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Comment | Southampton At Doncaster Rovers The Verdict
at 16:08:32
Agree with Farlow (above). I thought Peretz was a breath of fresh air and not afraid to move around. Decrying him for only playing a few games (with Bayern Munich) is nonsense as they already have one of the best keepers in the World ( Neuer).
The Edwards deal?..Obviously, it's down to Eckert who he has in the squad, but hopefully we have a replacement lined-up with only 4 CB's to choose from. Injuries or suspensions (and with THB on 4 yellows) could prove embarrassing if things go pear-shaped. |
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Comment | West Ham Open To Offers For James Ward Prowse Will Southampton Pounce.
at 15:44:27
The list of contributors (above) all seem to be against the idea, but I'm not so sure.
Prowsey was always "the model pro." and I doubt if he's been starting every day watching Morning TV. He still has a career to play out and is unlikely to have neglected his fitness.
His first season (with David Moyes) was v. good, and as a midfielder he scored 8 and made 8 assists (a better return than some of their strikers) and later scored direct from a corner. The two men who followed Moyes' sacking neglected the talent that he has. The fact that he didn't score from free kicks is down to WHam.'s choice of who took such free kicks. His tally, (doesn't include others scored in Cup games) came from 300+ Prem. games (average 1 every 20 kicks) is a better average than Beckham's tally. His best position was always an attacking MF and only after Romeu left, was he forced to play the defensive role as we had no-one else. There is an obvious comparisons with the return of other Saints "prodigals" but age is not one in his case. If Eckert is still talking about the "P-word".. there is no-one else who knows Saints better, and it could make the difference having him in the squad. A short term loan - with an option to buy - might solve our problem and WHam's.
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Comment | Gavin Bazunu Tipped For Move From Southampton To Stoke City
at 15:11:11
I think this is a good solution in many ways (at the risk of repeating myself - YET AGAIN).
I have maintained for decades past that a keeper (ANY keeper) is only as a good as the defenders in front of him) and there are historical cases that go to prove that theory.
Bazunu is far from the finished product, but IMO many of the goals we have conceded were blamed on Baz, when in fact it was our defenders who were left wanting many times.
Interestingly, Stoke have the best defensive record in the Championship, and so it will be a test for both him and their back line to see how it works out. By the end of the season, the situation for Bazunu - and even Ramsdale - maybe a lot clearer.
Certainly, the Geordies seem have taken him to their hearts after he saved THREE penalties in the shoot-out v. Bournemouth at the weekend. |
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Comment | Southampton At Doncaster Rovers The Verdict
at 11:00:10
Can't quite fathom your condemnation of Peretz (Nick) I was impressed by his full length save in first half, and his ability to throw a ball - to the halfway line..didn't you see that?
A double-save late on in the game looked excellent. If you were at the game-well done- as I wasn't able to go, but he looked good on TV. Blame for the goals ? ..IF Bazunu keeps clean sheets on loan at Stoke, it may go some way to proving my (long-held) claim that a goalie is only as good as the defence in front of him.
Back to the match. Exhibition stuff before HT, but then (as usual) the complacency set in and as soon as Donny scored they woke up and saw it was a match they might win, and the 7 added mins. didn't help my blood pressure either. M.O.M was surely Cam Bragg. A quiet young man who looks mature beyond his years who passes well and took his goal chance when others may have hit Row Z. Archer must be complimented for his ability to recover and score with a brief chance, but (sadly) as ever - he simply vanished after that.
Quashie showed up well in a changed back line. Matsuki took his goal well, a good backwards header from a short man, but he should learn not to argue with refs again. The subs showed impact, Scienza doing what only he can do, and Stewart won a late tussle against their goalkeeper, but his shot missed by inches. In the end, we won by the maths, but it wasn't pretty or convincing after our first half display. |
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Comment | Southampton At Doncaster Rovers The Preview
at 14:12:20
Tonda's choice of side is anyone's guess. IF he's aiming to win the Final (as a 50th anniversary present to the fans), he will play what he considers to be "his strongest side" but often managers use Cup matches to introduce fresh blood into the side without the danger of losing yet another 3 points.
