Southampton 3-1 Leeds - Match Thread

[Turkish]

Just now, Andrew Watson said:

First half as well as we have played in ages,need to win a few on the bounce now.Lets hope we turn up at Stoke on tuesday night,in what could be a cold,wet evening.Charles apart that has to be best starting eleven,with perhaps Stephens to come in for Manning.

Why would stephens coming in for Manning? They don’t play the same position and Manning was good today

[goodymatt]

15 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Why would stephens coming in for Manning? They don’t play the same position and Manning was good today

Agreed Stephens is not going to play LB. Do think Manning slips and gives chances away in pretty much every appearance though. Even today, he managed to stand on the ball in the box but got away with it. Overall a much better performance though, hoping he stop these individual errors/moments of bad luck.

[Ambsaint]

Defense looked great today to me, both CBs particularly, but I thought Manning had a very decent game.

KWP was class apart, if you accept he is pushed forward.

Wasn't keen on some of the midfield giveaways or again some of the pointless pressure from passing it about, but way better tactics than any other game this season.

Smallbone I thought was decent, lacks physicality but he was ok and scored, right place and right time.

Downes I think was vastly improved, and what I'd hoped, a cheap replacement for JWP - did the quiet stuff very well.

Was a bit disappointed with Fraser, he works hard, tackled but expected a bit more attacking intent from him

Che too, I'd hoped he stayed but not (cost wise) at the expense of Tella (to be fair I was looking forward to the front line of Sulemana/striker/Tella this year).

Very very pleased to see Adam Armstrong scoring, in my brain one of AA or Che would pick it back up this year and it seems to be AA

Loving the result, one game doesn't exonerate the manager but if he can learn (or been told) to play to win then we are only looking up.

 

 

 

 

 

[West end Saints]

6 hours ago, spyinthesky said:

Just got home random thoughts eg

1. Thought AA was offside when he received the ball for the first goal.
2. Bit concerned that Smallbone would get a second yellow for the tackle in the first half.
3. Otherwise Ref seemed to want to book our players whilst letting Leeds get away unpunished for similar offences.
4. As we had kick off, I guess Leeds won toss and decided to change ends, to our advantage.
5. Thought Baz had a v decent game and looked better than the Leeds keeper.
6. Sulemana made a big difference to us. However he didnt seem at all pleased to be hooked and he and RM ignored one another by the tunnel.
7. More grit and determination by the team but Leeds were the better side in the second half.
8. Bednerak and Taylor Bellis formed a decent central defensive partnership and they seem to have changed which side they are defending since last week and that seemed to help.
9. Would prefer to see Charles replace Smallbone in midfield.
10. AA worked very hard and deserved his goals.
11. Hope Ross Edwards is a 'proper' CF and will offer a something a bit more in the central striker position.
12. Once again, in my eyes, KWP was MOM for Saints.

For once I have enjoyed a Saints performance at SMS.
Let's hope the momentum continues.

 

Martin was talking to a player on the pitch when Sulemana got back, they didn't ignore each other. 

As he went off, and passed where I sit he was smiling and clapping the crowd. 

At the end of the game Sulemana and Martin were hugging and chatting, Martin then had him in sort of playful headlock / hug. 

It was his first start, he played exceptionally well, but was maybe tiring and prob right to sub him with a game on Tuesday. 

[saintant]

Didn't see the game but that's a huge result so well done to players and RM. It seems it was a vastly improved performance and, from what I gather, we had less possession perhaps because there was more intent to get the ball forward using less passes. Appears we came out of the blocks fast and won more tackles. So we did much of the different stuff many of us have been calling for. Let's hope this is a turning point and lessons have been learned because this performance is evidence that we have good players but were using them in a system that was not working. More of the same on Tuesday and we should get something at Stoke. The slight concern is that RM may revert to the possession tactics because he is clearly wedded to the project.

Edited 1 October, 2023 by saintant

[Long Shot]

7 hours ago, West end Saints said:

Martin was talking to a player on the pitch when Sulemana got back, they didn't ignore each other. 

As he went off, and passed where I sit he was smiling and clapping the crowd. 

At the end of the game Sulemana and Martin were hugging and chatting, Martin then had him in sort of playful headlock / hug. 

It was his first start, he played exceptionally well, but was maybe tiring and prob right to sub him with a game on Tuesday. 

