Arsenal 2-1 Saints - Post match

Puel seems to have a little mad scientist in him. He wants to find a new genius way to do it rather than put players where they naturally fit. Redmond should be in the midfield somewhere, and Austin should be out there because he's the only actual finisher we have. Rather than pushing him in and out, leave him there for a couple games. At least give him the same run as Redmond has had. Austin and Long upfront, JRod backing them up, Redmond and Tadic in the mids. He is making it harder than it needs to be.

Just watched the highlights, never looked like a penalty. Disgraceful decision actually. However, if Shane's shooting boots had been on we'd definitely have got something out of the game. The decision not to sign another striker may cost us this season.

Giving Sam Gallagher away was crazy - he may have scored one of Long's chances and there may have been no stopping him after that! Short sighted decision - youth has no fear and he may have stepped up yesterday!

It wasn't crazy, we've seen nothing from Gallagher to suggest he is Premier League standard, yet. Long didn't miss those chances because he was afraid, he missed them because he's Shane Long and that's what he's done his whole career.

As an aside, exactly 5 years ago we lost 1-0 away to Swindon and ended up in the drop zone, without a manager. We managed to avoid relegation so, I won't panic just yet. The goal scorer that day, a Mr Charles Austin.

Austin should be out there because he's the only actual finisher we have. Rather than pushing him in and out, leave him there for a couple games. At least give him the same run as Redmond has had. Austin and Long upfront, JRod backing them up, Redmond and Tadic in the mids. He is making it harder than it needs to be.

I think there's a good chance that a fully 'bedded in' Austin would have put away at least 1 of those missed chances and would have won us at least a point yesterday.

Difference between him and Long is that Austin is your man striker, Long is a support striker. If you are going to play one then play Austin as Long is a bit lost without a main striker to play alongside.

My personal preference would be both as I think they'd work well together but if Puel is going to stick with one then let it be Austin and give the guy a real run out to let him find his feet. I'd say at least 6 games.

Also don't agree that Austin can't play Puel's system. Whilst he's not the fastest or the tallest he is intelligent and street wise and has a real assassin's instincts (look how he ghosted in to get his goal at Man U last season - completely lost the Man U defence and delivered the payload) and is smart enough to figure out how to play he diamond and get the goals.

We'll never know though whilst Puel refuses to give him a chance.

What we need now is a motivational speech from our Chairman to our Manager and players.

Unfortunately he is currently not around as he is coaching Team Europe in the World Cup of Hockey in Canada. Just when he is needed.

Long's Misses will make any sfc fan cry, imagine Austin with those two sitters. problem is Austin wouldn't of been anywhere near those chances had he been on the pitch anyway, and signing a forward to create AND finish those chances would require more ££s than we're willing to shell out, so the answer may lie closer to home. olumola looks to be ready physically, he's huge and quick and maybe a better finisher than shlong, also about the same age as rashford so no reason to think he may too young. I say start him against Sparta and see how he does.

Puel seems to have a little mad scientist in him. He wants to find a new genius way to do it rather than put players where they naturally fit. Redmond should be in the midfield somewhere, and Austin should be out there because he's the only actual finisher we have. Rather than pushing him in and out, leave him there for a couple games. At least give him the same run as Redmond has had. Austin and Long upfront, JRod backing them up, Redmond and Tadic in the mids. He is making it harder than it needs to be.

The longer Puel digs in and hopes his theories work the more important each game becomes. The diamond was working better in midfield yesterday but strikers find themselves playing in positions that do not naturally suit their styles.. Play specialist wingers and strikers where their skills work best, before it is too late. A good manager should be able to adapt, when the need arises.

Long's Misses will make any sfc fan cry, imagine Austin with those two sitters. problem is Austin wouldn't of been anywhere near those chances had he been on the pitch anyway, and signing a forward to create AND finish those chances would require more ££s than we're willing to shell out, so the answer may lie closer to home. olumola looks to be ready physically, he's huge and quick and maybe a better finisher than shlong, also about the same age as rashford so no reason to think he may too young. I say start him against Sparta and see how he does.

