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Comment | Two Key Areas That Southampton Need To Sort Out In The Transfer Window
by DellBoyWally at 00:41:02
Bazunu has been ranked in bottom 3 for GKs in every season he's played! He is definitely poor and statistics show that. Brum knew it. Long-range shots from the first minute. Luckily their shooting was as bad as ours. Then they score with a floaty header that has Bazuna leaping with his arms and legs everywhere. Why? All he had to do was take a step back and catch it above his head. He is definitely one that could benefit with a loan to somewhere without the same pressure - maybe mid-table league 1 - and with a quality GK coach. He has time to become a top GK but we need a mouthy, bully shot-stopper to marshal the defence.
Defence? Flimsy. 4 of our 5 are not overly tall and are light built. And played in the wrong format. With the 3 CBs, teams have identified the space behind the wing backs and play long balls there all the time. One of the CBs covers and we're light in the centre! Only Stephens is experienced, the other 4 are still learning. But Stephens is League 1 quality and not an on-field leader.
The midfield I'm not concerned about, especially when we get Charles back.
Up front. Everyone is calling for a big target man, someone to hold the ball up, bring players in and score goals. You mean Paul Ounachu?
On his first PL start he could have had 4 goals against WHU. The next game, Crystal Palace, he never saw thr ball! Even Juric admitted we played wrong. He identified that the wingers didn't get to the byline and get crosses into the box. Did he train the wingers to do that? No, he dropped Ounachu!! And Tall Paul still finished up top scorer!!
Armstrong was dreadful at Oxford and Brum. He ambled around, no chasing of chances. Manning (more chances created than anyone else in the Championship) put over a perfect cross just outside the goal area, 2 yards in front AA to tap in. He didn't move! Leo hit the upright, AA puts his hands on his head and turns away, the ball gets recycled and played into the box. AA? Wandering around outside the penalty area oblivious to the action. Play Cam Archer v Millwall
In (Loan or buy) GK, CB, Striker.. Loan out for experience - Baz, Edwards, Downes (if he's not sold) Sell - Aribo, Stephens |
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Comment | Two Key Areas That Southampton Need To Sort Out In The Transfer Window
by BigbadBarry8myboat at 20:19:52
The problem with Bazunu is he doesn't do the basics well. A ball struck across him is always a goal. He also does not command has defence. You look at Donnaruma, Peyr Czech etc they all communicate, Bazunu doesn't.
I completely agree we need a commanding CB but this is what SR resigned Stephens for, anyone could see that was never going to happen.
I also struggle with us playing 5 2 3 as we currently do, as we frequently have 7 in our own 3rd. If we're going to play 5 at the back we need a good attacking midfielder to link things. Jander and Downes are defensively minded which makes our poor record even more inexplicable |
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Comment | Two Key Areas That Southampton Need To Sort Out In The Transfer Window
by underweststand at 13:56:43
For the last decades, I find I am still repeating myself ..A goalie is only as good as the defence in front of him. If we are talking about getting to a play-off spot, our present back line isn't good enough at this level, so goodness knows what it might be like if we do get promotion (and remembering last season) it's a early sign of impending disaste. We need a good clearout by the end of the season, and a more secure unit...regardless of where we finish up in this League. |
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Comment | Southampton At Birmingham City The Verdict
by underweststand at 13:49:31
Itchen North cited the problem in one sentence. In the last 4 games we've had 60% plus possession (71% at Oxford) yet earned only 2 points of a possible 12. The theory being it tires the opposition (!)..but in those games we've failed to capitalise on the advantage. Even when we had more shots (Coventry and Oxford) our conversion rate was pitiful in comparison. We've gone from averaging 3 goals a game down to just 1.
It easy to blame the defence (not without cause) but at the risk of repeating myself/ ourselves yet again; we don't have an viable alternative goalie (although Bazunu has improved somewhat) and for the 3rd season running we don't have a "big striker". It didn't work with Onuachu, but now that we have signed two good wingers, we have no height in the box to take advantage of it. Downs may improve with time, but not this season.
The games are still coming thick and fast, but the transfer window may (hopefully) end up being more exciting than some of the anticipated results.
As for the Brum game, once again their keeper (Beadle )was their best player and (like the game at SMS,) did well to save many of our best efforts and keep the score down.
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Comment | Two Key Areas That Southampton Need To Sort Out In The Transfer Window
by saintmark1976 at 13:36:30
We need :-
1. A proper Goalkeeper, Bazunu is bottom of the statistics of Championship keepers for a reason.
2. A proper Centre Half with some physical presence who can win headers.
3. A proper Centre Forward with some physical presence who can hold a ball up.
If we already had all of the above we would be challenging for automatic promotion.
