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Comment | Southampton V West Ham United The Verdict
at 09:58:41
I think the decision to have Dibling on the bench was the right one because he is still 18 and struggling to adapt to the physical demands of the Prem. and playing 90 minutes games is not advisable and may burn him out by the Spring.
Although the records show that Bowen scored the winning goal, I think that Fabianski was (in part) just as responsible for their victory as he made a couple of point blank saves that (on another day) might have seen Onuachu going in with two goals at HT. I thought we looked the better side and only our poor finishing robbed us of a win. 18 shots was the second best shot tally all season where we have often failed to even get into double figures. Those who us who recall what " attacking football " looked like were doubtless encouraged, although it's clear we need to see a few critical decisions regarding the future of a few players who are presently in the squad.
Juric may be allowed to add a few new names in January, and we will surely see a few departures, either on loan or permanent. I'm sure that we will fight whilst there is still a possibility of survival, but at present it looks like a very big "ask" . |
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Comment | Southampton At Fulham The Verdict
at 10:37:14
less possession against a team with strong attacking ethic and who might have scored except for Ramsdale's efforts. Good to see some Saints attacks and ventures into last third. One point well-deserved, but the Fulham boss will see it as a game lost, I'm sure.
I was not overly surprised (Nick) at subbing of Dibling at HT. He has worked his socks off for the last 3 months and often been the standout player but he is still only 18, and the tough Fulham full back didn't give him the time of day and he was outclassed quite often.
He is still a fine talent, but should not be pressed into a 90 minute stretch every game, especially over the busy Christmas / New Year period. Might show up well versus WHam on Boxing Day. Others who showed up well include Wood who is beginning to look the real deal. Jan. B took to the captain's role well, and Fernandes took a lot of punishment
(often unpunished by a weak referee) and Ugochukwa looked a bit raw, but was not afraid to get in and mix it up a bit. Why did Simon Rusk wait so long to sub. on Onuachu as Adam Armstrong was hardly in the game. |
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Comment | Southampton Appoint Ivan Juric
at 08:42:33
It's easy to prejudge managers /players on the basis of past achievements, but there is a huge difference between playing and managing. We have seen legendary names like Gerrard, Lampard and lately Rooney struggle to manage even mediocre club sides and it's obvious that personal success doesn't automatically translate to managerial success as soon as they set foot in the door, and such has been the case many times in the past.
Indeed some of the most successful manager / coaches since the Millennium had little or no playing career of note; Wenger and Klopp are prime examples of this. Ivan played much of his football in lower level clubs in his homeland and Italy but seems to have succeeded in helping certain clubs an so now that Ivan on board we can hope that irrespective of results we might see a brand of attacking football that has been absent since the departure of Ronald Koeman.
An interesting observation is that having invested 100 mill. or more in the club, perhaps Ivan may have been Dragan's personal choice as they both seem to hare the same European heritage?. Regardless of that decision it remains to be seen if he is the solution to rectify our problems as we sit in the Last Chance Saloon until the end of the season.
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Comment | Southampton Linked With Ex Danish National Team Manager
at 08:40:19
Although Hjulmand seems to be an outside choice, his career path has given him a lot of contact with Ankersen.
If we assume he can talk football - in English- that would rule out language difficulties with team talks, and (Nick's comment ) about someone familiar with the Premier League to assist him ..(?) ..perhaps even Adam Lallana... who is surely in his last playing season, but has won almost everything with Liverpool and had an England career, and more recently coaching experience with England's youth team(s) and has a " spiritual connection" with Saints for whom he played (and captained) for in many seasons. |
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Comment | Southampton Planning To Keep Faith With Russell Martin But Why !
at 11:05:32
This is a question being asked by every Prem. club and media critic - and why not?.
Let's face it we have already created a new record for the worst season start of any Prem. club since 1992 and don't seem to be learning anything new from our successive defeats.
Perhaps the fact that the players have been so indoctrinated into "Russball" that the thought of bringing in another coach would mean they would need to "unlearn" that formation and play the old fashioned way that requires them to run with the ball towards the oppositions goal - and take shots and even force the keeper into making saves.
