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Comment | Southampton At Portsmouth The Verdict
at 13:52:42
With just 6 shots (and 4 on target), we lacked much in having only Armstrong up front, whilst Pompey's 14 shots came to nothing, and in the end they only won by a handball. Where was VAR when we needed it, as a proper check would have disallowed their goal and we'd have taken all 3 points. Well-taken effort by Scienza, who'se been in that same situation several times before this season, but nut-megged their keeper to give us the lead.
I didn't think we were going to concede, but there was no way that the ref. was going to disallow their goal and walk away. On another day he'd have booked half-a-dozen players.
Aside from comments about Bree's high ball, I thought he did well. He was always a sub. for KWP after signing for us and he seemed to fit seemlessly into the back 4. I though that he (and Charlie Taylor) got a rough deal when Will Still sent them out on loan, (probably because they knew more about the game than Will did (and it embarrassed him).
Bree is the only established RB at this level, and should keep his place based on this .
Welington also showed he wasn't afraid to get in the mix, and Matsuki, (though not so skilful) wasn't shying away from tough challenges either. Look forward to NOT meeting them again next season, but not sure about the final outcome for both sides.
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Comment | Portsmyth Or Portsmouth Innit ? Take Our M27 Derby Weekend Quiz
at 11:38:12
Interesting points here Nick. There are several versions of "the Dockers saga", but many workers were employed in the Docks in those days and lots of them were also Saints fans.
The history of Henry V taking his army over to France in 1415 is well-documented from various sources, and there are even claims that the Red Lion pub in High Street was the gathering point for Richard the Lionheart's army prior to departure to the Holy Land. Of course those figures are dwarfed, if you count the estimated 2 million men who did travel through So'ton Docks - and over to Normandy - after D-Day in 1944.
I happened to be working in Southsea at the time of the '76 Cup Final, and was unable to travel on the day, but I did put a fiver on Saints to win. The Portsmouth bookie gave me a nasty look when I turned up on the monday morning to collect my winnings.
Pompey did get 50,000+ gates at times, (in the years either side of WW2) but that was (prior to 1986 ban on standing in stadiums) and thus reduced attendances enormously, but I was in the old Dell record crowd (31044 in 1970 v. Man Utd). - hence my tag name.
There wasn't always such animosity between the clubs and my late father (a teenage fan in the 1930's) told me that in the post-war period (when Pompey won two titles) some Saints fans would travel down to Fratton on those occasions that Saints were playing away (at far-flung grounds up North), and travel back and forth on the day was almost impossible.
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Comment | Burnley Chasing Southampton Defender
at 16:17:04
I read a posting that mentioned " loyalty ", a word that had disappeared in the Saints vocabulary after MLT retired. So will THB wait until the end of the season, or has he already accepted we don't stand a chance of a quick return to the Prem. and will go now. The answer to that one will be clear after Feb.2 in which case we will need to sign a new CB from somewhere PDQ before the window shuts.
The fact that the interest comes from Burnley (who like Saints) have twice yo-yo'd between the divisions in the last 4 years. In their first promotion Burnley had both THB and Nathan Tella on loan. Tella was their top scorer by a country mile, and THB showed up well, but Burnley then insisted they would only pay 9 million for Tella (Saints wanted 14), and so they let both return to their clubs. We later sold Tella to Germany (for a reported 22 mill.) and then we bought in THB in at the same time. Both these mistakes led to Burnley's instant relegation in the first season.
Burnley may have learned the lesson, because if we do let THB go, we must be sure to get a good deal in the process. |
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Comment | Southampton V Sheffield United The Verdict
at 16:04:18
More than enough rain before the start turned accurate passing into a lottery, but we kept a clean sheet in the nd. A "flukey" goal from Scienza was enough to get the points.
Had we had VAR we might well have had a penalty for the "double fouling" on Fellows.
Whatever the tactical advantage of playing 3 at the back, I agree with others (above) in that I prefer playing 4 at the back - at least you know who should be where .
Good to see Stewart back on the pitch -even for 60 mins- as his height gives us a target man who can shoot, or hold up the ball when necessary.
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Comment | The Daily Echo Hints At Where The Problems Are In Saints Dressing Room
at 11:48:19
without Quarshie (inexperienced but not as bad as some suggest) the back 3 will pick itself. There hasn't been a satisfactory midfield quartet all season, and although each has a talent (of sorts) they don't play as a unit. With 2 wingers (Fellows and Scienza) the midfield is redundant but without the likes of Armstrong, we have no central striker capable of scoring regularly.
