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Comment | Southampton V Stoke City The Verdict
at 09:51:37
Just a couple of observations
1) we desperately need a striker that can put the ball in the net. It’s telling that the 4 league goals scored so far , 3 have come from defenders. We are creating chances but we need someone to put them away.
2) What has happened to our ability to tackle. It seemed like Stoke had the freedom to ghost passed players at will. Each time the ball was played into their attackers they were given time to collect, turn and play forward in tight situations with our players (possibly with exception of Wood who I thought had a good game) not willing to get stuck in. |
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Comment | Southampton At Ipswich Town The Verdict
at 12:58:34
Underwestsrand, the Ipswich goal was from open play? Unless you mean we haven’t conceded from an opposing player from open play.
I think the team looked disjointed and the defence was shaky again. Quashie looked like the early mistake affected him for the rest of the game. I think there is a good player there but he needs some time and help to get up to speed.
Ryan Fraser continues to impress. Arguably our best player across all 3 games so far this season. Not sure anyone would have predicted that after last season. |
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Comment | Southampton At Ipswich Town The Preview
at 13:02:56
I think you are plowing a lonely furrow on Stephen’s. He has his faults for sure, but aside from the goal he was our best defender against Wrexham and made some crucial tackles. If we play a back three then I expect it to be Stephens , THB (assuming he came through his first match back on Tuesday with no issues) and Quashie. This means Edwards drops to the bench but from the first two games I don’t think he at the level yet to play against the better teams in this division.
If Still goes with a back two then it will be Stephens and THB. Also expect Manning to start.
I hope we do go for a back two as we can then add more in midfield so hopefully we will see the 3 you predict which should have enough to dominate Ipswich as their midfield has been decimated on the off season.
I also hope Ross Stewart is over his illness enough to start in the 9 role. If not then expect Downs to start. Arma is not right so needs to be an option off the bench rather than plan A. Robinson and Wee man deserve to be the two wide attackers.
It’s a good time to play Ipswich as it feels that their offseason has been more disrupted than ours. Fingers crossed for 3pts but would be happy with a draw. |
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Comment | Southampton At Northampton Town The Verdict
at 13:28:17
A win is a win but the performance was disjointed at best and the lack of intensity was disappointing. Yes it was a warm evening but Northampton put in twice the effort Saints did and thankfully their lack of quality meant we weren’t punished.
While Matty F showed his class for the goal he wasted immune on the effort side and several time I saw him trotting back when Northampton broke forward with no real effort to get in front of the ball.
Defensively if THB is fit then he plays at the weekend instead of Edwards. I think the youngster has quality but again there were several mistakes including a really early booking. He is raw and needs a bit more time as a squad member rather than a starter.
I’ll drive BBD to the first club that shows any interest in signing him. No quality, no effort and stop trying ill advise flicks in the middle of the park which turns the ball over. I’m done with him as a Saints player.
I hope this performance was simply early season rustiness and as the squad settles and WS has more time with them the performances will improve. I also think we will be better against better opponents.
As for the weekend I think Ipswich will have more concerns than us! |
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Comment | Southampton V Wrexham The Verdict
at 10:03:15
Good write up Nick. Now the excitement of the match has died down here are my more objective thoughts:
The manager seemed to get most things right during the match including the right subs at the right time. That said I thought his starting XI was a bit defensive and we struggled a bit in the first half to get the control we needed in the first half.
Defensively we wobbled but I think much of that was down to the 3 CBs not having played together before. Both Quashie and Edwards looked like good players and will get better with a few more matches. The two starting full backs were pretty anonymous and it was only once we subbed them and changed formation that there was more attacking threat.
Great free kick from Manning- have we found our new JWP?
I thought Ross Stewart looked a real handful for the Wrexham defence when he came on. More so than Damien Downs. I agree with the points made about Robinson and Fraser. Arma through the middle doesn’t work. Put him out wide which would be harsh on Robinson or Fraser, or drop him with Stewart or Downs being the focal point in attack.
Despite the atrocious refereeing, I still don’t miss VAR.
Finally last season we witnessed so many games where the team appeared beaten before kick off. So it bodes well to see them fight right to the end although hopefully we can win more games in a more regular manner going forwards.
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Comment | Southampton V Wrexham The Preview
at 11:13:34
Bowlercow - first game was away to Sheffield Wednesday which was on the Friday night and we had our first taste of Russball. Plymouth was game three I think with Norwich in between.
Nick, your statement that Dibling etc have had their heads turned and don’t want to play for Saints is incorrect. Certainly for Dibling and Edozie there are firm transfer discussions in progress so Saints have withdrawn the players to protect the transfer fee. I don’t doubt these players will be gone before the end of the transfer window but if they remain Saints players then they will play a full part in the campaign.
While I agree that the media hype around Wrexham is absurd but think that the owners are genuine in their views about the club and town. But so far they have only tasted success. It will be I interesting to see how they and the club manage a bit of failure and how they handle fan criticism that will come with that. Hopefully that starts today! |
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Comment | Southampton V Wrexham The Preview
at 11:13:34
Bowlercow - first game was away to Sheffield Wednesday which was on the Friday night and we had our first taste of Russball. Plymouth was game three I think with Norwich in between.
