Holmes_and_Watson

KWP, AA and Will linking up. There's not been much of that at all today, which is a shame considering how well it works. Ball is passed across. Stu's shot didn;t bother anyone. Perhaps one thave aanother go at if Rothwell comes on. Stu's been good at that range before though.

67% Possession in a half we dominated again. There were times where the game stretched. Saints looked fairly comfortable dealing with it, as did their defence. We’ve not created as many chances as we’d like. Following good work from KWP and Supe we got an excellent AA finish. But we didn’t look as though we were moving quickly enough in the final third to get a second. We lacked the passing fluidity we’ve seen previously, and were a little more direct. That’s partly as we’re trying to use Sule as an outlet on one flank. He was involved, with varying outcomes. With that short passing game, not something that Sule’s best at, we’ve looked a little disjointed on occasion. But no reason why we shouldn’t have a bit more to offer in that last third. As we looked to create something, they managed to hit the post. We’d lost possession a couple of times. ‘Borro closed down a few of the angels we automatically pass to. That put some pressure on the next defensive line. When we lost a couple there, they got a bit more room to create. I think we were even more cautious after that. Looking to not get caught out. It’s that link from our midfield to our attackers where we need to improve today. We’ve got a ridiculously strong bench. Another 20 minutes of Sule tiring out their back line and we can bring Fraser/ Brooks on.

Since that switch in flanks, we've been giving away a few passes. Our link up not quite where we'd like it. Sule sets himself up.. and blasts it over. Maybe a more instictive, early strike would have helped him there.

"If we conceded three goals on the day, there's a good chance I probably was playing." - Franny. Always good to hear him.

Awwww. I thought Sule did really well there.

Nice ball out to Stu. But no real movement. Couldn;t see where Sule was that time. But that's the point where we need to move it quickly into a chance. Che and Sule are around for that.

Ah. Sule got the ball stuck under his feet. Good run from him. Sule is playing/ being asked to play a very different role to AA. Sule isn;t racing back to tackle. He's not as good in a passing build up. But he has been mobile. He has taken up those poistions to turn on the pace. And he's looking to pin 'Boro back.

'Boro had been closing off a couple of our automatic passes further up. Combined with a couple of interceptions, that was a chance for them. Need some of that possession resulting in something more direct in their box, to give us some chances.

Ooft. Post.

Nope. Even on the replay.

Well in control. Not creating as many efforts as they'd like. But corner now...

Good from Che there. Did well to get a ball into the box. No takers though.

He's good dart-ing forward? 🙂

AA has another go. Corner to us. I was watching Sule. When Stu couldn;t get the ball back, he chose not to chase back and get involved. The ball did get cleared and he was in a great position to pick it up and get forward. Decision making and managing the risks there, confident in our defence to do their work.

Really good work from Sule there. Earlier, KWP did well to get the move going.

AA!!!!!

KWP lost the ball, but raced back and fought to get it back. Their player just fell over. Hopefully that sort of determination will make the difference today.

We started with a couple of minutes of energy. They've had a fair bit of possession in our half in the last five. But both defences not overly worried as yet.

COYR!

It was preseason, and I wasn't paying attention too closely. But the comments I first heard from the club indicated that not going up this season wouldn;t be a disaster. It was a little later before I was hearing that going up this season was the aim. Now, they're not mutually exclusive. The goals can be to go up this seasojn, while appreciating that it could be a bit of a rebuild and that finacnes were in place should it take longer. With SR being a project club trying to do things differently, they have invested in a philosophy that they think will build longer term success. That's a lot harder to tear up than just getting in the next availale manager with a decent track record. If we don;t go up, and next season follows a similar pattern, then I can't see Martin departing. There's lots of angles to this that are all valid. Could a different style got more out of the players? Perhaps Has Martin developed players? Yes he has. Would ANother style found it even harder with SR's dismal record of getting fit strikers in the door? Maybe Has Martin done a good job in reversing the mentality of the club? Yes A while back a peek indicated that Championship managers last on average just over 2 years in the job. That's always in the background.

Christophe never finds out that the 1885 group have built a lovely cardboard version of Southampton, like Blazing Saddles.

Dancer

Russell Martin felt the manner of his firing could have been handled better by the club.

I knew it! Races off to tell... hang on, this isn't the MLT thread... Every penny helps that PSR. Thanks Moonpig.com! (can't type it without singing it)