(We could have used Leo and Tom last season whilst we still had Onuachu. (now 11 goals in Turkey this season). We've had a leaky defence for seasons past but no other reliable goalscorers since Danny Ings and Ché Adams left. Ironically, Prowsey was our top scorer
with 10 goals in the season before he left.
We may see one or two of the Academy lads getting minutes, but we need a proven reliable goalscorer PDQ, ( if /when Armstrong goes ), we must hope that Ross Stewart stays fit and that Archer is available, (if only for for the sake of appearances).
Regarding the issue of "player power" in the dressing room. My message would be ..some of you are grossly overpaid for the job you're (supposed to be) doing, so man-up and try and behave professionally - if only for the underpaid fans who continually support you.
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Comment | Southampton V Hull City The Verdict
at 13:59:32
As this is supposed to be about the Hull disaster, I can only think that we should be glad they " only had 12 fit players " because goodness knows what the score might have been had they been full strength and with one foot in the play-offs. (Those above in this thread) have made their views very clear and I wouldn't disagree with the main topics.
Some individuals in our squad have talent "of some sort" , but many are being played out of position, namely those roles they had in their previous club(s) which caused us to buy them, and we have blatantly failed to replace many who have left.
It's no case to say that we never replaced Pelle, Mane or Fonte as that was too long ago forgotten by many. Neither have we found a " new " Ings, or van Dijk. More recently we are missing " a new " Walker-Peters and (sadly) Flynn Downes isn't a patch on Prowsey -even on a good day. Paul Onuachu (stated in interview) that his current 11 goal tally in Turkey was due to the fact they play "another formation" that suited him better).
When he was here, we had no real wingers, now that we have bought TWO, our only striker of note - is Adam Armstrong.
My last point reverts to a comment echoed by Block 47M (above)...in that having SOLD Dom Ballard, he is suddenly leading scorer in his league, despite the fact that his club are struggling to keep out of the L1 drop Zone . Why was he sold (and not simply loaned?)
The obvious answer is, in the constant changing of managers, "assistant everybody's" and coaches in the Academy leadership, there was no-one in the hierarchy who knew about a one-time 15 y.o. who later became top scorer in both levels of our Academy, and because of his last injury spell had merely become just... "another name in the treatment room".
IF anyone has pride to lose, bite the bullet and for goodness sake, pay Orient a decent fee to get him back before he moves onto greater glory with another club who can recognise his talent.
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Comment | Southampton V Hull City The Preview
at 09:04:00
In total agreement with Bryan K (above). The day of one-man club owners is past and the multi-billionaire type ownership in the Prem. where several such scenario is not uncommon, to balance the costs of running £ multi-million companies.
One problem that exists is that many of our faithful and beloved fans just don't see the reality of the situation. As a provincial club (which is what we are) many of us abhor the " big London club scene ", even though our geography places us within their sphere.
When the biggest clubs trade players in sums of £40-50 million EVERY window (and now where £100 m. deals rarely raise an eyebrow) our own struggles to find good talents who are capable of improving the squad are more down to luck than judgement.
An earlier point regarding " the power " wielded by a DOF is apparent when it is the managers who get the push in bad times, and not the DOF who oversee the purchase of players and choice of a new managers. I do not criticise Spors here, but looking at the current "overloaded" squad, they are the sum result of purchases made by 4 or 5 sacked managers...(or is it 6 ? ) most of whom have changed the playing formation(s) used by their predecessors, leaving good players (who don't fit the pattern) out in the wilderness.
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Comment | Southampton V Hull City The Preview
at 13:57:44
Hull ( apparently) have only 12 fit players (13 out) but most likely a few young lads on the bench looking to make a name for themselves if / when they come on as subs.
Hull have 4 wins in their last 5 , and Saints (overburdened with fit players) ...haven't won a league game in the last 6 , but are still unbeaten in last 5 at St. Mary's.
Remembering that we lost 1-3 at Hull (with Adam A. getting a consolation in the 94th minute) and we had 14 shots (to their 11) and despite us having 71% possession !
- I mean what could possibly go wrong this time around?
The only bright note is that ...Will Still's 13 games won us just 12 points. It's now 13 games with Tonda at the helm and we've gained 23 points from his 13 matches. Unless we can pick 3 wins from remaining January fixtures, talk of a play-off spot sounds only.. hopeful. |
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Comment | Southampton Urged To Make Signing From Leeds United
at 09:22:36
assuming this story is genuine and not some " fake news" Piroe is the one player I thought would follow Russell Martin from Swansea, but it just didn't happen at the time.
