I think that's why Black is there, as the communicative link to the players, but otherwise, again, I do agree pretty much wholesale with this Ian. Blimey, I think I need a lie-down!
Started reasonably well, and the game was relatively even in the first half. But our passing was off tonight, and when Sanchez scored his goal (he took it very well), we folded like a pack of cards. We seem to lack confidence in the style we play, and also have no belief around the penalty area. Puel tried to make positive changes, but we had lost our intensity completely after the first goal, and our build up play became predictable and laboured. Unfortunately, it was another disappointing game at St Mary's this season - and there have been a few. Not much motivation around the place at the moment.
Regarding Puel's level of English, it is better than Poch's!! Maybe it is the heavy French accent because my Mallorcan students found it harder to understand Wenger, 20 years in the the UK, so is fluent in English but is still hard to understand. Mourinho is far more undestandable even though his level of English is not at the same level. Best user of English is Klopp who has a good sense of humour. Well he has to, given the sense of humour in Liverpool with its quick one liners.
Recent events have proven that only a minority of British people are sane and the same goes for Saints fans. That was a good game to watch, a bit more like a cup game really, they weren't very good and we didn't have enough to punish them. There were some great chances and Redmond's shot would have gone in on another day. What I find frustrating is we build too slowly and do not push forward in numbers. We hold back protecting Yoshida and Stevens. I know some of you enthuse about them both but in truth they are not good enough. They look better than they are because they have been protected at the expense of a more attacking formation. At the moment we are a couple of players short of being a good side and then a couple short again of being a great side. As for Puel he bores me to death but he has really improved some of our players and I do not want to see him go. What worries me most though is the air of uncertainty around the club at the moment and the unsettling effect this seems to be having on the team and the coach. The football club has just had the best part of £1500 from me and if this all crumbles then they have taken the piss out of us all and people only do that to me once.
Got to the ground but didn't see the match as had to leave and take my son to A+E. just got back, doesn't sound like I missed much. I know it's arsenal but our lack of goals is really really concerning.
Firstly, hope your boy is alright. Secondly, I concur. We're very tedious and boring to watch. So ponderous on the ball, wasteful in the final third then we seem to panic to rush back and not concede on the counter. First half was actually with some positive signs and I thought we could get something. But after the break, poor. Shocking how first Alexis, and then Giroud, were just left unmarked in and around our area for the second goal.
Apart from skying a half chance from the edge of the box in the first half, Davis was one of our best players? I agree about Tadic, very frustrating. But I'd still play him, because of what he can do. He needs to start doing it though.
When you say we, you mean Arsenal, right? Because I concur, a bit ponderous and predictable for a side who really should be challenging for the title every season. But yeah, Sanchez and Giroud were both too good for Saints makeshift defence. That aside, an even game with nothing between the two sides
Cheers mate. Been supporting Saints since I was old enough to stand on a box with my dad at the Dell & been going by myself since my early teens. Had a ST through most of that even in L1. Your ****e above is pathetic. Very frustrated last eve & can't be bothered to write why because of getting patronising BS like above. Ps. I will be renewing as usual but maybe, just maybe, an old school whose seen a few ups & downs can have a slight dig at the performance & Puel & I'm just trying to show my disappointment, frustration atm! Just maybe? PPs. And I hope the 4x who "liked" davecg69's post read & appreciate this as well.
Ian - you have never once asked me what style of football I prefer. Make your comments about the team by all means and of course feel free to quote my posts and refer to them directly, but stop posting views or comments on my behalf please. Thank you. *asking nicely once
I'm having a bit of difficulty trying to fathom Puels tactics last night. A few players did not seem to be at the races, especially in the second half. Was it me or were we lacking a bit of confidence? I may be in the middle of the Mediterranean but I was pleasantly surprised at the disappointment on board the ship at the way we played. The only Arsenal fan gloated but he was put down by some good old fashioned banter from some guys in their 90s. It was better to watch and listen to that than watch the tele.
I get people's frustrations this season, but let's be honest, this was always going to happen at some point when you are consistently selling and rebuilding every season. I do feel for Puel quite a bit, as the summer recruiting by LR was very poor and not helped by comments such as "we now have one of the best group of midfielders in the premier league now". Really? We have no pace from midfield, very little creativity, but we do have Romeu. Oh, and virtually no goals. If people are saying that they may not renew season tickets for next season, I get that. 17 goals in 17 games with 9 of those in 3 games, is not good enough by any standard. Me personally, I'm waiting to see what happens in the coming weeks. Are saints doing their usual PR bit, by saying that VVD will be staying just as the renewal date is fast approaching? Probably. But as I said, I feel Puel has been set up a bit here by the club, who seem to be getting away with it ? Look at the awards evening, little digs from LR, no usual 1 hour (what the hell are you on about) speech from Ralph, and was KL even there? Let's wait and see what unfolds in the summer.
I agree with Brixham....don't think Puel was dealt the same hand as the others. On paper, we had 3 strikers, but Jay wasn't back to his best.....and we had lost Mane and Pelle. Liverpool struggle without Mane. We also lost Wanyama....which has meant a settling in period for players ahead of the back four. We all knew we needed another CB....confirmed by the injury to VVD and the lack of interest in staying by Fonte (though that was a total surprise). We have been lucky that Jack and Maya have stepped up....could have been a total disaster, especially as the emergency buy of Caceres does not seem to have worked out. Puel knew what he was getting into as he was told he had to use the youngsters...but this was always going to be a transitory season* and I think we have come out of it quite well. *By transitory, I mean Katharina preparing to sell the club after stepping in and getting us into a better financial state. If we don't get a buyer, I'm suspecting that next season won't be that exciting either. Puel needs support from the board....if Virgil leaves, he should get all the money for the team....not sure that will happen.
