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Comment | Southampton V Coventry City The Preview
at 13:25:58
Also time, if fit, to get the likes of Sam Amo-Ameyaw, Tyler Dibling and others some more experience. Bearing in mind the number of loan players, and those soon out of contract, we are selecting at present surely it's sensible to enable the potential stars of the future a kick of the ball sooner than later?
I doubt if any of the youngsters are in RMs thoughts for the match this evening but once the play off position is secure these guys could well be needed next season. |
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Comment | No Room For Error In Southampton Promotion Push
at 13:00:35
Like many supporters I'm trying to be optimistic whilst also being realistic. My gut feeling is that we've shot ourselves in the foot too many times with those glaring dropped points against opponents who exploited our tactical failings.
I think that we'll certainly make the play off places with games to spare though so, if automatic promotion becomes unachievable, should players be rested pending the post season lottery? Personally I don't care if we're supposed to put out our strongest team at Leeds or wherever just for the benefit of Leicester or Ipswich in their quest for glory.
In a situation whereby Leicester and Ipswich have already secured promotion why would we and Leeds put out our strongest teams and risk injuries in the final game just for bragging rights? Or, will the tv puppet masters be seriously miffed if they have to show Leeds v Southampton U21s?
Hopefully, we'll never know the answer to those questions because we'll win every game and our rivals will drop points making us all very, very happy to avoid the play off bun fight. Still hoping my optimism comfortably beats my realism! |
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Comment | Russell Martin Should Not Face Selection Dilemma as Walker Peters Returns
at 11:55:06
Most managers would opt to pick their best available back four and, subsequently, not disrupt that selection other than for reasons of injury or suspension. I'd be surprised if there are any supporters who believe that Jack would, initially, be one of those chosen four players.
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Comment | Southampton V Sunderland The Verdict
at 13:35:45
Like just about everyone I thought we were going to blow it and waste the opportunity afforded by our rivals dropping points. However, Rothwell again demonstrated his finishing ability, which puts some of our strikers efforts to shame, and kept us in the chase. The point is that there are few, if any, teams that can can guarantee control of a game for ninety plus minutes. Even those teams who do have that ability don't always get the ball in the opposition net and, despite their superior quality, drop points.
Whilst selection of the highest rated players, playing with total control, and substitutions having no disruptive effect, that still statistically counts for less than a garbage team winning by a fluke deflection into the opponents net after ninety nine minutes. Some you win and some you lose and we can all identify the manager's errors, often with the benefit of hindsight of course. Thankfully it all turned out right in the end yesterday and we can do it all over again in a few weeks time.
Not so long ago Leicester and Ipswich were cruising to promotion, now they're back in the mix, Leeds are looking quite good and we're ruing dropped points whilst overlooking iffy wins. The joys and despondency of supporting our team I guess.
I'm still thinking we can make that top two, bad results for opponents, injuries to their key players, lucky defections, poor refereeing are all likely to play a part in the weeks to come. In the meantime let's keep the faith, back the players and hope RM always picks the players we prefer and trust and that they all perform above expectation. Flying pigs and unicorns jumping rainbows are just things of dreams after all is said and done.
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Comment | Southampton V Sunderland The Preview
at 12:39:09
Is he injured, suspended, ill or is there some other reason why Joe Aribo isn't available for the game Nick? Poor guy seems to be sidelined even when he's scored winning goals. |
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Comment | Southampton At Birmingham City The Verdict
at 10:42:49
It's a very short few weeks since Ipswich looked done and dusted in the automatic promotion stakes and it's clearly far too early to pencil in the final table.
Surely the greatest factor in our recent wavering form has been the absence of Downes rather than tinkering with the defence? As Leicester found out against QPR, and games where our rivals have also come unstuck, plans don't always come to fruition. No matter whether or not our, arguably, best back four are available every game there will always be times when lapses in concentration, wrong decisions and poor refereeing result in defeat.
There isn't a team in the league that is unbeatable and, if we can get our strongest players refreshed and fit for the remaining games, we are very much still in the mix. The fact is that even if we were sitting ten points clear at the top of the table it still wouldn't guarantee promotion. |
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Comment | Southampton V Huddersfield Town The Verdict
at 13:15:07
Huddersfield did us a huge favour by exposing some weaknesses, complacency and arrogance that had been creeping in during recent games. I'd like to think that the game was a wake up call to every player prepared to rest on their laurels.
