In the preview for this match I said that Mauricio Pellegrino had to do something different, he didn't in fact he regressed and he did the same things and we got the same result.

My preview for this match focused on the fact that Mauricio Pellegrino's tactics did not play to the playing squad he has to hand, I said he needed to realise this and do something different otherwise he would continue to get lacklustre performances from his team and they would struggle, as many know one of my favourite sayings is "If you do the same things, then you get the same results".

If the manager read my piece then he not only chose to ignore it, but show his contempt for it by regressing in his team selections, I am of course not arrogant enough to suggest that Pellegrino takes any notice of anything I write, but his starting line up against Burnley was strange to say the least.

The first bone of contention was dropping Wesley Hoedt and putting in Yoshida, forget for a minute the merits of whether Yoshida is deserving of a place or not, last week at Brighton he was dropped and Hoedt came in and was arguably Saints best player, add to that his skills at passing the ball and carrying it forward, this decision made absolutely no sense whatsoever from a tactical point of view.

Every supporter in the stadium knew how the game would pan out and that Saints would spend a lot of time in possession and that they would need to build from the back, Hoedt is better than Yoshida at this type of game forget the debate about how good or bad the Japanese defender is, Hoedt was the man in the team from the previous week, dropping him was just incredulous given the side we were playing and the circumstance.

Secondly was the fact that brought back Redmond, played two wingers and tried to cross to a 5ft 9 lone striker marked by two big central defenders, this meant that we just carried on with the same old same old from every game this season and we got the same results.

So it was deja vu, plenty of possession, plenty going forward, plenty of shots, but few real chances created and few of them on target, in fairness the Burnley keeper had to make two decent saves, but fro the very start it was clear that this game would follow the same patterns as previous ones.

The Burnley keeper was the man of the match, not only for these saves but for the fact that he did everything well.

But sadly this would not just peter out to another tame draw, Pellegrino's decision to drop Hoedt would perhaps come back and bite him in the rear end, with just about their only attack of note the visitors put in a cross and Sam Vokes found Yoshida losing his concentration and got in front of him to bury what was essentially a free header.

Yoshida did not have a bad game, he had a good shot well saved, but ultimately this game hinged on one key moment and we got caught napping, football is a tough game, difficult decisions need to be made, good managers make them and turn defeats into draws, draws into wins and average seasons into good ones.

Some will say I am being harsh on Yoshida, perhaps I am but the fact remains that the manager dropped a £16 million central defender to the bench, perhaps if he had been on the pitch Hoedt would have won the ball, we will never know that now, but my point is not about Yoshida, it never has been, it is about the manager's failure to make key decisions and this was another one, I expect Hoedt to now replace Yoshida in the next game, because the manager can now justify it afte this goal, my worry about Pellegrino is that he does not seem able to change things unless he has an excuse, he can't seem to make tough decisions.

I do not worry about the quality of our squad, I have always been realistic about what we are doing and do recognise that from time to tme we will have tough times and periods of consolidation, but I do worry about the manager, if we re just going to put out the same formation, the same players week in week out and only change things if someone is injured or suspended then we are wasting our money on employing a manager, there are no decisions being made.

Even the substitutions were predictable, Gabbiadini off and Austin on was essentially like for like, not trying to change the game, not being more attacking, just swapping players, the second substitution was again the same as every other game, yes Long came on to mean we had an extra attacker on the pitch but too little too late.

But the third change made with Saints taking a corner was ludicrous, off went Boufal, probably the one player you would want to hit a shot from the edge of the area if it was headed out and on came Ward Prowse a player whose scoring record is not great.

But why take off an attacking player ? why not take off a defender, with so little time nothing to lose, also if you want to make a change why not bring on Hoedt to offer some height for the said corner, this was a substitution you would have expected if we were 1-0 up and wanting to close out the game, not one that should be made when you have three minutes to save the game, even making it only wasted our time and stopped what little momentum we had.

So I am afraid the issue is the manager and that is worrying, we cannot sack a manager after only 11 games, we should not want to become a club that panics and lurches from one crisis to another, however the issues for our poor results all stem from the managers tactics and decisions, the issues that dogged Puel last season and indeed at the start of this are no longer there, we have a full squad apart from minor injuries here and there, the manager has no excuses.

From this point of view I really can't see where things will improve, I see Pellegrino doing the same things week in week out, I do not see him trying to do anything different and therefore I think continuing with his will mean only one thing and that is my favourite phrase in football.

