Saint Fan CaM

Based on what? The stunning results? The lovely warm hugs? His perfectly manicured beard? I’m not getting it, unless you’re on a wind-up of course.

Understand the sentiment, but I think that’s harsh on the lad for that particular passage of play. As the ball came across it was partially unsighted with another two players and he saw it late which caused him to be airborne when the ball struck his chest and the natural movement of his arm in flight made it look like he’d moved it towards the ball. Otherwise it might have been judged differently - I.e. ball to chest then arm which has been ‘allowed’ previously. That’s unlucky and let’s face it, playing Pool at 2-2 there’s only one way VAR was going to see it. It’s also just one instance in hundreds of defensive cock-ups by every single defender/midfielder on the books while trying to make sense of Russball.

I’m sure I’m among many in anpproaching each next game with the hope that we might win or at least draw and so claim some pride and respect from the match. But even that has been stripped away - there’s no hope and it’s nailed on that Russball will provide us with a loss. I can’t imagine how the players must feel…they’re professionals and so must see more than most that whatever they’re being instructed to do is failing week after week after week. They must be confused and demoralised - it’s all their fault, despite what their esteemed boss says in the media. It must be, because nothing changes for them. How do they go into a game now actually believing they’ll win? They’re not that immune are they? My late Dads family came from Brighton - I was born there, but my parents moved us to Southampton when I was 4 for better prospects. Since the time I knew what the local pro football team was about, Saints were my ‘home’ team (untypically following my Dads choice). Naturally I like to see Brighton do well - obviously not this Friday, but Russ will do his best to ensure we hand it on a silver platter to them, selecting round pegs in square holes etc. Head : 2-0 Brighton. Heart : 2-2

With McCarthy brain fart goal, I immediately thought Macca thought Salah was going to be called offside and so pulled out of a challenge. Not sure if anyone spotted the Lino, but if he gave even the slightest hint he was raising his flag that would have influenced AM.

A wild guess or ITK? I really don’t think Rasmus has anything to worry himself about - yet. Nor has Russ…dire finances are almost certainly keeping him here. He’ll take us down and be given the task of re-building for the promotion push - he’ll not get a better job offer.

Back to the football - interesting to see TP putting to rest the myth that he’s only good for having the ball put on his head from a cross. The guy can play some…in fact I’d say he’s stronger with the ball at his feet than in the air. Oh, and he’s brave, so hopefully he qualifies for another start even though he’s too big for Russ cuddles.

Yep. The moment a decent sized wedge of money comes in SR will cash in.

I keep on trying to emphasise that it’s NOT the playing out from the back exactly - it’s the next phase where instead of moving the ball forward there is an insistence to hold the ball and pass it backwards or sideways with no outlet and oppo players pressing hard high into our half. If Russ and his coaches had any sense they’d figure out a way of adapting the system to get players running in behind to stretch the defence. But it rarely happens. It can’t be that hard to instruct the players how NOT to take too many risks - red flags perhaps…e.g. don’t fanny around at the back if there are more than 4 oppo players in our half (or similar). Only today did we see what a great passage of play can look like when the ball is moved forward at pace to players that can run and fight (Dibling, TP, Fernandes and Arma). That’s what these players are capable of - Russ is not helping them in the slightest with his dogmatic approach.

One of the worst decisions was putting Downes in at central CB. Had he been sat in front of defence providing more of an outlet I’d get that, but playing him so deep made no sense…muddled the defensive line to an extent and limited our effectiveness in midfield. Instinctively he’s not a CB - that’s why he did such a poor job clearing the ball for their goal. Square pegs - round holes…again. TP going off instantly made us look weaker. Such a shame and I suspect he’ll be keeping Lallana company in the treatment room for two months. McCarthy is not worse than our other backup keepers and to be fair he made some good saves. When you lose your best keeper to injury, you’re going to suffer a lesser, rusty player. Personally though I don’t think that’s why we got nothing from that game. The moment we went ahead 2-1 you could feel Martins presence bearing down on the team - they went back into themselves and started trying to be clever at the back. I mean what’s the point of drawing Pool players onto our defence if we’re not going to play the ball in behind? It’s so insane trying to make it work when it’s not worked previously it beggars belief. Of course Russ will come out with the usual ‘brave’ and ‘proud of the lads’ type comments and seem comfortable with another week of 0 points as he’s learnt so much.

Capt’n Jack getting in the way of THB - a player that can actually head a ball into goal.

This game has provided clear evidence at both ends of the pitch that Russball is completely wrong for Saints. It’s so blatantly obvious.

That’s that then. Goodbye points again.

Russ has told them emphatically to ensure there’s no more of that fucking attacking shit…everything is about the defence keeping the ball in our half. Muppetry.

Then McCarthy pulls off a Wordly save. Defo Marmite!

McCarthy brain fart

Fuck yes! See Russ - fast paced attack works!

Great stuff Russ - take off our best striker and put on…a defensive midfielder. Fuck me.

TP has been done by Gakpo - subbed.

Tall Paul is having a fucking awesome game!

And all because Tyler ignored Russball. PS : where was the card for the Pool player that fouled Dibling?

VAR done the right thing for once.

Lallana’s fucked. Who’s gonna draw the unlucky straw?

There we have it. Southampton architects of their own downfall. Downes fault though.

Yeah Frase r looks very match rusty, but hardly surprising really.

Great stop by Macca