That’s better. Sat down to watch MOTD last night (as it was safe to do so) and was pretty pissed off that they started on around the 25 minute mark, showed very little apart from the goals and, generally, ran through it quickly. It was a much better game (even for a neutral spectator) than the bore fest that was the arsenal game, but that (of course) took preference.
Potentially it's not just a case of Fraser being back in a Saints shirt. Although it's unlikely, it can't be completely ruled out that he will make it to the Euros. So much depends on whether Southgate wants to take Henderson, despite him barely kicking a ball this season. If yes, then selection is done and dusted (alongside Pickford and Pope) - injury permitting. But if no, then I'd have suggested not long ago that McCarthy would be just ahead of Darlow, Ramsdale and Johnstone. Obviously now though both McCarthy and Darlow have lost their places - and may not regain them again before the Euros. That might mean a straight fight between Ramsdale and Johnstone. But I don't think either of have a cap between them, and they play in goal for the two worst defences in the division. Whereas Fraser has been capped, has been taken to international competitions before, and has played a number of games in Europe. Given that a no.3 goalkeeper would only ever be needed in an emergency, maybe Fraser's experience might count in his favour? Especially if he out performs the other two on the pitch between now and May.
Henderson will go. I don’t think Southgate is going to be too bothered about the third choice keeper, and he has shown that he has a lot of potential so will probably want him to be in a tournament squad for some experience
In my memory, he doesn’t cross very often. My head tells me he checks back more than crosses it. If I’m right (and it’s just a feeling from a few weeks back), I’d like him to cross in behind the full back a bit more; he’s got the pace to get behind the FB
I agree he doesn’t cross enough, but when he does it often leads to a chance. Yesterday, for example, Stu put him in behind the FB and the cross found Che the other side, which after a bit of pinball led to the goal. He does need to go to the byline more though, he has the pace to beat most fullbacks.
He's very much a 'low and hard' type crosser. It's so, so good to have him back though. Makes the world of difference. What a signing he's been.
As you said earlier, it would be very interesting to see what difference he makes to our form statistically.
You're right, he does check back quite a bit but not in the traditional "I'll cross this with my left foot. That'll surprise them" manner. Instead, when he goes inside he often draws a beeline for the corner of the box and runs at it. It scares the willies out of defenders: with his pace he ends up by the box very rapidly and the panic starts. Are there many full backs left these days who go to the byline as a matter of course? The diagonal cross does seem to me much more fashionable. Though that may just be my faulty perception. Vin
I may have it wonky in my head; it’s something that’s in there. I remember posting a few months back that I’d love him to keep running at players and get into the box and swing his left peg to see what happens... he then did it against Arsenal and “scored” None of this is me criticising him, as I think he’s a fabulous player. Been one of our best three all season. He very rarely gives the ball away either; looks after it so well. baffles me why Spuds let him go. Oh ok... Maureen!
Agree with all this but the issue is the balance between looking after the ball vs trying to create chances and that’s for the whole team. I would like to see him take a chance going forward outside or inside more often including some give and gos with someone inside him. It seems like a lot of times we get the ball near the opposition area for him to check back to Prowsey who then sends it back to Bedders and we haven’t really gained anything That’s why we need Stuey so much, once he’s started going forwards he won’t stop
Southampton with Kyle Walker-Peters this season: P 20, W 9, D 5, L 6, average points per game = 1.6. Southampton without Kyle Walker-Peters this season: P7, W 0, D 1, L 7, average points per game: 0.1. (Stolen from Reddit)
Thanks for finding this HTT, I think that proves fairly conclusively what most of us already suspected, that without a decent RB we are pretty useless. This of course begs the wider question of the lack of depth in certain positions in the squad, but particularly in the full backs. Just to put that points per game into context, 1.6 ppg over a season is 60.8 points, which last season would have achieved 6th place. If we had had Kyle ever-present this season, 1.6 ppg would put us after 27 games level with Liverpool in 8th place on 43 points, and comfortably safe from relegation.
Yes - to be certain we would need to look at who else played/didn't to determine if this is causal or correlated. But it seems like a pretty safe assumption.