"Keep doing the same old things and you wil keep getting the same old results "

Photo: Action Images

saintmark1976 added 17:17 - Nov 5 One forward at home. Again. Redmond plays. Again. Tadic plays. Again. Forster fails to save. Again. Team fails to score. Again. Defeated. Again. Coincidence?
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LordDZLucan added 17:26 - Nov 5 Just started reading your article then didn't bother to read the rest because I realized I'd heard it all before i.e. comments about Yoshida. Broken gramophone record is the phrase I'd use. "Keep writing the same old rubbish and you will keep getting the same old comments back". FOR CRYING OUT LOUD GIVE IT A REST OTHERWISE I'M LEAVING THIS FORUM.
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TeamCortese added 17:30 - Nov 5
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redwight added 17:46 - Nov 5 The problem is the pace of our attacks. I know much has already been said about the endless passes across the back line, but is more than that. It's the fact that every pass received requires two touches, with the result that when (or even if) the ball comes in, the defence are organised and ready to deal with it. There was one moment, early in the second half, when Cedric was played into space and, when catching up with the ball, volleyed into the box. It was the only time the Burnley defence were caught facing their own goal and on the back foot. It happens so seldom that it sticks in the mind. More of that, plus running at and committing the opposition, would go a long way to solving the goal drought. And Boufal must be persevered with. He's more likely than Tadic to play the killer pass and even did his share of tackling back.

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skiptonsaint added 17:50 - Nov 5 God this is frustrating Positives that Boufal looked better at number 10, Redmond better. At least he looked like he was trying I don't think we should sack MP yet. Whoever comes in would only have the tough run to deal with so wait till jan for me. We will prob be in the bottom 4 though.Also there is hardly an inspiring set of options out there. Stepping back from a frustrating defeat and trying to look at the bigger picture for the club since the sale. It feels we need someone to take a bit of control and settle some nerves. Is that mr Gao, Ralp, Les , Kat , MP ? It feels rudderless Someone needs to try something different . Go 442 or 352 for a couple of games, shake up the backroom staff ? Get rid of the unlucky clappers ! Otherwise this whole doing the same thing is going to properly lose the fans ... I would say he has now lost the majority but sill some supporters are with him, prob for fear of going like Swansea with too many manager changes Really we need a positive action for a result against Everton as can't see anything against Liverpool. Maybe that's the one to experiment with ?

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dovif added 17:53 - Nov 5 Saintbrock Van dyck wants to leave because he want more money and champions league. Les took a wrong time to take a stance. 55 mil would have helped us solved a lot of attack problems. Reed took a stance and it has backfired on us. We should have gladly accepted the record fee and be higher on the table
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dovif added 18:00 - Nov 5 For me , van dyck is just passing time. He does not look like a dominant defender. He does not look like a 55 mil rated defender. I would not buy him for 35 mil ATM. Les has just made a horrible financial decision in my Opinion
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halftimeorange added 18:07 - Nov 5 Saints style of play looks stale but, I personally thought that Boufal showed a lot of promise and should be kept in the centre and, although Steven Davis (finishing apart) was arguably our best player, I can't overlook the fact that Lemina was missing and I do believe he would have made a difference. Blaming Reed, Yoshida, Black, Dave Watson, Van Dijk, Forster or Redmond is becoming equally as predictable as our feeble attempts on goal. We have no target man and that is the main thing killing Saints. Several players, most notably, Dusan Tadic, Forster and Bertrand, look dispirited. That doesn't mean they aren't trying but the January window can't come soon enough. If we survive in the EPL I would suggest that a summer clear-out is necessary - and that should include the coaching staff.

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Consigliere added 18:08 - Nov 5 I don't necessarily agree with it but I noticed the following contribution on the Guardian comments section and thought that it was so funny as to be worth sharing: "Watching a Southampton match these days these days is like watching a very long, arty French movie from the 1970s. Aesthetically impressive, but when you eventually reach the end you feel confused, unfulfilled, slightly less intelligent and more than a little ripped-off"

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DorsetIan added 20:28 - Nov 5 I thought we looked a bit more imaginative in the final third, with Redmond and Boufal having their best games for a while. I think we need to appreciate how the 'shape' of the premier league has changed/is changing. In the past you could always pick half a dozen teams where you would expect a home win. I just don't see it now. Outside the top six, everyone is very evenly matched, and most teams come to St Mary's looking first and foremost to defend. It is never easy to break through two banks of defenders and it requires patience, skill and confidence. The patience we have had, but the other two have been missing. Redmond, Boufal, Tadic and W-P have all failed to be consistently skilful enough. Davis always performs but his skill set is limited. Results have not helped the confidence. But they do keep trying to play, trying to make chances, and I am not really sure what else they or the manager can do. Most of 2017 has been painful watching but this won't continue forever. We will pick up back to back wins soon and in January there will be player changes which will strengthen the squad. Maybe Pellegrino will still be around by then, but I'm not sure another change will make much difference either way.

