Playing "The Southampton Way"

[Saint_clark]

From a Barnsley forum;

 

Southampton today..... receive ball...control...pass ball...move into space...etc etc

Isn't that what Mr Hill promised us, or was our abhortion of trying to do that his version?

 

We were running around like headless, wingless, bollockless chickens chasing shadows.

 

Soton deserved to win. We were pathetic.

We do not appear to have the players capable of playing the Southampton way.

Roll on Tuesday for episode 3 of Barnsley Nil.

Kick in the teeth for those who slated Cortese for wanting to create a "Southampton brand" of football. We haven't even got to get into the Prem for it to be called the Southampton Way

 

http://v2.barnsleyfc.org.uk/showthread.php?155647-Southampton-today.....-receive-ball...control...pass-ball...move-into-space...etc-etc&p=1034508#poststop

[sussexsaint]

These last few months I have never been prouder to be a Southampton fan. I think I have even lost 'the fear'. Half time at leads I didn't think, ******** we're going to lose still and it's been a long long time since I felt like that.

[waggy]

These last few months I have never been prouder to be a Southampton fan. I think I have even lost 'the fear'. Half time at leads I didn't think, ******** we're going to lose still and it's been a long long time since I felt like that.

 

this .... I spend a lot of time working away from home and have seen people wearing Saints shirts of one description or another all over the gaff

[Glasgow_Saint]

When will the bubble burst?

[Rasiak-9-]

When we realise next season that with only four games left of the Premiership to go...we aren't going to catch Man City for the title

[eelpie]

When will the bubble burst?

 

You've just burst it. Will we ever win again, lol?

[david in sweden]

When will the bubble burst?

 

.....it hasn't even begun to be a bubble yet ...!

[shurlock]

We'll see - yesterday we were helped by a Barnsley team that gave us too much time on the ball. Would be a very diiferent story if one or two were put under greater pressure.

[Colinjb]

These last few months I have never been prouder to be a Southampton fan. I think I have even lost 'the fear'. Half time at leads I didn't think, ******** we're going to lose still and it's been a long long time since I felt like that.

 

Still havn't quite got over 'fear' when we're winning but I've never felt more confident about our team then at the moment.

[St Michael]

Calm down a bit, everybody. We've played two teams who - if their other results so far are any indicator - aren't very good; as well as a tiny League Two club. We've beaten them all, which is extremely encouraging, but for people to say they've lost 'the fear' and that everything will be forever strawberries and buttercups is a bit reactionary. I've been supporting Saints for 20 years and I will never, EVER lose 'the fear', whatever league we're in and however many goals we're leading by in injury time!

[Bartosz Bialkowski]

Calm down a bit, everybody. We've played two teams who - if their other results so far are any indicator - aren't very good; as well as a tiny League Two club. We've beaten them all, which is extremely encouraging, but for people to say they've lost 'the fear' and that everything will be forever strawberries and buttercups is a bit reactionary. I've been supporting Saints for 20 years and I will never, EVER lose 'the fear', whatever league we're in and however many goals we're leading by in injury time!

 

When was the last time you saw us beat 8 (small and crap) teams in a row then?

 

Thats right, NEVER.

 

Thats why the fear is diminishing. Its bound too, with respect to the league we are in, its arguable we have the best Saints team in 20+ years.

[.comsaint]

Serious question; how many squads in this division are actually better than Saints?

 

West Ham? Leicester? I know they're probably every bit as good as our squad - but better?

 

I'm not so sure anyone is. There are still more transfers to go through for all the clubs no doubt - but as it stands at this moment in time - I don't actually see any club having a better overall squad.

 

As good as, yes. But better? Hmmm . . .

[carljack]

.....it hasn't even begun to be a bubble yet ...!

 

8 straight wins! believe me it IS a bubble to someone who has supported Saints for over 40 years.

[EastleighSoulBoy]

With reference to 'that fear'. after 48 years of many experiences with Saints I'd propose that it will be hard to eradicate but by golly I'm enjoying the experiences which are eating away at it!

 

Will I ever lose it remains to be seen.

[Toadhall Saint]

Serious question; how many squads in this division are actually better than Saints?

 

West Ham? Leicester? I know they're probably every bit as good as our squad - but better?

