There is no way to dress this up or try to look for positives, this was a Saints team devoid of leadership and passion.

From the very start Saints looked like a team with no leadership, there was no one out on the pitch who showed any leadership qualities and there seemed to be little from the sidelines.

The players themselves did not look motivated and seemed to be waiting for Liverpool to score and put them out of their misery, when the opening goal did come it was slack play from Dusan Tadic, what he was doing dribbling across the edge of hs own box is anyones guess, Forster had no hope from a perfect curling shot from Salah.

In fairness the second goal was probably offiside, but again Saints were all at sea and it was no surprise, in fact the only surprise was that Liverpool only added one more after the break.

But I have to say i cannot remember such a lifeless, gutless, leaderless, passionless performance from a Saints side, even last season we not produce a display like this and I think you have to go back to our first season back in the Premier League five years ago for the last time a Saints team walked on a pitch with such a lack of motivation.

Each player seemed to be playing far below 100% effort, Virgil Van Dijk was arguably our best defender, but he wasn't really interested, he was going through the motions, he was comfortable but didn't seem to be bothered about extending himself.

This was the case with virtually all of the players, they could comfortably hold Liverpool for most of the game, but they didn't have that extra effort and motivation at key times, they were happy to coast.

This is the worry, the squad is not bad, it just seems to have had every ounce of confidence and passion beaten out of it lately, the manager appears to have lost the dressing room and there is very rarely any way back after that.

It is fine for some to rant and rave about this being our worst time ever etc, but we have to look at the root cause and it seems to be down to the manager and his inability to set up his sides to play to the strengths of the players he has.

I am very loathe to call for a managers head, I cautioned against this last season with Puel, I said he needed time, but back then the issues were ones that might have been rectified, sadly I can't see any way forward with the current manager at the moment, he seems to be a rabbit stuck in the headlights and unable to be decisive.

This is not a bad Saints squad, I have to reiterate that, but it needs leadership, that starts at the top, Les Reed and Ralph Krueger have to make a tough decision and they have to make it fast, sometimes you have to, before things spiral and get out of control.

It seems that they have made a bad appointment, but their are not the first to do so in football and won't be the last, it is always about what you do next, there is a time to stay cool and not make knee jerk decisions, but there is also a time to be decisive and that is now !

Next Sunday's game is now crucial, it is a six pointer, Saints win and they go up the table and can start to perhaps edge away from the drop zone, but lose it and the crowd will turn and will demand the managers head.

Photo: Action Images

SanMarco added 18:30 - Nov 19 "This is not a bad Saints squad" - if that is the case I wish they would prove you right occasionally. Of course the managewr carries the can and he certainly isnt an improvement on Puel but the mistakes which have got us into our current predicament were made by those in charge of tha transfers. What do you to strengthen a side that has not got players who can score? You sign some that can. The lack of summer attacking purchases was not down to the manager. Oh, and interesting to see our 'statistically' best player Redmond on the same field as Mane. We were outclassed because they had some very good attacking players - we've got none.

10

LondonSaint added 18:39 - Nov 19 It's a shame because I don't like to see managers sacked but I agree with you. As harsh as it is I haven't seen enough to suggest Pellegrino can cut it as a Premier League manager (and that's coming from someone who though Puel should be given another season). It will be interesting to see how this develops and whether the current board are prepared to eat humble pie and accept that they've now made appointed as many bad choices as good ones which suggests their master strategy is not all it seemed a couple of seasons ago One further (tongue in cheek) comment - is it a coincidence that your public opinion has changed so dramatically because you can't now blame Yoshida for all of our problems?!?!

6

allsaint54 added 18:41 - Nov 19 Utter sh---. Our performances are getting worse week on week. God knows what they'll be like after Xmas. Our once solid defence now looks anything but. VVD's attitude is spreading throughout the team, drop him & sell as soon as, even to Liverpool! MP plays the same system with the same players & surprise surprise we get the same result - dross. The only effort Tadic gives is when he runs off having been subbed. Can only assume he's trying to get dropped. Playing Redmond, Boufal & Tadic together means we'll get overrun in midfield, it's no wonder we're not creating chances. The least said about flapper FF the better. He's got to be taken out of the firing line the better. To say our backup players aren't PL standard doesn't wash, they can't do any worse. I'd love to know what the coaches are saying, but the we know how successful Ian Black is. Why oh why did the club keep him in the summer. We are already in a relegation fight. The omens aren't good as there is no fight in the team. Radical changes are needed & fast, both players & staff need to be changed before it's too late.

14

kingolaf added 18:51 - Nov 19 Well written Nick. Fair play to you. The manager has to go.
0

aceofthebase added 18:53 - Nov 19 This is a very bad Saints side that shows no sign of attacking play. You ask why Tadic dribbled across his box well the answer is the same all the time he plays on the right hand side of the pitch. He turns inside to get the ball on his left foot. The defence pairing of VVd and Hoedt both contributed to the second goal. VVD lacked concentration when he thought he was fouled and Hoedt was in dreamland. Perhaps Yoshi and Stephens could have done better. Yes it's poor management at all levels but it's the players on the pitch that win or lose games and sadly we have lost our class premier players and we have some very good championship players.

