Twist or Stick

Would you change the starting XI for Friday ?

If so, why/why not ?

I would deffiently keep it the same after todays performance, however i don't know whether Adkins will have the guts to leave out Hammond 2 games in a row but to be honest, Cork and Schneiderling done more than to deserve to be in the team next week I thought. Well the whole team did well.

 

I think Adkins will rest a few (maybe Fox/Cork/Fonte) as he does like to change it around a bit when there is loads of games consecutively

 

He should stick to the same XI but I think Hammond will come in for Cork

 

Maybe rotate Harding/Fox and Hammond/Schneiderlin/Cork.

 

Hopefully De Ridder won't start. Not up to it.

 

We might make a few changes with the Brighton game soon afterwards. I see that as being winnable especially if Brighton rack up more suspesions.

 

Did you even watch him today ? He was one of our best players.

 

Yes I did:

1) His crossing is truely diabolical.
2) He takes too much time on the ball
3) His positional sence isn't great
4) His vision is well, non existant
5) His decision making is terrible


Yes today he set up the first, but that was probably the only cross he kept on the pitch. He also did very well to get back and make the tackle on Scannell, but generally he was very weak. His touch was very iffy and every time he had the ball he looked suseptable to losing it. The one thing he does do well is close down, however when he gets close to the many he needs to learn to stand him.

 

He wasnt that bad. Some of the things he did were not that great but he needs to keep playing for more confidence and making the wrongs, right. A team effort is a team effort and he was a part of that today and did well.

 

He isn't good enough to be playing, he's a couple of months off being 25 so should already have all this in his locker. He is no longer in the 'potential' bracket.

For instance today was put through by cork, 18 yards out, running directly at goal with a clear sight.... takes a touch out wide right towards the covering defender. No attacking footballer in the world should be doing that, they should be having a drive on goal.

 

Dont quote Joey B - he is on my ignore list!

if he thinks de ridder was poor today then he really is a muppet - he was great today

 

Agreed

 

keep the same team, unless there is someone who is particularly tired

 

You know what..? It's possible he's bloody nervous about making a great performance. In a way, playing for Southampton has been the biggest episode of his football life, so far. We've seen that he's perfectly capable of good skills, on and off the ball. I think he needs a few consistent matches to allow himself to relax into his own game, instead of trying to impress the manager. If Nigel can give him that time, then all well and good. If it is to the detriment of the team, then perhaps not. For the moment, he has succeeded in the super-sub role. Now he needs to press on.

 

Nobody apart from NA (who mentioned it in his interview) seemed to appreciate the 40 yard chase back to tackle when Richardson got caught out of position, his defensive effort was much improved on previous games and I guess he is still learning what he needs to do to keep his place.

 

Schneiderlin > Ineiesta.

 

lol

 

I'd start Connolly (if fit enough) and bring De Ridder on around 55-60 m. It annoys me when Nigel brings De Ridder on too late. I would be saying 65-70 but Connolly probably be better off only playing an hour or just under. Other than that I'd keep things the same. We were much better today with Morgan and Cork rather than Hammond being there. So I hope he is left out again.

Lol, not the same type of player as Iniesta. More like Xabi Alonso.

 

And he rejected pompey.

 

I'm hoping Stevie does develop as a player though mid 20s now. Remember how Lambert left it a bit later in his career to become the finished article. Listening to 5 Sports extra yesterday it was mentioned several times how we looked like a well coached team. I have faith that the team at St Marys will work with Stevie on improving his play to match his pace. I think NA is not afraid to tinker with the team in response to who we are playing, ie use SDR if they look a bit slow at the back.