Ralph really let the boys down today with wrong tactics second half. Also he used the wrong subs at the wrong time and made it really easy for Man U to come back. It wouldn't seem so bad if Ralph was learning by his mistakes but he isn't. Also can someone take Longy out for a long drive and leave him there?

-1

It was a great game for the neutral but I am gutted, but having watched this fixture for long enough and seeing how brilliant McCarthy was in the first half (what a double save!) which was keeping us in it, I laid off my bet on us at half time.

What followed was painfull in its inevitablity. The subs didnt keep the energy levels and the press up. Long gives the energy but not the press. We commit so much in the first 60 we often seem to flag at the end and we did it again here. Their bench beat ours, but that is the way.

Walker-Peters had a really good game and the wolves will be circling for JWP in the summer. He is a proper player now and that free kick was just class. If his name was Beckham and he played for a big club he would be worth 50m+. I thought Djenepo had one of his best games for saints.

0

Same pattern as the Leeds game. Weathered the initial storm, played some good stuff, got in front, sat back and invited pressure, then conceded !!

To win games like this, we need everyone to be on top of their game, all game. Today, we had a few laggers and as a result, we were our own worst enemies, playing our part in each of United's goals.

Their strength in depth and ability to introduce quality from the bench reallyade the difference.

4

Looking at each individual player. Ward Prowse was probably our best player today. Aside from his set pieces, he's become such a quality player at controlling the game and playing the right passes. Che Adams had another good game, every week his becoming our stand out performer. His ability to hold the ball up and bring others into the game is up there with the best in the league at doing this. His range of passing is also insanely good.
Djenepo is a very intelligent player, he plays in areas that creates space and stretches the defence., something that I don't think Redmond or Walcott really do. However, his final pass and decision making is still lacking. And it's clear he doesn't have that same connection as Redmond does to have a dangerous partnership with Bertrand down the left.

1

In reality, unsurprisingly, big money paid off. But Ralph's tactics need a lot to be desired sometimes. I never felt confident because we scored from 2 set pieces and not open play, we were slaughtered in the first 20 minutes, in open play we didn't seem to be up for it or have a determined approach. Easy to say in hindsight but I don't get paid millions to do the job - We should have had JWP on Fernando all game, shored-up the midfield for the second half and man marked Cavani when he came on. For a team like Southampton you must play world class players accordingly otherwise you're going to hand it to them on a platter and we did unfortunately allowing Fernandez to lead a merry danced and Cavani to run through unimpeded. Thought the midfield played poorly on the whole, giving too much away. And don't think we're necessarily going to bounced back with 6 points, our attitude and strategy will have to change if we going to beat Brighton who seem incredibly determined and pro-active and were unlucky against Utd and Sheff. U. who are fighting for their lives. In the Prem you have to be 100% wised-up and committed to get anything.

2