Matty's Caddy Posted 4 December, 2023 Share Posted 4 December, 2023 Like a lot of you on here, he’s pretty much shown nothing in his time here but the one niggle in the back of my mind is his movement and finish against Man City makes me think it’s the team not playing to his strengths. We rarely put the ball across early from out wide. bit like with tall Paul up front, again not playing to his strengths (although his first touch was about as good as mine) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitey Grandad Posted 4 December, 2023 Share Posted 4 December, 2023 I thought he looked quite lively and useful when he came on last Saturday. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chewy Posted 4 December, 2023 Share Posted 4 December, 2023 My issue with Mara isn’t ability as such - more than happy to accept players need time to develop and/or settle if new. My issue is attitude and work rate. His performances have mostly been beyond lazy, and I don’t have time for people with the wrong attitude. I’ll never forget how abject his effort was against Grimsby. I remember one game (might have been the same) where he was actually gently jogging on the spot rather than closing someone down. It was a real wtf moment. I sense he was distinctly unhappy, maybe homesick, maybe just a kid struggling in a new country with managers and coaches who’d didn’t rate or support him. Whatever the case, he couldn’t be arsed whenever I saw him. You can’t just sulk your way into the team however much you cost. All that being said, his cameo on Saturday was markedly different. If the player hiding in there can come out and be combined with a proper professional attitude as we briefly saw on Saturday then great - I’m all for it. Good for us, good for him and we might save a few quid. But up until now he’s done nothing to warrant a start and it’ll need a few more cameos full of that effort level before I think he’ll have earned a start. If it were up to me I’d offer him the start in the cup if he puts in the effort as a sub between now and then. ArmA is his perfect up close example of what is required and how form and confidence can turn around IF you put the graft in. As ever, appreciate there are people who see it differently… it is just my opinion 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lighthouse Posted 4 December, 2023 Share Posted 4 December, 2023 He’s the Parisian Juanmi; there’s a player in there somewhere but I don’t think it’s one we’re going to see performing in this country, even at second division level. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fraser Spinney Posted 16 December, 2023 Share Posted 16 December, 2023 https://www.southamptonfc.news/match-coverage/southampton-super-sub-puts-pressure-on-russell-martin-with-blackburn-cameo/ 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarehamSaintJames Posted 17 December, 2023 Share Posted 17 December, 2023 Yes he scored, but he was massively lacking composure and any form of speed in his previous two chances, one of which ended up being the penalty that was awarded. As someone mentioned above, he never looks interested, and he seems to be wanting an absolute age to take a touch and steady himself before having a shot. 2 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kitch Posted 18 December, 2023 Share Posted 18 December, 2023 Still remain convinced there's a player in there. Ask yourselves how many of our other attackers would have been on the end of that cross on Saturday? Che would've been stood still in the box watching it. Only AA possibly would have met that, but even then I'm not convinced. He gets bit parts, with 5min cameos here and there, which for a 21yr old trying to find his feet is a pretty rough deal. I think he just needs to adapt to the pace of the game here, and he won't do that on the bench. Thought he was solid when he came on against Blackburn, though he should have put that one-on-one away, but that's again that's a lack of match sharpness and confidence. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bakovnetski Posted 18 December, 2023 Share Posted 18 December, 2023 He did look very useful in his Cardiff cameo too. If he came on a little earlier depending on how the game is playing out then it should help his adaptation to the league. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gio1saints Posted 18 December, 2023 Share Posted 18 December, 2023 (edited) If there was a 21 year old French u21 international with his goal scoring credentials and potential available on a loan from any big club we’d be delighted to snap him up and give him some minutes. Im glad he got on instead of Che. He got his goal and got us a penalty in his 15 minute cameo plus missed a good chance. Ok against ten men but I dont care - he still did what he was supposed to do- have an impact. If we want him to grow and add value to the team - and to SR bank balance, he needs minutes. You cannot pay big money for him atm but if he scores ten goals between now and end of season I bet there will be very big money offers for him..the next Thierry Henry perhaps… Edited 18 December, 2023 by gio1saints 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lighthouse Posted 18 December, 2023 Share Posted 18 December, 2023 12 minutes ago, gio1saints said: If there was a 21 year old French u21 international with his goal scoring credentials and potential available on a loan from any big club we’d be delighted to snap him up and give him some minutes. His goal scoring record in the last 4 seasons: 1-6-1-1 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexLaw76 Posted 18 December, 2023 Share Posted 18 December, 2023 15 minutes ago, gio1saints said: If there was a 21 year old French u21 international with his goal scoring credentials and potential available on a loan from any big club we’d be delighted to snap him up and give him some minutes. Im glad he got on instead of Che. He got his goal and got us a penalty in his 15 minute cameo plus missed a good chance. Ok against ten men but I dont care - he still did what he was supposed to do- have an impact. If we want him to grow and add value to the team - and to SR bank balance, he needs minutes. You cannot pay big money for him atm but if he scores ten goals between now and end of season I bet there will be very big money offers for him..the next Thierry Henry perhaps… What are they? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee On Solent Saint Posted 18 December, 2023 Share Posted 18 December, 2023 25 minutes ago, gio1saints said: If there was a 21 year old French u21 international with his goal scoring credentials and potential available on a loan from any big club we’d be delighted to snap him up and give him some minutes. Im glad he got on instead of Che. He got his goal and got us a penalty in his 15 minute cameo plus missed a good chance. Ok against ten men but I dont care - he still did what he was supposed to do- have an impact. If we want him to grow and add value to the team - and to SR bank balance, he needs minutes. You cannot pay big money for him atm but if he scores ten goals between now and end of season I bet there will be very big money offers for him..the next Thierry Henry perhaps… Ten goals at Championship level? Am sure the massive bids will be rolling in. Comparing him to Henry? Not sure what you are seeing when he comes on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gio1saints Posted 18 December, 2023 Share Posted 18 December, 2023 I’m not his agent or anything! I meant His goal scoring credentials from when we bought him I forgot to say - see below - which were highly impressive. That he played in a really bad EPL team under multi managers who all needed instant results last year is not his fault and all of about 45 minutes this year is not proper to judge him on either. Just saying if he was available now I reckon we’d be interested. Not trying to say he IS Thierry Henry either but he could be given the chance , that’s all, sorry to have offended so many of you by my trying to give a different take on Sekou than the current “ he’s had his chances at age 21” that seems prevalent atm. We are not going down and automatic looks v v hard- this is surely best time to test him out? https://www.tournoimauricerevello.com/en/smartphone/festival/detail_actualite.php?id=5273 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintant Posted 27 December, 2023 Share Posted 27 December, 2023 Mara is improving in his cameo roles as a sub. He hasn't had that many minutes but has a goal and an assist in his last two games plus he won the penalty that Charley wasted. Small steps but he will be gaining in confidence. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 27 December, 2023 Share Posted 27 December, 2023 I think he has the makings of an excellent player personally. As I've said before in the year and a half he's been here his total minutes are very low, despite the amount of appearances. His minutes a while back tallied up to 7 total games, he's probably only on 9 or 10 total games now if that. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyNumber7 Posted 27 December, 2023 Share Posted 27 December, 2023 People tend to forget how young he still is, and is obviously far from the finished product. But I definitely see a player in him and his recent cameos have been very encouraging. I'd like to see him given more minutes. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dman Posted 27 December, 2023 Share Posted 27 December, 2023 He needs to get out on loan and get some game time. I thought he'd get more this season, but seems to be 3rd in the pecking order behind a midfielder and Che who doesn't want to be here. Lets see if we can get him out to france or somewhere where he'll get game time and hopefully gain some confidence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 27 December, 2023 Share Posted 27 December, 2023 53 minutes ago, LuckyNumber7 said: People tend to forget how young he still is, and is obviously far from the finished product. But I definitely see a player in him and his recent cameos have been very encouraging. I'd like to see him given more minutes. Yep, younger than Mane when we initially signed him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chez Posted 27 December, 2023 Share Posted 27 December, 2023 I like him. He has ability with the ball and a lot of confidence when he plays. We need to harness those attributes and get him doing things like flicks and nutmegs in the right areas of the pitch. He needs good coaching so as to really learn how to play the position. He also needs a manager that trusts him and shows some faith in him. The trouble is, he's miles off the finished article and unless we stay in this league it will be difficult for him to make it here. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BERMUDASAINT Posted 28 December, 2023 Share Posted 28 December, 2023 I hope he sees a future here and gets time to develope. Like all our young players, they are still raw with plenty of talent that will take a bit of patience to see them mature into great players. Charly, charles, edozie, saa, gav, juan, sule and Mara all under 21, all raw, all very talented, all not the finished artical. I will support them as SFC players and hope they will develope in our team to be superstars! I played and watched football most of my life and feel i have a good idea of what it takes to be a good - great footballer, quick to praise, slow to condem, so i dont get the disdane towards some of our players? Some of you have already 👎, ship him out, not good enough from what you see?? We spend millions on these prospects and track thier careers from youth, do you not think they come with some very good talent to build upon (with patience)? 