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Comment | Southampton At Norwich City The Verdict
at 17:00:09
Bragg and Robinson are too inexperienced to be saddled with turning games around. Bringing on Welington could have been in preparation for substituting Stephens soon afterwards? I can't recall Archer touching the ball after his late appearance. Romeu brought a bit of muscle into the game but there was no real momentum left.
Scienza took a number of heavy challenges throughout the game and his energy levels dropped.
Those were my immediate thoughts, after the game, and I haven't changed my mind. The team fails to adapt and change shape, it loses shape, and doesn't recover because fluency and inventiveness disappear.
It reminds me somewhat of Southgate's England squads, lots of individual talent but coherence frequently relying on pot luck.
All that said, Eckert is still learning whether some of the players can adapt, rather than flounder, when asked to do a job. The fact that most of our substitutes aren't first choice starters indicates that they're not ready to influence games. Less disruptive substitutions, unless they're in some way tactical. Fresh legs brought on for a specific job not a throw of the dice that gifts the opposition greater control of the game. No need to panic, but better evaluation of the substitution outcomes would be beneficial. |
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Comment | Southampton At Norwich City The Preview
at 19:49:45
We paid a lot of money for a decent keeper Farlow, unfortunately he decided that he'd prefer to sit on the bench at Newcastle this season. Yes, he wanted to play at the top level, to keep his England hopes alive, but he's now in the wilderness. I doubt if he's on Tuchel's list for a travel visa. |
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Comment | Southampton At Norwich City The Preview
at 11:57:35
Whilst the substitutions almost lost points in recent matches the alternative perspective is that the energy levels of quick players gets depleted. With three games in a week I don't have an issue with Fellows, Armstrong, Scienza and Azaz not playing the entire match, their shift was done, or should have been.
Momentum gets lost when substitutions are made but at present, and certainly in the past, the team doesn't adapt quickly enough. Leadership and organisation have a big part to play and, as you have said many times Nick, we don't have a defender with those vital qualities.
Whether it's Bazunu, Stephens or THB someone has to shout at players whilst they pick up the new formation. All those folders of screenshots, shown to substitutes on the touchline, have no benefit if players don't switch on immediately.
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Comment | Southampton V Birmingham City The Verdict
at 18:43:56
I reckon Scienza is the best wide player we've had at the club since Dusan Tadic. And what a tactical and technical joy to see Armstrong dropping into the centre circle to play those first time passes out wide. To think how many coaches we've had in place recently who have strangled player's ability, Eckert is a breath of fresh air.
Fellows is an absolute nightmare for full backs and Aziz is oozing confidence. Still a long way to go and we may struggle at times against physical team like Millwall, but Millwall will give problems to a lot of good teams this season.
As Nick has frequently stated, the squad has strength in depth and the core is looking like they want to play for the coach rather than be a whipping boys for the coach's inflexibility and lack of vision. Keep plugging away lads.
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Comment | Saints Supporters Question Block Of Empty Seats At An Away Game.
at 12:17:52
I suspect that your analysis may be correct Nick. A quick glance at P&O Cruises online suggests that they have tickets allocated for guests, promotions and giveaways as part of their sponsorship deal.
Unfortunate, and maybe unavoidable, if that entails a block of empty seats. I'd suggest that a visit to the vicinity of Millwall in the winter isn't a top priority for their corporate clients either.
Maybe, the club and sponsors could have a returns policy and a distribution waiting list that operates a few days before the match. |
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Comment | Two Weeks Gone Since Still Sacking Are Southampton HedgingTheir Bets
at 14:19:02
As one of those supporters who has a live and let live attitude to most things, but has a particular dislike for the betting industry, I have no clue who places bets on these outcomes.
If Carrick is the fans favourite at 8/1 then I presume Eckert is backed by non fans or Carrick fans willing to chuck £20 or whatever on a probable loser? I've heard these things called a fun bet, but having never got much fun out of losing money I actually don't give a toss.
At least if you put a few quid into the national lottery or whatever some benefit will go to those in need of support in life.
Mini rant over, thank you, and fingers crossed for another win whoever might be in charge of the team. |
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Comment | Southampton V Sheffield Wednesday The Verdict
at 12:19:08
I'm pretty much in agreement with SanMarco with regard to the managerial appointment. Whist O'Neil would be a controversial, and possibly toxic, choice he does have some credibility. Eckert is a steadying influence but unproven under pressure.
My concern is that a new manager, with a reputation and ego, inevitably brings in an entourage of coaches and sycophants that want to disrupt rather than build. For me, Brendan Rodgers is as potentially toxic as O'Neil for different reasons.
So, who has a track record of strong management, tactical awareness and a limited history of abject failure? Hopefully we'll find out this week because I've run out of convincing candidates.
Lastly, to get back on track, great to have another win yesterday. Good to see Williams brought into the fold and a few players are now forming the nucleus of a decent team. Hopefully Azaz can now push on and regain confidence and Captain Jack can learn the fundamentals of defending. |
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Comment | The Opening Favourites To Replace Will Still Have Been Revealed
at 12:23:39
The list of candidates on the betting odds is pretty depressing. Inevitably they're all linked with failure and, mostly, recent failure at that.
Just to indicate how unenthusiastic I am, some of them are on a par with making Captain Jack player manager. Actually, as a preference to Russell Martin or Brendan Rodgers why not chuck in Stephen Gerrard to the mix!