I used to like that. Back in the good old days. Rapid movement from one wing to the other, and attackers who weren't afraid to take on a defender, instead of passing the ball back to their CB, so as to avoid being tackled . Now I can safely leave the TV and go take a short toilet visit or put the kettle on for another cup of tea, safe in the knowledge that they hadn't completed the standard 50 passes before making a half-hearted attempt at getting into the final third. That's the problem when you employ managers who had careers as defenders; Puel, Pellegrino and now Russell Martin. They are obsessed with defending . A clean sheet is almost as valuable as a WIN to them. ( remember what they were?).
Bring back Ronald Koeman - even for a season. He knew how to score goals and so did his teams. Right now we even have strikers who can't find their way over the halfway line.
A return to the Championship might even be a blessing for everyone. |
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Comment | Southampton At Aston Villa The Verdict
at 15:55:07
The same procedure in the last match ..and every match. Theoretically, "Russball" deprives the opposition possession, but does nothing to encourage attacking efforts, yet opponents had more scoring chances. In last 5 Saints had; 9, 7, 10, 6 and 4 = 27 shots.
In those same games opponents have had ; 8, 27,22, 26 and 28 = 101 shots (yes) 101.
Goals scored 4 ....goals conceded 12 . Points gained =1 Points lost= 14. ' nuff said !
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Comment | Southampton At Brighton The Verdict
at 14:31:28
The " Armstrong incident " has generated reactions from almost every Prem. side - and a few more - but AA was not involved with goal-scoring incident, and so VAR seems to have "created " a situation in their own mind with " obstructing the keepers view ".
Ironically, the Brighton keeper was quoted afterwards as saying - that he didn't know why the 2-1 goal was disallowed - and thought that Brighton had "got lucky" on the day.
The " Downes incident " ...already on a yellow card he was adjudged to have fouled the player who stopped in front of him and then fell to the ground. That didn't deserve a second yellow. IF ..two fouls meant two yellows ..Brighton would have lost at least two players in the first half from their "over -zealous tackling." They committed 20 fouls in the game but had just ONE card ..until the last 2 minutes.
Although we've have had some bad calls so far this season, I don't believe that all refs are corrupt, but is there a subconscious element of .." they lose every game and will certainly go down - and so the points are more value to the other side?.
As for the game ...we were rubbish in the first 45, and were saved by the posts on a couple of occasions, but the second half performance was at least worth the one point .
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Comment | Southampton Ready To Trim The Squad In January To Free Up Space For New Arrivals
at 11:31:27
There are half-a-dozen players on the books who are being blatantly ignored and who (aside from drawing salaries want to play football weekly yet can't even make the bench.
RM insists there is no Plan B in his thinking and he is dependent on his " closed group" who are now mostly; injured, off-form, or will be suspended for the Chelsea game.
Listening to him, they are all his " favourite children " and are all highly-professional and good in training . So where is the problem Russell?
3 or 4 of these players have not featured yet, let alone started games this season, and as many fans are almost "anticipating" defeat before the kick-off, what's wrong with giving them some game time. Players who come up against top sides will either DAJFU, or fail to meet the notional " Prem. standard ", regardless of the result. We surely can't get worse.
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Comment | Do Southampton Need To Recall Bella-Kotchap For Liverpool Clash
at 12:19:02
No player could refuse the chance to play against Liverpool and make a name for himself.
Either he will make a name for himself and get a move back to a European club in January, or if the predictable scoreline happens, he'll be as guilty as the others if we lose big time.
If he ends up putting Mo Salah in his pocket his transfer value will soar and we will get a profit on the deal.
Most of the games upto the New Year are against top 8 clubs, so there is nothing to lose but to see his real potential. |
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Comment | Central Defensive Injury Blow For Southampton
at 16:51:06
Agree (halftimeorange) recently read that Wood was a bit unhappy at getting no game time.
(Last app. v Cardiff League Cup in August + some minutes with U21s.)
