Boufal

[tajjuk]

The descriptions of Boufal being frustrating could equally to Tadic and Redmond, both of them are really hot and cold and have long spells where they do little so it sure Boufal could do much worse. Needs to start imo

 

Also Tadic is a serial chance misser for us, Redmond at least scores the odd goal out of nothing.

[Lord Duckhunter]

**** me, it's the Gaston thread all over again, we're only missing "The Villa Match".

 

He doesn't start because he doesn't deserve to start. He's been woeful so far, completely over rated on here. He started against Wolves reserves & was average. Poor poor buy so far, some of you are letting hope cloud your judgement.

 

 

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[Avenue_Saint]

**** me, it's the Gaston thread all over again, we're only missing "The Villa Match".

 

He doesn't start because he doesn't deserve to start. He's been woeful so far, completely over rated on here. He started against Wolves reserves & was average. Poor poor buy so far, some of you are letting hope cloud your judgement.

 

 

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"Woeful" you chat so much ****e mush, it's almost like you got an agenda against him.

 

He hasn't been any worse than the comparables but with the key difference of showing sparks of game changing ability.

 

Give him a run is what people are rightly saying.

 

Now take a breath and calm down.

[Suhari]

Say hi if he was, they've done a great job with the refit.

 

Didn't see him.

 

Good refit, and now it's full of people "who aren't from round 'ere".

[davefizzy14]

Some people are too quick to judge in my opinion. Once Boufal gets a run of games he will show his ability. His skills and ability are out of this world and he will rip up opposition defences. Hopefully he starts next Saturday.

[Lord Duckhunter]

"Woeful" you chat so much ****e mush, it's almost like you got an agenda against him.

 

He hasn't been any worse than the comparables but with the key difference of showing sparks of game changing ability.

 

Give him a run is what people are rightly saying.

 

Now take a breath and calm down.

 

Agenda? Lol . Just telling it how it is.

 

What on earth has he done to earn a run in the side? Absolutely nothing.

 

 

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[Lord Duckhunter]

Some people are too quick to judge in my opinion. Once Boufal gets a run of games he will show his ability. His skills and ability are out of this world and he will rip up opposition defences. Hopefully he starts next Saturday.

 

Heard the same about Gaston, that worked out well didn't it

 

 

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[austsaint]

**** me, it's the Gaston thread all over again, we're only missing "The Villa Match".

 

He doesn't start because he doesn't deserve to start. He's been woeful so far, completely over rated on here. He started against Wolves reserves & was average. Poor poor buy so far, some of you are letting hope cloud your judgement.

 

 

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Don't agree. Boufal has shown plenty of attributes in limited opportunities. He can pick out a pass or deft touch; has a great shot with either foot and has the ability to run at a defence, beat a man and create space. On the negative side he does try to do too much at times and can drop his head if things get tough. I agree with the others calling for Boufal to get an extended run in the side - either at 10, where I think he is best suited, or wide left/right, in place of either Tadic, Redmond or Ward-Prowse, all of whom have had more opportunity and been forgiven for plenty of mediocrity.

[Avenue_Saint]

Heard the same about Gaston, that worked out well didn't it

 

 

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Ok then.

[Gemmel]

2017 /2018 player of the season ....Boufal

[James]

Agenda? Lol . Just telling it how it is.

 

What on earth has he done to earn a run in the side? Absolutely nothing.

 

 

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I must have imagined that absolute screamer against Sunderland in the cup. Beautiful control and technique, we've got very few players capable of that. Hardly the mark of someone who is "woeful". The guy clearly has talent, whether he can translate it into consistent performances in a top league is another matter but to write him off as you have at this stage is incredibly harsh.

[Dusic]

Between Clasie, Hojbjerg and Boufal there is £40m spent which hasn't paid off as yet.

 

Boufal clesrly needs starts but also needs to show more end product to go with the skills.

 

He hasn't replaced Mane whatsoever unfortunately.

 

Next month or two will be telling for his Saints career IMO.

[shurlock]

Between Clasie, Hojbjerg and Boufal there is £40m spent which hasn't paid off as yet.

 

Boufal clesrly needs starts but also needs to show more end product to go with the skills.

 

He hasn't replaced Mane whatsoever unfortunately.

 

Next month or two will be telling for his Saints career IMO.

 

Next month or two? Behave. If he's not held down a regular place in the first XI by the end of the season, then it might be warranted to ask a few questions.

