Southampton (A) | Pre-Match Thread

[r.soleofsalford]

On the other hand we create three or four good chances, one in one's with the keeper, free headers, in each of these games. We put the a couple away and their game plan has to change. Pep presumably can see this. Usually the opposition score on their first similar chance. We are giving fewer chances now. I'm hopeful we just need a natural goal scorer to crack this. The boring/not interested football team tag is because no other team has to face a nine man defensive wall every week.

Well, we do help the opposition by slow passing from defense to midfield. Gundogan passes to Rhodri, he passes to Gundogan, he take 3-5 touches, passes it sideways, then gets it back, if we are lucky he passes it to kev. slow, slow, slow, We then passing it about in front of their area that has 10 maybe 11 opponents in and around in tight lines. Most of the time our inverted wingers cross from halfway in the opponents half to our 5` 9" forward line who either have their back to goal or are trying to connect with a ball that may drop over their shoulder, if not intercepted. A ball from this area is usually a defenders ball, especially with such a small forward line and especially when because of our slow play allows the taller defenders to organise themselves and face the incoming cross.

This isn`t a revelation we all know this, but we still do it time and time again.

 

[Akira]

Can you tell us more?

Apologies, I can't really. Just echoing what I read here and elsewhere.

Mostly rumors, but aren't unfounded. PSV did let him go for his attitude problem.

 

[Mr Blue Moon]

Yep and we only create about 25 shots on target each game.
Anyway Pep’s developed a plan B, as Rodri and Eddy have been practicing their long range shooting skills during training, so if any team tries to park the bus against us, they can just “do a Vinny” and bombard the goal from 40 yards ;-)

 

[SWP's back]

expected points

Unfortunately that expects that our forwards can score from 3 yards out. We keep proving that they can’t.

 

[SWP's back]

Blaming makeshift strikers is not fair imo , people just wait to jump on raz

That’s bullshit Kaz. He isn’t a makeshift striker. Pep considers him a “forward”, his words. And forwards are there to put chances in the net. We all saw Pep’s reaction to Sterling’s miss against Burnley on Amazon’s docuseries. He expects them to score.

I love Sterling and always stick up for him but he is missing too many clear chances (along with a number of others) and unless that changes, our season will be fucked.

 

[SWP's back]

The players are a failure. We have created the most chances and conceded the fewest.

Coach is doing his job but the players are not.

Pretty much.

 

[hihosilva]

I'll try
Edreson
Walker Stones Dias Ake
Debruyne Fernandinho Gundagan
Bernardo Torres Sterling

 

[abu13]

I feel we need to try something a little different, not exactly sure what but i'd give this a go.
When attacking we could drop to a back 3 with Ake sitting in front of the defence.
We need Jesus for his pressing and goal threat,
Get Sterling back on the right and Torres on the left to stretch the play.
Would need KDB to sit deep and be disciplined, Bit like a Pirlo role.

-----------------------EDDIE------------------------
WALKER--------DIAS-------LAPORTE---------AKE
--------------KDB----------------FODEN-----------
STERLING-----------JESUS---------------TORRES
---------------------AGUERO-----------------------

 

[ancoats]

That was my point too, needs to play in his natural position, get fed up with half our team apparently having to compromise their careers to accommodate others or cover up for injuries and in some cases crap recruitment,

also jesus does not look happy to play that striker role as well ? if does not believe he can do it then he is not going to
pep is the great manager but sometimes the best manager over complicate things ? but injuries have hit pep over the past 3 seasons and players have been made to cover or play in a role they just are not happy with

 

[zabisgod]

A back 3 of stones Dias Laporte

 

[Brendan110_0]

That’s bullshit Kaz. He isn’t a makeshift striker. Pep considers him a “forward”, his words. And forwards are there to put chances in the net. We all saw Pep’s reaction to Sterling’s miss against Burnley on Amazon’s docuseries. He expects them to score.

I love Sterling and always stick up for him but he is missing too many clear chances (along with a number of others) and unless that changes, our season will be fucked.

I guess with being more defensive it has turned into many fewer chances, Aguero/Jesus/Sterling have been used to 5 chances per game, now they get 1-2. Need someone like Ings/Vardy/Mane that are used to few chances but put them in the net.

 

[Craig]

I’ve long been in the thinking that the players we have now, given their strengths ans weaknesses, a three at the back is a natural progression. A back three of Laporte, Dias, Stones then gives the fullbacks complete freedom to attack (which is better than their defending most of the time).

Wouldn’t be a bad idea but I’d stick Walker on the right side of the 3 for his pace. Certainty wouldn’t ever play him as a wingback as then we’d have even less going forwards than we currently have down the right.

 

[oxopop]

Kin el there is some pessimism on here! West brom was shite but put two of those chances away and we would be saying
`its a sign of a good side winning when playing bad`
Sure things are not jelling but fucking hell blues! At least we don`t support yewnited. It WILL COME TOGETHER ! have faith.

 

[The Black Shed]

Am wearing a retro top today, haven't worn one months, maybe this is the missing link? Time will tell

 

[Gray]

Kin el there is some pessimism on here! West brom was shite but put two of those chances away and we would be saying
`its a sign of a good side winning when playing bad`
Sure things are not jelling but fucking hell blues! At least we don`t support yewnited. It WILL COME TOGETHER ! have faith.

If we had put the chances away it would have only papered over the cracks because lets face it West Brom are crap.

 

[stan bowles]

Maybe we'll surprise everyone by playing well and win. Will be interesting to see if we can match their intensity. Burnley was the only recent performance where we looked on the front foot and went for it and let's face it Saints are levels above Burnley. Difficult test today for sure.

 

[Fordyboy46]

Yep and we only create about 25 shots on target each game.
Anyway Pep’s developed a plan B, as Rodri and Eddy have been practicing their long range shooting skills during training, so if any team tries to park the bus against us, they can just “do a Vinny” and bombard the goal from 40 yards ;-)

No we have 25 shots, usually three or four on goal. Pathetic stats really

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

I have a bad feeling whenever City venture south of Stockport, west of Altricham, north of "App'er'ay and East of Moston. However, grandson No 2 is kitted out in his City top, smile on his face, and our luck has to change. A couple millimetres away from a defender and a goalie who doesn't put in a season's best game and we are right.

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

Your first paragraph sounds great but, we all know we've been poor(ish) for a season & a half now and steadily getting worse.

I really hope there's a corner to turn, just one, to put us on the right road to recovery.

And those bullet headers from Dias, Stones, Rodders can be UNDER the fuckin' bar for once. Where's Otamendi or Kompers when yer need a bullet 'eader!

 

[Eric Hitchmough]

Am wearing a retro top today, haven't worn one months, maybe this is the missing link? Time will tell

That's what I thought for the derby. I wore my Wembley '99 shirt. I did my part!