He did head straight down the tunnel though. There was definitely a strop going on. He’s a talented but headstrong kid that will take some nurturing. I think he’ll move in January. 

Edited 1 October, 2023 by Long Shot
Spelling

[miserableoldgit]

17 hours ago, saint lard said:

Lucky win. 
but I’ll take it. 

I bet you are fun at Dinner Parties....Mr Glass Smashed on Floor in a Thousand Pieces....

Edited 1 October, 2023 by miserableoldgit

[east-stand-nic]

Well, how many of us honestly expected that result today. Delighted, but shocked. Are we going to become one of those very frustrating sides who can turn it on sometimes, but not always? I liked the starting XI and have always like SA. I think he gives us a lot more than most people credit him for.

Got to follow this up with another high tempo job on Tuesday at Stoke or it will all be for nothing.

[Saint86]

5 minutes ago, Long Shot said:

He did head straight down the tunnel though. There was definitely a strop going on. He’s a talented but headstrong kid that will take some nurturing. I think he’ll move in January. 

Martin had his arms round sulemana's shoulder/neck and the two of them were laughing/smiling as they chatted on the pitch. But i did think it was weird he didn't come out to collect his MoM award. Can't think of any other instances where that has/hasn't happened. Maybe he doesn't speak good english or something?

Edited 1 October, 2023 by Saint86

[LaptopSaint]

31 minutes ago, Long Shot said:

He did head straight down the tunnel though. There was definitely a strop going on. He’s a talented but headstrong kid that will take some nurturing. I think he’ll move in January. 

His body language when something goes wrong is terrible, and from where we were he looked really pissed off to be subbed. Arm round the shoulder sounds like a good idea

[Hengistbury Header]

Watch the build-ups to the goals, especially 2+3. It's NOT pass, welly or dribble the ball "FORWARD!" at the first opportunity, as the brainless constantly bray at the players, it's patience, probing, choosing the right time and THEN moving it forward.

[saintant]

1 minute ago, LaptopSaint said:

His body language when something goes wrong is terrible, and from where we were he looked really pissed off to be subbed. Arm round the shoulder sounds like a good idea

I'd rather a player looked pissed off to be subbed as opposed to one who looked indifferent - shows he thought he was playing well and had a passion to be on the pitch helping his team to achieve a much needed win. 

[beatlesaint]

Some of the subs in the second half were questionable as Leeds were being given more and more space as we fell deeper and deeper but i guess with a game Tuesday it was sensible. We dont want to be making any changes to that starting lineup IMHO. 

[saintant]

13 minutes ago, Hengistbury Header said:

Watch the build-ups to the goals, especially 2+3. It's NOT pass, welly or dribble the ball "FORWARD!" at the first opportunity, as the brainless constantly bray at the players, it's patience, probing, choosing the right time and THEN moving it forward.

I think all 3 goals we scored were as a result of an improvement of players at last showing more desire to move into good spaces to receive the ball - the first goal was a brilliant move starting from Baz and then great movement and awareness to move the ball up the pitch culminating in a cool finish from AA. If we keep doing that we'll only get better as will results.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

15 minutes ago, Hengistbury Header said:

Watch the build-ups to the goals, especially 2+3. It's NOT pass, welly or dribble the ball "FORWARD!" at the first opportunity, as the brainless constantly bray at the players, it's patience, probing, choosing the right time and THEN moving it forward.

That's nice writing off your fellow fans as brainless. You might like crop circle tip tappy constantly turning back football but quite a few brainless fans think it tedious. Yesterday was the first time Saints showing any attacking intent and you immediately triumphantly emerge from the woodwork to castigate those who have dared to criticise.

[Ex Lion Tamer]

23 minutes ago, Hengistbury Header said:

Watch the build-ups to the goals, especially 2+3. It's NOT pass, welly or dribble the ball "FORWARD!" at the first opportunity, as the brainless constantly bray at the players, it's patience, probing, choosing the right time and THEN moving it forward.

12 passes for the second goal, and that's just what they showed on the highlights, I'm wondering how many there were before that

[Ex Lion Tamer]

In fairness, it seems like Leeds came to play open and with a high line. Next time a team sits back and defends against us we may find that our passing game starts to look more sterile again. Not because we're playing different tactics but because it's hard to find the spaces for more penetrative football

[miserableoldgit]

Having just watched the extended highlights, I now appreciate KS's performance.....and who was commentating on the game for Sky?......VERY pro-Leeds.