As for the game, I'm struggling to think of a technically better strike than JR's first goal, absolute perfection.
Whilst Farlow is entitled to his opinion about Bazunu's ability in goal I think it fairer to suggest that the third Huddersfield goal was a fluke, and as much worthy of criticism of the keeper as the opposition's own goal for our third. Equally, I can't envisage McCarthy saving either of the first two Huddersfield goals and the fact that McCarthy is utterly hopeless controlling and passing the ball with his feet makes criticism of Bazunu even more superfluous.
Indeed, a poor first half but the fact that every substitute improved our performance, took control of the match and subsequently won the game is testament to the quality and depth of squad RM has constructed.
Edozie, Sulemana and Mara haven't become better players by accident and huge credit goes to a manager who is totally grounded and focused on taking the team to the next level. Whilst there are tough games ahead, not only this week but in the following months, I feel that we are in a stronger mindset than Leeds and Ipswich, neither of whom have our overall quality in depth.
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Comment | Southampton V Watford The FA Cup Replay Preview
at 12:55:30
Nick, I'm not Jack Stephens' greatest fan either but surely this is an ideal opportunity to give him a full game in the centre of defence? Suggesting that he should play at right back, because you don't think he's good enough to play in the middle, is not only disrespectful to the player but also not helpful to Shea Charles because he becomes a whipping boy by default. |
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Comment | Southampton Promote Youngster To First Team Squad
at 12:40:20
The decision to promote Nico Lawrence to the first team squad is great news not just for the lad but also for the other youngsters in the U21 and U18 mix. It's difficult to imagine the team without THB next season but it's not a done deal and having Lawrence and possibly Dynel Simeu, amongst others, able to step up is good management. |
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Comment | Southampton At Rotherham The Verdict
at 13:14:10
So many aspects of the team performance have improved over the season, but what a pleasure to see so many shots on target. It's not so long ago that the opposition could almost have played without a keeper because we were so ineffective around the final third.
Clearly it's far too soon to write off Ipswich and Leeds in the promotion run in but with the sheer quality of players we have, now further upgraded with the acquisition of Brooks, it's difficult to envisage any drop off in our performance.
Whilst it's great to be have the opportunity to watch the evolution of the team it also made me realise how fortunate we are compared to the Rotherham supporters. It looks as though their team is destined for relegation but I sincerely hope that they get a few wins to lift the gloom in the months ahead. In fact if you take points off Leeds and Ipswich this month I'll be celebrating as well. |
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Comment | January Transfer Window Mixed Bag For Southampton
at 11:49:39
Thankfully the debate concerning the talents of Stephens v Holgate is nothing more than history now. I think it fair to say though that if we get promoted the centre of defence will be high on the list of the recruitment team.
Having mulled over the loss, or not, of Holgate maybe RM is considering a tactical change should THB or Bednarek become unavailable? Whilst Stephens is the likely choice to slot into the existing formation there is also the option to play three at the back and five in midfield. So, possibly, the curtailment of Holgate's loan spell is not going to be detrimental at all and an opportunity to play a more attacking formation, we shall see. |
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Comment | Sheffield United Confirm Mason Holgate Has Joined On Loan
at 23:08:13
The problem being of course that Holgate wasn't getting any game time when he was arguably, very arguably, a better player than Jack Stephens. I agree, without doubt, the situation was mismanaged because Holgate had no incentive to stay at the club.
Thankfully he will now be playing at Sheffield rather than at Leeds who were also rumoured to be seeking his talents. We certainly shot ourselves in the foot but thankfully avoided further damage following his decision not to sign for a major competitor in our push for promotion. |
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Comment | Alcaraz Set To Complete Loan Move To Italian Giant
at 11:49:13
If the deal comes to fruition then we should all wish him well for the rest of the season and, potentially, elsewhere in his career.
I understand supporters frustration and accusations of "lack of ambition" directed at the club but let's not forget player ambition and the fact that the more Charlie's talent blossomed the more likely he would be unsettled by the big clubs.
