Post Match Reaction: SAINTS 2-0 Fulham

[CB Fry]

Cant see it' date=' as Think MP will play second string with focus on League... can see us going out v Sunderland. Akways nice to win a trophy, but not sure we have teh strngth in depth yet to keep pushing in teh League Cup, with FA cup still to come.[/quote']

 

We can get to the semis of the LC before the FA Cup even starts.

[scotty]

We can get to the semis of the LC before the FA Cup even starts.

 

Settle a question for me, was your original comment about wanting us to win the League Cup a serious one or a mild jest? I had assumed the latter.

[Verbal]

Interesting but useless fact: not one of the players yesterday has played for another prem club. That's aside from the no less interesting/useless fact that, as with Man U, we had five players out there from our League One days.

[Dig Dig]

IF we go through against sunderland. Then it is game on regarding the cup IMO

just need that luck of the draw till the semi finals

 

The club don't rate the Europa League so I can't see us going all out in the cups.

[farawaysaint]

Interesting but useless fact: not one of the players yesterday has played for another prem club. That's aside from the no less interesting/useless fact that, as with Man U, we had five players out there from our League One days.

 

Man U had 5 players from their league 1 days playing?

Edited 27 October, 2013 by farawaysaint

[Verbal]

Man U had 5 players from their league 1 days playing?

 

I really must do that legal training to post on here.

[Turkish]

Interesting but useless fact: not one of the players yesterday has played for another prem club. That's aside from the no less interesting/useless fact that, as with Man U, we had five players out there from our League One days.

 

Nathaniel Clyne and Jose Fonte have.

[Verbal]

Nathaniel Clyne and Jose Fonte have.

 

Ah, then there's being wrong. I guess Fonte did. Had Clyne broken into the team while they were in the prem?

[Turkish]

Ah, then there's being wrong. I guess Fonte did. Had Clyne broken into the team while they were in the prem?

 

No neither of them played for Crystal Palace in the premier league, but palace are a premier league club now, so they have both played for another premier league club. What they haven't done is play in the premier league for another club.

[farawaysaint]

I really must do that legal training to post on here.

 

Sorry, I couldn't resist

[Crazy Diamond]

Best I have ever seen us play in the near ten years I've been attending Saints games - I realise to the more seasoned of posters on here that ten years isn't long but there we go.

 

I've always been one to judge after ten games and one game short of that, it seems we're going to have a great season. Fingers crossed for more performances like that. The transformation from this time last season is quite remarkable when you think that starting XI last night only had two new faces - Lovren and Wanyama (Boruc has been with us just over 13 months now). I think individually we have some good players, but as a team it's so, so strong. Compare that to Fulham who have some very gifted players but as a team they don't pull it off.

 

All in all, very good.

[shirleysfc]

No neither of them played for Crystal Palace in the premier league, but palace are a premier league club now, so they have both played for another premier league club. What they haven't done is play in the premier league for another club.

 

Morning MLG!!

[East Leake Saint]

I was on holiday in Bournemouth last week with my family and my 2 nephews aged 11 and 13. We all went to the game last night and sat high in the Kingsland Corner. It is the 3rd game I have taken my Chelsea and Liverpool supporting nephews to this year. They are now converted. They loved the atmosphere, they loved the performance, and by the end were joining in all the songs and referring to Saints as "we" and asking when they can go again! The 11 year old even asked for an early birthday present of a home shirt with his name on, I was very happy to oblige!! It was one of the most dominant displays by a Saints team at the highest level that I have seen in many a year. The whole team played their part, but for me, Lallana was sensational. My eldest son who is 16 and potty about Saints is away in Jordan on a school trip, and wasn't allowed to take his phone. He gets home tonight, and I cannot wait to see his face when sees the highlights of our last 2 games. HAPPY DAYS!!

[Appy]

Attendance was a great deal better than expected today, the vast majority of empty seats were in the away end I thought.

[saintbletch]

Felt wonderful after the game yesterday, but having slept on it I'm a little more measured in my assessment.

 

I do find that many posters on here seem to forget to consider the opposition when they analyse a match. When we're bad or good, it can be as much about our own performance as how the opposition allowed us to play.

