It was a case of another opening day disappointment for Saints as they failed to beat Watford, but there were plenty of plus points.

You could feel a mood of discontent in the crowd during the first half of this game, but then again that mood was there two years ago at the start of Ronald Koeman's reign, when after an opening day defeat at Liverpool we followed it up with a 0-0 draw against West Brom with Graziano Pelle getting stick from the fans from early in the game.

That should be a lesson to Saints fans that just because something isn't right straight away it doesn't mean that it is not going to be in a little time, in short Claude Puel has to be given that time to prove he is the man for the job and not be written off after 1 game as some seemed to be almost relishing doing.

The game started with Saints attempting to play a possession football game, Watford were countering it by pressing us hard and not giving us time on the ball, this in turn lead to us not being as sharp as we needed to be in the first 20 minutes or so.

Capoue opened the scoring with an unstoppable shot after a knock down at the far post set it up for him perfectly, it had caught Saints on the hop and we were caught ball watching, however it should be noted that this was the last serious effort the Hornets had on our goal.

Saints still enjoyed a lot of possession but they were struggling to create a lot of clear cut chances, after the goal they were ruffled but to their credit dug in and after the 20 minute mark Saints were in control although they were not penetrating enough.

After the break Saints looked better and more confident and Watford obviously could not keep up harrasing us and chasing the ball with the same energy as the first half.

Perhaps the turning point in the direction of the game was the introduction of Pierre Emile Hojbjerg, the Dane offered a more direct approach and it put Watford on the back foot.

Within minutes Saints were level when Nathan Redmond rifled home a shot, but Saints could not get a second in the last half hour even after the visitors were reduced to ten men with 15 minutes left.

The Negatives.

Claude Puel was a little too cautious for my liking, Hojbjerg should have started and Charlie Austin should have been brought on a lot sooner than he was, certainly when Watford went down to 10 men.

Saints need a back up central defender, Yoshida always has at least one mistake in him and this game was no exception when he laid a back pass short although Fraser Forster was alert enough to react.

Was the pre season good enough, it was disrupted when Koeman left, but I think we did not use it to its fullest, certainly in the first half we were struggling to adapt to a new style and the reality was that as a team we have not had enough practice playing it with most pre season games being mix and match.

We need to be more decisive and shoot more

The Plus Points.

Saints looked comfortable and able to combat a very physical Watford side early doors, they needed time to adapt to the new system but did so as the game went on, it gave hope that we can continue on our success.

We dominated the game, 66% possession, 24 shots against Watfords 5 and with 5 on target against Watfords 1, the number of shots was good, the number on target for us was poor.

The team spirit looked good, the players looked up for it and trying to raise the crowd.

The new signings all looked good additions to the squad

The Verdict

Not the best result, but not the worst either, Saints showed enough to suggest that they can have a good season and have the squad to do it, however Claude Puel needs to be less cautious, the fact that we gave Charlie Austin only 7 minutes and Jay Rodriguez none was puzzling, however the same questions were levelled at both of his predecessors in the past three seasons, they were given the benefit of the doubt so so should Puel.

Photo: Action Images

SanMarco added 11:08 - Aug 14 This reads like a pre-emptive strike against a "Puel Out" campaign. I think any discontent is because we all know that we need another centre-back and a goal scorer. Also why on earth are players (whatever they did over the summer) not 'match fit' and comfortable with the 'system' on the first day of the season. Last season we were 3 pts off 4th place. Dropped points in the first few games against sides we came many places above in the end (Newcastle, Watford, West Brom - Everton even) cost us dear. Presumably we would expect to beat Watford at home - so why in the hell were we not ready to do so?

9

jameslastfan added 11:31 - Aug 14 On a slight tangent, there is no connection yet between manager and fans. Okay not surprising, it was game 3 at home , incl. two friendlies, but I do think the club could have helped him by making an introduction at the beginning of the game. There was nothing in the friendlies either, seemed almost embarrassed he did, to be there. Compare to MOTD showing RK being introduced to the Everton fans and the cheers etc. etc. We did have a band though, so that was okay.....but seriously, you only get one first league game at home so you can't do the intro against Sunderland... Perhaps it's just me, but I sit up behind the bench and there was nothing really. I enjoyed the 2nd half.

