Saint Since '51

Didn't know these rules. Thank-you.

Where is the link to the ticket sales web site?

Fair point. But shouting "FORWARD" every time we have the ball - irrespective of whether there is a pass on or how much pressure the passer is under - isn't applying the brain. Neither am I arguing for "tippy-tappy constantly turning back football". But sometimes they need to go back or sideways, to pull opponents out of possession or to keep the ball or look for the best opening, and they shouldn't be thoughtlessly "castigated" for that either. Indeed, if it means they don't lose possession and if it leads to better attacks, they should be encouraged to do it.

Wow! Somebody talking sense. What's The Cat doing here? Cat, please write something sensible about patience and probing before breaking through the opposition press. (Our goals today are good evidence). My seat is surrounded by people who shout "Forward!" every time a Saints player has the ball. They don't seem to notice that whacking it forward just gives away possession and puts you back under pressure again. Do these people every watch football as it's played by the rest of the world?

I think he's 57.

Are you sure?

I was there. Enjoyed the game a lot. Contested for the ball really well, dominated the opposition for most of the match, 60+% possession. We looked really well coached and created lots of pressure on their goal. All good. Well done and thank you to Ralph and the whole team. But one shot on target. One. In a game we bossed. That has to be a worry.

He'd play as a 10 for us. Improves the squad. Potential signing in the summer. Good addition. Better than hastily adding a full-back we really don't want to play. I think they are gambling on muddling through the short term crisis, and finishing the rest of the season with Vesty (and Salisu) back and using Stephens as cover at full-back, until we can get another decent full-back in the summer.

So, he DIDN'T say "I will get I trouble tomorrow". Just checking. Since all over the internet people are assuming that he did. And it's being used as evidence of trouble in the dressing room or a player revolt or whatever.

Did he actually say, "will get in trouble tomorrow"? I've not been able to find a video showing him say this. Or is "get in trouble tomorrow" someone's interpretation of "it won't end well", which he actually did say? "It won't end well" could mean any number of things. Eg I might say something I might regret, or I might lose my temper. Anything.

This. If one of your team switches off as soon as the opposition has the ball, or only makes a cosmetic effort at pressing, or will get in the vicinity of an opponent but doesn't go the extra yard to get gaol-side, then your whole press, your whole defensive shape, is flawed, or there is no pressure on a cross, or an opponent can pick out a pass - and any of these can lead to a goal against and all this happens ALL the time your opponent has the ball. This is more likely to affect the outcome than a flash of brilliance which may influence the game occasionally. But the pity is that ANY of the squad could do this defensive activity if they have the right mind-set. But none of them have the skills Boufal has. All Ralph is asking for is that he does the (relatively) easy pressing, defensive activity when he doesn't have the ball as well as the magic he does when he does have it. Boufal has never shown the willingness to do both. Till he does, he'll continue to be a bit part player, brought on when the opposition is tired and the game is stretched.

Who says?

Understated. No really incisive passing or Romeu's dominant tackling. But calm, confident and composed - a little in the style of Spiderman. Stitched the game together nicely. Won't get in the first XI, but made a good impression.

Hoedt and Stephens at fault for their goal. Cedric has put in some good crosses; Bertrand good going forward too. Opposition very poor.

LinkedIn account for Matthew Banks. https://uk.linkedin.com/in/mathew-banks-24744270

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-7184767/Southampton-ready-turn-attentions-Spezia-forward-David-Okereke.html Okereke. Faster and more two-footed than Adams. Physique not so good for back-to-goal / hold-up play. Neither seem much use in the air.

And getting goal side and putting pressure on opponents when they have the ball - as opposed to just running alongside in their general vicinity.

You're quite right when you say, 'RH doesn't say the midfield (and, as some have said, OR) are crap.' He wasn't talking about the midfield at all, let alone OR in particular. What he said is that when playing 4 at the back, we sometimes suffer from not having what he called the "firefighter" alongside them; he meant the extra centre back.

RH didn't say he was open to selling Hojbjerg. Indeed, he said the opposite. He said he was open to building his team around him.

RH didn't say that Obafemi 'doesn't look after himself'. He said that he didn't train professionally enough - I think he was referring to overall training, not just speed work; things like warming up and warming down professionally.

Chaplow. Anyone reading this thread must be really confused. Was he great or crap? Answer. Passing, control and crossing were poor. Went from disappointing to embarrassing to comical. On the other hand, his effort was excellent. Tackling back good. And he gives us good shape; he keeps his position better than Guly or de Ridder. Also a hand in one of the goals. He's severely lacking in confidence. At least twice he had a chance to run at the last defender and passed to players in worse positions. He got a severe b*ll*cking from Jos for not taking on the last defender once in the first half. I'd keep him in on balance. He's our best option on the right side.

Agree almost entirely with post from Saint Garrett. You may flatter Lambert and Guly slightly - and do Fox no favours - but otherwise spot on. Good report. We were fortunate to weather the last 10 minutes of the first half and go in with our lead intact. But, once we went two up, Nigel sorted out a formation which made it look very unlikely that they would find a way back. Table is looking good! By the way, I sometimes wonder if that chap who wrote Lord of the Flies (William Golding?) was an away Saints supporter. When I go to away grounds where the stewards don't steward, like Hull, it's clear that those with no brains and no scruples fill the void where there should be proper order and indulge their own selfish needs with no regard for others. When there are swathes of empty spaces in rows further back, quite why some people think it's reasonable to arrive in row 6 at 7.45pm and stand in front of people who've been sat in seats since 7.15 I cannot think.

Spiderman played off Guly in first half - strange decision. Reversed at half time, so clearly didn't work. Guly as main striker didn't work; his first time close control is not good enough for him to play as a target man. He also became disheartened by the end. SDR played wide first half and tghen off Guly second half. Then was taken off. Enough said. Tons of possession and lots of corners in the first half, without really creating clear chances. Second half dire; couldn't believe it could get worse after substitutions, but it did. I don't think we had a shot on target second half. Very poor and very disheartening to see how much our play going forward relies upon Lambert. Disappointing that Lallana couldn't step up and play a more influential role.

Game was closer than posts above suggest. We started very shakily and for a while they were quicker and stronger to the ball. It was only in the last 15 minutes of the first half that we started to really get on top. We were much the better side in the second half - Ricky had two or three chances to win it - but it could have gone either way. Someone cleared off our line with about 15 minutes to go and every time they had a corner we looked very shaky. Our goal was fantastic; lovely quick-passing move and very accomplished finish. Couldn't tell you about their goal; someone in front of me seemed to think that paying for his ticket to see the game gives him the right to stand up all match and stop me seeing it.

Well done. Thank-you.