Graffito

Yet the winning goal in the play off final was a 12 pass move that started in Saints penalty area. Just saying. I think this idea that there was some enforced change of tactics that led magically to positive results is overdone. Basically what happened was that McCarthy booted it long occasionally because he’s not comfortable passing the ball under pressure.

Possession football is the antithesis of good football? Really?

That’s just not credible. Martin’s primary objective is winning matches. He sees his possession based football as means to that end not an end in itself. Currently it’s failing which is why many of us would like to see more pragmatism, failing which he’ll be replaced. He knows this.

That’s a quote from Guardiola in 2011. Martin endorses it but he didn’t say it.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/oct/14/is-it-naive-for-a-promoted-side-to-play-possession-football-in-the-premier-league?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other When we win, the game model seems good and is not questioned. But bear in mind, we won’t always win. Then doubts will come. That is the moment when we will have to trust the model more than ever because the temptation to move away from it will be very strong.

Highlighted. This is exactly right. I like possession football but it comes down to quality on the ball. We don’t have it, especially at the back. Remains to be seen whether the recent additions improve matters.

Wtf. Why do we watch football?

Get a bucket hat. You’ll be recognised as an Englishman the world over in a bucket hat.

Yeah I’m bored of all this Mara talk. Let’s talk about his mum.

If your referring to the fourfoorTwo analysis, that’s not what I took from it. What I think it’s saying is that a combination of selection and tactics did not suit how Kane plays. In other words, no rashford or sterling who like to go beyond kane when he drops deep and who stretch play and create space, rather we had Bellingham, saka, foden who like ball to feet. In which case, play Watkins who runs in behind and creates space (England’s goal).

Really good that. Thanks for posting.

Lallana categorically denied he threatened to go on strike. There are press reports confirming this. Is there anything from the club confirming he threatened to go on strike? If yes, then it’s a question of who you believe. If no, the balance of probability is that Lallana did not threaten to go on strike. It’s all water under the bridge anyway and has no bearing on what he may or may not be able to do for the club now.

Erm scratches head. Slightly unexpected response. But if you don’t see the benefit of experience and the ability to impart that experience to a still quite young team that struggled in the PL then fair enough. I’m sure we’d all like the most highly qualified and well respected youth coach there is but is that person available to southampton. I really don’t care about Lallana’s own coaching aspirations either, they’re irrelevant. It’s what he can do for the club that matters. Saints seem to think he can offer something, as did brighton who wanted to keep him another year. I’ve no idea whether he can help with coaching and mentoring or whether he can’t. I’m just trying to see it from the club’s perspective. Incidentally, if he’s coming just to play I’d be against it.

The indications seem to be a primarily a coaching/mentoring role. There’s a need for it isn’t there? Isn’t that why “shoehorn” was shoehorned?.

It was never in doubt, it’s a photo opportunity. He only does photo opportunities. No work, just media.

How likely are they to counter this by sacrificing a forward for an extra man in midfield?

The Harp’s a good pub. Hop Head amongst others. But take a look at opening times. Sunday opening tends to be 12 noon. If, like Sue (and me) you are coming into Victoria station, there are two Wetherspoons which open early. There’s one on Victoria station concourse and another just outside the station on Wilton Rd. It’s Wetherspoons but they’re both ok.

I don’t give a flying fuck about the kit. It’s a football match not a fashion show.

Why’s he talking about his mum and about being tired when we’ve got promotion to play for?

Yes his post match interview was woolly. First question was what went wrong his answer I don’t know I’ll have to watch it back. Implied criticism in Pearson’s comments after the interview. He said he’s a leader, he needs to give the players clarity. Incidentally his pre match interview was flat. And he said afterwards we knew it was play offs before the match. Any wonder we got a limp performance. Having said that we’ve been defending like pussies all season.

Of course. didn’t you?

No discernible difference. As you know, away fans tend to stand anyway.

I was right in line with it and it wasn’t “comfortably offside” at all. It looked in real time as it does in the stills, a very close call.

Against on the whole Championship players.