[Lord Duckhunter]

The guy clearly has talent, whether he can translate it into consistent performances in a top league is another matter but to write him off as you have at this stage is incredibly harsh.

 

Where haveI written him off? Just saying he's been woeful SO FAR.

 

This "clearly has talent " is the exact same phrase used for Gaston. If you can't impose yourself on the game, it doesn't matter what skill you have. Talent is being capable of using those skills when opponents are trying to stop you doing so. Mr Woo had all the skills but we wouldn't want to sign him.At least Gaston appeared to try, I've seen a couple of games where this guy appeared to want to come off. I'd question how badly he really wants it.

 

 

We're not the Harlem Globetrotters FC, he needs to shape up and start producing or ship out.

 

 

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[BlagdonSaint]

Where haveI written him off? Just saying he's been woeful SO FAR.

 

This "clearly has talent " is the exact same phrase used for Gaston. If you can't impose yourself on the game, it doesn't matter what skill you have. Talent is being capable of using those skills when opponents are trying to stop you doing so. Mr Woo had all the skills but we wouldn't want to sign him.At least Gaston appeared to try, I've seen a couple of games where this guy appeared to want to come off. I'd question how badly he really wants it.

 

 

We're not the Harlem Globetrotters FC, he needs to shape up and start producing or ship out.

 

 

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100% this.

[Lord Duckhunter]

Anyone can see that. Well, anyone with half a brain.

 

Well both managers he's had at Southampton seem to prefer Redmond & Tadic over him. But what do they know, they're only ex players and Managers and only get to see him every day. I'd take their half a brain opinion over somebody who watches him occasionally make the pitch on a Sat (or a Wednesday in the case of Wolves reserves). Perhaps you should ask yourself why he can't get into a misfiring average side, a side that struggles to score goals. If he's "clearly got talent" and anyone with half a brain can see that, why are the people paid to pick the side constantly leaving him out. Maybe it's because they know a bit more than you and he's not as good as you think he is.

 

 

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[Red]

He's a tool, proved it countless times, not worth listening to.

 

No one is claiming Boufal has been good, just that Tadic has been ****e too, and Boufal hasn't had a run. Anyone can see that. Well, anyone with half a brain. Whether he's good after 10-15 starts is anyone's guess, but it seems worth finding out.

 

Good point. What I don't get is why we don't play him in the U 21's or whatever our reserves is called these days, to build his match fitness and confidence. Also we surely have a coach to tell him to keep it simple to start with - don't attempt a worldie, just beat your man and play a simple pass forward.

 

As has been mentioned, he clearly has the talent and raw skills and as we have done with a number of players we need to develop him in to a better player. Give him game time in reserves and coach him to be a more effective player in the PL. If we can't do that with Boufal, then forget on-boarding anyone from our youth!

[hutch]

Didn't see him.

 

Good refit, and now it's full of people "who aren't from round 'ere".

You need a local pub. For local people.

[whelk]

Ukippers tend not to like Moroccans

[qwertyell]

Good point. What I don't get is why we don't play him in the U 21's or whatever our reserves is called these days, to build his match fitness and confidence.

 

Boufal played a game for the U23s last season and was the worst player on the park. His attitude was terrible - didn't want to be there - he lost the ball every time it came near him, and was in danger of getting himself sent off after getting embroiled in a running feud with some kid or other.

 

The coach dragged him off at halftime, and I don't think he's turned out for them since.

 

And that's the trouble with Boufal. On top of being unable to play for the team, he's temperamentally flawed - I think he got something like four red cards in his last season for Lille.

 

Far from convinced this investment in the new Adel Taarabt is going to pay off.

[Dusic]

Next month or two? Behave. If he's not held down a regular place in the first XI by the end of the season, then it might be warranted to ask a few questions.

He has already been here for a whole season. During that time we have struggled for goals and he has struggled for starts. I personally would start him as the no10 but Puel rarely did and now Pellegrino isn't picking him either.

 

He will start to get demoralised. If he isn't starting by Jan I can see him pushing for a move as it would be 18 months at a club he would have expected to be a key player at.

 

His situation needs to change quite soon I think otherwise it could be like Clasie where it was: "he is still recovering from an injury", "give him a whole pre season", "he needs more game time" etc and before you know it two years have gone by without many highlights.

 

Hope he starts versus Watford. He will be fresh having not played Internationals. Tadic and Redmond have been poor so far this season in a non-scoring team. If he doesn't start this game then its clear MP isn't a huge fan I think.

