Graffito

Jesus says GR hasn't been fit enough for the first team, or words to that effect. I've no doubt they know excatly what his fitness levels are and lack of fitness could well be why he blows hot and cold. Bit odd though considering he's been with Saints for quite a while now.

We struggle against sides that come to defend. We struggled on Sunday against a side that defended well. A player creates three or four good chances in a game of relatively few chances, in particular the one for Osvaldo which Rodriques crafted and which should have been buried, yet apparently he was rubbish. "Furthermore, Jay Rodriguez will be frustrated that none of his chances created were converted. Against West Ham, he created an impressive four chances, three of which were created inside the Hammers box. If Southampton had their shooting boots on, Rodriguez would have had at least one assist for the Saints. It’s key to note that the former Burnley man also created more chances than the whole West Ham team (3 chances created)."

An unqualified success so far. As someone says above, it will be interesting to see how he goes against the better strikers.

"My life is always about studying the opposition and asking the team to maybe play the same system, but in a different way to nullify the opposition's strengths and expose their weaknesses." Allardyce before yesterday's match.

Nope. Would have been a justifiable penalty.

Shame he didn't play a simple pass to Lambert who was unmarked.

My favourite too but MLT himself does not consider it his best because he says he scuffed the shot. His favourite was the one away to Blackburn I believe. The thirty yarder against Tim Flowers.

Look at the long ball stats. http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/southampton-v-west-ham-preview-team-strengths-tactics-and-stats-8811579.html

If the doubters want evidence of a perceived lack of strength in depth they should look first at England's defence, Cole excepted. I think England is actually relatively strong in attack to which Lambert has added strength in depth.

What do the coaches at Stoke make of Peter Crouch?

I thought Lambert shaded it but Gerrard was a reasonable choice as motm. Contrary to some of the comments on this site after we beat Liverpool last season Gerrard remains a top quality player. Easy game tonight but he didn't put a foot wrong.

From positions rather than in positions. Why can't they or indeed the front four interchange?

Yes they can play together. V Sunderland second half our front four were very fluid. Norwich was a substandard performance all round inhibited by full backs not getting forward. Give Lambert and Osvaldo a chance. They've only just been introduced. And Lambert dropping deep is not a waste as we have seen so many times for Saints and again tonight for England.

Sadly he won't displace a fit and in form Rooney though there's a place for him as a target man though, as we know, that's not making the most of him.

Don't you mean the stupid ****s?

Waterloo to Marylebone on the Bakerloo. Marylebone to Wembley Stadium (1 stop, 10 minutes) on the train. Avoids all the congestion and delay at Wembley tube stations, especially after the match. Wembley stadium Railway station closer to teh stadium too.

Correction: One assist in three games is promising.

He should have forced him onto his left foot and wide. Allowing him to come onto his right foot was the error. Two assists in three matches is very good.

It definitely was reported on here. The story appeared first on the website of a regional Spanish tv station but it didn't seem credible.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/fulham-transfer-news-fulham-eyeing-2240075?

Totally agree about Lambert but I think the problem last week was both conversion and creation.

Put in a couple of good crosses. He may have been there partly to protect Chambers. More effective when he moved to a central role second half.

This includes a tactical analysis of the Sunderland match. http://www.eplindex.com/37849/marcelo-bielsas-tactical-influence-mauricio-pochettino-tactics.html?

First two games of the season we haven't played the pressing game of last season, possibly due to having played two sides that sit back, a tactic we struggled with last season. Our build up play has been slower and more deliberate (should move the ball quicker imo). The fullbacks didn't get forward because Sunderland packed midfield and doubled up on Shaw and I suspect Chambers may have been asked to play cautiously since he's inexperienced. It did improve on the left when Clyne came on.

Financially it's better to win the fixture and we stand a better chance of doing that with decent support. Stoke City understand this. Your point about the club wanting fans to spend their money on home games would be valid but for the fact that the away allocations are going to season ticket holders. If we really have taken a reduced allocation it would appear to be a misjudgment.