Window Cleaner Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 I think when we're taking it to teams at home then it's fine to play like that. But when we're away, or against a better side where a draw would be a good result at home, play 3 in midfield with 2 wide players and 1 striker. Just means that Gaston will have to play wide, and he's the player who we need to be involved as much as possible. He doesn't want to play wide, he's a number 10, why pay 15 million € for a number 10 and then try to play him wide, horses for courses. At best we need to go 4-4-1-1 with Lallana as the unique wide man aided and abetted by one of the CMs. Morgan looked very handy going down the right against Fulham actually, good speed, good running off the ball and good crossing. Pity Lambert whacked them all over the bar or wide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egg Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 We need to play a 3 man CM with proper CM's in there. 3 of Cork, Schneiderlen, Davis or JWP. One to sit a little deeper and hold. The others to play slightly wider and offer cover to the full backs. We need to play 3 ahead of them to offer width and support the attack when possible. Quite what the best 3 is I'm unsure but I don't like the idea of squeezing the surplus man into one of the 3 CM roles just to accomodate him. If there ain't room for one or more of AL, RL, JR or GR then so be it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Garrett Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 Although I agree egg, and that will defeinitely help us out defensively, we're not going to drop Adam, or Gaston. And like someone else stated...we spent £12m on a 'no 10' who wants to play in behind the striker and get involved, he's going to want to play there. I don't know what the answer is but you can see why we keep making substitutions as we've got about 7 or 8 players to fit into 3 positions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egg Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 Although I agree egg, and that will defeinitely help us out defensively, we're not going to drop Adam, or Gaston. And like someone else stated...we spent £12m on a 'no 10' who wants to play in behind the striker and get involved, he's going to want to play there. I don't know what the answer is but you can see why we keep making substitutions as we've got about 7 or 8 players to fit into 3 positions. Agreed. Playing gaston as a 10 would mean playing him behind 1 up top which forces us into a midfield 4 of some description, or a 10 behind 2 up top. The former leaves us light in the middle and the latter without width. NA has to grow a pair and pick the best team for the job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Itchen_block4 Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 ---------------Gazzaniga Clyne-----Fonte-----Yoshida-----Shaw -------------JWP-----Morgan ---------------Ramirez Puncheon----------------------Lallana --------------Rodriguez Lambert, S.Davis, Cork, Fox, Hooiveld, Mayuka, Boruc Swansea have some quick wingers and we could use Shaw's pace. Fox aint great and the kid needs to start somewhere. Davis had a shocker against WBA, so he's out. Midfield needs bodies in it but without being defensive and that works for me. Lambert hasn't been at the races lately and he needs to take a back seat for a bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fanimal Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 Cork for JWP; Mayuka for Puncheon then we have a team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjk Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 ---------------Gazzaniga Clyne-----Fonte-----Yoshida-----Shaw -------------JWP-----Morgan ---------------Ramirez Puncheon----------------------Lallana --------------Rodriguez Lambert, S.Davis, Cork, Fox, Hooiveld, Mayuka, Boruc Swansea have some quick wingers and we could use Shaw's pace. Fox aint great and the kid needs to start somewhere. Davis had a shocker against WBA, so he's out. Midfield needs bodies in it but without being defensive and that works for me. Lambert hasn't been at the races lately and he needs to take a back seat for a bit. Lambert should never be dropped unless injured. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Garrett Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 Lambert should never be dropped unless injured. Despite him being our second best striker for a month ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjk Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 Despite him being our second best striker for a month ? He needs a goal to get his confidence back and that will only happen if he's on the pitch.Too good to be left on the bench. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Channonalltheway Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 Stick with Shaw. I remember a fresh talent called Wayne Bridge playing at left back and also one Gareth Bale. Raw talent, but settled in very quickly. Fox is very one dimensional, only makes about 30% of his passes. Lallana has to be allowed to be creative and we cannot blame Fox inefficiencies on Lallana not always being there to support him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 @officialsaints: Here's a free video from our official @YouTube channel of Nigel Adkins looking ahead to Saturday's game: http://t.co/GZiVO0ys #saintsfc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Channonalltheway Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 Totally agree on Lambert. Even when he's not on song, he draws defenders away due to his work rate. Also defends well when we need him to. Ramirez and Lambert always cause defenders problems, which gives Rodriguez greater opportunity to get in on goal. In the end we have 2 teams, offense and defense. The offense are premiership quality on the majority of occasions, where as the defense are still in the championship. If we can get the defense to do their job and stop making mistakes, we will be able to go back to the pure passing game we have seen over the last few years and we will win games ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bearsy Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 Fox is very one dimensional, only makes about 30% of his passes. 