However, Adam Armstrong is the only striker on the books who has shown any sort of success in this league, even our other names (and assuming form/fitness) is proof that we cannot continue to rely on one man to score goals on a regular basis.
Armstrong hasn't scored in his last 7 games, and although we know that strikers form is
often likened to the proverbial "Ketchup bottle", we have to ask ourselves when AA will get back to scoring regularly?
Piroe is currently on a "dry spell" (which in part may be due to Leeds' current formation, or his "popularity" with their manager). Here is a striker who has a proven record and knows this league. The very idea of "importing" yet another foreign talent doesn't mean that he might instantly become success, as we know it often takes time to settle and we cannot expect everyone to hit the ground running. Spors has made some good judgments, and although Downs may not have shown up well, certainly Scienza has.
IF ..there is any credence to this, Piroe is a proven striker who knows his way around and it sounds like a "no brainer" to me. |
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Comment | Bazunu Leaves St Mary's ! Are Southampton Really Going To Gamble On An Inexperienced Keeper
at 14:34:49
Seems you've made your mind up on Peretz already (Nick)...or? I thought he was a breath of fresh air. One tremendous throw-out that landed near the halfway line and an excellent save in the first half and a double-save at the end when under the cosh.
Many goalkeepers may seem inexperienced if they only have a few games behind them, namely because unless they are first choice they sit on the bench every week and their only real chance of game time is if the No.1 is injured, or gets the flu'. At Bayern he was lucky to get anything at all, as Neuer is World class.¨
Yes we conceded 2 goals v. Donnie, but not sure I would blame him, and once again if you take another look at the positioning of our defenders we defended rather poorly.
Maybe best to make a measured judgement after 3 or 4 games and see how he makes out but a lot of people on this site might well say ..can he be worse than Bazunu? |
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Comment | Southampton At Doncaster Rovers The Verdict
at 16:08:32
Agree with Farlow (above). I thought Peretz was a breath of fresh air and not afraid to move around. Decrying him for only playing a few games (with Bayern Munich) is nonsense as they already have one of the best keepers in the World ( Neuer).
The Edwards deal?..Obviously, it's down to Eckert who he has in the squad, but hopefully we have a replacement lined-up with only 4 CB's to choose from. Injuries or suspensions (and with THB on 4 yellows) could prove embarrassing if things go pear-shaped. |
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Comment | West Ham Open To Offers For James Ward Prowse Will Southampton Pounce.
at 15:44:27
The list of contributors (above) all seem to be against the idea, but I'm not so sure.
Prowsey was always "the model pro." and I doubt if he's been starting every day watching Morning TV. He still has a career to play out and is unlikely to have neglected his fitness.
His first season (with David Moyes) was v. good, and as a midfielder he scored 8 and made 8 assists (a better return than some of their strikers) and later scored direct from a corner. The two men who followed Moyes' sacking neglected the talent that he has. The fact that he didn't score from free kicks is down to WHam.'s choice of who took such free kicks. His tally, (doesn't include others scored in Cup games) came from 300+ Prem. games (average 1 every 20 kicks) is a better average than Beckham's tally. His best position was always an attacking MF and only after Romeu left, was he forced to play the defensive role as we had no-one else. There is an obvious comparisons with the return of other Saints "prodigals" but age is not one in his case. If Eckert is still talking about the "P-word".. there is no-one else who knows Saints better, and it could make the difference having him in the squad. A short term loan - with an option to buy - might solve our problem and WHam's.
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Comment | Gavin Bazunu Tipped For Move From Southampton To Stoke City
at 15:11:11
I think this is a good solution in many ways (at the risk of repeating myself - YET AGAIN).
I have maintained for decades past that a keeper (ANY keeper) is only as a good as the defenders in front of him) and there are historical cases that go to prove that theory.
Bazunu is far from the finished product, but IMO many of the goals we have conceded were blamed on Baz, when in fact it was our defenders who were left wanting many times.
Interestingly, Stoke have the best defensive record in the Championship, and so it will be a test for both him and their back line to see how it works out. By the end of the season, the situation for Bazunu - and even Ramsdale - maybe a lot clearer.
Certainly, the Geordies seem have taken him to their hearts after he saved THREE penalties in the shoot-out v. Bournemouth at the weekend. |
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Comment | Southampton At Doncaster Rovers The Verdict
at 11:00:10
Can't quite fathom your condemnation of Peretz (Nick) I was impressed by his full length save in first half, and his ability to throw a ball - to the halfway line..didn't you see that?
