 | Your
Report | Southampton v Everton Your Report added at 19:26:48
Poor game between two average teams. We sit so deep that the gap between midfield and forwards is huge, which means Archer works his socks off for little reward.
The stadium and game as a whole was given a massive lift with the introduction of Dibling and a couple of positive runs. Not sure why we played Manning as a winger when we have better alternatives, not belittling his contribution though.
A worrying two minutes for the offside decision but we will need to make a big step up to remain in the PL. |
| Your
Report | Southampton v Leicester City Your Report added at 11:13:04
The second time we have lost an important game, by not marking at the edge, of the box is a big schoolboy error!
When the opposition bring on a very tricky winger, surely you bring your best defender to look after him?
Pretty p*ss poor refereeing didn't help but in the second half we didn't help ourselves either, I'm afraid we have a very soft underbelly, particularly when pressed. And whether RM is prepared to admit it, & I know I don't see them train, we have better players on the bench than on the pitch every game! |
| Your
Report | Brentford v Southampton Your Report added at 18:21:39
If we are to continue this aberration that is playing out from the back then why isn't Edwards playing? He is extremely comfortable on the ball & passes well, I would prefer to play safe when required though!
The other point is why does Aribo score so highly compared to his contribution, he runs around and covers a lot of ground but he is supposed to be an attacking midfielder. Seen little evidence of that. Smallbone looks out of his depth which is disappointing as I really thought he would be comfortable at this level. We need a plan B & a back four to allow us to play with a stronger midfield. JS stepping into defensive midfield to assist is obviously not working so why not play another defensive midfielder and allow the FB's a bit more latitude?
I really feel that RM will change his tactics eventually, pig headiness isn't a positive, just hope it doesn't take too long. We have a reasonably balanced squad but our current system doesn't allow them to perform in ways that suit them? |
| Your
Report | Southampton v Nottingham Forest Your Report added at 09:13:46
The two strikers wide is the system RM has used throughout pre-season & it is wholly dependant on someone from midfield pushing through the middle. We are currently selling the player best adapted for that role?
And also if that is the way we are going to play, then maybe we don't really need 3 CB's and wing backs, wouldn't it be prudent to play with two holding midfielders? |
| Your
Report | Southampton v Nottingham Forest Your Report added at 20:00:15
We are too lightweight in midfield with no spark or seemingly vision, Aribo continues to work hard but is so one footed and not good enough for this level. The goal could have been stopped on the edge of our box if he put his right foot through it!
Why play Jack in the free roll across the back when we Edwards who is great on the ball? RM has admitted we are light up front but he's known that from the start. Diaz looks good, not sure about Archer (it's early days) & AA was pretty poor today.
Bright spots McCarthy played well and Dibling & Fernandes certainly improved the team but at present we also look a bit lightweight tactically and too slow in transition! |
| Your
Report | Southampton v Stoke City Your Report added at 11:00:27
In what was in effect a meaningless game, in terms of result, we could have given a couple of kids a run. All that has been learned from this dreadful performance is that we have far too many wingers, a pretty lightweight midfield (without Downes) and complete lack of cover centrally in attack.
I feel a bit sorry for Mara as you can see there is ability there but the drive and enthusiasm is missing. We have witnessed some great forward runs across the front line, all season, go wasted due to, either instructions to keep ball or lack of vision from midfield. And the keep ball style of play means the majority of passes require the receiver to turn back towards his own goal, when collecting the pass as a safety measure. I've enjoyed most of this season, home and away but have also been incredibly frustrated at times in the knowledge that a bit more adventure would have secured the points that we needed for promotion!
Lets get the selection correct for the paly offs please?
COYR |
| Your
Report | Southampton v Huddersfield Town Your Report added at 19:10:20
Difficult first half, they pressed high and we struggled to beat the press. They also pushed hard when in possession and deserved their lead at the break. Can't believe people were booing at half time, after the run we have been on?
Seemed to pick better passes, and longer ones, in the second half and they started to run out of steam. All of the subs made a positive difference, Rothwell particularly my MoM for the second game running and looks a very good signing. Overall a great result and its good to see the fight and desire is there when things are not going as smoothly as we would like!