80% vs WBA fact fans. Only 4 players on the pitch made more successful passes. Shaw was 100% though, all 5 of his passes was successful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pingwing Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 Stick with Shaw. I remember a fresh talent called Wayne Bridge playing at left back and also one Gareth Bale. Raw talent, but settled in very quickly. Fox is very one dimensional, only makes about 30% of his passes. Yeah Shaw isn't ready, his 10 mins against WBA showed he's got a good tackle but no confidence to take up a position (seemed to be holding Yoshida's hand for most of those 10 mins). Fox may well be poor positionally but we will loose and destroy Shaw sticking him in. We need to play the same team for a couple of games and not chop about with the line up for once, little bit of consistency would do our confidence wonders! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tokyo-Saint Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 80% vs WBA fact fans. Only 4 players on the pitch made more successful passes. Shaw was 100% though, all 5 of his passes was successful! If we can get 11 players to replicate that form over 90 minutes bear, the opposition will struggle to get the ball. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 80% vs WBA fact fans. Only 4 players on the pitch made more successful passes. Shaw was 100% though, all 5 of his passes was successful! That'll fall on deaf ears I'm afraid. People have made their minds up about fox. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tokyo-Saint Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 That'll fall on deaf ears I'm afraid. People have made their minds up about fox. To be fair, he was at fault for the 2nd goal. I think Lallana is terrible at offering protection, he drifts into the middle and follows the ball far too much. However, their 2nd goal had nothing to do with this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pingwing Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 To be fair, he was at fault for the 2nd goal. Not really, that goal was the ultimate example of how to be properly hit on the break, one of the few times blame can only really be handed out to the team not scoring from the chance we created before they hoofed and scored. Not often we concede a goal that is just a good bit of play but that was one of them. Seems a bit harsh to try and destroy one of Fox's better performances in the prem... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bearsy Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 Haters gonna hate pingwing. Tokyos is just down on Fox cos his tattoos remind tokyos of the bad times in prison. Also he don't like how Fox walks around all pigeon-chested. That reminds him of the time he got raped by pigeons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pingwing Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 Haha! At least there is a fair and rational answer to it all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Itchen_block4 Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 To be fair, he was at fault for the 2nd goal. I think Lallana is terrible at offering protection, he drifts into the middle and follows the ball far too much. However, their 2nd goal had nothing to do with this. The winger is there to come away with the ball, not to go above and beyond to track the wwide runner. When Odemwingie comes inside, he should run into Schneiderlin, but he doesn't and gets the shot away. Why is that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JibMcdo Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 ---------------Boruc Clyne----Yoshida---Hooiveld---Shaw Punch----Morgan---Cork-----Lallana --------------Ramirez --------------Lambert Gazza, Stephens, Richardson, JWP, Lee, Mayuka, Rodriguez K Davis, Fonte, Fox, S Davis and Guly shouldn't be near a PL squad from their performances this season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tokyo-Saint Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 The winger is there to come away with the ball, not to go above and beyond to track the wwide runner. When Odemwingie comes inside, he should run into Schneiderlin, but he doesn't and gets the shot away. Why is that? The problem for me hasn't been the winger, the problem has been the overlapping full back, whether it's Gibbs or Walker or whoever. Even if the goal doesn't come directly from this the space created from the panic causes us nightmares. I love Lallana but in defence this year I think he may have been trying too hard. He seems to want to either drift inside to help out, leaving space for the overlapping full back or he tries to close down quickly. Closing down seldom works at this level unless we are 'hunting in packs'. Compare this to Samaras last night who didn't really close down very much but was fantastically disciplined with his positioning. Bear, I don't hate Fox much, my brother actually knows his dad and has met Fox a couple of times saying he is a good guy (Fox sat with the Saints fans against Everton). However, I still think he was at fault for the 2nd goal on Monday (although I admit it was a well worked break) and also for the goal we conceded against Villa, and Man City. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Garrett Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 ---------------Boruc Clyne----Yoshida---Hooiveld---Shaw Punch----Morgan---Cork-----Lallana --------------Ramirez --------------Lambert Gazza, Stephens, Richardson, JWP, Lee, Mayuka, Rodriguez K Davis, Fonte, Fox, S Davis and Guly shouldn't be near a PL squad from their performances this season. Wow. Fonte has been our best CB so far this season, Guly has done a good job when called upon, Davis is our one player with a lot of prem experience and although he was crap on Monday he's not been that bad at all, Fox or a 16 yr old ?!, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derry Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 The winger is there to come away with the ball, not to go above and beyond to track the wwide runner. When Odemwingie comes inside, he should run into Schneiderlin, but he doesn't and gets the shot away. Why is that? He didn't come near enough to his comfort zone so he just let him go. The second important time he could have read the situation he didn't bother. If he doesn't block the critical ones he doesn't deserve to play, that's his only reason for being on the field, not for his penetrating passes, penetrating runs or goals he's the defensive midfielder we are all told. Well not for me. He can take his comfort zone back to France anytime he wants for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bearsy Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 The problem for me hasn't been the winger, the problem has been the overlapping full back, whether it's Gibbs or Walker or whoever. Even if the goal doesn't come directly from this the space created from the panic causes us nightmares. I love Lallana but in defence this year I think he may have been trying too hard. He seems to want to either drift inside to help out, leaving space for the overlapping full back or he tries to close down quickly. Closing down seldom works at this level unless we are 'hunting in packs'. Compare this to Samaras last night who didn't really close down very much but was fantastically disciplined with his positioning. Bear, I don't hate Fox much, my brother actually knows his dad and has met Fox a couple of times saying he is a good guy (Fox sat with the Saints fans against Everton). However, I still think he was at fault for the 2nd goal on Monday (although I admit it was a well worked break) and also for the goal we conceded against Villa, and Man City. Oh my god Tokyos now you're hating on Lallana as well! I'm getting really fed up with your ceaseless negativity and trolling! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tokyo-Saint Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 Bear, It's Lallanas! You is coming out of character! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bearsy Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 Now you're hating on punctuations! In my defense it's sometimes hard to find the "S" cos on my keyboard the letter is worn off. Other letters affected include "E" and "X". Also "A", "N", "L". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatlesaint Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 That'll fall on deaf ears I'm afraid. People have made their minds up about fox. You've got that right. If I live to be 100 you'll never convince me he is a Premiership quality defender. Christ he was shown up last season in the Championship, how much evidence do you want ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintSteve Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 Despite him being our second best striker for a month ? Where did you find a striker in ouur team better ? Oh, Rodrigues has scored a lot of goals hasn't he... please wake up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Um Bongo Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 -----------Davis--------------- Clyne-Fonte-Hooiveld-Shaw ------Cork----Morgan--------- Puncheon-Ramirez-Lallana ---------Lambert-------------- Bench: Gazza Fox J-W-P Rodriguez Davis Lee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derry Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 If we manage to get a penalty we need him on the pitch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
London Saint Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 Where has Nige taken the squad on hols then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 @premierleague: "They need a win, we want to win" #Swans boss Michael Laudrup on pitfalls of travelling to #BPL bottom club #SaintsFC http://t.co/1GxA1v4y Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shirleysfc Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 Why don't we try the christmas tree formation? --------------- Gazza Clyne-----Fonte-----Yoshida-----Fox -----Cork-----Morgan------Davis --------Lallana------Ramirez -------------Lambert Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 Why don't we try the christmas tree formation? --------------- Gazza Clyne-----Fonte-----Yoshida-----Fox -----Cork-----Morgan------Davis --------Lallana------Ramirez -------------Lambert Some smart Alec already suggested that formation as far back as post #12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shirleysfc Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 Some smart Alec already suggested that formation as far back as post #12 Sorry Trousers, I hadn't noticed!! Great minds and all that!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krissyboy31 Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 Why don't we try the christmas tree formation? --------------- Gazza Clyne-----Fonte-----Yoshida-----Fox -----Cork-----Morgan------Davis --------Lallana------Ramirez -------------Lambert Not until December!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maysie Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 I notice non of the players spoke to the press today? Or it is not on Saints Player. Making sure they're purely focused on the task ahead... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintNeil90 Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 You've got that right. If I live to be 100 you'll never convince me he is a Premiership quality defender. Christ he was shown up last season in the Championship, how much evidence do you want ? If you want to know why we are so poor down the left or want to someone to blame... you need to look at Lallana. That boy cannot track back to save his life. When Fox has to mark a player, usually the winger, Lallana needs to be tracking the wing back. However, he always gets caught ball watching before you know it the wing back is past him onto a ball down the touchline. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilchards Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 I notice non of the players spoke to the press today? Hungover I expect? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Ron fan Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 Really looking forward to Saturday. I'm expecting a wall of noise all game, just like the relegation battles at The Dell. If we go behind, we need to crank up the volume, just like v Blackburn during The Great Escape season. Hopefully twice as loud though as the capacity is double The Dell! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St.JonB Posted 8 November, 2012 Share Posted 8 November, 2012 If Southampton do play the Christmas tree formation I'm sure it will be the "Upside Down" Christmas tree. Four up front with one defender at the back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bailey Posted 9 November, 2012 Share Posted 9 November, 2012 Where has Nige taken the squad on hols then? Leicestershire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Convict Colony Posted 9 November, 2012 Share Posted 9 November, 2012 (edited) I know I know I sound like a broken record but I am going all Biesla on this formation, I think it looks awesome, I bought and played FM13 last night (1st time ever tried it) and smashed the team I was playing so it must work given how often its referenced here ;-). Everything goes through gaston who would take the ball forward instead of the current pinging it about backwards and sideways we currently have and even if he lost it we still have 6 men behind the ball but I would expect to see more 1-2's with the Lallana/Mayuka/Ricky. We have a spare centre back (Linchpin of Bielsa philosophy) in case the Swansea midfield looks to overload a position (something all the teams are doing usually down our left with a deep running midfielder) We have 6 defensive positions (3 CB's and 2 WB's and 1 CM) instead of the 5 we have been following this season (4 backs + 1 DM) with 2 banks of 3 compressing that space leaving less holes. The inside forwards and wing backs compress the space between them and I gave Mauyka the nod cos of pace and also due to lamberts habit of pulling into a wide right position Mayuka can then push into CF position when this occurs. Apologies for the lines the indents were all over the shop -----------------------------------Gazza ---------------------Fonte ------Hooiveld -------Yoshida -----------------Clyne----------Spiderman-----------Shaw ---------------------------------Rameriez -----------------Mayuka--------------------------Lallana ------------------------------- Lambert "His willingness to play young players and fast track them to the first team was something held close to Bielsa. Also instilling a much more attacking mindset among his players, regardless of opposition and regardless of stadium. He would stick to the same style of play regardless of whether it was home or away." Sound similar ? http://footballspeak.com/post/2012/02/01/Marcelo-Bielsa-An-Enigma.aspx Edited 9 November, 2012 by Convict Colony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Convict Colony Posted 9 November, 2012 Share Posted 9 November, 2012 Hang about still reading the article and talking about his start with Bilbao last year it seems indentical to our start this year spooky !! "It took a while for Bielsa to get a tune out of Bilbao. So much so, they went through their worst start to a league in 32 years after accumulating just 2 points from their first five games. It could have been six games had their match against Real not been postponed due to player strikes. It is common knowledge in La Liga that SociedadDeia. Here was a man with principles stauncher than most coming to team used to having one way of playing and attempting to change everything. The players didn't initially warm to Bielsa and for good reason, his methods were so meticulous that many didn't understand. He was labelled a 'smoke-seller' by a few and his opposition was growing stronger with each game they failed to win. It seemed as though his radicalisation of Bilbao was occurring at too fast a pace and the support was growing impatient." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tokyo-Saint Posted 9 November, 2012 Share Posted 9 November, 2012 Bad news convict, according to his wiki page he is married. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Convict Colony Posted 9 November, 2012 Share Posted 9 November, 2012 hahahaha I was waiting for that, but the article is very similar with what we are trying to do, Nige just needs the players to click. Anyway its Friday and I am high on cough syrup with codeine which is making work much more pleasurable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tokyo-Saint Posted 9 November, 2012 Share Posted 9 November, 2012 That's ok convict, was only joking. I am in a particularly facetious mood today. I have just given away the end of 50 shades on the muppet show. I may take over Pompey myself just to kill the lounge thread today as well. Might try the cough syrup and codeine trick myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Garrett Posted 9 November, 2012 Share Posted 9 November, 2012 Anyone know how close this is to being a sell out ?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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