 

Chatting with a mate before the game, I predicted that we'd dominate Fulham if they played Berbatov, Ruiz and Bent upfront as they did against Crystal Palace. And so it came to pass. Jol was interviewed after the Crystal Palace game saying that he agonised whether he could afford to play the laziest forward line-up in Premiership history (my words, not his) against Crystal Palace. In the end he said that he reached the conclusion that good players, and they are all good players, should be able to make any formation work. At Crystal Palace, two world-class strikes and a Holloway-shaped implosion let Fulham back into the game and to ultimately run out easy victors.

 

To pick the same team against a well drilled team like Saints, seemed at best bold, at worst the beginning or an early retirement plan. Fair enough, but having seen us absolutely dominate them in the early stages, I can't believe that he didn't adjust that forward three. There was little to no competing or defending from front to back in their team until you got to Sidwell and Parker. By that time, given our pressing game, they were overrun.

 

So for me the victory yesterday was in some part down to Jol's poor selection, tactics, and reluctance/bloody-mindedness in not changing the formation.

 

Add to that the fact that despite our domination, we still didn't go on to score the number of goals that our possession and dominance suggested we should, and I find myself a little more concerned for when we come up against better organised teams - not necessarily "better" teams, but better disciplined teams.

 

It's churlish to suggest that yesterday was anything other than a stunning team display, but as with boxing, it's the opposition that determines how good you can be on any given day. Hull, Cardiff, Norwich, West Brom and the "new" Crystal Palace, who each lack the arrogance of Jol's formation will give us very tough games this season, but any team that comes to attack will get the same treatment as yesterday.

[shurlock]

Felt wonderful after the game yesterday, but having slept on it I'm a little more measured in my assessment.

 

I do find that many posters on here seem to forget to consider the opposition when they analyse a match. When we're bad or good, it can be as much about our own performance as how the opposition allowed us to play.

 

Chatting with a mate before the game, I predicted that we'd dominate Fulham if they played Berbatov, Ruiz and Bent upfront as they did against Crystal Palace. And so it came to pass. Jol was interviewed after the Crystal Palace game saying that he agonised whether he could afford to play the laziest forward line-up in Premiership history (my words, not his) against Crystal Palace. In the end he said that he reached the conclusion that good players, and they are all good players, should be able to make any formation work. At Crystal Palace, two world-class strikes and a Holloway-shaped implosion let Fulham back into the game and to ultimately run out easy victors.

 

To pick the same team against a well drilled team like Saints, seemed at best bold, at worst the beginning or an early retirement plan. Fair enough, but having seen us absolutely dominate them in the early stages, I can't believe that he didn't adjust that forward three. There was little to no competing or defending from front to back in their team until you got to Sidwell and Parker. By that time, given our pressing game, they were overrun.

 

So for me the victory yesterday was in some part down to Jol's poor selection, tactics, and reluctance/bloody-mindedness in not changing the formation.

 

Add to that the fact that despite our domination, we still didn't go on to score the number of goals that our possession and dominance suggested we should, and I find myself a little more concerned for when we come up against better organised teams - not necessarily "better" teams, but better disciplined teams.

 

It's churlish to suggest that yesterday was anything other than a stunning team display, but as with boxing, it's the opposition that determines how good you can be on any given day. Hull, Cardiff, Norwich, West Brom and the "new" Crystal Palace, who each lack the arrogance of Jol's formation will give us very tough games this season, but any team that comes to attack will get the same treatment as yesterday.

 

Don't think the inclusion of Berbatov or Bent made as much difference as you imply -who as the commentators observed were trying to press but had little support. The battle was lost in the middle of the park - Parker and Sidwell who are headed for the scrapheap just couldn't keep up with the energy of Wanyama and Morgan.

 

If anything, the biggest factor for Fulham wasn't on the pitch. Arguably Rickie wouldn't have got the same joy he did if Hangeland had been playing.

[sidthesquid]

A couple of things

Firstly Wanyama now looks totally the part. A beast in the middle of the park, with abillity, too.

