11 Sep 2017 17:02:11
Mmmmm. De Boer sacked just before we play Palace. Anyone else worried about the new manager effect? We desperately need a win and now they will probably play out of their skin!

1.) 12 Sep 2017
12 Sep 2017 11:53:42
Lets see what the Saints response is to the recent lack of goals. Personally I think that European managers over emphasise ball retention as that works in Spain etc where the games are slower.

In the UK its more about taking risks in the final third - putting the ball into dangerous positions and seeing if that can then convert into goal. Some teams can win by just using set pieces corners etc as the only risk based ball into the area - which is what a free kick or corner is effectively.

So we need to release our players a bit and just let them take risks in the final third of the pitch without worrying about making the perfect pass.

They have the tools to do this - keep it simple - if two players are in the goal area - hit in a ball and create chances. It doesn't need over analysis.

FU.

2.) 12 Sep 2017
12 Sep 2017 14:27:49
I’m not sure whether MP is that hot on possession or not, but I agree with the principle that in this league at the moment, its less important. The Premier League is about high tempo and swiftness in attack. In my view, its less about risk and more about pace. If we could get the ball from back to front quickly and get in behind the opposition or catch them out of position, scoring would become easier.

My concern is that I disagree with you that we have the tools to do this. We lack raw pace beyond Redmond who is, on his own, an inconsistent finisher.

We also lack the height and power of a team like West Brom who have previously relied so heavily on set pieces for success.

I hope that pace can be found in the squad somewhere to support Redmond and stretch the opposition more, or else we will spend the season playing in front of defences and struggling to break teams down.