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Comment | Can Southampton Get Into The Play Off Positions By Beating Charlton
at 11:54:56
A few weeks ago I thought promotion could only bring another yo-yo year of humiliation in the EPL. The recent clearance of high wage bench warmers got me thinking that the club now has the foundations of a recruitment strategy.
Whilst another year of team building and consolidation is attractive I can also see that there is a risk of losing players that form the nucleus of an automatic promotion squad.
At present I'm content to let the season pan out, if we get promoted then learn from the previous mistakes and if we don't then finish as high as possible to attract good players. We now know that the club has a few younger players who look like they can cut it at senior level.
Thankfully, Tonda Eckert is learning and adapting quickly which is an attribute few of his predecessors seemed to possess. I'd go so far as to say that he has developed a group of players who are also adapting, Jack Stephens being an unexpected revelation.
Let's give the owners some credit for showing ambition and steadying a potentially sinking ship in a timely manner. |
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Comment | Southampton V Watford The Verdict
at 11:31:23
First off, credit to whoever identified Larin as a player to sign during the transfer window. He is a much better player than I anticipated, strong, hard working, good on the ground as well as in the air. Those are all attributes evident on social media but his ability to track back and defend surprised me and is clearly a huge bonus. Admittedly he only played for about 20 minutes but his contribution could signify the end of the tippy tappy, RM hangover, frustration we have endured for too long.
Good to see Edozie playing again and, equally, both Welington and Jack Stephens looking like nailed on starters. As one of Jack's regular critics I am willingly eating a chunk of humble pie.
As for the match, Watford certainly aren't easy to beat and have some very competitive players. Some of their supporters were bemoaning that Larin was the player they needed to sign and it's always a good thing when the opposition covet your new signings.
With another game under the belt, and a return to match fitness, for Ross Stewart and Shea Charles looking very competitive let's hope that we can control games better. Tonda Eckert is very much growing into the managerial and coaching role, what a pleasure to see someone without a massive ego on the sideline.
A way to go but things are starting to shape up and give supporters the opportunity to watch a team developing rather then regressing. |
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Comment | Southampton At Stoke City The Verdict
at 12:10:05
I've got very little of any substance to add to your report Nick. Peretz is proving to be a sound acquisition and his weakness on crosses should be simple to eradicate by a decent coach. Jack Stephens looked competent, way beyond my usual negativity. Welington, as said above, looked like our best left back since Bertrand. Oyekunle, off the pace in reaction time to events but made his presence felt, so well worth his game time.
Stoke did give us more space and less pressure, with scant sustained press, so the issues concerning our leadership and organisation were not exploited as much as in recent matches. The question being, does a fixed and settled back four solve the problem by itself? I think it may well do so because Bree and Welington reduce the need for THB and Stephens to be drawn out of position. Settle the defence and you settle the team. |
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Comment | Tonda Eckert Talks About Potential Incoming Transfers Before Deadline Day
at 17:08:27
From a different perspective, without any real knowledge of operating a business, I'd say dream, but with a sense of reality.
Of course there are similar size clubs staying afloat and financially sound at the top level, just as Saints did for many years. However, I'd prefer that we consolidated our current position rather than, for example, support Leicester who awaiting points deduction, financial disaster and inability to sign players for the future. We've been there all too recently!
So, with Sheffield Wednesday cut adrift, Leicester on the verge of deducted points and fans walking away, there are a few clubs who would love to be in our situation. For example, Oxford, Blackburn, Pompey, West Brom and Charlton have neither the money to buy players or attract ambitious loan players. If nothing else we have a decent enough squad to finish mid table or above.
It certainly appears as though the club is trying to get at least two players on loan before the transfer window closes. It's only a few months since many supporters were welcoming relegation, rather than weekly humiliation. Perhaps we should, collectively, be careful what we wish for, without Marcus we probably wouldn't even be having discussions about ambition.
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Comment | Southampton Linked With No One In Final Days Of Transfer Window
at 15:08:30
It appears fairly obvious to me that there is no point in wasting more money on average players with inflated egos and an extortionate lifestyle to support, regardless of their talent.
We all know in our hearts that getting promoted this season is just pride before the fall as we will struggle to make it out of the bottom three in the EPL.
Whilst it would be very welcome if the club recruited some quality loan players, like David Brooks, I think that finding those names on the rumour mill probably only serves to alert our competitors.
Frustrating though it is, surely it's better to finish as high as comfortably possible and look at players who will be available, i.e. approached, tapped up, to sign in the summer? |
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Comment | Southampton V Hull City The Preview
at 12:18:23
Something tells me that you don't rate Peretz Nick. I'm not at all clear what he's done to offend you though.
Considering the number of players that we've signed in recent years who have promised a lot and delivered nothing I think I'll reserve judgement. However, I suspect that if he plays a blinder, dominates the area and organises the defence you'll probably say that we should have signed a high profile has been for stupid wages.
Anyway, I'm looking forward to the game and hoping your judgement isn't fulfilled. |
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Comment | Bazunu Leaves St Mary's ! Are Southampton Really Going To Gamble On An Inexperienced Keeper
at 18:31:21
Whether Peretz will develop into the keeper of our nightmares, or dreams, I feel it's too early to condemn him after one match. Playing in goal is probably the most exposed position on the pitch, especially for a guy who is completely new to the team, the tactics and the country.
Ideally he could have saved both goals but the defence was falling apart in the second half. Doncaster pretty much in control of both wings, getting in crosses and given way too much space and time in the box. Sadly, no change there in recent weeks.
I wasn't at the match, and my opinion is based on viewing extended highlights, but I have one observation to make. I got the impression that Peretz was talking to defenders, sometimes shouting at ball watching players and making his presence felt. So, just maybe, there's hope that he can be the organiser we have lacked for far too long.
