To be honest in the second game we did get into offside positions far too often and it wasn't just one player, JRod, De Rid and Puncheon all showed a bit of naivety in that respect, but the lino did get a couple wrong.
Shock news: Adkins was positive! Said that it was important to play good teams as we will be playing teams like this every week. He's right...got top quality teams to play in preseason like Ajax and Udinese..good for team preparation. Second shock: avoided asking question about signings going to France Ward-Prowse came over mature. Trying to learn important things like the fine system as he has already been fined for wearing flip-flops in shower.
Yep JWP comes across very well. Only 17 just shows how good our academy is at producing well rounded youngsters.
An interesting afternoon and evening of football with a chance to see our academy players as well. Anderlecht were very good and this may have been to do with being further into their preparation than we are. They were deserved winners in the first game. Guly was the only player who impressed me against them. I am sorry if I don't enthuse over Luke Shaw but he did nothing in particular to impress. Sharp still looks slow and over weight and Lallana kept losing the ball. In the final game I was impressed by Jack Stephens and it was good to see Dan Seaborne back. Stephens was at fault for the goal by jumping in to the tackle too quickly when he should have marshallled the player into the corner. Ward Prowse looked good and I thought De Ridder and Fox worked well together with Fox's cross leading to a well taken goal by Rodriguez. As for the penalties I think the England squad should be forced to come to St Mary's to learn how to take them. Maybe I am just an old cynic but the penalties were pointless and I still believe Kyle Ebicilio deliberately missed his so everyone could go home. As for the crowd it was a good turnout with Arsenal bringing a good few. There were some rather interesting Anderlecht fans who when I bumped into them before the game looked like a throwback to the seventies. I sat in my usual seat but was surounded by mums and dads with horrid children. If that is what it is like in the family centre I would not only give up on football I would give up on life. The horrid little boy sat behind me kept kicking the back of the seat and when I told him off his dad threatened me but I got my own back. I have had terrible flatulence lately and it is quite dreadful and it brought a smile to my face everytime the little boy said "Ugh Dad what is that horrible smell." Needless to say he spent most of the time after that outside at the fun fair with his Dad so the very lovely Mrs Godders and I watched the rest of the football in peace.
Considering I was about to knock it on the head with the shambles of a ticket office, I thoroughly enjoyed the day.... when I eventually got in!! was a bit frustrated they couldnt delay kick off a tad as fans were stuck in queues whilst the computers were down.... Moan over onto the football, agree with pretty much all posts, JWP, Stephens and Shaw looked good, Shaw did a fantastic recovery tackle in his game, JWP always available for a pass and kept it moving. Great for Jay Rod to get a brilliant header and slot his pen, will do his confidence the world of good that !!! Steeeeeeve looked very sharp too. Re the first game, we were up against Belgium Champions who were 6 weeks ahead of us in pre season terms and it showed, even v Arsenal thought they were by far the better side, more sharp and hit with sucker punch. Just glad we "beat" the gunners as my mate was sat in gooner end !!! ha ha. Good fun all round.
Completely agree about the kids all around. Most of them didn't care about the football and spent the game climbing on seats and pissing everyone who was actually watching the football off. As well as that I had a row of kids (14, 15 y/o) who were just talking **** about football who clearly learned everything they know from Football Manager, judging by how inane most of their statements were. Also our pitchside announcer's pronunciation was embarrassing. John Djuurrrriii? It's not that hard to pronounce DJOUROU.
A great day out, but my player of the day has to be JWP - this kid is going to be one special talent I can see it Was also impressed by Punch, Jay Rod, Stephens, Shaw, De Ridder & Fox - the others need work right now but it's only 2 weeks in so I'm not going to be too harsh Also, why wasnt the flag out!? This is his day, surely we should have used the flag
Don't think the extra man in the middle was to specifically protect anyone. De Ridder, Chaplow and Puncheon weren't holding back. We did play better football in the second game, without Fonte, Hooiveld, Morgan, Lallana or Lambert. Without the extra man in the middle, we would have lost the midfield, resorted to long-balls and with Forecast in goal, probably got tonked. I don't think the 5 in the middle gave us any less attacking prowess with men getting up to support Rodriduez.
I have to disagree, I think the lack of someone advanced to link up with Rodriguez hindered attacks as there were very few balls played into his feet. No problem with people moving forward on the wings but there was a lack of short passing support for Rodriguez and he ended up having to do a lot of chasing.
With respect to the kids, I was in the Kingsland and Mrs Fodder was next to a lad of about 8 who was cheering for Arsenal loudly all the way through, including waiving the flag normally attached to his bedroom wall. A bit grating after a while but then we had the last laugh. I thought that it was interesting that DeRidder (good service from Fox down the left) and Punch both gave decent performances, and it was good to see Chappers had plenty of energy although his touch let him down on numerous occasions. I know it's only a friendly but I would have liked to see a faster pace about our passing. There were moments, but I just feel that the tempo will have to increase once we start for real. Good to see the lads, and I definitely prefer the away kit....but let's not start that again!
Still think we would have got tonked playing the 442 against Arsenal. Although a 452 with no goalkeeper may have been preferable to Forecast in goal. The alternative to not having an extra man up front is not to have an extra man in the middle and ending up launching the ball up to Lambert because our options in the middle are closed off. The 5 is the lesser of 2 evils and done well, it works. That's how the first game went wrong.
This was basically a run out for all the players...we were split into two teams. Would expect more when Nigel picks one team from all available players.
I've said before, the Liebherrs do not like the flag being on show. Tbh If I kept getting reminded of my dad(if he was dead) by a giant flag it would upset me aswell.
just came to see a saints perspective on events. I generally agree with most statements. Anderlecht should really have beaten us we were lucky as our midfield was completely over run. Should have also lost the second game tbh as bartley did foul one of your men in the penalty box though that game was pretty much evenly contested. Really impressed with JWP never seen him play before but heard lots about him and not sure about the guys name but there was another one of your players who caught my eye who was short and had a brown complexion. It was a good day out though a few of our fans were slightly out of order imo though i shouldn't be one to say that as i'm generally speaking really quiet in reality so it might just be me! Anyways good luck for the rest of the season (except against us!)
The little black winger against Arsenal was Jason Puncheon, I assume you're talking about him? Problem with him is, he's had many reported attitude issues and is ridiculously inconsistent. Everyone's midfield was overrun vs Anderlecht because Biglia is a different class.
Let´s just hope Wenger doesn´t think the same. If they think he has big potential then history suggest that it would be only be natural for Arsenal to make an offer. If they don´t then it just wouldn´t feel right.
Question to anyone who went...have the concourses been altered in any way. Any sign that us poor punters are getting better food and service?