[benjii]

It's worth giving him a run as No.10. Let's see what he can do. He's got a higher potential ceiling than any of our other forwards.

[Saint_clark]

Last season in 32 games Redmond scored 7 times and did 1 assist, in 30 games tadic scored 3 goals and 5 assists.

 

On those stats Tadic has to drop out

 

Why? Tadic had a hand in the same amount of goals but in two less games.

[eurosaint]

" He has to get a run of games" !

Cue the same posters slagging off the manager if he doesn't shine in his first match of the 'run' !

I'm sure that the coaches have already told him to stop overdoing the dribbles and fancy turns but perhaps that's all he is good at ?

Personally I think he needs to wake up to the fact that it is a team game and if he wants a starting place he should get off his arse and make a real impact whenever he is on the pitch !

[way down south]

I think his problem lies with him not growing up in an actual academy setup like most footballers. I read somewhere that he only really got into a football academy at 17 which isnt too old but IMO isnt too surprisng that he is a little behind in the tactical side of his game.

He tends to play outside of the team most times ive seen him like he is playing under different instructions.

[ally_uk]

Bunch of wet tarts on here. Least give the lad a chance to build some consistency..... Judge him after he actually has a run of games.

[CB Fry]

Bunch of wet tarts on here. Least give the lad a chance to build some consistency..... Judge him after he actually has a run of games.

This does seem like the Gaston defence. Perpetually people saying Gaston never got "a chance" and that he should have just been picked and picked and picked and picked and that in itself would make him perform.

 

Sorry, it doesn't work like that. Boufal lhas his "chance" every day in training to impress the coaching staff and he has his "chance" every time he gets on the pitch for the first team.

 

He's shown some class, in places (Swansea away LY I think he was excellent). He needs to change games when he gets the chance - that's why he gets picked first choice and also why he gets sent on as a sub, to change things. If he's not doing that, he isn't good enough.

 

I am still hopeful he will come good but it ain't about giving him some free run in the team and hoping. The chances are there - it's up to SB to take them.

[Window Cleaner]

Hmmm, seems to be a bit of a Boufal obsession here; The fact is that compared to the best of the best and even the best of the rest he is a very ordinary type of player. We paid what, about 15 million for him and we got what we paid for, an average player who'll sometimes shine and sometimes look pretty awful. If you want a Lemar or a Mbappe then it's upwards of 80 million and not a bent centime less.

Edited 2 September, 2017 by Window Cleaner

[Charlie Wayman]

" He has to get a run of games" !

Cue the same posters slagging off the manager if he doesn't shine in his first match of the 'run' !

I'm sure that the coaches have already told him to stop overdoing the dribbles and fancy turns but perhaps that's all he is good at ?

Personally I think he needs to wake up to the fact that it is a team game and if he wants a starting place he should get off his arse and make a real impact whenever he is on the pitch !

 

Had the idea ever crossed your mind that Boufal was a damn good footballer when he came here with a growing reputation... until he had to work with Black and Co! They seem to specialise in coaching excellent players into very poor ones. Perhaps some of the older players know what goes on at Staplewood and that's why they are often rumoured to want out.

[Charlie Wayman]

Hmmm, seems to be a bit of a Boufal obsession here; The fact is that compared to the best of the best and even the best of the rest he is a very ordinary type of player. We paid what, about 15 million for him and we got what we paid for, an average player who'll sometimes shine and sometimes look pretty awful. If you want a Lemar or a Mbappe then it's upwards of 80 million and not a bent centime less.

 

No, no no! Don't you get it even now, Les's black box discovers overlooked raw nuggets and turns them into gold bars.

[saintadam]

Hmmm, seems to be a bit of a Boufal obsession here; The fact is that compared to the best of the best and even the best of the rest he is a very ordinary type of player. We paid what, about 15 million for him and we got what we paid for, an average player who'll sometimes shine and sometimes look pretty awful. If you want a Lemar or a Mbappe then it's upwards of 80 million and not a bent centime less.

 

He was highly rated in France and had plenty of suitors before we got him, even top-clubs. He's not an average player, he has the potential to be top-class. He has superior ability and potential than anyone of our current midfielders. I think an in-form Boufal is the only missing piece of the puzzle in our squad now that VVD stayed.