JWP is nailed on to play for England - and quite soon. He's 18 ffs. Totally assured, brilliant football brain, great passing & dead-ball. Where do we keep finding them?

Clyne, too. Everyone raves about Shaw, but is there a better full-back out there?

If Lallana doesn't get an England call-up it will be a bigger travesty than MLT under Hoddle. He is unplayable against the moment.

If we can keep them fit, this team is the real deal.

[farawaysaint]

A couple of things

Firstly Wanyama now looks totally the part. A beast in the middle of the park, with abillity, too.

JWP is nailed on to play for England - and quite soon. He's 18 ffs. Totally assured, brilliant football brain, great passing & dead-ball. Where do we keep finding them?

Clyne, too. Everyone raves about Shaw, but is there a better full-back out there?

If Lallana doesn't get an England call-up it will be a bigger travesty than MLT under Hoddle. He is unplayable against the moment.

If we can keep them fit, this team is the real deal.

 

Reign it in there squiddy

[ART]

with all this high pressing + double training i do wonder if we'll be burnt out by Christmas.

This is what has been going through my mind. Just how much can the lads take and for how long. I suppose this is where Pochettino will begin to rest players and bring in those with fairly good quality, such as Cork, Yoshida, Hooivelt, Chambers. and Gaston. My biggest fear is not having a keeper of the same class as Boruc.

[CB Fry]

Settle a question for me, was your original comment about wanting us to win the League Cup a serious one or a mild jest? I had assumed the latter.

 

Serious actually. We're having a very good season. I think we should be prioritising winning a trophy. Which would make it a great season.

 

We can do it. Win it with months of the season left, and still finish top eight...or better.

[um pahars]

Simply wonderful yesterday. Men against boys or a kickabout down at Staplewood at times. An all round superb performance, with everyone playing their part.

 

As good as the early 80s??? Well not that far off that's for sure. Really enjoying watching this team get better and better.

 

So how has Pochettino got them playing like this??? Great coaching, tactics, fitness, inspiration, motivation or a combination of them all??????

[Batman]

a good point someone made on call collymore yesterday.

we wont finish top 4 but we are going to have a huge say in who does.

 

once we get the away games at arsenal and chelsea out of the way

we will have them both with liverpool and united to play at St Marys

 

you have to fancy getting 6 points at least from those 12 on offer

[saintbletch]

Don't think the inclusion of Berbatov or Bent made as much difference as you imply -who as the commentators observed were trying to press but had little support. The battle was lost in the middle of the park - Parker and Sidwell who are headed for the scrapheap just couldn't keep up with the energy of Wanyama and Morgan.

 

If anything, the biggest factor for Fulham wasn't on the pitch. Arguably Rickie wouldn't have got the same joy he did if Hangeland had been playing.

 

Agree about Hangelland shurlock, but not about Bent and Berbatov (and Ruiz).

 

I'd say that Jol's "plan" for the game was to cross his fingers and hope that we didn't play like we did at Utd.

 

If he'd seen us play at all this year, then he needed his team to defend from forwards to defence. And if that was the case, then he put out the wrong team/formation. We did play like we did at Utd and then some, and from about 10 mins in it was clear it was only going to get worse.

 

I'm not sure which commentators you listened to/watched that said that the Berbatov / Bent partnership was trying to press, because having watched all of the coverage and post-match analysis, the universal conclusion that I heard was that Berbatov was his usual disinterested self and gave up with a sulk and Bent was anonymous.

 

I've just looked at the Opta stats and Berbatov and Bent made zero tackles and one interception all game. My eyes told me the same.

 

As I said, we could only beat what was put in front of us, and by God we did that well. A truly stunning team performance. But we didn't score the amount that our possession suggested we should, and teams that don't approach the game with the arrogance/complacence of Fulham will be a real bellwether of how far we've come.

[SuperMikey]

Felt wonderful after the game yesterday, but having slept on it I'm a little more measured in my assessment.

 

I do find that many posters on here seem to forget to consider the opposition when they analyse a match. When we're bad or good, it can be as much about our own performance as how the opposition allowed us to play.