Not sure about that. Austin feeds off rebounds and scraps. Whatever he lacks in physical quickness he makes up for in mental alertness. He would have definitely gambled on the Hojbjerg shot.

the fact of the player lying injured did not get mentioned on motd.

we always get dire decisions or refs who are determined c..................for Arsenal to beat us.

 

I think it is about time that refs had to do after match interviews

Not the daftest suggestion I've heard in a while. It's refs makes the decisions ..as in this case .....who decide the final result.

It's always a bit pathetic for the interviewers to speak with managers / players afterwards, and ask dumb questions like ...." did you think it was a penalty?"

If an experienced official like Harold Webb said it was a mistake, there are a lot of others who might agree with him. Madeley got it wrong, the game should have been stopped before the "penalty incident " even occured.

As it was we had 3 players booked for arguing the truth about an incident that the ref. got blatantly wrong.

How many of our players were booked for dissent? With no significant or over the top reactions from our players.

I think there's a good chance that a fully 'bedded in' Austin would have put away at least 1 of those missed chances and would have won us at least a point yesterday.

 

Difference between him and Long is that Austin is your man striker, Long is a support striker. If you are going to play one then play Austin as Long is a bit lost without a main striker to play alongside.

 

My personal preference would be both as I think they'd work well together but if Puel is going to stick with one then let it be Austin and give the guy a real run out to let him find his feet. I'd say at least 6 games.

 

Also don't agree that Austin can't play Puel's system. Whilst he's not the fastest or the tallest he is intelligent and street wise and has a real assassin's instincts (look how he ghosted in to get his goal at Man U last season - completely lost the Man U defence and delivered the payload) and is smart enough to figure out how to play he diamond and get the goals.

 

We'll never know though whilst Puel refuses to give him a chance.

Austin spent too much time in wide positions against Sunderland. He is definitely not suited to Puel's version of the diamond.

How many of our players were booked for dissent? With no significant or over the top reactions from our players.

to be corect - only two. Fonte argued vociferously with the ref, but suppose he was booked for the "penalty foul ", but whilst waiting for the Arsenal player to be treated, both van Dijk and Bertrand were yellow-carded for continuing the pointless discussion with the ref. ....who had lost his patience by that time.

If Madeley and his fellow linesman had done their job correctly , the game would have stopped after the blatant foul on Long...or at least when we saw the Arsenal player laying in the six yard box with a head injury.....and none of what followed would have happened.

Giving Sam Gallagher away was crazy - he may have scored one of Long's chances and there may have been no stopping him after that! Short sighted decision - youth has no fear and he may have stepped up yesterday!

We haven't given him away, he is on loan. Watched him lead the line for Rovers at QPR yesterday and he had a fine game, scoring a nice header and having one cleared off the line. Playing alongside the experienced Danny Graham is doing him no harm and he has settled nicely. Also spoke to the asst manager who said he was v pleased with his progress.

Whoever thinks the table is irrelevant at the moment it's funny how the favourites for the top six are in the top six.

How many of our players were booked for dissent? With no significant or over the top reactions from our players.

I wanted them to do this

Agree. Presume you mean 'interpret' rather than 'interpolate', however? I think Fonte actually just stood his ground was being shoved by Giroud, got the ball as he fell, etc. Really he should have got goal-side but that's hard without pushing Giroud out of the way. Giroud looked as though he was shouting at the ref for giving a foul against him, which would actually have been a better decision. All the bits that went before also should have ensured that situation did not occur as it did. Crap ref. Over to Whitey Grandad to defend him ...

Me? I'm in the middle of the Lake District mate. I didn't see it

I'll look at the recording when I get back Tuesday night but I sincerely hope that were not going to go the rest of the season whinging about referee's decisions Did I read that Jose had a grasp of Giroux's shirt? With the present climate regarding holding in the penalty area we can expect a loft of 'soft'and inconsistent decisions until things settle down.

Interesting to see Swansea changed their formation today and came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Chelsea.