 

I'm not so sure anyone is. There are still more transfers to go through for all the clubs no doubt - but as it stands at this moment in time - I don't actually see any club having a better overall squad.

 

As good as, yes. But better? Hmmm . . .

 

We need 2 additions and then I'm agreeing whole heartedly with you.

[aintforever]

When was the last time you saw us beat 8 (small and crap) teams in a row then?

 

Thats right, NEVER.

 

Thats why the fear is diminishing. Its bound too, with respect to the league we are in, its arguable we have the best Saints team in 20+ years.

 

LOL, calm down dear. We have won 2 Championship games.

 

Strachan's side got to an FA Cup final and were 4th in the Prem at xmas 2003.

[Ewell]

.....it hasn't even begun to be a bubble yet ...!

 

Spot on. This thread and people's reactions to winning 2 league matches against un-fancied opposition and a cup game against an average league 2 side are laughable. Yes enjoy the moment but let’s forget about last season and the associated stats. We are 3 games unbeaten this season and that is all that counts. As Kenny Jacket the Millwall manager said yesterday until you have completed 12 matches it cannot be considered a good start. I would say after we have played our 10th league game against West Ham at home then we will know if we are a decent side with a chance of going up or not. There are some really tough games to come before then too.

[up and away]

We'll see - yesterday we were helped by a Barnsley team that gave us too much time on the ball. Would be a very diiferent story if one or two were put under greater pressure.

 

Maybe, not in a position to argue. But Barnsley took a very useful point off Forest. Although we dominated Leeds, I thought Howson looked a very useful player.

 

The one thing we seem to be getting right is the balance between defence and attack from our midfield. We seem a lot more selective in how we attack with the wide men selectively cutting in to great effect, without exposing too great a weakness for the opposition. One very noticeable aspect is that players are receiving the ball and turning to face the opposition and moving forward, rather than taking the easy knock back. It's also obvious we must have been playing triangles throughout the pre season, such is the efficiency in which we create the space to complete passes.

 

Last season I never rated the balance of the midfield, but Adkins has done a number on this and come up trumps. I didn't think he had it in him to turn this around after it went on for so long, but full praise along with the condition he has presented the players at exactly the right time. I expect we will get blips along the way, but there looks enough to be in the top six come January and enough of a budget to make the difference at that stage. I cannot remember a time at Saints where we had the whole club from stewards to the CEO pulling in one unified effort, especially what is happening on the playing side.

[Glasgow_Saint]

1 loss 1 draw and 16 wins from last 18! Good signings, a promotion, great performances and top players linked!!!

 

That's a bubble I like

[dronskisaint]

We'll see - yesterday we were helped by a Barnsley team that gave us too much time on the ball. Would be a very diiferent story if one or two were put under greater pressure.

 

This wasn't the case with Leeds, however, paricularly in the second half. Yes they either kicked us or ending up chasing shadows but we weren't found wanting when closed down.

[eelpie]

What exactly is the 'Southampton Way'? And for how long have our teams been playing in this recognisable style?

 

For me I recall the fast flowing precision passing football of Paine and Sydenham, whilst on the negative side (and at a different time) Branfoot was hated so much because he abandoned this style of play.

 

More recently Poortvliet's young team actually played some brilliant passing football at times, but did not have the experience nor firepower to win matches.

 

Recollections of the best of our way of playing football?

[astrasri]

We'll see - yesterday we were helped by a Barnsley team that gave us too much time on the ball. Would be a very diiferent story if one or two were put under greater pressure.

 

As the saying goes' you can only beat what's in front of you'. Did we manage the game making time on the ball or did Barnsley trot around not picking our players up? I don't know as I wasn't there, but it sounds like they went for it at the end and our 10 men stood up to be counted especially when Kelvin was down. We eventually took a very energetic Torquay apart with what some would describe as a second team,but presumably playing in the same style.

Possibly the question should be - playing all these poor teams and winning will we become too complacent and be unable to step up when we meet the super teams in this league?

[benjii]

Maybe, not in a position to argue. But Barnsley took a very useful point off Forest. Although we dominated Leeds, I thought Howson looked a very useful player.

