Kokakole

I'm of the same opinion when it comes to Hojbjerg, and have been for a while. In the build up to their first goal he was slow to react to Billing bursting down the middle and then gave up chasing him. That goal is, in large measure, down to him. Romeu - who I thought was washed up - has been outperforming him in every game that I've seen this season. BUT, to be fair, his pass to Adams in the build up to our goal was great. It was sharp and incisive and bypassed their midfield.

I don't think that it was that others had never heard of Mane - of course, in this day and age, they had. It was more about committing the resources to go and watch him a few times to confirm he would be worth that kind of money. Every club has limited resources and it has to choose how it uses them (see Everton's new strategy: https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/everton-explore-south-america-players-14569503). I don't think it's just about Saints having better judgment than other teams; it's about how you form that judgment and come to a decision: is it on the basis of youtube highlight videos or have different scouts been to watch him a few times, talked to others about him, etc.?

I'm not naive enough to think that we're going to be able to keep our star players (to the extent that we have any). But I do think that we don't have to sell players with 3-4 years left on their contracts if we don't want to. There's a reason they sign their contracts with us in the first place: it's because they weren't wanted by the bigger clubs. VVD wasn't wanted by a bigger club when he was at Celtic; that's why he came to us. But the culture created by the club is that the contracts don't really matter and that any time someone comes in for a player, he's entitled to leave. I don't think it's impossible. How did Leicester keep Mahrez?

The central mistake, according to Krueger's interview in the Daily Echo, is that we stopped with the 'stepping stone' strategy and got too big for our britches. He then implies that we'll go back to that model. I would fundamentally disagree; the problem is the 'stepping stone' strategy itself: it has a very small margin of error. All it took for us to get in trouble was to recruit poorly for one or two replacements for key players (Mane, Pelle), along with a fallow couple of years in the Academy, and we were suddenly in a relegation fight. Krueger's recipe is to go back to the 'stepping stone' strategy. But that smacks of hubris to me: he believes we should restart the revolving door and that we'll keep finding excellent replacements. The thing is, it's getting harder and harder as more and more clubs invest in their scouting recruiting departments, especially for foreign players. It wouldn't be possible now for a bigger club to miss out on a Mane; I'm sure the 2018 version of him is firmly on lots of clubs' radar. Our club is aware of this, and tried to exploit another perceived 'market inefficiency' by buying big clubs' reserves that weren't getting playing time. This strategy, unfortunately, hasn't really paid off yet: the jury is still out on Lemina, but I find it hard to believe Hoedt will ever be a Premer League-average defender, while Hojbjerg hasn't really progressed even though we want him to. So, what are we left with? We won't be able to buy diamonds in the rough from the likes of the Austrian league, because other clubs have wizened up, and the other approach (of buying big clubs' reserves) doesn't seem to work. Why, then, does Krueger believe we'll be able to have success with that again!? Haven't we just come close to disaster precisely because of this approach!? I'd focus more of our resources in finding gems for the academy and in consolidating the team with a couple of smart purchases each year while letting go our middling players, rather than our best ones. And, also, in growing a spine; VVD was emboldened to have a poor attitude because he saw that everyone that tried that approach (bar Morgan for a year) succeded in forcing a move.

Here is an apparent stream: http://fïrstrowsports.eu

Thanks for that thoughtful reply. You're probably right about the likes of Van Dijk signing on the assumption or verbal agreement that they can leave if a good enough offer comes in; that probably plays a part in us attracting players of his caliber. However, I am not suggesting that we can stop being a "selling club" overnight so that none of our players would leave. I'm just wondering when - if ever - we can stem the tide and slow down the departures (and/or extend our top players stay in the club from 2 to 3 or 4 years)?

We've seen the news that Van Dijk is leaving and that Bertrand might leave. While neither of these transfers would be unexpected, they would still come as a bit of a blow to this Saints' fan's morale: it's disheartening to have to lose our best players each year. So my question is: is there a longer term plan that would see us stop being a selling club? Or is this it - is this state of affairs the best we can hope for and will the club continue to be run in this manner for the foreseeable future? Before someone out there says "every club, aside from Real, Barca and Bayern, is a selling club", let me clarify: by "selling club", I simply mean that when one of our players has a stand out season he is invariably sold, either that summer or (at best) the following summer. What do you think?

Apparently, Toby has said he wants to join Spurs. I think it's over. http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jul/07/toby-alderweireld-friends-spurs-atletico-madrid-southampton

Not even Hatch!

Maybe you should stop believing everything you read. A Serb Saints fan (who doesn't hate anyone).

Here's the Guardian's take on Davis vs Djuricic Southampton were excellent against Chelsea last weekend, dogged and determined, their eyes still on a European prize. But Burnley will be a different prospect. Sean Dyche’s side may, at times, lack finesse but they will press and pressure and harry and run and if the Saints want to go marching on, they will need a different approach than the one applied at Stamford Bridge, an approach that would see Steven Davis dropped. Davis is a tidy passer and hard working and adds immensely to the defensive effort, but his major failing is that he offers very little going forward. He has played 2,063 minutes in the league this season – more than any other Southampton midfielder – but has only managed two assists. (Victor Wanyama and Morgan Schneiderlin have fewer but they are playing much further back.) For this game, Southampton are going to need someone who has the skill, technique and passing ability that can that can unpick a defence and can find the runs of his team-mates. Someone like Filip Djuricic. Sure, the Serbian is young and inexperienced in the Premier League but he has already shown he has a sizeable amount of ability, which could prove very useful in breaking down defences during the chase for that coveted European spot. Burnley are terrible away from home – they have picked up one win on the road all season – and Southampton are very good against the bottom-based sides. Only once have they dropped a point at home against a team lower than 10th and that was way back in August against West Bromwich Albion. The rest have been sucked in and spat out like Augustus Gloop in the chocolate river. This could be just the perfect of game to let Djuricic run wild and show what he can do. IMC

Just calling it as I saw it. I think on the whole he's been very good for us this season and is one of the candidates for player of the season honours. But, I think last night he was ponderous in possession and his performance reminded me more of last season's Wanyama: tough in the tackle, difficult to get around in midfield, but not particularly clever on the ball.

