Player watch: Toby Alderweireld

Curtis Peterson · Jul 8, 2015

I'm not sure why people are so down on Fazio. I get Chiriches (even though I like him too), because he is crazy. But Fazio is a presence and he is strong in the air and he formed a good partnership with Vertonghen during one of our best runs last season. He has his drawbacks, especially against teams with pace, but he can definitely still challenge for a starting spot. If we can add Alderweireld to Vertonghen, Fazio, Dier and Wimmer, then we should be pretty well off. Just need to add that DM to protect them and hopefully we won't concede so many goals.

worcestersauce · Jul 8, 2015

With the CB's we now have is it likely that we'll start using a back three from time to time, Toby right Verts left and Fazio in the middle for example.
Assuming he is signing for us of course.

SHaRD · Jul 8, 2015

Curtis Peterson said:
I'm not sure why people are so down on Fazio. I get Chiriches (even though I like him too), because he is crazy. But Fazio is a presence and he is strong in the air and he formed a good partnership with Vertonghen during one of our best runs last season. He has his drawbacks, especially against teams with pace, but he can definitely still challenge for a starting spot. If we can add Alderweireld to Vertonghen, Fazio, Dier and Wimmer, then we should be pretty well off. Just need to add that DM to protect them and hopefully we won't concede so many goals.

Agree

He's looked more capable in his first EPL season than Mertesacker or Coloccini ever did

And our period of defensive solidity coincided with his extensive run in the team

5 CBs is too many though. Perhaps we will loan out Wimmer?

Japhet · Jul 8, 2015

SHaRD said:
Fazio is still first choice alongside Verts for me - TA isn't up to his level and is a bit too similar to Verts to be his partner (in a competitive league like the EPL)

Fazio's biggest problem was sloppy passing and clearances going to the opposition but I think the double pivot midfield makes it much harder for the CBs. Another body in midfield makes it way easier for back 4 players to find a pass safely. Would love us to play 3 in MF but don't expect Poch to change.

ilikeost · Jul 8, 2015

Nerine said:
Seems like we are going to get him, then.

How do you pronounce his name?

http://www.forvo.com/word/toby_alderweireld/

SHaRD · Jul 8, 2015

worcestersauce said:
With the CB's we now have is it likely that we'll start using a back three from time to time, Toby right Verts left and Fazio in the middle for example.
Assuming he is signing for us of course.

I think it's a highly flawed system (LVG and Rodgers reinforced, rather than disproved, that last season).

I also think Poch is very firmly wedded to his 4-2-3-1.

Remember we'd need to sign 3 more CFs to be equipped to go with two up top.

hifi2007 · Jul 8, 2015

Xeeleeyid said:
Southampton fans remind me of Ipswich fans back in 2000/01 when Ipswich ended up getting promoted and then finishing 5th one season. They'd had such momentum that some of their fans turned into lunatics. I remember loads of them on forums back then saying that they'd be disappointed if they didn't push on and put in a title bid the next season. They got relegated instead.

lol i remember them thinking they were favs for the title.

Powder Keg · Jul 8, 2015

worcestersauce said:
With the CB's we now have is it likely that we'll start using a back three from time to time, Toby right Verts left and Fazio in the middle for example.
Assuming he is signing for us of course.

I like your thinking, but I hope we don't go 3-5-2 too often! Didn't work out well at both ends of the table for Man U or QPR.

Stoof · Jul 8, 2015

SHaRD said:
I think it's a highly flawed system (LVG and Rodgers reinforced, rather than disproved, that last season).

I also think Poch is very firmly wedded to his 4-2-3-1.

Remember we'd need to sign 3 more CFs to be equipped to go with two up top.

I'd say one.

Chadli, Kane and Bobby.

Teegart · Jul 8, 2015

An interesting stat to consider that, to me, shows just how important Alderweireld was to Southampton last season:

The saints recorded a goal difference of +21 in the 26 Premier League games in which he started, with that figure dropping to zero in the 12 games he did not.

Hoopspur · Jul 8, 2015

Good fun thread and all that, and despite how good this guy may or may not be, I'm still a tad underwhelmed at signing another CH. Especially with our bloody record at it!

Everlasting Seconds · Jul 8, 2015

We are not moving to any formation with the number 3 in it. We don't buy 1 player and suddenly that's enough to change the formation.

Curtis Peterson · Jul 8, 2015

SHaRD said:
Agree

He's looked more capable in his first EPL season than Mertesacker or Coloccini ever did

And our period of defensive solidity coincided with his extensive run in the team

5 CBs is too many though. Perhaps we will loan out Wimmer?

5 CBs is definitely a lot, but we play so many games and injuries happen. Dier and Wimmer are also pretty young, so they will probably be fighting for starts in the league and getting a lot of time in cups and Europa League. That said, 5 CBs might be too much in that I can see all of them fighting for a starting position.

Mouse! · Jul 8, 2015

Powder Keg said:
I like your thinking, but I hope we don't go 3-5-2 too often! Didn't work out well at both ends of the table for Man U or QPR.

Not a massive fan of 3 at the back, but I don't think you can judge any system harshly when the components include Tyler Blackett and Paddy McNair with Ashley Young and Jesse Lingard as wing-backs.

Equally, Richard Dunne, Clint Hill and Steven Caulker - not the quality of CB we'll be ending up with.

tdk101 · Jul 8, 2015

Teegart said:
An interesting stat to consider that, to me, shows just how important Alderweireld was to Southampton last season:

The saints recorded a goal difference of +21 in the 26 Premier League games in which he started, with that figure dropping to zero in the 12 games he did not.

Not really a good indicator, considering when he was out, both Wanyama and Schneiderin were also out for long stretches.

ilikeost · Jul 8, 2015

Some over at saintsweb are still holding on to some hope!

It's still in limbo, IMO. Yes there are reliable reports that all the formalities have been completed with Spurs, and that's probably the case.

But they will still be concerned about legalities, problems with registration and that is what they are trying to get clear.

It will come down in the end to what Toby wants. I'm not convinced he has a clear preference either way, but wanted to be sorted and Levy told him could be with Spurs, even though that's not necessarily true. So, with no move from Saints, that was his best option.

If he does want away, Saints will let him go. The fact that we haven't stepped back and just accepted compensation makes me think this plot has more twists to come than a twisty thing in a twister.

mikeeegreen · Jul 8, 2015

Sven Claes‏@svenclaes 5m5 minutes ago
20 minutes to go...

southernspur9 · Jul 8, 2015

Sven Claes, the Belgian football journalist on twitter, thinks its a 10AM announcement.

hifi2007 · Jul 8, 2015

southernspur9 said:
Sven Claes, the Belgian football journalist on twitter, thinks its a 10AM announcement.

Not long to wait then

mark87 · Jul 8, 2015

mikeeegreen said:
Sven Claes‏@svenclaes 5m5 minutes ago
20 minutes to go...

He'll look a bit of a dick if it doesn't happen at 10.

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