Show/hide article…
DUSAN Tadic admits that only time will tell over whether or not Saints have enough strength in depth to cope with their hectic fixture list.
The Serbian has also accepted that it will be difficult to replicate the success of the past few seasons due to rivals’ investment, writes Peter Howard.
Manager Claude Puel has maintained that he believes he has sufficient options and quality to deal with a fixture list fit to bursting point with Europa League, Premier League and domestic cup matches in the coming months.
Although Tadic believes at this stage the Saints team has the numbers to get by, the playmaker knows the true reality of the situation may only reveal itself when the games are coming thick and fast.
“The squad is large enough, but will see,” he said ahead of Sunday’s league visit of Swansea.“Time will tell, but I think it is large enough.”
The 27-year-old, who is a major part of Puel’s new system as a number 10 behind the strikers, knows that the squad will have to be dealt with carefully to ensure that they are fresh for every game.
“You need to take good recovery,” he said. "You need to eat good, you need to take good rest and sleep well.
“Normally when you have a lot of game you don’t train so much. These are all important things and when the game comes you feel much better.”
Saints have achieved record-breaking finishes and Europa League qualification in back-to-back campaigns, but Tadic has recognised that the Premier League is far tougher after considerable investment from rivals during the transfer window.
“Every time it (the Premier League) gets better and now a lot of coaches come to the Premier League and always it is always improving.”
He added; “It’s much more difficult, all strong teams invest lots of money and then it’s hard to be at the top of the table.”
Tadic wants Saints to now get some much-needed points on the board in the top-flight, with their first chance to get a first win the league at home to Swansea.
“It’s always a worry when you don’t get points, but it’s important that you give your best, when you go on the pitch that you do the right things,” he said.
“We will try to take to points and put the pressure on us because we need to take points against everyone.”
He added: “Other teams also have a lot of qualities and that doesn’t make it easy because of that it is important we take points as quick as possible.”
Go to the original article…
...harassingly made by Optimus trousers...beta v1.9 - now with EXTRA pictures!
| 
| 
| 
