Southampton 1-1 Arsenal - Match Thread

[egg]

1 hour ago, qwertyell said:

Prowse isn't going to RB when we're short at CM too.

It'll probably be Djenepo as wing back in a 5, unless they throw Lewis Payne in at the deep end. 

I think the same. Back 3, Djenepo at RWB. Can't see it being Payne or Larios. Whoever it is, Martinelli will have a lot of joy down that side and we'll need the extra body in the middle to pick up the runners.  I'm not looking forward to this one. 

[Bad Wolf]

I'm going for a roast dinner at my local and booked the table specifically to work around being done for the game. I'm now thinking of just scrapping the food and going straight onto the booze

[Wade Garrett]

Got a few out with injuries and AMN unable to play against his parent club.

Dont worry about round pegs in square holes.  Let’s go 3-4-3 and fucking give it to them.

None of this sideways backwards bollocks let’s attack and fucking hammer them.

[FarehamSaintJames]

I reckon it’ll be 3-4-3.

I even think we’ll take the game to Arsenal. Go down with a fight than not at all. We like a match against the bigger teams.

Optimistically I’m going 1-1. (JWP to end his rut, and Martinelli)

Bazunu; DCC, Lyanco, Salisu; Djenepo, JWP, Diallo, Perraud; Elyounoussi, Adams, Armstrong
(But if it was my choice I wouldn’t have Elyounoussi in that starting team, Ralph likes him though).

[Maggie May]

I’ve got a good feeling about this one. 2-1 to Saints.

[niceandfriendly]

8 minutes ago, Maggie May said:

I’ve got a good feeling about this one. 2-1 to Saints.

That would be a terrible result. It'd give Ralph a stay of execution. Ask Fudgey Sydpucker and FF if you don't believe me.

😉

[saintant]

1 hour ago, FarehamSaintJames said:

I reckon it’ll be 3-4-3.

I even think we’ll take the game to Arsenal. Go down with a fight than not at all. We like a match against the bigger teams.

Optimistically I’m going 1-1. (JWP to end his rut, and Martinelli)

Bazunu; DCC, Lyanco, Salisu; Djenepo, JWP, Diallo, Perraud; Elyounoussi, Adams, Armstrong
(But if it was my choice I wouldn’t have Elyounoussi in that starting team, Ralph likes him though).

Ralph hinted in the press conference that we will not sit back against Arsenal.

[Harry_SFC]

Expecting to lose so I'd just be happy with a good performance. We haven't had one in so long. 

[Saint Garrett]

6 hours ago, saintant said:

Ralph hinted in the press conference that we will not sit back against Arsenal.

Best tactics against them is to get at them, but think they’ll beat us regardless. Keep the score down, and move on to next one. Try keep it tight and nick a draw. 

[Vancouver Saint]

Unless this is one of those rare games where the form books are reversed and the football gods smile on us, we are going to get torn a new one. 

What's the story with Ketchup btw?...didn't get to see the first two thirds of the West Ham game in which he was injured - what's the prognosis? Also, when is Lavia back? this probably isn't the game for him to return to. KWP? Three of our best and only in-form players out...

 

[Saint Fan CaM]

15 hours ago, saintant said:

Ralph hinted in the press conference that we will not sit back against Arsenal.

Yep. What’s the betting that’s going to mean another high % of sideways and backwards passing with JWP leading the stats?!

We may start the game trying to impress, but Arsenal are a much better drilled unit now and they’ll dictate exactly how the game flows. We’ll retreat to the safety of tippy-tappy, nobody takes responsibility mundaneness within 20 minutes of the first half. Arsenal will have 60+% possession. And we’ll lose 4-0.

Or will Ralph confound us all and magic a draw, so gifting himself another reprieve? We can but hope, but realistically this will be a repeat of the City game.

[fanimal]

Only question is why don’t our worst players get injured not our best four???

trying too hard maybe??

[Chez]

37 minutes ago, fanimal said:

Only question is why don’t our worst players get injured not our best four???

trying too hard maybe??

As I recall, and I might be wrong, KWP fucked up and had to over stretch to try and recover his error, which caused the injury. So he was certainly trying, but for once his talent/touch let him down and was the cause.

[Chez]

On 19/10/2022 at 22:07, Baird of the land said:

 

Might as well give Payne a game given the lack of options. Wonder if we should go 5 at the back as our wide midfield options are awful and our cb’s look decent for once.