 

The one thing we seem to be getting right is the balance between defence and attack from our midfield. We seem a lot more selective in how we attack with the wide men selectively cutting in to great effect, without exposing too great a weakness for the opposition. One very noticeable aspect is that players are receiving the ball and turning to face the opposition and moving forward, rather than taking the easy knock back. It's also obvious we must have been playing triangles throughout the pre season, such is the efficiency in which we create the space to complete passes.

 

Last season I never rated the balance of the midfield, but Adkins has done a number on this and come up trumps. I didn't think he had it in him to turn this around after it went on for so long, but full praise along with the condition he has presented the players at exactly the right time. I expect we will get blips along the way, but there looks enough to be in the top six come January and enough of a budget to make the difference at that stage. I cannot remember a time at Saints where we had the whole club from stewards to the CEO pulling in one unified effort, especially what is happening on the playing side.

 

The explanation for this appears to be simple: "Cork"!

[Windmill Arm 2]

We'll see - yesterday we were helped by a Barnsley team that gave us too much time on the ball. Would be a very diiferent story if one or two were put under greater pressure.

Some people thrive on negativity, I saw a very hard fought victory against a tricky team AWAY . Great result, the type which will make us a success.

[suewhistle]

More recently Poortvliet's young team actually played some brilliant passing football at times, but did not have the experience nor firepower to win matches.

 

Yes, I always felt a bit sorry for him. But yesterday was delightful, and to think we were able to bring on De Ridder and Schneiderlin. Barnsley were poor, but Leeds were one of those teams that people thought could be up there and even if they end up only a mid-table side it was a reasonable test. We'll see with the Ipswichs and WHU of this league, but now I feel we can beat anyone even if we'll obviously lose a few, and playing decent football to do it.

[dubai_phil]

Pace.

 

Lots have gone on about "our lack of pace".

 

But what I saw & heard last couple of games is what is encouraging me.

 

I hark back to a Man Ure Cup game at home while we were in the PL which I saw on telly. Man Ure moved the ball around SO quickly that we were chasing shadows. We were ripped a new one but it wasn't about players with pace killing us it was simply that the speed of thought of the Manure players was so much faster than us.

 

Now I start to see the same thing developing. We ping the ball around (oldest adage in the book - Let the ball do the work) player movement and the confidence to make the touches and layoffs (as someone else said) while facing forwards.

 

I've read many comments about our players seeming to have picked up a half yard of pace already this season, but a lot of that comes from having the triangles ingrained.

 

The pace of the ball around the pitch is something Branfoot tried - but failed dismally as it was hoofball. Now with us that ball fizzes around the pitch, the second pass being made before the opposition has seen where the first pass has gone to.

 

I like that, it works damn well for Man Ure & as long as we don't become Arsenil trying to walk the ball into the net and as long as we can adapt to cold wet & windy cabbage patches from time to time, this could be the start of something good.

 

Players comfortable on the ball, complete opposite from watching the England National Team with it's PL prima donnas.

[qwertySFC]

What the good start indicates to other teams is that we mean business - able to grind out results - not here to just get through the season and "consolidate" our position as NPC team to build a steady progress over the next few years - how many teams aspire to this - you hear it all the time. I don't think many teams will be looking forward to playing us and that is exactly what we need - Nigel wants to win every game whether it be League, Carling & FA Cup because winning breads confidence - makes the team players step up another level - no one wants to be left out of a winning team .

 

For years as a Saints fan - I can't remember how many times I have heard well - "we can concentrate on the league now" or - "survival is the main target" - psychology we have a winning mentality which has spilled over from last season. It appears that pre season was good for the players - if we had started the season with a loss and a draw I guess some people on here would be slating the manager or team / however we have set our stall out from the start - winning our first three games - what this does is send out the signal to other teams - Saints are going for it and I believe that Nigel will keep the players feet on the ground - not get over confident - and really take one game at a time. As a Saints fan - it is a very nice positive era and long may it continue . One thing I do read a lot is many other teams fans forums and I see comments / anguish and frustration ( Not all teams but a majority) at the way their club is going forward in very negative way - In fact it is like reading our own site a few years ago - so be positive, confident and a little arrogant about our start - The only way is up.

[shurlock]

Some people thrive on negativity, I saw a very hard fought victory against a tricky team AWAY . Great result, the type which will make us a success.