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ExiledSupporter added 21:41 - Nov 5 Excellent comment davepid, hits the nail well and truly on the head. Also agree with almost all that you too say, Nick! But what's to be done if the manager cannot add to his forward options before January , by which time we may be in dire circumstances, and wont change his selections to better accommodate the existing players' preferred styles better, then surely he has to go? I am one of those who thought that Puel was too hastily disposed of despite some obvious mistakes as the season went on...but I ask you in what ways has MP proved to be in any way better than Puel (and that without the handicaps, both inherited and the incidence of key injuries, that Puel had to contend with)? I think he has to go...I would get Koeman back asap even though it will cost us more than we very foolishly felt able to pay last time around. Aside from proper Pelle and Mane replacements he will inherit a better squad than he left behind...otherwise what are we left with Allardyce or another major risk with some other manager who we know next to nothing about but seems to have done well with a middle of the league side for a short period of time. Koeman is the only option that makes sense and we should all (incl. Koeman) swallow our pride and look forward to an experienced and seasoned manager who knows us well and who we have a large measure of belief nin despite his Everton follies.

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pintsizedsaint added 22:34 - Nov 5 It's deep breaths time people. I'm not going to defend the mediocre start to the season, but a balanced view of this game will acknowledge that Burnley played very well, as they have done this season. Pope was on fire, and the team mentality and confidence was there. Saints don't have that yet - and even then they were clearly the better site. What gets me is that MP doesn't yet have the answer to the clear tactic mid-to-low ranking teams have (and will have) when coming to St Mary's. Lots of absorbing pressure and look to counter attack and attack hard in the last third of the game. MP is playing patient build up, but that next to impossible when teams play deeper and you don't have a big target man to whip in crosses to change things up. Instead, its very one-dimensional and teams seem to be very confident and comfortable in frustrating Saints, ready for the lapse in concentration. Lots of abuse on this site for Nick's view on Yoshida. Have to say that, it's his view - he's entitled to it as much as anybody else. Truth is, Yoshida is a good defender, who has played very well in terms of recent form and has been a star for the clbu, but he's not a great technical defender. Hoedt has the potential to be technically proficient as has clear height advantage too. I have to agree I view Burnley's goal with a sense of 'what if Hoedt was on'? Trouble is, that may have only seen a 0-0 draw too. Strangley enough, I think MP will be tactically sound when playing bigger teams - ones who will come and play attacking football. MP's best tactical masterclass was when Alvares beat Barcelona, where he out-thought and out-played the bigger boys.

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TimSaint added 02:06 - Nov 6 The whole team were complacent and thought they only needed to turn up to win and after the first half dominance, became even more complacent in the second. I don't know whether complacency was the reason or not, but yet again, we seemed to be carrying a few players yet again. Cedric, Yoshi and Redmond's first halves were littered with mistakes, mostly all unforced and most were wayward passing or bad control. I know players are not perfect, but it is so frustrating, lets the opposition in unnecessarily and riles the crowd. Forster had one save to make, but was flat footed and got caught out. Tadic doesn't seem interested any more. Gabbi remains frustrated as nobody passes to him, despite his many many runs. We all knew that Burnley would play as they did, like Swans, West Brom etc in fact, I even predicted it in a different thread, so why we persist with a similar formation and team is beyond me. Did Pell hope we would get another 1-0 again, or a 0-0 at worst ? It seems we are clueless when it comes to opening up the opposition and taking our chances and things are the same as they were under Puel, if not worse !! 10 blanks in our last 13 home games says it all really. As Russell Crow in Gladiator asked 'Are You Not Entertained' ?

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petedoors1 added 08:53 - Nov 6 BRING BACK RONALD AND ERWIN KOEMAN NOW BEFORE ITS TO LATE.
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petedoors1 added 09:42 - Nov 6 OR GORDON STRACHAN.
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deanosfc8 added 10:25 - Nov 6 I personally don't blame the manager! When Puel was asked by the board to play more expansive football he refused, we know what happened next. So now the board start looking for a manager to take the club forward & play the more attractive style we have been used to under previous managers, so the board employ MP to take us forward & give us the fans more attacking football that Puel could not deliver. Umm.... ok so that hasn't worked has it! They xxxxxx up so now they have to put it right now!! Whats Keegan doing these days??