Edited 1 October, 2023 by miserableoldgit

[CB Fry]

52 minutes ago, Hengistbury Header said:

Watch the build-ups to the goals, especially 2+3. It's NOT pass, welly or dribble the ball "FORWARD!" at the first opportunity, as the brainless constantly bray at the players, it's patience, probing, choosing the right time and THEN moving it forward.

Leicester City won the Premier League on about 40% possession so not that brainless.

You may have missed we'd lost four games on the spin with one of the most expensive/lavish squads in the league, so maybe others have been a bit brainless too.

[AlexLaw76]

1 hour ago, Hengistbury Header said:

Watch the build-ups to the goals, especially 2+3. It's NOT pass, welly or dribble the ball "FORWARD!" at the first opportunity, as the brainless constantly bray at the players, it's patience, probing, choosing the right time and THEN moving it forward.

we won by mixing it up. Playing 40509485 passes in our defensive 3rd has been a disaster lately

[lambtiss]

Fair play to RM who got the starting 11 right (perhaps Charles for either Downes or Smallbone). Substitutions were about right also, although at the time I thought Sulemana was unlucky to be withdrawn. 

The only sour notes were the disappointing drop in intensity in the 2nd half and the inability of Downes or Smallbone to dominate the middle, particularly when the opposing team increases their intensity. 

[lambtiss]

1 minute ago, lambtiss said:

Fair play to RM who got the starting 11 right (perhaps Charles for either Downes or Smallbone). Substitutions were about right also, although at the time I thought Sulemana was unlucky to be withdrawn. 

The only sour notes were the disappointing drop in intensity in the 2nd half and the inability of Downes or Smallbone to dominate the middle, particularly when the opposing team increases their intensity. 

Oh, and the late substitutions of Bree and Aribo who both came on and chased shadows

[tisspahars]

On 24/09/2023 at 09:52, tisspahars said:

The usual reminder when the forum is this certain of a spanking.......Leeds will I imagine be about 6/4 to beat us, which, as the consensus seems to be somewhere between 3 and 5-0 would appear to represent astonishing value.

What will actually happen of course is that this will get a chorus of "couldn't possibly bet against my team (I can call them useless, frauds, spineless, pathetic etc but I couldn't possibly bet against them 😄)", and we'll hear no more about it unless Leeds win in which case they'll all appear again afterwards with "easy mpney" posts.

As ever, just saying......

Bizarrely (or not!) not a single person has come on to say they lost money backing Leeds yesterday. If they had won of course......

[gio1saints]

Far from being only a tippy tappy lightweight team many of our tactics Saturday were predicated on drawing opposition towards us prior to a very long ball to either of our two nippy wingers. They also included professional al fouls were necessary. 

Bazooka pinged at least three 50 yard balls straight to wide players. It’s clearly in our script and he has excellent skill at it. His save was textbook and I think this may be his best match for Saints to date, certainly this season. The Northam were chanting his name several times and that was seemingly helpful to him. Some of our bookings were obviously silly but showed we are not happy letting players go past us - which was a welcome innovation! 
 

Carry on! 

[Harry_SFC]

Anyone else think that Fraser is a bit useless? Apart from his cameo against QPR he has offered nothing. Edozie looks much better to me and would rather see SAA given more opportunities.

[Turkish]

1 minute ago, Harry_SFC said:

Anyone else think that Fraser is a bit useless? Apart from his cameo against QPR he has offered nothing. Edozie looks much better to me and would rather see SAA given more opportunities.

He’s not been great but he’s hardly played for a year so will take a bit of time to get back on track. Think he’ll be a good squad player this season but behind Sulemana and Edozie at the moment for me

[Turkish]

How’s the scar tissue this morning? 

[david in sweden]

A bit of analysis never hurt anyone , so that I thought the defence looked a lot tighter with Bazunu looking more confident, although 

even the Leeds goal could be said to be " a bit lucky,"  as the scorer had two goes at it before connecting in a crowded goalmouth. 

The first game of the season where we had minority possession  47/53%,  but nevertheless we seemed to cope OK at the back. 

