ratio_decidendi

The guy is just suffering from a lack of confidence at the moment. It's affecting his end product and decision making. It certainly doesn't help that the crowd are getting on his back every time something bad happens.

Bristol City. The stadium's a ten minute walk away for me, and a win would be good to quieten down the natives.

Fast and attacking =/= winning games, unfortunately! However, I think you've hit the nail on the head with regards to the lack of competition in the England side. Players like Rooney & Wilshere have no incentive to perform when it comes to international games as they know that more often than not they're going to get game time. Compare with Saints now, for example, where every player is hungry to train hard and play harder in the knowledge that if they don't, they won't get the chance to play!

You're right, I can see how that might be a worry. Our chances of getting the next Dusan Tadic or Sadio Mane are reduced when we're competing with a club with greater financial clout. But, given that Spurs operate under a different business model to Saints, wouldn't they be targeting different players?

Given Southampton's success, the position left vacant by Mitchell will no doubt see some good quality applications. I doubt the club's progress will be hindered in any substantial way.

No. If we're going to sign a backup striker to Pelle, I'd much rather it be a young striker to add competition. Someone who can show some potential to perhaps take up the mantle in several years time. As others have already pointed out, resigning Rickie would be a regressive move.

Equally as good and important, but I'm opting for Pelle's just because I wos there.

Interesting post. As ever, it's very hard to gauge the exact impact executives such as Les Reed actually have on the club. They rightfully stay out of the limelight. Anything else is just flirting with controversy. But, nevertheless, I do agree that as a constant presence in the club he must be doing something right. Southampton has gone from strength to strength. Fair play to him!

Had no idea this was happening! 5,000 people - I'd love to compete. The course looks fantastic too. Can't imagine a two hour drive back to Bristol would be much fun though...

Yes Clyne!!

So it's not the best Arsenal team in the world, but the way Saints are pressing the ball is just incredible. I've heard it been compared to a pack of wolves, which really isn't far from what I'm seeing at the moment. And Mane is just insane. Maybe he has a point to prove as it's his debut, but such pace!

At the expense of staying in the PL or just having calm nerves? Nahh.. All I'm saying is be careful what you wish for

God forbid boredom for a Saints fan! Every other day there seems to be some kind of crisis affecting the club.

As others have said he didn't exactly have much work to do yesterday. Probably best to play him against Arsenal in order to get an idea of how good he really is defensively. If he turns into a decent player (maybe he already is), I wouldn't be surprised to see him start some games with Toby at RCB. Shame to lose Fonte. That's the way any business operates. You can't argue with results. But that's just speculation on my behalf.

Absolutely with you on the training/managing side of things. Spurs (and any club) needs managerial and philosophical continuity. Poch needs time to develop his own system. No doubt Spurs, with the right amount of investment, will be a force to be reckoned with soon. Not sure I agree with you on the "lack of plan b crap". From my perspective, there were times last season when we could have benefited from a different approach on the pitch. I guess on paper you could say that Poch's style enveloped all manner of plans, but the fact was that it wasn't effective enough against particular teams. If it was, we would have done better in the league, right? What was the problem then? I put it down not to a deficiency on Poch's behalf, but through a lack of squad depth. If he had the quality in depth, I reckon the lack of plan b complaint wouldn't arise. Just to add some contrast - Koeman has depth so can afford to employ different plans. On that same notes, I think it's too early to make a value judgement on him as the better tactician.

This is interesting from Van Gaal's post match interview. ""You cannot say the defence was weak. You play like a team, Leicester showed that, we did not play like a team in the second half and that is not only defence. In a defensive situation the whole team is responsible, not just one defender." I beg to differ. It's not like the whole team just suddenly forgot years and years of training and development. Man United's terrible transfer window has deeply affected the balance of the team. Smalling et al. in defence are not up to the required standard as shown against Leicester (who did put in an extraordinary effort, it must be said). Why on earth did they invest in 'star strikers' instead of a decent CB replacement. Especially so when they've already got Van Persie, Mata and Rooney! A humiliating result for Utd, but one which will be rectified by borderline offensive spending in January. I feel sorry for Moyes who was never given this opportunity, and it does little to convince me about Van Gaal (whose tactical prowess has really been proved by his stubborn adherence to a system with five at the back )

Give him a contract and he's got no incentive to work hard between now and January. Stop seeing that isn't there, it's just good business.

Interesting statistic from OP. Pretty meaningless, but worth this kind of antagonistic response? Nah.

With time we could arguably have a better 'team' as well. And I think that so long as Southampton can provide Schneiderlin with a good contract and a place in the France national team, there's little reason for him to want to move on. The board might see it differently if a sizeable amount of cash was involved, but that's a bridge yet to be crossed. But, good to see some humility with regards to your previously held opinions, Richmond. I was also a bit miffed that the manager et al left almost immediately after I shelled out for a season ticket.

They didn't. Here's why: Makes sense to me.

More credible decisions from officials? Yes, I'm on board even if it means stubbing the natural flow of the game which is, by the way, already quite stop start (especially if you're playing against a Tony Pulis side). I'm more concerned about other potential consequences of this system. How will it impact the viewing of the game on TV i.e. will it be an excuse for networks to throw in more commercials? Could the system lead to even more controversial decisions? These are only possibilities, but I'm sure I'm not that only one that's cynical about Sepp Blatter and FIFA.

"Hey, guys! I've got an idea. Let's employ a twenty strong scouting department and then only use them for four months a year!" Targeting players is part and parcel of the game now. In fact, it has been for football and business as a whole for as long as I can remember. What's so outrageous about if for you?

My guess is backup now, starter next season. Might also be used in a formation with five at the back.

You stay classy, SaintsWeb.

It would be pretty gutless of Wanyama to want out after his earlier comments about intending to stay. Seems like a bit of pointless stirring.