 

No, I am optimistic (see comments on the post-match match thread). Just interested to see what happens when the defense gets less time on the ball or the full-backs aren't allowed to push on as they were yesterday. Leeds were much better at closing down, though we still beat them. All I am saying is that we will come up against teams AWAY that get in our faces a lot more. Tues will be a good test.

[S-Clarke]

No, I am optimistic (see comments on the post-match match thread). Just interested to see what happens when the defense gets less time on the ball or the full-backs aren't allowed to push on as they were yesterday. Leeds were much better at closing down, though we still beat them. All I am saying is that we will come up against teams AWAY that get in our faces a lot more. Tues will be a good test.

 

Agree with that. We're up against a proven championship striker on Tuesday, the first time we've had such a threat this season. So it will be interesting to see how we cope.

[Charlie Wayman]

Two wins, gentlemen. It's a bit early to start crowing yet. I hope it keeps going but **** happens

[Griffo]

Some of the football at times yesterday was brilliant, but I'm not going to get carried away with two wins over teams that look like they're going to struggle this season.

[up and away]

No, I am optimistic (see comments on the post-match match thread). Just interested to see what happens when the defense gets less time on the ball or the full-backs aren't allowed to push on as they were yesterday. Leeds were much better at closing down, though we still beat them. All I am saying is that we will come up against teams AWAY that get in our faces a lot more. Tues will be a good test.

 

I have always found your match reports to be excellent, the first I look for. Whilst I understand where you are coming from here (had exact same thoughts after the Leeds game), there are a couple of things out of the ordinary here for Saints. Chatting after the Leeds game, I was trying to figure out whether we were that good or Leeds were that poor. Someone referenced Howson and asked whether he would be any good for Saints, all unanimous in that he would be an asset. Leeds were a bit toothless up front but looking back I don't believe their midfield caved, more we earned it and they then had nothing left. Then taking Barnsley, rarely do we take such control or even with the control, take advantage.

 

These results on their own leave the question you have posed as very valid. But to counter that, when was the last time you saw Saints take advantage in such a manner? Bearing in mind we are now supposedly a league higher than last season! What we have seen from Saints so far this season is exactly what we would expect when you had any of the fancied teams in the Championship play such opposition.

 

Like you I feel we won't really know until we have a team that exerts that little bit more pressure upon all areas, but that should not over look that we have dealt with these two teams as you would expect from a good Championship side.

[um pahars]

Have we played any differently in these first two games (as opposed to how we finished last season)????

 

Been out of the loop for a couple of weeks, but impressed by the results we have picked up so far. Quite a few supporters of other teams I met on holibobs were tipping us as dark horses and the first two results can give us some confidence. Long hard season, but as we're notoriously bad starters I'll happily take 6 out of 6.

[S-Clarke]

Have we played any differently in these first two games (as opposed to how we finished last season)????

 

Been out of the loop for a couple of weeks, but impressed by the results we have picked up so far. Quite a few supporters of other teams I met on holibobs were tipping us as dark horses and the first two results can give us some confidence. Long hard season, but as we're notoriously bad starters I'll happily take 6 out of 6.

 

I think the main difference in our play this season is Cork, his presence alone has taken us up another level.

[Bartosz Bialkowski]

LOL, calm down dear. We have won 2 Championship games.

 

Strachan's side got to an FA Cup final and were 4th in the Prem at xmas 2003.

 

Try reading before replying mate.

 

"with respect to the league we are in"

 

Did strachans team ever win 8 in a row? Was it ever top of the league? Could we ever argue that strachans team was one of the best in the league?

 

No we couldnt.

 

So my point is valid. Ta love.

[aintforever]

Try reading before replying mate.

 

"with respect to the league we are in"

 

Did strachans team ever win 8 in a row? Was it ever top of the league? Could we ever argue that strachans team was one of the best in the league?

 

No we couldnt.

 

So my point is valid. Ta love.

 

You are still talking b@ll@x.

[Thedelldays]

You are still talking b@ll@x.

 

not really...won 16 out of 18....in my life, never experienced that

[aintforever]

not really...won 16 out of 18....in my life, never experienced that

 

But if you say "best team in the last 20 years" but don't include the Prem teams you are talking b*ll*x. If you are ingnoring leagues/opposition and just going by stats you might as well say this is the best Saints team ever.