 

Chatting with a mate before the game, I predicted that we'd dominate Fulham if they played Berbatov, Ruiz and Bent upfront as they did against Crystal Palace. And so it came to pass. Jol was interviewed after the Crystal Palace game saying that he agonised whether he could afford to play the laziest forward line-up in Premiership history (my words, not his) against Crystal Palace. In the end he said that he reached the conclusion that good players, and they are all good players, should be able to make any formation work. At Crystal Palace, two world-class strikes and a Holloway-shaped implosion let Fulham back into the game and to ultimately run out easy victors.

 

To pick the same team against a well drilled team like Saints, seemed at best bold, at worst the beginning or an early retirement plan. Fair enough, but having seen us absolutely dominate them in the early stages, I can't believe that he didn't adjust that forward three. There was little to no competing or defending from front to back in their team until you got to Sidwell and Parker. By that time, given our pressing game, they were overrun.

 

So for me the victory yesterday was in some part down to Jol's poor selection, tactics, and reluctance/bloody-mindedness in not changing the formation.

 

Add to that the fact that despite our domination, we still didn't go on to score the number of goals that our possession and dominance suggested we should, and I find myself a little more concerned for when we come up against better organised teams - not necessarily "better" teams, but better disciplined teams.

 

It's churlish to suggest that yesterday was anything other than a stunning team display, but as with boxing, it's the opposition that determines how good you can be on any given day. Hull, Cardiff, Norwich, West Brom and the "new" Crystal Palace, who each lack the arrogance of Jol's formation will give us very tough games this season, but any team that comes to attack will get the same treatment as yesterday.

 

Good analysis, and I agree that it probably wouldn't have been the same result today against better opposition. Fulham have been very poor this season barring their result against the even poorer Crystal Palace last weekend. Can't say the result was ever in doubt, but if we had been playing a more organised unit (such as West Ham, Hull etc.) or a team that like to harry and not give our creative players space and time (like Man Utd last week) then it wouldn't have been nearly as resounding a performance as it was.

 

We won the game because Fulham were awful, and they made us look good in the process of losing the game. They were disorganised, sloppy, unfit, off the pace and frankly ambivalent. Will be shocked if Jol's still there by Christmas if they carry on like this. Not saying we were bad, but Fulham's shocking display just made us look better than we actually were!

[eelpie]

[quote=Bexy;1803679}

 

The 'tater on the stream I was watching said that it would be hard to pick a MOTM because you could make an argument for every player in a red shirt, and I'm inclined to agree with him. I can't bring myself to pick one player out of what was such a complete TEAM performance tonight.

 

This is one happy Saints fan right here.

 

Agree, but I've gone for Lallana as on top of producing some sublime football, he also demonstrated excellent captaining skills as he led the whole team to over 60% dominance.

[skintsaint]

Interesting but useless fact: not one of the players yesterday has played for another prem club. That's aside from the no less interesting/useless fact that, as with Man U, we had five players out there from our League One days.

 

Cork played for Burnley in the PL.

[Restark19]

Lallana at 20/1 to make the England world cup squad.. anyone fancy it?

[Restark19]

Interestingly Jay Rod and Jack Cork both at 25/1 Clyne 10/1 and Shaw 9/1

[sussexsaint]

May have missed it but did anyone count how many passes that was ?

[Leicestersaint]

Andre Marriner is a dreadful referee. As usual he was 'all at sea' and made countless wrong decisions.

 

That is all.

[SNSUN]

http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/fulham/id/1476?&cc=5739

 

POV from a Fulham journo.

 

Incidentally, have we well and truly banished the Sky curse now?

[hasper57saint]

Whats the name of that Cottager 'Swiss Cheese' who all the London Press raved about after his goal on Monday? Did he play Yesterday? Can't remember. What I do recall is that we were outstanding in every department.All we need to do now is leave a speedster in the centre circle when we defend free kicks or corners.

COYS

[Tractor_Saint]

Whats the name of that Cottager 'Swiss Cheese' who all the London Press raved about after his goal on Monday? Did he play Yesterday? Can't remember. What I do recall is that we were outstanding in every department.All we need to do now is leave a speedster in the centre circle when we defend free kicks or corners.