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Marky Posted 28 December, 2023 Share Posted 28 December, 2023 22 minutes ago, BERMUDASAINT said: I hope he sees a future here and gets time to develope. Like all our young players, they are still raw with plenty of talent that will take a bit of patience to see them mature into great players. Charly, charles, edozie, saa, gav, juan, sule and Mara all under 21, all raw, all very talented, all not the finished artical. I will support them as SFC players and hope they will develope in our team to be superstars! I played and watched football most of my life and feel i have a good idea of what it takes to be a good - great footballer, quick to praise, slow to condem, so i dont get the disdane towards some of our players? Some of you have already 👎, ship him out, not good enough from what you see?? We spend millions on these prospects and track thier careers from youth, do you not think they come with some very good talent to build upon (with patience)? And that ends our sermon today, all the way from Bermuda, don’t forget to tune in tomorrow, as we have a very high profile member of the COT performing live baptisms… 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyNumber7 Posted 29 December, 2023 Share Posted 29 December, 2023 Another excellent performance off the bench and some great work rate tracking back. Really like what I'm seeing of him lately 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 29 December, 2023 Share Posted 29 December, 2023 Just now, LuckyNumber7 said: Another excellent performance off the bench and some great work rate tracking back. Really like what I'm seeing of him lately Agreed, thought he did very well. Clearly has a brilliant touch and also some skills to him, and he’s so young I think previous criticism of him has been very unfair. I think he’ll turn out a very decent player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintant Posted 29 December, 2023 Share Posted 29 December, 2023 2 minutes ago, LuckyNumber7 said: Another excellent performance off the bench and some great work rate tracking back. Really like what I'm seeing of him lately Agree, Mara is now starting to show what he can do. Looking forward to watching his development as we may have a future star on our hands. He has a lot more self confidence and clearly believes he belongs in the side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintant Posted 29 December, 2023 Share Posted 29 December, 2023 Ipswich could only draw 0-0 at home to QPR 🙂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davefizzy14 Posted 29 December, 2023 Share Posted 29 December, 2023 It really was another excellent cameo off the bench from Mara. His work rate was exceptional too a big talent. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 29 December, 2023 Share Posted 29 December, 2023 Not as obvious a decent performance from him tonight but still progress. Would like to see him get on the pitch earlier in games though, give him at least a half hour. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rooney Posted 30 December, 2023 Share Posted 30 December, 2023 He made some real quality touches last night. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexLaw76 Posted 30 December, 2023 Share Posted 30 December, 2023 It was a decent cameo...but excellent? I would like to see him come on and make a difference when a difference is needed.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjii Posted 30 December, 2023 Share Posted 30 December, 2023 I'd be tempted to start him up top in a match soon to surprise the oppo, inshallah. Perhaps a tricky away match. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRM Posted 30 December, 2023 Share Posted 30 December, 2023 10 hours ago, Saint_clark said: Not as obvious a decent performance from him tonight but still progress. Would like to see him get on the pitch earlier in games though, give him at least a half hour. He'll definitely start against Walsall next weekend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eurosaint Posted 30 December, 2023 Share Posted 30 December, 2023 Like many players (including the likes of Aribo!) he would benefit from a run in the team but right now as we're winning that looks unlikely ! It's a bit unfortunate but I would certainly give him a start v Walsall and take it from there..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tommy Posted 30 December, 2023 Share Posted 30 December, 2023 File alongside a number of other players our so called supporters have got on the back of in the ground rather than actually support him. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarehamSaintJames Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 Yes he scored yesterday, but my god that was an underwhelming performance by him all round. Bloke falls over, misses sitters, and generally looks so half arsed. I find it baffling that he gets any form of backing, and feels like his couple cameo goals has made everyone forget how ineffective a player he is. 😂 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexLaw76 Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 1 minute ago, FarehamSaintJames said: Yes he scored yesterday, but my god that was an underwhelming performance by him all round. Bloke falls over, misses sitters, and generally looks so half arsed. I find it baffling that he gets any form of backing, and feels like his couple cameo goals has made everyone forget how ineffective a player he is. 😂 He was poor for 89 mins and 30 seconds 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 On 30/12/2023 at 09:12, eurosaint said: Like many players (including the likes of Aribo!) he would benefit from a run in the team but right now as we're winning that looks unlikely ! It's a bit unfortunate but I would certainly give him a start v Walsall and take it from there..... Not really done much to warrant it though has he. A few okayish sub performances, he’s hardly been making himself undroppable, unlike Fraser who must be wondering what he has to do to get a start 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LuckyNumber7 Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 4 hours ago, FarehamSaintJames said: Yes he scored yesterday, but my god that was an underwhelming performance by him all round. Bloke falls over, misses sitters, and generally looks so half arsed. I find it baffling that he gets any form of backing, and feels like his couple cameo goals has made everyone forget how ineffective a player he is. 😂 Yeah, god forbid we actually get behind our players... He wasn't great yesterday but not that bad either. Missed a sitter but took his goal well. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toussaint Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 He’s a poor player and very fortunate to be getting continued opportunities at this level. I find it hard to see that he has improved at all in his time here. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintwbu Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 Anyone who was at the Blackburn, Swansea or the Plymouth game would’ve seen why some still think there is a player in there. Good link up, good footwork, a good strikers goal and assist across those games. It’s frustrating that the cup games against lower opposition he’s never set the world alight, but I still think there’s a player worth persisting with. Equally not sure why people are so keen to rubbish him as its not like we’ve had to rely on him so can’t see how he’s made such a negative impression. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlexLaw76 Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 10 minutes ago, saintwbu said: Anyone who was at the Blackburn, Swansea or the Plymouth game would’ve seen why some still think there is a player in there. Good link up, good footwork, a good strikers goal and assist across those games. It’s frustrating that the cup games against lower opposition he’s never set the world alight, but I still think there’s a player worth persisting with. Equally not sure why people are so keen to rubbish him as its not like we’ve had to rely on him so can’t see how he’s made such a negative impression. He rarely sets the world alight in any situation. All well and good coming on, making a few nice passes and getting a tap in, when a game is already won. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 Yes - he is relatively young and still has a lot to learn, but I can't ever see him as a first choice striker. ( compare : Dibling was a real handful for his 20 minutes.) It always feels like 10 men... plus Mara. He is not " a team player " rarely seems to get involved . In that aspect he reminds me of Boufal. He can go AWOL for long periods, and then pops up with a spectacular attempt on goal...scoring occasionally, he missed two/ three good chances yesterday but is otherwise rather ineffective in the general teamwork. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Convict Colony Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 Transferred at 19 moved to a new country Scored on debut for France Under 21 - Thierry Henry manager 4 managers in 2 seasons at Saints People forget Tella was 23 before he showed anything in championship. Russ rates him and I expect him to get more minutes in the 2nd half. I really dont get why everyone gets on his back, he was signed for the talent he showed in a relegation hit bordeaux after 1 season but was always a project player, not someone to be the cornerstone of our attack, he still needs to learn and also grow as a footballer - he's looked more physical this season for a start. People act like it was their own money. 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wade Garrett Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 5 minutes ago, Convict Colony said: Transferred at 19 moved to a new country Scored on debut for France Under 21 - Thierry Henry manager 4 managers in 2 seasons at Saints People forget Tella was 23 before he showed anything in championship. Russ rates him and I expect him to get more minutes in the 2nd half. I really dont get why everyone gets on his back, he was signed for the talent he showed in a relegation hit bordeaux after 1 season but was always a project player, not someone to be the cornerstone of our attack, he still needs to learn and also grow as a footballer - he's looked more physical this season for a start. People act like it was their own money. He’s fucking lazy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric The Red Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 I thought Sekou had a reasonable game yesterday, certainly didn't notice any 'laziness'. He's obviously not yet up to being a regular starter in the Championship but he ain't going to get any better unless we play him. Definitely a player with potential and worth persevering with given he's still only 21. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ally_uk Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 Give him time 👍 I highly rate him 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad Wolf Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 1 hour ago, Wade Garrett said: He’s fucking lazy Lazy?! Don't get me wrong, I don't particularly rate him but I've never seen anything to suggest he's lazy. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weston Super Saint Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 1 hour ago, Eric The Red said: I thought Sekou had a reasonable game yesterday, certainly didn't notice any 'laziness'. He's obviously not yet up to being a regular starter in the Championship but he ain't going to get any better unless we play him. Definitely a player with potential and worth persevering with given he's still only 21. Why not? Do players not improve with training? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Convict Colony Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 (edited) We see this in alot of our chats on our forum, people become entrenched in their view on certain subjects and no new info or performance is gonna change that. Hopefully he starts showing consistently what he's capable of but overall I hope the team continues their fine form in the 2nd half of the season and he contributes. Edited January 7 by Convict Colony 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FarehamSaintJames Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 I was at those games mentioned above and he did nothing of note. Blackburn he dithered, tried to take about seventeen more touches and want an age to control the ball before shooting. He was fortunate that the Blackburn defender chose to bundle him over and giveaway the penalty. He took the later goal well - but then again, any competent striker should be putting them away. Anyone that thinks he isn’t lazy should look at what he does for the team, what does he contribute, to me he contributes anger and frustration. He forever looks half arsed. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex Lion Tamer Posted January 7 Share Posted January 7 I see him levelling out at Obafemi's level. Not a world beater but decent to have around 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now