Holmes_and_Watson

Nearly Archer again. We put together a couple of nice passing moves leading to that, and it was a nice pick out from Mads to go directly into Cam. Makes a difference when you know the positions a player is likely to take up.

We have been forced to go forward a lot more in his absence. 🙂

Archer there, but not quite on the end of that one.

Irankunda seemingly complaining we have more players than them.

Just the 46% possession. Somewhere in Glasgow, Russell shouts "What have you done to my project?!" at the TV. Nearby, Lucy keeps her thoughts of how much better we play to herself. 🙂

I did see one stand recently. But there was a lot less contact on the 'keeper in that one. There was clear holding back of Baz there. Obviously we'd all still have liked him to have shrugged off the challenge anyway, and rose majestically to catch the ball before throwing it up the park while still in mid air for Archer to get on the end of for a goal. It's something he's just going to have to work at. 🙂

That was an okay first half. We're not really near where Still wants us to be, but some of the basics were in evidence. As posted by lots, Archer looks sharper. We're already seeing the team look to support him a lot more, both in the right kind of delivery and in numbers getting up to support. There's a little more forward shape in play today. I thought we'd miss Downes a bit more. If not for passing it back, then in harrying back and helping to cover. But Fraser has been doing decently doing that at times, and Azaz a couple of times further up. We're well worth our lead But at 1-0, we have to be sure to stay sharp, close down with intent and continue to release the forward line.

Our closing in wasn't great allowing that cross coming in that Stephens had to get a touch on. Need to be sharper there.

Baz's first touch isn't crisp. Do I worry? Nope, it's Baz. Cool as you like.

Azaz with a really solid tackle and free to get a shot away. Not much strength on the shot. But again, Manning puts over a good pass, and we have numbers up to do something with it.

Tee hee. Watford boss booked for trying to get THB booked.

Archer's pass could have helped Robinson a bit more there. Positive numbers and positioning in there though.

Ball comes out to Manning, who put in a powerful enough shot. However, had that ricochet gone another way, we'd have been light in defending. Possibly one to show your players a different option is better.

Nice tackling work from busy Fraser. Too bad the final pass didn;t find anyone, but you could see he was all about quickly releasing a forward.

Massive hoof up the park from Baz. Full range of distribution for him. Just don;t often see him get allowed to hit it that far.

In his last bit of reporting before the investigation. 🙂

Other clubs have their "way", the Southampton Way is this 🙂

Nice chat he must have had with Still.

I wish him a speedy recovery if unwell. I wish him a speedy departure, if not.

Baz a bit hesitant there. Not that any of that move was decent.

COYR!

Getting the boot from an Old Firm defeat is the safe, non scarring option. Having to sack him after a 5-0 defeat from a Highland League outfit in the cup leaves lasting scar tissue. "I was surprised by the pace and physicality of Hot Shot Hamish in the Highland League."

From a safe, experimental distance like this! 🙂

On the other hand... The name things you have improved stuff, is an obvious trap. Whatever he says, in the face of results, then becomes a separate story in itself, and debated and slammed endlessly. So, he made the common sense decision, and did not engage with it. The question was punted by a rugby writer, with a shallow knowledge of football, who is much more interested in clicks and controversy. It pains him when things are going well. Martin knows who it is asking, and you can see that in the response too. As for the rest of it, it's the same as with all his other clubs. He believes in what he's doing. It's got him multiple well paid jobs. No amount of opinion, well intentioned or not, good advice or not, is going to change that. Win or lose, he has his vision. Even the most supportive don't go beyond the next 3 games without something tangible moving that vision to reality. Not like me to bother about a win in the sectarian derby, but I'd like to see more of Martin's system readily available on TV. So, I hope they are least come out with something.