IF ..his "best side" fails to secure a win then we are well and truly up the creek without the proverbial paddle and who knows what the outcome may be afterwards.
Goodness knows what state the pitch may be in...given the recent weather, and that the Bolton manager recently filed a complaint to the FA, saying it was "below standard" given ..whatever is accepted standard for League One grounds is? .
A dodgy fixture by any stretch of the imagination.. and I still wonder ..Is Billy Sharp back playing for them yet again?. Anyone can guess what his motivation to win will be. |
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Comment | Southampton Make First Signing Of The Summer Transfer Window
at 10:20:54
and another thing. OK ...a new face in the goalkeepers group, so now there is extra cover
BUT I recognise that I am not alone with the ongoing demand for .....a new STRIKER.
As far as memory serves...most of us have made the same call since Danny Ings departed.
Mainly someone who can score regularly and before anyone leaps for the stats. to prove otherwise.. Adam Armstrong is our only striker with any sort of reputation in this league.
At best ...Ché Adams was a source of support for AA, but with the best of intentions the likes of Brereton-Diaz / Damion Downs just don't fit. Poor judgement, or barrel-scraping?
The continuous changing of managerial staff hasn't helped, but I was sad to see that Whittaker (who scored twice in the Middlesboro debacle) was starring for Plymouth two years ago, but was continually ignored by - whoever it was calling the shots at that time.
In the meantime, it is nice to see occasional contributions coming from a midfielder, and even defenders, but that is a rarity rather than a regular occurrence. All that midfield creativity that is totally wasted - if there is no-one there to finish the job in the box.
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Comment | Southampton Make First Signing Of The Summer Transfer Window
at 18:17:55
This is no surprise as we need a young-ish keeper with some background and being around Bayern Munich speaks for itself. With Alex McCarthy (at 36) out of contract in June and the temporary loan of George Long (had to think of his name) we need some fresh faces.
Aside from this signing, we need some new faces in the squad especially up front, as there are still a lot of "square pegs" who need to see how their futures will pan out. Aside from the 5 previously named, we had (my count) 14 out on loan after the summer, 7 of whom whom have been first teamers at one time or another. All of these guys need / want to be playing "somewhere", aside from which it would reduce the burden on the salary list which is top heavy at this level to say the least. |
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Comment | Southampton Still In For Italian Midfielder
at 16:10:11
I'd sign anyone who was over 6'tall, so at 6'2" this guy qualifies, but with 100 apps in the Italian league he has managed just 4 goals. I do like a midfielder who can chip in with a few goals now and again, but looking at our current crop it's not very encouraging.
Flynn Downes has chalked up almost 250 career games and scored just 7 times.
Tom Fellows is new and still young, but in 140 games he's scored 8 times.
Finn Azaz has a better tally with 46 goals in 230 games ..and a few for Ireland.
Ironic to think that in his final season Prowsey was our TOP SCORER with 10 goals.
which leaves us with Adam Armstrong as our only "reliable" goal scorer...(sometimes).
all this talk about goalies, CB's and midfielders --Where's our new striker coming from?
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Comment | Daily Echo Hint At Player Power Issues In Southampton Squad
at 10:54:28
Must admit that I am always doubtful about the effect that journalists can have on fans and even the manager's future and even his own choice of players. I think as a relative "new boy" in the media world, reporting on Saints, that Alfie comes over as a fairly good journo', and can write well, but (unlike other fans) his personal viewpoint seems to carry far more weight than the rest of us, simply because he has a wider readership. I don't regard him as the oracle in the football world (anymore than former players who get dragged on to the TV to give their "expert" opinion). Given that TE had such a great start suggests he knows enough to get victories, whilst working with the same squad that the unfortunate Will Still had when he started in the summer. Half a dozen poor performances is not necessarily grounds for automatically sacking the manager.