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deanosfc8 added 10:56 - Nov 6 Forster should have been dropped 3 or 4 games ago, ironic cheering & booing him isn't doing anyone any good so need to rest or drop now. Bertrand just doesn't seem much interested, Cedric good at getting forward but his crossing of the ball has been really poor. I don't see much point in playing VVD, he will be gone in January so why not play Yosh & Hoedt together now, Stephens excellent cover for either. We know Redmond has the talent to attack defenders, why he feels the need to take the easy options only he knows, the couple of time he did have ago Saturday the crowd got behind him, It just looks at though his confidence has blown. When fit the manager plays Lamina & Romeu together.. Why?? away from home yes maybe but at home no never. Tadic again like Redmond is becoming a boo boy & needs to be dropped for his own good. Long should have been sold last summer, Gabbi & Austin should start together. The Manager should get a taxi to gatwick asap. Anyway thats my 5 minutes done....

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Braveheart added 11:02 - Nov 6 Pelligrino out Forster out Watson Out Black out Simples
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Keesie66 added 11:12 - Nov 6 Target man number 9 needed : Bas Dost Batshuayi Giroud Pelle Vokes Callum Wilson Josh King But will likely not happen .....
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ChannonFodder added 11:54 - Nov 6 @ 1teeminants: "I conclude it was a very good header and Forster was not as much at fault as I thought". Watch it again, particularly the angle from behind the goal. Forster could/should plant his right foot before pushing off for the dive with his left; instead he plants his right, shifts his weight onto his left, before going back to his right foot and then pushing off for the dive with the left foot, by which time it's too late. You're right, it was a very good header, and I like Fraser, but something's just not right at the moment. His feet are awful and his handling isn't far behind. @ legendDave: "Charlie... fails to deliver much at all". I think this is a tad harsh for someone who has barely been given any playing time at all to prove himself. I don't know how you'd fit him into Pellegrino's system (I'm not even sure what Pellegrino's system is, which is damning in itself), but I believe he's got more to offer than filling a spot on the subs bench.

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BaselSaint added 12:02 - Nov 6 Neither Puel nor Pellegrino for me. Far too dull and conservative for Southampton FC but as Nick said we cannot keep losing a manager every season, it is too disruptive - equally let's not get into a relegation battle. Dilemma.
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redandwhitedee added 13:09 - Nov 6 I hope all you Puel haters are happy now. Yes the brakes came on towards the end of the season but at least he did provide us with some very entertaining games. Sparta Prague at home, Man Utd cup final, Sunderland away, Leicester home, Milan home, Burnley home, Liverpool semi final. This Manager has provided only one so far, and that one we still failed to win/score at home against the worst team in league (Swansea) ! For me, he was always a big inexperienced gamble, it has failed and now when i see JWP coming on in 90th minute when 1-0 down at home, i see a problem. I am a big fan of JWP by the way. If we had not had such an easy set of matches this season, the Management team would have gone already as we would be in bottom 2.

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131153 added 13:26 - Nov 6 As I sat there I never thought we would lose the game, I've sat through many games over the years thinking any minute we would concede. Not on Saturday I thought Burnley played well with good organisation but didn't seem likely to score. On the other hand neither did we! Where too from here. I thought during the last week of the transfer window VVD should be sold, preferably not to Liverpool but in the end their money is as good as anyones. Have to accept the mood with the supporter was not to sell so feel we all have to accept the reality of him staying. I never cease to be amazed at the comments made against Eric Black. I have no idea if he is a good coach or not, as I'm not an expert I have to believe he has some merits. If I went to Staplewood I assume all the trees surrounding the training ground are full of men with binoculars. On balance as a few others have said we were better on Saturday than earlier in the season, but with the next few games coming up our position could get a bit dodgy. I can't get my head round the cheers for Charlie Austin when he comes on as sub, I feel since he scored 20 goals for QPR the game has moved on and he has slowed. Worth the £4 million for his debut goal at OT. I feel Tadic is on borrowed time, not sure Boufal knows what he is going to do next when he has the ball, therefore pretty sure the rest of the team have no idea. I don't think we should sack MP as he managed to get Alaves to a cup final and reasonable league position with possibly a less talented squad. Saints are my team, and have been since 1960 so will always support them under all circumstances.

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vanmans added 15:48 - Nov 6 BaselSaint I think its to late to worry about getting in a relegation battle because we are already in it. As I said earlier were in deep trouble and will be in the bottom 3 by Christmas.
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petedoors1 added 16:46 - Nov 6 Today West Ham sacked Bilic who,s next?
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