Southampton Post Match

[kemm1]

we need Vidal AND a striker...

[peekay]

If we are going to continue our Southampton raid next season, wouldn't mind Ward Prowse at LFC. Very impressive performance from him today.

[RedRum]

If we are going to continue our Southampton raid next season, wouldn't mind Ward Prowse at LFC. Very impressive performance from him today.

Definitely and for me, Nathaniel Clyne. He gave us some problems today. Sell Johnson & Enrique. Moreno, Flanagan, Manquillo and Clyne would be good fullback options.

[Zapater]

I was quite impressed with Koeman. He'd obviously had a look at us in pre season and came with a system to cut off the supply to and from Phil.

Early impressions are that he's going to do well for Southampton.

Must be his background team. Koeman is a horrendous manager. He leaves most teams he's been in charge of a shambles. His work at Benfica and Valencia was particularly disastrous. He doesn't usually stay at a club very long. When he's done well it's due to a great squad, how difficult is it to win Eredivisie with Chivu, van der Vaart, Ibra, Maxwell and Pienaar?

I remember that Miguel and Vicente gave interviews saying that he neglected team talks or giving players any tactical preparation and just said 'good luck' before kick off.

I don't know what he did at Feynoord, but unless he's improved significantly from the first decade of his career I can't imagine him lasting long.

[Buzzo]

Solid enough win for the first game of the season, improved performances expected/required in all departments against Citeh though.

Despite being pillaged all summer, Saints looked decent I thought, shrewd managerial appointment in getting Koeman. What a player he was.

[Fosterbloke]

Man City looked good today. Nest incisive passing and good positions.

It's going to be tough!

[TheElephantMan]

During the early stages of last season we played well in the first half and not so great in the second. We nearly won the league.

[brightred]

During the early stages of last season we played well in the first half and not so great in the second. We nearly won the league.

Very true.

With those words in my head I'm off to bed.

[Lecter]

I was really disappointed with our pressing it was non-existent, we also didnt compete for second balls and just looked slow and a tad lethargic

Johnson is absolutely stealing a living. He doesnt look ****ing arsed it must be a damning indictment on Enrique if that fraud is getting a game ahead of him

[DeanoUK]

Ok, went to the game so I didn't pick up on any of the chat or commentary...

Won't repeat your entire post, but I think it sums it up for me too.

[DannyMan2006]

I was really disappointed with our pressing it was non-existent, we also didnt compete for second balls and just looked slow and a tad lethargic

Johnson is absolutely stealing a living. He doesnt look ****ing arsed it must be a damning indictment on Enrique if that fraud is getting a game ahead of him

Enrique not fit, and as our whole game is based on pressing, it stands to reason we will be poor at the start of the season as fitness won't quite be there yet.

[DannyMan2006]

I'll reiterate what's already been said in here. We lost the midfield battle. Initially So'ton dropped off and allowed us room, showed us too much respect IMO. But when they realised they had the beating of us, and got the confidence of the first goal, they dominated us.

The switch to the diamond late on saved us, they sat back again and allowed us time and Rickie looked the part. Once we scored we decided to just sit & Rickie became a spare part. Tough game for him.

But the problem keeps pointing to our midfield. No protection to the back 4. They don't keep the ball well & they struggled to create chances. No positives. Look at the time and space Ward-Prowse had and compare that to the space Coutinho had. The difference ? We had Gerrard & Lucas whilst they had Wanyama & Schneiderlin. They dominated us and we couldn't cope.

We all know Lucas isn't good enough. But Gerrard in a midfield two? I wasn't convinced last season and I'm not convinced now. Can't cover the ground so needs to read the game. I'm not sure he's doing a good enough job of that, but I'll not panic just yet as we're only one game in.

[Pablo]

I think lots of teams will lose the midfield battle against them, they were tough! Wanyama was seriously impressive, a real beast. I think we needed Can or Allen in there instead and that was an error in team selection.

Lucas will surely be dropped against City.

[Fosterbloke]

I reckon Can, Allen and Henderson is a great combination.

[RichC]

Not the best performance yesterday but first game of the season and we managed to grab all 3 points.

Johnson & Lucas need to be jettisoned pretty sharpish and get in Moreno and either Allen or Can starting in their place.

Sterling even when not at his best looks a real game changer and I think will be superb for us this season, few players to come in still with Lallana and Markovic who will also offer us more options.

I'm hoping we see Sakho start next game with Lovren, yet again Skrtel doing his all or nothing stuff which is great when it works but leaves us horribly exposed when it doesn't.