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Saints At Leicester City The Verdict
at 11:38:45

Based on that performance and tactics (and I can understand why Hughes wants to protect our centre backs) we are going down without question. The only player with any pace whatsoever was Shane Long but the predictable long ball to him was easily dealt with on most occasions. Hoiberg and Romeu are too similar and if Davis makes an unlikely miraculous return to top form, replacing one of them might improve the link up play. Little evidence of a back 5 helping the full backs to overlap. I'm not the greatest fan of Redmond but at least he gives us another outlet for going forward. Tadic put in his usual performance. If I was on medication I would start taking more of it.
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Virgil Van Dijk Returns To Action For Saints
at 11:16:35

I went and watched this game except for the last 20 minutes, as the trains back from the Bescot are infrequent. I think the 4 : 0 scoreline flattered the Villa, in what was an end to end game and a refreshing change from some of the dross served up by the respective first elevens who would approach the game more tactically. I don’t think I would single out Van Dyke in particular for any criticism (he certainly won everything in the air and a couple of good blocks), but obviously, I watched the game live without the benefit of multiple TV replays of the goals. The goals to me seemed to come through the middle of the pitch on the counter attack with no defensive midfield cover in front of the two central defenders. I didn't notice any lack of desire or sharpness compared to the other players, so I would not judge Van Dyke on this game and it gave him the minutes he needed.
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Saints Chairman Krueger Clearly Defines Saints Stance On Van Dijk
at 08:51:19

I'm not sure I will believe he is staying until it is confirmed by some 'legend' on 'Empire of the Kop'.
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Saints Willing To Let Vulgar Van Dijk Rot In The Stands !
at 14:27:06

after the grovelling Liverpool apology and their 'legends' stating that everybody taps up players, I would have thought there would be a whole host of journalists trying to find evidence that Southampton FC do not do business in the correct manner. Has anybody seen any articles along those lines?
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Contenders Emerging For Saints Hot Seat
at 11:23:12

Pellegrino ticks the boxes for me. International experience including over 2 years in England so he speaks English. Has a reputation as a good coach and used to working on a limited budget and probably not expensive. Most importantly we can increase our limited repertoire of songs by re-inventing an old favorite: “you got Jacket, we got Pellegrino, Pellegrino…..
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Saints Could Be In For Chelsea Defender !
at 12:08:22

Although he's a promising player, I'd be worried if we signed a left back. We have Bertrand, Targett and Sam McQueen already. Would not want to see any of them go.

Problem for me is at right back, where we have Cedric (yes he's definitely improved) and Martina, who I believe is out of contract?
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A View From A Far
at 13:49:04

Many thanks for your article. Please persist as it's nice to see a different viewpoint and most of us appreciate that it is not easy to instantly produce articles of this nature.

I'm sure we could survive with our current squad, but change and the search for improvement is always necessary. I found the following article interesting in that Puel is not worried about having a lot of 'diminutive' players. http://news.ladbrokes.com/football/premier-league/why-dusan-tadic-is-most-critic

This would certainly increase my stress levels for free kicks and corners!
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Saints Eye Replacement For Wanyama
at 09:46:46

Gueye is a very good player but is tiny compared to Wanyama, so no where near as intimidating! If I had to take a punt on anyone from Villa (and it's difficult after the season they have had) it would be Carles Gill as competition for Tadic.
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Saints V Leicester City The Verdict
at 10:03:29

Leicester are certainly more than a team with a great spirit and just enjoying a run of luck.
Their pressing was excellent, their defence well organised and they showed they could pass it around confidently when they needed to.
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Soares Omission At City Should Not Be Repeated
at 12:29:15

I haven't seen that much space down one of our flanks since Danny Fox was playing.
OK Yoshida had a bit of a nightmare game, but this was an awful decision by RK to play a left footed Centre Half at right back. I felt sorry for him having to mark Raheem Sterling who is one of the quickest players in the league. If Martina is not up to standard for the premiership, then we might as well play one of the kids, who will also not be up to standard, but will at least gain experience the hard way. After 20 minutes I would have settle for 4 nil at 90 minutes, because we really looked as if we were going to be thrashed. It was like the Alamo!
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Ronald Koeman Not Happy With Martin O'Neill
at 09:48:23