[sammysaint]

I have always been a proud saints fan but since JPT final its been a great time for us, i only hope our form carrys on and we achieve at least a mid table finish this season.

 

WGS BTW left us in 4th place i belive so were never know whos team potential will be better NAs or his and to be fair its harder to judge now as football has changed since 03/04 season.

[Thedelldays]

But if you say "best team in the last 20 years" but don't include the Prem teams you are talking b*ll*x. If you are ingnoring leagues/opposition and just going by stats you might as well say this is the best Saints team ever.

 

its all relative

 

we dont have neimi, we have kelvin, we dont have killer, we have seaborne, we dont have pahars we have connolly

[aintforever]

its all relative

 

we dont have neimi, we have kelvin, we dont have killer, we have seaborne, we dont have pahars we have connolly

 

Exactly, even with respect to the league we're in, there is no way they are better than Strachan's 2003 team.

 

If we reach the play-offs we can say were as good as Burley's side.

[Bartosz Bialkowski]

But if you say "best team in the last 20 years" but don't include the Prem teams you are talking b*ll*x. If you are ingnoring leagues/opposition and just going by stats you might as well say this is the best Saints team ever.

 

No, you have to compare relatively. We have arguably the best player in the league in Adam Lallana...... Could you say that about berkovic?

 

You're the one with the problem if you cant comprehend that.

[shurlock]

I have always found your match reports to be excellent, the first I look for. Whilst I understand where you are coming from here (had exact same thoughts after the Leeds game), there are a couple of things out of the ordinary here for Saints. Chatting after the Leeds game, I was trying to figure out whether we were that good or Leeds were that poor. Someone referenced Howson and asked whether he would be any good for Saints, all unanimous in that he would be an asset. Leeds were a bit toothless up front but looking back I don't believe their midfield caved, more we earned it and they then had nothing left. Then taking Barnsley, rarely do we take such control or even with the control, take advantage.

 

These results on their own leave the question you have posed as very valid. But to counter that, when was the last time you saw Saints take advantage in such a manner? Bearing in mind we are now supposedly a league higher than last season! What we have seen from Saints so far this season is exactly what we would expect when you had any of the fancied teams in the Championship play such opposition.

 

Like you I feel we won't really know until we have a team that exerts that little bit more pressure upon all areas, but that should not over look that we have dealt with these two teams as you would expect from a good Championship side.

 

Agree, I haven't seen us that dominant for a long, long time - more one-sided than most of our away games last season. Its clear that confidence is absolutely sky-high at the moment while competition to make the starting 11 means that we we go into games full of hunger and intensity and hit the ground running. It will be interesting to see what happens when we do lose - how NA can deal with dips in confidence. Once it goes, it can be very hard to recover. But think that's one of NA's strengths - seems level-headed and knows how to keep wins and losses in perspective.

[Saint Without a Halo]

When was the last time you saw us beat 8 (small and crap) teams in a row then?

 

Thats right, NEVER.

 

Thats why the fear is diminishing. Its bound too, with respect to the league we are in, its arguable we have the best Saints team in 20+ years.

 

Nine wins in a row if you include Torquay!

[aintforever]

No, you have to compare relatively. We have arguably the best player in the league in Adam Lallana...... Could you say that about berkovic?

 

You're the one with the problem if you cant comprehend that.

 

You are just getting carried away, we've won two Championship games, virtually every team that ever gets promoted has a honeymoon period.

 

Were Blackpool one of the best teams in the prem because they were at the top after two games?

 

To say this team is better than Strach's is laughable.

[doddisalegend]

When will the bubble burst?

 

Watching MOTD last night when we get to the PL..watching QPR get slaughtered by Bolton and Norwich struggling to draw with Wigan

[Pedro]

Karren Brady said yesterday that they still have to sell 3 premiership England players for financial reasons, so by the end of the month West Ham squad will be weaker.

[tpbury]

I would just like to add further fear and misery by saying 'Remember Sheff U'. Ten or twelve straight wins from the start, I think. Scraped into the playoffs at the end. Didn't get promoted.

[david in sweden]

8 straight wins! believe me it IS a bubble to someone who has supported Saints for over 40 years.

 

I watched my first Saints game in ..1959 and a lot more since.

I don't consider 2 wins at the start of a season to be " a bubble " - do you ?

- especially considering that the first six were in a lower division.