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Pre Season Friendlies 2023/24

Master Bates

By Master Bates
in The Saints

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JRM

JRM

Posted
Posted
  On 26/07/2023 at 11:55, Whitey Grandad said:

No. It’s not either one extreme or the other. For possession football to work it requires constant movement all over the pitch and it needs to be done with pace and purpose. Not just moving it across the back just for the sake of it. 

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YES. Huge improvement required, one moment in the first half McCarthy with the ball at his feet and not one player moving for it 

  • Like 1
JRM

JRM

Posted
Posted
  On 26/07/2023 at 14:31, skintsaint said:

Looks a clean tackle to me. Meaty one though for a pre season friendly.

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They were a very dirty side, lots of trips and cynical fouls, realised early on the ref wasn't going to bother booking any so just carried on doing it. 

Smirking_Saint

Smirking_Saint

Posted
Posted
  On 26/07/2023 at 11:55, Whitey Grandad said:

No. It’s not either one extreme or the other. For possession football to work it requires constant movement all over the pitch and it needs to be done with pace and purpose. Not just moving it across the back just for the sake of it. 

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Im not convinced you can really comment a ton about our possession based system with the team we out out last night, it was heavily rotated due to the amount if friendlies we have AND unfortunately McCarthy continues tk be completely incompetent with the ball at his feet

I think its a system that could work, especially in the Championship where we’d expect to play against a majority of opponents that will primarily look to stifle us and sit deep.. you cannot really play our high press anymore, not in any major capacity because we’ll likely be too dominant in possession

I suppose we’ll see but Im optimistic, overall we’ve looked pretty good.. defensive transition is where its breaking down, we need to get better at that and quickly

  • Like 1
saintant

saintant

Posted
Posted
  On 26/07/2023 at 14:46, Smirking_Saint said:

Im not convinced you can really comment a ton about our possession based system with the team we out out last night, it was heavily rotated due to the amount if friendlies we have AND unfortunately McCarthy continues tk be completely incompetent with the ball at his feet

I think its a system that could work, especially in the Championship where we’d expect to play against a majority of opponents that will primarily look to stifle us and sit deep.. you cannot really play our high press anymore, not in any major capacity because we’ll likely be too dominant in possession

I suppose we’ll see but Im optimistic, overall we’ve looked pretty good.. defensive transition is where its breaking down, we need to get better at that and quickly

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You don't learn defensive transition quickly unless you are training very good players. We are not so it is going to be high risk and I'm not convinced the players at our disposal will ever get to grips with it. My view is that we'll likely lose a lot of games trying to master this system so how long will fans patience last is the big question. 

  • Like 2
davefizzy14

davefizzy14

Posted
Posted (edited)

I thought it was a very good showing from us last night. Obviously there are things that we need to improve on but I thought we played some outstanding football at times. Smallbone was outstanding, controlling the midfield when he came on. The two new signings - Shea Charles and Manning looked good, combined brilliantly for Shea's header :) Stuart Armstrong is just pure class and lovely finish from him, great to see him back :) McCarthy made a few good stops but his decision making and distribution are not great. He was at fault for the first goal. Bazanu for me is our number one unless we decide to bring in a new GK.

Edited by davefizzy14
  • Like 1
Golac's Cunning Stunts

Golac's Cunning Stunts

Posted
Posted
  On 26/07/2023 at 11:55, Whitey Grandad said:

No. It’s not either one extreme or the other. For possession football to work it requires constant movement all over the pitch and it needs to be done with pace and purpose. Not just moving it across the back just for the sake of it. 

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Agreed. It's like watching England teams of old trying to play the "continental" way - keep possession of the ball etc. In reality that just meant pass it sideways and backwards with all us fans thinking jeez just boot it before you lose it 🙂

  • Like 1
Smirking_Saint

Smirking_Saint

Posted
Posted
  On 26/07/2023 at 16:05, saintant said:

You don't learn defensive transition quickly unless you are training very good players. We are not so it is going to be high risk and I'm not convinced the players at our disposal will ever get to grips with it. My view is that we'll likely lose a lot of games trying to master this system so how long will fans patience last is the big question. 