Wonder if Puel was watching and got any ideas.

Interesting to see Swansea changed their formation today and came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Chelsea.

Wonder if Puel was watching and got any ideas.

You weren't watching though as they came back from 1-0 down

Rewatched the game . It was a Penalty although play should have stopped before it even happened .

Fonte needs to stop wrestling with players in the box . They've been warned about it before the season started .

 

Saints should have put the game to bed way before this all happened but we have Long to thank for that .

 

The team lacks belief but thats no surprise when they are being forced to play a different type of game to the one we found effective .

 

The only interesting part of the game was Always SFC desperately trying to start a fight with someone in the game thread. Pathetic but amusing .

 

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What a bell end, how do you start a fight on a forum you stupid tit?

Do you practice being such a tool? Because you have mastered it

Everyone else agrees that it was not a pen...... Love the anti saints stuff so much you post cluelessly wrong daily..... Feel a bit sorry for you tbh

You weren't watching though as they came back from 1-0 down

And their second goal came after a clear foul missed by the ref. Very surprised as it worked against Chelsea. Hopefully over the season we'll be on the right end of a few of those too.

But I would bet that the likes of the Mancs, Liverpool and Arsenal will get more.

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Gallagher is exactly where he needs to be. Playing and now scoring in the championship. Be great to have him back next season as a proper first team player. If he can prove himself and get 15-20 goals at that level than he needs a chance. I mean a young English striker scoring like that in the chAmpionship would cost 10m+ now anyway so worth persevering with him.

 

As for Long, that's his game isn't it. At his best he misses chances, out of form his misses more. Not going to change at his age, that's why he's with us and not higher. He'll still be good for 10 goals or so. Hoping Rodriguez, Austin and boufal all manage that too. Top scorer really could be any of them.

There's always hope for the future but in the here and now we have all these strikers in action and they've mustered 2 goals between them and one of those from a direct free kick. It is good to be optimistic about the potential of all these players but the league has started and none of them are performing.

There's always hope for the future but in the here and now we have all these strikers in action and they've mustered 2 goals between them and one of those from a direct free kick. It is good to be optimistic about the potential of all these players but the league has started and none of them are performing.

That's the point. Have we got the right sort of fire power ? Not in panic mode yet, but selling three key players is the difference between 6th and 6th from bottom or worse.

That's the point. Have we got the right sort of fire power ? Not in panic mode yet, but selling three key players is the difference between 6th and 6th from bottom or worse.

Only takes a slow start to the season for the nutters to come out!

Fun for everyone here, you can check where we were after each game last season

http://www.statto.com/football/stats/england/premier-league/2015-2016/table/2015-09-20

Only takes a slow start to the season for the nutters to come out!

To be fair, Dalek coming out has nothing to do with whether we make a slow start or not.

That's the point. Have we got the right sort of fire power ? Not in panic mode yet, but selling three key players is the difference between 6th and 6th from bottom or worse.

Exactly,you cant keep losing good players together with good managers its going to catch you up sooner or later.

It would be a better strategy to try and keep good managers/players by offering them a lucrative contract that they would find hard to turn down rather than spending a lot of money on new players and managers.I know in some cases its inevitable that these move on but do we try hard enough to keep them?

Just seen Puel's after match interview,nearly fell asleep.

Rodriguez instead of Long, Højbjerg starting on the bench and Austin not even getting off it.Not Impressed.

Picked the team for Thursday and only Long's finishing, and Fonte apparently missing the pre-season meeting about shirt-pulling in the box, cost us a win. I was pretty happy with the overall performance.

The consensus on twitter from Arsenal fans I have seen is 'it is very good when justice prevails and we beat a team time wasting from the 20th minute'.

 

Dic*heads.

I thought our booing of Cech for taking about the same time as Forster had to take his kicks was fairly amusing. The early booking of Forster just gave him the chance to take as long as he liked later, the ref was never going to give him a second yellow for it.

