According to latest media reports Saints might have to do without Dejan Lovren for 3-4 weeks, which is good news in a weird sort of way.

Most Saints fans feared the worse when Dejan Lovren was stretchered off at Sunderland, most thought that this might be the end of his season as the TV carried pictures of the Croatian central defender receiving oxygen and he was taken to the dressing rooms.

Now according to the Croatian FA it seems that Lovren is expected to be out for 3-4 weeks which is good to hear when considering it could be a lot lot worse.

The big question is whether Saints will invest in a new central defender, difficult enough when as a club you are in a stable position, but very difficult given Saints current circumstances.

However given the short period of time Lovren is likely to be out Mauricio Pochettino might opt to soldier on with what he has, although both Jos Hooiveld and Yoshida have come in for criticism this season it should be remembered that in the last 16 games of last season, they along with Jose Fonte were part of a squad that garnered 19 points from the final 16 games, if that was to be repeated that would surely be enough to give Saints a top ten finish, so what Saints need now is like last season, a side that pulls together in a time of crisis.

Another option for Pochettino given the good form of Jack Cork in midfield would be to bring in Wanyama in the centre of defence when he returns from injury, this hasn't really been considered, but the Kenyan played there for Celtic and although not the position we signed him for, it could be in the best interests of the team for the last few months of the season.

The loss of Lovren is a blow, but Saints escaped relegation last season before his arrival and are in a strong position this term, so have that gap to play with meaning a repeat of last season's finish, hardly spectacular in the return of points would see a great finsishing league position.

Photo: Action Images

slynch added 23:42 - Jan 21 Saints' defence will let in 2 goals a game without Lovren?!?
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VancouverSaint added 00:03 - Jan 22 This is when we need to use the transfer window. We need to get in an older experienced defender to cover for him or Fonte until the end of the season. We can't expect our youth players to immediately step into this important position. They need to come through gradually. Let's bring in a 28- 30 year old that has been around and knows his time to shine is limited. Pay him well, he should be worth it, but we've only got 10 days to do it.

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davepid added 08:54 - Jan 22 SLynch is probably right in his prediction. Besides the last 16 games of last season ,minus a couple of exceptions, was pretty boring and unattractive football from us in the main. I seem to remember thinking that we just did enough to get a point ( Stoke home) or we were careless about throwing it away ( Wigan) via running out of ideas or just not being quite good enough. I'm not sure I want to live through that again.

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SaintNick added 10:49 - Jan 22 The last 16 games of last season were Pochettinos first 16, my point is that if we could get 19 out of them with a worse squad than this year both in terms of players and confidence, team spirit etc, then we should be able to repeat that feat this year Its fine for slynch to make predictions of 2 goals conceded in every game, but that only happened in 5 of those 16 games last season. The thing to do is not panic, of course i would prefer to see a new signing in, but as has been said there are only 10 games to go we will probably end up with another Forren, better to use what we have got, or perhaps a loan signing. But it isnt all doom and gloom we have options and those options got enough points to keep us up last year, so we should be ok this

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Zambucco added 17:48 - Jan 22 We could give Aaron Martin another chance, I thought he improved so much when given his chance last season. I think he scored the other day too. Unfortunately Jos would not instil confidence in the team considering his last performances, although we now have Boruc back.
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davepid added 19:08 - Jan 22 Aaron Martin is a curious case . He did ok in the championship but when we sent him out on loan it all went wrong. Is he playing currently anyone as wiki pedi says not. I think we could have preserved with him after that and at lest got hakim in the league cup squad.
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Whatsforpud added 09:56 - Jan 23 We shouldn't be buying centre backs for a short-term fix. We have a squad of players to be used. Any new player would need a few games to gel with teammates anyway. By the time he is attuned to the style of play, Lovren would be on his way back. Lets do it properly by getting in a good one prior to next pre-season.
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LostBoys added 18:36 - Jan 23 we need a replacement as back up. We can cover Yeovil and fulham but need a full squad against Arsenal
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