Post Match Reaction: SAINTS 1-1 Manchester City

[ottery st mary]

Some nice words there .... but how on earth does Cork only get a 5/10???

 

The article goes on to outline what a star role Cork played:)

 

They meant to give him 9/10:rolleyes:

 

His performance merited 10/10:D

[John Boy Saint]

A great performance, but the most impressive thing for me was that the "system" is understood by the squad.

 

We were able to bring squad players into the first team with exactly the same team performance.

 

Great to see.

I have to say that was the one thing that I took from the Sunderland Cup Game, that night the bulk of the team was the "second string" but the one thing you could see was that the players could slot into the first team and match rust aside would take up the slack left by the first choice player in that position being out.

 

Many of us must have walked into SMS yesterday, knowing the state of the team, with the acceptance that it might be a tricky afternoon, and walked home with a spring in our step after normal Saints service resumed from about 15mins in.

 

You can't argue with that season ticket comment in the Mail on Sunday

[Saint Fan CaM]

A great performance, but the most impressive thing for me was that the "system" is understood by the squad.

 

We were able to bring squad players into the first team with exactly the same team performance.

 

Great to see.

 

Yep, completely agree - this was by far the biggest positive from this game. In many respects I would say that Cork has a better passing game than Wanyama and so perhaps deserves to retain his place if he can defend that well..

[ottery st mary]

I have to say that was the one thing that I took from the Sunderland Cup Game, that night the bulk of the team was the "second string" but the one thing you could see was that the players could slot into the first team and match rust aside would take up the slack left by the first choice player in that position being out.

 

Many of us must have walked into SMS yesterday, knowing the state of the team, with the acceptance that it might be a tricky afternoon, and walked home with a spring in our step after normal Saints service resumed from about 15mins in.

 

You can't argue with that season ticket comment in the Mail on Sunday

 

Totally agree..

 

My daughter was still positive before the game whereas I was really concerned it was all going to come on top.

 

Like you walked out of the stadium with a spring in my step.

 

Well done Saints and high praise for Manager Poch.:)

 

 

AND me...secretary of the Saints HAPPY CLAPPER forum:mcinnes:

Edited 8 December, 2013 by ottery st mary

[melmacian_saint]

I think people are getting a bit carried away with Cork.

 

Yes, he was really good yesterday, and I've said before he is possibly the member of the squad with the neatest touch and the best passer, be it short or long.

However, and while he is part of our core nucleus of players (i.e. not in the freezer like Ramirez, Guly or Fox), I can still see why Wanyama, if fit, will almost certainly start ahead of him.

 

Forget about Yaya Toure, but Cork has been muscled out of at least 3 tackles in the last 2 games simply because he is not strong enough. You can see him gain position, but then when contact exists he crumbles and falls to the ground far too easily. One of these was even against Nasri who thug face aside is hardly an intimidating character.

A holding midfielder needs to be stronger than this, and even if he is not a wall like Victor he must be aggressive and I'm afraid Cork is neither. He also lacks pace which means that he can't have the same presence as Victor when going forward or trying to launch an attack.

 

On the plus side, he seems to have dealt with his weaknesses very intelligently by excelling at passing the ball. Mentally he is also more reliable than Victor in the sense that he is doesn't seem to lose his focus, while Victor can sometimes sleep on the ball, which can be costly as we've seen. His passing can also be woeful.

 

If the main criteria was technique, Wanyama would be lucky to get a run in the 2nd half. However, a holding midfielder is always more about being aggressive and winning challenges and getting back the ball, something Victor is definitely better at than Jack.

[colman1860]

How is that City goal not offside, surely the striker dodging out the way of the ball is interfering!

 

Negredo is played onside by Chambers who got close to the goal line defending the cross. Even if he had been in an offside position, I still don't think he was interfering. Literally put his hands up to demonstrate he wasn't involved.

[DuncanRG]

I think people are getting a bit carried away with Cork.

 

Yes, he was really good yesterday, and I've said before he is possibly the member of the squad with the neatest touch and the best passer, be it short or long.

However, and while he is part of our core nucleus of players (i.e. not in the freezer like Ramirez, Guly or Fox), I can still see why Wanyama, if fit, will almost certainly start ahead of him.

 

Forget about Yaya Toure, but Cork has been muscled out of at least 3 tackles in the last 2 games simply because he is not strong enough. You can see him gain position, but then when contact exists he crumbles and falls to the ground far too easily. One of these was even against Nasri who thug face aside is hardly an intimidating character.

A holding midfielder needs to be stronger than this, and even if he is not a wall like Victor he must be aggressive and I'm afraid Cork is neither. He also lacks pace which means that he can't have the same presence as Victor when going forward or trying to launch an attack.