7

the_saint added 18:55 - Nov 19 It’s funny a few seasons ago I was dreading teams coming in for at least 10 of our players now there is only two lamina and Ryan that is how bad the Southampton way is we need not just a new manager but a complete clear out from top to bottom the rot started when our first player Rickie left and it’s been down hill all the way with a cup final to paper over the cracks

11

ottersaint added 18:56 - Nov 19 Eric Black common denominator, took Villa down why is he still employed by us, look at his track record...
8

richardmdcooper added 19:01 - Nov 19 MP and Black have to go - simple as that. Truly awful. At the same time, Read and Krueger have to look at themselves and not appoint another version of Puel/MP. This nonsense about only having one formation i.e.4-2-3-1 throughout the club seems to be stifling everyone. Also, we don't seem to have any good youngsters coming through or if we do, they're not given the chance -hesketh, sims, stephens etc.. Agree that actually the bulk of our first team is ok - people complain about the spending but the last few signings - gabb, lemina and hoedt all cost a lot of money and all fit the bill. A good manager would make all the difference (together with a more flexible approach to playing styles throughout the club). Graham Potter from Ostersunds would be my choice.

3

Keesie66 added 19:04 - Nov 19 With MP there is no consequence after a bad individual performance, you still play next game anyway, because of this the man has no authority or respect in the group. Could you imagine Mourinho, Conte, Mauricio Poch accepting these standards from individuals Tadic,Redmond.Long etc. The gr8 Johan Cruyff had no issues dropping so called stars for youth players and this wud get a positive response from both! This manager is a mr. Bean, soft, clueless & lost... this squad is ok but the boss can not get them to play, all is not lost at all but will be if the board does not act and accepts our current fate... COYR... come on board!!!

5

richardmdcooper added 19:05 - Nov 19 also - why the comment about us lacking motivation in our first premier league season?! - I can't remember that being the case - certainly nothing as bad as it's been recently
17

SaintPaulVW added 19:20 - Nov 19 Just a disaster and something has to change. I agree, we are lacking a big CF to make this formation tick. However, these are good players but they are not performing. If MP can't get them going he needs to go. MP's interview with the Guardian this week smacked of someone who has given up or just doesn't care.
3

highfield49 added 19:20 - Nov 19 Too many spineless coasters in the squad pretending that they're putting in a shift and others plainly earning too much and very difficult to move on in January. How can we afford to improve the team when the likes of Tadic, Long, Redmond, Austin, Boufal amongst others are going to attract close to zero interest from other clubs and complacently collect massive salaries? Eric Black should be sacked immediately simply because he personifies all that is wrong with the club spirit, he couldn't motivate a cornered dog to growl never mind fight. At the present time, purely because I feel so badly let down, I'd bring in Roy Keane on the coaching staff and let Tadic explain to him exactly why he chose to wander across his penalty area with no idea where he was going to pass the ball. After arguing with Keane he'd be just as much use in his hospital bed as he has been on the pitch. I actually can't explain how let down I feel after this dismal display of apathy from so many players. There can't be many who feel proud of their contribution yesterday. Supporters deserve an explanation from the owners and management for this abject display.

15

RogerToye added 19:21 - Nov 19 VVD and Hoedt step into a game of that magnitude and you expect them to contain one of the best attacking midfield's in the EPL silly mistakes cost us we aren't that bad but we lack up front Gabbs should start and we build an attack around him with another Striker behind or off him cant play three so called flair players tadic Redmond and boufal in the same team as there is a disconnect between them and defence and the lone striker Whole shape needs a rethink we need a star from somewhere !!

11

law101 added 19:23 - Nov 19 Nick you say it's not a bad squad but the reality is two managers have failed to get the results and performances required. I don't think it's as easy as a change in manager, we have a very average premier league squad and a team who will struggle to score the goals required given the current personnel.
7

wessexman added 19:24 - Nov 19 I seem to remember meneer van Dijk stating he was a proud professional during his transfer stand off. I saw precious little off this at Anfield yesterday.
5

1970 added 19:29 - Nov 19 The board knew what they were getting when they signed MP and now its no different he hasn't done anything wrong he was always an average up and cumming manager that is out of his depth in the prem the problem we now have is it have become very obvious to all that pay to watch this team that they are lacklustre to say the least, the board need to act now and they need to get the next appointment spot on otherwise were doomed and I don't mean allardyce although a strong character is a must, and whats happed to our glorious youth teams and the new superstars ? its the coaching which has become very poor all the way through the levels and it would be no surprise if black has something to do with that, I wouldn't sell van dijk until the end of the season make the **** wait but I would drop him immediately until the window has expired , I'm an even bigger critic of yoshida than Nick but I would gladly put him in ahead of van dijk at the moment coyr