Interesting to note the number of Gooners going absolutely apoplectic about Forster "timewasting" when he had the ball at his feet after the drop ball and no-one went to close him down. They were then booing when he picked it up and released it into play three seconds into the "six" seconds he actually had to release it within the laws.

One area where Madeley got it absolutely right was adding the 3.5 minutes of injury time in injury time - we'd played all of 15 seconds of it when the injury treatment started, and it ALL went on after the 4 minutes indicated had been played.

I'm not reading through 5 pages of meltdown talk but having seen the penalty incident clearly now I assume everyone agrees it's ridiculous from Fonte and a penalty yes?

It was a penalty for the foul on Giroud in isolation, but the ref should have stopped the game for Koscielny's head injury AND he was arguably offside from the ball into the box because he was impeding Forster's movement and therefore interfering.

Same ref who didn't give the Ivanovic pull on Virgil at Chelsea last season. Again against Liverpool in Fizzy pop last year...............

Totally inconsistent & biased.

 

http://www.101greatgoals.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Screen-Shot-2015-10-03-at-7.53.17-PM.png

Refs hadn't been given the directive on clamping down on shirt-pulling in the box then.

Have been otherwise engaged this weekend so have only just watched the whole game in real time for the first time.

Thought we had a decent game and deserved at least a draw. Romeu Man of the Match. Hojbjerg looking a much better option than Clasie. Virgil looks constantly hacked off.

Disgraceful decision making from the officials leading up to the penalty, and Giroud was giving as much as he got in the challenge with Fonte so never a penalty for me (Giroud didn't even claim for it until the ref gave it)

More positives than negatives to take from our performance IMO.

Easy to point out the negatives but for a shameful display from the officials we would all be very encouraged by that performance. There is certainly work to do but we have the core of more than decent top half team, oh except Redmond who has far from impressed so far.

Agree. Except for Redmond comment - was I watching a different game? - thought he was one of our best players...great speed and movement...and actually has great touch/ball-control...thought he Romeu and Hoijbjerg had outstanding games...Cedric poor, Tadic good at the beginning then did his disappearing trick. Think we should be able to make top 10, just - and if we play like that we have no fear of relegation.

I did miss our more energetic high-press...felt we stood off them and invited pressure way too much...we all know how that works for us.

And yes we need a clinical striker as the BBC survey highlights. Spurs fans happiest with their squad - not surprised.

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/37317980

Just seen motd 2. Gary Cahill gets 5 minutes to talk about how the ref ****ed up and then the panel talk about it for another 5 minutes banging on about how he's hard done by. For Saints we get a Ian ****ing Wright laughing it off and the panel joking about it. So ****ing biased it's unbelievable.

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My thoughts after watching Saints at the Emirates.

This was an excellent performance and perhaps more worthy of a good result than last years performance.

The system and organisation was excellent and everybody seemed to understand their role in formation.

The front 3 (JayRod, Redmond & Tadic) were interchangeable. Arsenal didn't have an answer playing against us for the first 35 minutes.

Arsenals goal came from a break by VVD. He did ever so well to intercept and drove at the penalty box. What he should have done was shoot, instead he passed square across the penalty box and the ball was intercepted by Arsenal, who then counter attacked and this resulted in the corner. We had 2 chances to clear the corner, but Koscelny to his credit finished well on his birthday.

I had begun to doubt the system, but after yesterday I've changed my mind. We created a lot of chances and a better finisher than Long would have had a hatrick.

Jay Rod was not very good and deserved to be replaced at half time. Long must score at least one of his chances. Long did win most things in the air, but the players around him must learn how to get onto his flicks.

Redmond gives the ball away too easily and this allows the opponent to counter attack.

Romeo was my MOM, but he always makes a mistake and we were lucky to get away with one yesterday.

Proud of our team yesterday and I'm convinced the results will turn shortly.

Onwards and upwards.

Interesting to see Swansea changed their formation today and came back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Chelsea.

Wonder if Puel was watching and got any ideas.

Of all the muggy comments on this thread you win 'most clueless one'.

Swansea were VERY lucky to get back into the game. 1-0 down. Went 2-1 up with a stupid pen and a defensive mistake. Didn't know what to do when they took the lead.