5

1970 added 12:15 - Aug 14 Totally agree (Marco) we seem to only buy players when others leave so we all know that situation cannot be sustained, I wasn't as impressed with Saints as you yesterday Nick, I think Watford will give it there all but are by no means a good side, the ball watching and lack of responsibility was there during pre-season so nothing new, starting with Yoshida is no different than starting with Hoiveld when we did and look what happened, we need to be more decisive in the transfer market ,its clear as day we need players, if we play Tadic in the hole then you cant have JWP and Davis in the same team, and now Fonte going to play back-up at UTD what's the plan? Give Yosh a chance? absolutely not, tell UTD to do one and Fonte can go next year COYR get some players soon.

8

saintsnutcase added 12:26 - Aug 14 Nick, I think you overlook the fact that some of yesterday's problems have been obvious for a couple of years - weakness at right back, no cover at centre back, Romeu and Ward Prowse not top Prem players, Targett lacking pace. There is no point in just hoping that they will come right. However I have to say that both Redmond and Hojbjerg were superb, so it looks like the transfer committee have done it again with these two.

5

perazi added 12:29 - Aug 14 Awful first half. Game changed when Hojbjerg came on; he showed straight away what a good box-to-box midfielder looks like and in so doing highlighted the folly of persisting with the idea that JWP is ever going to be an influential player in the Prem. Redmond impressed in the second half; VVD was a rock and Yoshida played very well except for the horrible back pass. Tadic had many good moments. Long a little lost without Mane to interplay with.

7

OwenTheSaint added 13:07 - Aug 14 Puel's first game so it would be ridiculous to show any discontent. But the man should be given every opportunity to succeed, however this is not happening. Our recruitment team has proved again this year, like previous years, that it can find some great talent. Transfers this summer alone mean we currently have a net transfer profit of 40m. Give a fair chunk of that money to the recruitment team and let them do what they do best, which will then give Puel every chance of success.

4

SaintMaw added 14:45 - Aug 14 For Puel's first game he did ok. His first mistake was that he set up the 2 box to box midfielders to be Prowsey and Davis. Neither of them are that great defensively so that made created issues for Romeu. Notice that once Hojbjerg came on the midfield was way more comfortable. JWP and Davis can't play at the same time. Claise and Hojbjerg can't play at the same time in the box to box role. Next, Cedric should not have started. He missed so many passes and crosses. Puel probably thought he was fit based on his sheer pace but it is obvious he isn't Mentally ready. I thought Pied was the better player that game. Moving on, I think our defense will get better as Jose and Bertrand come back. Jose will settle us down and Bertrand will add the last piece of the puzzle which is pace on the left wing. Targett obviously doesn't have pace but he is a smart player who has a great cross so he will do just fine for now. Also, Watford's formation made it difficult for us to break them down. They play 3-5-2 so the midfield is packed. Since we like to dominate the ball now, the oppositions wingbacks become fullbacks so they were really playing 5-3-2. Since we play a mainly central formation, due to the amount of CMs we have, breaking down oppositions with 6 central players (3 center backs and 3 center midfielders) is difficult. We should have solved this problem with our outside backs, Targett and Cedric but neither were up to par and when they got the ball they countered back fast. The midfield, lacking defensive attributes, was vulnerable and that's how they scored. Unfortunately, I think we have finished our business in the transfer window even though we do need more players. We need a backup CB...Yoshida scares me sometimes although he is good. I don't think we need a Striker per say. I think we need a technically gifted #10 who can also play striker (like Mane?). If Tadic got injured, who would step up properly? Davis is the obvious candidate but I think Davis is the best box to box midfielder we have. He loves creating something from deep. Sorry for the long post but I had a lot say.

1

vanmans added 16:17 - Aug 14 The team he started yesterday was wrong. The first half was dreadful. We should never start JWP and Yoshida. Why don't we sell JWP? He is never going to be any good in the prem. To lightweight, to slow and cant tackle. If Fonte goes we need 2 CBS and a good striker just to stay up.
6

USSaintfan added 17:01 - Aug 14 It seemed to me that we were desperately needing a strong physical center forward who could win aerial balls and who could outmuscle central defenders i.e. a Pelle look-a-like. The four forwards we have are too lightweight and pose no threat in the air. I believe If we still had Pelle he would have have scored two or three goals yesterday. On defense, Cedric's lack of height could not prevent their forward from heading back to their goalscorer. Koeman recognized this last season and preferred Martina.If Fonte does go it is must for a quality strong CB. I feel that Puel does not yet recognize the physical nature of PL.

