After playing three central defenders at Crystal Palace, Ronald Koeman looks set to go back to his more usual style of a back four for the visit of Tottenham Hotspur.

At Selhurst Park Ronald Koeman adapted his side to counter the Eagles attacking threat, but Tottenham Hotspur offer a different proposition and so it is likely that the Dutch manager will change back to a more traditional looking back four.

Although he is open to change formation again, with the games coming up in the next few weeks, Koeman will more than likely stick with his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation for these games.

“The main reason was the way how Crystal Palace played,” explained Koeman when asked about his move to play three centre halves in the game at Selhurst Park

“Two in front and two wide wing players and to have a little bit of sureness defensive wise I changed the system.

“Normally we play different. It’s an option to use it but not every week.”

This means that Yoshida is likely to drop to the bench with Soares, Fonte, Van Dijk & Bertrand starting as the back four a line up that most Saints fans consider the strongest defensive option.

The good thing is that Saints now have these options and although it didn't quite work out against Palace, that doesn't mean it wasn't the right thing to do and it could be that in future games Saints will line up differently.

Last season Koeman did not have these options and one only has to look back to a year ago when we lost back to back games against Burnley in the Premier League and Sheffield United in the League cup, to see how limited we were as a squad not only on options to change formation, but on who we had on the bench to change games etc.

This season has taken a wrong turn for Saints at the moment, but there is nothing wrong that a couple of wins won't put right.

Photo: Action Images

SanMarco added 10:36 - Dec 18 We need a performance like the 3-0 vs Everton on this same Saturday last season. I'm still not convinced by the 'stronger squad' claims - Chelsea are the only good team we have beaten this season and they weren't even good...
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halftimeorange added 11:05 - Dec 18 Koeman has already signalled we could be in deeper trouble soon, conditioning us fans for another bad result. I'm hoping for improvement but what is happening is not squad rotation, it's more like holding a wet finger up to the wind and hoping this time you've guessed correctly. I'd be more comfortable if we played a back nine and hope Mane can find his winged feet and leave Spurs for dead.

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