Saints were unlucky to not get at least a draw. Nothing to do with Puel at all. We deserved a point. Didn't get one. That's football sometimes.

I guarantee you that Saints finish above Swansea this season.

Stick to finding streams to (obviously) not actually watch yourself.

It was a penalty for the foul on Giroud in isolation, but the ref should have stopped the game for Koscielny's head injury AND he was arguably offside from the ball into the box because he was impeding Forster's movement and therefore interfering.

I had to wait until Sunday to see the game, and even then it was an Arsenal TV Commentary. I looked as best I could at the incident and replay And think it was a difficult decision in real time, but the replay showed Fonte With a handful of shirt pulling Giroud to the ground. This has been pointed out as a clear infringement

by officials this season. Have to agree re foul on Long and the overlooked head injury though.

G and F are in the area.

G is ahead of F and is pushing him slightly to stop F getting ahead of him.

F has a slight hold, but a hold nonetheless of the right part of G's shirt just under the shoulder, down near the elbow.

As F puts his leg round to get to the ball and is shoved by G he falls and in so doing lets go of G's shirt. The shirt pull does not contribute to G's fall.

Ref blows after this, presumably having seen the fall and once F has cleared the ball.

I consider it a foul by G on F for playing the man when the ball is not in playing distance. That used to be called 'obstruction', I recollect.

All the other stuff about lino etc obviously still applies.

Im losing interest with Southampton.... Had the best opportunity in recent times to go for the top 4 with players like Mane behind us and Koeman. But it is clear to see now that we are doing everything on a budget and this will come back and bite us on the ass... Call me a bedwetter or moaner I am telling it how it is we lack ambition and should of nailed downed our prized assets. I think our approach this season especially in the transfer market has been under whelming....

I cannot understand the formation we are currently using clearly it is not working so why continue to use weak tactics....

1) drop this formation

2) Get a striker somebody who can finish

3) Claude will be gone before crimbo

4) Saints will never be top 4 not a big enough club no ambition......

When do the real questions about the manager start? The media rumblings are already there the fan rumblings are already there he badly needs a win and a performance it's not like we are playing great stuff and getting unlucky!

Im losing interest with Southampton.... Had the best opportunity

You're not alone pal.

Have friends who've supported Saints for years and just struggling this season to get excited (even with the Europa cup)

Then there's the younger generation - my nephew for example. He's had lallana and then Mane on his replica shirts last few years - this season he's lost interest in Southampton and football as we "keep selling anyone that's good"

Our 'moneyball' experiment is testing loyal fans right now.

I'm tired of defending the team I support and trying to justify why we keep selling players.

Im losing interest with Southampton....

I think 'losing interest in top flight football' might be more appropriate? That's exactly how I feel.

I can't be bothered with MoTD, I don't want Sky, I'm not bothered about watching any matches live on TV other than Saints. I love Southampton, it's my place of birth, my home town team and I am drawn towards them no matter what. I love meeting mates for beers and a catch up before or after a match, I love it when we win and I get annoyed when we lose.

But football on the whole can do one. I've already said it this season; Jose this, Pep that, Conte Conte Conte, Klopp Klopp Klopp, Pogba, wow, Pogba, ooooo Pogba, Zlatan, Zlatan Zlatan, £1bn spent, isn't football great.

No, it's tedious, dull and followed by complete helmets who lap up everything Sky Sports tell them. I read one quote on some forum by an overseas 'supporter' of Liverpool who said "I love Klopp, I will support wherever he goes". Then you have Toure's agent who said "if Manchester City don't play Toure, all their fans will support United". Seriously? Do one, f**k off.

I hope there is a super league and they take all their tediousness with them, I want to watch Saints play decent football, with players who CARE and WANT to be here. I want an occasional FA Cup run to the final and to enjoy more wins than losses. And currently yes, a trip to Europe is good fun - for us fans.

