True. He is a 21st century MLT in the making. But let's hope we don't have to put that loyalty to the test, despite the fantastic performances.
That's the point, if the time ever came that he wasn't happy at Saints surely it would be reflected in his play? Anyway, if he can stay fit and play the way he has started, we surely have to have a good shot at promotion this season don't we, especially if we can strengthen the defence a bit?
Yeah, you've hit the nail on the head. Frankly, I think we're OK on the LB and RB front, but for the CBs there's a certain dodginess. Don't get me wrong, Fonte is damn near perfect [another Arsenal target apparently], but Jaidi needs to be a few years younger to be impenetrable, and there are question marks with Seabourne and Martin. Both lack the experience, and it already shows. Not their fault, of course.
You can only get experience by playing. The secret is for our defence to be good as a unit and make up for any individual weaknesses. That's what happened last year..we sometimes looked distinctly wobbly and yet we kept scorelines down.
Absolutely..! So although I'm a bit iffy on both Seabourne and Martin, being in the CB position, I realise that they can only progress if they play. I'll give them plenty of slack.
Yes! It sounded like he was reading it of a sheet, he even pronounced it Bee-al-kow-ski rather than Bee-al-kov-ski
Yeah, I think this game shows us that if Fonte is injured we really do lack a strong centre back, sounds to me like Seaborne and Martin both needed a bit of experience next to them
Sounds like Schneiderlin played well which is good to see and with Chappers getting a goal and having a good game against Leeds we have 4 CM who are all on top form!! I still think Forte is going to be the surprise package this year but with 7 goals and 7 different scorers the confidence is high in the Saints camp!!
What was that comment from Adkins about goalkeepers supporting the team, which made Him and the Interviewer chuckle..?
He said the goalkeeper was the most important player in the team, and the interviewer suggested he might be biased
He said that Goalkeeper is the most important position, eluding to the fact that he was a goalie in his playing days.
Stats on bbc website suggests that Torquay were in the game. Had lots of chances on and off targets...difference was that we scored 4 out of 8 attempts on target.
Sometimes stats can mean very little. Rushed chances & bad decisions = more shots.......especially on the bbc.
Bart - 7 - Made 2 smart saves and good distribution as always but lacked control of his box. Butterfield - 6 - Caught out of position 1 or 2 times but made up for it with some good tackles. Martin - 6 - Looked okay, still shakey i thought, the partnership with Seaborne didnt work. Seaborne - 4 - Looked out of sorts somewhat tonight, made a lot of errors. Diabolical if you ask me. Dickson - 6 - Again like Butterfield, caught out of position, got better as the game went on. De Ridder - 8 - Calm and composed, great flair. Owned the right wing. Lost the ball cheaply a few times however. Chaplow - 7 - Got on the score sheet and ran all over the pitch, looked very good. Schneiderlin - 8 - Class of his own, he is seriously under-ratted. Saw passes no one else could, hitting cross field balls for fun. Holmes - 7 - Energetic on the left, caused a few problems. Lambert - 7 - Well taken free kick, held up the ball well. Guly - 6 - Another 'off' day today, gave the ball away cheaply a lot and missed a sitter. There were some good touches in his game though so not all negative. Subs - Lallana - 7 - Cracking shot that unfortunatly hit the bar, full of energy, as always. Hammond - 7 - Calm and compossed from the momment he came on, didnt put a foot wrong. Forte - Didnt really do much, but got himself a goal. Fair play to him. Anyone else go ? what are your ratings ?
I agree with your ratings but Guly and Seaborne were shocking. Seaborne kept blaming Martin for errors that were of his own making, we need another centre back quite quickly. Lambert and Schneiderlin were the stand out players and were superb.
Overall sounds like the result is the main thing in this game. Not our proper first team, but still in the hat for the next round.
Bart - 7 - Made 2 smart saves and good distribution as always but lacked control of his box. Butterfield - 5 - Caught out of position 1 or 2 times but made up for it with some good tackles. Martin - 6 - Looked okay, still shakey i thought, the partnership with Seaborne didnt work. Seaborne - 3 - Awful! Just awful I will pay for his taxi fare back to the farm yard!! Shocking! Dickson - 6 - got better as the game went on. De Ridder - 8 - Calm and composed, great flair. Owned the right wing. Lost the ball cheaply a few times however. Excellent player! Perfect if not better replacement for Chamberlain! Chaplow - 7 - Got on the score sheet and ran all over the pitch, looked very good. Schneiderlin - 8 - Class of his own, he is seriously under-ratted. Saw passes no one else could, hitting cross field balls for fun. Holmes - 7 - Energetic on the left, caused a few problems. Still looks slow, like he's always limping aha...! Lambert - 7 - Well taken free kick, held up the ball well. Guly - 6 - Just an off day today. Some good moments... Subs - Lallana - 7 - Cracking shot that unfortunatly hit the bar, full of energy, as always. Hammond - 7 - Calm and compossed from the momment he came on, didnt put a foot wrong. Forte - Didnt really do much, but got himself a goal. Fair play to him.
