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Comment | Southampton At Bournemouth The Verdict
at 10:56:47
saintmark, whilst I agree with the flaws you comment on with SR running, and ruining, our club, that does not exonerate in any shape or form the decisions taken by RM, for what he DOES have control over. Starting against a lowly fellow struggling team without a CF on the pitch...without KWP, our most consistent performer over several seasons, and , even at FB often our biggest threat going forward, where's ABK, why hasn't Charlie Taylor been there since the start if the season, with KWP at RB, persisting with JS?? Unfathomable substitutions and timings? These are all decisions that RM has taken himself.
Yes, of course we all knew that we'd struggle this season, but, maybe wrongly, I honestly do believe that if managed properly, improved selection being a priority and restoring confidence in players by allowing them to play in a system and way they feel comfortable, I think this squad can battle with the other teams that'll be down there and at least have a chance of surviving...currently, there's none sadly. |
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Comment | Kyle Walker Peters Giving Russell Martin A Dilemma
at 16:35:24
After so many brilliant performances that KWP has put in over recent seasons in what at times has been at best an average side - often from a FB position, being our most dangerous threat going forward - I just can't believe some of the comments above. Irrespective of his contract situation, even before Jan, we need every point we can get, and you do that by playing your best team, and KWP is definitely part of that... |
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Comment | Kyle Walker Peters Giving Russell Martin A Dilemma
at 19:48:27
This really shouldn't need to be a discussion point - no disrespect at all to Sugawara or Taylor, but, as you also stated, he's the best of the 3 in either position - this is just another example of another stubborn stance taken by RM. KWP should be judged on performance, and as, again, mentioned, he never let's us down, over a few seasons now. Personally, I'd like to see Taylor at LB, and KWP at RB. Both have the experience we need currently. Yuri, is definitely a good player, but being in the PL does mean taking tough decisions, and playing your best players without any favourtism or bias is a must for RM now, or he really is in the last furlong... |
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Comment | Southampton V Nottingham Forest The Verdict.
at 09:49:49
How can RM watch this game from the sidelines without recognising very early on that playing our furthest forward 2 players on opposite touchlines without anyone pushing through the middle was never going to work. Their 2 CBs were completely redundant. Add to that, Smallbone playing as if under instruction to never turn once he's received the ball, THB (whom most of us rate very highly) having his worst game in a Saints shirt and the persistence with the slowest transition going forward in the league, it all adds up to a frustrating afternoon for everyone. RM must bury his pride, start making the best use of the squad he has, rather than picking favourites, and install a sense of intent and urgency in getting the ball forward - not panic, but urgency...rather than waiting until we're a goal down each week... |
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Comment | James Ward Prowse To Be Allowed To Leave West Ham United
at 15:59:52
It has to be a resounding 'NO". The season we went down I stated that he is without doubt the easiest CM player to play against in the PL. He has a great engine, but no pace, and never makes a tackle in time. This would be a massive backward step. FD in every area, is a far better player |
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Comment | Southampton Set To Sign Out Of Contract Brentford Midfielder
at 15:03:37
RE the above last comment, I, like many Saints fans would be pleased to see Perraud back, but, considering the reasons stated why he left , with RM I think it's unlikely. We really are in need of an experienced, quality left back, can't help but be concerned about that position.
It would be great to see some ambition and see us go for Kieran Tierney of Arsenal who is apparently available - at still only 27 and with his experience and quality, I don't think the 15mln being touted is excessive in this league. |
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Comment | James Ward Prowse Future At West Ham Said To Be Uncertain
at 10:25:45
Sorry WestSussexSaint, JWP could never fill SA's role. JWP has never carried the ball forward and commit defenders.
Our priority should be to secure FD's services. He is a key figure for us next season if we can get him in..... |
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Comment | West Ham Make Decision On Flynn Downes Future
at 10:18:54
Nick, FD was more than just a 'key part' of the squad, he was pivotal. Our win record in his absence is proof of that. Importantly, he is a midfielder, prepared to carry the ball forward, commit defenders before releasing the ball, an ability that we have in limited resource in our squad, particularly without SA. In addition, he is a player capable of constantly putting strong tackles in and does the 'simple' midfield work very well. Overall, he's a greater asset than JWP could ever be, and, we all are realistic to how difficult next season is going to be, but if we have any chance at all, securing FDs'services would at least be a step towards giving ourselves a chance.... |
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Comment | Would Southampton Fans Welcome Back Adam Lallana To St Mary's
at 10:34:06
Amazed to read comments suggesting they would prefer to have JWP back....we can't have a CM who can't tackle. West Ham fans have already started to realise that. Being very good at set pieces doesn't earn a place in a PL side. Surely fans must have seen that once Romeu left and Lavia was injured we were exposed in midfield. I believed last season, on top of other frailties in our side, we had the easiest midfield to play against, no presence no bite. Keeping FD, who is a far better all round player, is essential. |
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Comment | Southampton At West Bromwich Albion The Play Off Verdict
at 12:43:58
Yes, we're sill very much in the mix, and have home advantage, but I really do think, in what was a patchy performance, we missed a massive opportunity in the last 20 mins. I thought bringing on Brooks, Fraser and Stewart was a positive move and made a statement we were going for a win. But instead, we reverted to a far slower pace in our build up, even to the extent of getting caught on the ball deep in our own half. What was the point of bringing a taller front man on with 2 wingers and not, at least trying occasionally, to hit them early?
