Saints vs Wolves

[ladysaint]

Agree with the above De Ridder did not have a good game, Fox looks like he is carrying an injury. Would have liked to have seen Gazza tested a bit more one good save and one fumbled and looks like he has lost his ponytail which was evident last Saturday. Disappointed not to have seen Morgan hope he is not injured.

[Griffo]

400 Wolves, very good turnout from them.

[LostBoys]

Very enjoyable we kept the ball well but gave some chances away with sloppy defending and missed a few. Stand out players Clyne, Sharp and Puncheon not so clever Stephens, Chaplow and De Ridder. I was disappointed no SRL and Morgan.

[isplumm]

I was in the queue today - MLT was just in front of me buying a ticket for him & daughter!

Enjoyed the game - Clyne / Puncheon seemed to link up well - scored a good goal - de ridder didn't so good when he came on. Thought Chaplow played well as well.

Mark

[Saint Charlie]

Crosby said after Lambert and Morgan back in training from beginning of next week.

 

Hope we can add some players before Udinese.

[sfc4prem]

Crosby said after Lambert and Morgan back in training from beginning of next week.

 

Hope we can add some players before Udinese.

 

Hopefully one or two CBs and a winger.

[sifter]

Back from the game. First time I've seen us play since promotion

 

Gazza: Looked confident and alert throughout. Looks good with his feet and made a good save from a poor shot first half. He flapped at a cross second half. 7/10

Clyne: Always looking to get forward, with Saints moving to a back 3 when in posession to give him license to run beyond Puncheon. He made similar runs to Puncheon and probably contributed to Puncheon having a good game by giving their defence someone else to think about. 7/10.

Fox: Didn't get forward as much ass Clyne but his delivery when he did was good. Always makes himself an option and defended well. 7/10

Stephens: Not tall enough to win balls in the air, lacked strength in the tackle and not experienced enough to read the game to compensate. He wasn't awful, clearly has promise but too early to pitch him against world class strikers. 6/10

Jos: Commanding performance, wins momt headers and good disstribution. 8/10

Hammond: More than most from last season, he needs to compete hard for his place and he had a very good game playing just in front of the back four. Strong in the tackle and played simple passes effectively. 8/10

Chaplow: Lots of energy, won some great tackles. Solid performance. 7/10

Guly: Played wide left and was a bit isolated at times and didn't see much of the ball. Looked dangerous at times but bad end product and his man marking was very poor at times giving their right side players opportunity to get behind us. 5/10

Puncheon: He was very involved. Never quite looks like he has full control of the ball but he injected pace into the attack and looked bright. 8/10

Lallana: Didn't have a great game. Poor touch at times and didn't really influence the game in the areas he needs too, playing in what should be the right position for him. 5/10

Sharpe: Looked very bright, full of running and took his goal well (no frills, just side foot it in). 8/10

 

Notable cameos:

S Davis: Reminded me of Jimmy Case in terms of the way he sat in midfield and was always backing up the player on the ball. Looked strong in the tackle. 7/10

De Ridder: Woeful. He had a great opportunity to stick a cross in shortly after coming on, but feigned, tried to get past the defender and lost posession. He also had an opportunity make the keeper work from 8 yards or pick out one of four players in the box and side footed it harmlessly wide. He needs to do more than run fast. 3/10

[SNSUN]

Agree with the above De Ridder did not have a good game, Fox looks like he is carrying an injury. Would have liked to have seen Gazza tested a bit more one good save and one fumbled and looks like he has lost his ponytail which was evident last Saturday. Disappointed not to have seen Morgan hope he is not injured.

 

Hopefully one or two CBs and a winger.

 

...and a left back. If Fox has an injury as quoted, and Shaw has a knock this week, we're out of left backs, besides Clyne who can cover there if needed. Left back is still one of the positions we need strengthened, whether it be Buttner, Olsson or whoever.

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

A few random observations from a victorious, if rather lackluster, football match:

 

Billy Sharp:

You look at his game and you'd be hard pressed to claim that he's a obvious Premier League star in the making. He's neither big nor very quick, he can even look clumsy at times. Despite all that as per usual he got his goal again today. Given the chances I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him get us ten goals this coming season because our Billy is just a natural finisher who knows his business inside and out.

