50am Sat 25 Oct 08
No sweat, let's bring Saga or Rasiak back into the starting lineup, either of them are sure to get goals and add a bit of much-needed experience.

err.....No sweat, let's bring Saga or Rasiak back into the starting lineup, either of them are sure to get goals and add a bit of much-needed experience. err.....


chip eater, eastleigh says...
10:55am Sat 25 Oct 08
nothing like healthy competition for places ! seriously this is nothing like it.nothing like healthy competition for places ! seriously this is nothing like it.


juliusevola, Southampton says...
10:57am Sat 25 Oct 08
Rudd Gillett wrote:
Just shows you how much RL wants to run us down and then ala Ken Bates buy us for a pound! We are going down with that strike force if you can call it that!Blaming Lowe for everything just shows your (and other fans) sheer stupidity.It is financial reality (I know thats very complicated for the likes of you to understand).Get used to it.

[p][bold]Rudd Gillett[/bold] wrote: Just shows you how much RL wants to run us down and then ala Ken Bates buy us for a pound! We are going down with that strike force if you can call it that![/p]

Blaming Lowe for everything just shows your (and other fans) sheer stupidity.It is financial reality (I know thats very complicated for the likes of you to understand).Get used to it.


bogie, Warsash says...
11:00am Sat 25 Oct 08
What the hell is going on? This is a surefire way towards relegation.

Some of these recent decisions beggars belief.

Rupert Lowe and his evil cronies has completely devastated what was a once great club.

Saints are in a sad sorry state.

Hurry up Dave Merrington and save us all.What the hell is going on? This is a surefire way towards relegation. Some of these recent decisions beggars belief. Rupert Lowe and his evil cronies has completely devastated what was a once great club. Saints are in a sad sorry state. Hurry up Dave Merrington and save us all.


Rudd Gillett, Saffhampton says...
11:17am Sat 25 Oct 08
juliusevola wrote:
Rudd Gillett wrote: Just shows you how much RL wants to run us down and then ala Ken Bates buy us for a pound! We are going down with that strike force if you can call it that!Blaming Lowe for everything just shows your (and other fans) sheer stupidity.It is financial reality (I know thats very complicated for the likes of you to understand).Get used to it.I can understand that in fact as previously worked in bank for over 10 years! But hey I bet you have a better idea of it Julie working in the local Co-op! Get real ! RL is killing the club, no one else just him. Makes sense selling top goal scorer when you got 1 goal in last three games! Woman and football haha

[p][bold]juliusevola[/bold] wrote:

[p][bold]Rudd Gillett[/bold] wrote: Just shows you how much RL wants to run us down and then ala Ken Bates buy us for a pound! We are going down with that strike force if you can call it that![/p]

Blaming Lowe for everything just shows your (and other fans) sheer stupidity.It is financial reality (I know thats very complicated for the likes of you to understand).Get used to it.[/p]

I can understand that in fact as previously worked in bank for over 10 years! But hey I bet you have a better idea of it Julie working in the local Co-op! Get real ! RL is killing the club, no one else just him. Makes sense selling top goal scorer when you got 1 goal in last three games! Woman and football haha


Saint, says...
11:23am Sat 25 Oct 08
juliusevola wrote:
Rudd Gillett wrote: Just shows you how much RL wants to run us down and then ala Ken Bates buy us for a pound! We are going down with that strike force if you can call it that!Blaming Lowe for everything just shows your (and other fans) sheer stupidity.It is financial reality (I know thats very complicated for the likes of you to understand).Get used to it.Who the hell do you think is to blame?

If he is blameless, then what the hell is his job, and what is he accountable for?

This has been many years in the making, many under his leadership, and many sacked and hired managers!

Give Paterson a chance. the rest aint done much.

Makes sense if we are going to end up playing them after January anyway. He can't be as bad as those already in the having played this season group.
Might as well play his regular partner as well.

Voted for Peckhart. Why the hell is Poortvliet not playing him and sticking with the inept McGoldrick and Wright-Phillips all the time?

Perennial Underachiever wrote:Voted for Peckhart. Why the hell is Poortvliet not playing him and sticking with the inept McGoldrick and Wright-Phillips all the time?

Must be unlikely we'll get an extension of the loan if we don't play him. Spurs will find a team that will give him match practice.....and he will score for them against Saints!!

dnt no after 2days performance xx

I would pick 2 as we don't seem strong enough to play one up front
Paterson and his playing partner. At least they know each others play. otherwise Pekhart.