Amazingly Jose Fonte has just completed his 7th season at St Mary's and has been a stalwart as we ave risen through the Leagues, but what about his form this term ?

Jose Fonte reminds me very much of Claus Lundekvam as both a player and the way that he has been a stalwart of the Saints defence for such a long period of time.

But there are plenty of players who stay at a club for long periods and do not contribute as much as either Lundekvam of Fonte.

Both are players in the same mould, they are ball playing central defenders with a deceptive look about them, strikers might think that they are physically not as strong as some, but they are brave and don't let themselves get bullied.

This season Fonte has done just what he has always done, early in the season I thought that this term might be a step too far for Fonte, I felt that turning 32 last December he had just lost that yard of pace and speed of thought to keep him at the top of his game.

I still think that perhaps I am right, but the reality is that there are plenty of defenders in the Premier League who you can say that about who have adapted and are still contributing at the top level.

In the early season when I thought that, I perhaps didn't make enough leeway for Jose in the fact that he was surrounded by players with little Premier league experience, but as the season progressed and we brought in Virgil Van Dijk, Ryan Bertrand returned from injury and others started to get that experience, Jose's performances improved.

The return of Fraser Forster was the icing on the cake and once the big keeper was back, the Bournemouth game aside, Fonte was rock solid at the back.

The question is though is how much longer can he continue to play at this level, this season saw no real competition for places in the centre of defence and that needs to change, we need to get in a serious challenger for Jose, not just to take his place in the long term, but to spur him on and perhaps give him the impetus to keep performing to the top of his game for a little longer than he might have otherwise.

Central defence is a weak area in terms of depth for Saints, we were lucky that Jose missed only one game all season in the Premier League and that his partner Virgil Van Dijk did not miss any after his arrival, next season could be different it would only take an injury or suspension to either to cause us problems.

Therefore we need to look at bringing in another quality central defender for those reasons.

But I have not come here to condemn Jose and predict his demise, I have come to praise him, like Claus Lundekvam he is a player who you just can't write off, he has his faults but just as you think that perhaps his standards are dropping, he grits his teeth, digs in and makes you chang your opinion.

Another solid season from Jose 8/10

Watch What Nick, Clive & Freddie Have To Say About Jose By Clicking On The Link Below

Photo: Action Images

bstokesaint added 12:41 - May 27 I remember watching Fonte play in one of his first games away for us away at Millwall. A couple of guys I was watching with said that day said it was like watching an adult play in a kids' match, he was just so comfortable on the ball. Okay, that was the lower the leagues, but he has always progressed when called upon to do so. And he always manages to form solid partnerships. I still wish he wouldn't as prone to the occasional shirt tug, or mistimed tackle around the box, but generally he's been a great player for us over the years. He's also a brilliant ambassador for the club and proper captain material.

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SonicBoom added 13:54 - May 27 He's been excellent for us and the only survivor from League 1 which shows how he developed. I also think the other players look up to him as both player and captain. I'm not sure I'd call him a ball playing centre back though. He's usually the one that the opposition don't close down as his passing is usually nervy and inaccurate over more than twenty yards. Glad to see him playing so well though and what a signing he has proved to be.

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BoondockSaint added 14:05 - May 27 Heart and soul of the team, if only all our players showed the same desire.
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