6

aceofthebase added 17:16 - Aug 14 Didn't you guys see the dreadful prformance of Soares? He gave the ball away several times and he cost us the match. Yes he did! The cross from the right he could not prevent Deeney having a clear header that resulted in the goal. He stood their motionless like a rabbit in the lights. He nearly cost us three points, thankfully Redmond had a better second half and scored. Now why hasn't anyone mentioned Yoshidas daring diving header in the second half which clearly prevented a second Watford goal? Team selection was poor, Soares should not be allowed to put on a Saints shirt He cannot defend, sell him before his european value drops. Hojbjerg should have started and I think everyone was amazed when he was not named as a starter. We looked a small side against Watford so please no-one suggest using Clasie. JWP doesn't ever perform to his potential, whatever that is. I assume Fonte was not picked because his mind is already elsewhere and we had better get used to playing without him. Shame but looks very likely

2

halftimeorange added 17:42 - Aug 14 We definitely needed some height in attack the way the team was set up, confusing as it was for both players and fans. Redmond was knocked off the ball too easily too many times for my liking. Those criticising Soares seem to have overlooked that our most ambitious attacks in the first half were shots from him and, had the first one resulted in a goal, the game would have been totally different. Agree with all the critical comments regarding JWP but Targett, too who, in a very creative piece of play by Tadic, stood still watching the game instead of getting forward and involved. The set-up didn't favour Long. There have to be a couple of robust signings in the centre-back and centre-forward position or we won't be in Europe for very long and deep in the second part of the three-part EPL.

3

tiptop added 18:25 - Aug 14 agree w aceof the base. Cedric could not pass for toffee. Crosses were poor. The formation to me doesnt seem to maximise the squad. We've put Redmond up front which may well work but he is lightweight... and Austin is on the bench. A strong player who can hold up the ball and score with decent service. As it looks we have no decent delivery from the wings and are congesting play through the middle without enough quality and strength.

3

richsaints added 18:28 - Aug 14 just watched five ex saints score for liverpool and arsenal oh what could have been hope the board were watching shame on you after yesterdays dross.
3

sidsaint added 19:16 - Aug 14 Disappointed to hear the manager say that he was not going to strengthen up front. Agree with others that we need another Pelle type of player who not only holds up the ball, but also acts as target man and comes back to use his height in defence at corners etc. If 82% want Fonte not to be sold under any circumstances then we are going to need 2 good centre backs and fast if comments in the press are true. Very pleased with Redmond and Hodjberg more quality like this is needed. Frustrating to see other clubs looking at £25-30m players when we are stuffed full of cash and also sad to see ex Saints that we have sold playing so well. Finally good to see the under 23's result against Liverpool today, maybe Europe will see us bring on these youngsters.

3

BoondockSaint added 21:09 - Aug 14 Same old "Southampton Way" eh? Not aggressive enough in the first. Yoshida does his Joe Hart imitation, Long fans on a sitter, can't buy a goal even when playing against ten men, and drop points to a team were well below us last year. Adding salt to wounds: As richsaints says, 5, yes Les Reed, 5! ex-Saints score in one game. Plus Surman and Gaston were very effect in both their games. I wish everyone would stop talking about time of possession-it means absolutely nothing, you don't get points for it! Losers always bring it up to distract from their failure in the most important stat: goals.

3

BarnetSaint added 08:40 - Aug 15 Great result for the U21s. However, those that come through and are decent WILL be sold. Its the Southampton way. We all have to hope that when the manager comments he's not buying any forwards , thst its a smokescreen. We now have a very mediocre forward line. This will catch us out.
1

bstokesaint added 12:26 - Aug 15 I've no issue with the "Southampton Way". It's proved successful over the past 7 seasons and it's easy to point to the Arsenal vs Liverpool game and say what if, but the money from those players has kept us financially secure and continually progressing. Realistically for one reason or another, mainly astronomical wage demands and/or CL football, we would never have been able to hold onto all of our players at the same time. So dwelling on that doesn't really help. That said, I was worried as soon as I saw the teamsheet for Saturday. If that's the best team we can field for the first game of the season I can't see anything better than mediocrity for this season. It's a shame because we seem to have done a lot of good work in tying down senior players. However, part of the "Southampton Way" is supposed to be about reinvesting money from sales to improve us and we haven't done that. Redmond and Hojbjerg have been good starts, but we've not replaced those missing goals and looking at Saturday's team I think we're lacking goal threat. We still need to bring in at least 2 quality players before that window shuts. There must be the best part of £50m which we are currently sitting on. For God's sake let's spend it.

0

Blogs 31 bloggers

Plymouth Argyle Polls