 

On the plus side, he seems to have dealt with his weaknesses very intelligently by excelling at passing the ball. Mentally he is also more reliable than Victor in the sense that he is doesn't seem to lose his focus, while Victor can sometimes sleep on the ball, which can be costly as we've seen. His passing can also be woeful.

 

If the main criteria was technique, Wanyama would be lucky to get a run in the 2nd half. However, a holding midfielder is always more about being aggressive and winning challenges and getting back the ball, something Victor is definitely better at than Jack.

 

He moves the ball an awful lot quicker than Wanyama though. Defensively there's no comparison but Cork and Davis kept our best tempo of the season yesterday - and, in fact, that possession worked well as a defensive tactic.

[mitch01]

I thought Rodriguez was excellent. Always looking to do something positive and has a great knack of ghosting past defenders.

[Roger]

I think people are getting a bit carried away with Cork.

 

Yes, he was really good yesterday, and I've said before he is possibly the member of the squad with the neatest touch and the best passer, be it short or long.

However, and while he is part of our core nucleus of players (i.e. not in the freezer like Ramirez, Guly or Fox), I can still see why Wanyama, if fit, will almost certainly start ahead of him.

 

Forget about Yaya Toure, but Cork has been muscled out of at least 3 tackles in the last 2 games simply because he is not strong enough. You can see him gain position, but then when contact exists he crumbles and falls to the ground far too easily. One of these was even against Nasri who thug face aside is hardly an intimidating character.

A holding midfielder needs to be stronger than this, and even if he is not a wall like Victor he must be aggressive and I'm afraid Cork is neither. He also lacks pace which means that he can't have the same presence as Victor when going forward or trying to launch an attack.

 

On the plus side, he seems to have dealt with his weaknesses very intelligently by excelling at passing the ball. Mentally he is also more reliable than Victor in the sense that he is doesn't seem to lose his focus, while Victor can sometimes sleep on the ball, which can be costly as we've seen. His passing can also be woeful.

 

If the main criteria was technique, Wanyama would be lucky to get a run in the 2nd half. However, a holding midfielder is always more about being aggressive and winning challenges and getting back the ball, something Victor is definitely better at than Jack.

 

Absolute load of rubbish!

[ottery st mary]

With Cork totally out playing/muscling Toure:)

 

Quite obvious he is a top class footballer who should have had more game time ...even from the bench..

 

I am sure Poch will see that when all our players are fit...will have good choice of combinations in the middle..

 

Wanyama , Morgan , Cork , Davis , JWP, Reed and Banega:rolleyes:

[alpine_saint]

i personally thik Corks return from Olympic injury saved us last season, so I hope Mopo appreciates his value to us and, dare I say it, think about rotating the CM places a bit when everyone is available again

[Graffito]

What I found different about yesterday's performance was how individual players drove at City. Rodrigues always runs with the ball and commits the opposition. Lallana did it a lot yesterday, as did the fullbacks, Chambers on the outside and Shaw both outside and cutting in. It was very effective and City was uncomfortable with it. I expected Pellegrini to get Toure to run at us second half rather than us running at him but it didn't happen.

[Legod Third Coming]

I think people are getting a bit carried away with Cork.

 

Yes, he was really good yesterday, and I've said before he is possibly the member of the squad with the neatest touch and the best passer, be it short or long.

However, and while he is part of our core nucleus of players (i.e. not in the freezer like Ramirez, Guly or Fox), I can still see why Wanyama, if fit, will almost certainly start ahead of him.

 

Forget about Yaya Toure, but Cork has been muscled out of at least 3 tackles in the last 2 games simply because he is not strong enough. You can see him gain position, but then when contact exists he crumbles and falls to the ground far too easily. One of these was even against Nasri who thug face aside is hardly an intimidating character.

A holding midfielder needs to be stronger than this, and even if he is not a wall like Victor he must be aggressive and I'm afraid Cork is neither. He also lacks pace which means that he can't have the same presence as Victor when going forward or trying to launch an attack.

 

On the plus side, he seems to have dealt with his weaknesses very intelligently by excelling at passing the ball. Mentally he is also more reliable than Victor in the sense that he is doesn't seem to lose his focus, while Victor can sometimes sleep on the ball, which can be costly as we've seen. His passing can also be woeful.

 

If the main criteria was technique, Wanyama would be lucky to get a run in the 2nd half. However, a holding midfielder is always more about being aggressive and winning challenges and getting back the ball, something Victor is definitely better at than Jack.

 

Good analysis. Cork is a deft player. Victor is a tank. You pays your money, you takes your choice...

[rooney]

I think people are getting a bit carried away with Cork.

 

Yes, he was really good yesterday, and I've said before he is possibly the member of the squad with the neatest touch and the best passer, be it short or long.

