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Pre Season Tour

Saint Charlie

By Saint Charlie
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Whitey Grandad

Whitey Grandad

Posted
Posted
Highlights are being put up on the channel, commentators said so several times. Just need to wait a bit.

 

Thanks, but I've been out working all day. Would this be the YouTube channel listed earlier? That seems dead at the moment.

farawaysaint

farawaysaint

Posted
Posted
Thanks, but I've been out working all day. Would this be the YouTube channel listed earlier? That seems dead at the moment.

 

I wasn't crticising mate sorry if it seemed that way :D Was just letting you know.

 

I suggest you check the Saints official youtube channel in a bit (or tomorrow) for the highlights.

 

They usually let you know of new videos through the fb as well if you follow them.

Whitey Grandad

Whitey Grandad

Posted
Posted
I wasn't crticising mate sorry if it seemed that way :D Was just letting you know.

 

I suggest you check the Saints official youtube channel in a bit (or tomorrow) for the highlights.

 

They usually let you know of new videos through the fb as well if you follow them.

 

No offence taken, no worries. Thanks for the info :)

mcbendy

mcbendy

Posted
Posted

My thoughts, in case anyone is interested, and before reading anyone else's comments on here.

 

Kelvin Davis (full 90)- untested. Caught a couple of crosses.

Cédric Soares (1st half only) - looks very exciting. Seriously quick. I hope he can defend. If he can, we've unearthed a gem.

Jason McCarthy (full 90) - looked solid and composed when on the ball, but largely untested. Got caught on the wrong side once in the 2nd half (playing RB) but recovered.

Jordan Turnbull (46) - looked solid and composed. Has a good physical presence. Did nothing wrong and his header down for his goal was textbook.

Jack Stephens (full 90) - looked confident on the ball in central defense (1st half) and sitting in a sort-of DM position (2nd half). Largely untested defensively

Matt Targett (1st half only) - quality. Overlapped well. Good balls into the box. Defended well when he needed to. Looks a prem player.

Josh Debayo (46) - did little wrong, other than taking about a minute to take a throw-in. Looked nervous and a bit ungainly/awkward at times.

James Ward-Prowse (1st 70 mins) - reasonable without doing much. Technically good and steady passing. But what is he? He doesn't offer much attacking threat but isn't strong defensively. Hard to see how he fits in.

Dušan Tadić (71) -a short cameo but continues to look sharp and had some nice touches

Harrison Reed - an excellent performance. Very alert and alive. Nipping in and breaking up play continually. Decent passing. Looks every inch a Prem DM.

Steven Davis (1st half only) - decent performance. I am always impressed when I see him play. Linked up well going forward and scored too.

Lloyd Isgrove (46) - did very little. Lots of bluster and darting around but no end product. Looked a bit better when he switched to the right wing. Looks miles off the 1st team.

Jordy Clasie (1st half only) - I will get slated for saying it, but I just don't see it. Not yet at least. Wasn't at the pace of the game (Dutch 4th tier) and contributed little. Based on that performance I would start Big Vic and Reed against Feyenoord...

Juanmi (46) - Went down too easily a few times and looked hopefully at the ref, but when he stayed on his feet he showed good close control and looked a threat.

Jay Rodriguez (full 90) - like a pure-bred racehorse. So nice to see him back. Lots of quality touches and three well taken goals.

Graziano Pellè (1st half only) big, strong, led the line well, scored three. What more do you want?

Sam McQueen (46) - looks to have something. Combined well with Tadic late on in particular. Shot straight at the keeper but was a decent strike. Got to the by-line a few times. Way more of a threat than Isgrove.

 

My 1st XI v Feyenoord/Vitese would be:

 

Stekelenburg

Soares - Fonte - Yoshida - Targett

Wanyama - Reed

Mane - Tadic - J Rod

Pelle

mcbendy

mcbendy

Posted
Posted
He looked sound defensively against Red Bull Salzburg when the rest of the back 4 weren't impressive. If you thought Clyne's crossing and passing was poor, I'm not sure why you think Cedric's is good, they're about the same - which is fine. :)

 

Can't agree. I always thought Clyne's crossing was poor. What was it - two assists last season? For a full-back who is supposed to overlap and get balls into the box for a man with Pelle's heading ability, that's poor...

malcolm waldron

malcolm waldron

Posted
Posted

Been anxiously watching JRod and his recovering knee from those videos and during the tournament last weekend. Can anybody who's watched the streams of the games comment on his knee, as i'm sure he looked like he was limping having finished off the 10th goal this afternoon.

