James G

I was waiting on the team, I think the saints will win. I was thinking there was going to be more changes after all the interviews this week.

The stats seem to imply the system is working, it's the players that are the issue

I think 4213 is a great idea. Is it fair to say that when Saints have been ahead, they've managed the game fairly well. I think if they can figure out a way of being less risky at the start of a match and get the first goal, that may lead to better outcomes.

I agree, Manning and kwp need to be more considered moving forward. If you actually look at the system as a whole, there are alot of flaws. Swansea played with 5 at the back, Southampton have played 433 and 442 against Gillingham. I guess the concept is, if Southampton have 80 percent of the ball, then it only gives the opposition 20 minutes of actual playing time to score, but if the opposition attack quickly, then they outnumber Southampton at the back. It's a risky way of playing

So, a 442 is difficult to triangulate, but a 4231 would work, where the two middle players move back so it's 4 vs 4, and it keeps the triangulation. Also, it would probably suit AA better in behind and you could have Che or the new guy up front

Sunderland played a 4231, so when Southampton pushed forward with Manning and kwp to expolit the space on the wings, Downes would have stepped back to cover the defence, but it leaves 4 against 3 when Sunderland push forward quickly

Some are subject to medical. You can agree a deal, then do the medical the next day

A medical usually takes 8 hours, Sky said he travelled down last night

Bree is available for loan, I believe. Arsenal enquired about kwp a few weeks back, and Tottenham yesterday, just with the agent, no follow-up. Kwp is happy at Southampton, apparently So any new player would be in place of Bree I presume

Never heard that. I presume I am unattractive to deep sea fish

I'm not going to pretend I understand stats, but apparently there were positive stats that other clubs understand, and his scouting advised he didn't play as a number 1 keeper last season, but the team did it anyway Apparently goalkeeping improves with age at a different timeline to other positions, and he is doing well, above and beyond where he should be at.

Agents post this news to hype up sales and cause mischief

I think, because of the injury, he carries a risk of more injuries, because of the type of player he is. I think it was a sensible decision

Akpom picked up a knee injury pre season

It's fine though, it's your job to huff and puff and blow houses down

Yes, Fulham would be a better fit, harking back to what I said before. But he might stay too. You all say it all the time, he's a good player but he has his flaws.

Yeah, it's all odd, but JWP plays well because Southampton get fouled alot, but from Southampton's perspective they should aim to not get fouled as it breaks up play. From JWPs perspective, one of his big plusses is his free kicks so a team on the most fouled list is not a bad option

Statistically, Southampton are high up in the fouls received list, so JWP gets more chances to have a go at goal from free kicks. Spurs, Liverpool and West Ham are not good teams for his strengths and stats. He is, also, overvalued at 50m.

Yeah, it's really interesting. It wasn't a haggle, it's about club status and it's about when do we officially become a Championship club. It's an odd one lol

I think he will, but it's not a thing, yet. Seems like a decent chap and seems to love the club

He might stay. Nothing doing at this point.

Individually, the players are good. Look at the Leicester team, they're all Premier League players. I think everything above player level has been the problem, it's the process of change that has led to this season. But this season has come about because of recent seasons. I think, maybe, keeping former senior players would have kept us up, but still low down. You sometimes have to reboot, and we will be best placed to return next year. All the other teams are in more of a mess

It's under contract laws, still requires compensation

It's not true

I think it must be this. The betting after the math. Of the original 3, one was disregarded, the other 2 said no, so this must be our guy. It's one of those stats manager guys, a real risk. Southampton haven't quite nailed the stats thing yet, and the squad is made up from two other playing styles. But, there is money, plus we have multiple proven existing players from the Championship. I do think it needs a more experienced manager