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Ive not seen enough of Charles in a 3 man midfield yet, not enough of him at 6 to form a strong opinion

My overall issue is, certainly Stephens and to a lesser extent Bednarek are more reactive defensively then proactive, and they’ll need to be more of the latter to help stiffle transitions

Lavia was very good at it, lets hope Charles is… unfortunately if we end up playing Smallbone at 6 then the risk increases imo… great tidy player on the ball, but not defensively aware enough

egg

egg

Posted
Posted
  On 26/07/2023 at 18:05, Smirking_Saint said:

Ive not seen enough of Charles in a 3 man midfield yet, not enough of him at 6 to form a strong opinion

My overall issue is, certainly Stephens and to a lesser extent Bednarek are more reactive defensively then proactive, and they’ll need to be more of the latter to help stiffle transitions

Lavia was very good at it, lets hope Charles is… unfortunately if we end up playing Smallbone at 6 then the risk increases imo… great tidy player on the ball, but not defensively aware enough

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Charles, if anything, looks stronger than Lavia, and very comfortable on the ball. I wasn't confident when we signed him due to his lack of experience, but I think he'll do well. He'll need some experience alongside him though, and assuming JWP moves on, I wouldn't be surprised to see Manning in there plus one of Smallbone or Alcaraz. 

  • Like 1
S-Clarke

S-Clarke

Posted
Posted
  On 26/07/2023 at 19:56, egg said:

Charles, if anything, looks stronger than Lavia, and very comfortable on the ball. I wasn't confident when we signed him due to his lack of experience, but I think he'll do well. He'll need some experience alongside him though, and assuming JWP moves on, I wouldn't be surprised to see Manning in there plus one of Smallbone or Alcaraz. 

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Being good on the ball has aided him as a CB as well, he is able to move it very quickly and in tight situations. I'd be happy for him to be the like-for-like Lavia replacement - but like you say, we need some experience. I like Smallbone and I think he's stepped up a few levels, but I'd still look for some experience to compliment them both (and Charly).

  • Like 1
Streaky

Streaky

Posted
Posted
  On 26/07/2023 at 20:09, S-Clarke said:

Being good on the ball has aided him as a CB as well, he is able to move it very quickly and in tight situations. I'd be happy for him to be the like-for-like Lavia replacement - but like you say, we need some experience. I like Smallbone and I think he's stepped up a few levels, but I'd still look for some experience to compliment them both (and Charly).

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Grimes?

S-Clarke

S-Clarke

Posted
Posted
  On 26/07/2023 at 20:17, Streaky said:

Grimes?

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I don't see us dealing with Swansea if I'm honest, think relationships are a bit fractured there! Grimes is a sensible shout though given his experience and leadership abilities, two attributes that we need - not even counting his ability on the ball. I just think it'll be too difficult.

If JWP goes to WHU I'm fairly sure we'll get Downes, although I wouldn't say he's massively experienced himself.

  • Like 1
Luke SkyWalker-Peters

Luke SkyWalker-Peters

Posted
Posted
  On 26/07/2023 at 20:20, S-Clarke said:

If JWP goes to WHU I'm fairly sure we'll get Downes, although I wouldn't say he's massively experienced himself.

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From what I've seen of Downes, he seems like a slightly worse version of what we have seen of Smallbone this preseason. In terms of experience, he has one extra year of Championship experience.

I'd be pushing for Grimes, or a player of similar quality and experience. Smallbone has made Downes redundant in my opinion.

Saint_clark

Saint_clark

Posted
Posted

If we're looking for championship experience i'd look at signing Gus Hamer from Coventry, 11 goals and 10 assists from CM last season.

Robert Atkinson from Bristol City would be a good option for centreback as well.

Viking Saint

Viking Saint

Posted
Posted
  On 26/07/2023 at 11:07, JCBSaint said:

Playing around at the back and going across our own 6 yard box invites pressure and leads to goals against us…. Mmmm  . Why don’t we ditch that , just a thought. 

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We were warned about this being Martin's style of play. It annoys the shit out of me that we seem to consistently hire managers who lack the flexibility to have more than one style of play. What happened to assessing the strengths and weaknesses of your players and adopting a system that suits what you've already got, rather than buying in players who play 'your way'? Granted, I'm not sure what some of our players strengths are, but forcing poor ball players to play out from the back is asking for trouble and inviting pressure.

  • Like 2
Convict Colony

Convict Colony

Posted
Posted

We have to pay for another live stream for this game, damn i know we were relegated but having to spunk another fiver just so we can argue about goalkeepers on here.