Fortunately he got through without injury. Nowadays players seem to get injured in training because training has to be nearly as intensive as playing an actual game, so I'm never quite sure how players ever achieve 100% fitness over a very long season. At least he has had some 'game time' which he is unlikely to get with Saints at the moment.
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Gazzaniga Signs New Deal ! All We Are Saying Is Give Him A Chance
at 08:46:47

After his poor kick out at Leicester last year, which lead to the 2nd goal, I fully expected him to go to pieces. Instead it did not faze him at all and he seems to have found a bit of mental toughness now. Lets hope he continues to improve.
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Saturday Could See The Clash Of The Disgruntled At The Hawthorns
at 12:28:40

lets hope the 'if you all hate Tottenham clap your hands' chant gets going.
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The Transfer Window Causes Chaos But Is There An Alternative
at 10:24:51

I can't see why the window shouldn't be reduced - most business is done in the last few days anyway.

I think the first step to a more level playing field is to sort out the loan system, which is being abused.

Perhaps teams to have a cap on the playing squad of players registered to them (suggestions for a number - 40?) and they would remain registered to them, even if loaned out, unless perhaps they are loaned out to a lower division team regardless of the country (so Vitesse would not be able to take Chelsea loanies, even if you think the Ere Divisie is of a lower standard)

I feel that the main problem of the transfer window is that bigger clubs are able to 'stockpile' all of the quality players, who are usually loaned out or content to sit on the bench. Players should have to start considering whether they are seriously going to get playing time, rather than just going for the biggest pay offer.

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Ron Vlaar Linked Again
at 09:42:59

Villa fans are praying that he doesn't sign a new contract (which I think has been offered) and moves on!

on the other hand, Ryan Bertrand did not impress at Villa and even a top class player would struggle in Villa's current back four which is dire.
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Saints V Liverpool The Verdict
at 14:05:49

I'm a great admirer of Steven Davis, but I think RK got it badly wrong playing him as a defensive midfielder, when we had Schneiderlin and Reed available. Hopefully SD will be pushed further forward next week in place of Elia.
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Saints At Aston Villa The Verdict
at 09:43:32

Koeman's formation just did not work for this game, but that does not mean it will not work in the future (or do we expect things to instantly 'gell' because we have been fortunate so far this season?). This formation may work better against a side better than Villa, who currently have the attacking intent of San Marino on one of their more positive days!

On the plus side I think Saints kept their heads, after going behind and I certainly did not see any evidence of Forster being nervous after his mistake. Pelle and Schneiderlin both avoided yellows, so will be available to face Man City on Sunday. I also think that Phil Dowd (who looks seriously unfit) did not give us anything, although his decisions had no influence on the result.

On the negative side, I was disappointed by the abuse being given to Shane Long and to a lesser degree to Sadio Mane by a few loud morons in the Saints away support. Shane Long from hero to villain in the space of just 2 games! - unbelievable.
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Saints Fans Have To Get Used To Speculation
at 13:47:37

I heard a rumour that Spurs were after ‘Sammy Saint’ as a potential recruitment target!
Of course this could either be to replace Pochettino, play up front instead of Adebayor to add more mobility or as a possible successor to Daniel Levy himself. The word on the street is that he would be a recruitment coup for any of these scenarios.
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Time To Get Jack Cork Signed Up On A New Deal
at 15:25:52

Charlie Nicholas was talking about our midfield on Sky sports and mentioned that Cork was nearly out of contract (and the recently declined bid from Crystal Palace). he went on to say 'despite not wanting to annoy Saints fans', he said as an Arsenal fan, he would sign him up in a heartbeat for Arsenal as he is the defensive midfield they need.
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Liverpool Man Robbed Multiple Times Over The Summer
at 14:50:01

Talk Sport (yes I know!) were saying yesterday that Real Madrid are reportedly interested in Rahim Sterling and talking of more than £50m. Given that Liverpool keeper Mignolet is not having the best of times, could it be possible that the South Coast Syndicat will contact them about 3 keepers, who all have first team premier league experience?
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