 

Jack Stephens:

Never seen him play before but a big imposing lad that (on this limited evidence) looked perfectly at home in our defence. I'd say there's probably not all that much between him and Arron Martin.

 

Guly do Prado:

It always gets me into trouble on here but I can only call it as I see it. He just doesn't do enough for me. On course to start this season like he finished the last I reckon - and this is not meant as a complement.

 

Nathaniel Clyne:

Easily our best player in the first half I thought. Excellent attacking instincts and not afraid to take his man on - and beat him. Fraser Richardson (no mean player himself) will have a job on his hands keeping his starting place.

 

Chaplow, Hammond & Puncheon:

All 3 grafted away like players fighting for a place. Lots of honest midfield graft and quite effective in a unspectacular kind of way. Not a favorite of mine but a rare Puncheon goal was just reward for a decent performance.

 

Subs:

Steven Davis came on and did all right I thought. Jay Rodriguez didn't really get into this game frankly, but I shouldn't read very much into that. Steve De Ridder tries so very hard you kinda desperately want him to succeed when he still doesn't look to have the quality required in all honesty.

[hypochondriac]

Not a surprise if Guly was poor as people have said.

[Papa Shango]

My report/player ratings http://www.thesaintshub.com/saints2-0wolves.html

[Give it to Ron]

Not a surprise if Guly was poor as people have said.

 

Why..did you expect him to be bad then?

[Papa Shango]

Not a surprise if Guly was poor as people have said.

 

Not his best game not his worst. He helped set up the first goal and was involved in a few other good moves too

[hypochondriac]

Not his best game not his worst. He helped set up the first goal and was involved in a few other good moves too

 

Mixed reports then. It will definitely be interesting to see how he does this season I reckon he is not good enough but we will see

[david in sweden]

Stephens at centre back. Now he's been converted from full back, does that mean he's a better young prospect than Martin, who we shipped out on loan? I've always thought Martin has looked very good when I've seen him...

 

 

so do I, but he won't be a regular in the 25 squad until he's had more games.

 

If he turns in MOM award every other week, NA will know he's " the real thing" and be able to use him in the Prem.

[Norm]

A good £20 (for two of us) worth. Can't write that it was edge of seat stuff but better than going to M&S on a Saturday! Delighted to see Puncheon doing well and the young CH had a good game. Clyne was worth the ticket price alone!

[merrimd]

Sat by the dugout and I really think sdr will be lucky to get any match time this season. NA did not have to tell Punch once what was expected of him, whereas he wwas constantly having to tell steve where he wanted him. Steve then proceeded to ignore him. Sounded llike a tyro under 10s match at times.

 

I think the 3 in midfield has stuck now, and was very effective I thought. Not sure sharp is the man to lead the line though.

[Itchen_block4]

A few random observations from a victorious, if rather lackluster, football match:

 

Billy Sharp:

You look at his game and you'd be hard pressed to claim that he's a obvious Premier League star in the making. He's neither big nor very quick, he can even look clumsy at times. Despite all that as per usual he got his goal again today. Given the chances I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him get us ten goals this coming season because our Billy is just a natural finisher who knows his business inside and out.

 

Jack Stephens:

Never seen him play before but a big imposing lad that (on this limited evidence) looked perfectly at home in our defence. I'd say there's probably not all that much between him and Arron Martin.

 

Guly do Prado:

It always gets me into trouble on here but I can only call it as I see it. He just doesn't do enough for me. On course to start this season like he finished the last I reckon - and this is not meant as a complement.

 

Nathaniel Clyne:

Easily our best player in the first half I thought. Excellent attacking instincts and not afraid to take his man on - and beat him. Fraser Richardson (no mean player himself) will have a job on his hands keeping his starting place.

 

Chaplow, Hammond & Puncheon:

All 3 grafted away like players fighting for a place. Lots of honest midfield graft and quite effective in a unspectacular kind of way. Not a favorite of mine but a rare Puncheon goal was just reward for a decent performance.

 

Subs:

Steven Davis came on and did all right I thought. Jay Rodriguez didn't really get into this game frankly, but I shouldn't read very much into that. Steve De Ridder tries so very hard you kinda desperately want him to succeed when he still doesn't look to have the quality required in all honesty.

 

Agree with most of this. Guly was indeed a bit pants. One moment that sticks out for me is when he had Fox in acres to his left and he decides to take on an audacious shot. He's had better games for sure.