Can't wait for the season to start to i can get back to free tv.

The Kraken

The Kraken

Posted
Posted
  On 28/07/2023 at 16:57, Saint Matty 76 said:

Sulemana(?), S. Armstrong, Mara, Aribo, Bednarek and DCC all out Saturday.

Squad the same other than that outside of JWP being back.

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That’s quite the injury list already. So what does that give us for a side? I’m guessing it might be:

Bazunu

Livramento  -  Stephens  -  Lyanco  -  Manning

JWP  -  Charles

Tella  -  Alcaraz  -  Edozie

AArmstrong

Salisu would obviously be a better choice than Lyanco but I get the feeling the club are preparing for him not being here, same for Lavia though he’ll likely get minutes. Also the Edozie spot is between him, Djenepo and Amo Ameyaw. Always an option for Manning to go in the middle and KWP on the left, depends what the line is with JWP. Definitely think Charles needs some game time at CM though.

Bad Wolf

Bad Wolf

Posted
Posted

After Tuesday, I'm more than happy to pay the fiver. I really enjoyed the coverage and Hammond's commentary - He really should have been given Dave Merrington's old job. Tessem is a nice guy and everything and clearly still loves the club but he's got such a boring voice, regularly gets simple things wrong (like saying it was the first time Saints had ever had three managers in a season...Not only is it not but he actually played in the last season that it happened!) and generally doesn't add much to the listen. Adam Blackmore essentially has to act as both colour AND play-by-play commentators.

  • Like 3
Saint Matty 76

Saint Matty 76

Posted
Posted
  On 28/07/2023 at 17:34, The Kraken said:

That’s quite the injury list already. So what does that give us for a side? I’m guessing it might be:

Bazunu

Livramento  -  Stephens  -  Lyanco  -  Manning

JWP  -  Charles

Tella  -  Alcaraz  -  Edozie

AArmstrong

Salisu would obviously be a better choice than Lyanco but I get the feeling the club are preparing for him not being here, same for Lavia though he’ll likely get minutes. Also the Edozie spot is between him, Djenepo and Amo Ameyaw. Always an option for Manning to go in the middle and KWP on the left, depends what the line is with JWP. Definitely think Charles needs some game time at CM though.

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I think Smallbone will start but other than that I'd imagine you're spot on. Do agree that it'd be nice to see Charles get some proper minutes in midfield.

  • Like 1
Convict Colony

Convict Colony

Posted
Posted
  On 28/07/2023 at 17:42, CamSaint said:

https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/match/southampton-vs-az-alkmaar-pre-season-friendly-2023-07-29?utm_source=dotmailer&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=3301718_PRE - AZ Alkmaar 28%2F07%2F23&utm_content=CTA Button - Buy Video Pass&dm_i=2HKL,1YRME,85YOQK,6YCHD,1

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cheers wing commander but i dont see any stream options just tickets or hospitality - will check again tomorrow.

Convict Colony

Convict Colony

Posted
Posted
  On 28/07/2023 at 17:47, Bad Wolf said:

After Tuesday, I'm more than happy to pay the fiver. I really enjoyed the coverage and Hammond's commentary - He really should have been given Dave Merrington's old job. Tessem is a nice guy and everything and clearly still loves the club but he's got such a boring voice, regularly gets simple things wrong (like saying it was the first time Saints had ever had three managers in a season...Not only is it not but he actually played in the last season that it happened!) and generally doesn't add much to the listen. Adam Blackmore essentially has to act as both colour AND play-by-play commentators.

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Have already asked hammond to commentate on any porn video i star in.

  • Haha 1
Convict Colony

Convict Colony

Posted
Posted (edited)
  On 28/07/2023 at 17:28, Convict Colony said:

Is the game tomorrow actually a stream ? checked the website twice and don't see an option to pay for it ?

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Found out the reason it's cos I'm in the land of clog wearers and cheese, will do a VPN instead.

Am paying purely for Hammond's commentary so there will be hell to pay if I get some other fool.

Edited by Convict Colony
woodsaint1

woodsaint1

Posted
Posted
  On 29/07/2023 at 13:06, Mixedkebab said:

What’s going on with Charles in defence again, players out of position is always shite.

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Pep played him there in his one PL appearance. DCM would be his better position but we're a bit short of CB options for this game (somehow given we've about 8 CBs)

  • Like 1

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