Mauricio Pellegrino does not seem to be able to make a decisive decision in who his best central defensive pairing should be. But who do you think it should be ?
Mauricio Pellegrino seems to be dithering on putting together his best defensive duo, although to be fair to him supporters are just as divided in whom they see as should be playing as the manager, although probably for different reasons.
Pellegrino is struggling to piar two out of three at present from Maya Yoshida, Virgil Van Dijk and Wesley Hoedt with Jack Stephens seemingly now fourth choice.
The problem is that all three have good reasons as to why they should play and ironically the one that should be playing is sat on the bench.
So what are the pros and cons of each player ?
Virgil Van Dijk is unquestionably the best player out of the three, at least on his form prior to his injury in January, from a quality point of view you would pick him every time, however against that is the issues of the summer , plus he hasn't looked sharp in the games played so far.
Maya Yoshida has of course given his trademark 110% and has also seemed to have cut out the lapses to a degree, but on Sunday against Newcastle although he wasn't exposed defensively, when we pinned them in their own half for most of the game his passing ability was found wanting and Wesley Hoedt would have been a better bet.
Talking of Hoedt, he is probably the one man that should be playing, in his games so far this season he has looked the part both in the way he has defended and also his ability to carry the ball forward and pass, yet he is the one sat on the bench.
The reason for that is that Mauricio Pellegrino seems to feel that he should stay loyal to Yoshida, at least till he makes a mistake and that Van Dijk has to play, perhaps because of his quality, but more likely to keep him happy, if Van Dijk is dropped then we could see another strop.
Whilst I sympathise with Pellegrino's dilemma, I am not happy with the fact that he seems unable to make a tough decision.
Most fans I have spoken to are divided on whether it should be Yoshida or Van Dijk in the team, yet most are of the opinion that Hoedt definately should be.
Our signing from Napoli is paying the price for Van Dijk's behaviour and that is wrong.
Personally I find it tough to make the call between Yoshida and Van Dijk myself, although I have criticised Yoshida in the past, I do appreciate his loyalty and that has to be taken into account, whilst I do not think that Yoshida is of true Premier League quality, at least not as a regular week in week out, I do appreciate that he is a better player than Van Dijk when the Dutchman is having a strop and not making himself available.
But there are those who would also say that a 75% pace Van Dijk is still better than a 110% Yoshida and that the manager should always pick his best side and that sentiment should play no part in that selection, as much as it would be harsh on Yoshida to drop him, he is a professional and should accept it.
I have no doubt that the Japanese defender would do just that, but would Van Dijk if he was benched ? I would say no and that it would lead to more unpleasantness and it seems that Saints are hoping that they can get this season out of Van Dijk before selling him and therefore are treating him with kid gloves.
It is not an easy issue for the manager, but one I think he is avoiding by dropping Hoedt to the bench and seemingly waiting for Yoshida to make a mistake so he can drop him.
Certainly Hoedt did not deserve to be dropped after his initial games for the club, especially the man of the match performance against Crystal Palace, we missed his presence against Newcastle both from a defensive perspective and his passing ability as well.
So in my book Hoedt should be playing, I can't say that it cost us a win against Newcastle but I do feel if Hoedt had been in the side we would have been sharper in defence and certainly his passing ability would have helped us build attacks going forward a lot quicker.
If anyone is the future of our central defence currently at the club it is Hoedt who must be wondering why the club bought him if they were not going to select him ahead of either Yoshida or Van Dijk albeit for different reasons.
So Mauricio Pellegrino needs to start being pro active and not reactive, it is not just about waiting for an individual error, it is about giving ourselves a better chance of winning games and that is about solid foundations and teamwork.
There is no easy answer here, I can put up good cases as to why Yoshida or Van Dijk should be in the team on Saturday, but I can't put up a good reason as to why Wesley Hoedt should not be, that is Mauricio Pellegrino's problem, he has to deal with it !
Who would you choose as your defensive pairing ? give your opinion below and vote in our online poll using the link below.
https://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/southampton/forum/210750/who-should-pelle