[Batman]

Hmmm, seems to be a bit of a Boufal obsession here; The fact is that compared to the best of the best and even the best of the rest he is a very ordinary type of player. We paid what, about 15 million for him and we got what we paid for, an average player who'll sometimes shine and sometimes look pretty awful. If you want a Lemar or a Mbappe then it's upwards of 80 million and not a bent centime less.

but we have the very best transfer policy in the league. No way would our record signing of 12 months ago be a bit of a dud

 

[austsaint]

This does seem like the Gaston defence. Perpetually people saying Gaston never got "a chance" and that he should have just been picked and picked and picked and picked and that in itself would make him perform.

 

Sorry, it doesn't work like that. Boufal lhas his "chance" every day in training to impress the coaching staff and he has his "chance" every time he gets on the pitch for the first team.

 

He's shown some class, in places (Swansea away LY I think he was excellent). He needs to change games when he gets the chance - that's why he gets picked first choice and also why he gets sent on as a sub, to change things. If he's not doing that, he isn't good enough.

 

I am still hopeful he will come good but it ain't about giving him some free run in the team and hoping. The chances are there - it's up to SB to take them.

 

Yet Tadic, Redmond, Ward-Prowse and these days even Davo routinely, don't change games when they get the chance - and they get plenty of chances! I think that's the point many are making - let's find out if Boufal can take the skills he's shown to a more consistent, impactful level. I don't buy the relationship between impressing on the training pitch necessarily carrying over to match day games. It's time we found out whether he is Gaston mark 2 or not. I think he is considerably better than GR.

[Dangermouth]

It's worth giving him a run as No.10. Let's see what he can do. He's got a higher potential ceiling than any of our other forwards.

 

I agree. Although Sims might out-do him. As to his 'selfishness'; that's no surprise for anyone who's even played even park football and come across the type (of whom there are many) and then wonder not why there are a lot of talented footballers who never get near the professional game. Perhaps if he had been in an academy from an earlier age he might have had to learn more about the team game because he wouldn't have been running rings around teams single-handedly as he can no doubt do at a lower level. It's a bit like Redmond who could use his skill and pace and power to bully full-backs at under 18 but now can't and hasn't learned to adapt his game. If you find enough old footage of Redmond when he played for England under 18s, you'll see him doing this time and again.

[Dangermouth]

He was highly rated in France and had plenty of suitors before we got him, even top-clubs. He's not an average player, he has the potential to be top-class. He has superior ability and potential than anyone of our current midfielders. I think an in-form Boufal is the only missing piece of the puzzle in our squad now that VVD stayed.

 

No he doesn't have the potential to be 'top-class' and he won't be. What is does have the potential to be is the best of *our* options in the number 10 role (Sims aside because he's two-footed, fast, reads and thinks about the game, tries things on, is small but solid-ish, has awful facial hair, is very enthusiastic, looks for the pass, plays with his head up, etc). I do see it as limiting to have one 'creative' player who will be the one to make 'magic' happen, however. All the players should be able to do it or you have a very limited team.

 

Hojbjerg also has a great deal of potential, plays a different game to others - or so it seems - and doesn't even make the bench.

[Shance]

Boufal has a lot to offer. Give the lad a run of games in place of Tadic. Let's be honest, there's nothing to lose there as atm having Tadic on the pitch is as good as playing with 10 men.

[Dellman]

Boufal has a lot to offer. Give the lad a run of games in place of Tadic. Let's be honest, there's nothing to lose there as atm having Tadic on the pitch is as good as playing with 10 men.

 

At least he won't moan as much as Tadic

[Window Cleaner]

At least he won't moan as much as Tadic

 

 

Who can say, since Renard called him to explain exactly why he'd been dropped by Morocco all I've seen is a last minute wish to be transferred to Spain. Pity he couldn't do that towards the start of the window really, he'd have had a better chance of it coming off.

[UpweySaint]

At least he won't moan as much as Tadic

 

To be fair Pelle used to whine more than anyone but sometimes it's good to see somebody giving team mates a bit of grief when the service isn't right.

 

If Tadic can bring his best form consistently he can be the biggest, stroppiest, sulking git and we will all love him anyway.

 

Boufal doesn't moan but does have a good shoulder shrug and the odd petulant kick out when thinks don't come off.

 

I think in Boufal, Redmond, Gabbi, Tadic, Prowse (to an extent), Austin and Long we have a decent set of varied attacking options but we just need them to click. If that comes from intense competition to places or consistent time together on the pitch/training field then hopefully Mope can get more from them as the season goes on. Arguably some of our best attacking play came when Poch had our front four playing together taking up any number of positions and knowing almost automatically which runs to look for.

