Southampton Banter Archive July 30 2015

30 Jul 2015 23:23:57
An absolute cracker of a first half followed by the slow killing of the game after the break. Team didn't look to be missing Spider and Clyne too much. Clasie did his job and Soares made some blinding runs and didn't put his foot wrong that I saw.

Somebody needs to remind Mane how to pass though.

Looking good for next season I reckon. Who needs a cup run when you've got Europe!

31 Jul 2015 21:46:45
Mane was just a pest last night and provided the clever through ball to Pelle and it was a special goal . I thought Clasie though looked well below what I was expecting and to say he can play the Morgan role is just crackers he doesn't have the physical ability to do that . Agree entirely that Wanyama ran the show in midfield and also Davis kept the engine running but we lacked a bit of bite in midfield , hope that can be sorted out pretty quick because a better team might have torn us apart last night as we played with no urgency.

30 Jul 2015 23:04:56
What was I saying then boys A WALK IN THE PARK easy!

30 Jul 2015 19:39:55
Strong bench tonight against Vitesse, especially when you add Jay Rod, Bertrand, Caulker and maybe another couple of signings.

30 Jul 2015 15:03:39
Zlatan says his next move will be a 'major surprise'. Think that he's finally seen the light having turned us down in the past?

30 Jul 2015 08:36:40
First competitive match. here's my team.

Stekelenburg

Soares
Fonte
Yosh
Targett

Clasie
Wanyama

(now the tricky part)
Mane
Davis
Tadic

Pelle

Think the back 7 pick themselves, as does Pelle but with the three midfielders there are loads of options.
Davis is solid there so to start him for at least the first half seems right.
Offensive subs a-plenty


Whats your team?

30 Jul 2015 09:02:08
Would agree with that team for tonight. Bert, Fraser and Caulker when all fit will play.

Subs Gazza Martina JWP Reed Long Jay Junami

COYR

30 Jul 2015 09:02:11
My team for tonight would be

Stekelenberg

Soares
Fonte
Stephens/Yoshida
Targett

Wanyama
Clasie

Tadic,
Mane,
Jay Rod/JWP

Pelle


Obviously it's a gamble playing two youngsters at the back but what an opportunity it would be for the two of them, still Yoshida is more likely. Jay Rod has done fantastically in pre-season but Koeman is in no rush to push him too hard, too soon so maybe JWP instead.

30 Jul 2015 09:27:12
That's a solid team. With the news from last night I would replace Yosh with Caulker to see how he pairs with Fonte, and I personally rate JWP so I'd play him instead of Davis. I also would love to see Jay Rod perform upfront solo. Maybe as a sub if Pelle has a poor game. Ease him back into the mix. Apart from that the team's spot on! Want to see more sub appearances for Reed this season too. Really great young player.

30 Jul 2015 09:45:35
Sort of agree but I wouldn't be surprised to see Shane play quite a chunk of the game I think his pace and ability in the air might throw them off course . If all goes well by 80 minutes a cameo by Jay would be good , the crowd would love it and it would give the player the impression that he's back in the big time . Let's just do the business tonight and the return then we're in the group stage which takes the pressure off , don't know about you lot but I haven't felt so nervous about a game for a very long time . That's good though isn't it????

30 Jul 2015 10:26:07
I'm with you Chrisdownj.
I won't be able to make it but am hoping we get through and draw a Cypriot team

30 Jul 2015 11:20:25
Same back 7 and pelle, attacking midfield 3, I'd go for Mane, Long, and Tadic. JayRod to come on second half and shred'em to pieces after tireless worker Long runs them out of breath.

30 Jul 2015 11:29:34
Sketlenberg looked shaky pre season I'd like gazzaniga to start he looked like a proper keeper and a lot stronger!

30 Jul 2015 12:07:51
Don't know what games you were watching but I personally think that Stekelenberg has been quite outstanding and along with Tadic looked the two best players in pre season. I can't believe you could call him shaky when he seemed pretty cool to me .

30 Jul 2015 12:23:52
All these differing line ups actually show that we have a good squad because each one seems as good as the rest!

Mine for tonight would be

stekelenberg

Soares fonte yoshida targett
Clasie wanyama
Long tadic mane
Pelle

J-rod to come on for 20 minutes

3-1 saints!

30 Jul 2015 22:16:35
Well I got the team right plus the score line on :-)
Good performances but one that need to improve.
Clasie looked very nervous and not up to speed.
Vic looked great as did Yosh and skeletor
All in all a great start