COYS

 

Yes he did but he didn't score

[Sheaf Saint]

http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/fulham/id/1476?&cc=5739

 

POV from a Fulham journo.

 

Incidentally, have we well and truly banished the Sky curse now?

 

Interesting read that. I never knew Ian Branfoot managed Fulham. Was that before or after his time with us?

[DuncanRG]

Incidentally, have we well and truly banished the Sky curse now?

 

We've won our last three, if I remember correctly. Fulham, Reading away, City at home?

[CB Fry]

Interesting read that. I never knew Ian Branfoot managed Fulham. Was that before or after his time with us?

 

After. Not particularly successfully. Although did then hand on to Micky Adams who started his initially successful management career with Branflake as DOF.

[trousers]

From a Fulham fan on Facebook:

 

Our opponents played swarming high pressure defense, regardless of where we were dribbling. A pressure man met the ball carrier as early as possible. A moment later, the cover man was there to mop up the effects of the decision-forcing pressure. But then they often added a third defender to cut the lane off, boxing the Fulham man in. It's an Argentinian/Spanish style, but it's very hard to get players to buy into it. All of them have to buy into it, because when you over-commit defenders like that on a single opponent, you know that there are two players on the pitch who are alone with no one marking them. Plus, it is physically exhausting to run that hard, press that hard, for 90 plus minutes. You have to be in phenomenal aerobic condition, words like indefatigable come to mind. And the only way you can play high pressure defense for 90 minutes is to train, train, train, with sprints, endless sprints, where they run you to exhaustion. Where players dread the training ground yet show up fitter every week for it.

 

Our players made the classic mistake of trying to dribble once high pressure commenced. You don't do that. You pass it quickly, before the noose gets tightened. You ping, ping, ping the ball about, preventing defenders from smothering you. Fulham didn't do that. They dribbled and were stripped of possession over and over again. After a while, they got shell shocked, lost confidence. I would have to say that we played the most in-shape and organised team I've seen in many a year. Looking at the age of this Saints team, it's frightening how good they could be in a couple of years I blame Jol for not making any adjustments at the half to at least try counter this blitzkrieg gang assault. We came out the second half and did more of the same. The other team's confidence kept increasing as we failed to adjust our game to break up the press.

 

I though Bent's passing was poor. He was picked off again and again. I'm not sure Senderos should be blamed for that second goal. It was a beautifully delivered cross, and the forward's timing on his break was exquisite. It looked like a marking mix-up with a teammate to me, but I'm not sure. Amorebieta played a great game. Look, we shouldn't be a dribbling team. The average age and suspect physical conditioning dictate we should be one-passing or two-passing our way about. But how many times did you see us attempting to dribble through trouble along the sides? Too many times. You could just see the inevitable results as defenders closed in quickly on the carrier.

 

Jol made no adjustments for high pressure football at the half. No tactical changes in ball movement, spreading players out, looking for the unmarked teammates, etc. My question is, why? If you can't make adjustments, think on the fly, then you lack fundamental qualities necessary to be manager.

[VectisSaint]

Cork played for Burnley in the PL.

He even scored a goal for them, which is more than he has ever done for us. Of course both Steve and Kelvin Davis have also played for other teams in the PL, but neither played a part yesterday, although I'm sure Steve would have started if he had not picked up an injury in training.

[krissyboy31]

Andre Marriner is a dreadful referee. As usual he was 'all at sea' and made countless wrong decisions.

 

That is all.

Had the feeling that he felt so sorry for Fulham, he gave them as many decisions as possible to try and make a game of it.

[krissyboy31]

This is what has been going through my mind. Just how much can the lads take and for how long. I suppose this is where Pochettino will begin to rest players and bring in those with fairly good quality, such as Cork, Yoshida, Hooivelt, Chambers. and Gaston. My biggest fear is not having a keeper of the same class as Boruc.

I don't think we have to worry about Boruc's pressing game. To be honest we could have played without a keeper at all yesterday, for all he had to do.

[rooney]

Lallana at 20/1 to make the England world cup squad.. anyone fancy it?