Shance

Shance

Posted
Posted
Been anxiously watching JRod and his recovering knee from those videos and during the tournament last weekend. Can anybody who's watched the streams of the games comment on his knee, as i'm sure he looked like he was limping having finished off the 10th goal this afternoon.

 

He looked fine to me and genuinely looks like he's enjoying being back on the pitch again!

The9

The9

Posted
Posted
That's a fair point sir. I still reserve the right to be slightly surprised that our first choice keeper does get a single minute of play in two consecutive preseason friendlies. Different opinions are available :)

 

If he doesn't play against Feyenoord and he isn't injured you can retain your surprise.

 

At the moment I think we're just giving them all appropriate levels of match experience in pre-season, so Gazzaniga and Stekelenburg played in Salzburg against decent sides, Gazzaniga in Groningen against a decent side, and Davis in the match where they didn't expect him to have much to do.

 

Gazzaniga needs experience, Stekelenburg needs experience behind the actual back 4. Also, Stekelenburg can build the relationship behind the back 4 in training just as well as in an actual match, as long as they don't know what the opposition is doing they have the chance to work on shape and communication.

The9

The9

Posted
Posted
Can't agree. I always thought Clyne's crossing was poor. What was it - two assists last season? For a full-back who is supposed to overlap and get balls into the box for a man with Pelle's heading ability, that's poor...

 

"As expected, the premium crossing area is on the edge of the penalty and inside it (shall we call it the Zabaleta Zone?), where around 5% of crosses are converted. If this sounds low, then consider that the average cross conversion rate is just 1.76%."

 

Here's a fun hypothesis for you: "Success and reliance on crosses are inversely related: the higher proportion of a team’s shots come from crosses, the lower points-per-game. The strength of this relationship is similar to the previous, and, once again the effect is not found in Germany or France".

 

See more at: http://statsbomb.com/2014/10/how-low-can-you-go-assorted-thoughts-about-crosses/#sthash.t0BFd20O.dpuf

shurlock

shurlock

Posted
Posted
"As expected, the premium crossing area is on the edge of the penalty and inside it (shall we call it the Zabaleta Zone?), where around 5% of crosses are converted. If this sounds low, then consider that the average cross conversion rate is just 1.76%."

 

Here's a fun hypothesis for you: "Success and reliance on crosses are inversely related: the higher proportion of a team’s shots come from crosses, the lower points-per-game. The strength of this relationship is similar to the previous, and, once again the effect is not found in Germany or France".

 

See more at: http://statsbomb.com/2014/10/how-low-can-you-go-assorted-thoughts-about-crosses/#sthash.t0BFd20O.dpuf

 

:facepalm:

van Hanegem

van Hanegem

Posted
Posted

Looking forward to Feyenoord vs. Southampton though it looks like Feyenoord is not ready to be any match for the Saints at this moment. Feyenoord is in desperate need for two defenders (central and leftback) and a versatile striker while the new signings Kuyt, Vejinovic and Gustavson still have to adept to the team (and vice versa...). But the atmosphere will be great and as the ties between the clubs is getting stronger, this friendly game might be the first of more to come. Hopefully next time I won't be on holiday... :(

kermitsaint

kermitsaint

Posted
Posted
Been anxiously watching JRod and his recovering knee from those videos and during the tournament last weekend. Can anybody who's watched the streams of the games comment on his knee, as i'm sure he looked like he was limping having finished off the 10th goal this afternoon.

I was also thinking this . Looked uncomfortable most of the time when off the ball . Maybe its fitness , maybe I'm looking too hard

CB Fry

CB Fry

Posted
Posted
Surprised j rod played the full game,not sure he will start Thursday now

What is happening on Thursday? Not really keeping up with pre season matches.

Batman

Batman

Posted
Posted
That's next Thursday. I'd be surprised if people are worrying about Jay Rod playing two games in ten days, when one of those games was a 10 - nil stroll.

 

Next Thursday?

CB Fry

CB Fry

Posted
Posted
Next Thursday?

Hang on, my mistake, getting confused.

 

In that case - him not being available for one friendly because he played in another friendly doesn't seem much to worry about. Koeman might have thought him running around vs no hopers is just what he needs right now.

eddie

eddie

Posted
Posted (edited)
My thoughts, in case anyone is interested, and before reading anyone else's comments on here.