[saintwbu]

I get what some people say about how we don't have time to just let a player play himself into good form. But on the other hand, Tadic has been given that time for about 2 years now, and Redmond about a year, so it's a bit of a contradiction.

[tajjuk]

Not sure he could do much worse, I mean hardly like Redmond Tadic et al are banging the goals in or creating lots of chances.

[Ewell]

All he's shown so far is that he would be a decent 5 a side footballer. He is tactically clueless but he does have a role as an impact player, although as yet he has never grasped any of these opportunities so doesn't deserve anymore.

[CB Fry]

I get what some people say about how we don't have time to just let a player play himself into good form. But on the other hand, Tadic has been given that time for about 2 years now, and Redmond about a year, so it's a bit of a contradiction.

Not sure he could do much worse, I mean hardly like Redmond Tadic et al are banging the goals in or creating lots of chances.

If those two are that bad then it should have been an absolute doddle for Boufal to come in and make a starting position his own, shouldn't it.

 

The fact is, while Redmond and Dusan aren't on top form, they do at least play with a discipline that suits our possession-based game. Boufal playing tends to lead to chaotic play and no more "banging in the goals and creating chances" than the other two.

[Dusic]

If those two are that bad then it should have been an absolute doddle for Boufal to come in and make a starting position his own, shouldn't it.

 

The fact is, while Redmond and Dusan aren't on top form, they do at least play with a discipline that suits our possession-based game. Boufal playing tends to lead to chaotic play and no more "banging in the goals and creating chances" than the other two.

Tadic is also excellent at combining with his full back and playing them in on the over/underlap.

 

Often overlooked but full backs a key part of how we play and he is excellent in this regard.

 

Its only really his lack of goals that let him down.

[striker]

Boufal is an attacking player who has great ball skills and usually wins his man-to-man match-ups. However he is poor at any type of defending, and continually misses passes to the other players because he is so intent on dribbling past players. Boufal appeals to the fans who go for individual skill over every thing else, but he certainly lacks things when looked at from a squad or match view. He definitely offers strengths but also created weaknesses. I can see why managers continue to drop him for more well rounded players.

[benjii]

Boufal is an attacking player who has great ball skills and usually wins his man-to-man match-ups. However he is poor at any type of defending, and continually misses passes to the other players because he is so intent on dribbling past players. Boufal appeals to the fans who go for individual skill over every thing else, but he certainly lacks things when looked at from a squad or match view. He definitely offers strengths but also created weaknesses. I can see why managers continue to drop him for more well rounded players.

 

He regularly tracks back and wins the ball. He's no worse at defending than Tadic.

[verlaine1979]

He regularly tracks back and wins the ball. He's no worse at defending than Tadic.

 

If anything, I'd say Boufal is vastly more tenacious in his will to win the ball back than any of our attacking players. Just as some players in our squad benefit unjustly from lazy national stereotypes, so others are punished for them.

[Lord Duckhunter]

People contrasting him with Tadic are deluded. Tadic has been a mainstay of a side that finished 7th, 6th & 8th. He's a proven premier league player.

 

All this not given a chance is pony. He's had chances, Wolves reserves was one, every time he comes on is another , every day at training.

 

 

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[tajjuk]

 

Its only really his lack of goals that let him down.

 

Understatement of the year, he is truly woeful in front of goal and has directly cost us points because if that. Not to mention IMO he slows down play too much.

 

Nor am I particularly bothered about Boufal's defensive work, forcing a player to defend too much is how Mourinho ruined Joe Cole. We have a strong defence and play two DMs so I think we can carry an attacker if he brings something different. He's got to be understandably unhappy sitting on the bench watching our attack huff and puff.

 

Also not sure how he can prove he's better than Tadic or Redmond if he gets no chances in games. No manager picks players on training.

[tajjuk]

People contrasting him with Tadic are deluded. Tadic has been a mainstay of a side that finished 7th, 6th & 8th. He's a proven premier league player.

 

All this not given a chance is pony. He's had chances, Wolves reserves was one, every time he comes on is another , every day at training.

 

 

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Reserve matches and training is irrelevant and Tadic is a mainstay of side that is scoring relegation levels of goals. Tadic is nowhere near what he was 18 months ago and he's had FAR too many chances which is the bloody problem, there is literally not a more wasteful attacker in the league than Tadic.