Southampton Banter Archive February 01 2014

01 Feb 2014 19:20:58
What a team performance today, came out 2nd half with cork on and controlled it with excellent moves and quick passing leading to fantastically taken goals and no greediness from players

Perfect example of why having 3 top central midfielders with slightly different styles is so good for us. Change one when things aren't quite going the way we want and we can alter the game in our favour. Cork changed us in the middle and helped us to outplay them in the second half.

Great work again by the team and good work Pochettino, definitely got his game plan right today.

Saint Phil

Wanyama's ace, Cork is rubbish, the world is flat and the moon is made of cheese

"How d'you stop a Premier League attack getting at your defence? - Put a Cork in!"

Heard that one on the radio last night. Probably the best line a commentator/pundit has said all weekend. Well, after "And those of you who think Charlie Adam's goal against United is the be all and end all of the day's talking points, Jay Rodriguez's is much better. What a gooooaaaal!"

Cork fits our style of play better than Wanyama, whilst Wanyama would fit someone like Stoke more due to his big physical presence, I think he still has the potential to be like Yaya Toure he just really needs to work on his passing to get into our team because he could be a real asset

Says a lot about Wanyama that big Sam didn't bid for him

Sam didn't bid for him cause they wouldn't have been able to afford him. seriously if you consider yourselves SUPPORTers then SUPPORT the team. that includes the players that aren't English btw or save yourself £30 a week and don't go, you don't matter if you just moan

It's got nothing to do with nationality, its got everything to do with ability. Some people just assume players must be good because we paid a lot for them. What's wrong with saying it how you see it with your own eyes? We all pay our money and we have a right to have an opinion specially when the manager gets it wrong and has to take action to rectify his own mistake.

Wanyama wasn't bad at all, everyone is just slating him because he started over Cork and everyone knows Cork is the best player in the world. Wanyama was always going to play 45 mins only, he was subbed because that was the plan, not because the manager got it wrong. Cork needs a rest, Wanyama needs game time to get fully fit again, is there a better game to do that than against Fulham? Probably not. How is that MoPo getting it wrong?

Why pay your money when even when things are going our way you're not happy? We got the win, we converted most of our chances and we scored freely, that's something we've done rarely this season. Atleast 3 of our players are going to the world cup, our academy is easily the best in the country and we have a good chance of qualifying for Europe all whilst playing three 18 year olds most weeks and all you can do is moan and slate a player because you have stupidly high standards for someone who's been laid up for 2 months. Football is supposed to be fun, where's the fun in that?

How do you know that was plan haha you clearly have no idea of knowing that. I assume they would plan to not play him the full 90 minutes but not to take him off at half time. It was a tactical decision IMO and it worked

It wasn't a tactical plan, he took a knock to his leg and taking him off to protect him, he probably would have played 60ish other wise

Did nobody notice Victor was on a yellow, in addition to him having been out for a good while?
Of course he was going to be rusty, and of course he was not expected to play 90 minutes, certainly not with a yellow card hanging over him.

If Jack had played 90 minutes and got injured we would have gone into the Stoke match with Victor having had no recent game time. But, of course, our whinging children will suggest I'm Victor's agent just because I point out what is clear to anyone with any knowledge of football!

When will so called "supporters" realise that the style of football MP wants to play expects a great deal from DM and it is foolish to think they can play every week? We are lucky to have Victor/Morgan and Jack. They each have different strengths and weaknesses but it is just silly to build one up and knock another down. Next it will be the same nonsense with Jay and Rickie!

It's becoming like a Man. U site-little knowledge of the club or the game. Must be a job for you on a local paper.

Trust me Cork didn't need a rest, Poch just said that to cover up. Poch loves Wanyama and took first opportunity to put him straight back in the team. The only thing tactical was that everyone except Vic's family could see he was having a complete mare against the team bottom of the league so was dragged off before we lost a goal. That's the truth, no bones about, end of story.

^ yep that's right, everything's a lie, Cork was fully fit, MoPo constantly lies and the illuminati are running the world right?

On this occasion Poch told an untruth.
Funny Cork didn't look tired or injured when he came on following three consecutive MOTM performances.
Spider wasn't tired and neither was anyone else. Just Cork that needed a rest.
Poch loves Vic and that's it. Glad so many of you trust his judgement because Cork will be gone in the summer and it'll be Vic or?

I trust someone who's been proven to be one of the best young managers around over someone who just wants to moan because his favourite player has been left out.

Sorry but you're wrong, you don't have to believe me now but time will prove I'm correct, I'm not just making this up, I'm reporting it. It's for you benefit not mine

{Ed001's Note - just remind people, unregistered users will be blocked from posting soon.}

Sorry but you're wrong, you don't have to believe me now but time will prove I'm correct, I'm not just making this up, I'm reporting it. It's for you benefit not mine

I think in time you'll just find someone else to be your scapegoat for moaning, just like you've done with Fox, Hooiveld, Guly and Wanyama. And let's not forget how Lallana and J-Rod aren't cut out for prem football shall we?

