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Comment | Southampton Make First Signing Of The Summer Transfer Window
at 12:59:30
Bazunu is worst keeper in the championship by a number of measures. He consistently is rooted to his line on crosses which causes all manner of issues for our defenders who themselves are not great.
The only reason to bring this guy in is because he is an upgrade on Bazunu and McCarthy. He is not going to swap sitting on a bench in Hamburg for the same in Southampton, so let’s hope Spors’ faith is well placed. |
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Comment | Daily Echo Hint At Player Power Issues In Southampton Squad
at 19:17:36
I think there is some substance in Alfie’s cryptic message and Nick’s musings, even it they and we don’t, and can’t, know the whole truth. No smoke without fire…..
If you look for comparisons then there are plenty of connections with Man Utd. A few long standing senior players who rule the dressing room, a succession of bright managers who cannot get a tune out of the team, a boardroom without clear direction or accountability. And United have been in this place for a decade! |
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Comment | Southampton At Middlesbrough The Verdict
at 10:12:00
It was always my fear that once TE was appointed on a full time basis and the initial manager bounce had worn off that we would revert to the mess that we saw under Will Still. TE might be a “student of the game” but either his tactics are wrong or the players aren’t executing them. My view is that it is the latter and to sort the mess out takes effective man management which I think TE maybe lacking experience with.
I don’t think we will be sucked into a relegation battle but we are a million miles off being a promotion contender. |
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Comment | Another Ex Southampton Hero Linked For Return To St Mary's
at 12:59:37
I agree with Colburn, there seems to be very little upside to this when JWP would use up valuable financial resources that could be used on other needs e.g. Goalkeeper.
This move might have made more sense if the club hadn’t recruited Romeu but now he is in the door I don’t think we have a place for JWP as well. I don’t see his play being any better than Jander, Shea Charles or Downes. Cam Bragg is also emerging as useful cover and has just signed a new contract.
I wish JWP well and hope he finds the right move, just not at Saints. |
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Comment | Southampton At Norwich City The Preview
at 13:27:02
I believe Norwich will be without Josh Sargent for this match through injury which is a bonus for Saints as he is key to their attack.
That said I hear Tom Fellows is 50:50 for us but expect Weeman would come in if he is not fit.
On the Bazunu point I largely agree but we look nervy as a team at corners and free kicks and that is due to Bazunu not dominating his box and claiming high balls. Get that right then the second ball scramble doesnt happen. He has improved his shot stopping though which was an issue previously. |
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Comment | Southampton V West Bromwich Albion The Verdict
at 07:19:41
The first half was as good as we have seen at SMS but we need to carry that on into the second half for the first 15-20mins before we go into game management mode. I think the crowd responds to the style of play hence why it was quiet from the second half whistle. I get the early substitutions of Scienza and Fellows as it’s another 3 game week and we need their high energy on Saturday but doing it straight after West Brom had scored sent the wrong message and just encouraged the Baggies further. I wonder if Tonda and the players should look to pace the game better to spread out the effort through a larger part of the game as it looked like we were struggling for energy in the second half.
A quick call out for Bazunu. Not at fault for either goal but boy did he pull off a string of fine saves to keep West Brom from scoring their second until late on. He could do more to dominate his box at corners but overall he played his part as much as Scienza and Armstrong in that win. |
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Comment | Southampton V West Bromwich Albion The Preview
at 13:56:23
The crowd need to keep pushing the team forward. Saturday’s match against Birmingham seemed a little flat to me, at least for the first 20 mins, almost as if the complacency had crept into the fan base and we just had to turn up and watch a win. The fans need to play their part to make sure the team don’t fall into the same trap. |
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Comment | Southampton On Verge Of Managerial Appointment
at 12:14:35
Landsdown, I recall the same sort of messages about Will Still being a next generation talent when he walked in the door. TE clearly has had a positive impact but l would like a bigger sample size to be convinced. |
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Comment | Southampton On Verge Of Managerial Appointment
at 12:14:34
Landsdown, I recall the same sort of messages about Will Still being a next generation talent when he walked in the door. TE clearly has had a positive impact but l would like a bigger sample size to be convinced. |
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Comment | Southampton Set To Appoint New Manager Ahead of Birmingham Game
at 12:28:12
If the club are about to appoint an experienced manager, Carrick or otherwise, I hope there is a requirement for the new manager to keep Tonda as part of the coaching staff, possibly Assistant Manger. Tonda has proven he has good qualities and is still potentially a manager we may turn to again when the time is right, once he has a bit more experience learning from the new manager. |
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Comment | Southampton At Charlton Athletic The Verdict
at 07:41:17
I would say that was the most complete performance since the playoff semi final win over West Brom. Every player contributed and our new get the ball forward quickly style was demonstrated by the 3rd goal by Jander which started with Bazunu.