He's played alongside THB with England U21's a few times in the last year -so why not give him a chance (?)..let's face it our next game is v. Liverpool - couldn't be more of a challenge- If he's not the worst player on the pitch, he might get some game time whilst Jan B. is out |
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Comment | Southampton Show You Don't Have To Be With The Big 7 To Get In England Squad
at 09:49:04
The England side is in transition, not just because of Southgate's departure, but the failure to win any sort of trophy during his time, and England have become the " almost " side.
Now - many in the Kane / McGuire generation are gradually on the way out and there are no obvious " giants " to replace them, and some of the current squads are merely picked from " in-form players" who may get to wear an England shirt for the day.
Despite our lowly League position, THB has been a stand-out player for us since arriving and having passed through the U21 stage, deserves a chance to show himself in the full side and give Tuchel a good look at some alternatives to our aging England defenders.
Likewise, Ramsdale who came off the Arsenal bench and landed in a nightmare situation behind our shaky back line, (who despite some good individual performances), seem ALMOST incapable of keeping a clean sheet in any sort of match. Rambo is a better keeper than our goals-against stats. may suggest, and may look better behind " a good defence" .
Jordan Pickford has over 70 England caps to his name and despite having passed 30 (still not a bad age for keepers) will eventually have to give way to a younger talent and Ramsdale (like THB) needs a chance to show up before the " Tuchel regime " takes over.
(I though it laughable that some media critics lambasted Carsley for not having " more contact " with Tuchel since his appointment. Tuchel will undoubtedly be watching all England games before January (and making his own assessments) and Carlsley will (at the handover) be able to give informed individual judgments on those younger players who he has managed through the U21 level over the past few years.) Dumb journalists. !
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Comment | Southampton V Everton The Verdict
at 18:02:49
highlights on the club site make it look like an exciting game, but the rest was terribly boring
65% possession again, but almost no shots in first half. Overall I was shocked to see that Tarkowski's tackle on Archer only got a yellow, but VAR took an age to clear Bednarek of a relatively simple foul and there was no real threat on goal.
We must be grateful for 3 points, but we have played better in some games and still lost. |
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Comment | James Bree Tries To Curry Favour With Russell Martin After Blatant Gaffe
at 19:19:52
I think most players might have said the same thing. For a team that is still struggling for a League win, they appreciate that it's Martin's job that is on the line (as they all sit with good contracts). I think even the teams' hardest critics would admit that at times we have played some great football - even against top sides - but we lack consistency over a 99 minute period, and even the hard-bitten media types on TV have admitted that we have had more than our share of bad luck, dodgy refereeing and VAR Fluffs.
One good win would put us on track and more of the summer signings will get more comfortable with Russball.
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Comment | Southampton At Manchester City The Verdict
at 13:46:09
Yes Lallana needed to play but he's not a 90 minute player. We should respect that.
Dibling got the attention he deserved early season, but he is still very young and can't be expected to shine in every game. In this instance, the HT change was a good decision as he wasn't in the game so much.
Archer unlucky but it's such moments that decide matches. Haaland may have had an off-day, but he was careless in many of his attempts and it was good defensive work from all of our back line when needed, goaline clearances, headers etc.
Even after all the midfield changes we kept the momentum, but had too few chances.
Disappointing result. We deserved better. One point would have been justice. |
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Comment | Southampton At Bournemouth The Verdict
at 11:12:47
I wasn't alone in the summer demanding that we sign more strikers, well we got them -despite the fact that none can score - but starting with 5 on the bench was madness.
As in Man U game we looked in command for 20 minutes - until their first goal - and a look at VAR would have seen a wrongly-placed freekick, and a blatant " illegal moving ball ".
Confidence went out the window and 3-0 at HT, and so why no attacking formation in second half when the game was effectively already lost?
Can only think RM looked for a 0-0 HT and then send on more strikers (?)
THB's goal showed a little fight, but we still lacked any creativity in midfield. Without Aribo and Smallbone, then Downes looked like a one-man band. Lallana should have been on after HT and (sadly) Aribo made no meaningful contribution in the rest of the game.
