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SaintSeb

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  1. Actually really rate that!
  2. Looks like a back three with Ward-Prowse at RWB and Bertrand at LWB to me...? That or Yoshida/Stephens at RB...? Either way, very, very strange lineup!
  3. I completely agree about taking off Long, it's the only incorrect call Pellegrino has made over the past two games IMO. I understood why he did it, to appease a striker who scored two last match, as well as potentially offer fresh legs and maybe go on to win the game; but Long was playing brilliantly and his pace was our major threat to City's defence and kept them in check. Once he was gone they were much more free to move up to halfway without fear of consequence and play from there, knowing full well they wouldn't get caught out with a ball over the top, as nobody on our side was quick enough to chase effectively.
  4. Obviously it's disappointing that we don't go to the 'big' teams to play them at their own game in the way we did under Poch, but I'd suggest this is down to the rapid improvement of said teams over last season and the start of this one rather than a slight on Saints. That Manchester City side is one of the best ever assembled in the Premier League era, possibly even in English football history, and I honestly would be shocked if we don't see them crowned champions in April as well as playing in the latter stages of the Champions League this season. With that in mind it would be utter suicide to set up to play them at their own game; look what happened when we tried that v Liverpool, who are clearly inferior to City. There were so many positives to take from that match, the defensive solidity and team spirit, along with a much improved performance from the much maligned Fraser Forster, were great to see. The sight of Bertrand passionately congratulating Cedric for recovering to thwart Sterling in our box late on, as well as the joyful team celebrations for our goal were excellent, and a far cry from what we saw toward the end of last season and the early part of this. Bournemouth on Sunday is now the perfect chance to revert back to our natural playing style, which is hopefully like what we saw vs. Everton, and put some more points on the board.
  5. Not really a fair comparison in my opinion. Reed is bemoaned mostly on here for not spending enough, whereas Gartside's issue was the sheer volume of players brought in on big money (relative to the time), who they then couldn't shift or made huge losses on. We've had our poor signings of course, but we don't tend to lose too much money in the market, certainly not to the extent Bolton did.
  6. I'm starting to believe that Tony Pulis actually hates football, and his sole purpose in life is to bring misery to those who dare pay to go and watch it.
  7. I think the time has come for Fraser Forster to be dropped. I doubt he will be, but it has to be in the manager's mind now. I'm confident we would have beaten Newcastle with any sort of competent goalkeeping performance. At the moment we look like those teams you used to play against at school where they'd obviously had no specialist goalies so put the biggest lad in the net and hoped for the best. Other than the odd game he has been shambolic for a year and a half. In other parts of the team I feel that Van Dijk, contrary to what many people are saying, should continue to start. The same goes for Bertrand. They weren't as bad as people made out on the weekend in terms of their efforts. I think the reason we are seeing Virgil stride out into midfield less is because we now have Mario Lemina giving us more dynamism in that area, so he doesn't need to as much. That or he just doesn't give a **** anymore. I don't know, I'm not him. In midfield Romeu and Lemina remain, obviously; then in front of them I'd like to see Tadic, Redmond and Boufal play together. As much as the former two have been a bit sh*te at times and the latter does often flatter to deceive, they are our best attacking midfield options on paper. I think they could benefit from developing an understanding not only amongst the three of them, but also with Gabbiadini. The Italian has to start now as he has finally proven what a lot of us already knew; that he is our best striker. Is it too much of a stretch to suggest that being dropped for Long for a few games fired him up? Lineup: GK: Literally any other keeper, living or dead. RB: Cedric CB: Yoshida CB: Van Dijk LB: Bertrand CDM: Romeu CDM: Lemina RM: Redmond CAM: Boufal LM: Tadic ST: Gabbiadini
  8. Fraser Forster might be a nice bloke, but he is a ****ing appalling goalkeeper.
  9. What a bizarre lineup. Surely, surely if we're going to persist with this formation and tactic to get full backs overlapping and get crosses into the box we need to have our best finisher and header of the ball on the pitch in Charlie Austin. Alternatively if the idea is to play short quick passes around the box, why is the player with the most dribbling flair in our squad not selected either. Utterly baffling calls on both parts for me. Things aren't working, yet nothing is profoundly changing.
