Just out of interest, when Tadic had the drop off season(s) in his last couple here did you think it was him or the team around him? Can add manager as well I suppose. Shouldn't he have adapted? Boufal had the same issues in my view, the big thing will be whether he wants to work for it and play the sort of style Hassenhuttl wants. Based on how he tracked back when under Pellegrino I think he has it in him to be effective in the system, just whether or not he really wants to.
That's a fair question I suppose. I think I felt Tadic had nothing to prove at Saints, whereas Boufal very definitely does, imo. Good players play better when they have better players around them, I expect we can all agree on that.
Just my two-pennies worth ..... I think Boufal is one of the most talented and infuriating players I’ve seen at Saints since Le Tiss. However, I think he was incredibly frustrated under the last managers who, most probably, didn’t appreciate his talents and told him to play in a way which made him worse. Under Ralph, I think he could blossom into one of our best players, if (and, I agree, it a big “IF”) he applies himself and works at his natural talent. I’m really hoping we can get the best out of him and that Ralph can be the man to do it. If he takes 2 or 3 players out of the opposition to watch him, imagine what Danny and Che could do? I’m excited ......
I agree and, as I mentioned, throw in the fact that Boufal has only played for Saints under Puel, Pellegrino and Hughes I think it is fair to give him more of a chance. 2 of those were terrible managers and the other didn't exactly play a style conducive to Boufal's talents. Do we have a better team now than when Pellegrino was here? I think it is debatable in terms of on paper, but I think they are definitely playing better as they have a manager who knows what he is doing. It will all come down to whether Boufal wants to put the work in as the high press requires a lot of effort. I'm 50/50 on that as he could go to a European league and play in a system like last season where he would be succesful.
Another thing I think will suit Boufal is how Hasenhuttl plays low percentages. He plays fast football to get it up the pitch, and if it ends up in opposition hands we just try to win it back in their half. I think this is more to Boufal's style. Ralph is not like Puel where losing possession was a death sentence. For a forward player boufal works hard to win it back too which I think is often overlooked.
Fair point although I sometimes felt (when he was playing for us) that he gave the ball away cheaply and in dangerous areas. Sometimes he was so annoyed with himself he'd cover half the pitch to get it back. I've just watched the you tube video again and agree (it is even better than the Steve de Ridder compilation) he should be given another chance. I've had a u turn on this because earlier in the year I suggested his team mates would never forgive him for refusing to play under Hughes. But the body language at training suggests otherwise. Watching the video, I had memories of a young Lallana. Not how he was but how I thought he could become (but never did, if that makes sense). He also reminded me a bit of Mike Channon in the way that he keeps his body forward over the ball which makes him very difficult to tackle without committing a foul. My only reservation is that Boufal may get frustrated by the whistle happy refs in the Premier League. So many of his good runs relied on the ref applying the advantage rule which I believe occurs much more effectively on the continent than here.
Two things handicapped Boufal's initial time here, first was a nagging injury when he signed which inhibited his effect on the team although he showed real moments of match winning quality even then and secondly that he was never going to get the chance to shine in Pellegrino's rigid, safety first team that was programmed to stifle any creativity whatsoever (death by a thousand Cedric crosses from deep anyone?). He was already frustrated by the lack of game time before Hughes came and then lost it when Hughes never started him straight away. There would always be a space in my squad for a mecurial matchwinner as they will win you a certain amount of points over the season on their own..
Surprised no one has pointed out that he'll probably draw a lot of 'contact' and win us some penalties this season, if that's your bag of course.
Hopefully he can teach the others how to do it effectively. Some of our attempts last year were hilarious
Will only need the slightest bit of 'contact' this year. And yeah Pierre had a couple of embarrassing attempts iirc.
Catchy..... Rhythm is a dancer!! Boufal is the answer he scores goals from anywhere!!! Lift your hands and voices Hasenhuttl’s joined us We can feel it in the air!!!!