I didn't phrase it right. I agree generally that Vic has been our most improved player and he undoubtedly merits a place in the side. I just think he's been less influential going forward in the last few games and tends to get caught out with the ball more, like last season. But I still think he's been really good and would bet his form will improve...

Exactly. Djuricic was one of the few bright sparks we had and deserves to play in the next game. Pelle....until the Swansea game (I think) he was not scoring but was contributing in other ways. That hasn't been the case since. I really want him to come good but am afraid he doesn't merit a place in the team at the moment. I know Long is not an inspiring alternative, but at least he provides some more movement. Also, Elia has provided little of note in the last 3-4 games. He takes too long on the ball, his crossing is sub-par and he lacks composure when presented with a chance. Wanyama has lost his way, Morgan was also no great shakes. He can't be the main creator of our play if we want to be a top 4 side; that's not his strength. We are getting no penetration from midfield and can't seem to create any space when a team sits back. But, we won! And scored a goal! So, all good for tonight :-)

I agree. This game was an excellent example of us missing creativity from midfield; there were quite a few opportunities for Davis and JWP to play a decisive pass and they couldn't quite pull it off. In addition, neither of them can make defences scramble by taking on a player and beating him, thus leaving an extra man free somewhere. We have no one that runs at players from midfield. If we're going to play with 2 defensive midfielders (which is justified when you look at our record and at how good Wanyama and Morgan have been), then you need the third, more advanced, midfielder to provide something they don't have: that extra bit of skill, or a killer pass. Whether that's Tadic in a no. 10 position, or Djuricic, or someone else that we are yet to buy, I don't know, but that's an area where we could really improve. Of course, these types of players are the ones who are most prized, so it's easier said than done.

Unfair. The QPR game was his worst since the beginning of the season, so it's fair to criticise him for that one game, but on the whole he has been very good - his goalscoring record is good, his link up play also, he carries a huge load (which is noticeable when he hasn't played), he's a real team player, he's played a part in lots of goals (either through assists or knock-downs leading to assists) and he's been very unlucky with the number of times he's hit the woodwork. All in all, he's been one of our better players this season and deserves our support.

*looked like HE could PROVIDE a spark to the team*

Having watched him play for the Serbian national team: in some games he was the most creative player on the pitch (including Tadic) and always looked could spark the team. In others, he looks weak and like he can't really influence the game. It seems to me his best position is behind the striker, as an attacking midfielder or auxiliary striker. But the one thing that seemed a constant was a lack of composure in his finishing. So, all in all, he could help and add creativity, but I don't think he'll be scoring lots of goals for us.

I remember watching an ESPN programme about Am. Football (I know, it's not football, but stick with me). The analyst - a former player, no less - showed us the strengths and weaknesses of the quarterbacks playing in a few games that week by referencing things that no ordinary supporter could pick up. He then off-handedly mentioned that he had watched about 20 hours of footage that week to do so. My feeling, watching the pundits on TV, is that there might be one (G. Neville) who does this. Maybe. The rest of them simply watch the same games most of us do and pick up received wisdom from the papers, others, etc - which means the same old crap is regurgitated.

Exactly. Pelle is THE reason we have possession in their half. We have completely by-passed midfield and the only way we've been attacking is through him - and he's been winning pretty much all of the balls hit his way. He - again - played a part in the build-up to the goal, just like the Mane goal at CP, Wanyama at Swansea, etc. The fact is that he's not getting any service, but he's been a rare bright spot in attack.

He's been off the boil generally over the past few weeks, but today I don't think he was bad. He worked hard even though he didn't see much of the ball, his delivery was better, and - and this is crucial considering how little possession we had - produced a real quality pass to set up Mane. It looked easy, but he made it look this way; how many of our other players would have weighted that pass perfectly?

I can only follow here and on the Guardian's website, where the minute-by-minute asks: "Southampton have not threatened much at Burnley yet. They had similar problems breaking Villa down on their own turf the other week. Are people wising up to Koeman’s men?" True?

Villa have scored the fewest goals in the PL (5) and we've conceded the fewest (5). Therefore it seems like a decent bet that they won't score. And I would guess that we will sneak at least 1. 0-1 (Saints win) for me!

Today's games are all important for us. Like Koeman, I reckon that over the course of the season we are very unlikely to be able to challenge Chelsea and Man City for a top place. But we can rival any of the other top 7 teams from last year for a CL spot. Therefore, we have to be better than four out of Arsenal, Man U, Liverpool, Everton and Tottenham (and, of course, West Ham and Swansea). I think we great chance of finishing higher than Everton, Tottenham and Liverpool (plus I'd love to see the latter two do badly, regardless :-)). The others I'm not so sure about. Thoughts?

Hard to choose between them, but I think Toby because he's more versatile and we have better cover for Ryan B. Namely, I think Targett will pan out well, but even if he doesn't, Toby can - if need be - can play at RB and Clyne could play LB (he did it against Aston Villa two seasons ago when he scored in that 4-1 win). By contrast, Ryan B can play at LB and that's it (not to denigrate his play this season, which has been excellent).