What made it worse was that, in my view, the booing was of the wrong substitution. I said it at the time (I often replying to the booers, not that they can hear me of course!). I don't boo, and I don't agree with it fullstop. But at least I can sometimes understand it. But that I did not understand, it was the wrong sub! Long for Gabby made a lot of sense. But Sims for Boufal was, in my view, truly dreadful. Primarily because I thought Boufal was head and shoulders our best offensive players. But also because Sims made no sense, particularly given that JWP has been well at wide-right recently and was available as an alternative option from the bench. Shock horror, Sims has practically no impact. Puel is reaching Adkins level of bad substitution choices.
Sims and Long were applauded on....it is amazing how fans that boo are so much quicker to the draw than the fans that applaud (the majority). Perhaps they are already half-cocked.
This was exactly my thought on the changes on Saturday. Claude has now made similar errors in at least three recent home games, the Bournemouth substitution being similarly bizarre if my memory serves me correct. Bringing long on made total sense and, in all fairness, he had more of an impact that Gabbiadini whose substitution was not unexpected. I agree that JWP should have been brought on as his set pieces would have been another tool to unlock a stubborn and disciplined Hull side who looked much better than their league position suggested. The game passed Sims by and I fear that he seems a little too small when up against physically greater defenders. The other point I would like to add is that I can see no point in bringing Jay-Rod on. I was watching a DVD the other week when he was at his peak for us and the transformation from what he was to what he is now is a massive shock. I don't think he is a fraction of the player he was and am surprised that he is being linked with both West Brom and Newcastle where I don't think he can add anything His substitute appearances always seem to be cameos too late in the game for him to do anything. Not sure that I can agree with you about Boufal. True, it was one of his "better games", but he doesn't seem to me to be as good as someone as Gaston Ramires who similarly flattered to deceive and was, in my opinion, perhaps better than Boufal. He reminds me more Juanmi who never settled but also looked similarly skilled yet ineffectual.
Not really exactly the same thoughts, then. As I said, Boufal's performance was the "primary" reason behind my feelings. If he had been as poor/anonymous as Redmond and Tadic, I wouldn't have cared so much about the change. Tadic shouldn't have even come out for the second half in my view, let alone survived Boufal (and, indeed, the full 90 minutes).
Tadic was dreadful. If he had been replaced by JWP in the second half, I think we would have done better. The only players who weren't poor were Cedric, Davis and Romeu even though I have seen all three have better games. The strange thing about Tadic was that he looked our best player early in the season until he took the injury to the face. He seemed to have bloomed under Puel initially yet he is another erratic player of late capable of terrific performances such as at Wembley but equally capable of a ricket as was the case on Saturday. He would still be a player that I would be disappointed to see leave.
That's what expectation does for you. What was once spectacular an wonderful is now expected as the norm.
https://ninetyminutesonline.com/agent-tottenham-deal-happening-southampton-registered-interest/ Saints apparently interested in winger Bruma.
To be fair, some football fans are pro-active morons, getting their moans and groans in before a ball has even been kicked.
And another...... Chelsea are also close to signing Southampton's 25-year-old Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk for £50m after he turned down an offer from Arsenal.(Sun)
That's ok. With the £50 million for VVD £8 million for Fonte already in the coffers, another £15-£20 million for Bertrand, plus another £30-£35 million for Jay Rod, Long & Tadic,that will give the new manager plenty to restructure the team?
Would prefer Ake personally? https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/foot...gil-van-dijk-andreas-christensen-southampton/
Long has 5 goals this season. 18 starts, 42 apps. So more than capable, perhaps not? For our second (?) choice striker to Austin at the start, then to Gabbiadini when he came in and Austin was injured, it isn't good enough in my opinion. I like Long, he works hard etc and can endear himself to the fans, but personally I would sell him in the summer while his value is still okay, he doesn't score enough and I think there are better options out there. Especially with Gabbiadini and Austin coming back he is unlikely to have much of a look in anyway.
Time for another Benali in the Saints team...? Last paragraph of the Guardian gossip page... https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...nsfer-rumour-mill-kyle-walker-tottenham-leave
