Boufal is like Mane when he first came here. Falls over a bit but take that away he takes people on. Something the rest of the team (apart from Romeu) could learn from. My biggest groan today was Tadic. Got in a good position, saw opposition, stopped and waited for overlap. Something all our team does all game.
Yeah, it's getting increasingly hard I must admit. I'm not 'Puel out' or anything like that (we're top half and in a cup semi final), but I just wish we'd be just a little bit exciting now and again.
Puel is bloody deluded if he thinks we don't need a striker or some sort of extra finishing options come January.
I don't see us being relegated this year. I do think we COULD (key word) be a lot closer than some think though. We MUST do business in January to bolster our attacking options, at the moment our defence is good enough to keep us out of trouble in most games. However if we keep this current squad and get a long term injury to Virgil or Romeu and suddenly we're a team who can't score but also isn't great at keeping them out. That's not a good combination. I do worry about next season though, really concerned about replacing both starting CB's in the space of 6 months.
Nope. That has happened for a couple of years. This is no different to when Koeman was here. Difference with Koeman he had a couple of game changers...........and Morgan.
Couldn't agree more with all of this. To be honest Stelling can go **** himself with his ridiculous tirade. I can assure you, utterly brilliant though he was, Matty had games that were a lot less effective as "a professional footballer" than Sofiane against Spurs.
I'd really, really, really hate to be..... .....the person running the Saints Facebook account this evening! Anyhow, Happy New Year you crazy lot. 2017 will bring what it brings, but I hope it's a joyful, peaceful and successful one for all of you. Even the lurking Pompey support. Signing out for the moment. I'm off to party like it's 1984. LTL.
The problem I had with Rons time was we only had a core of 13\4 players. Now we have a core of 19\20 playets but they are nearly all average. We change players but dont improve on the field. Davies coming on against Bournemouth seems like the only time a player changed the game.Claude is wrong if he doesnt rotate and wrong if he does.
Forgot to say, have a Happy New Year. When I get back we will have signed 4 players and spent £100m...
I get the rotation policy, but I strongly feel like Puel is overdoing it. Name one other team that changed 3/4 of their back 4?
I might be "Puel out". Not because our league position or points total merit such, but if we're going to be mediocre mid-tablers, it would be nice if we were at least somewhat fun.
Puel has made a few tactical mistakes but nothing that has disgraced him. No manager is perfect and he adjusting to a new country and league. I have an issue with the board not spending enough to give Puel a good enough squad to compete and achieve fan expectations. But they have done us well over the years so its very hard to complain at them! Bit of spending on the right players over the next two windows and all will be well. Worth noting that if we win a cup fans will consider this an incredible season.
I'm far from Puel out, have said many times I will judge him properly at seasons end. There is one thing I'm wondering though. When he was appointed we were all told about his high pressing style, yet has anyone seen much of that?