Yes because it’s always when I’ve been totally baked and ends in embarrassing stories for my missus to tell at social outings !
It always amazes me how people can remember scores/goalscorers from games in the past. I barely remember who scored or scores from games a month ago. I don't remember that Bournemouth game either tbh
Wouldn't we all! We'll be getting the usual - no one. But actually, I wouldn't like either, as I have never felt a team like Saints (at any stage of their most recent PL stint) can be improved by journeymen, mercenaries, or players of that profile, who are coming down off big highs (and high salaries). We are just not a team who players like that see as motivating - we are a retirement home at best, and we would be paying high salaries for mediocre performances. Those players are for Newcastle, West Ham, and Everton - and will on average get similar performances from those players, but a. can pay the salary, and b. have the fanbase and history that is more likely to galvanise those players and at least satisfy them that they are at a club worthy of their legacy. We are in reality similar to Brighton, Burnley, and Bournemouth really - we need hungry players, unwanted gems, and players looking to prove themselves worthy of a next step. That is simply our USP to any player. Players on the cusp of their potential, who can't command or who will sacrifice a bigger salary for the purpose of furthering their career, and who are motivated for one thing to get the hell out of Southampton asap! Players who collectively raise their game rather than accept the status quo. Who feel they are part of a journey somewhere. Our team looks and feels like they know full well the journey is close to its end. Not saying we' re getting relegated, but they certainly know the high points have been and gone for now.
Sparky doesn`t know what his best defence is yet. At least he is prepared to change things proactively. Felt a bit sorry for Bednarek today however.
All true, but did you really expect that to change against Chelsea yesterday? Did anyone? Yes, we’ve had a frustrating start; it’s going to be a long season. But the overreaction (not by you specifically) on this thread is surprising . We were outclassed for periods of the game, but by and large weathered the storm, and came back at them. Same old defensive errors and same old lack of ability to put away chances, but we really weren’t that bad yesterday - 2-1 would have been a fairer result than 3-0 in my opinion. We could have let in 5 at home to Arsenal.
I expected nothing yesterday no, but I didn't see as much effort & passion as I'd have wanted to either. It also brings me on to another point - 30 odd games without beating a top 6 side. We used to give these teams a real good go, but now? Not one bit.
Yes when we had the likes of Mane, Alderweireld, VVD, Wanyama, Schneiderlin in our team. And either Pochettino or Koeman in the dugout. We don't have the personnel to challenge them any more. No point bitching about it we just need to beat the teams around us.
Not sure it's just those seasons, we always used to give the big sides a go and they used to hate playing us. Now they all love their trip out to the South Coast
“No point bitching about” 1 Home win in a calendar year. I think there is much to bitch about actually. Especially on a forum specifically designed to discuss football
Do you not think we fans have a right to bitch about the reasons why those players and managers, or ones of similar calibre, aren’t employed by SFC any more? It’s all part of the same debate after all. Sadly the pundits who said, year after year, that we would eventually get caught out by our “selling club” philosophy are being proved correct. Krueger and Kat have sold the family silver, and, Danny Ings and a very few others aside, have largely replaced it with cheap rubbish.
I am always the optimist and I suggest that having done my bit, the next Match thread starter should be prepared for a longer run of results, we are due a bit of luck and it shouldn't take too much to turn it around, Mark has got got a longer break to do that in.
