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Reply | Well done, Roy
at 10:55 24 Jun 2014
We will win tonight, not because there is no pressure on the result, but because we are playing our best players, and in the right positions. The whole concept of putting experienced big money names ahead of younger players with quality and form has clearly been England's downfall for the last 20 years and more. To my mind the likes of Rooney and Gerrard should never have gone to the world cup. Both have had more than their fair share of chances at this level and not produced, so expecting them to do so this time was idiotic.
Had Lallana played on the left instead of Rooney, and Shaw behind him instead of Baines, I cannot doubt the results would have been far more in England's favour. For his part, I would have selected Baines over Shaw for the first game, but the Everton fall back was clearly not at his best, and made far too many errors. As for Lambert, I think he should have played a far greater role than he has so far.
The reason I believe that the Saints stars (and Lambert) would have performed better, is not based on bias or bitterness, but because Roy Hodgson has set the England team out in pretty much a direct copy of Southampton's formation and tactics, playing our style of high pressing, attacking football. So to choose those tactics, and then not play the three players who have played succeeded all season in that formation, is to my mind a complete waste of time and effort.
Far too often have the likes of Rooney and Gerrard been picked for England, not because they are the best men for the job, but because the fickle FA believe they will make more money from the supporters and sponsors if the most famous players play. Surely we should have learnt by now that fame has nothing to do with football results, and only talented players on good form will win games. |
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Reply | Posters you have met 'for a chat' in real life
at 11:09 11 Jul 2013
I have not had the pleasure of meeting any of you lot in person... although it is highly possible that we have passed each other at St Marys, or on any of the hundreds of away trips I have made over the years. I'm sure this coming season will be no different... |
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Reply | Deal done !!!
at 09:28 10 Jul 2013
any day could be like today, but it will never be identical... personally I am hoping tomorrow will be much better than today. |
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Reply | USA - Donovan
at 09:26 10 Jul 2013
Having been to the states and watched several games out there, including LA Galaxy, Houston and Chivas USA, I would have to say that the US/Canada game is oddly unique. You have major international stars like Donovan and a few aged europeans etr, playing along side players who wouldn't make it into Eastliegh's squad. The effect is quite comical, with the stars running circles around the rest. This of course is the effect of their drafting system, which only allows clubs to improve at the same rate as all the others. Therefore no team at the moment has more than 3 exceptional players, while the rest are well below standard, apart from a few surprising young players that develop through the youth system. But most of their young talent moves abroad fairly quickly because they have wage caps over there.
In my opinion, the US version of the sport is worth experiencing, but certainly holds no excitement season after season, as they do their best to prevent the same teams winning all the time, and the average quality is very low. |
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Reply | Deal done !!!
at 09:07 10 Jul 2013
Wanyama has agreed personal terms, and will arrive on Friday when the transfer will be formerly announced, according to numerous sources this morning. All sources are saying the deal is £12.5m, and don't mention any additional clauses. It is also being hailed as a "jaw dropping Scottish transfer record".
From what I've seen of Wanyama, he is a talented young midfield player who could make the step up to the Premier League look easy, but obviously it is a big risk. I hope he proves his worth quickly. |
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Reply | Roll Call For Arsenal
at 12:05 11 Sep 2012
I'll be there come Saturday... Hoping for a good away win. |
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Reply | They think it's Moldova...
at 22:40 7 Sep 2012
At last. It's about time England actually gave another nation a good thrashing. Been far too long.
Of course now, people will start thinking England are actually good enough to win the world cup. It was a good match though, most enjoyable. |
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Reply | Losing to the Utd's and City's of the league don't worry me
at 09:57 4 Sep 2012
Saints played an awesome game against a clearly far superior Manchester United side, led the match for long periods and looked good going forwards, scoring two excellent goals from open play.
For a side who were at the bottom of league one not so very long ago... how can we, as fans, expect our young players to be 100% perfect this early in our first season back in the Premier League? We are going to make mistakes, slip up on occasion against much stronger teams, and get punished for it... but the team will learn and come back stronger each week.
Personally, I think Adkins had the tactics spot on from the start... but made a fatal mistake with his substitutions, which he has admitted to, and I hope he will learn from it.
