M271

I agree, after feeling that a break was desperately needing ultimately it came at the worng time after the Boscombe result. They don't seem to have got going again following their 3 day off with their families.

We now need to play our strongest side for all league matches and keep it settled unless there are injuries or tweeks needed to suit who we are playing, bring in some bench warmers for the 'fun while it lasts' cups. Until Austin got injured and known to be out for many months I was just on the side club not being desparate to getting another striker but now with him out and Jrod and Long not stepping up with regular goals we do need one striker probably on loan to the end of the season, but are there out of favour or development stage players out there at world class clubs that we could have? However there is no need to get another striker if we don't get the ball to them in the right positions and play to their strengths. P.S. The Xmas schedule with 3 games in under 5 days didn't help our situation (probably the worst overall timing combination of all teams, 2.75 day gap then 2 day gap) but I think that Puel panicked and over thought it ultimately making the wrong team and tactical decisions. Less than 5 days ago to now we hadn't even kicked off against Spurs! 1 too many matches in the EPL this week I feel for all teams, I've seen some Sky programmes questioning the Xmas schedule but Sky have contributed to it wanting a football match virtually every day.

The Xmas schedule for Saints has been testing (some would say unfair) from a squad use point of view with 3 games in 5 days, I agree with your comment about being able to cope with 3 in 7 but 3 in 5 needs careful squad planning. WBA had 2 days more rest than us before yesterday and Everton will have had one more before tomorrows match. I feel that they (FA / TV companies) try and add one too many matches in during Christmas week, this year having one match on around boxing day and another this long weekend would have been sufficient. I never make sense of why the games are crammed in between Sept and Feb each season including League Cup games and FA cup 3rd, 4th... round games and I notice we even have a league game against Swansea on Tuesday 31st January, yet from then on there is only one league game a week until the end of the season (a part from 5th April) and additionally at that time of year most sides are out of cups and have more 'time on their hands'. And were the midweek matches when we played Stoke really necessary, midweek midDecember no wonder away support numbers were poor. Having said all of that we have not played well for long enough these last 2 matches where we have had good spells in games and managed to score 1 goal and in the period where the opposition have chances 'every eggs a bird' i.e. every on target chance goes in. We have not helped ourselves but it does feel that the footballing gods are not on our side at the moment 2 Spurs goals from kind deflections and a worldy from Robson Kanu yesterday to win the game.

I thought I read some where that Boufal goes after the Everton game. And Redmond should also be available after his 1 match ban.

I can take defeats as its part of the game and not many games each season leave me feeling sick in the stomach but today was one of those matches / results. i.e. putting in a lacklustre performance and losing to a very ordinary team. Its under 3 days since we went 1 up to Spurs and things seemed rosy however defensive frailties and lack of attacking craft have cost us 2 totally winable games (and every shot or chance on target that the opposition have seems to go in which doesn't help!) We are so predictable / pedestrian going forward and never look like catching the other team off guard. But we are Saints and knowing us we'll go to Everton and win but it's not our happiest hunting ground!

Should have been free kick for the original pulling of the arm and a yellow card IMO. By the way comedy genius on here tonight, get a grip. It was one of those games, move on.

Virgil is starting for Netherlands tonight. Live on Chesea TV (free access) Sky channel 421.

Seems to be the story of our recent matches, plenty of possession > poor decision making in the final third > more chances than the opposition > but the opposition score with virtually every on target chance which they get i.e. Man City, Chelsea, Milan x 2 and today. The opposition of whichever level are more ruthless and clinical with the few chances that they get than us, that is the difference.

If you are implying that I am a troll you couldn't be further from the truth, I hate the lot of them. What was wrong with what I posted to lead you to that mistaken conclusion? I meant money being spent by other clubs i.e. Sissoko not necessarily Saints.

Quite a late tweet, may be a late 'bit of business' didn't come off? Stupid money being spent, the sport has gone too far onto the players. IMO the TV money should have had 'strings attached' such as a certain % for players related costs (transfer fees, wages) and another % for club related costs such as stadium infrastructure, investment, reducing ticket costs etc..

I would be more confident with this set up, can't help but think that trying to build a side around a Redmond who is in an unfamiliar and unproven position is a recipe for disaster.

Totally agree, I left this wrist slitters forum alone while watching the match and thought we did OK. Can't believe (or maybe I can!) the slagging off by the usual suspects on here. This forum is really being spoilt by a few posters (who in general post the most) who haven't got a clue about football or life in general!

I thought we played OK certainly not much difference between the sides, apart from the goals!!

I normally 'hang on every word' that our managers say, even the Poch double act with his amusing looking interpreter when each interview took twice as long. So far I don't think that I have got to the end of some quite short Puel interviews without losing interest and hitting the stop button. As others have said as long as the team do well who cares. I just hope that the players don't lose focus and start daydreaming when he is talking to them!

Genuine ITK please keep posting what you are allowed to tell, I'm sure it is much appreciated by the majority on here.

Not ITK but I think that this is it: https://www.spreadshirt.co.uk/bra-and-panties-t-shirts-A25656643

We had a 'bra' look in the 2009 -10 blue and yellow away kit, I didn't like it then either. http://www.oldfootballshirts.com/en/teams/s/southampton/old-southampton-football-shirt-s20627.html

Sorry if already posted but I haven't seen this article so far. Maybe the Unai Emery move to PSG is not a done deal yet! Google translation from sport.fr article from yesterday below (see web link below), if anyone can translate better please do!! http://www.sport.fr/football/ligue-1-psg-emery-est-dej-agace-397508.shtm So Unai Emery is close to joining PSG, where Laurent Blanc has still not been settled. One detail that would interfere with the Spanish technician. According to information from the Cadena Ser, the former coach of Sevilla would be ready to return to Andalusia, where the dismissal of French would be quickly resolved. He would have including another proposal from an English club. Nevertheless imagine that the Qatari owners will soon formalize their change of coach.

I presume what he meant was that we wanted to have a new (altered) contract for the 3rd year of his contract but he would not agree to that. May be we offered him more money but with strings attached?

‘To be involved in this project for the next couple of years is a big feeling. I will keep it short on Southampton as it is important to look forward in life. I had a meeting with the board - the first option was to go into the third year of my contract, and I said that was not possible. There was no way I was signing a new contract and I did not agree. Through that whole story, Everton showed that kind of interest. Southampton gave me the permission to talk to Everton and I’m the new manager - and that’s all I would like to say. Thanks to them, we had two fantastic seasons - thanks to the players, staff and fans, but I’m in Everton now.‘

Koeman does first Everton press briefing today at 13.30.

What odds is someone called Mystery Man? Sounds like he should be evens!

If any Euros team managers are top of our list it could be a long wait, unless it's Roy of course! (joking) Are there any Euro managers which would suit 'the Southampton way'? Is Joachim Loew ready for a change?

Would look good on Rank Xerox / Air Florida style from the early 1980s, with the broad white centre panel. Although the news release shows white logo on red background which would suit an Ajax style shirt, and make our new manager feel at home!!

I can't remember what style of play Moyes tends to use mostly. Attacking, pressing, defensive by nature. Exciting or boring.