It was a case of a little too much youth and not enough experience, but the gamble paid off for Claude Puel in the win against Sunderland.

Claude Puel run the changes making 9 of them from the side that earned a draw at Manchester City, however it was perhaps a little too much and Saints failed to sparkle against a poor Sunderland side, but had enough ultimately to see them over the line.

I understand why Clause Puel had to make so many changes, he had too many injuries and tired players not to be able not to, however it was almost a step too far for a side that comprised mostly of youngsters or players coming back from injury with the only true experienced players in the starting line up with any real game time or expectation of being first choice in the starting line up on Sunday against Chelsea being Jose Fonte and James Ward Prowse.

But it was clear from the start that this was a Saints side who were a little too disjointed to play with any real fluidity.

The first half was awful and the second not much better with the only three talking points being the superb goal from Sofiane Boufal, the fact that Yoshida should have been punished for a blatant penalty and wasn't and a fine save from Alex McCarthy late on.

Apart from that it was a game to fall asleep in, but perhaps that was how it needed to be, Saints passed the ball well, but too often did not have an outlet going forward after losing Rodriguez after 25 minutes.

Isgrove was too lightweight up front and Olomola put in plenty of effort and running, but was clearly too raw to step up to the first team just yet, he just didn't seem to have the knack for timing his runs, that's not to say he won't have in the future, but for now he needs a little more time in the academy and the odd cameo role, not being asked to lead the line.

The midfield was lacking its key players, but was anchored by Hojbjerg and Ward Prowse but struggled to get any real passing going, we looked comfortable but not very creative and too often we lacked the confidence to have a go from range.

Luckily enough Sofiane Boufal did have that confident when he sublimely controlled a high lofted clearance from Jose Fonte feinted inside and curled a shot into the far corner leaving the keeper with no chance, a goa that was reminiscent of Le Tissier at his best.

After that Sunderland perked up as Saints tired and Sofiane Boufal having to stay on the field with Reed cramped up, it could have turned sour, Yoshida needlessly tripped Victor Anichebe and the ref should have pointed to the spot but didn't leaving David Moyes frustrated and then sent off.

Jermaine Defoe had a good chance but drew a decent save from Alex MCarthy.

The game perhaps hopefully answered a few questions for Claude Puel, the first was that Yoshida always seems to have a needless tackle or bad backpass in him, we need to get in a consistent Premier quality central defender, it is no good being solid for 89 minutes if you keep losing concentration at key moments, he got away with it this time but it has cost us in the past and will again, it needs addressing.

The second is that sadly Lloyd Isgrove is not going to make it at Premier League level, he has the skill, but he hasn't the physical attributes needed.

The third is that Olomola is not ready yet for the first team, that is a harsh comment as really Puel had no choice to throw him on early, perhaps if he had come on in the final 20 minutes it would have been better, but he is still too raw for such a big part as he had, but he showed enough to suggest he can learn and push for a place if not this season then next.

Fourthly it was unfair on Jack Stephens to give him his first real taste of first team football and then play him out of position, especially when the team is so disjointed in the first place, it was not giving him a chance to shine.

Fifthly Jay Rodriguez is the most unlucky player in football with injuries, this time a head injury, he could pick up a knock in a box full of feathers, not his fault he just seems to be unlucky at the moment, I for one though are not writing him off.

All in all though Claude Puel did what he had to do, he now knows a little more about his squad and it's limitations and the good thing is we got away with it and are now in the last eight of the competition.

Photo: Action Images

perazi added 10:19 - Oct 27 Nick, you talk about Fonte and Ward-Prowse being the only two experienced players likely to feature against Chelsea. Do you actually watch the game? Hojbjerg has both more experience and considerably more skill than JWP. JWP had a shocker last night, and the player you single out for criticism was most people's MOM ...Yoshida. You haven't mentioned Harry Reed - he was clearly the best mid on the park last night. The one comment I can agree with is that Isgrove has surely played his last senior game for Saints - Olomola showed enough to keep himself in the frame and McQueen showed again there's not much between he and Targett as back up to Bertrand,

4

highfield49 added 11:26 - Oct 27 Surely Jack Stephens did exactly what his manager required of him whether in a preferred position or not? McQueen has already shown that adaptability and versatility are key factors in the squad rotation so I doubt if Puel will be anything but delighted by last evening's response from the untested players. That said, Isgrove had chances pre-season and looked out of his depth so, as you say, his future probably lies elsewhere.

1

darthvader added 11:27 - Oct 27 Maya played well I thought . One mistake aside . Are you telling me that no other mistakes have been made by other players and even our first choice center backs this season ? We got away with that decision , but as a team. There have been other back passes and pens given away by others yet no talk of replacing those players. Maya is a good player for us . Good cover and can play in a few positions and gets in where it hurts .