However, and while he is part of our core nucleus of players (i.e. not in the freezer like Ramirez, Guly or Fox), I can still see why Wanyama, if fit, will almost certainly start ahead of him.

 

Forget about Yaya Toure, but Cork has been muscled out of at least 3 tackles in the last 2 games simply because he is not strong enough. You can see him gain position, but then when contact exists he crumbles and falls to the ground far too easily. One of these was even against Nasri who thug face aside is hardly an intimidating character.

A holding midfielder needs to be stronger than this, and even if he is not a wall like Victor he must be aggressive and I'm afraid Cork is neither. He also lacks pace which means that he can't have the same presence as Victor when going forward or trying to launch an attack.

 

On the plus side, he seems to have dealt with his weaknesses very intelligently by excelling at passing the ball. Mentally he is also more reliable than Victor in the sense that he is doesn't seem to lose his focus, while Victor can sometimes sleep on the ball, which can be costly as we've seen. His passing can also be woeful.

 

If the main criteria was technique, Wanyama would be lucky to get a run in the 2nd half. However, a holding midfielder is always more about being aggressive and winning challenges and getting back the ball, something Victor is definitely better at than Jack.

Cannot disagree with that .

[Junior Mullet]

Really good effort yesterday. Chambers stepped up and looked very good. It's not beyond imagination Chambers and Clyne will be fighting for the England RB slot in 3/4 years time!!

 

Cork was superb - his passing was superb - deep-lying playmaker role added a different dimension compared to Wanyama the brick wall. Davis was excellent as ever.

 

Osvaldo's goal had it all - control, strength, confidence, technique and timing. He should have won the game for us and I expect without reading the rest of the thread some people may be knocking him for the two chances he missed. But, fact is he was getting in the right positions - something we have failed to do a lot this season. Good strikers do miss chances, good strikers make sure they get a lot of chances, good strikers convert enough to win more games than they lose. He certainly did enough to keep his place ahead of Lambert.

 

Really good game to watch yesterday. Shame we didn't get the win especially when I think we just edged the better play against a very good and in-form City side.

[SaintSteve]

An absolutely outstanding game and performance

Chambers looks quality, Cork introduced the pass into the inside channels which Rodriguez and Osvaldo are looking for and unfortunately we do have a quicker tempo with Osvaldo rather than Rickie.

Yesterday showed me the value of a Saints Season Ticket.

[alehouseboys]

Cork was superb - his passing was superb - deep-lying playmaker role added a different dimension compared to Wanyama the brick wall. Davis was excellent as ever

 

Steve Davis has to go down as one of the best bits of business ever carried out by this football club. A real gem of a bargain.

[S-Clarke]

Steve Davis has to go down as one of the best bits of business ever carried out by this football club. A real gem of a bargain.

 

Still believe Davis has been MP's most consistent and one of his better players since he's arrived at the club. Used as a sub, or as a start, he has played a key role in some massive results. A terrific, top class CM in my opinion. I don't think our CM has ever been this strong squad-wise in my lifetime.

[captainchris]

i personally thik Corks return from Olympic injury saved us last season, so I hope Mopo appreciates his value to us and, dare I say it, think about rotating the CM places a bit when everyone is available again

 

That is a very wise call!

[Professor]

Nasri, a very nasty little creep. Clubs like Man City don't care who they buy as long as they are expensive but the cost of such players stops them from disciplining them when it turns out they are unpleasant cheats.

[Whitey Grandad]

Nasri, a very nasty little creep. Clubs like Man City don't care who they buy as long as they are expensive but the cost of such players stops them from disciplining them when it turns out they are unpleasant cheats.

 

Wasn't he just.

[angelman]

Had a spare second as was wondering on the different amounts that the squad cost. Figures taken from here: http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/?from=top_navi and may or may not be accurate, but not sure 100% accuracy is wholly needed. I also know that since Bosman, transfer values are greatly affected by how long is left on the contract (eg Kompany signed from Hamburg for less than they signed him for).

 

 

Gazzaniga – 2.772m

Chambers - free

Fonte – 1.232m

Lovren – 8.800m

Shaw - free

Cork – 0.739m

S Davis – 0.880

Ward-Prowse - free

Lallana - free

Rodriguez – 7.612m

Osvaldo – 13.288m

Ramírez – 13.376m

Reed - free

Lambert – 1.056m

 

TOTAL – 49.755m

 

Pantilimon – 2.024m

Zabaleta – 7.656m

Kompany – 7.480m

Demichelis – 4.400m

Kolarov – 19.976m

Milner – 19.360m

Yaya Toure – 26.400m

Fernandinho – 35.200m

Nasri – 24.200m

Aguero – 39.600m

Negredo – 22.000m

Dzeko – 32.560m

Javi Garcia – 17.776m

Jesus Navas – 17.600m

 

TOTAL – 276.232m

 

(PS still can't understand why we paid so much for Gazza - something fishy there)

[Window Cleaner]

Had a spare second as was wondering on the different amounts that the squad cost. Figures taken from here: http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/?from=top_navi and may or may not be accurate, but not sure 100% accuracy is wholly needed. I also know that since Bosman, transfer values are greatly affected by how long is left on the contract (eg Kompany signed from Hamburg for less than they signed him for).

