Southampton Post Match

[BobTheCharmer]

It has to be said that some players are still behind others in terms of fitness, so which explains the lethargy. There's absolutely nothing to be worried about even at this stage, even if we drew that game.

I agree re the fitness, arsenal were similar. But dropping points will always prove costly unless you win the league. Losing to saints last year effectively cost us the title. Points can never be made up. Its why I wonder why clubs don't buy players and get them in so they can hit the ground running. Considering the money involved, its crazy. That's all clubs not just us. When every attention to detail like diet, heart rates, stats etc is used why start a 38 game campaign at anything less than full strength? Injuries permitting.

[shanks69]

Manquillo was the man. He blocked an impressive amount of crosses and got up in support well.

great tackle late on, corner of the box.

[Roland]

Three points and that is all that matters this early. All teams have problems to sort out. If we still play this bad in a month time then we can begin to talk about problems.

[kingfunk]

Southampton Post Match

We can analyse the game, with either negative or positive signs for the season ahead. In truth the first couple of games will tell us little. No injuries and three points is as good as we could have hoped for.

[chadrtc]

This is where the signing of Lallana is an astute one. We can either move Cou deeper, bringing Lallana to play his role, or vice versa. Will give either player the space to pass and move.

Good shout.

[Red_Polo]

Absolutely and that's the centre-mid problem.

Definitely

Not you're missing the point we had an inexperienced kid playing RB and our RB playing LB. I said nothing about them attacking

Perhaps read the post again? It seemed to me to quite directly argue your point.

You said they didn't do the CBs any favours. As Nigey pointed out our fullbacks are by design attack minded and will need covering to some degree. The lack of protection for the centre backs is far more down to issues in midfield, as kemm1 said.

[Chris]

Great to win although we were pretty poor in the main. Thought Allen showed way more than Lucas and Gerrard while he was on the pitch to start the next game. The new guys played their part and Mignolet for the second season in a row saves the 3points right at the end. Tremendous save.

He's utter class Joe isn't he? Far from the 1st time he's come on and helped change a game or calm it down. Think he's a brilliant little player.

[danperkins]

Definitely



Perhaps read the post again? It seemed to me to quite directly argue your point.

You said they didn't do the CBs any favours. As Nigey pointed out our fullbacks are by design attack minded and will need covering to some degree. The lack of protection for the centre backs is far more down to issues in midfield, as kemm1 said.

I mentioned absolutely nothing about them attacking.. Just saying that playing an inexperienced kid at RB and our out of form RB at left back.. is not exactly ideal. Got away with it in first half but when they started to push on the second half.. We looked fragile. Thought manquillo done well the last 15 mins.. Grew into the game.

And I agree about lack of protection from midfield.. Said that in few posts already mate.

[Rowan]

Thank **** for that. Can't see how Sakho can't get into that team.

Shift Lovren to RCB and bounce Skrtel. Same old ****e today. Won a few headers and made some impressive looking slidey tackles but his little jaunts up field left us exposed again (especially if Manquillo had already pushed on).

Lovren and Sakho seems a much more tactically astute option

[dizzycat]

At least we will be motivated for City. I think that was half the problem today, we took them for granted and couldn't get going.

[frank the tank]

Do we think manquillo and Moreno will be our first choice full backs.....or will flanno force his way back into the team???

Either way, I think if there is an offer for Johnson before the window closes (I'm thinking of Arry redknapp here) then he will be gone

[Chazza]

No one will pay Johnson's wages and more chance of Enrique going I reckon.

[RedRum]

He's utter class Joe isn't he? Far from the 1st time he's come on and helped change a game or calm it down. Think he's a brilliant little player.

I like his determination and intelligence on the ball. Heard a few giving him stick in the pub when he was subbed on but then started hearing the opposite as the game wore on.

[baitman]

**** sake, brown undies starting already. Gunna be an expensive season on laundry.

always best to have a stash of cheapo match day undies. if it gets too tense and you have a few skiddies after the game you can just bin them

[chadrtc]

No one will pay Johnson's wages and more chance of Enrique going I reckon.

Yeah, I think one of them will go.

I thought Johnson had another lethargic game defensively today.