[hypochondriac]

Guly is not Prem standard

[DrunkenSaint]

Guly always has 1 or 2 good games but is utter useless there after this is why we need to remove him from the team he wont be a premiership standard player and we have better options. Jwp looks great we need his energy in the centre of the park always closing down quickly and we can play lallana out on the right instead of Guly, Lallana would do a better job. Punch could play down the left til Lee is fit as Lee can play there and has played there for Japan. Sharp for me is looking good in that lone striker position he's getting the goals but need to see what jrod can do there but really cant see lambert getting in there atm he did look unfit against Ajax. Good moral boosting result though.

[Glasgow_Saint]

Why are mods removing posts that state that Guly had a bad game?

[shurlock]

Guly is not a left-sided player. That's where he was first played pre-Adkins and didn't enjoy it all. Doesnt make him 'pants'- was one of our better players against Ajax but it's always square pegs and round holes when it comes to finding a position for him.

[Saint Charlie]

If Guly is our worst player then we aren't doing too badly. Remember a fair few payers in our Prem days that were no where near as good on the ball as him.

 

It's easy to slate him but Adkins picks him and I trust him more than people on an Internet forum. It's easy to criticise him and now some of the usuals do after every game which totally ruins the credibility of their complaints. He is a bit hit and miss but in no waY warrants some of the abuse he gets here.

 

Fair enough if we had lots of better options, world class players etc but we don't at the moment.

[JustinR]

Guly didn't have a bad game. He had a good first half and faded a bit 2nd half.

 

He links uP the play well and tracks back despite what people say.

 

Some bloke behind me was shouting "muppet" at him every time he didn't play the Perfect pass. It beggars belief.

Guly is easily good enough for the prem and I can't wait for him to shove all these negative comments down everyone's throats.

 

Clyne had got something extra though, could be the bargain of the season

[trousers]

http://audioboo.fm/boos/908612-the-postmatch-views-of-asst-manager-andy-crosby-after-southampton-beat-wolves-2-0?playlist_direction=reversed

[Glasgow_Saint]

Guly is not a left-sided player. That's where he was first played pre-Adkins and didn't enjoy it all. Doesnt make him 'pants'- was one of our better players against Ajax but it's always square pegs and round holes when it comes to finding a position for him.

 

What is his position? He cant play on the left, no good on the right and very average upfront. We have better players than him down the middle too

[Graffito]

What is his position? He cant play on the left, no good on the right and very average upfront. We have better players than him down the middle too

 

How many times have you seen him play?

[Saint Bones]

Were we playing with a flat 3 in midfield , Two wingers and a lone striker ( supported by the wingers ? ) Quick look on the OS has Crosby mentioning a 4-1-4-1 and also 4-3-3 ?

Seen a bit of talk from a few of the coaches about trying new systems/formations then what we played last year but want to get those that saw the game to elaborate on what they think we were playing.

 

So far a good pre-season although like most I'd love to see a few more new and quality players come in.

[Glasgow_Saint]

How many times have you seen him play?

 

Too many times

[Matthew Le God]

Were we playing with a flat 3 in midfield , Two wingers and a lone striker ( supported by the wingers ? ) Quick look on the OS has Crosby mentioning a 4-1-4-1 and also 4-3-3 ?

 

Seen a bit of talk from a few of the coaches about trying new systems/formations then what we played last year but want to get those that saw the game to elaborate on what they think we were playing.

 

We started the game like this...

 

                 Gazzaniga

Clyne     Stephens      Hooiveld     Fox

                Hammond

          Chaplow       Lallana


Puncheon                        Guly Do Prado

                Sharp

 

The formation stayed the same throughout the game and finished the game like this...

 

                 Gazzaniga

Richardson     Fonte      Seaborne     Fox

                  Davis

          Chambers       Ward-Prowse


De Ridder                         Rodriguez

                Sharp

 

Such a system could be called a number of things... 433, 451, 4141

 

Adkins has used this system a lot in pre-season and it looks like we will see a lot of it next season. It really suits Schneiderlin as the holding midfielder and allows Lallana to have a more central position. Using Rodriguez on the left really feels like a waste of his talents though.

 

I'd guess we may start the Man City game like this...

