Sorry Archers, peddling that tired line doesn’t make it true. Particularly when we’ve only really moved on VVD, and that’s was half way through the season. If you replace them badly, that’s another thing. And no, we couldn’t carry on doing as we were a couple of seasons back. But *this* season - this season is half the board acting slowly both on player purchases and manager sackings, and half a manager that is stubborn to the point of blindness.
I keep peddling it because I believe it to be true. We have never, in my opinion, recovered from losing Pelle, Mane, Wanyama and Fonte. You can point at the first half of last season and say we did pretty well without them - we did, didn't we? - but it was a struggle. Then VvD got injured, so did our new in form January signing, and it was a long old run in to May. You know why we didn't progress in the Europa last season btw? It was because despite dominating our opponents, we scored a total of zero goals (that's none, nada, zilch) away from home in the competition. And why might that have been? Maybe because we gave up 30 odd goals when we let Pelle and Mane go, and we never replaced them.
Our form is the FA cup is awesome, so good chance of a win here. We are on a 3-0-0 streak in the cup and flying high in the top 8
There's truth to it Archers, for sure, but I think the managerial appointments and lack of effective activity in the market (as you allude to in the replacement of the players) are the key issue. Either way, I guess I'm being a bit too nit-picky on it. The issue is that we have an issue! I just put more weight on the faults of the current manager than you do, which is fine either way.
I really don’t know what to expect from the Saints, for this game. I thought we’d get beaten by Fulham, truth be told, so to still be in the competition is a bonus. Wigan will know that we are vulnerable from the very first second, so will be putting us under extreme pressure to force errors, which will potentially affect confidence, lowering ours and raising theirs. We need eleven players, plus subs, to man up and show the character and bottle that went missing at Newcastle. We need to be more physically aggressive, without overstepping the mark and players (Tadic in particular) need to stop hitting the turf, and conceding possession, when they have been lightly touched. Our off the ball movement needs to be better, as well. It was mentioned, on MOTD, how Lemina was put under pressure and lost possession, simply because two team mates failed to move into positions, giving him the angle for a simple pass. This lack of movement is often why we resort to passing backward or sideways. The number of times our wide players pass backwards, because a central player hasn’t moved into a more advanced position, to receive the ball, leaves me perplexed. It’s basic football.
Whatever formation we use, it’s not too tricky really. The midfield need to have the courage to support the attack whilst not deserting the defence. So 2 from 4, or 5, need to push up occasionally. Is that too much to ask?
You're like that bloke the Romans used to hire to keep reminding the emperors that they were going to die
If any Saints fan is walking around thinking we are some sort of footballing gods right now then send them my way and I'll let them know. Pretty sure I've got a toga somewhere and one of those leafy headgear as well.
Can we please just go for it? Let's, for once this season, really attack... McCarthy Cedric Stephens Hoedt Bertrand Romeu Lemina JWP Gabbi Sims Carrillo EDIT: Actually **** it. If he's not injured, I'd have Davis in for Lemina. He'd be captain, score a hat-trick and finally ignore MP's tactics whilst simultaneously giving the rest of the squad the kick up the arse. Wigan 0-3 Saints
Carrillo has shown signs of being a capable striker on a couple of occasions in the last few games. All of these times coincided with Sims delivering pinpoint crosses, one to his head, resulting in Gabbiadini scoring, and the other a great chance at the near post on Saturday, which could easily have gone in but for a sharp save. The fact that Sims should be starting is now obvious to most of us, but we also need JWP for set pieces. I see no need for 2 defensive midfielders against Wigan, so my team would be a flexible 4-4-2 as follows: McCarthy Cedric. Stephens. Hoedt. Bertrand Sims. Ward-Prowse. Højbjerg. Tadic Gabbiadini. Carrillo I acknowledge there is practically a zero chance of this actually happening.
To be honest, I do actually agree with that assessment when he is on the left wing. When he is more central, he gets lost and we effectively play with 10 men. Plus for some reason as soon as anyone goes near him he falls on the floor. When on the wing, this isn’t as dangerous, as the ball goes out of play. His repeated diving on the floor when more central actually puts us under quite a lot of pressure. I would like to see Sims on the Right and Tadic night on the left every game now
His diving is a bit irritating. I'd happily go with a three of Tadic, Boufal, Sims behind Carillo. With JWP in front of either Lemina or Romeu. We'd still be relying on our full backs for width. Note to Cedric - play your crosses along the ground. They're more dangerous that way than 3ft above everyone's head.
I'd like to See Hesketh involved in some way even if it's from the bench. Just like Sims he's on good form and would give his all. He's also an AM who can score. Not going to get a better chance to try him out - I think it's worth the risk.