We've all seen the effects of players being tapped up in the past, performance drops off and some, seemingly, refusing to play after throwing toys far from the pram. Whilst Charlie's attitude has been fantastic every time he got on the pitch let's not forget that under RM he wasn't likely to get a regular starting spot because we couldn't build a team around his talents.
Good luck mate, I think you're a star in the making but, very sadly, probably not in a Southampton shirt. |
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Comment | Why It Has To Be 20 Games Undefeated Rather Than 21 !
at 13:32:19
Whatever team we put out at Watford I don't think it will be much weakened. As has been said many times in recent weeks we now have a squad that can be rotated without too much disruption in style, ability or application. We seem to have a decent second string goalkeeper, at last, and if the central core of say THB, Smallbone and Adams start the match then the left and right flanks can easily cope with the introduction of numerous alternatives very capable of playing at this level.
We have nothing to fear except fear itself, or whatever the original 16th century quotation actually was, so let's just take it as another game that we learn and improve from no matter the result. |
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Comment | Southampton At Swansea City The Verdict
at 13:11:03
I think the scrappy performance in the last third of the game was a wake up call, to everyone, that complacency can't be allowed to creep into team selection and substitutions.
Credit to Swansea for their substitutions and the pressure applied by a more energetic group of front runners. The fact that our substitutes weren't able to regain control of the game defensively is something that RM needs to address on game analysis and the training ground. Jack Stephens was pivotal to the decline in game control because he was tasked with doing a job that he isn't capable of doing. Not your fault Jack but you don't read the game well, your passing isn't good under pressure and you aren't a better player than Mason Holgate.
It made sense to get substitute THB following the yellow card but, as others have posted, loyalty to the enthusiastic but limited talent of Stephens will cost us points in the future. By all means give Jack some playing time but only when the opposition aren't capable of putting him under pressure.
All that said, the quality of football in the first half was at times quite stunning. Fraser and Adam A were outstanding, KWP frequently beat several players with ease and the rest of the team kept control of the ball and passed it with confidence and skill. Once again a joy to watch. I don't think the promotion push can now be halted unless RM repeats the mistake of disrupting the team for the wrong reasons, loyalty to players is understandable but winning games is more important- |
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Comment | Southampton V Sheffield Wednesday The Verdict
at 12:47:10
Without doubt some of the best football that I've watched in my sixty five years following the team. Come what may RM has transformed the squad into a classy, competitive unit exuding a level of confidence unseen for many, many years.
I get the impression that none of the players wants to leave the club during this window. The grin on Che Adams face at the end of the match seemed to reflect more on the team performance than an imminent move to another club.
Whilst not many of us who post on TUI are Jack Stephens fans let's be fair to him as well. He dropped to the bench and lost the captain's role to Adam A but nonetheless replaced Bednarek who had been booked and was under pressure not to pick up a second yellow card. In my view just another example of every squad member putting the team before ego.
And if Dibling turns out to have a mix of the qualities of Le Tiss and Grealish, plus added physical strength, then we're all in for an absolute treat in the months ahead. |
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Comment | Mason Holgate Departure From Southampton Dependent On Everton Financial Demands Being met.
at 15:29:03
I suspect most of us feel that Holgate has a right to be miffed when he sees Stephens preferred as a starter. Is this a question of attitude, ability or using the excuse of playing a contracted player rather than a loanee? Seeing as we have other players on loan who are either regular starters or first choice off the bench it can't be the latter.
I'm biased because I believe Holgate is a decent player and Stephens an enthusiastic journeyman, but surely RM's job is to select the strongest team on merit and not pick his favourites. |
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Comment | Southampton At Norwich City The Preview
at 12:29:58
For me this is one of those pivotal games where a draw would be a good result and a win demonstrating that we are genuine top two contenders.
As for the strength in depth that you rightly factor in Nick, my view is that those block substitutions regularly made by RM contribute towards maintaining fitness and sharpness. Rotating forwards and midfield players from sixty minutes onwards prevents fatigue and gives alternate defenders game time and integration when needed.
The modern game, as we all know, is no longer ninety minutes so the substitutes will all be aware of the roles they are expected to play. My view is that the substitutions are becoming seamless game management rather than tactical necessities.
Norwich certainly aren't going to roll over easily but our knew found ability, with any of up to eight players capable of scoring, is going to give them a tough contest. |
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