  10. I would like to take you to task over the points highlighted. So, in chronological order: - I would say that his hesitance and at times just downright pedestrian speed of decision making wastes the ball regularly in good positions, especially when he has to back himself to shoot. - I would say that is hugely debatable. Davis outperformed him at Palace, and even Redmond has carried more threat running with the ball in certain games. He has had some positive flashes (second half against United and the through ball for Gabbi against West Ham for example), but has often been utterly anonymous. - He's not been used as the scapegoat anywhere near as much as Redmond or any more than any of our other faltering attacking players for that matter. Apart from Gabbiadini who seems to get off scot-free, presumably due to his early form for us. - I think calling anyone who disagrees with you 'less intelligent' is one of the most juvenile arguments anybody can resort to. That being said, he is indeed far from our biggest problem. Oh, and sticking Shane Long on the wing can't be any worse than up front; he might not be able to cross or beat a man with dribbling ability, but not being able to finish hasn't stopped him starting our last three games as a striker
  11. To be fair, before this second half where he was indeed fantastic, Redmond had been utterly diabolical. He looked a different player in that 45; one who was willing to be brave and take the initiative in attack, rather than play the easy pass every time or hit a long shot without assessing his options fully, which is what he'd been doing most of the time this season.
  12. I'm a student. I had the morning off and felt like posting. I'm guessing you have insecurities which you compensate for?
  13. I think as has been mentioned numerous times on here, going three at the back with wing backs is the only sensible way to play against them with the form they're in at the moment. Surrendering the possession war shouldn't have as much consequence if Fellaini is replacing Pogba as he is a far more limited player creatively. If they play Herrera though we might need to put more focus on winning the midfield battle possession wise as he is a lot more technical. Admittedly I would say most of us on here are more technical than old 'elbows first ask questions later', but I digress. Playing on the counter requires pace in the 10 role, or failing that, someone who is willing to play the ball quickly. That's why I would keep Davis in the side ahead of Tadic as he seems a lot more dynamic than Tadic at the moment. Tadic just seems to take an age to pick his pass, by which time the move has lost its momentum. In games where we are in control he is the better option as he has a touch more flair; but for a gritty, home team plays like the away team game like I expect this one will be, the Northern Irishman gets the nod for his tenacity. I'm torn as to whether to play Gabbiadini or Long up front. Gabbiadini has form against United, but Long will be better feeding off scraps and putting in more of a defensive shift. Also, as someone previously mentioned, getting under Matic's skin could be key and Long is great at that side of the game. Austin as a late sub would be a good option on the bench for this one. The last spot in the side is tricky. I don't think two up top is the answer as five at the back will already leave us shy of the ball without potentially being overrun in midfield, so a second attacking midfielder would be my pick. Do we play Boufal in the hope that he comes good on the big occasion? I feel that's asking for trouble as his tendency to get frustrated and his low defensive work rate aren't going to be offset by his potential creativity as he won't get much space or time on the ball in this type of match. That really leaves us considering two potential options. We can either stick with Redmond for his burst of pace and better dribbling, or go for JWP due to the fact that his set piece delivery, though over-hyped, is the best we have. With so many tall guys like Hoedt, Van Dijk and Lemina as well as good jumpers like Romeu, Long and Yoshida, we could get some joy from dead balls. As much as he was poor against Palace, though, I'd stick with Redmond. I just feel that they have such a big side physically that the gain from JWP's corners and free kicks isn't worth his lack of mobility in open play. Hopefully Redmond will raise his game like in the semi final legs last season and against City where he was a menace playing in a defensive formation. Lineup: --------------------Forster--------------------- -----Yoshida------Van Dijk------Hoedt-------- Cedric---------------------------------Bertrand -------------Lemina-----Romeu---------------- ------Davis-----------------------Redmond---- ---------------------Long----------------------- The strengths of this formation are obviously the solidity it can provide and that we can fit more of our best players into the team what with them all being defenders or holding midfielders. The fact that we can adjust to 5-3-2 easily if we're chasing the game and they're sat deep is useful too. The weaknesses of this formation are obviously that it's narrowness means a lot of pressure is on the wing backs to have a good game going forward and defensively. Hopefully Cedric and Bertrand are up to the task because if not we will have an even tougher game on our hands playing with this set up. There's also the risk of Long being too isolated if Redmond doesn't position himself correctly or Davis has a bad game. All in all though it's one of those games where any points will be a bonus as they're on fire. For me it's more about the performance and attitude of the players. Even if we lose, so long as we give them a tough match I'll go away pleased enough.
  14. I presume in this context it means target him as the weak link in their defence and run off of his shoulder? That or rough him up a bit?
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