01 Feb 2014 17:58:08
Our finishing was much better in the 2nd half, if we can keep that up we'll be golden

Boruc was outstanding first half, made 3 brilliant saves to keep us in it - didn't see him have to do anything 2nd half

Chambers has to be first choice right back for me, much better defensively, not much between him and Clyne going forward

Yoshida played well again, haven't missed Lovren at all in the last couple of games

Wanyama wasn't as bad as some have been saying, did alright considering he hasn't played for 3 months, probably won't be a better game for him to get going again either. Long passing off the mark, his simple game was v good though (overlooked by those that just want to moan about him though). Will only get better as he regains fitness. Was always going to be subbed during the game, took a knock to his leg which is why he was subbed at half time

Cork didn't change the game like some will try to say, saw him get caught in possession a lot and have to work even harder to get out of trouble (he won't get moaned about ofc though). Schneiderlin has to work harder when Cork plays as Cork isn't a natural DM. I'd play him in the CM role instead of Davis with Wanyama and Schneiderlin in the DM roles.

Lambert played some incredible balls, especially the one for J-Rods goal

Fulham, West Brom and Palace to go down I reckon.

we're 2 points off Newcastle, 5 off United, finishing 7th is a possibility, 6th maybe but it would take a massive slip up from Everton or Spurs

I don't think you can be so sure about the teams going down. This season it could be pretty much any of the current bottom half. (I also disagree with the prediction of Palace because Pulis is one of the best managers for teams in that position, he has really changed Palace).

I also think Cork did change the game a fair bit, our style changes a bit with him joining the game. I would argue he doesn't improve us as he is a similar standard but he does change our style a bit which will help us against certain teams.

Other than that entirely agree with you. Wanyama seemed good with all the simple stuff and people should not complain, he's only just come back from a lengthy injury. We are doing fine and I can see us getting up to 8th, possibly 7th if we do very well for the rest of the season. Would hope to at least get 9th from this point though.

Saint Phil

It could be, they're just the teams I can't really see enough in to stay up, maybe I'll be wrong

I honestly don't think Cork did all that much, we didn't control the game until the goal went in and Fulham's heads dropped. He wasn't bad, not by a long shot but I don't think he was as influential as everyone likes to make out

we're 8 points off've 10th and closing Newcastle every week now is the time to experiment with the team

Palace won't go down as they look a lot better under Pulis, I think Cardiff, Fulham and Stoke. I really hope it is Stoke anyway as I can't stand how they play

Stoke, fulham and west ham would be the perfect teams to go down, it's probably only 1 of the 3 though

01 Feb 2014 14:08:21
Well that team sheet answered my question. Wanyama straight in for Cork - probably our best player behind Lallana this Jan.

Cork is weak defensively, our style of play needs a strong defensive backbone, I'd have Wanyama in that role over Cork every day. Would have had Cork in for Davis though, reckon with his passing there we'd be a lot better

Well that makes sence don't sighn anyone up front because your going with Gallagher showing him some faith then drop him like a bad habit he should start over rickie after the game he had against arsenal and as for dropping cork after the way he's been playing I don't blame if he walked in the summer! Discusting

^ ever thought that Cork might be in need of a rest?

Why?? I thought he was premiership Footballer fit as a butchers dog! ( Ahhhhhh poor baby! )
Shall we rest the whole team as they've all played as many games as cork!
Give me strength!!

Is it book-a-Saints-player-every-10-minutes day or something? Mike Jones seems to be handing them out like it's Christmas

Maybe he has a knock? Everyone needs a break at sometime, he's probably the most active player in a hard working team. Give the moaning a rest.

Refs been awful, Wanyama and Morgan shouldn't have been booked at all. Yoshida looking good so everyone resorted to moaning about Wanyama cause everyone bums Cork and if he was in the team we'd be 3-0 up wouldn't we?

Bring Cork on Wanyama is woeful not match ready? Needs to earn his place back into the squad! Yay corks on

Wanyama was hardly woeful. he didn't get in the game much but he did alright for his first game in 3-4? months, his short passing was decent, long balls need work but overall he was alright.

You are spot on! 3-0 up going on corky! By the way anyone need a!
TAXI!!!

Cork was involved in none of the goals though.

I feel very smug at the moment, been saying how Poch loves Vic and that Vic is nothing more than a talentless lump and some earlier posters had the nerve to say brill Vic is before the fat lady started warming up, then they have the cheek to say Corky didn't create any of Saints goals!
I posted previously that Lovren a great signing, Ossie helped team spirit because everyone else hated him and Vic just made Corky a better player!

Cork wasn't involved in any of the goals though?

Cork done about as much as Wanyama did in the first half (alot of people actually at the game said the same thing too), but you all love Cork cause he's English so you won't say a bad word about him.

Wanyama hasn't played for the last 3-4 months, hasn't trained for 3 of those atleast, wait 'til he's got some match fitness then compare the two.

Victor was woeful yellow carded gave the ball away 3 times in dangerous areas passing was way below prem standard!

Yellow card for absolutely nothing though, same as Morgan. I was at the game and didn't see him give it away in any dangerous areas, his fitness and long passing let him down, but was far from woeful and certainly not below prem standard

Guys think this must be Wanyama's
Agent? Lol!!