Nick, your statement that Dibling etc have had their heads turned and don’t want to play for Saints is incorrect. Certainly for Dibling and Edozie there are firm transfer discussions in progress so Saints have withdrawn the players to protect the transfer fee. I don’t doubt these players will be gone before the end of the transfer window but if they remain Saints players then they will play a full part in the campaign.
While I agree that the media hype around Wrexham is absurd but think that the owners are genuine in their views about the club and town. But so far they have only tasted success. It will be I interesting to see how they and the club manage a bit of failure and how they handle fan criticism that will come with that. Hopefully that starts today! |
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Comment | Southampton Set For Yet Another Turkish Transfer Stand Off
at 19:19:27
The player has done nothing for the club in the last two years except be a drain on resources. While I don’t like the idea of the club selling below market value, in this case I wouldn’t mind an exception being made. He has a poor attitude which Will Still will not want around the dressing room so I say sell him now and let him become the Turks problem. |
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Comment | West Ham Make Enquiry For Saints Midfielder But Get Knock Back
at 15:26:31
If Fernandes is sold it will purely be for financial reasons so SR can balance the books after relegation. For that reason SR are right to get the best possible deal and using JWP as a makeweight shouldn’t be part of the equation. I would love it if Fernandes does stick with us but as there is still over a month of the transfer window left I fear it is only a matter of time before SR get an offer they cannot say no to. |
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Comment | Southampton Winger Set To Move To France
at 19:33:03
I always felt Edozie was very similar to Nathan Redmond - talented but never showed it consistently enough in a Saints shirt.
From the clubs perspective he is probably the most bankable asset in the wide attacking position (aside from Dibling) so the sale helps the club balance the books. I would imagine that if Dibling also goes for the right offer then Arma is staying put. Would still like to see a new player come into that position to compete with Arma as there is no guarantee he can hit the same level as the last season in the Championship. |
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Comment | Southampton V Portsmouth Information Suggests Bubble Game
at 13:55:23
Despite being a lifelong fan I have only been able to attend SMS regularly in the last few years and a ST holder for the last 5. Therefore this will be my first experience of attending in person a derby against Portsmouth and so I’m reassured that the club are engaged with the police early. Communicating plans to fans early is also welcome.
My interest is only in supporting the team on to a big win against the opposition. If the measures being put in place allow all fans to attend in safety and minimise opportunities for any idiots to cause trouble then so be it. |
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Comment | Is Former Star Worth A Punt For Southampton On A Free
at 12:55:36
Saints need to reduce the size of the squad, not keep filling it with journeymen or crocks. Just because Lallana has retired does not mean there has to be a replacement in the “Saints ex prodigy” role. |
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Comment | Saints Award Jack Stephens A 3 Year Contract.
at 18:07:14
I think Stephens is more than capable in the Championship, especially if Bednarek and THB depart as is very possible. However if the club is serious about its ambition for promotion I don’t see Stephens is able to play at PL level. For that reason a 3 year extension seems excessive, especially given his age he is hardly likely to improve. |
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Comment | Ivan Juric Finally Proves His Worth For Southampton With Sulemana Transfer
at 13:15:10
Couple of points
1) Even if Juric has paid over the odds, I don’t think this transfer covers the losses felt by Saints through relegation. Now if he and Russel Martin would like to reimburse all the fans for the ticket money they spent last season watching the cr@p last season then fair enough.
2) To IanRC and all the other Sports Republic bashers out there. Our owners are far from perfect and no doubt have made mistakes which Dragan recently acknowledged. But before you complain again have a read of what is happening at Sheffield Wednesday to see what really bad owners are like. |
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Comment | Southampton Squad Should They Stay Or Should They Go ! Part 6
at 13:02:37
As I have mentioned on previous posts about who will be here next season, Adam Armstrong is a difficult one to call. There is no doubt he has the ability to score plenty of goals in the Championship. It’s also true that the clubs aim is to get promoted back to the PL at the first attempt where Armstrong has had several attempts and failed to cut it. Therefore will Adam have the motivation to put in the effort needed to get those 20+ goals over this season when realistically he will be dumped if we do get promoted.
The stay or go debate may well come down to an honest conversation between AA and WS about future plans and whether AA can prove he has the fight for another promotion campaign knowing what that might mean. |
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Comment | Southampton Squad Should They Stay Or Should They Go ! Part 6
at 13:02:35
As I have mentioned on previous posts about who will be here next season, Adam Armstrong is a difficult one to call. There is no doubt he has the ability to score plenty of goals in the Championship. It’s also true that the clubs aim is to get promoted back to the PL at the first attempt where Armstrong has had several attempts and failed to cut it. Therefore will Adam have the motivation to put in the effort needed to get those 20+ goals over this season when realistically he will be dumped if we do get promoted.
The stay or go debate may well come down to an honest conversation between AA and WS about future plans and whether AA can prove he has the fight for another promotion campaign knowing what that might mean. |
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Comment | Former Club Interested In Taylor Harwood-Bellis Return
at 13:58:19
I can’t see a club like Burnley going for anything other than a loan deal given that their prospects for a second season in the PL look about as good as ours did. My preference would be to sell THB this offseason to fund any rebuild but if that’s not possible then a loan with obligation to buy, say if Burnley do avoid relegation, would be the next best thing. |
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