bugenhagen

Remember how that worked out for us last time 😉

You mean when he fell over on his own in their pen, and broke down our attack 😉

On a positive note, he is not passing backwards...

He does now

I think this is a pretty fair assesment. I actually don't mind posession based styles, but the way we do it is very risk vs reward. If the risk was worth it last year, it is nowhere near that now. What are we creating/gaining by playing high risk passes in the prem? Next to nothing. We are too slow, and not good enough on (and off) the ball to create chances this way. It only kinda works in a defensive way when successful this season, as it keeps the other team off the ball... so pretty pointless, really. I also thought Martin would be more pragmatic and less rigid. I did however fear the worst when he was asked in pre-season how it would be to come up against better players and managers/tactics in the prem, and he agreed that it would be better players, but did not think it would be better managers and tactics than in the Championship. No wonder he is struggeling to figure this out.

Still presser bs in my opinion... "the next game is allways the most important" Sorry, not looking for an argument, guess I just can't take anyhing said in these serious when the real problem is what happens in training and on matchdays...

This is just the normal presser bullshit. "The team we feel is most ready to win" is like saying there will be changes. There are so many other things he does wrong, this is not one of them, in my opinion.

Interesting. I watched the Norweigian one, and they were kinda positive about what we're trying to do, but less impressed with how we did it. On a few occations where we did play through City from the back, they noted that the midfielders played the ball straight back to the defenders, and we had to do it all over again, and also risk it all again. Another thing that is not a direct quote went something like "Surprised that Saints are that stubborn about playing at the back, and not adjusting to the game, even though it's what Martin wants" and "Southampton in a nutshell" when we gave away the ball in dangerous situations. Even if Martin is adapting a little, he would never admit to it, but I agree that in the next games we have to do more of our passing higher up (and hopefully be a bit more direct).

Nah, we are going to dominate the ball, it's their midfield that looks a bit lightweight 😉

Agree, he does seem to end up seeking the freekick a bit much, and not really being fouled. But he will learn, and improve.

wow... didn't see that coming...

Lets get this thread back on track. Anybody heard anything? Two weeks?

When I saw the interview with him, it felt like that was either done, or close, to me.

Guess I just had a bit of empaty with a player getting injured, don't care about his wages and didn't ask anyone to feel sorry for him. Only supporters think like this...

I'm probably coming down on the "cheap-ish" side of this debate, but after his last injury I really feel for the lad. I have made my share of jokes about his injuries in the last year, but right now I just feel really bad for him. And I didn't even have any hopes about him coming back or proving himself on this level, I had pretty much written him off before the last one...

This has nothing to do with our gameplan, Arsenal have just allowed us to play a little - and in turn we will gift them turnovers.

That's what we should have done, tbf. We started to play and gifted them the goal. Who knew?

Yeah - if I had a little glimmer of hope left...

For me, this the telltale sign that things are going wrong. Use fewer players and get better results. I thought we loved stats...

Good post! There is always a new trend in football, and soon after a newer one trying to conquer the former. There are times when passing can be good to keep the ball, control the pace of the game or even draw out the other team. A more direct forward play, high-press or even route one can be beneficial at other times. I understand that every manager will have a philosophy, but for gods sake: You are not betraying your principles by adapting as the game changes. Koeman probably did this best in my opinion. Whatever style we end up with next I will probably allways favor the more fluid approach over the rigid.

The most Saintsy way for this to unfold would be for Rasmus and Kraft to convince (or con for short) another money-man or consortium (we do love those) to buy out Dragan...😄

When Dibling played him through against Ipswich. Probably some speed over distance there.

No, no, no, no