Saint Fan CaM

No - his distribution and command of the area (uncharacteristically) has been poor.

What the fook is Boruc doing? Stood there like a freaking statue. Terrible.

So what you're saying is that Clattenburg reffing this game, is the fault of one or more posters on here, and/or the club for reporting him after the last game? Blimey, without you, we wouldn't have a clue what was going on.

An island of sense in a sea of madness.

Think you're being more than a little economical with the truth there - Luke has not suggested the manager threw the game or picked a side that could not win - in fact he has stated exactly my point that the game was lost by the players. And exactly what nonsense were you spouting? Come on - be truthful with yourself.

Are you suggesting you are ITK that Shaw wants to slag off the manager but is afraid to do so? Nah, didn't think so.

The point is the system should not collapse - that is the much lauded 'Southampton way'. The fact is that Guly and Jos did nothing wrong...Cork and MS were on the bench...and it was Lallana and primarily Lambert that squandered their chances. Mopo can't say to his squad "listen lads, I only have faith in this 11 players, so don't expect a game...ever"! He has a squad of players that he has to MANAGE - real people, not software algorithms. He does this by coaching a system to all. I repeat, fact is it was the so-called better players that allowed their performances to dip thereby losing us that game.

Says the person with 23,134 posts to his/her name! LOL Think this role is probably needed, however I wonder what the objectives would be, other than resolving minor matters like lost tickets etc.?

Puts himself before his professional integrity. Very poor and I will not be expecting any modification to his treatment of Saints. He is biased and not able to change.

I don't see any value in the OP unless you have a personal agenda with the club and it's owners. I don't - the last five years has been the best time being a Saints fan IMO since 1976 and that's my honest opinion. The only time I will kick up a stink is if the price of my ST seat (one of the most expensive in the ground outside of corporate) is raised higher than is expected for an average seat price in a mid-table club in the Prem - then I will feel ripped-off. Otherwise, I love the football we're playing...think most of the players are identifiable and committed to the club...we've continued with a great Academy that is the envy of UK if not World football...I get to watch away games on TV/streamed...I still enjoy the whole match experience with my friends. What the hell is there to complain about?

This ^ (or is that these?). I hope we batter them, but they are a bogey team, we're away from home and we don't like teams that play like they do. We have ****-tenburg. Too early for Lovren too? Meh... 2-1 defeat.

No conspiracy theories to get your teeth into there. And even the players seem to be of the opinion that the fault lay with them - not team selection. I think you've conspired against yourself there Mr Genius.

Trouble is that there are too many on here that appear not to understand what is going on with the team. As a unit the team plays attractive, cohesive and for the better part winning football. This relies on every player operating at a very high level personally and there are some players on the team that are operating near the peak of their ability. And when said players drop performance levels individually there is a risk the whole deck of cards falls over. Or when it comes to the likes of Lambert - if he fails - it's usually in front of goal with either the penultimate or the last kick of a move and so we don't score. The above scenario describes the Sunderland game - we don't have a squad overflowing with individually highly skilled players...we have some good players able to play within a system that makes the team collectively great. If enough of the players have a bad day, the system breaks down. Now then, is it Mopo's fault that he chooses to have faith in the system he tells the SQUAD to aspire to regardless of who is available for selection? Is it his fault some key players did not play to their full ability? IMO the answer to those questions is no. Nobody threw the game. The squad is there to be used and the biggest mistake came from a player first on the team sheet. Next.

Given that Sunderland fielded a team of 9 changes and Saints just 2-3, who do you think showed the most respect?

Because we have an extremely thin squad with our best CB out injured still?

I've been involved with and watched football for near on 45 years and in all that time most pro level teams rotate the squad for cup games to some extent. It should be expected and particularly by the brave souls who travel away. Having Boruc in goal would have made little little difference...I doubt he would have had better game to be fair...Davis made a couple of great saves. No, if blame is levelled anywhere it should be on our midfield and front-line players for such a poor showing. Particularly Lambert who should be crucified for missing an open goal from 4 yards out.

Your posts over one lost game of football are all the insight I probably need. Be disappointed sure...just think big picture a bit more perhaps?,

What if finishing as high as possible in the league provided Mopo with extra funds to strengthen the squad for the following season and beyond? Would that be OK? Anyway, as some of the enlightened on here have pointed out, the team put out was near full strength. Our talisman Lambert missed an absolute sitter from 4 yards out. The team performance was flat and poor...is that the fault of the manager? Sure, be disappointed, but place the blame fair and square with the pro players on the pitch. Unless yiu have an agenda of course.

Well done with a really good balanced post. So, the fact is we played an almost full strength team that lost by one goal and put in a very poor shift. And yet some on here are "fuming" and its all the Managers fault?!

How confusing. In your OP you suggest Mopo threw the game for personal gain, but then say he wanted to win and put out a team capable of winning. Twisted logic at best....simple fact is that the players on the pitch including the likes of SRL, JRod and Lallana had a really poor game and we lost the game to a worldly.

You really need to get some perspective in your Iife mate.

Absolutely this...top answer.

LOL. Boo frickin hoo. LOL. We lost a game of football. The FA Cup is not what it used to be...primary focus for a team in our position right now is Prem consolidation. LOL

Sure, the players were pants today. But Mopo is "hero to zero"?!?!? Come on.... grow up....spoilt brats springs to mind.

What a bunch of numpties on here, headed up by the biggest of the lot Glasgow. We're sat 8th in PL playing great football. So we've lost agame of football...yeah the players let themselves and the fans down. It happens. Get over yourself. Jeez.