Ronald Koeman has a little bit of thinking to do about whom he plays in the holding role usually occupied by Victor Wanyama.
Saints manager Ronald Koeman has a dilemma on Saturday when he must select a replacement for Victor Wanyama for the trip to Sunderland.
Losing the in form Wanyama is a blow, but the Dutchman has plenty of options to fill his position, but sometimes having options does not make for a simple decision.
It seems likely that Jordy Clasie will continue in the starting position he has occupied for the last two games, but who will partner him to anchor the midfield ?
Prime candidate must be Oriol Romeu, he has looked the part both when he was in the role when Wanyama was having his funny five minutes a couple of months ago and he has also looked impressive in games played since including the victory over Aston Villa in the Capital One Cup.
But he is not the only option, James Ward Prowse looked good in a deeper role a few weeks ago prompting suggestions that this could be his best position, but the truth is that he needs to play alongside a strong ball winner and I only think he will play in this position if he is paired with Wanyama or Romeu and to be blunt I can't see Koeman leaving Clasie on the bench.
Another option could be Steven Davis, but the Northern Irish International has looked good sat in front of the holding two and I can't see Koeman wanting to change things too much at Sunderland.
It should also be remembered that when Saints defeated Sunderland 8-0 last season Wanyama was only a substitute and Jack Cork was preferred, this could influence Koeman in that he might feel that losing Wanyama for this game is not as big a blow as it would have been for say Manchester City away in a few weeks.
So I expect it to be the Romeu/Clasie partnership with a combination of the ball winning skills of Romeu and the ability of Clasie to read the game, intercept the ball and move it quickly to the likes of Tadic & Mane to catch the Mackems on the break.