If we already had two of the above we would be challenging for an automatic promotion playoff place.
We’ve currently got none of them and that’s why we are mid table and have taken two points from the last twelve available. |
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Comment | Two Key Areas That Southampton Need To Sort Out In The Transfer Window
by davidargyll at 11:31:15
100% agree.
Good DEFENCE is the foundation for winning games not offence and that is where we must strengthen.
(Witness “Boring, Boring Arsenal”…)
If you have a strong back line, the goal keeper has less to do. And it gives the forwards more confidence because they are not always having to chase the game. |
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Comment | Two Key Areas That Southampton Need To Sort Out In The Transfer Window
by SaintPaulVW at 11:13:54
Agree that Downes needs to go out on loan to really see what we have got. Pointless giving him 5 or 10 minutes here and there.
The problem with 30 year old experienced prem league CB's will be wages. Plus remember Stephens would fit slap bang into this criteria! If the right player is available this would be a good move although it would break the SR recruitment model. Personally I think 4 at the back with and extra CM would seem a better shout.
My personal view is that Baz was at fault for one of the last 3 goals. His positioning seems regularly off when dealing with balls knocked across goal. Near post he's good and pointblank saves he's great. I just wonder if because of McCarthys repeated near post howlers he's either favouring or being coached to get too close to the near post? Probably a bit harsh.
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Comment | Two Key Areas That Southampton Need To Sort Out In The Transfer Window
by Centurion at 11:03:43
We need a new GK. Bazunu is very passive IMO.
Yes, a good experienced leader in Central Defence but also a strong dominant GK, who reads the game and barks orders to his defence.
I only ever played at Sunday League level, but I remember when our team had a new GK, who was vocal, read the game, commanded his area and barked orders. We had massive respect for him and we won a lot of games because he had us organised. We suddenly started winning games we had previously lost.
Also, I believe it was the legend Bill Shankly who said you build a great team starting with the GK. |
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Comment | Two Key Areas That Southampton Need To Sort Out In The Transfer Window
by Bowlercow at 10:56:14
I don't believe that any keeper better than Baz would come to a mid table championship side
CB wise I would off load 2 of our 5 and bring in a new Jiose Fonte Maguire from Man utd for example
Our m/f looks pretty good once Charles is available He would also be first choice for team captain Bragg is a candidate for going out on loan to get valuable experience in men's football
Up front Archer and Downes don't give us much at this level so if we should sneak promotion they will then be surplus to requirements Stewart is on the way back and if he becomes available during this window then SR will not splash out on another tall(ish) striker
If we don't get promoted then we would become a very attractive take over targett |
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Comment | Two Key Areas That Southampton Need To Sort Out In The Transfer Window
by bryanK at 10:48:53
I agree on the Wood & Stephens scenario as they have not delivered after numerous opportunities, get rid. We will have differing opinions on what is needed in this transfer window.
My main concern still concerns the lopsided balance of the team that the Manager persists with this which would resolve many of our needs in the transfer window.Please Mr Manager revert to 4 at the back with 4 defenders that can actually defend!!!
New Central Defender with leadership qualities a tall striker who can hold the ball up would be my new year wish list.
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Comment | Two Key Areas That Southampton Need To Sort Out In The Transfer Window
by Theonlyrhymethatbite at 10:24:59
I thought Stewart had started to train.
He can't be a starter but would hope to see him off the bench mid Jan if he is training
Can't help thinking the way he played before injury, if managed correctly he will be the difference to a play off push and the play offs themselves
Wood was at fault for the goal v brum if you watch he just stands on edge of area ball watching and doesn't get back in then his man headers across goal without any kind of challenge.
Even with on pitch leaders that you can describe but not name these kind of mistakes will keep happening unless our manager drops players who make the error or tears them a new one to stop these basic errors happening.
They need to loose players, will Bree be sold, Ramsdale being sold would be the only way they bring a keeper in. Edwards and Downes loaned?
If downes did go out who can we get in that will be a big target man in case Stewart fails again?
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Comment | Southampton At Birmingham City The Verdict
by SanMarco at 01:06:25
Giving the ball away, mainly through sloppy passing, is our main problem. Their goal came from a free kick conceded after a dreadful pass and there were lots of other occasions where we played ourselves into trouble. The ponderous and pointless tippy-tappy at the back is also a concern, as of course is the general not-good-enoughness of our defence.
I think we will score enough goals to make a challenge for the top six possible and at times we look good going forward. It is the number of goals conceded that is doing for us.
Like many I am a critic of the keeper but his save onto the post kept us in it. So credit where it is due. |
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