saintant

It would come as no surprise to me if KWP is one of the players dropped for this game. I have a feeling RM night go for Charlie Taylor at left back. He'll also likely drop Smallbone and probably the front two. RM will have watched tapes of Liverpool operating a 4-2-3-1 system as they comprehensively took Man Utd apart. Unfortunately, despite the fact that the top dozen teams apart from Arsenal utilise this system as did England under Carsley, he will stick to his 5-1-2-2. He'll play two wing backs who don't actually play as wing backs because they will get sucked into the pointless tippy-tappy keep ball and, if they do venture forward, they'll have little or no support. Something needs to change to get the best out of what is a reasonable squad of players. Maybe Russ will surprise me tomorrow though I wouldn't bet on it.

If he's fully fit I don't doubt he'll get game time and probably his first taste will be during the week against Everton. We don't have a glut of strikers banging in goals so they'll all get their chances and the ones who show they carry a threat will get the most starts. I think the starting team will begin to evolve very quickly over the next few games. Hopefully we'll develop into a decent side and get some wins under our belt. It's a steep learning curve and we need to show rapid progress.

Yes, you have to say they have a valid point and the fact that he is nowhere near our first team squad shows we don't value him highly.

Is he admitting he does not pick the strongest team available but instead shoe-horns in those he is loyal to? If so hopefully he's learning from his mistakes.

Time to let Tyler loose and let's see what he can do. He seems confident in his own ability so perhaps it's time RM showed the same confidence. He's made things happen every time he's been given minutes on the pitch unlike many of his team mates. Give him an opportunity.

Maybe time for RM to give him some starts then so that we can at least enjoy what he can do on the ball for a short time.

4231 gives you the double pivot which can both protect the back four and support the three ahead of them. More flexible when played correctly.

No, we're not Liverpool - doesn't mean we can't play the same way they do. Accept we won't be as good but we can play as they do which is 4 at the back with width in a 4-2-3-1 formation. It's what we should try in my opinion but RM won't see it that way.

Watch Liverpool.

He didn't play against China which I thought was the first game?

For me THB has always looked a better player when we use a back four - he seems not to be comfortable as one of three centre backs and unsure of his role. Play a back four and I believe we'll get more out of THB and the team. JS has been a good and loyal servant but we cannot keep picking him because he is not quick enough in both speed of thought and action and his awareness of where danger lurks has always been an issue.

I was half joking and I sincerely hope the last week has been well spent on the training ground and tactician board because there's much to learn.

I don't deny he makes the odd tweaks but fundamentally he changes very little from game to game. A master tactician he aint. He could try learning from those better at it than he is and will if he has any sense.

It's well worth watching the video on AnfieldIndex.com entitled Tactical Masterclass; How Liverpool Overpowered Manchester United. It demonstrates the way Liverpool set traps for Man Utd and the fine detail that Arne Slot went into to produce such an emphatic victory. It makes RM's one-trick pony approach to every game where he says this is how we play and we're not changing look very lightweight. It's this attitude that will eventually see the owners lose patience with him. Clearly someone like Arne Slot is light years ahead of him and it must be a real buzz to have a coach in charge who delves so deeply into each and every game. I get that Liverpool have far better players than we do but it also reinforces the benefit of having a progressive manager who understands the game so well.

I've heard he's on holiday for a fortnight.

Russ and the players have probably had the week off.

Looks a talent and is 6' tall which is a plus. Doubt we'd get him even if interest is genuine as he seems to be being touted to nearly every club in the Premier League.

Play a double pivot and then Dibling could be one of the three in front of them.

Ramsdale Sugawara THB Bednarek Taylor Big Les Downes KWP Fernandes Cornet Archer Decent minutes off the bench for Dibling and Lallana.

I don't think there is a specific thread for 4-2-3-1 but quite a few including me have been suggesting it's the way to go. If you look at the most successful teams in the Premier League the only side who don't is Arsenal. Liverpool didn't under Klopp but they do now. Why would a team not adopt the same formation as the best which includes Man City, Man Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea, Villa, Spurs, Bournemouth, Fulham, Brighton and West Ham? Do we think our way is better? Makes no sense to me.

Was it tip tap possession football playing out from the back? If not Russ won't be interested.

You're probably right in that Dibling is perhaps not quite ready to start games but let's see him given as many minutes as possible. Just watched Sugawara's goal against Brentford again and the pass Dibling plays to Lallana is absolutely sublime. It's on the Southampton FC Official site with views from numerous different angles. Lallana's movement is also impressive as, of course, is Sugawara's finish. More minutes for Dibling and Lallana please.

Well we may have only scored one goal but it is in the running for August goal of the month. So definitely quality over quantity for us. Could be a dangerous way to go!

What are the Onuachu stories?

I completely agree that the team spirit and bond between players and manager is a big plus at this current time. However, this was built last season when we won far more games than we lost. Nothing builds team spirit/bond more than winning. Conversely, if we continue on the current losing trajectory that is when team spirit/bond will be stress tested and we may see a less happy camp as a result. Another important reason why RM needs to get some wins under his belt asap.