 

Kelvin Davis (full 90)- untested. Caught a couple of crosses.

Cédric Soares (1st half only) - looks very exciting. Seriously quick. I hope he can defend. If he can, we've unearthed a gem.

Jason McCarthy (full 90) - looked solid and composed when on the ball, but largely untested. Got caught on the wrong side once in the 2nd half (playing RB) but recovered.

Jordan Turnbull (46) - looked solid and composed. Has a good physical presence. Did nothing wrong and his header down for his goal was textbook.

Jack Stephens (full 90) - looked confident on the ball in central defense (1st half) and sitting in a sort-of DM position (2nd half). Largely untested defensively

Matt Targett (1st half only) - quality. Overlapped well. Good balls into the box. Defended well when he needed to. Looks a prem player.

Josh Debayo (46) - did little wrong, other than taking about a minute to take a throw-in. Looked nervous and a bit ungainly/awkward at times.

James Ward-Prowse (1st 70 mins) - reasonable without doing much. Technically good and steady passing. But what is he? He doesn't offer much attacking threat but isn't strong defensively. Hard to see how he fits in.

Dušan Tadić (71) -a short cameo but continues to look sharp and had some nice touches

Harrison Reed - an excellent performance. Very alert and alive. Nipping in and breaking up play continually. Decent passing. Looks every inch a Prem DM.

Steven Davis (1st half only) - decent performance. I am always impressed when I see him play. Linked up well going forward and scored too.

Lloyd Isgrove (46) - did very little. Lots of bluster and darting around but no end product. Looked a bit better when he switched to the right wing. Looks miles off the 1st team.

Jordy Clasie (1st half only) - I will get slated for saying it, but I just don't see it. Not yet at least. Wasn't at the pace of the game (Dutch 4th tier) and contributed little. Based on that performance I would start Big Vic and Reed against Feyenoord...

Juanmi (46) - Went down too easily a few times and looked hopefully at the ref, but when he stayed on his feet he showed good close control and looked a threat.

Jay Rodriguez (full 90) - like a pure-bred racehorse. So nice to see him back. Lots of quality touches and three well taken goals.

Graziano Pellè (1st half only) big, strong, led the line well, scored three. What more do you want?

Sam McQueen (46) - looks to have something. Combined well with Tadic late on in particular. Shot straight at the keeper but was a decent strike. Got to the by-line a few times. Way more of a threat than Isgrove.

 

My 1st XI v Feyenoord/Vitese would be:

 

Stekelenburg

Soares - Fonte - Yoshida - Targett

Wanyama - Reed

Mane - Tadic - J Rod

Pelle

 

I'd agree with much of that. Its also nice to hear an analysis of the young guys, I really can't tell them apart on the pitch sometimes so good to know. Completely agree about soares, and also thought the same about juanmi.

 

For me the only unusual point was about Clasie. I think that Koeman will have specifically told reed to be the one to break up play and close people down, putting in the bigger tackles, with clasie just off him to receive the ball in space and then pass it on.

 

So while I actually think Clasie did a lot of closing down, especially closing people back toward their own net, it may have looked like he was just standing there in space some of the time, because that was his job. In other words, reed can across like a better defensive midfielder.

 

But in reality, Clasie performed an excellent role similar to schneiderlin. He did break up play when necessary but also gave an option to players around him to pass to, and then made incisive passes (set up a couple of goals with over-the-top passes to j-rod/pelle that were unbelievable). Being an option in midfield, in space, is as valuable as anything else. Otherwise we're limited to only going up the wings

Edited by eddie
Sour Mash

Sour Mash

Posted
Posted (edited)

I can't see anyone that played the full 90mins starting against Feyenoord. I reckon it'll be close to what Koeman believes is his current best first XI. He's not going to drop his new star signing from that based on a game against a 4th division side.

Edited by Sour Mash
Goatboy

Goatboy

Posted
Posted
"As expected, the premium crossing area is on the edge of the penalty and inside it (shall we call it the Zabaleta Zone?), where around 5% of crosses are converted. If this sounds low, then consider that the average cross conversion rate is just 1.76%."

 

Here's a fun hypothesis for you: "Success and reliance on crosses are inversely related: the higher proportion of a team’s shots come from crosses, the lower points-per-game. The strength of this relationship is similar to the previous, and, once again the effect is not found in Germany or France".

