Andy Durman

If you didn't watch then you seriously didn't miss anything. At every level we have been working on a 4-2-3-1 system and now at every level we need to change to 4-diamond-2. VVD is class. Hojbjberg and Romeu looking good and Hesketh also showing signs that he could be involved this season. The rest just looked utterly confused. 4 wins means nothing. We were very ineffective in the final third and just seemed to have too many players in midfield. The opponent we giving too much freedom to come into our half in the first half.

Alot of teams play with one striker. The 4-diamond-2 gives you 2v1 overload against the striker. It also gives a 4v3 overload in midfield. The full backs or wings backs defend high up the pitch. I can see the logic and defensively we are organized 4-4-2. I'm interested how we fit Clasie, Romeu, JWP, Hojbjerg, Reed, Davis, Redmond, J-rod, Austin... into this system

http://www.soccer-training-guide.com/4-3-3-triangular-midfield.html#.V5sFcFdHmrU My preference

http://www.fourfourtwo.com/performance/tactics/forge-midfield-diamond

Make the system fit the players. Never make the players fit a system.

Nice goal by Redmond. Jay-rod will be like a new player this season. Club just waiting for the right moment to feed in the positive news about Tadic.

Really looking forward to this season!! Our squad is full of players who want to play for Southampton. We have a team spirit second to no other team. We have a great manager and a fantastically well run club and what's more we believe in giving our youth a chance rather than throwing millions of pounds on average players.nwe do it the 'Southampton Way' and I'm proud of my team!

Germain is not a Saints player

Really good post!! Thx LLP

Maybe you didn't burn all your bridges with the FA Sammy! New as soon as I heard Big Sam was England Manager that Sammy would team up with Sam. Congratulations! England is once again in good hands

No player leaves without the deal being in the best interests for the club. Tadic will be no exception. If they want him they will have to pay a high price

The question marks are me laughing

Systems need to be looked at in terms of phases of play. We never play just one system in a match. In attack we may play 4-2-3-1 (is that so different to a 4-5-1). In defence we will change to a 4-4-1-1. I believe that Puel will play with a flexible midfield diamond. Personally in attack I love 4-2-4, 4-diamond-2 could also be considered. Play 4-2-4 in defence and you'll be destroyed. Every system can be characterised by any manager. Wengers 4-2-3-1 may be slightly different to Puels 4-2-3-1. Anyway looking forward to the responses to my post

Keep your eyes on Boufal deal

Anybody remember the film 'Moneyball'. Don't replace the player, replace and improve the sum contribution.

If a player doesn't want to be here, then he will not be fully focused. In any event Tadic will sign a new contract and stay with Southampton.

I can't agree with the criticism of Koeman dropping players. I actually think it's a reason for why we finished so strongly. Let's look at Pelle and Tadic - both came back more motivated and played exceptional for the remainder of the season. You can look at it both ways.

Actually a very important role

Yes you'll see him this season?

I would expect 2 training sessions a day

Claude Puel is an astute signing!

Leaving on a high is never a bad thing. I think the timing was excellent and we know need to give the new coaching team a chance.

You make a very good point East Kent Saint. Conte has allowed Pelle to play the same way for club and country. This is one reason why England perpetually fail.

Really sad about this.

FdB