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