 

Bazanu

payne lyanco caleta-car salisu djenepo

diallo jwp armstrong

adams armstrong

After the Jankewitz red card on his debut and the subsequent trouncing at Old Trafford, Ralph seems to have a phobia about giving nippers from our academy games in the Prem. He doesn't trust them, at all, which, from my understanding is starting to be a problem as the youngsters are getting a bit frustrated. I'd be surprised if he gives Payne the shirt.

[alehouseboys]

20 hours ago, Bad Wolf said:

I'm going for a roast dinner at my local and booked the table specifically to work around being done for the game. I'm now thinking of just scrapping the food and going straight onto the booze

Nothing like getting your boos in early. Harsh.

[trousers]

If Ralph doesn't call up Payne then the whole B-Team 'playbook' philosophy is broken. The whole reason d'etre for renaming the u23s to the B-Team a couple of years ago was to create an identikit back up team where players could seamlessly migrate from one to the other. Even more reason for the club and Ralph to part ways if this philosophy has been trashed. 

[S-Clarke]

6 hours ago, Vancouver Saint said:

Unless this is one of those rare games where the form books are reversed and the football gods smile on us, we are going to get torn a new one. 

What's the story with Ketchup btw?...didn't get to see the first two thirds of the West Ham game in which he was injured - what's the prognosis? Also, when is Lavia back? this probably isn't the game for him to return to. KWP? Three of our best and only in-form players out...

 

So, ABK had a dislocated shoulder in that game. He has supposedly opted against getting surgery at this stage, as it would pretty much kill the rest of this year for him (and his WC chances). So he's trying to manage it over the next few weeks with a view on playing the last couple of games for us before the WC break.

Lavia is back in training, but tomorrow will come slightly too soon. I imagine he'll be fully back in the fold for Palace. 

KWP out until 2023 by all accounts. It's a 6-week hamstring injury. 

To be fair I wouldn't have put KWP in the in-form category, one of our better players yes, but not really in any particularly good form.

[JRM]

33 minutes ago, trousers said:

If Ralph doesn't call up Payne then the whole B-Team 'playbook' philosophy is broken. The whole reason d'etre for renaming the u23s to the B-Team a couple of years ago was to create an identikit back up team where players could seamlessly migrate from one to the other. Even more reason for the club and Ralph to part ways if this philosophy has been trashed. 

Our B team tends to have u19s rather than  u23s in it now so although I agree with you I don't think many of these lads are ready for first team football, there's a huge gap between the standard they play in youth football and Premier league 

[egg]

Fantasy football scout are often on the money. Their predicted team: 

[austsaint]

14 minutes ago, egg said:

Fantasy football scout are often on the money. Their predicted team: 

I like that team.  The other Armstrong for Elyounoussi aside.

[egg]

1 minute ago, austsaint said:

I like that team.  The other Armstrong for Elyounoussi aside.

Ditto. I think it'll be Ely though, and to be fair, I thought he was decent ish against Bournemouth. 

[disconnect]

4 hours ago, Chez said:

As I recall, and I might be wrong, KWP fucked up and had to over stretch to try and recover his error, which caused the injury. So he was certainly trying, but for once his talent/touch let him down and was the cause.

I thought he played at 50% all match - barely broke forwards and lots of stops and sideways passing (reminiscent of Redmond)! Someone on the match thread said he looked to pick up an injury in the West Ham game, so probably playing with a slight issue anyway

[saintant]

6 hours ago, trousers said:

If Ralph doesn't call up Payne then the whole B-Team 'playbook' philosophy is broken. The whole reason d'etre for renaming the u23s to the B-Team a couple of years ago was to create an identikit back up team where players could seamlessly migrate from one to the other. Even more reason for the club and Ralph to part ways if this philosophy has been trashed. 

Are the B-Team shit as well then 🙂

Edited 22 October, 2022 by saintant

[saintant]

4 hours ago, S-Clarke said:

So, ABK had a dislocated shoulder in that game. He has supposedly opted against getting surgery at this stage, as it would pretty much kill the rest of this year for him (and his WC chances). So he's trying to manage it over the next few weeks with a view on playing the last couple of games for us before the WC break.

Lavia is back in training, but tomorrow will come slightly too soon. I imagine he'll be fully back in the fold for Palace. 

KWP out until 2023 by all accounts. It's a 6-week hamstring injury. 

To be fair I wouldn't have put KWP in the in-form category, one of our better players yes, but not really in any particularly good form.

KWP drop in form looks to have coincided with him being told not to make so many forward runs - he's stopped doing what he's good at and I doubt he'd do that unless it was a directive from Ralph.