Those who said Adam Armstrong would score in this league are right, but one might argue that he often drew the short straw last season and was 

seldom first choice, whilst for all his effort and sweat  Ché Adams ought to have scored more and when Adam A. did come on late as sub.  he was 

often consigned out on the left wing.     Now we see that he clearly thrives in a deeper, more central role with real success.   Two very  nice goals.

 

We still haven't played the same starting side more than once, and maybe no coincidence that our losing streak began after Jack Stephens was injured.

Despite one or two poor showings (not least at Sunderland) we have played 5 of our 9 fixtures against sides currently above us who have hit early season form

but it may take time before our injured players are fully fit,  and the start side can pick itself and we get some more firepower with Ross Stewart up front.

[saintant]

22 minutes ago, Turkish said:

How’s the scar tissue this morning? 

Not been mentioned strangely enough.

[david in sweden]

1 hour ago, CB Fry said:

Leicester City won the Premier League on about 40% possession so not that brainless.

You may have missed we'd lost four games on the spin with one of the most expensive/lavish squads in the league, so maybe others have been a bit brainless too.

Agreed,  possession is not the ultimate key to success  but I also think that Vardy was a lot younger and hungrier then...

[Saint_clark]

3 hours ago, Long Shot said:

He did head straight down the tunnel though. There was definitely a strop going on. He’s a talented but headstrong kid that will take some nurturing. I think he’ll move in January. 

Thought it was a terrible sub to be honest, Sulemana was having a great game defensively as well as going forward and Fraser when he came on ran around aimlessly and did very little of anything. 

[Saint Since '51]

2 hours ago, Fitzhugh Fella said:

That's nice writing off your fellow fans as brainless. You might like crop circle tip tappy constantly turning back football but quite a few brainless fans think it tedious. Yesterday was the first time Saints showing any attacking intent and you immediately triumphantly emerge from the woodwork to castigate those who have dared to criticise.

Fair point. But shouting "FORWARD" every time we have the ball - irrespective of whether there is a pass on or how much pressure the passer is under - isn't applying the brain. Neither am I arguing for "tippy-tappy constantly turning back football". But sometimes they need to go back or sideways, to pull opponents out of possession or to keep the ball or look for the best opening, and they shouldn't be thoughtlessly "castigated" for that either. Indeed, if it means they don't lose possession and if it leads to better attacks, they should be encouraged to do it.

[Tanlee]

Great result, I definitely never expected it but a very welcome surprise. Another thing that surprised me with Leeds was there lacking of pressure or exerted energy on our back 4 when we had it at the back, almost like they hadn't watched our previous games, let's hope stoke haven't observed either! 

[saint lard]

21 hours ago, Harry_SFC said:

I've been very critical of the manager etc the last few weeks, but how was that win lucky? 

We were lucky that Leeds weren’t at the races. 
they owned us second half.

[Bad Wolf]

Just now, saint lard said:

We were lucky that Leeds weren’t at the races. 
they owned us second half.

They didn't though. They improved slightly but that's it.

If we were "lucky" this week then we were "unlucky" last week.

[S-Clarke]

1 minute ago, saint lard said:

We were lucky that Leeds weren’t at the races. 
they owned us second half.

People are getting rather confused about that second half. They didn't own us, we just allowed them the ball in front of us whilst we sat a bit deeper and played more conservative on the break. If you're lazy in your analysis then you could look at the stats and say ''oh they had more possession, they owned us'' - but take time to look into it a bit more and you'll see what it was all about.

One week you're complaining about us being too open, the next week you're complaining about us sitting deep and being a little more conservative when the game was already won. 

Something tells me you will never be happy, given you weren't even happy when we got back to back promotions last time.

[Bad Wolf]

2 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

People are getting rather confused about that second half. They didn't own us, we just allowed them the ball in front of us whilst we sat a bit deeper and played more conservative on the break. If you're lazy in your analysis then you could look at the stats and say ''oh they had more possession, they owned us'' - but take time to look into it a bit more and you'll see what it was all about.

One week you're complaining about us being too open, the next week you're complaining about us sitting deep and being a little more conservative when the game was already won. 

Something tells me you will never be happy, given you weren't even happy when we got back to back promotions last time.

Anyone who uses that logic must then surely think that we "owned" Sunderland, Leicester and Ipswich then?