A double-save late on in the game looked excellent. If you were at the game-well done- as I wasn't able to go, but he looked good on TV. Blame for the goals ? ..IF Bazunu keeps clean sheets on loan at Stoke, it may go some way to proving my (long-held) claim that a goalie is only as good as the defence in front of him.
Back to the match. Exhibition stuff before HT, but then (as usual) the complacency set in and as soon as Donny scored they woke up and saw it was a match they might win, and the 7 added mins. didn't help my blood pressure either. M.O.M was surely Cam Bragg. A quiet young man who looks mature beyond his years who passes well and took his goal chance when others may have hit Row Z. Archer must be complimented for his ability to recover and score with a brief chance, but (sadly) as ever - he simply vanished after that.
Quashie showed up well in a changed back line. Matsuki took his goal well, a good backwards header from a short man, but he should learn not to argue with refs again. The subs showed impact, Scienza doing what only he can do, and Stewart won a late tussle against their goalkeeper, but his shot missed by inches. In the end, we won by the maths, but it wasn't pretty or convincing after our first half display. |
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Comment | Southampton At Doncaster Rovers The Preview
at 14:12:20
Tonda's choice of side is anyone's guess. IF he's aiming to win the Final (as a 50th anniversary present to the fans), he will play what he considers to be "his strongest side" but often managers use Cup matches to introduce fresh blood into the side without the danger of losing yet another 3 points.
IF ..his "best side" fails to secure a win then we are well and truly up the creek without the proverbial paddle and who knows what the outcome may be afterwards.
Goodness knows what state the pitch may be in...given the recent weather, and that the Bolton manager recently filed a complaint to the FA, saying it was "below standard" given ..whatever is accepted standard for League One grounds is? .
A dodgy fixture by any stretch of the imagination.. and I still wonder ..Is Billy Sharp back playing for them yet again?. Anyone can guess what his motivation to win will be. |
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Comment | Southampton Make First Signing Of The Summer Transfer Window
at 10:20:54
and another thing. OK ...a new face in the goalkeepers group, so now there is extra cover
BUT I recognise that I am not alone with the ongoing demand for .....a new STRIKER.
As far as memory serves...most of us have made the same call since Danny Ings departed.
Mainly someone who can score regularly and before anyone leaps for the stats. to prove otherwise.. Adam Armstrong is our only striker with any sort of reputation in this league.
At best ...Ché Adams was a source of support for AA, but with the best of intentions the likes of Brereton-Diaz / Damion Downs just don't fit. Poor judgement, or barrel-scraping?
The continuous changing of managerial staff hasn't helped, but I was sad to see that Whittaker (who scored twice in the Middlesboro debacle) was starring for Plymouth two years ago, but was continually ignored by - whoever it was calling the shots at that time.
In the meantime, it is nice to see occasional contributions coming from a midfielder, and even defenders, but that is a rarity rather than a regular occurrence. All that midfield creativity that is totally wasted - if there is no-one there to finish the job in the box.
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Comment | Southampton Make First Signing Of The Summer Transfer Window
at 18:17:55
This is no surprise as we need a young-ish keeper with some background and being around Bayern Munich speaks for itself. With Alex McCarthy (at 36) out of contract in June and the temporary loan of George Long (had to think of his name) we need some fresh faces.
Aside from this signing, we need some new faces in the squad especially up front, as there are still a lot of "square pegs" who need to see how their futures will pan out. Aside from the 5 previously named, we had (my count) 14 out on loan after the summer, 7 of whom whom have been first teamers at one time or another. All of these guys need / want to be playing "somewhere", aside from which it would reduce the burden on the salary list which is top heavy at this level to say the least. |
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Comment | Southampton Still In For Italian Midfielder
at 16:10:11
I'd sign anyone who was over 6'tall, so at 6'2" this guy qualifies, but with 100 apps in the Italian league he has managed just 4 goals. I do like a midfielder who can chip in with a few goals now and again, but looking at our current crop it's not very encouraging.
Flynn Downes has chalked up almost 250 career games and scored just 7 times.
Tom Fellows is new and still young, but in 140 games he's scored 8 times.
Finn Azaz has a better tally with 46 goals in 230 games ..and a few for Ireland.
Ironic to think that in his final season Prowsey was our TOP SCORER with 10 goals.
which leaves us with Adam Armstrong as our only "reliable" goal scorer...(sometimes).
all this talk about goalies, CB's and midfielders --Where's our new striker coming from?
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