Why bother to leave Onuacho on the bench - at least he knows how to score goals and with two full backs who can centre the ball, and at 6'8" at least he's worth a try.
Ugochukwa adds nothing to the side, and we need to "convert" one of the unused strikers to a midfield role and give some support to Downes who looked shell-shocked.
No excuse can give a satisfactory explanation to that debacle ..so onto a win at Arsenal !.
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Comment | Graham Potter Lined Up For Southampton Job
at 15:30:10
I'm re-reading your article ( Nick) and are confused by the statement ..if Ipswich were to LOSE to Villa - it would be bad for RM? .Looking at league table surely a defeat for Ipswich would give a breathing space for RM / Saints...? ... as they are just above us.
I have to agree with Bowlercow (above) I also noted the original posting, (football insider) and don't place much credibility to it. It reminds me of some football student who is running a site from a PC in his bedroom....and trying to be first past the post. |
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Comment | Southampton Summer Signings The Initial Verdict
at 12:47:39
Agree with most of your ideas ( Nick) but the overriding factor is that " THIS is the Prem" .
and many of the faults we have made so far are also common to several other sides.
At the end of last season Armstrong was the only mainline striker, ( Stewart was still unfit for games) and most others were just " talented youngsters".
BBD and Archer were signed late on the scene, (suggesting they weren't near the top of our wish list in the beginning) but I think in time, they will come good. BBD looks a type of Chas. Austin " streetfighter " which is no criticism. He may lack sophistication, but I like to see a striker (he really is a CF), who can put himself about and he will cause defences some real problems. Archer has goals in him, but the Prem. is a genuine problem for better players than him who have not shown up so far. I'm reminded that 20-odd years ago, it took a while for James Beattie to find his feet before he hit any real form.
Glad to see Downes back but he needs to find himself at the higher level, but I'm running out of superlatives for the likes of Sugawara and Fernandes (both foreigners) who are now stepping into the Prem. for the first time and look very impressive.
I'd be happy with 60 minutes of Lallana every week, (he's still a class act) and I'd pick Taylor over Manning every time. The two young CB's will develop - given time, but Aaron Ramsdale is a real find (regardless of the results) , and I recall that Peter Shilton had a nightmare start with Saints after he arrived, when his defence was still on holiday, and we conceded 18 goals in the first handful of matches.
We've been notorious bad starters for decades so that I'm not panicked so far.
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Comment | Jan Bednarek Pens New Deal At St Mary's
at 07:35:41
Every player has faults and misgivings but Jan has made the best of his career chances and (aside from Jack Stephens) is the longest serving player left from the unfortunate crop of misfits we bought following the relative " success" of the Koeman era.
Although it maybe difficult to grade him as " a fans favourite"?... I think it's generally accepted that he DAJFU and in general is a lot better than many CB's we've seen of late.
We may see him as a candidate for team captain, as Jack's contract goes out next summer.
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Comment | The Knives Are Out For Russell Martin In The Media But Do They Have Substance
at 16:25:52
It took time for RM to instill his formula into last season's squad and we had a few lucky results at the start of last season, before the " September crash", but after the revival in beating Leeds it started a 25 game unbeaten run. Although it's unlikely that we will get anywhere near those performance levels, it should be remembered that once again he is starting with yet another new squad, however we must turn the corner...and PDQ.
Last season we blamed the defence for conceding too many goals, but now the boot is on the other foot. Two games have been lost by a single goal (which were down to individual errors) whilst we have had 42 shots in 3 games and yet scored only once - in stoppage time in the 3rd match. The Armstrong / Brereton Diaz combination has yet to yield a single goal, but it now seems that creativity is somehow lacking in the midfield despite the high possession % stats.
I'd go along with " West Sussex Saint" (above ) and say we have to grit our teeth and wait for a change of luck, but I don't see panic sackings so early in the campaign. A few points on the board will change the drop zone considerably and some of the teams above us are looking equally uncertain a.t.m.
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