I loved the Saints team of the L1 and Championship season and the first season back in the Premier League, but since then, bar Jose and Kelvin, who else is there to like as a player? They're all after the same thing, money and a move to a 'big club' who'll pay them that. Sod off.

Give me Saints in an English league with all the 'big clubs' playing some world league sh*t.

You're not alone pal.

 

Have friends who've supported Saints for years and just struggling this season to get excited (even with the Europa cup)

 

Then there's the younger generation - my nephew for example. He's had lallana and then Mane on his replica shirts last few years - this season he's lost interest in Southampton and football as we "keep selling anyone that's good"

 

Our 'moneyball' experiment is testing loyal fans right now.

 

I'm tired of defending the team I support and trying to justify why we keep selling players.

While I echo your sentiments... Really mate?

Im losing interest with Southampton....

Never lose interest with Saints, but with this site? That's another matter. However many years ago I signed up I was warned by a colleague that internet message boards were full of weirdos and that you wouldn't necessarily be joining a community of like minded thinkers. It is never more evident when things aren't going so well. It is only football after all.

If it means that much to you that you have to come on here and spout garbage and spar with others through the medium of the keyboard or play the troll, in a way I really feel sorry for you. Get a feckin life! Some of you make this place utterly tedious with the drivel that pervades it at present. The way some of you behave on here simply wouldn't be tolerated in face to face situations. You hide behind your keyboards, sniping at opinions of others, making claims that it it is all in the interest of reasoned debate. You've only got look at the postings from The lounge to get a flavour and it's not much better here. Rant over. I'm off to annoy Berkshire's motorists on my bike!

Really? Have a think how you'd feel if this wasn't given a penalty at the other end..

 

Four matches in and the Plastics are already talking about abandoning ship. No loss. Some people need to remember where we were a few years ago! Even last winter some people had decided enough was enough and called for Koeman's head. Whatever happened to patience and supporting you club through thick and thin? Is it now that we only support our club when they are winning?

Isn't the old adage to judge a team after 10 games? We'll probably be around mid table then.

Four matches in and the Plastics are already talking about abandoning ship. No loss. Some people need to remember where we were a few years ago! Even last winter some people had decided enough was enough and called for Koeman's head. Whatever happened to patience and supporting you club through thick and thin? Is it now that we only support our club when they are winning?

IMO you can only dash fans hopes so many times before they lose interest or faith in the club.

Rightly or wrongly there was a feeling that we again had built a team that could challenge and with a good bit of investment could really do something. Again we culled our stars and manager and failed to reinvest that money fully into the squad.

I suppose the realisation that we will always jut be also rans is sinking in and the frustration is coming out

Perhaps some fans want more than a top 10 finish to cheer and celebrate and perhaps seeing their ambition not being matched by the club is demotivating a few? I can understand that

We as fans are fairly helpless, we can hope for the best but we have very limited powers to influence.

I started following Saints in 1986 and was addicted by 1990. Not because we won (we rarely did) but because we had players like MLT that I could watch and support every season. The new generation simply don't have that - even Hojberg and Boufal talking about moving onto bigger and better things BEFORE they even kick a ball for us!!

Our current owner is content with just being in the premiership - from a business perspective that's brilliant but for fans that's not exciting. Who cares if we have 40 million in the bank if the trophy cabinet stays empty for the next 10 years.

It seems that Giroud asked Fonte what the penalty was awarded for.

That really does say it all.

Im losing interest with Southampton.... Had the best opportunity in recent times to go for the top 4 with players like Mane behind us and Koeman. But it is clear to see now that we are doing everything on a budget and this will come back and bite us on the ass... Call me a bedwetter or moaner I am telling it how it is we lack ambition and should of nailed downed our prized assets. I think our approach this season especially in the transfer market has been under whelming....

 

I cannot understand the formation we are currently using clearly it is not working so why continue to use weak tactics....

 

1) drop this formation

 

2) Get a striker somebody who can finish

 

3) Claude will be gone before crimbo

 

4) Saints will never be top 4 not a big enough club no ambition......

Seeing as Mane absolutely despised Koeman it would of had to been one of the two