Tbh my actual preference would be Gary O'Neil, despite his connection to the slum down the M27. Even with that burden to carry he isn't as toxic as the front runners. Unless, of course, he's gone back to Wolves whilst I've been posting. |
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Comment | Southampton Sack Will Still
at 23:45:05
Like many supporters I feel sympathy for Will Still, sadly the task was too much for anybody without the experience of dealing with disruptive influences. It certainly seemed at times that he was akin to the new teacher trying to impose himself on a group of hormonal teenagers. A learning experience for Will but probably not the one he anticipated.
AmericanSaint makes the point well but the situation was never going to improve, particularly when probably the best striker and midfielder are facing long recovery from injury. The thought of RM returning to the club and Captain Jack being first on the team sheet doesn't bear thinking about. However, there's no benefit in waiting until the international break to change the coach, whoever it might be needs that time to pick up the pieces before December.
I think we all know that this time it has to be someone with a track record of winning and not pampering the ineffective coasters. I've no fixed idea who that person is but I suspect someone is in the frame already. The only managers filling my thoughts are the ones I don't want anywhere near our club. |
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Comment | If Saints Fans Protest Then Make It Positive And Make It Peaceful
at 16:44:01
I'm certainly not convinced by the calls for another change of manager and even the best managers don't have a golden ticket. It's certainly not a given that the new coach will be a change for the better and we've certainly suffered that over the last ten years.
However, there's usually a but or however lurking somewhere, I really cannot fathom out substituting our best attacking player and using a consistently underachieving defender in midfield. Experiment or desperation it might have been but it's not the way to get the supporters onboard.
I remember a lad called Shearer scoring a hat trick in his first match and see no reason for Oyekunle not to be on the pitch this weekend. Faffing around doesn't win games, putting in form players on the pitch lifts everyone. |
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Comment | Is Silence From St Mary's A Good Or Bad Sign For Will Still
at 11:51:12
The silence is a bit deafening but if Will Still really wants to create a rod for his own back he only has to put Captain Jack on the team sheet this weekend.
As for replacements, thankfully Brendan Rodgers is the favourite to take over at Wolves. Please tell me that he hasn't been seen at Southampton airport! |
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Comment | A Big Decision Week For For Southampton FC
at 12:12:05
The only candidate likely to available and ticks the boxes is Gary O'Neil in my view. My biggest hope is that the club act decisively because this week has been a disaster. For me, Jack Stephens in midfield was the last straw and substituting our best attacker utterly bewildering. I've backed Will Still to turn things around but I can't excuse tactical stupidity. |
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Comment | Southampton At Bristol City The Preview
at 12:27:01
What a conundrum for the manager. The more vociferous doubters will call Still a clown just to prove themselves correct because they can never be wrong. My view is that the team and tactics were very much progress against Swansea and the outcome probably hinged on Stewart being unavailable. Certainly the team is not yet a fixed line up simply because no team can play with eleven players and one substitute these days. Lots of us remember the days when managers were stuck with playing individuals who were, at best, below average.
Fellows and Azaz, for example, haven't yet become starting picks but will be very soon I think. Scienza, Robinson and Fraser will also push for starts. So, does the manager persist with Armstrong and Archer this week, and show belief, or switch the combination and get Azaz firing?
In the days of Paine, Sydenham, Channon, O'Brien etc the manager's choice was easy because most teams played similar formations and relied on the star performers and work horses every week. Will Still has the task of gelling a squad of talented players into a winning combination without the luxury of too much time to do so.
Work in progress, yes, lost cause, absolutely not. |
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Comment | Southampton V Swansea City The Verdict
at 15:27:04
Nothing much I can add to the bulk of the comments posted Nick but clearly most of us have taken a lot more positives from the game than you. So, are you expecting Still to stick with the same starting line up or alter the formation for the games this week?
In my view the defence looked as good as it has ever been in recent years, please don't tell me that Stephens and Bednarek are a loss to the team! The midfield is evolving but Charles is looking better and better every game. The loss of Stewart up front, again, was probably critical in not winning yesterday.
Work in progress but getting closer and closer to a run of results that will, hopefully, lift us to the top places, anyone writing off the season already is being ridiculously negative. |
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Comment | Finn Azaz Looking To Experienced Saints Coach To Regain Form
at 18:17:08
I never doubted that Adam Lallana was going to be a significant addition to the coaching staff, although I initially hoped he was going to be influential in Tyler Dibling's development this season!
Clearly Finn Azaz is a talented player and willing to learn and adapt so we really need those very vocal but ridiculously negative supporters to allow other new signings, and the manager, some respite.
What on earth do these individuals believe they are going to influence when they abuse players, obviously Downs recently, are they proud of their behaviour? Time to support the team not massage your online ego. |
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Comment | Southampton At Derby County The Verdict
at 12:05:25
I'm confused by your rant about leadership, organisation, frustration, collective team issues, individual errors etc Nick. Even if Manning had stayed in position his concentration was broken by the official's error and he switched off. Compare that to Armstrong being allowed to avoid four defenders and score puts it into a bit of perspective.
I agree that the team isn't yet finding rhythm but some of the passing and movement was streets ahead of where we were last season. Maybe I'm just being optimistic but the team isn't struggling in my view just bedding in some quality new players.
We all thought Azaz would be a nailed on starter and Captain Jack was a perennial liability, but we know that one will improve and the other is unlikely to progress. However, McCarthy defies the view that the team has collective issues or lacks organisation. Once the blend comes together the results will also start to flow before very long. |
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Comment | Depth Of Southampton Squad Is Will Still's Problem
at 18:31:22
I know there are multiple reasons for transfer decisions but it does seem, to me, ridiculous that Ramsdale is on loan at Newcastle and ostensibly hasn't played a game. If he isn't going to play we might as well send them Bazunu or McCarthy to sit on the bench rather than waste his talent all season. |
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