Match Day Thread Southampton vs Everton 26/11/17 1:30PM KO - Embarrassment on National TV Edition

I was saying to someone before the game - I have no problem losing the ball up the pitch if the intent is to be progressive.

 

It couldn't put it better. This is what football is about.

 

And this is why I can’t believe that for 12 months People have been criticising him. He is just what we’ve needed and yet despite him missing pre/season because he joined injured and not playing three games in a row until now, so many people bemoaned him. Crazy.

 

Seen some criticism of Long for his finish/lack of passing to JWP. Can't really blame him for having a shot when he hasn't scored in 100 games and we are 4-1 up. The shot wasn't terrible either and produced a good save from Pickford, seems harsh to have a go at him for that also bearing in mind that he created the opportunity by closing down Jagielka (how is he still playing PL football btw? was finished a couple of years ago I thought). Have a go at Long for losing the ball 3 times and giving away a couple of sloppy free kicks, but can't have a go at him for that

 

EXACTLY MY SENTIMENT 100%. I couldn't agree with you more.

 

Yeah I saw your second post. Have to say, why should we care? He was nothing but excellent for us throughout his tenure - a club legend. Seems unjustified to judge him for what is going on at his massive, historic, merseyside club with dugouts. Maybe if he's laughing and couldn't care less its more about the club turmoil than it is about him personally.

 

When he looks back at his career, all his best memories will be with us. Makes his tweet a little ironic.

 

I'm seemingly a loner on this but I just dont see the point of having a striker who cant get the ball in the net. I was bemused when we signed him and I'm bemused still. Yes he can run and disrupt and he can cause problems and take players out of the game but he drives me ****ing nuts.

 

He's great in a free scoring team, because he can be another strong option. But as a first choice lone striker, forget it. Not at PL level.

 

First game of the season for me, I certainly picked well. I can only ever go by what I see on MOTD or live matches, but we looked a more revved up team today. Boufal is great to watch and Tadic played a blinder too. We seemed to be playing it wide very often and getting the full backs in behind, which was great to watch us doing again.

I was nervous when Sigurdsson scored but really they had nothing else. Having watched it again on MOTD2, sometimes you just have to take your hat off to a goal like that, nothing Forster could have done to stop it.

Hoedt looks the real deal too, I’d have no complaints of a Hoedt/Yoshida or Hoedt/Stephens partnership if Van Dijk goes in January.

 

True enough. However, it's worth pointing out that giving the ball away today - which we still did quite frequently - never cost us, because Everton made it so easy to win it back. What we need to do in future is show that determination to win the ball back immediately, including in the opponents half, against better teams.

That's a general observation btw, and not aimed at any individual player.

 

You know me well [emoji16]

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Typically, the pundits on Motd concentrated on Everton's consistent inability. Rather than our story. Do we ever get a time when our stuttering progression is highlighted.?

 

Well they did insist that Charlie Austin starting was the reason we scored as many goals today from open play as we have all season, but of course there were other factors. Boufal getting a run for one, JWP another. Anything more than a cursory analysis would have brought those factors to light.

 

It's funny to think, that all/most/half/ some/ hardly any/ none fans (delete as you see fit) were concerned about our central midfield being reduced to nothing and Everton beating us, it was nothing of the sort and we played well

 

Sorry, what tweet was that ?

 

Hissy fit one, 'six years ruined..........' when denied a transfer.

 

Very good point. Are you listening Mr VVD.?

 

Must really chew you up.

Sorry.

 

It reminds me of Mahrez a little. His first season was full of promise but he delivered miles more the following seasons. I’d imagine there were similar debates on the Leicester forums.