Lone ranger

I thought we were much improved after half time showing some appetite and fight. Sad to say (as I like the lad) we showed even more urgency after Che went off. They are not a great team but there are some good players there and drive enthusiasm and a clear plan can often compensate for inadequacies. That’s why underdogs win Cup ties. I saw a couple of impressive strikers in the Cup highlights. The likes of Windass Sheffield W) and Dobra (Chesterfield) seemed to have the thing we miss-accurate strongly struck shots aimed to avoid the goalie and on target. Surely that’s what we need up front? Must be possible to find a reasonably priced striker. Sadly whatever their talents, Che or AA lack the killer shot capacity which is what we need. Remove JMP’s free kicks and we hardly ever score from a tradition ‘shot on target’ over the last two seasons having lost our one decent striker to AV.

The last match I attended was August 22 v Manchester United and I thought it was a great effort by a team not so very different from the Brighton game. But in five months everything seems to have gone downhill. When you see a lower division team defeat or draw with illustrious team in a Cup match it’s usually about having some reasonable skill level but above all its attitude, laying down your life for your team mates, having a game plan and a never say die attitude. Have we seen any of that from our team in the last few months. Interesting to read the account of that Man U match on the Saints app. “…… This was a day when the result did not match the performance for Southampton, as they were edged out 1-0 by Manchester United despite producing an intense and committed display at St Mary’s. A second-half strike from Bruno Fernandes ultimately separated the teams, but there was little else between them, as Ralph Hasenhüttl’s men gave as good as they got against Erik ten Hag’s resurgent side.…..” I know it’s a PR based report but can you imagine anything like that being written currently. I believe we have several good players eg Walker Peters, Salisu, Che, BellaK each of whom are fringe international standard but sadly the captain looks a shadow of his former self and certainly doesn’t seem to drive those around him into action and we have also been hit by ongoing injuries that have weakened the team. I think we needed a manager who could take a demoralised set of fairly average players and with a charismatic manner win them over and the fans too. We don’t need to be up with Newcastle and we don’t have their money (or sadly their manager) but I would settle for the Brentford awash buckling approach. Any hope??

We say that we don’t have enough quality players and that is true. But watching that other team of red and white stripes suggests you don’t need outstanding players you just need unlimited energy determination and enthusiasm and above all a coach who knows what he is doing. Bee inspired! John

I find myself wondering why it all went so wrong Since match day 25 we are bottom of the Prem. Romeu is certainly a big miss and likewise Ings. But we currently have no teeth in attack. I like Che Adam’s as a hard working honest striver but he’s not a Premier League striker. Sadly Theo Walcott’s obvious joy (and consequent contribution) at returning to the Saints soon fizzled out and he now looks as ineffectual as at his previous clubs. I’m generally impressed by Kyle W-P, and Wedtergard amazes me with his passing moving forward so it’s a pity he’s not very good at defending on the ground. We have some other good players but something is seriously wrong looking at this table. https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/premier-league/formtabelle/wettbewerb/GB1?saison_id=2020&min=20&max=35

I like this quote from Wilder: "I think at times I'm quite angry and I want to fight my way out of corners. I'm sure I'll never change. We don't have the players that other teams have got but we have boys who want to track back, put a tackle in and stop a cross.

Wonder if Mr Wilder would like to help out with a different set of red and white stripes. At least players would play as if their lives depended on it...

Anyone know any South based out of work managers to give Ralf a hand?

These are my GEX scores for tonight: (GEX=get excited -even just a tiny bit- when they’ve got the ball) Redmond 0 Bertrand 1 Adams 2 Salisu 3 Bednatek 4 Ings 5 Forster 6 Djenepo 7 Ward Prowse 8 westergaard 9 Armstrong 10 of course 10 does not mean very excited- just a lot better than zero Other ratings are available😊

Hi My first post although enjoy following the often highly intelligent critiques. Sad to see how much bad language has become routine for some posters. I guess I am old and old fashioned but I still find the use of the c-word and f-word rather offensive. However it’s probably a good barometer of the anger and frustration of Saints supporters reinforced by COVID weariness. Anyway for what it’s worth here’s my take 1 Saints are very watchable going forward 2 we lack effective strikers-Danny was great but seems to have lost the edge of late- Adams is a great guy and does a lot of useful off the ball stuff but he.is largely ineffective as a striker. I look back fondly on some really effective strikers of the past, with head or foot, but we have been lacking in that department since we sold off our best players 3 I think defence is an equal problem. I’m massively impressed by Walker Peters so his absence is a big blow. Western award has really come on leaps and bounds this season but he’s still slow on the ground. 4. I know what zonal marking is but how is it sensible not to man mark attackers. We keep seeing opponents unmarked in space or running through with no one to battle to get them blocked off. 5 Goalie is ok but nothing very special. Should FF get another chance. 6. Although he had critics how did we sell a full back to Villa who has held his place and performed well in matches I have seen. 7 some players need a bit of a rocket as they amble about. Our left back must hold a record for time taken to complete a throw-in. Where’s the sense of urgency? 8. Ralph- a good man with feelings. Is he good enough by himself? I note that Newcastle have transformed since Jones joined Bruce.... Just my thoughts. Full respect to other people’s views. John- fond memories of Orient away match 1966!