Gary Neville has Wroy's ear and he raves about us all the time. Surely he cannot ignore more of our players now. They talked about this on Saturday Night Football, MOTD, Sunday Supplement and Goals on Sunday on top of that there was the FA Dinner where people must have talked about the match. If Wroy does not take any notice of that then I am a tortoise too.

[St_Tel49]

I would certainly start Osvaldo on the bench for the next match. But with the expectation that he would come on and see a decent amount of game time. Rickie looked knackered just before half time yesterday, and definitely faded quickly in the second. More than understandable given the tempo we were playing at and the job he was being asked to do. I thought the team as a whole started to look ragged by 60-65 minutes and, had he been fit, Osvaldo would have been perfect to come on at that point to dial the pressure back up on the Fulham back 3, stretch the game and force possession back around the Fulham penalty area.

 

I suspect what many tire of on here is the rampant myopia of some opinions. Players are apparently either amazing or useless. The reality is that both of our strikers will/should have significant parts to play for us over the season. Sometimes it will be Lambert first, sometimes Osvaldo, sometimes both. And that's okay.

This

[Jimmy_D]

http://www.rantsports.com/soccer/2013/10/27/england-can-reap-rewards-of-continental-influence-at-southampton/

 

People outside of Southampton are starting to think of our players as potential England International players.

[LostBoys]

What a performance - simply terrific. Had a great night in town afterwards and have only just recovered my sobriety

[itchen]

Simply wonderful yesterday. Men against boys or a kickabout down at Staplewood at times. An all round superb performance, with everyone playing their part.

 

As good as the early 80s??? Well not that far off that's for sure. Really enjoying watching this team get better and better.

 

So how has Pochettino got them playing like this??? Great coaching, tactics, fitness, inspiration, motivation or a combination of them all??????

 

As I tweeted yesterday, it was boys against (old) men.

[Tractor_Saint]

As I tweeted yesterday, it was boys against (old) men.

 

As I tweeted today, I thanked Southampton FC for not only putting on a fairground but also supplying the clowns for our team to play against.

[trousers]

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/oct/27/southampton-fulham-premier-league-match-report

[Lazlo78]

Just watched the extended highlights on Saints Player (18m12s) - Saints were amazing and Fulham were clueless! Really worth a watch if you are a subscriber...

 

- Lambert was immense. As a target man, as a playmaker, as a goal threat etc. - everything worked for him.

- Clyne skinned Richardson by sheer pace on a number of occasions - scary for the Fulham defender to face such a lightning bolt!

- Ward-Prowse fits well into the system with his great work rate, and his set pieces are just a bonus that has added extra bite to our corners and free kicks.

- Morgan and Vic seem to be gaining a good understanding - give them a few more months together and we may see them improve even further.

- Jay Rodriguez may never become the great goalscorer (then again he could be lethal with a little more composure in front of goal), but he adds so much to the team. His inclusion at the expense of Ramirez, Guly, Puncheon etc. is entirely justified IMHO with his exceptional work rate and versatility. Also, where did those mazy runs and that Delap'ish shot come from?!

 

There will be off days in the future, but for now I just really enjoy this culmination of the project that was started in L1 in 2009...

 

Oh, and the detail with Parker showing Berbatov who to mark only for him to abandon his duties was hilarious - tells everything about the difference between the two teams. Our players have accepted the tactics and style that demands a lot and really takes its toll. Berbatov seems to play for... Berbatov...

[Andy Durman]

http://www1.skysports.com/football/live/match/287372/ratings

 

According to the sky ratings, Senderos and Amorbieta were better than Lovren and Fonte. Just think about that a minute.

 

I don't think you're reading the marks correctly. Fulham averaged 3.9

[ericofarabia]

This is what has been going through my mind. Just how much can the lads take and for how long. I suppose this is where Pochettino will begin to rest players and bring in those with fairly good quality, such as Cork, Yoshida, Hooivelt, Chambers. and Gaston. My biggest fear is not having a keeper of the same class as Boruc.

 

I reckon there are at least 18 other Prem teams wishing they had a 1st Choice Keeper as good as him ;-)