3

BUCK added 11:32 - Oct 27 Yoshida was man of the match without a doubt. has to have been the most boring match I've ever seen saints play, but puel got his tactics right and all our senior players will be fit and raring to go Sunday against Chelsea. Well done to the academy players who done their best.
1

Whatsforpud added 11:42 - Oct 27 What a tedious game to watch. Sideway passing, back passing and buck passing, wth little creativity. Only one shot on target (albeit a great one) was disappointing.
2

vanmans added 12:53 - Oct 27 A lot of people on here have been saying that we should have signed a striker & CH before the transfer window closed. Its games like this one & the Inter game that show how short of good back up players we are. Time to clear out the dead wood. Just hope we put out a full first team next round against Arsenal.
3

SaintNick added 15:05 - Oct 27 My point about Yoshida was about that "mistake" yes players make errors, but in virtually every game Yoshida will play well for 99% but will make a tackle or a back pass or a lapse of concentration, that is not good enough at this level
0

Consigliere added 15:42 - Oct 27 I'm in the "Man of the Match" camp for Yoshida on this one. The contentious tackle took place right in front of where I was sitting and personally, I couldn't see much wrong with it. He was doing exactly what he is paid for, and having avoided his usual "one thrilling back pass per game" he didn't put a foot wrong this time. That being said, it was a pretty dull affair for most of the match and I thought we were quite lucky not to have got caught on the break. Once again the problem was in being too measured and leaving the opposition time to regroup when we were in possession in promising areas of the field. Nevertheless a very satisfying result and I'm really looking forward to the away game at Arsenal, which is always a pleasure to visit.

0

SaintStu7 added 16:14 - Oct 27 Yoshida and Fonte held the whole performance together and despite all our changes we made Sunderland look very average. Can not agree with the constant "should have signed another striker and CM". It's games like these, rare that they are that give us the chance to give some of our academy players a chance. Without opportunities we would never see these players and if we did not play them then what is the point of having a academy? Well done to the squad the last night.

1

saintmark1976 added 17:19 - Oct 27 So then Nick at the game you watched Yoshida was guilty of a bad back pass and he also gave away a penalty.Oh-wait a moment we won one-nil and there was no penalty. Fonte gives away a last gasp penalty at Arsenal and VVD gives away a back pass at Leicester from which Vardy should have scored but that's all OK. Please if you don't like Yoshida then simply say so but equally don't make things up about him.

2

IanRC added 17:43 - Oct 27 Sorry I think I watched a different game to most of you. Thought JWP started well with some great passing, went off a little later granted but I think he is developing nicely now into a good midfielder plus his delivery from set pieces is second to none. Suggest a trip to Specsavers is in order for those who thought it wasn't a penalty, very clear contact on TV replays. On the bright side Bouffant looks an absolute gem. Roll oon Chelsea, although I hope we have some of our injuries back. What price an Arsenal scalp next round.

-3

the_saint added 19:05 - Oct 27 Yoshi def mom and if it wasn't for his Kung for like clearance they would have been through on goal so thets talk about his good play and not keep putting the poor bloke down.
1

mattthelegend added 19:28 - Oct 27 Yes it was a dull match last night but you can't have end to end games every day or night, but plenty of positives to be taken. Harry Reed had an exceptional game, Jack Stephens had a great game considering he was played out of position and why the constant sniping at Maya, I love VVD but he has been guilty of mistakes in the Milan and city game as well as the back pass at Leicester and the pens given away by Fonte recently! So why is Maya always singled out? Don't get it. Anyway we are through 😄

2

vanmans added 19:29 - Oct 27 Sorry IanRC but JWP is one of the players I class as Dead Wood and should be got rid of. He has had so many chances to shine over the years but just has not taken them. I even dread him coming on late in a game because that means someone better has gone off. He is to light weight, cant tackle and has no speed. His corners and free kicks don't often lead to goals and he cant SCORE. We have far better players in midfield than him.

3

richsaints added 21:44 - Oct 27 At the end of the day the only thing that really matters in this type of game is the result and I hope Claude does not seriously believe we can go to arsenal with this eleven. Boufal,s sublime strike was worth the night out but apart from that we weren't going to score and I prepared myself for e.t. and pens. as for individual performances I was frustrated to see jay off so early and his replacement huffed and puffed but looked a bit out of his depth same with isgrove Jwp sadly never quite does enough for me and only looks like a sub at best.I would like us to just once forget about any other fixtures go to arsenal in the quarter final with everything we've got have a go and have no regrets .

0

zonehead added 22:57 - Oct 27 I think it's a shame we bought Classie as you could see last night he's holding back the development of Harry Reed
1

Cjay80 added 02:58 - Oct 29 I enjoyed the game. It wasn't a fantastic performance, mistakes were mafe by quite a few players, but I went to support my team and watch them win. Objectives achieved. I think Reed is better than Clasie, all the development players did well against what was essentially a Sunderland team not too far away from their best 11.
0

Blogs 31 bloggers

Bristol City Polls