Match Day Thread Our beloved Saints -v- The Arsenal - Sunday 10th December, 2017 @ 12pm

Never been convinced by Charlie even when he's been our only striker scoring goals, because I've generally been of the impression that he makes us weaker as a unit. Yesterday he definitely didn't, with and without the ball.

 

Interesting Mikey. In what sense? Movement?

 

Charlies movement inside the box is very good imo, half the reason he's scored the goals he has.

 

Well the biggest praise he gets from pundits is that he always finds space, and that he can be relied upon to be in the key areas at the right time. He is a poacher and finisher, there's no doubt about that. What he has always needed to be more of his game is good quality link up play, and I see more signs of that coming with his obvious higher levels of fitness. It may be that, come January, the club will be looking for a further striking addition, rather than someone else to take over the main duties.
And yes, I haven't forgotten Gabby. The thing is, Saints haven't been playing to his obvious strengths enough. Even though he has shown he can do it, I think he is stronger facing defenders than being on their shoulder facing backwards. For me, Gabby is another excellent option. Maybe even the best option if only the Saints midfielders could find him.

 

Pressing/working without the ball and creating space for others, mostly. A lot of which has come down to his lack of mobility, which I had little faith in improving at this point with his age and injury record. But if we can see this level of fitness on a consistent basis, a lot of my concerns are eased.

 

The signs were there under puel I thought, Charlie was playing well and surprised me with his movement on the break. The injury came at the worst possible time. It's great to have a striker in form isn't it. Wonder who decided to play him..

 

Nice to read these threads with hindsight - pre match calls to drop Austin and Tadic catching the eye

Really pleased with the recent upturn in form. It was becoming very difficult to be positive, despite thinking deep down that a managerial change would not be the right long term move

Think having Ward-Prowse back wide right gives the team better balance.
Last time we were scoring regularly at the start of the year, JWP was a fixture in the side.

Austin and PEH starting to fulfill his potential are of course other strong reasons, but had already been mentioned

 

I know that I am late to this, but having just moved house, I seem to have a lifetimes worth of other stuff to sort out, every waking hour!
We have had some cracking games against Arsenal over the years, as they like to play attacking football. Yesterday was a case of both teams trying to win the game for 90+ minutes and it makes such a change from the visiting teams who have worked out that parking the bus is quite successful against us. Well, for the last couple of seasons anyway. I really enjoyed the game and a couple of things stood out for me. Firstly, we seem to have a team again. Previously,there were plenty of heads down and blaming each other for errors. Against Arsenal, I saw many players shouting encouragement to each other, suddenly there was leadership all over the pitch. I can't account for the change, but I think it was obvious to anyone watching. Secondly, fitness levels seem to be better lately. Is that just morale keeping the heads up and chests out? Not sure sure, but as others have noted, Charlie looks leaner and hungrier. A bit like the change in Rickie, perhap? Don't know.
Finally, the six foot bloke sat right in front of me who got up to obscure my view every time the play got a bit interesting should know that I am actively looking on the internet to procure a Taser, and investigating legal loopholes. Numpty.