 

 

Gazzaniga – 2.772m

Chambers - free

Fonte – 1.232m

Lovren – 8.800m

Shaw - free

Cork – 0.739m

S Davis – 0.880

Ward-Prowse - free

Lallana - free

Rodriguez – 7.612m

Osvaldo – 13.288m

Ramírez – 13.376m

Reed - free

Lambert – 1.056m

 

TOTAL – 49.755m

 

Pantilimon – 2.024m

Zabaleta – 7.656m

Kompany – 7.480m

Demichelis – 4.400m

Kolarov – 19.976m

Milner – 19.360m

Yaya Toure – 26.400m

Fernandinho – 35.200m

Nasri – 24.200m

Aguero – 39.600m

Negredo – 22.000m

Dzeko – 32.560m

Javi Garcia – 17.776m

Jesus Navas – 17.600m

 

TOTAL – 276.232m

 

(PS still can't understand why we paid so much for Gazza - something fishy there)

 

50p for Gazza and 2.771999.50 £ for taking Forecast off our hands.

[david in sweden]

I think people are getting a bit carried away with Cork.

 

Yes, he was really good yesterday, and I've said before he is possibly the member of the squad with the neatest touch and the best passer, be it short or long.

However, and while he is part of our core nucleus of players (i.e. not in the freezer like Ramirez, Guly or Fox), I can still see why Wanyama, if fit, will almost certainly start ahead of him.

 

Forget about Yaya Toure, but Cork has been muscled out of at least 3 tackles in the last 2 games simply because he is not strong enough. You can see him gain position, but then when contact exists he crumbles and falls to the ground far too easily. One of these was even against Nasri who thug face aside is hardly an intimidating character.

A holding midfielder needs to be stronger than this, and even if he is not a wall like Victor he must be aggressive and I'm afraid Cork is neither. He also lacks pace which means that he can't have the same presence as Victor when going forward or trying to launch an attack.

 

On the plus side, he seems to have dealt with his weaknesses very intelligently by excelling at passing the ball. Mentally he is also more reliable than Victor in the sense that he is doesn't seem to lose his focus, while Victor can sometimes sleep on the ball, which can be costly as we've seen. His passing can also be woeful.

 

If the main criteria was technique, Wanyama would be lucky to get a run in the 2nd half. However, a holding midfielder is always more about being aggressive and winning challenges and getting back the ball, something Victor is definitely better at than Jack.

 

 

 

yes but as you say ..if fit....whenever that will be?. He still has to recover, and get back in proper training and win his place back.

 

Jack was fairly consistant for long spells last season, but if he continues to play well , it'll be for Victor to show he's better.

 

People are sure to say why play Cork (or anyone else ) when we have a£12 million signing available, but at the moment we have a teenager (JWP)...... keeping Ramirez out of the side.

[david in sweden]

Had a spare second as was wondering on the different amounts that the squad cost. Figures taken from here: http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/?from=top_navi and may or may not be accurate, but not sure 100% accuracy is wholly needed. I also know that since Bosman, transfer values are greatly affected by how long is left on the contract (eg Kompany signed from Hamburg for less than they signed him for).

 

 

(PS still can't understand why we paid so much for Gazza - something fishy there)

 

 

well if you remember, we had (apparantly) bid £6 million for Jack Butland, but Brum refused the offer. Judging by Butland's recent form; I'd say we got off lightly.

 

and for only £2 million, Gazzaniga was a cheaper " mistake "- if that's how you want to catagorise him?

[Cascadia Saint]

As usual, a few interesting bits in Footy 365's numbers and stats section...

 

http://www.football365.com/f365-features/9066364/Premier-League-Numbers-And-Stats

 

Southampton

* Laurent Koscielny is the only PL centre-half to average more interceptions (3) than Dejan Lovren (2.9) this season.

* Steven Davis, Lovren, Jack Cork and Jose Fonte all played more passes than any City player on Saturday.

* James Ward-Prowse remains the crossing king of the PL with 43 of 113 attempts this season reaching a teammate.

 

Manchester City

* City have won just one of the last six PL games started by James Milner.

* They have thrown away a massive eight points from winning positions away from home this season.

* Sergio Agüero was the only City player to muster a shot on target v Southampton on Saturday.