Saint Fan CaM

Err, no I don't actually. Now if you ask me if I would have liked us to lift the cup, the answer would be different perhaps. But that's the difference between being focused on the now and not the long-term future objectives. It's quite simple - we need to retain our place in the Prem to achieve great things in the future based on an infrastructure that will stand up to a time when investment from a rich owner will be less important. At this point in time this is the prime goal. Beyond that, I am not of the same opinion that many on here hold that the game was thrown or the loss was due to poor selection. Fact is, the players on the pitch including many 1st team heads, put in a very poor shift. Simple as that.

He didn't quit - he was manipulated out.

Thank God...a voice of reason in a sea of utter drivel. May I say, that's one of the best posts I've seen on here in months. Fact is NC was looking ahead - way ahead - to a time when the fair play rules are introduced...when our academy products will be the saviour of the club and the toast of the Prem. Crying about a cup run at this point in the evolution of the club is extremely short-sighted at best, but probably bordering on the pathetic.

I'm not sure I agree with the "Wanyama must be in the side for us to win" brigade. His game is arguably best suited to being a destroyer breaking up opposition (has not really shown that as well since returning from injury TBF), whereas Cork is more able to hold the ball and pass well, so you would think Cork is more suited to our style of play given that Morgan is a good disruptor too. Perhaps it would be better to put Cork with Wanyama?

If I even vaguely understood what you meant, I would probably agree! lol

I agree with most of that, but not the score. I think they will have too much for us... 1-3.

Well the impact this guy has will depend on what his brief is. It seems his past experience tends to suggest he likes giving motivational speeches - if he intends doing this with the squad there is a real danger that mixed messages MAY be the result and the players performances will drop rather than improve. My feeling is that the current squad is close to being as good as it can be, so will this guy bring anything new? Very unsure at the moment, but time will tell and who knows, this may assist in taking us to the much lauded 'next level'.

We are desperately slow in attack - just pedestrian and so damned predictable. Little point having 70% of the ball if 11 of their players are in front of you and are good at defending, which Wet Sham are (particularly with their hands I should add). Lambert is finished...the signs were there last season...and not replacing Osvaldo is looking to be a terrible decision. Gallagher is not looking like he's a Prem material striker - not a game changer either. Boruc was static and his distribution has not improved. Thought Lallana, Gaston and Cork looked threatening and up for it. The general shooting quality though is poor. We're safe, but on today's showing, we're nowhere near a Europa league slot this season and it's daft to think so.

No point in having 70% possession if you (a) don't defend like idiots and (b) score more than the other team. Wet Sham wanted it more. We were pedestrian in attack until we were 3-1 down. Pathetic.

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.