[Baird of the land]

3 hours ago, egg said:

Fantasy football scout are often on the money. Their predicted team: 

Not a huge fan of that set up. With us it tends to end up being 5-4-1 with the 1 isolated rather than 3-4-3. If we are going to go 3 at the back i'd prefer to see 2 up top.

[Saint Garrett]

Wouldn’t surprise me if Elyounoussi started RWB in a 5, given he played there midweek. 

[The Left Back]

1 hour ago, Saint Garrett said:

Wouldn’t surprise me if Elyounoussi started RWB in a 5, given he played there midweek. 

Seems possible, probable even. Moi is the new Paul Telfer. Versatile, appreciated more by the coaches than the fans 

[SaintZamboni]

            Bazunu

   DCC. Lyanco.  Salisu.

Djenepo                 Perraud

   JWP SArmstrong Diallo

         Adams AArmstrong

[cloggy saint]

A surprise home win is on the cards. 3-2.

[Badger]

1 hour ago, The Left Back said:

Seems possible, probable even. Moi is the new Paul Telfer. Versatile, appreciated more by the coaches than the fans 

I’d be pleased if he could raise his game to be a new Telfer.

[SotonianWill]

3 hours ago, Saint Garrett said:

Wouldn’t surprise me if Elyounoussi started RWB in a 5, given he played there midweek. 

shouldn’t be starting tbh, looked fully drained and tired on wednesday 

[Micky]

3 hours ago, cloggy saint said:

A surprise home win is on the cards. 3-2.

How the hell are we going to score 3 goals in a single game?  Let alone against Arsenal.....,!

[Hodgey]

I don’t think he’s drained, I just think he’s slow. He’s totally the wrong type of player for a wingback - no pace, no engine, can’t really tackle, won’t beat the opposing fullback. If he plays it’ll just mean Martinelli even more encouraged to get forwards.

He needs to play a full back, even if they are wrong footed. I get the Djenepo thought, but I don’t fancy him defending for 90m…

[cloggy saint]

1 hour ago, Micky said:

How the hell are we going to score 3 goals in a single game?  Let alone against Arsenal.....,!

Believe my child, believe.

[Mr X]

A totally different arsenal to the one we scrapped a 1-0 against... They look a different team.... Mental strength.. resilience, both strikers on form, passing accuracy, all the things saints don't have.

Would like to think we can make a game of it but think they will be too much 

Saints 1 Arsenal 4 

Result will change nothing regarding Ralph looks like they are sticking with him this season whatever happens 

[InvictaSaint]

Here’s hoping the predicted thunder, lightning and heavy rainfall acts as a leveller…..🤞🤞🤞(straws firmly clutched)

[The Cat]

23 minutes ago, Mr X said:

A totally different arsenal to the one we scrapped a 1-0 against... They look a different team.... Mental strength.. resilience, both strikers on form, passing accuracy, all the things saints don't have.

Would like to think we can make a game of it but think they will be too much 

Saints 1 Arsenal 4 

Result will change nothing regarding Ralph looks like they are sticking with him this season whatever happens 

Interesting that Arsenal stuck with the manager that a lot of their fans wanted out last season. They backed him by getting rid of the bad eggs in the squad, spent a bunch of money in crucial areas and now they are flying. 

Last season they didn't have a decent striker. Now they do and look at the difference it's made. They've been patient with Martinelli, bringing him through slowly and stuck with players like Xhaka who was widely hated by the fans.

I know all clubs and situations are different but it's interesting to see how things can change without necessarily having to sack a manager.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

11 hours ago, Micky said:

How the hell are we going to score 3 goals in a single game?  Let alone against Arsenal.....,!

2 Arsenal own goals and Adams.

[david in sweden]

On 22/10/2022 at 09:41, Chez said:

After the Jankewitz red card on his debut and the subsequent trouncing at Old Trafford, Ralph seems to have a phobia about giving nippers from our academy games in the Prem. He doesn't trust them, at all, which, from my understanding is starting to be a problem as the youngsters are getting a bit frustrated. I'd be surprised if he gives Payne the shirt.

I agree with your comment about Jankewitz @ O.T.  but we' ve had a drought of good Academy graduates of late and few have shown up well enough      to warrant  a first team start.  Where Ralph made a mistake was in giving a young, headstrong talent, (who was demanding a transfer if he didn't play) such an vital opportunity. Although Ralph might have reasoned ...." if you think you're that good son, here's your chance " , and AJ blew it in the first minute.  Perhaps someone ought to have looked at Jankewitz's  B team disciplinary record that season .. (one red and a handful of yellow cards)..          and considered he was a loose cannon to begin with. 

