Saint Fan CaM

Enjoyable read and shockingly accurate in the description of how sh1t we are now.

I like Austin and his attitude, but to be frank he's been part of the problem. Les relied too heavily on either sub-standard or crocked forwards, plus of course the tactics employed by two carp managers have led us to this point.

Look at our form. Look at how many goals we've scored. If there is anyone who honestly can say hand on heart that they think we'll beat Arsenal? It will take a miracle - 3-0 or possibly 4-0 to Arse.

When you see that list like that it really is quite shocking. You could add the debacles around Alderweild and Osveldo. You could add the purchase of lesser quality players in Redmond and Carrillo. You could add the sale of two keepers (above) to give way to a sub-standard keeper who now can't get a game. You could add the lack of addressing defensive frailties. You could add the complete lack of ambition which led to Koeman leaving and two (potentially three) sub-standard managerial changes. The list goes on and on...

Players look unfit, un-organised and resigned to failure. The Hughes effect has been the square root of naff all. We’re down but then I think we knew that 5 months ago.

Why do I feel less confident today than in the days leading up to today?! We’ve got the team to do this, but we’ve fallen short so many times this season when more was needed. Definitely a game that needs us to score first I would say and then go for the jugular. Fingers crossed.

This one does seem to be entirely pivotal to our season...losing or even drawing would feel like a disaster and let’s face it, it would be. Not only because of the loss of points, but it would signify that Hughes has had little effect on the squad and that would likely be game over. Almost impossible to predict, but I would hazard a guess at 1-1...not what we need.

Mane, Alderweirld, Pelle.

I’ve made it clear since day one of the season that I thought we needed far better quality than Austin, Long and Redmond to push on. What has become apparent to me though is that Austin probably has the attributes...just not a reliable body now, and he is more articulate than I thought and I feel he’s a positive influence in the squad. Looking forward to seeing him bag more goals for us.

Some of the comments dissing Cedric are outrageous! Who do you think we are FFS? Cedric has some great attributes and Saints are pretty lucky to have an international of his calibre. The skill needed to control the ball and score last week was sublime. In fact I might like to see him in a more advanced role...probably better than Redmond.

Playing the odds, you would say we have a chance of gaining enough points to stay up but there’s very little chance we will get past Chelsea let alone Utd or Spuds, so the choice as put would be cup. BUT! So much of the clubs infrastructure relies on its Prem status...local suppliers...workers jobs etc. Being sensible with no fairy tales involved, it’s gotta be the league.

It’s great to win and by more than one game. I hope that Hughes learns much from this game and the players take courage, fight and confidence from it. I want Guido to do well, really do...but I’m not seeing enough from him and I think this is largely down to his movement and positioning which is quite poor. Whether that’s due to others not finding him at the right time is arguable - I don’t think so...he just isn’t in the right place at the right time...ever. I thought Cedrics goal was World class - in the move he looked Henry-like than Redmond...way way better, although admittedly Redmond created the opportunity. Gabbi made the pen too easy to call...left footed player will generally most times hit to left of the keepers down guess what the keeper pulled what looks like Worldy!

It’s great to win and by more than one game. I hope that Hughes learns much from this game and the players take courage, fight and confidence from it. I want Guido to do well, really do...but I’m not seeing enough from him and I think this is largely down to his movement and positioning which is quite poor. Whether that’s due to others not finding him at the right time is arguable - I don’t think so...he just isn’t in the right place at the right time...ever. I thought Cedrics goal was World class - in the move he looked Henry-like than Redmond...way way better, although admittedly Redmond created the opportunity. Gabbi made the pen too easy to call...left footed player will generally most times hit to left of the keepers down guess what the keeper pulled what looks like Worldy!

I am hopeful that he can find a way to maximise the potential of the squad, drill the players in how to be creative in attack and get us scoring again. That is as much as we can expect at this stage of the season. Of course he’ll get my support...why wouldn’t he?! However, I am not confident he will have enough time to change our fortunes for the better, especially given some of the teams we have to play. Slightly more positive, but the proof of the pudding will be seeing what style of football we play on Sunday. Good luck Mr Hughes, but let’s hope luck doesn’t need to play a part.