The problem being that, no matter who plays in defence, if they're incapable of listening, learning and improving then any organisation is immediately negated. |
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Comment | Southampton At Norwich City The Verdict
at 17:00:09
Bragg and Robinson are too inexperienced to be saddled with turning games around. Bringing on Welington could have been in preparation for substituting Stephens soon afterwards? I can't recall Archer touching the ball after his late appearance. Romeu brought a bit of muscle into the game but there was no real momentum left.
Scienza took a number of heavy challenges throughout the game and his energy levels dropped.
Those were my immediate thoughts, after the game, and I haven't changed my mind. The team fails to adapt and change shape, it loses shape, and doesn't recover because fluency and inventiveness disappear.
It reminds me somewhat of Southgate's England squads, lots of individual talent but coherence frequently relying on pot luck.
All that said, Eckert is still learning whether some of the players can adapt, rather than flounder, when asked to do a job. The fact that most of our substitutes aren't first choice starters indicates that they're not ready to influence games. Less disruptive substitutions, unless they're in some way tactical. Fresh legs brought on for a specific job not a throw of the dice that gifts the opposition greater control of the game. No need to panic, but better evaluation of the substitution outcomes would be beneficial. |
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Comment | Southampton At Norwich City The Preview
at 19:49:45
We paid a lot of money for a decent keeper Farlow, unfortunately he decided that he'd prefer to sit on the bench at Newcastle this season. Yes, he wanted to play at the top level, to keep his England hopes alive, but he's now in the wilderness. I doubt if he's on Tuchel's list for a travel visa. |
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Comment | Southampton At Norwich City The Preview
at 11:57:35
Whilst the substitutions almost lost points in recent matches the alternative perspective is that the energy levels of quick players gets depleted. With three games in a week I don't have an issue with Fellows, Armstrong, Scienza and Azaz not playing the entire match, their shift was done, or should have been.
Momentum gets lost when substitutions are made but at present, and certainly in the past, the team doesn't adapt quickly enough. Leadership and organisation have a big part to play and, as you have said many times Nick, we don't have a defender with those vital qualities.
Whether it's Bazunu, Stephens or THB someone has to shout at players whilst they pick up the new formation. All those folders of screenshots, shown to substitutes on the touchline, have no benefit if players don't switch on immediately.
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Comment | Southampton V Birmingham City The Verdict
at 18:43:56
I reckon Scienza is the best wide player we've had at the club since Dusan Tadic. And what a tactical and technical joy to see Armstrong dropping into the centre circle to play those first time passes out wide. To think how many coaches we've had in place recently who have strangled player's ability, Eckert is a breath of fresh air.
Fellows is an absolute nightmare for full backs and Aziz is oozing confidence. Still a long way to go and we may struggle at times against physical team like Millwall, but Millwall will give problems to a lot of good teams this season.
As Nick has frequently stated, the squad has strength in depth and the core is looking like they want to play for the coach rather than be a whipping boys for the coach's inflexibility and lack of vision. Keep plugging away lads.
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Comment | Saints Supporters Question Block Of Empty Seats At An Away Game.
at 12:17:52
I suspect that your analysis may be correct Nick. A quick glance at P&O Cruises online suggests that they have tickets allocated for guests, promotions and giveaways as part of their sponsorship deal.
Unfortunate, and maybe unavoidable, if that entails a block of empty seats. I'd suggest that a visit to the vicinity of Millwall in the winter isn't a top priority for their corporate clients either.
Maybe, the club and sponsors could have a returns policy and a distribution waiting list that operates a few days before the match. |
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Comment | Two Weeks Gone Since Still Sacking Are Southampton HedgingTheir Bets
at 14:19:02
As one of those supporters who has a live and let live attitude to most things, but has a particular dislike for the betting industry, I have no clue who places bets on these outcomes.
If Carrick is the fans favourite at 8/1 then I presume Eckert is backed by non fans or Carrick fans willing to chuck £20 or whatever on a probable loser? I've heard these things called a fun bet, but having never got much fun out of losing money I actually don't give a toss.
At least if you put a few quid into the national lottery or whatever some benefit will go to those in need of support in life.
Mini rant over, thank you, and fingers crossed for another win whoever might be in charge of the team. |
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Comment | Southampton V Sheffield Wednesday The Verdict
at 12:19:08
I'm pretty much in agreement with SanMarco with regard to the managerial appointment. Whist O'Neil would be a controversial, and possibly toxic, choice he does have some credibility. Eckert is a steadying influence but unproven under pressure.
My concern is that a new manager, with a reputation and ego, inevitably brings in an entourage of coaches and sycophants that want to disrupt rather than build. For me, Brendan Rodgers is as potentially toxic as O'Neil for different reasons.
So, who has a track record of strong management, tactical awareness and a limited history of abject failure? Hopefully we'll find out this week because I've run out of convincing candidates.
Lastly, to get back on track, great to have another win yesterday. Good to see Williams brought into the fold and a few players are now forming the nucleus of a decent team. Hopefully Azaz can now push on and regain confidence and Captain Jack can learn the fundamentals of defending. |
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Comment | The Opening Favourites To Replace Will Still Have Been Revealed
at 12:23:39
The list of candidates on the betting odds is pretty depressing. Inevitably they're all linked with failure and, mostly, recent failure at that.
Just to indicate how unenthusiastic I am, some of them are on a par with making Captain Jack player manager. Actually, as a preference to Russell Martin or Brendan Rodgers why not chuck in Stephen Gerrard to the mix!
Tbh my actual preference would be Gary O'Neil, despite his connection to the slum down the M27. Even with that burden to carry he isn't as toxic as the front runners. Unless, of course, he's gone back to Wolves whilst I've been posting. |
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