Victor Wanyama is a vital member of Saints team, that is certain, but is the speculation regarding the Kenyan's future forcing Ronald Koeman to play him every week when tactically he may not be the best option.

When Saints got off to a roaring start last season, their success was based on Ronald Koeman making subtle changes to the midfield when the situation called for it.

In simple terms that meant alternating Victor Wanyama with Jack Cork, when Saints were facing tough opposition Koeman would prefer Scneiderlin and Wanyama to give the team that steel in midfield to win the ball, but when faced with the likes of Sunderland where we would have more possession and the need was not to win the ball but move it quickly and catch teams on the back foot then often Cork would be preferred.

Injury to Cork in December and his subsequent transfer in January meant that this option was not available and although Saints were strong in midfield, it has to be said that in the main they did not play with the same attacking flair in the second half of the season than they did in the first, especially in games when they needed to break down the opposition.

Victor Wanyama wanted to leave the club in August his head turned by Spurs, Saints dug in and refused him permission to leave and offered hi a new 5 year deal, but as the longer that deal sits on the table there is the question as to whether Wanyama is being indulged at the expense of what could be tactically best for the team.

Put simply if they are to persuade him to sign that new contract then he has to be convinced that the team will revolve around him and that means that he has to play every week if fit.

But that like last year may not be the best choice as was shown against Aston Villa at the weekend, with Saints dominating the game we did not need Wanyama's ball winning as much as we might in other games and his strengths do not lie in passing the ball.

When he wet off injured and was replaced by Oriol Romeu, the game canged and i do not just mean because the Romanian scored the equaliser.

Romeu offered more than Wanyama going forward, he was faster, more mobile and able to move the ball quicker to those that could use it, meaning in the final third of the game we got the ball out to the flanks and got it into the box a lot quicker, ultimately it only resulted in the one goal, but it did get Villa on the back foot and although this was not a tactical move by the manager in that Wanyama went off injured, it did beggar the question about whether Koeman is being hampered tactically by the speculation surrounding the Kenyan. when we play teams like Villa where speed of thought is needed ahead of physical strength.

The contract situation needs to be sorted, the longer it goes on the more the insinuation will come out that Wanyama is being played week in week out in a bid to persuade him to stay rather than either his ability or what the team needs tactically.

Signing a new deal would put that question to bed and enable the manager to pick the team with no inference that he is having to pick certain players due to the fact they are being courted by other clubs.

Wanyama is a great player for Saints, one of the most vital in the squad, but that does not mean, and this should be the case with any player, that they are guaranteed a place week in week out, sometimes the manager needs to make a tactical decision and he needs to make that without outside issues perhaps swaying him in a direction that he may not have opted for all things being equal.

Photo: Action Images

pintsizedsaint added 14:11 - Dec 10 My two penny's worth for what it's worth. I think VW is an important member of the squad, but I don't think he's vital. He does what he's best at (physical presence, disrupting play) very well but he can't easily transition defence into attack, his passing is basic, and he can't shoot (hull screamer aside). I think Romeu balances these things out better - although his physical presence is not up to VW standard yet. Classie has the attack transition but is clearly never going to be mistaken for a VW replacement at any point! Personally I don't think RK is playing him to keep him sweet. I think he's just worried defensively and VW offers him strength in that department. I would be surprised if it was to keep him sweet, given that any footballer (particularly VW) would still leave if it meant significantly more wages and/or a better shot at trophies. That will happen regardless. If VW did leave, it won't be about game time. It's clear Spuds will want to play him as a defensive option - which will be not as regular as I suspect Dier will be the main option overall. VW must know more than anyone that he's bound to get more game time at SFC than he would at Spuds or Arsenal.

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mgprobert added 14:36 - Dec 10 The midfield is so crucial to the whole balance / effectiveness of the team. It seems Classie is taking a while to adapt, but lets not judge too soon (plenty thought Spider wouldn't make it). Victor's head seems to be in north London already, so it might be best to cut our losses and get someone in who is 100% committed to the team. Our strength last year, and Leicester's this year, was the team ethos, and the collective effect being more than the sum of the parts....you need everyone "on board" By the way, in other news, I saw someone suggest VVD as a midfielder recently and I'm beginning to like the idea - as long as we get a couple of decent CBs (I'm not including Caulker)

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IWOZTHERE added 15:03 - Dec 10 Rk has doubts over our best midfield and the VW situation is a complication we could do without. If he doesn't think it would affect the price I'd leave him out and see how those who are committed to the club, perform before the 'window' opens.
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TimSaint added 15:48 - Dec 10 Vic has had his head turned and has said that he does not regret the Spurs links in the summer, but to be honest, he hasn't been fantastic this season - despite saying its all over and he is a Saints player. Spurs midfield has been very good, so perhaps not only would he not make the starting XI, but they may not even see a need for Vic in the Jan / Summer windows. If they do bid, you can guarantee that it will be some derisory amount, less than what we paid for him, but reports in the press will say that it is for 18 mill and some player we have no need for. Hopefully we are not doing business with Spurs - just like West Brom. Yes - he should just sign a new contract, should the club deem him worthy of one.

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RogerToye added 20:29 - Dec 10 In a word Frozen ....I agree his head is in two places, He obviously found it hard to adapt to RK and the changes of personnel the damage seem to be done after Cortese and Pooch and whole load of players went on an Exodus. All of them really struggling to make an impact with the bigger teams they went on to join, with one thing or another as they move on and for double the money.. Its all good business plus He has had a bad experience here. he is strong in the tackle surprised he hasn't played like he did at Celtic as attacking midfielder he is a bit sideways for my liking I preferred Jack Cork in his place. I saw hope at the start of this season when he linked up well with Mane and Pelle showing great movement when we scored the goal against Vitesse thought we got him back then spurs hit him and we lost both him and Mane to transfer speculation I think their absence was to our detriment when we crashed out of Europe. He is one guy in a team of many with changes a plenty past and present and we are still in the same place we can now always aspire too. Let him go at the end of season but love him while he is here, he has a role to play while we wait for others to come up to speed. Or we will be in a situation like Clyne again held to ransomer. Im so excited to see when it will all click again. I see some really good talent coming through the ranks and potentially coming in. one thing for me though is more home talent would be better than foreign legion however Mane Pelle and Tadic have so impressed most of the time. When I look at the strikers like Jay rod, Ings, Vokes, Austin, Gallagher, now Ryan Seager Most are from down our way and interesting connection with Burnley I digress. Its great to be a Saints fan, taking a dip in form, gives much to banter about I see as a sign for better things to come.

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SaintBrock added 15:33 - Dec 11 Perhaps or perhaps not to answer your question Nick.
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