With a favourable fixture list until the New Year, on paper, The Saints could be looking at taking 20 points before the end of 2012, but the injury list is mounting as Gaston Ramirez joins Jack Cork on the treatment table. Could it cost them survival?
Southampton came into the Premier League with a reputation as an attacking side who loved scoring goals. That is a reputation they certainly have lived up to, yet as a form of wicked karma it has resulted in a direct opposite effect on their defensive qualities.
The Saints have shipped goals in at both ends this season and such an effect has seen them struggle to get a proper foothold on the cliff-face that is the Premier League.
What they haven’t needed is any set-backs as they hang staring into a potential precipice, but that is exactly what they have got.
First of all they have been without Jack Cork for the majority of the season. The England under-21 international and Team GB Olympic member was arguably their best player last season. A combative midfielder who also brings great creative midfield play his influence has been sorely missed after suffering simultaneous ankle and knee injuries, once in the summer and again after his comeback game against Sheffield Wednesday.
Yet while his loss is already palpable Southampton did not need to be greeted with the news that their record signing Gaston Ramirez will now be out of action for six weeks. He missed last weekend’s draw with Fulham after sustaining a knock to his thigh, which has now swollen like a balloon leaving him out of action for the international fixtures and the next four fixtures at least for Southampton.
The injuries to two of their star players could not come at a worse time for The Saints as they gear up for matches with West Ham, West Brom and Leeds United away from St Marys and welcome Spurs and Swansea to the Solent in that period.
It is a run of fixtures where Nigel Adkins will be hoping to collect at least seven points from a possible 12 but with the injury concerns to the right-back position also coming to light against Fulham it seems injuries may prevent such a successful return.
The Saints have a great run of games, on paper, until the turn of the new year with Reading, Sunderland, QPR and Norwich all ties where they will envisage taking three points before their New Year starts with a bang when Arsenal come to town.
The rest of 2012 and the halt of their current injury woes may prove pivotal at the seasons close to Southampton’s Premier League survival.
What do you make of Southampton’s injury concerns?
image: © ingythewingy
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