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| Your
Report | Southampton v Watford Your Report added at 13:08:14
Think we have found an exciting LB cover in young Meghoma, excellent performance last night. Reminiscent of KWP at his best. Dibling got into the game second half & showed the level he can reach at times when seeing more of the ball. Rothwell was my MoM his work rate & ability was there for all to see. It may seem unfair to single a few out of a very good team performance but that's how I saw it. First half was difficult against a nine man defence but I knew if we could get a goal they would have to come out of the defensive shape. The rest just fell into place. Pleased for Mara, there's a player in there! |
| Your
Report | Southampton v Plymouth Argyle Your Report added at 10:32:45
3 points & pretty much total domination against a team sitting deep, with a five man defence and wasting as much time as possible. Aided by a poor ref who allowed them to get away with it. Their goal may well of been onside but the lino on the Itchen side of the pitch struggled to keep up with play the whole game and had flagged us a few times incorrectly. Shame about the goal that did stand and hope it doesn't affect Baz's confidence as he has been playing well of late. Edozie is beginning to look like the player we want him to be & his ability to go by players in tight spaces fits our style perfectly. Overall another good win, a win as good as the last two home results but missing the goals.
COYR |
| Your
Report | Queens Park Rangers v Southampton Your Report added at 22:34:17
We are definitely difficult to watch at time, control of the game does not necessarily turn into progressive performance.
3 points is what we needed but goals are seemingly not our priority even when we are so much on top. It seems we employ a more defensive stance away from home, regardless of our dominance which confuses me somewhat.
Aribo continues to be effective despite his ungainly style of play, Che looks like he needs to be somewhere else, Smallbone was below par today but Bazunu is finding some confidence. Just wish we would risk a few passes around the opposition box or shoot, rather than play keep ball and go backwards. Crowd was pretty good today despite not having alot to cheer about! |
| Your
Report | Southampton v Cardiff City Your Report added at 10:03:11
Very good all round performance, on a cold misty day and a joy to watch. Also need to give a shout to Manning for a very good display, Armstrong (A) two good goals along with his normal phenomenal work rate. However my MoM would have been Downes who was everywhere and behind every move, ably assisted by Shea Charles, they controlled midfield with ease. We do need more goals but hopefully we're on our way to keeping more clean sheets! |
| Your
Report | Huddersfield Town v Southampton Your Report added at 20:42:27
Played keep ball most of first half with very little penetration.
Well worked goal to complete the half.
Second half they pushed up onto our midfield and we couldn't cope. Reverted to sideways and backwards, continually giving possession away and just faded from the game totally. Disappointing display, in all honesty we need a plan B for when the space in midfield is compressed as it's something that we struggle to handle! |
| Your
Report | Southampton v West Bromwich Albion Your Report added at 10:59:03
Good performance particularly the first half, Albion pushed five into midfield second half and denied us the space to pass the ball. They're a big physical side and we did well especially the two CB's to hold them off. Holgate beginning to look like a good signing and adding to our strength in defence & great to see Stewart getting some time on the pitch. Gap down to 9 points COYR !!! |
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Report | Preston North End v Southampton Your Report added at 10:45:06
Good point in the end but that it turned into only 1 point was mainly down to our own shortcomings. Far too slow in transition for most of the game, our passing is still very wayward as their second goal showed. We took tremendous risks around our own box but very few around theirs which I don't get whatever RM says. Risk & reward principle would suggest we do it the other way around? But and I seem to say this most weeks, why are we so lethargic in the early stages of the second half. Whatever we are doing at half time needs to be reviewed, we start the second half like we've just woken up! Pretty sure we will make the play offs but this is not the form for automatic promotion, hopefully it will come good soon!
COYR |
| Your
Report | Southampton v Rotherham United Your Report added at 19:13:34
First half was very good and Johansson kept them in it. Second half we sat back, as we have the last two games but this was terrible tactically and bloody boring. 80% possession and draw 1-1 with a team that had two shots on target.
I'm trying really hard to get behind Russel Martins style but it is very difficult when we play such poor game management. Sideways, sideways backwards is not progressive please don't try to convince me differently. |
| Your
Report | Stoke City v Southampton Your Report added at 09:47:59
Good result & another good first half, we're still a bit edgy when under pressure but getting there.
Super goal & support was excellent as always away from home.
Have to wait until Thursday for train home but it was worth it.
COYR |
| Your
Report | Southampton v Leeds United Your Report added at 17:59:07
It does go to show what can be achieved if we don't give away an early goal. They didn't close us down well in the first half and we capitalised well. Second half they pushed up further and closed down the space we had found easy to find earlier. The defence held firm & lets hope this can give us some confidence going up to Stoke!
COYR |
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