Saints 0-0 Swansea - Match Thread

[Hodgey]

I think we need to play that same team now for at least the next 2 games, no tinkering (bar injuries). The set up freed Jander and Charles up to get fwd more, Edward’s allows a wing back to bomb fwd, Scienza and Armstrong had more space, Harwood Bellis I thought played some really good fwd passes that the other cbs simply don’t have in their locker (and this was a big strength 2 years ago). On CF - I think the way we set up means the cf has a really tough job, we don’t have anyone capable of doing it well but you need someone as a focal point - Aribo is an interesting shout but presumably doesn’t want to be here and isn’t really a fwd - should be on the bench though as he’ll be shop window motivated. Azaz doesn’t look happy playing this system so he can’t start.

Defensively I think the jury is still out, Swansea were very poor, let’s see how they cope against Bristol - I’m concerned that more direct teams with a big man will have a lot of joy against those 3. 
 

Let’s see after 3 games if Still has found something that works with our players (even if it probably isn’t the way he wants to play)

[Totton Saint]

It is not worth posting on here anymore IMO albeit the match did have an end to end feel about it for neutrals.

 

[WALK DMC]

6 minutes ago, Hodgey said:

I think we need to play that same team now for at least the next 2 games, no tinkering (bar injuries). The set up freed Jander and Charles up to get fwd more, Edward’s allows a wing back to bomb fwd, Scienza and Armstrong had more space, Harwood Bellis I thought played some really good fwd passes that the other cbs simply don’t have in their locker (and this was a big strength 2 years ago). On CF - I think the way we set up means the cf has a really tough job, we don’t have anyone capable of doing it well but you need someone as a focal point - Aribo is an interesting shout but presumably doesn’t want to be here and isn’t really a fwd - should be on the bench though as he’ll be shop window motivated. Azaz doesn’t look happy playing this system so he can’t start.

Defensively I think the jury is still out, Swansea were very poor, let’s see how they cope against Bristol - I’m concerned that more direct teams with a big man will have a lot of joy against those 3. 
 

Let’s see after 3 games if Still has found something that works with our players (even if it probably isn’t the way he wants to play)

I agree with much of what you say, my main criticism being that he should have gone 4-2-3-1 in the 2nd half when it was obvious that we'd stopped creating. For me, Azaz is best in that formation and he does have the ability to unlock a defence, so worth a try for 25 minutes.  I also thought that THB was ok and his passing decent at times - although it was noticeable that playing as LCB meant his passing deteriorated when he was forced to play with his left foot. 

I'm not sure that Swansea are quite as bad as some people are saying, we actually played really well (at least in first half) and are progressively improving. Swansea's away form is reasonable; they've lost twice 1-0 (away at Boro and Birmingham) and won twice (Blackburn & Sheff W). Plus, they haven't been dominated all season as they were yesterday, so we should take some positives from the game. 

Of course, we need to start winning. Fingers crossed for Bristol City. 

 

[saintant]

5 hours ago, Wade Garrett said:

I think Archer is a centre forward.  Armstrong has shown time and again that he can’t play there, yet Still put him there, knowing this, again.

Then what does he do at the end of the game?  Stick Harwood-Bellis up but puts Charles back as LCB.  The bloke is fucking clueless.  Got the job on the strength of a tactical piece he did on Sky.  It was just a sales pitch that the circus at SR swallowed hook, line and sinker.

🙂