 

See more at: http://statsbomb.com/2014/10/how-low-can-you-go-assorted-thoughts-about-crosses/#sthash.t0BFd20O.dpuf

 

I think I prefer the kit obsession.

trousers

trousers

Posted
Posted
I can't see anyone that played the full 90mins starting against Feyenoord. I reckon it'll be close to what Koeman believes is his current best first XI. He's not going to drop his new star signing from that based on a game against a 4th division side.

 

Yep, agree.

 

Probable starting line-up tomorrow...?

 

Stekelenburg

 

Cédric - Fonte - Yoshida - Targett

 

Wanyama - Clasie

 

Mane - Long - Tadic

 

Pelle

shurlock

shurlock

Posted
Posted (edited)
Yep, agree.

 

Probable starting line-up tomorrow...?

 

Stekelenburg

 

Cédric - Fonte - Yoshida - Targett

 

Wanyama - Clasie

 

Mane - Long - Tadic

 

Pelle

 

Agree about Steklenberg - hadn't realised that he's played only one competitive game in 18 months. Perhaps he'll hit the ground running; but would like to have seen more of him.

Edited by shurlock
Saint Charlie

Saint Charlie

Posted
  • Author
Posted
Agree about Steklenberg - hadn't realised that he's played only one competitive game in 18 months. Perhaps he'll hit the ground running; but would like to have seen more of him.

 

He is definitely a risk signing.

mcbendy

mcbendy

Posted
Posted
I'd agree with much of that. Its also nice to hear an analysis of the young guys, I really can't tell them apart on the pitch sometimes so good to know. Completely agree about soares, and also thought the same about juanmi.

 

For me the only unusual point was about Clasie. I think that Koeman will have specifically told reed to be the one to break up play and close people down, putting in the bigger tackles, with clasie just off him to receive the ball in space and then pass it on.

 

So while I actually think Clasie did a lot of closing down, especially closing people back toward their own net, it may have looked like he was just standing there in space some of the time, because that was his job. In other words, reed can across like a better defensive midfielder.

 

But in reality, Clasie performed an excellent role similar to schneiderlin. He did break up play when necessary but also gave an option to players around him to pass to, and then made incisive passes (set up a couple of goals with over-the-top passes to j-rod/pelle that were unbelievable). Being an option in midfield, in space, is as valuable as anything else. Otherwise we're limited to only going up the wings

 

I think you make a very fair point here. The as-yet-unanswered question remains, in my mind, whether he can cut the mustard doing the physical defensive side when a game requires it. The YouTube clips suggest that he is strong in the tackle and in the face of the opposition, but the jury is out - in my mind - on whether he has the fitness to be on the pace of the game and therefore in the right place at the right time. Koeman obviously things that, given time, he can develop into a star prem player. Whether that happens quickly enough for him to be a starter in August/Sept I'm not sure. I suspect that he will start. It is just uncertainty - that's all. We know what we're getting with Harry. Right place, right time. Will Claise be at that level? What use are the silky through-balls if we are shipping goals at the other end due to a lack of sufficient defensive cover?

shurlock

shurlock

Posted
Posted
I think you make a very fair point here. The as-yet-unanswered question remains, in my mind, whether he can cut the mustard doing the physical defensive side when a game requires it. The YouTube clips suggest that he is strong in the tackle and in the face of the opposition, but the jury is out - in my mind - on whether he has the fitness to be on the pace of the game and therefore in the right place at the right time. Koeman obviously things that, given time, he can develop into a star prem player. Whether that happens quickly enough for him to be a starter in August/Sept I'm not sure. I suspect that he will start. It is just uncertainty - that's all. We know what we're getting with Harry. Right place, right time. Will Claise be at that level? What use are the silky through-balls if we are shipping goals at the other end due to a lack of sufficient defensive cover?

 

It was only one game, so not going to draw too much from it; but was interested to see Reed dropping deep to pick the ball up from the CBs to initiate attacks and dictate the tempo. From what I've seen of Clasie, assumed that's his job as he's a much better passer. Guess, if there was anytime to experiment, it was yesterday.

SNSUN

SNSUN

Posted
Posted

One thing I've noticed from the games I've seen so far is how happy Rodriguez is to be playing football again. Big smiles all over his face. His third goal yesterday was taken with aplomb. I'm so pleased he's back to full fitness and with him I reckon we'll score bags of goals this year. I daren't even think about next summer and where he'll be plying his trade come transfer window time...

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