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Saints Lose Spine Of The Side But Koeman Can Cope

Saints will be without 3 key players for up to a month but Ronald Koeman for one isn't worried that we won't be able to cope.

Ask most Saints fans for their top player this season and the likelihood is that most of them will say one of the currently injured trio of Toby Alderweireld, Morgan Schneiderlin & Victor Wanyama.

It cannot be denied that they are the spine of the side and obviously we would prefer to be with them than without them, however this is a drama not a crisis and we can cope with their loss especially in the middle of the park where we have a number of players who can slot in to replace both of the missing players in that department.

The return of Jack Cork will ease the situation but the fact remains that we cannot afford to lose anyone else in that area.

Likewise in central defence where we are down to only the two fit central defenders, before Wanyama's injury that was not a problem in that either Wanyama or Cork could have slotted in and covered, but now that is not the case and although Cork is fit we cannot afford to move him out of the midfield.

Ronald Koeman is not worried though and is stating that he is not intending to make any moves in the transfer department to bring in cover.

"I still think we can still handle this up until now, but if we get more problems then of course it will be a problem for us,” the Dutchman said.

"We know that.”

However i think we can take this with a pinch of salt, Koeman has been very none committal here and always plays his cards close to his chest, not only that but like any good leader he exudes an air of calm rather than panic and he is steadying the ship here.

But I think deep down the Dutchman knows there is a problem and although that problem will go away hopefully in early February when hopefully the injured players return and are joined by the likes of Mane & Yoshida away on international duty he knows the loss of three key players to injury would stretch any squad in the Premier league let alone Saints.

So I would not be surprised to see Koeman utilise the transfer window for a loan signing of a central defender although I think this will happen after the Crystal Palace game when Koeman has more of an idea not only of how long the players will be out,but when Yoshida will return.

One thing is for sure Saints seem to be picking up an extraoridinary amount of injuries of late and seemingly a game doesn't go by without another one being added.

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