Funny thing is I’ve never really had Shane as a diver. It seems to me he suffers GBH most weeks and referees ignore it. Then he only has to look mean to have a foul awarded against him. Mane, by the way, has amazing balance these days, reminds me of George Best the way he can ride a tackle.
Yes, I think it was against Burnley a few years ago that Shane was actually kicked up in the air by the CB and got nothing but bruises. His reputation definitely counts against him, as I’ve never thought of him as a diver, not since he’s been at Southampton anyway!
Shane isn't a routine diver....it doesn't take much to overbalance when touched at speed. Not just him, I think other players have been accused of diving as people seem to think you need a real kick or shove to go over.....not true when you are running or beginning a turn.
Man United may not have been as good as Spurs were but they didn't play particularly badly. Our defending was superb for most parts on Saturday (barring a free header for Lukaku after 3 minutes which had me fearing the worst) and we looked threatening going forward until we made our subs. If we keep playing like that we'll stay up comfortably. But we've had false dawns like this before so we MUST back it up tomorrow.
https://southamptonfc.com/news/2018...pre-southampton-crystal-palace-premier-league Bertrand may be fit for Palace game.
Did you see United game, because we did set up positively and played a high pressure game. I’m not convinced in the manager either, but let’s actuallly judge by what we see rather than what’s in our mind.
I agree, but look at “how we set up” for the two games. Spurs we sat back and did nothing. United we pressed high. I am not saying we have turned a corner, it’s one game, but we as fans need to give credit when it is got right. Yes United were not good, but we approached that game correctly.
He also got kicked airborne against Everton a couple of seasons back and got nothing......he regularly gets fouled and gets little or no protection from the refs hence the sarcastic jeers when he finally get awarded a free kick.
I would have no problem with that if he is happy to be our option off the bench and we have two key, quality strikers ahead of him and another one.
Think most of our team is on a reasonable contract...Ralph was pretty pleased about that before the start of the season.
Having just watched the highlights from the United game, if we are going to give away silly, unnecessary free kicks, can we do it in the opposition half so they can’t turn it into a goal scoring opportunity. I hadn’t realised that the disallowed goal came from Boufal needlessly tugging Young’s arm, conceding a free kick in a very dangerous position. Could have proved costly. With regards to this game, I can see Roy leaving Zaha and Townsend upfield, when we get corners, to hit us on the break.
As more of us will soon be discovering over the coming years with the publication of wages, it’s not easy to manage a team fairly and equally when employee value/contributions are unequal A long contract saw a great return on transfer fee for VVD, but agents of other players see the years offered to one player and want it for their man. Shane is allegedly available for sale this window, so we shall see if he moves on.
Even if we get in another striker I can't see us letting a striker go.....especially as we do have money. Teams always need back ups....knowing our luck (based on previous experience) any new player will shine briefly like a candle and then be snuffed out by injury. MP2 has already shown that he will play Long and not always of necessity.
Got my ticket. Wouldn’t use the phrase stoked but am feeling more positive than after Spurs. I’m not expecting much, hoped after Everton we would push on. If we win this I think MP2 will stay. Lose and the board may be forced to take action.