However, I might differ with you (Chas) over a potential selection of Lewis Payne, who has been outstanding in many B team games whilst still qualifying for U18's. He wouldn't be the first young FB to show up well - given the chance - and I might be persuaded to start him for the first 60 minutes at least, and see how it goes.

Edited 23 October, 2022 by david in sweden

[Hatch]

21 hours ago, egg said:

Fantasy football scout are often on the money. Their predicted team: 

Who is the offer Adams that warranted a Che suffix 

[egg]

5 minutes ago, Hatch said:

Who is the offer Adams that warranted a Che suffix 

I had the some thought. Perhaps Micky is still on the payroll. 

[Patches O Houlihan]

On 20/10/2022 at 18:52, Suhari said:

Agreed.

If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball.

That's my line!

[Saint Billy]

16 hours ago, cloggy saint said:

A surprise home win is on the cards. 3-2.

All of a sudden we have become a fecking goal machine. 

[nta786]

2 hours ago, InvictaSaint said:

Here’s hoping the predicted thunder, lightning and heavy rainfall acts as a leveller…..🤞🤞🤞(straws firmly clutched)

I genuinely think it has been over 10 years since we won a game in some proper rain.

[Chez]

2 hours ago, david in sweden said:

I agree with your comment about Jankewitz @ O.T.  but we' ve had a drought of good Academy graduates of late and few have shown up well enough      to warrant  a first team start.  Where Ralph made a mistake was in giving a young, headstrong talent, (who was demanding a transfer if he didn't play) such an vital opportunity. Although Ralph might have reasoned ...." if you think you're that good son, here's your chance " , and AJ blew it in the first minute.  Perhaps someone ought to have looked at Jankewitz's  B team disciplinary record that season .. (one red and a handful of yellow cards)..          and considered he was a loose cannon to begin with. 

However, I might differ with you (Chas) over a potential selection of Lewis Payne, who has been outstanding in many B team games whilst still qualifying for U18's. He wouldn't be the first young FB to show up well - given the chance - and I might be persuaded to start him for the first 60 minutes at least, and see how it goes.

I'm not saying he shouldn't play, I'm saying I doubt Ralph will pick him.

The academy and players coming through today seem to be at a different level to those in the last two of three years. Payne, Ballard, Jimmy Morgan and Diamond Edwards have a good chance of making it. It looks like we will have two or three players in the England U18 squad this week.

Dibling has lost his way a little since Chelsea offered him that crazy contract, but he is another that might make it. Spending millions on Amo-Ameyaw and Meghoma is the first time we have invested properly in youth players since the Best-Blackstock signings in 2003. Shields and SR have changed things by offering some of these youngsters `big' money professional contracts. We seem to be serious about youth development (and retention) again. However, I think there is concern as to whether Ralf will give them enough chances.  We shall see.

[davefizzy14]

Would be very happy with a draw today, a win would be amazing. I think Ralph will go with a back 5. Im expecting a 5-3-2 formation. 

Bazunu

Djenepo Caleta-Car Lyanco Salisu  Perraud

S. Armstrong  Prowsey  Diallo

Adams  A. Armstrong 

 

COYR

[sandwichsaint]

14 minutes ago, nta786 said:

I genuinely think it has been over 10 years since we won a game in some proper rain.

I'll raise you Southend away if you want 'proper rain'.

[Hodgey]

I’ll raise you Gillingham away, uncovered scaffolding stand, no shelter for miles, lost that one too

[alehouseboys]

8 minutes ago, Hodgey said:

I’ll raise you Gillingham away, uncovered scaffolding stand, no shelter for miles, lost that one too

I reckon I could trump you all with Sunderland away (1982...ish), our coach turned up at 8 in the morning to be greeted with unrelenting rain going sideways convinced we'd just travelled nearly 300 miles throughout the night for nothing - amazingly the game went ahead in driving rain straight off the North Sea stood on an open terrace. Drew 1-1 (couldn't hold a lead!).

[goodymatt]

Today feels like a day where the best we can ask for with our depleted squad and their form is a bit of pride in how we approach the game. Arsenal should be comfortable winners today but stranger things have happened. I miss the gung ho pressing monster tactics that can work so well against bigger opponents. Our identity is missing atm and it makes for low entertainment games. That being said a repeat of April’s 3 point robbery will do nicely under the circumstances.