If blame is to be placed, it must surely go to those who go out to play every game and their attitude and that no team has the " Divine Right " to win every game. There are still a few very good teams out there and if we play badly, we (maybe) deserve to get punished.
My overall opinion is that some of the present players aren't good enough for this league - let alone the thought of us getting back upto the Prem. So whilst it's Tonda's job to find that winning formula again, there are a few (very well-paid) players who need to take a good look in the mirror before they run out onto the pitch every week.
Drastic criticism from the likes of Alfie (and a few others) does little to help calm the storm and get us return us to winning ways. |
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Comment | A Rough Guide To Doncaster Rovers
at 12:02:47
Thanks for an interesting history of the Doncaster club ( Nick) ...although the worrying thing maybe the recent report that the manager of Bolton made an official complaint to the FA (?) after a league match there..about the condition of the pitch, which he said was "unacceptable". Something that TE ought to take into account when selecting a squad.
Admittedly, the standard of pitches in many lower clubs leaves something to be desired, but if we end up playing on something resembling a ploughed field, in mid-winter, then who knows what tactics we need to employ. We are likely to see one of two Academy lads getting game time (if for no other reason) to see if they can cut it against a tough lower league side. Hopefully some of our better players can avoid getting "clogged" when coming up against tough defenders in a side already down in their drop zone. |
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Comment | Southampton At Middlesbrough The Verdict
at 08:54:28
Agree that the back 3 isn't working . Every match they seem to be reverting to the Russ- ball high possession style, which produces less attacks. Stats. from TE's 13 matches are of interest. 6 wins in the first 7 games. 21 goals coming from 100 shots .....with almost every game UNDER 60 % possession, yet with Armstrong and Azaz claiming 13 of those goals.
In the 6 games since, 3 drawn games and 3 defeats, the stats. are more revealing. 95 shots in those 6 have yielded just 4 goals - all from defenders, and in 4 of those games we had OVER 60 % possession. Much of that "possession" is the boring, none-productive sideways-passing amongst the back 3, and we are back to minimal creativity in midfield.
Without playing the "blame game", there are explanations. For all his effort, Downes has no consistency. Health problems are hampering him, but after one yellow card suspension, he has already 2 more bookings. Jander has a lot of skill, but is yet to adjust to the English season - having played 5 tough games in the last 15 days. Leo Scienza is a revelation to the club for many reasons, not least as he is the "most -fouled" player in this league, and its beginning to show. TE is often (sensibly) subbing him off first, in the hope he can last the season out, and the talented Fellows just hasn't "clicked" yet. Clearly, Azaz has lost his goal-scoring ability, and Armstrong hasn't scored in those last 6 games.
So what's next?. A good question, and now it's down to Nick to create a new post that we can all debate, and concentrate on finding solutions, and not repetitive recriminations.
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Comment | Goalkeeper Loan Move To Southampton Stalls
at 15:20:12
This hardly sounds like Saints are to blame in any way. Clearly Hamburg are in transition, having lost key members of staff at senior level, and have put a stop on everything for the time being. I think I'd do the same if I took over in such a situation until it can be reviewed.
Clearly the loan deal was only awaiting contracts to be signed when he was recalled.
His playing experience, or lack of it doesn't mean he wouldn't be a good signing but it is just a hiccup at an awkward time. As soon as Hamburg find themselves a replacement the deal may be on again. I'm sure they would like the loan fee / eventual deal to go through.
Sadly too often, fans on this site (and others) are quick to criticise a potential signing just because THEY have never heard of him. Nothing could be worse than giving them daytime
and a chance to vent their anger at the lack of success they perceive in the club.
