Totally agree. IIreland was instrumental in the improved Villa performance at the end of the first half. However, I felt that they could feel lucky to go in 1-0 at half time s Saints hd most of the possession before the goal. The second half was a different kettle of fish. This was a stupendously good perforamcne and the likes of Lallana and Ramirez recalled for me the halcion days of Le Tissier and Ronnie Ekklund. The whole team played extremely well and this was a marked improvement in our ability to kill the game off. I would also have to say that our performance and result was flattered by a woeful Aston Villa side made up of former Championship and First Division players plus those who have their origins in less-tha-celebrated football nations like America and Australia. For me, aside from Ireland, Villa looked and played like a championship team and I doubt if we will play such a dire and under-strnegth team at home all season. Villa fans must be seething as the club of this stature should not be fielding a squad of such non-descript journeymen.. All in all , a great result for Saints yet I think we were hugely flattered by an ineffectual Villa team coached by a manager who seemed incapable of coming up with a solution to cope with the return of Adkin's "swashbuckling" football style.
Delighted to find that we had won on my way back from York. Was dreading arriving at Southampton Central to discover despondent fans, so great end to my holiday. Just watched MOTD and notice that, according to Lawrenson, Adkins has passed seamlessly from struggling to hold onto his job to a position where we will be lucky to hold on to him. Well done to Nigel and the team.
Yeh, Redknapp saying we'll do well to hold on to Adkins, that was annoying. I don't think he said anything about the game or any players. And Lawrenson, well, the best he could come up with was a Grant Holt comparison! Bring back Lee Dixon! Of course neither of tonights panel have any idea of the 'vision' in place, which doesn't involves spending millions on accumulating decent players that don't ever play Harry.
It was a bizarre one that. He compared him to Grant Holt and then went on to say how good he is on the ball and can pick a pass like a midfielder...hmmm so he's not actually a similar player to Grant Holt then is he. Genius.
Actually, MOTD normally save any 0-0s for last. The best match is normally up first or second. Of course, you wouldn't know that as you're new here.
Mind you, Saints are largely a team made up of ex-league 1 & 2 and championship players also, remember.
Did you feel like there was an agonising pause between Lawrence starting that sentence and naming the player? I was thinking please don't say Holt, please don't say Holt, please don't say Holt......arghh. Lazy commentary, just repeating the link several lazy football commentators have made. I do think they are different players though. That comparison has been made because they are both big target men. Anyone who knows anything about football can see that Lambert has a great deal more to his game than Holt.
If SRL keeps performing like that we will be fine and his value to the team will remain as high as ever.
Nice read from the Guardian http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/sep/22/southampton-aston-villa-premier-league
Wow - a guardian journalist who knows what a miasma is. They must have started employing journalists with a bit of an education
Yes they are different, but don't underestimate Holt. He is not, and never had been, "just a big target man". In fact he is not very good playing that role. He is an extremely clever and skilful player and makes goals as well as scoring them. Watch the YouTube video showing all his PL goals last season.