[Bad Wolf]

6 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

People are getting rather confused about that second half. They didn't own us, we just allowed them the ball in front of us whilst we sat a bit deeper and played more conservative on the break. If you're lazy in your analysis then you could look at the stats and say ''oh they had more possession, they owned us'' - but take time to look into it a bit more and you'll see what it was all about.

One week you're complaining about us being too open, the next week you're complaining about us sitting deep and being a little more conservative when the game was already won. 

Something tells me you will never be happy, given you weren't even happy when we got back to back promotions last time.

Oh that the guy who thinks Adkins did a bad job as manager? If so, I'm pretty sure he's just on the wind up (and fair play to him).

[warsash saint]

15 minutes ago, saint lard said:

We were lucky that Leeds weren’t at the races. 
they owned us second half.

Funniest post of the day goes to .....

[ErwinK1961]

22 minutes ago, saint lard said:

We were lucky that Leeds weren’t at the races. 
they owned us second half.

What a crock of sh*t.

[Exeter Saint]

3 hours ago, Hengistbury Header said:

Watch the build-ups to the goals, especially 2+3. It's NOT pass, welly or dribble the ball "FORWARD!" at the first opportunity, as the brainless constantly bray at the players, it's patience, probing, choosing the right time and THEN moving it forward.

Goal 1 was a fine pass from KWP.

[Jack]

Happy to have been wrong on this one, very decent performance. Nice surprise to see some end product from Sulemana and great to see Stu get a start and play well. For me he was really important, always looks to get us moving forward rather than backwards and into our dicking around at the back/conceding shit goals mode. 
 

On that, we were lucky to not get punished for dicking around at the back a few times, still something to work on. 
 

Would love to see us go after a new CB with some physical presence in January, we could be a lot more commanding on set pieces and height in the squad in general  

[Saint Gifford]

Still not in the RM camp.
 

But just proves what a really really good team we are at this level. 

Just need to continue to play with the handbrake off now.

[Osvaldorama]

3 hours ago, Saint_clark said:

Thought it was a terrible sub to be honest, Sulemana was having a great game defensively as well as going forward and Fraser when he came on ran around aimlessly and did very little of anything. 

Feel that’s very harsh, Fraser worked hard defensively and made some great tackles and blocks. 
 

I can see why the sub was made, need to keep Sulemana fresh for Tuesday. 
 

I also think it’s funny the smug comments on here. We won because Martin decided to do all of the very obvious things that the fans have been crying out for.  He basically abandoned his philosophy and played to the players strengths for once.
 

Long may it continue. 

[miserableoldgit]

2 hours ago, saint lard said:

We were lucky that Leeds weren’t at the races. 
they owned us second half.

Absolute nonsense! Apart a 10 minute spell after they scored, we were never really worried by them. I know that you love living up to the "Mr Ultra Negative" image, but even for you your views on this game are a bit much.

[davefizzy14]

Brilliant performance and we won the game in the first half with some clinical finishing from Adam Armstrong and Smallbone lovely assists from KWP and Sulemana who was my MOTM, he was absolutely electric so happy for RM and let's hope we take this into Tuesday and get another win! COYR

 

Edited 1 October, 2023 by davefizzy14

[davefizzy14]

🙂

Edited 1 October, 2023 by davefizzy14

[Mixedkebab]

22 hours ago, The Cat said:

Agree about the ends we shoot towards. Much better when the away team play towards the Chapel in the second half while we attack the Northam.

I’m sure everyone would agree with this, how many sickening moments have saints had when the away team get late winners in front of their own fans.

It might sound trivial but I think it’s a big part of why away teams have loved St Mary’s the last few years 

[rooney]

4 hours ago, Harry_SFC said:

Anyone else think that Fraser is a bit useless? Apart from his cameo against QPR he has offered nothing. Edozie looks much better to me and would rather see SAA given more opportunities.

I always thought he was a bit of a headless chicken when he was at Bournemouth.

[Saint Matty 76]

5 hours ago, Harry_SFC said:

Anyone else think that Fraser is a bit useless? Apart from his cameo against QPR he has offered nothing. Edozie looks much better to me and would rather see SAA given more opportunities.

Couldn't agree with this more personally. 

SAA being completely out the squad at his expense is nothing short of grim to me.