I’m one of those that is reserving judgement on TE getting the manager job on a full time basis. But this win wasn’t against a poor side likely batting relegation (Sheff Wed, QPR). This was against a team that was around the playoff positions, had only lost once at home this season and before Saturday had only conceded 11 goals. Add to that they were coached by the best manager in Europe. TE had the players well drilled with the right tactics and crucially believing in their abilities.
I still think there is much more to managing a side on a permanent basis than just focusing on a small number of game. But if TE has the longer term strategy to go with the immediate improved focus on performance and results then he certainly deserves to be in the conversation. I think we will know more after the Millwall game. |
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Comment | Oriol Romeu Set To Return To Southampton As A Free Agent
at 18:01:21
The fact that Romeu was able to mix it in Spainsh top division including with Barcelona after leaving us showed he still had plenty in the tank. Based on our current squad he walks into the first XI.
Maybe SR have turned a corner with their decision making. Lets reserve judgement until the new manager is named. |
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Comment | Southampton Sack Will Still
at 07:34:39
It’s harsh on WS but his post match interview showed he had run out of ideas. He certainly is not totally at fault for the mess but as is usually the case the manager is the most dispensable.
As to who next, while I understand the calls for Martin to return, Sports Republic need to buy time and favour with the fan base. Appointing Martin would require instant positive results which (no guarantee) otherwise the fan revolt will be bigger and more focused on them. A lot of attention was on Danny Rohl in the summer and while that option is now at Rangers it shows the indication of the type of manager Spors was looking for. Ralph would align to that style and would be a popular choice with the fans. The question is would he want to given his previous comments about early retirement which if serious would mean him only being a short term appointment.
We definitely need an experienced manager who is going to whip the players into a functioning team again. |
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Comment | Is Silence From St Mary's A Good Or Bad Sign For Will Still
at 12:47:46
It could be that Spors is too busy reviewing the contract proposal from Juventus to worry about WS.
Even if that is a bit of exaggeration it could be that the lack of stability at the top works in WS favour in the short term at least.
I actually want WS and the players fully focussed on Saturdays match so the lack of PR from them is a good thing. That said as most posters have said, defeat against Preston and there won’t be any hiding place for WS or the decision makers. |
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Comment | Southampton V Swansea City The Verdict
at 11:54:38
King Olaf. So you agree with Nick that chopping and changing the players is an issue and yet you are calling for a change of manager barely a quarter of the season gone. Recent experience would suggest chopping and changing the manager isn’t a way to success either. |
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Comment | Southampton V Swansea City The Verdict
at 11:48:33
Nick. Totally disagree with your assertion that it was entirely down to Will Still that we didn’t win this game. The manager sets the formation, tactics and selects the players against the opposition to give his players the best chance to execute. In terms of approach play and creating chances the performance was superb. Ultimately though the players have to execute on those chances and they didn’t. That’s not the manager’s fault. He is not out there kicking the ball.
As for the chopping and changing players, I agree this doesn’t help find a settled side but the performances and results of individuals haven’t merited players retaining players. We fans would soon complain if he kept playing the same XI and the results were the same. What did you keep saying last season? The definition of insanity is to keep doing the same things and expecting a different outcome. I applaud Still’s determination to find solutions. We though he had done so with Ross Stewart and the team was starting to settle and gel but then cruel injury luck robbed Still of that so he had to find another solution. Yesterday’s performance was good but the lack of goals is what is focused on. I would be far more concerned if our XI wasn’t above 3.
In the whole I think Still has shown enough to warrant our support. The players need to do their jobs and understand if they don’t they cannot expect to have long runs in the side. |
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Comment | Southampton At Sheffield United The Verdict
at 13:07:39
Fair write up and one of those occasions when the result was more important than the performance. It seems that WS either by design or fortune has now found a system and players that work, so while there was the odd individual error I agree with the sentiment of others that this should be our core group until form or fatigue dictates otherwise. Certainly the young defenders will benefit hugely from regular playing time and consistency. Wood continues to impress and is the best defender at the club at the moment.
Really pleased for Ross Stewart and hopefully this means he can now go on a run of goals and goal contributions. In terms of Downs you maybe right about needing time but if the club persist in buying players that need a season or two to develop they need to marry that up with some that are the finished article and can contribute now.
Finally on the ref. If I were a Sheffield Utd supporter I suspect the comments about being a “good ref” would be markedly different. I think the penalty award was soft and the disallowed goal would be given more times than not. I’m not saying that I don’t appreciate the decisions going our way this time but that doesn’t mean the ref was any better than some we have seen earlier this season, we were just the beneficiary this time. |
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Comment | Southampton At Watford The Preview
at 09:20:57
Even if Azaz etc were signed to be eligible to play at Watford I don’t expect them to start and I don’t see a change of formation at this stage. The new players might be match fit but have had no time on the training ground with the coaches and new team mates. There is an international break after this weekend and WS will have 2 weeks with those not away with their national sides to drill in the preferred 4-2-3-1. |
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