The manager thought Victor was ready, clearly he was wrong, he was also wrong about Osvaldo. Wanyama is poor, sorry but apart from being a bit like a Mr Universe contestant what is there to like about him? He's old school, people used to say small guys couldn't play modern football till Messi, Iniesta, Xavi etc re wrote the rule book. Vic is like the bloody dark ages, and we go on about a Saints passing game haha

Nah just someone who's not extremely biased towards our English players

Some of this is hilarious. Are you really Saints fans? Do you go to games? Have you seen the improvement in the squad? Every side worth their salt needs a Victor Wanyama type player. Saints have many talented players. Why is that hard to accept? And I'd love to see you diss Mr. Wanyama to his face. That'd make many real Saints fans smile. Just a bit. OK,. a lot

I wouldn't diss him to his face, no way, he's big and hard but he's a blooming limited footballer, Messi I'm sure I could beat up but he'd make me look a right muppet at football, so what's it to be chaps? We a football team or a big bunch ov ard nuts? Thought that was Big Sam's game plan?

Wanyama hasn't been injured for 3-4 months! Hasn't even been injured for 2 months shows what you know!

You need both 'limited footballers' and the flamboyant ones. Especially with the style we play. MoPo likes a very high defensive line and 2 full backs pushing up, that leaves us incredibly vulnerable at the back, Wanyama breaks up the play, he's a fantastic ball winner and intimidates opponents making them want the ball less and then sets us back attacking again.

Haven't you noticed that we don't push the defence quite as high up with Cork in the team? Teams don't get a web site as much as they used to and we don't crowd out the opposition whilst they're on the ball, we've also conceded many, many more goals since he's been in the team. It's not that the oppostition has learnt how to play against us, it's that we didn't have Wanyama as insurance to be able to play that style.

Schneiderlin had to work twice as hard in the second half to mop up stuff, Cork got caught on the ball a lot and made things harder for himself than it needed to be. You say Wanyama lost the ball in important areas but the only time he lost it was what led to Boruc's 3rd save and that's he took a knock to his leg (which led to his substitution) and it should have been called up for a foul.

Yes, Cork is a good player, and if I was in charge i'd start instead of Davis in a CM role but Wanyama is far more important in the DM role for the style we play

So apparently saying 'offside' and 'caught' together gets changed to 'a web site'

This is ridiculous some of the comments on here, to the guy who excessively uses exclamation marks, Wanyama clearly isn't a talentless lump yes his passing game needs work but defensively he's solid, watch the highlights of Celtic vs Barca and tell me if he's talentless and is it just a coincidence that we conceded more goals with him out of the team? Also to everyone saying Cork did as much as Wanyama in the 2nd half, how can you say that when we dominated the second half with him at the heart of our midfield, Shneiderlin and Davies both played better because of him and we got 3 goals, not saying this because he's English, I'm saying it because it's true! God it's you are making the rest of our fans look bad -_-

Cork didn't dominate the midfield though, we only took a hold of the game once we scored, that's when Fulham's heads dropped and they stopped working. If I could find a video of the 2nd half in full i'd prove it to you

Cork changed the game as well as Clyne as he made the second goal starting from the middle of the pitch but it was mainly cork who changed how we dictated play. Two very good subs from pochettino well done! Newcastle we're coming for youu!

01 Feb 2014 13:31:35
got a decent chance to close the gap to newky today, their 2 down vs sunderland atm

01 Feb 2014 11:08:27
In Sam Gallagher, we now must trust

Reckon he might get 1 or 2 today if he plays like he did vs arsenal

01 Feb 2014 08:43:37
Does anyone think poch we sign a new contract before the end of the season.
Bring on Fulham fancy a 2-0 win.

Tonythesaint

Don't think mopo will sign, 1v1 today

I reckon he will, for another season atleast, there's no job for him to walk into and he's well known for liking to use youth players, whose youth has better potential than ours?

Anyway maybe the rumours that Cortese will be back are true and that's why he hasn't walked like he said he would

Not a chance in hell, Poch is gone and so are the days of spending £12m plus on players, but who can Blame Katerina after Ossie and got to say Vic from the Scottish pub league. academy better prove their worth or it's championship not champions league

^ are you from portsmouth by any chance?

MoPo isn't going to go anywhere, he likes it here.

Wanyama was well worth 12mil - he's young, you're not just paying for what he can do now, you're paying for how good he'll be in the future

Osvaldo is a 12mil player, in all honestly his goal return wasn't bad, an average of 1 every 3 games works out at about 13 for the season - which wouldn't have been bad for a first season, and that's if his ratio didn't improve as he got more used to the league and our style of play. If someone offered you a season where Lambert scored 13 goals you'd probably snap their hands off - yet Osvaldo gets moaned at, probably 'cause he's not English. Remember, racism just ain't saintly. Had he not had the bust up with Fonte he'd probably have turned into a great player for us. Still, there's always next season for him.

Supporters need to do more SUPPORTing of the team and less moaning