He tried and failed. Just was not good enough to work with the “the Southampton (Les) Way”. Goodbye, you are the weakest link.

The reason Carrillo was brought in was because MP complained the players were not able to follow his instructions...i.e. didn’t understand how he wanted them to play. It didn’t work...Carrillo was as isolated and bereft of ideas and results as the others until he had a strike partner in Gabbi, but of course that’s not what MP wanted so he persisted with Carrillo on his own. I am fairly certain that we will not be determine the true worth of Carrillo until the new manager has assessed him and decided whether he has the attributes to lead the attack. This will depend largely on the tactics employed, but having watched him closely his off the ball movement is for the most part poor, arriving too early or too late in attempting to score. If I had to put money on it, I would imagine we’ll not be seeing much of him...Hughes will prefer Gabbi and Long.

It’s a complex one this. Glad to see the back of MP, but purely because of the style of football played and the lack of any form of attacking guile. Whoever comes in needs to reverse this to get results and so if that’s Hughes then he’s the right choice, whether we manage to stay up or not...at least we gave it the best shot. I’ve never been particularly concerned about the details of past managerial appointments - if in general he has managed at a high level especially in the EPL then it’s more about his fit with the various aspects of THIS club now that matters the most. It could be that Hughes is a perfect fit for Saints - we’ll know in 3 or 4 games time I suspect because we play differently, the key strikers start scoring and we start winning games. The one doubt I have is not directly with Hughes...it’s that he’s taken the position because it’s a no lose scenario and he couldn’t give a monkeys that Les is calling the shots. If the style of play doesn’t change as a result of the appointment of any new manager, then we’re still fooked and it will tell you all you need to know about how this club is being run under dear old Les.

Bets on for the Les & Kelv dream team - what could possibly go wrong? By special demand of Mr Goa.

In the spirit of be careful what you wish for, Reed has now got a track history in screwing up big appointments, so let’s wait before getting too ecstatic. If the conspiracists among us are close to right, we’ll be managed by Jaidi and Kelvin to see out the season as cheap option. Just don’t have any confidence in Les and Co whatsoever to make a decision that will favour the quality of 1st team football now. That said - nothing would have got better by keeping the clown in place, so it was the only and best option. i now wait with baited breath for 10 goals each from Redmond, JWP, Boufal, Long, Gabbi and Guido.

Reed must be suffering from some form of old age decease - dementia or similar. He has completely lost the plot and spunked away everything Markus and Cortese put in place for the club.

Well that's it wrapped up and finished. Nobody should be surprised - we have looked like relegation candidates from 3-4 games into the season - nothing changed. If this Manager is not sacked after this shambles then I've had enough - the club has taken enough of my money over the years...I'll follow the team...always will, but they'll not rob me of another £700+ to watch this rubbish. It's a damned insult.

JWP - what is the point? Watch him - he always passes backwards, positions himself defensively so that the only option he has is to pass backwards. Other than his dead-ball delivery he is a not an offensive player - might as well play him next to Lemina. Carrillo left up front on his own - it is just not working, it never has and it never will. Redmond has been completely ineffective. We are going to lose this - there's nothing positive to our play whatsoever - no decent attacking ideas. Never felt so negative about a Saints team than now - never and that's saying something.

You don’t win games if you don’t score goals. We don’t, or at least nowhere near enough hence all the draws. I still have us going down on form unless something dramatic changes in our fortunes in the final third...unlikely with this manager.

LOL at anyone who thinks we’re going to win the FA Cup...not a chance. Not surprised in the slightest that MP is still here...there’s no way Reed could justify spurning another £x millions on comp for MP and I would wager that if we stay up, he’ll be given another season.

It will be a draw at best, but more likely a 2-0 loss. And the clown will still be in place.