It would be good to know whether this comes from the players initiative or how the coach has instructed them....I can't help but think it's the latter. |
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Comment | Southampton At Leicester The Debacle
at 10:10:38
There are many conclusions that can be taken from last nights' performance:
- Possession stats are just that, STATS, they mean nothing. Keeping the ball deep in our own half is no threat at all to opponents
- Without the midfield players that can facilitate the 'transition' to commit opposing players in their own half we offer no threat at all - namely Stuey and FD. Though Ryan, once he's received the ball is always direct.
- RM may have an ego that just about squeezes into SMS, but he really does have no plan B.
- Leicester showed they will have a chance, that's all, of surviving in the PL....we clearly know our fate should we get there.
What are the options? Do we ditch RM irrespective of the play offs' outcome? We clearly won't if we go up, but , as much as I want to see Saints back in the PL, I fear for them next season if we're there.... |
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Comment | Southampton At Cardiff City The Verdict
at 11:52:58
Nick, you start by saying there were few arguments about the starting line up amongst Saints fans, however, I'm completely baffled how RM can virtually ignore Shea Charles, then bring him in on the bench and get pitch time briefly, drop him from the squad the following week, to bring him back and play him the whole 2nd half, with an accomplished performance, then, when your key midfielder, FD, is out injured, SC doesn't make the bench which is overloaded with wingers....he hasn't got a clue an that's why we have not secured an automatic place. At this stage of the season, there are too many key areas where he still is unsure who to start with.... |
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Comment | What Brought About Russell Martin U Turns Against Preston
at 10:01:30
I do think that a lot of comments above are misguided, 'managing a squad', 'it's a squad game' etc....that is no excuse for playing players out of position when we have perfectly good options in that position, or, giving such little pitch time to players that are better alternatives - Shea Charles is a shining example of that!!!
From Tuesday of last week, we have literally 7 'çup finals' to play, and win, to even have a chance of automatically going up......we've successfully come through 3 of them,with a certain amount of luck at times involved, but we've done it......so, am I allowed to suggest, no tinkering where not necessary, no rotation, just start with your strongest 11 in each of the remaining games, and be smart with your subs as needed.... |
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Comment | Southampton V Preston North End The Verdict
at 11:10:08
Excellent first half performance, understandable substitutions in the 2nd half. Though, in the 2nd half we did manage, territory wise, to play a lot of the 45 mins in their half, just less clinical with the final ball and finishing - plus 2 great saves by their keeper.
The only cloud on the horizon for me is, the confidence that RM will continue with the same back 4?
One final comment, I think all Saints fans recognise the value of FD to our side, but, it was so good to see Shea Charles get pitch time, the whole 2nd half. He is so composed under pressure and has a good physical presence in midfield - I would like to see him on the pitch a lot more, and do believe he would be a great pairing in CM with FD. |
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Comment | Southampton V Watford The Verdict
at 10:06:00
davidargyll, you're perfectly entitled to your opinion on SC, but personally, and from other comments on this site, including those on his brief appearance against Coventry, agree, that he is an under utilised asset currently. He remains very calm on the ball when under pressure and has more of a presence in the midfield in terms of breaking up opponents play and putting a tackle in. To not even have him on the bench I think is criminal. RM obviously feels JS can play anywhere he needs him.... |
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Comment | Southampton V Watford The Verdict
at 11:17:28
So, davidargyll, are you stating then that RM has got it right, pushing JS into midfield , rather than the far better option of the under played Shea Charles, who wasn't even picked to be available from the bench???!!! Really??? |
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Comment | Southampton V Coventry City The Verdict
at 13:52:46
Most discussion points from last nights' game have been covered above. I just wanted to add 1 additional comment - Shea Charles brief but impressive involvement in the game, just repeats the question I've been asking myself for months, why on earth isn't he having much more pitch time? I do think a CM of FD and SC is our best combination in that area. |
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Comment | Southampton At Ipswich The Verdict
at 12:28:28
American Saint, IanRC....how on earth can you criticise 1 pass from SA and state that it cost us the game????? As always, so much of what we do well comes through Stuey. Always trying to get the ball forward, either by passing it forward or carrying it, committing defenders....I think leaving KWP on the bench at a critical time of the game, had a far more negative impact - Colburn, I take your point re coming back from injury, but he could have played the last 20/30 mins... |
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Comment | Southampton V Millwall The Verdict
at 13:28:58
Saintmark, I admire your confidence of Saints prospects against other play off contenders, but that includes Hull currently - who completely outplayed us this week.... |
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Comment | Southampton V Hull City The Verdict
at 15:30:55
Nick, you've definitely covered the most obvious mistake of the whole evening (and in a night of some awful distribution from Saints, there were many), and that is the selection. Mara and Edozie together is a gamble, perhaps the combination is too 'lightweight' to make an impact, but that can't be the only reason we had a complete disconnect between defence and midfield. This led to players at the back hanging onto the ball longer than they should which led to an increasing number of mistakes. The players starting on the bench must wonder what they're doing wrong.
There were several poor performances last night, and I'm sure Manning will come in for criticism (he did have a bad game), but I would appreciate an insight from anyone as to what WS brings to the team. The continual back passes, only ever playing the way he is facing, slows up our play and keeps the ball deep in our own half. Some one needs to tell him, he's allowed to turn.
The unbeaten run was fantastic, but is no reason to encourage complacency, or possibly even arrogance - RM needs to start the remaining games with his strongest possible line up. |
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