mcbendy

Oh dear. Come on Saints (#SaintsFC).

Still, it's nice to be able to watch a stream that isn't interrupted by pop-ups.

Has that stream frozen?

+ 1

Photo 20 of 78 http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/gallery-saints-leave-it-late-1012969.aspx

Superb - thank you. That is really interesting.

The gallery makes for interesting viewing: http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/gallery-saints-leave-it-late-1012969.aspx Osvaldo pulled back the defender that was challenging Fonte for the equalising header. He practically tore his shirt off... I missed that on the TV and the ref and lino did too obviously. The foul on Ramirez on the edge of the box (would have been a 2nd yellow and sending off) looked blatant on the TV and the photos of this incident are equally damning.

Yes, because you are not allowed to have 12 players on the pitch. Which of our substitutes did you not think improved the performance of the team?

I refer you to my idiots guide thread...

Reading through the post-match thread has had steam coming out of my ears! Comments like: "one of Wanyama and Schneiderlin needs to get in the box" "we need to sign some wingers" etc I feel compelled to explain... When THEY have the ball: - We aim to press from the front and win the ball, ideally, in their half. It is a team press, starting with the forward players. - If the opponents get past the press and build momentum, we have two DMs to try and break up play, with a 'standard' back four behind them. Wide attacking players need to track back to help with overlapping runs down the flanks (so high fitness levels required). When WE have the ball: - We do not play with conventional wingers. Clear? Understand? The width is supposed to be supplied by overlapping runs from our (very fit and very talented) fullbacks. Until Clyne came on in the second half this wasn't happening as it should, despite our dominance in possession. Why they lacked the confidence to get up the pitch I'm not sure... - The idea of playing with TWO DM's (Wanyama and Schneiderlin) is that their tactical discipline should allow the fullbacks to have the confidence to push forwards, knowing that the two centrebacks and DMs are covering in behind them.

Interesting how so many people watching the same game can come up with so many differing opinions... I've just watched the full 90 on Sky (I live in Scotland, btw). My thoughts: - In the first half in particular Lambert was somewhat off his game. Lots of loose touches and misplaced passes. Also some decent stuff too, so not all bad. - The two first half penalty shouts were not the strongest. - Wanyama and JWP were immense throughout. Mulletsaint recons Wanyama gave the ball away lots. Not in the game that I just watched... He was rock solid, dependable and read the game brilliantly. - In both halves SRL and JRod missed good chances. I'm used to JRod not being clinical in front of goal but SRL is usually better than that. - In terms of attacking threat, we lacked width. In the system we play the width is supposed to come from overlapping runs from the fullbacks. In the first half neither got far enough forward, particularly given our dominance. CC often cut/drifted inside which kept the play narrow. The second half was better and tbh I thought Clyne provided more of a threat than Luke. This despite us only having one out and out defensive midfielder on the pitch by this stage. - Osvaldo was held back in the 2nd half - clear pen. - Ramirez was cut down on the edge of the box. Clear free kick and (2nd) yellow for (I think) Bardsley. - Osvaldo was very very lucky to remain on the pitch. The first yellow was for a kick-trip. It was more than just a sly trip - he kicked out. More violent that the straight red that David Beckham was sent off for in the World Cup for example. In real time it looked like a coming together but when you see it replayed it's nasty. The later challenge was very very late, although he didn't make much contact. Could easily have been sent off... - Both Lallana and Gaston (for his relatively brief spell) were excellent. Much better than JRod. The best performance I've seen from Lallana in a long time. Gaston looked sharp and had a good turn of pace about him. Encouraging. - Overall we dominated the game but were sloppy and too narrow in the final third. - I wouldn't be surprised to see JRod losing his starting place in the next league game. I recon Lallana, JWP, Osvaldo and Lambert will be the starting front four (if we play that system) and Ramirez will come on later in the game like he did today. If we play 4,1,3,2 then JRod may be spared the axe...

He starts speaking English in this interview and has to stop himself and revert to Spanish. It's obvious that he is waiting for what he or his advisors consider to be the right moment to unleash his English on the world... Interview is a video half way down. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23737155

lol

I think I might have placed one bet in my life before. On Saints to get relegated. I'm not a bit betting man. I lost the bet, thankfully. The thing is, much as with the bet mentioned above, the motivation for me would be at least as much about numbing the pain of a saddening loss (or relegation) as it would be about the the potential to win some cash. So - over to you, seasoned betters. If I were to place a bet or two on Saints tomorrow, how would I increase my chances of raising my spirits whatever the result?

eh? http://www.teamtalk.com/southampton/player-profile/110010/M-Depay

That is VERY interesting...

A few vids: looks a talent...

I am all for publicising the hash tag. I just think this looks cheap and tacky.

Why does this need a new thread?

Seriously?! HA HA!

I agree re Zabaleta but not re: Rafael. Just my opinion though.

four?

Boruc- good enough - as good as what most top half clubs have. Clyne- great potential - Kyle Walker looks better in terms of pace and is taller. I would way rather have Clyne than e.g. Raphael though... Lovren- excellent so far. Fonte- jury's out - may have come on under Poch and paired with Lovren Maya- I have my doubts personally. Looks error prone. Not sure he is a 'top half' player personally. I still feel the second CB is our vulnerability. Shaw- a star. Future England LB. Would already get into most 1st XIs in the Prem IMO Schneiderlin - top 6 - one of the best DM in the league. Being watched enviously by top 4 teams. Wanyama - perhaps too early to say, but early indications suggest he is immense. Can't think of a better DM pairing in the league. Must be a reason why e.g. Arsenal didn't go in for him? Lallana - starting to look like a weak link to me. Could be upgraded for pace, strength, heading ability, tracking back/defensive duties. Technically great but does he do enough? Ramirez - fans patience is running out. Undoubted creative talent but off the pace of the Prem to date. Maybe MP can get the best out of him? I would rather have Banega... J Rod - pace, talent, but seemingly lacking in confidence/composure. Chance conversion rate is poor. I have high hopes that MP can develop him as a player and working with SRL and Osvaldo may improve his finishing. JWP - suspect we will see him in the starting XI quite a bit this season. Technically excellent. Great set piece delivery. Arguably needs to bulk up a bit and improve tackling etc to be a guaranteed starter, but Paul Scholes is perhaps an example of why I may be wrong. Would be nice to see him score a bit this season. Might develop into an England international IMO. Lambert - club legend. Aging, obviously. Needs pace alongside him/to play off him. A 'top half' player IMO but not a top 6 player. Osvaldo - haven't seen him play yet! Seems to have the attributes to be a good prem player. Top half but not top 6, perhaps? We'll see... Would need to get 20 goals this season to be 'top 6' IMO. Much will depend on service in to him I suspect, which means that having the right AM on the pitch will be important.

we could pay for dancing girls at half time?

I really can't bear waiting a whole week between games. Plus the season started weeks later and there are stupid international breaks. And we're not winning the league.