With the exception of some very very poorly considered distribution (again), Kelvin's shot stopping abilities were never in doubt in this match. He could do little or nothing for the goals that went in, and made some excellent saves too, including another penalty... my fantasy team was very grateful for those points!
For me, Clyne had an excellent game at RB, and his slip which cost us RVP's first goal... well it could have happened to anyone, and in fact it did... Had Vidic stayed on his feet, Morgan may not have scored either. Plenty of other players were slipping around on the pitch again too, suggesting that studs instead of blades are the preferable choice.
Fonte did look weak, slow and rather useless in his attempts to prevent RVP running through the middle... but he did have some good moments, and his distribution was better. Still, I look forward to seeing what Maya Yoshida can do to strengthen the defense.
Fox meanwhile, was clearly our weakest link, and everyone knew it. United exploited that side of the pitch at every opportunty. Almost all their attacks came down that side, and fox done very little to stop them. There were some very embarrasing moments, all of which involved Fox.
In midfield, Morgan, Davis, and Ward Prowse were solid, excellent and ran their hearts out from start to finish. I was extremely impressed by that. Lallana, was superb as ever, and Puncheon played the best game I think I;ve ever seen from him. And then of course there's SRL, who really caused some headaches for Alex Fergerson. With Mayuka or Lee to run off him, I think we'll be very dangerous up front.
As I said though, the subs were a poor choice. Guly should never have come on, Mayuka would have done better on the wing. Jay Rodriguez didn't really make an impact, and Mayuka was heavily marked from the moment he came on and left far up field on his own. The changes unsettled the team, when perhaps we could have lasted another ten minutes to see the game out as they were. I'm sure it will be looked at in great detail as everything usually is, and the problems solved by the time we visit Arsenal... I will be going!
All that said, I am far from dissapointed by this match. I though Saints aquitted themselves extremely well out there. Battled hard, closed players down, and made United think hard about their approach to the game. We are not an easy team to beat, thats for certain.
Finally though, one thing really did disappoint me. From the moment he came on until the final whistle, not one of our players came within 20 yards of Paul Scholes. So much respect did we show to him, that no one was willing to close him down, and allowed him all the time and space he needed to chip those fantastic balls over the top, or pass the ball around unchallenged. I dare say if he'd made a run at goal, everyone would have stepped out of his way. For me, it was this respect of a player of legendary status that lost us the match. For those last 15 minutes, Man United dominated the match through one man in the centre of the park, and our players done nothing but watch him. I really hope we don't show this level of respect for some of the other big name players in this league! |
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Reply | Ramirez latest
at 18:58 1 Sep 2012
No, unfortunately not. He's jetting off to join up with his national team for the international break. He will be available for the trip to Arsenal though... |
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Reply | A Tribute To The Departed
at 11:19 1 Sep 2012
I am also glad they are only loans... Hammond has given us some great service over the last few years, and Sharp is a quality striker on a par with Lambert in his style and ability. I'm pleased that Sharp has gone to the Trees too, for it would be great to see them do well this season after a dismal performance last year.
We have some excellent young players coming in to replace them though, so I don't think we've lost out on much. Looking forward to a great end to 2012. |
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Reply | Emmanuel Mayuka
at 11:13 1 Sep 2012
Impressive. Plenty of goals last year for the kid, and some great skills shown off there. I hope we can see plenty of both in the next few games. I doubt he'll start on Sunday, but if he does, I'll stick on a cheeky bet for first scorer! |
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Reply | Not a bad line up now,any thoughts?
at 20:03 31 Aug 2012
The team looks amazing... Shame our new signings won't be available for Sunday. Glad I've got my ticket for Arsenal now though! |
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Reply | SSN is feking pathetic
at 19:59 31 Aug 2012
There hasn't been much on the BBC either... All the TV chat seems to be about the top 5 teams, with the rest ignored, as per usual. |
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Reply | FTAO Mark Lawrence
at 19:54 31 Aug 2012
Would give a great many things to see his face now... but should I just wait for MOTD after the Arsenal match in a couple of weeks time?
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Reply | RAMIREZ OFFICIAL
at 19:32 31 Aug 2012
Right, thats the BIG one done and dusted... who's next?
Fingers crossed for another centre back before midnight. |
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