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Comment | Southampton V Watford The Verdict
at 17:42:59
We are excellent in most games for about 60 minutes, some opposing Managers seem to be sitting off us and then going for it in the last 20/30 minutes when we are running out of gas and this tactic is often successful.
RMs plan seems to be to load the subs with attackers and then bring them all on with the view that attack is the best form of defence.
Where we seem to fall short with this approach is that Sekou can't hold the ball up as well as Che and defensively after 60/70 the defence starts leaking on the break.
I would rather see Shea Charles to stiffen up midfield for Smallbone after 60/70 as he still has some attacking capability and do a regular Manning for Bree or visa versa after 60/70.
In the start of games I think he needs to play Jack or Bedders but not both.
Would rather he left Che and AA on for 90 for next few games while we still can get automatics.
Then the next two subs would be a combination of Fraser / Kamaldeen / Sam / Rothwell / Brooks on for Aribo or Stu if they started. (I would start Stu before Brooks).
That leaves one sub in reserve for eventualities.
To sum up put Shea Charles on the bench otherwise we load with more attacking players and they don't get on anyway. Rothwell, Edozie, Kamaldeen were the unused attackers for Watford, one of those should not have been on the bench giving us the Shea Charles option which I think would have made a difference is this game and many others. |
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Comment | Russell Martin Admits He Won't Change Tactics Or Drop Jack Stephens
at 08:49:55
To me we were terrible going forward because we didn't play Che up front to start and Stu was not available.
Some of the football we have played under Martin has been the best to watch since Koeman days, but he does unfortunately seem to suffer overthinking and trying random solutions to problems that don't exist. |
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Comment | Southampton V Sheffield Wednesday The Preview
at 12:21:17
Potential banana skin with Danny Rohl doing a great job for Wednesday. Also makes me think back to when Rohl left as it seemed strange at the time and we never quite got to those levels again under RH, wonder if there was more of a story there. |
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Comment | Southampton At Norwich City The Preview
at 10:50:10
Going be tough if Downes does not start, I'm glad that Stu was rested. Hope we are clinical in front of goal. Sense this is the biggest test we have had to keep the unbeaten run going. |
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Comment | Saints Have Make Or Break 10 Day 4 Game Xmas Period
at 13:13:20
We only need to be in the top two at the end of the season at the risk of stating the obvious.
If we continue our form to the end of the season since the losses, I am confident we can get there.
Key will be not losing away against the Top 3 as those could be promotion 6 pointers.
West Brom also look decent and could crash the party and we also have to play them away. |
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Comment | Russell Martin Has To Get Defence Right For Crucial Leicester Game
at 11:43:08
We had a good start, 10 points after 5 while in transition is a good result, yes we were lucky in a few games, but results and momentum count. RH absolutely has to be given credit for that.
The Sunderland result could be a blip and I think the timing of the window ending meant Che was unlikely to start so Mara was given a chance and Jack's injury meant we had a choice of rushing Holgate in or playing Charles in not a first choice position. Clearly Charles would have been better (but hindsight is 20/20 vision).
To me the major tests coming up for RM over the next few games are:
1) Giving Larios time over Manning - he has his favourites but defensively Manning is poor whereas Larios is likely a lot better defensively, alternatively (as another said) start 3 at the back where both Manning and KWP's defensive fragilities will be less exposed. Would not be surprised to see a cameo from Larios soon to signal that he may be considering starting him in the next few games. On the 3 at the back I would be interested to see what that would be like, but you would think THB, Bednarek and Bree could be ahead of Holgate at this point. We do need Jack back though - that to me is obvious.
2) The midfield mix, Charles to me needs to start, Smallbone has quality but a bit lightweight, Alcaraz is off form, Downes has done OK but not reaching the heights, Stu is looking good but can't give 90 mins. Personally, would prefer to see Charles, Downes, Stu, and AA at 10 for now with Alcaraz and Smallbone as strong optios off the bench. Let's face it we have quality, but the Manager needs to make it work as a team.
Clearly what we do in defence and midfield is going to show us if we have a real football manager or a just a good motivational speaker who talks a good game. |
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Comment | Can Sekou Mara Start To Impress Saints Fans After First French Goal
at 10:52:11
Jury is still out, two pieces of brilliance in his time here (KWP assist, MC goal) but also a lot of times when he has been totally absent when he has been on the pitch.
I still feel he could be one of those who get really far in their careers though. |
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Comment | Southampton V AZ Alkmaar The Verdict
at 08:33:41
I sense it's all going to be about momentum, a couple of wins up front we will ride the wave, a couple of losses it could go the other way. |
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Comment | Southampton At Reading The Pre Season Verdict
at 07:04:55
Much better watch than what we were subjected to last season, opposition was probably as about workmanlike as Grimsby last year and we looked a 200% improvement on that day, yes it was a friendly but even so. |
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Comment | Ibrahima Diallo Departs St Mary's
at 06:56:36
RH thought we could let Romeu go as we had Diallo as back up when Lavia got injured...let's just say it didn't end well. |
| | Peterx
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