 

               K.Davis

Clyne     Fonte      Hooiveld     Fox

            Schneiderlin

        S. Davis     Lallana


Do Prado                       Rodriguez

              Lambert

Edited 5 August, 2012 by Matthew Le God

[Saint Bones]

Cheers MLG

[shurlock]

What with the new system, looks like we're weak on the left hand side all of a sudden. We've been lucky that Lallana has been in form and more or less free from injury but now he's been moved to a more central position -which makes sense- we're desperately short of options there.

 

Jrod is an option, esp if we're if going to play long diagonal balls via Morgan and exploit any aerial mismatch with the fullback. But it feels like a waste. Punch is another option -and he was billed as a LM but he's never been convincing there and has always impressed more on the right hand side while Guly is a no no. Lee might bring something but he still has to establish himself in English football.

 

All in all, if Lallana stays in the middle, LM is arguably a bigger headache than RM, esp given the lack of defensive options on the left.

[Lighthouse]

The front 6 looks interesting, I'd go with this kind of formation

 

- - - - - Morgan - - - Davies - - - - -

 

Guly - - - - - Rodriguez - - - - - Lallana

 

- - - - - - - - Lambert - - - - - - - - -

 

 

It's flexible and suits the strengths of most of our better players. Guly and Lallana can play out wide and cut inside. They would also have more freedom to attack as Morgan and Davies can pull out wide and fill the space to help prevent a counter attack. Rodriguez and Lambert can swap around easily and Sharp, Lee and Guly could also play in the central role. Puncheon, Lee and Chaplow could also play on either side as well as De Ridder on the right. Cork and JWP can also play the deep central holding roles too.

[funkymojo44]

4231? Yeah it looks more solid with 2 CDMs. The 433/451 system we are toying with is making me feel a little anxious if im honest. We desperately need a couple of quality signings.

[Rut]

Won 2-0. Get in. If we'd lost 2-0 so what? It's a friendly.

 

Didn't we win pretty much all our pre-season games when Branfoot took over?

[Wade Garrett]

The front 6 looks interesting, I'd go with this kind of formation

 

- - - - - Morgan - - - Davies - - - - -

 

Guly - - - - - Rodriguez - - - - - Lallana

 

- - - - - - - - Lambert - - - - - - - - -

 

 

It's flexible and suits the strengths of most of our better players. Guly and Lallana can play out wide and cut inside. They would also have more freedom to attack as Morgan and Davies can pull out wide and fill the space to help prevent a counter attack. Rodriguez and Lambert can swap around easily and Sharp, Lee and Guly could also play in the central role. Puncheon, Lee and Chaplow could also play on either side as well as De Ridder on the right. Cork and JWP can also play the deep central holding roles too.

 

I can't see De Ridder getting much game time this season.

[shurlock]

The front 6 looks interesting, I'd go with this kind of formation

 

- - - - - Morgan - - - Davies - - - - -

 

Guly - - - - - Rodriguez - - - - - Lallana

 

- - - - - - - - Lambert - - - - - - - - -

 

 

It's flexible and suits the strengths of most of our better players. Guly and Lallana can play out wide and cut inside. They would also have more freedom to attack as Morgan and Davies can pull out wide and fill the space to help prevent a counter attack. Rodriguez and Lambert can swap around easily and Sharp, Lee and Guly could also play in the central role. Puncheon, Lee and Chaplow could also play on either side as well as De Ridder on the right. Cork and JWP can also play the deep central holding roles too.

 

That's not been our set-up tho. Lallana has gone more central rather than just being licence to cut inside from the left (like last year), meaning we are a bit threadbare on the left hand side.

[wild-saint]

That's not been our set-up tho. Lallana has gone more central rather than just being licence to cut inside from the left (like last year), meaning we are a bit threadbare on the left hand side.

 

although it seems we are trying to strengthen the left with our interest in olsen and buttner. adkins clearly understands what and where is needed.

[scotty]

 

when Branfoot took over?

 

Cheers mate, thats soured my Sunday morning

[shurlock]

although it seems we are trying to strengthen the left with our interest in olsen and buttner. adkins clearly understands what and where is needed.

 

Yep, though they're left backs albeit with an eye on getting forward. A LM is also needed and probably a greater priority than RM. That's what makes the links with the Bologna player interesting (if unlikely) as he's a left winger.

