Thats interesting as I watched the first half with Adam and Jo as commentators and it was the other way round. Adam was complimentary of the performance, saying we were controlling the game and unfortunate to go in behind, whilst Jo was saying we were **** basically. Managed to switch to Sheff Utd commentators for the second half so maybe their opinions changed
For as good as Wood and Edwards have looked the last couple of games, I still don’t feel that confident in the defence. We always seem liable to a silly mistake. Is that the same for most teams or is it just a saints thing? Can’t remember the last time I felt fully confident in the defence and GK as a unit.
It could be most teams. We just notice it more when it is us. Let's be honestt their keeper looked a bit shaky a few times and how did 3ft 2in Adam Armstrong win the header for the first from a corner.
I think last night showed me why we are taking outswinging corners basically every time. Seems a lot easier to win the flick on at the near post than with out swingers then, as we saw last night, a flick on can cause all sorts of problems. Still think inswingers are a better option personally, but I can at least see some logic to the outswinger after last night, something I wouldn’t have said a week ago. I think the only inswinger we’ve taken recently was the goal against Liverpool as well
Surely the best option is to mix it up with both. If teams don't know what they're facing until the last second it gives them less time to set up for it.
Yeah, but can’t think of any team that does that regularly. Majority just stick to inswingers and have routines for where the ball is meant to be delivered. I’m probably old school in that I don’t think you can go far wrong with an inswinging corner aimed in between the penalty spot and 6yard line with players attacking it every time
Well yes, but that gives them what, 30 seconds to get ready rather than days on the training ground preparing for outswinging corners.
Obviously this thread was too premature and Will needed time following a massive squad overhaul in the summer. The negativity is somewhat understandable, but also the kind of vibe you give when carrying your baggage in to a new relationship. If you can't get over your ex's transgressions, it can make you a bit ****ing mad. Anyways, looking at our next 10 fixtures, there are 3 midweek rounds and really only 2 sides you'd expect to be challenging for the playoffs in Bristol City and Leicester come the end of the season. Hopefully the squad continues to settle and by the time full time goes against Millwall at the end of November, we will be right up there.
It's funny you should say that because I am in the 'goalkeepers at Saints need to be better' camp but this weekend, for a change, I watched a lot of Championship games and most of the highlights and to be frank some of the defending and goalkeepering shocked me. Quite a few of the goals I saw scored made my mouth drop open when I saw what the keeper was doing, or trying to do. We're not perfect, obviously, we should try to get better or be better, clearly, but perhaps we are not as hopeless as we all think?
Yeah perhaps, the Sheff GK last night certainly didn’t look too confident. I just struggle to think of a time (in the last decade or so) when we had a really solid keeper. Forster, McCarthy and Bazunu have all had different faults, and while Ramsdale is good it was hard to judge on the ****show of last season. Maybe it’s just a luxury only the top prem sides can have.
I think you are correct. I do wonder if the general overall standard has dropped? When I played (obviously I was at top European clubs ) the biggest problem for me was when we weren't allowed to hold on to the ball anymore and be able to play football with our feet - I mean that was the reason I played in goal, I couldn't do that! I wonder if goalies coming up through the system are picked because the have to be really good at playing with their feet and some of that sort of standard normal goalie standards are allowed to slip a bit? I mean it would be my excuse why I never made it!
I think my preferred choice would be McCarthy over Bazunu. Maccer has a mistake in him (as shown vs Liverpool) and isn’t as good with the ball at his feet, but I think he’s a better shot stopper and over the course of the season that is probably likely to win us more points.
Yup I remember a very good centre back I used to play with (he could have played a much higher standard too) said he liked playing in front of me because he knew what I wanted and where I was all the time. One of my few strengths was my big mouth, I never shut-up in the 90 minutes....which if you knew me is hilarious.
I played CB for a few teams in my day and the one I always remember as the most successful and the one I enjoyed playing in the most was the one with a gobby 'keeper. Made a huge difference when it came to decision making and confidence. (it wasn't you was it... )