5

Keesie66 added 20:23 - Nov 19 Pardew, Advocaat, Strachan, Adkins, Koeman, de Boer.... or a manager/coach who can actually improve & motivate individuals and a team... we have the squad all performing at a 4/5.... lift those to a 6/7 and we are there... we need a motivator not a clueless out of depth youth coach...
0

DPeps added 20:40 - Nov 19 A worrying number of similarities between our current predicament and when we last got relegated from the PL: - core of team getting older and less bothered - rudderless on and off the pitch - fundamental problems on the pitch: then it was defence, now it’s attack Seriously worried for us. We’ll only be spared relegation if there are 3 other teams who more rubbish. If we do manage to stay up we need to destroy and rebuild

13

BoondockSaint added 20:59 - Nov 19 Oh now you finally admit that Les is the problem not Yoshida. .OK, maybe he has just been doing what the owner(s) tell him, but he hires two managers who won't say anything to the press about him not buying the players we have needed for two years now. Look at this "squad" if you were the manager of another team, who would you want to buy? VVD, Gabbiadini and Lemina. That is it. The rest are not Premier League athletes. Agree with highfield49: This lot have no pride or passion. They know that they can just go through the motions, and NO ONE, not a team mate, manager or owner is going to call them on it. As the saying goes, "The fish rots from the head down." Les, Ralph, and the Grim Reaper, Black need to go..........but maybe the owner(s) doesn't care any more than the players do.......

12

underweststand added 21:21 - Nov 19 Pellegrino may have some sort of tactical nous, but it's certainly not apparant atm. Getting rid of Puel didn't solve the lack of goals problem, and we all thought ..surely we will start scoring again in August..? but that didn't happen either. Let's face it ..on this season's showing our strikers can't hit the proverbial barn door . Redmond was never a goalscorer before he came, and Shane Long's one good season is now just history . We lack creativity in midfield and service to the strikers and whilst MP has to ring the changes until we start to score again, it doesn't make for consistancy. With Lemina still out and Romeu suspended, Pellegrino has to come up with a win next weekend . We all praise Gabbiadini and Boufal but their lack of goals only complicates the whole matter. If Austin plays he'll need a lot of wing service, or he'll fail, too. We must get a couple of home wins under our belts, because the away fixtures up until the New Year look to be a nightmare

9

AirFlorida added 21:31 - Nov 19 Time for a COUP... A Koeman
4

SaintBrock added 21:38 - Nov 19 Many people expected us to lose this one the majority suggesting by 3-0 so in that sense it is hard to understand post match reactions of disappointment. Predictions are based on what we have seen before in recent weeks so surely nobody expected anything to have changed suddenly. Factor in that many players were away on international duty until only a few days ago no wonder many seemed so deflated and lack lustre partly though their own disappointments at missing out on the world cup as we'll as being knackered. Not excuses, facts. None of this 'though can distract from the fact that we are in a crises with little sign of respite. Re-charged batteries my see us through to a draw next weekend but beyond that there is nothing to suggest that we can pull out of this torpor, all our cards have been played in one hand or another so where will come the surprise to turn it all round? Optimist or pessimist few can see us anywhere other than in the bottom three at Christmas. It's no good clutching at straws when everyone can see that we are not very good, indeed we are quite poor. Worse still it looks increasingly likely we will need to rely on others like WBA, WHU, Swansea & Palace being even poorer to save our bacon come May.

5

skiptonsaint added 21:56 - Nov 19 We have basically got worse and worse since the opening days assault on Swansea which , when we didn't score just seemed to bring back the nightmare end to last season. looks like MP has lost the dressing room now and Redmonds post match interview and the pics from the end of the day show a very unhappy team I think they know a defeat by Everton and the atmosphere that would cause at a close to boiling St Mary's would be the push needed to get him out of the door. Or after the thrashing at Man City afterwards. We have seen player power do it to Mouriniho so it would hardly be a surprise to see a shocking lack of effort performance next week. The owner and management may be able to ignore and dismiss social media but a fuming St Mary's would be different. Can see placards etc next week. Feel a bit sorry for MP. He was hit with the VVD problem at the start and who honestly thinks VVD who must be the biggest voice in the dressing room has forgotten the 'boy' comment from MP ? Sad and worrying times

9

WanderingSaint added 22:11 - Nov 19 It was obvious over a month ago that the manager is well out of his depth and should be sacked. We've played 8 of our easiest games and sit where we are. How on earth anyone thought someone with no experience and no credentials could walk into the EPL and not struggle is incredible. The only question now is who do we get in to steady the ship and try to avoid relegation. Bob Barton is probably right, unless the club and fans would accept RK back?

11

REEDYREEDOREEDZ added 22:39 - Nov 19 Pellegrino will take us down. We're absolutely hopeless! The board must make the change now. I just can't see us winning a game at the moment.
12

Blogs 31 bloggers

Tottenham Hotspur Polls