| News Comment | Southampton V Liverpool The Verdict at 12:03:30
First off I hope we have Dibling and Fernandes signed up to very long contracts, real super stars potentially. Unlike me to side with Liverpool but I think Downes in the centre played Saleh onside for their second. You say McCarthy pulled off some good saves Nick but he was also largely responsible for two of their goals, a dreadful performance in my eyes. What on earth was he thinking of with his positioning for their second. That said if Downes had put his foot through the ball for the first all would have been well and if Stephen’s (who was again generally poor) had been anywhere near Saleh then the second might have been prevented. Madness to have him marking Saleh. The officiating was again very much in favour of our opponents, yes we were given the penalty (though I was amazed when it was given due to the usual bias) but we had two other penalty appeals not given when AA was taken out by their goal keeper and Archer was pushed over by Kanoute. Then to cap it all they are given a soft penalty to win it. I disagree with you and the PGMOL statement - Sugawara’s arm was a little away from his body but he did not move his arm towards the ball when it bounced up - if it had been the other way round we would not have been given one. On the selections Martin messed up badly, Taylor would have done a much better job than Stephen’s against Saleh. What use is it playing Tall Paul when you leave out Sugawara and Sulemana, two of the few apparently capable of getting down the wing and putting in a decent cross. In many ways a really good performance wrecked by stupid lapses and poor management. Really hope Sports Republic grow a pair whilst we still have a (remote) chance of survival. |
| News Comment | Central Defensive Injury Blow For Southampton at 15:56:42
Surely Martin has learned his lesson about Stephens though history seems to suggest not. Desperate times with Ramsdale and Bednarak (who despite his detractors, frequently shows up in the most blocked shots statistics) both out and no new manager incoming. |
| News Comment | Southampton V Wolverhampton Wanderers The Verdict at 12:11:59
It is hard to avoid the suspicion that Kavanagh on VAR is corrupt and the referee completely incompetent. Doubtless in due course we will receive another apology from the farcical PMOGL that will do us no good whatsoever. PL appears to have a rotten core it appears. All that said and as others have said above, the club is in a farcical state. Sulemana, who in 10 minutes in the cup game, showed more attacking intent than the entire team fielded on Saturday was not even in the squad. Sugawara, who appears to be the only other player in the squad who can put in a decent cross, did not start with the possible exception of KWP. Sam Amo-Ayew cannot get on the pitch despite the fact that all our wide players turned backwards whenever they approached the wolves penalty area. Stephen’s in cemented into the team for reasons that baffle everyone except for Martin. He must go now during the international break along with Ankerson and we must prey that for once Sports Republic do a proper job in selecting a replacement. Potter ideally if he can be persuaded to come. In the next transfer window Sports Republic need to really get their act together unless Dragon really is content to see us relegated so he can have a sell off. Massive error by them to fail to secure Delap or the Corinthians striker in the summer. Should dump Cornet, Fraser and the Chelsea loanee as soon as possible too. |
| News Comment | Southampton V Everton The Verdict at 10:40:16
Oh and I disagree with you Nick about Lallana, thought he had a very poor game giving the ball away and misplacing passes, perhaps partly due to his injury. |
| News Comment | Southampton V Everton The Verdict at 10:35:03
Great result but unfortunately despite rather than because of our managers choices. The omission of Sulemana (who was our most Incisive player on Tuesday) from the squad, and Sugarwara from the starting lineup could have been disastrous. Some of his substitutions too were bizarre, did he not see how many times the Chelsea loanee gave the ball away on Tuesday but despite that he decides to bring him on. I was fully expecting to see then Breton Diaz brought on as well. Ramsdale and Howard-Bellis were superb. As for Dyche, what he forgets to mention is that Tarkowski should have been sent off for a disgraceful tackle on Archer in the first half. Certainly if one of our players had committed it they would have been sent off. So overall a mixed bag but one thing is certain, Martin must do much better with his team selections and substitutions against Wolves next week |
| News Comment | Southampton V Everton The Preview at 14:41:54
Utterly pathetic team selection from Martin, Sulemana not even on the bench, no Sugawara but Stephens in. He has to go. |
| News Comment | Southampton V Everton The Preview at 11:57:36
Personally I would give Sulemana a chance. When he was introduced on Tuesday he at least knew where the goal was, provided the only decent cross for Onachu and the pass that allowed James Bree to score the winning goal. His defensive work was also good. I doubt you will agree Nick but to me he is potentially one of our most valuable players, but needs proper coaching and opportunity. Doubtless Martin will not agree either and we will be subjected to the usual boring negative tactics with little forward movement. I hope not particularly because as you say this is a crucial game for us. |
| News Comment | Southampton V Stoke City The Carabao Cup Verdict at 09:14:00
Martin is clueless, ideal opportunity to start Amo-Ayew or Sulemana (who ultimately was our saviour and the only player to give Tall Paul a decent cross) but Fraser starts and then is replaced by Cornet, who for most of the time seemed to be attacking the wrong end. Lucky to get through mainly thanks to Khamaldeen, Fernandes, Sugawara and Harwood-Bellis. The Chelsea loanee was hopeless too, conceding possession in dangerous positions. |
| News Comment | Southampton V Stoke City The Carabao Cup Preview at 16:08:29
It is ridiculous that we are in this position with regard to Flynn Downes as Saturday's booking was as a result of a clean tackle. Is there no limit to referees bias. No doubt we will get an apology in due course which will be of no use whatsoever. |
| News Comment | Southampton V Stoke City The Carabao Cup Preview at 15:57:00
Not sure what your agenda is against Sulemana, with good coaching he could be a very good player. Unusually, for me I also think you are hard on Martin about the bookings, Saturday in particular had more to do with a(nother) blatantly biased referee than his behaviour. That said I am no fan of him as a manager. Any chance he could play Jack Stephens on the off chance he might be unavailable for the two crucial games that follow. I will be disappointed if we lose tonight but not half as disappointed as I will be if we lose either of the two following games. |
| News Comment | Southampton At Manchester City The Verdict at 20:38:09
Admittedly a much better defensive performance but I still cannot see why Stephens has to be shoehorned in everytime. I think what Bernardo Silva might have been trying to say is that if the officials done their jobs in the Arsenal and Leicester games amongst others we might be in a better position. Even in this game the Downes booking was ridiculous, doubtless we will get an apology from the pgmol shortly but as in the Leicester game it will be of no good to us. Needless to say the Everton and wolves games are now critical but even losing those may not be enough for Sports Republic to get their act together based on performance thus far. |
| News Comment | Southampton V Leicester City The Verdict at 14:49:03
Actually the ref gifted Arsenal a goal the other week too, not interfering with play ... really. Has the fa got an agenda against us or is it just their officials. |
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