Edited 5 August, 2012 by shurlock

[wild-saint]

Yep, though they're left backs albeit with an eye on getting forward. A LM is also needed and probably a greater priority than RM. That's what makes the links with the Bologna player interesting (if unlikely) as he's a left winger.

 

indeed, its all about options. adkins could play them wide left or full back and it isnt unheard of to see fox push a little further forward if required.

[Thedelldays]

Yep, though they're left backs albeit with an eye on getting forward. A LM is also needed and probably a greater priority than RM. That's what makes the links with the Bologna player interesting (if unlikely) as he's a left winger.

 

A LM is not needed is it. Just how big is our squad going to be?

[shurlock]

A LM is not needed is it. Just how big is our squad going to be?

 

Who plays LM if all the signs are that Lallana is going to play in a more central position -the most noticeable difference in this new formation?

We tried J-Roy against Ajax; Guly yesterday - neither of them were very convincing in that position. By contrast, we appear to have better options on the right.

Given the need for some (quality) pace, LM seems a higher priority than RM.

[chivvy1664]

davis morgan

puncheon guly lallana

lambert

 

Bit attacking though!

[Thedelldays]

Who plays LM if all the signs are that Lallana is going to play in a more central position -the most noticeable difference in this new formation?

We tried J-Roy against Ajax; Guly yesterday - neither of them were very convincing in that position. By contrast, we appear to have better options on the right.

Given the need for some (quality) pace, LM seems a higher priority than RM.

 

An inside forward. I doubt Lallana will play central all the time.

 

Or, gaston Ramirez ;-)

[DrunkenSaint]

Not sure why none of you lot are considering playing Shaw in the left midfield spot, he played well a couple of time over in france in the LM/LW spot, could be the next Bale in the making. Really still don't get why everyone is including Guly in their first team, we have better options and Jrod isnt a a LW type player he'll be wasted there, NA can really only choose 1 out of JRod, Sharp and Lambo. In this type of formation you only need to look at other teams who have been using it for a while, Spain, Barca and Swansea. They don't play strikers out wide they play wide midfielders or wingers so when they don't have the ball they pull back to pack the midfield. If we play Guly (striker) and JRod (striker) out wide wont be as effective as it could be.

 

Wide players we have: Lee, Lallana, SDR, Punch, Shaw

 

Strikers: Lambo, Rod, Sharp, Lee, Guly

 

Centre mid: Morgan, Cork, Chappers, JWP, Davis, Lallana, Chambers

 

NA should pick players in them pools to suit the game ahead imo.

[sifter]

I wouldn't rule out Shaw playing Left Midfield. With Fox behind him.

[Jack]

I'm not usually one for getting ripped off for a pre season game, but I had a spare afternoon and fancied seeing some football. Entertaining enough game but was played at a very slow pace. Crowd was poor, an absolute helmet-fest.

 

Gazza looked good enough, pretty good distribution and a couple of saves.

 

Stephens was poor, not good enough in the air and his passing isn't great. Kept on selling Clyne short with passes out wide, or not passing quickly enough.

 

Clyne was immense, solid at the back and terrorised them going forward.

 

I thought Chappers played well - was alway available and linked play well.

 

I don't think Sharp fits the system well. Looked isolated and didn't hold it up well. Finished his easy chance well.

 

De Ridder is sh*t. I think we should get rid, a) because he's sh*t and b) to stop all those helmets and their hilarious Steeeeeeve tw*ttish behaviour.

 

Steve Davis looked good. Think he'll play whenever fit in the middle.

 

Deano had a good game, but won't feature much IMO.

 

Hooiveld immense, and surprised me with a couple of bullet 50 yards cross field passes to feet. Not really seen that from him before.

 

Oh yea, Puncheon. Played well and a good finish. Still a c*nt.

Edited 5 August, 2012 by Jack

[Saint Garrett]

Hooiveld immense, and surprised me with a couple of bullet 50 yards cross field passes to feet. Not really seen that from him before.

 

Did that quite a few times last season, he's more than capable. He's no 'Hajto' though...

[ThreeSixty]

 

 

Hooiveld immense, and surprised me with a couple of bullet 50 yards cross field passes to feet. Not really seen that from him before.

 

Sprayed some of them vs Ajax too, better than Fox's Hollywood balls.