Southampton Banter Archive August 31 2013

31 Aug 2013 20:20:18
Manager made bad decision today bringing off the captain, plus playing with no width and pace in this league is a difficult thing to do well. Wanyama was frankly shocking and should have been replaced by cork. Seems Pochettino is suffering from second season syndrome and has not got the team playing that well. Lambert looked like he was isolated with nobody linking out wide ( puncheon sorely missed )we need some pace on the wings and I feel a system of 4-2- 3-1 would work well
Boruc
clyne
yoshida
lovren
shaw
cork
spider
?? LW ( tom ince ) my choice
lallana RW
osvaldo
lambert

subs wanyama, rodrigues, jwp, fonte, chambers, Ramirez, K. Davis
I really hope MP is not so stupid to sell Cork but I wonder why he was not even in the 18 man squad today.

I don't think people should scorn Poch on his decision, Ramirez is an incredibly talented player and from Poch's perspective he was expected to help unravel a solid Norwich defence. I also feel people should be patient with Osvaldo, he needs to adapt to the English game which is bound to take a few matches yet.

"Suffering from second season syndrome"

Behave mate, it's 3 games in and we've been the better side in all matches so far. If we'd had a bit better luck we could potentially have 9 points by now (controversial penalty decisions in S'land and Norwich games, and some close chances).

We're getting far too greedy. We're not expected to win every match, as long as we don't get turned over this season, and put up a fight each game I'll be happy. We were unlucky today. Wanyama wasn't shocking. His passing was a bit wayward at times but he's young and in a new league. He was still performed well defensively.

Our main un-doing was our lack of first choice fullbacks. We had no width and pace going forward, which is what Clyne and Shaw usually provide.

Rather than look on the bad let's focus on the good. We've been the better side in every match so far. We've got Clyne and Shaw coming back from injury. Lallana looks sharp, Lovren was outstanding, Osvaldo looks a good player. Lambert is playing for England. We've got the best squad depth for as long as I can remember we've had.

It will all be fine.

You can't base that off of one game, I thought we played very well in the other 2 games, all we are missing is a goalscorer, which I think Osvaldo will be once he has settled in

He couldn't have been replaced by cork as he wasn't on the bench

Be patient people and let the new players bed in. We have a solid squad and team and its now up to Poch to get them playing well. Individuals aren't performing as well as they did mid season last year but they will do I'm sure. We are three matches in and 4 points better off then we were this time last year. Give it some time and stop thinking the world has ended because we lost a match, we are going to lose a few more before the season is up but hopefully win a lot more too.

Yes, but Cork SHOULD be in the match squad

Typical Southampton fan 'we've been the better side in 3 games', norwich were more than a match for Southampton, as were a very poor sunderland, Albion were just rubbish in first game, an easy start and only 4 points, lol

We were the better side in 2 games, Norwich out played us plain and simple. Credit to them. Thanks for the comment down the road, league 2 is going well isn't it? By the way you lot would love 'only 4 points' in the Premiership.

I agree with needing Shaw and Clyne back to fitness. It is quite concerning they both seem to be quite easily injured.

If you thin k we were the better side in all three games you all should go to specsavers, tight game at a poor west brom struggled badly against sunderland and were second best to norwich, don't let your passion for the team cloud your analysis of the performance we have been woeful in midfield and poor supply has isolated Lambert, get real guys watch those games with a football head not a fans head.

31 Aug 2013 18:30:33
I would guarantee a top 6 finish.

Boruc
Clyne, Lovren, Yoshida, shaw
Wanyama
Schneiderlin, Prowse
Rodriguez Ramirez
Osvaldo

Sign Banega, to rotate with ramirez, rodriguez and lallana. Sign moses and rotate him as well.
Sign a new CB to play with lovren.
Get rid of do prado, bring Rowe through, I think he looks great. Rid of fox, bring targett through.

I also won about 50 Trophies with Saints through to 2026 on FM 13 with an emphasis on young players. Looking forward to FM14.

I SURE SHOULD BE MANAGER

2026, wow

Are you 10? Football manager does not accurately reflect the difficulties of being a manager.

Lallana is better than Ramirez, at least he puts in the effort required.

Osvaldo over Lambert? Brave but who knows could be the way forward.

Honestly think Cork is far more important to the team than given credit for. He is one of the things we need back in the team.

Those criticising OP for playing football manager are muppets. He's obviously saying things tongue in cheek, this evidently isn't his job application to become manager at Saints.

Have a day off being uptight yeh? It's a banter site.

I don't think Rickie is a " big for his boots" type of bloke.

31 Aug 2013 16:57:29
adam lallana coming off OMG he was playing a blinder look like are only creative player?
Bringing on Ramirez who done nothing very poor MoPo!

He made a mistake, it happens. I think Ramirez needs to start with Lallana. Perhaps Ward-Prowse needs a few games as a super sub? Also was concerned with the Osvaldo and Lambert partnership but it's too early to really judge.

31 Aug 2013 16:41:01
Painful very painful! No service for the front men? Same old problem we can't score!! Still need that special creative player! Plain and simple?? Fox is a jinx! Matt targget must be better as cover!

Poch doesn't seem to realise that pace is vital in the English game. Saints are so pedestrian in the attacking third - the full backs are the only players who can run. When Shaw's playing, anyway. Lambert and Osvaldo won't work. Has to be one or the other. Neither is a wide attacker. Has Rickie scored a goal from open play in 2013?

Fox is useless every time he plays we lose.

Fox and Saints losing - anyone got any stats on that - Ed?

{Ed001's Note - had a quick look, he has made 21 appearances in the Prem for Southampton, 15 of which have been starts. He was taken off 6 times, half time against Villa, which you ended up winning, so that could affect the stats a little. Anyway, 15 starts, 2 wins, 3 draws, 10 losses.}

Thanks Ed you're a star.

{Ed001's Note - no worries, had to check it a few times to make sure, it is not good reading for him to be fair.}

31 Aug 2013 11:42:53
Lots of rumours in the papers today about Moses available on loan and we are one of about three clubs interested. Figures ranging from £2m to £5m for a years loan seem extortionate. Personally don't like the idea. Thoughts anyone?

Silly weekend in the papers and we will be linked to just about everyone. Don't see Moses as any better than the players we already have and I don't see he fits MP's style of play.
We were trying to sign Coutinho in the January window and Gaston was already a Saints player so I still feel the club would like one extra player who is an attacking/play making midfielder and if we can secure the right player, at the right price, then I could see this as the area we could strengthen.
Do not be confused by any comments that may be associated with the club over the last couple of weeks. We are into the smoke and mirrors end of the window and Saints are masters of catching everyone unawares-especially the media!

Saint Martin

Saint Martin

A fee for a loan player is standard practice, especially in the higher leagues. I see no value in paying £3m or £4m for a year of his service, especially when that player would lessen the opportunity for one of our kids to play. However, should there also be an option to buy, then it becomes a different prospect. It gives the club the option to get to know the player, and removes a large part of the risk involved in signing a player.

As for Saints this year, we don't 'need' any more players, but I could see the addition of a quality creative-attacking player that will help us breakdown sides defenses.