10 years ago (?) there was a huge outcry when Saints` signed a player from Germany, who (it has to be said), didn't set the World alight in his early games, and prompted one loud-mouthed critic to angrily compare him to Ali Dia. After a while the new signing settled in, and began scoring goals. HIs name ..Sadio Mane ..(wonder what happened to him?)
We need new goalkeeping talent, and IF.. this deal eventually happens, he may be the one we are really looking for. Time will tell. |
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Comment | Southampton V Millwall The Preview
at 14:07:57
Have just seen the line-up.
Looks like TE is starting with the " subs." and leaving other first teamers to come on after HT.
At least we'll how capable they are of starting and not just getting mins late on in the game.
sounds a bit of a strange tactic ..but it might just work.
After the recent defeats we need to get a result as Millwall is one of the sides who might end up in the play-offs. |
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Comment | Southampton Set to Take Keeper On Loan
at 10:07:47
yeh , yeh, yeh.. Who knows what any new player will be like. He doesn't have much in the way of appearances, but being one of half-a-dozen keepers on Bayern's books, few of them have had much game time considering their first choice keeper is almost irreplaceable.
This is one of those areas where Johannes Spors should have better knowledge than many of the UK clubs. A loan until the summer does no harm, as we will need to see over the whole squad, regardless of where we finish in the league.
As for Saints, clearly Bazunu hasn't nailed down the no.1 spot despite some improvement
in recent games. McCarthy had a year's extension, but at 36 will surely go in the summer.
George Long may never get a place on the bench before his loan expires, and Ramsdale may impress Bond enough to sign him permanently, unless we do get promotion, in which case he may have a choice to stay with Newcastle, or return to Saints.
What to do with this guy - if he signs?. Maybe a brave choice might be to play him in the Doncaster FA Cup match and see how he manages. After all what's the point of signing him if his biggest challenge is to vie with McCarthy for a place on the bench every week.
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Comment | Two Key Areas That Southampton Need To Sort Out In The Transfer Window
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
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 | Southampton At Birmingham City The Preview
at 11:54:49
Difficult to say / guess/ what side Tonda will start with tonight. IF he starts with the same 11 as on Friday, I don't know what difference he expects. Many of the contributors to "the Oxford Verdict" sounded the same warning, so perhaps he will dig deeper and use some of the "bench reserves " from the start. Looking at Brum's injury/ absentee list they will have to use a lot of second-choice players..if we still can't beat them ?..I'll return with comments. |
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Comment | Southampton V Oxford The Verdict
at 10:39:54
what more is there to say? Either Tonda got it wrong, or the players just didn't respond.
From a team that averaged 3 goals a game, now we're suddenly struggling to score once.
Scienza and Fellows are two of the best wingers in the league, but for all the passing and centering they do, there is seldom anyone in the box to finish the job and score. We still need a big striker to create havoc in the box (typ Beattie, Lambert, Pelle ). With the possible exception of Armstrong we haven't had " a real goalscorer" since Danny Ings left.
Noted a quote from Paul Onuachu ( 11 goals since his move back to Turkey) who said that his team played to another formation that suited him. Surely that's not rocket science?
The current back 3, may put on a show individually, they don't click together as a unit.
Sorry but Flynn Downes is very in-and-out and already got 2 more yellows since coming back from suspension, and Armstrong and THB are already on 4 yellows (!)
I think TE is doing the best he can ... but the squad is still lacking as they've now been "sussed" by opposition sides and we need a new approach, but few obvious alternatives.
Let's see what the transfer window can bring...
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Comment | Southampton At Oxford United The Preview
at 10:25:03
Tonda has clearly made a good start to his managership role, and even the disappointing results at Millwall and Norwich don't cloud the fact he has developed a winning formula.
However, coming up against a managerless Oxford outfit, sitting in the drop zone really demands a decisive result, if we are serious about being a candidate for promotion.
Any talk about a struggling side, (already boxing above their weight), and trying to stave off relegation should be no arguement for anything other than a really good win. COYR. |
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