Funny how when I said earlier in the season he made the wrong decisions and gave the ball away a lot needlessly, didn't work hard enough I was told off and called negative. People were saying 'I can see quality when it's in front of me' and all of this nonsense that he would come good. The problem is a lot of you don't realise he's always been like this, it's not a form or confidence thing. He didn't get many goals or assists for Bologna. His decision making and work rate was the same. But that was when we were losing, in the bottom 3 and couldn't afford to carry him. Especially in the free role. After defeats I was getting a massive backlash for complaining about him. Now we're on the back of a 3 match win streak and most of you are being negative about him even though we won? Even though he actually played at least 2 very good passes today whilst not playing in his favourite position. Whilst I get told off for saying one player was better than another in the match thread. When I'm still not denying they both played well. This forum really does make me laugh.
Incidentally, did James Ward-Prowse get on in the end..? There he was, standing on the sidelines, with Pochettino, waiting for the right moment, but I didn't see anything happen.
No argument there but I have this wierd feeling that Saints are going to do very very well next season. I mean silly season well. I am having to stamp on those thoughts so that I don't mention it to any 'big club' or indeed any non Saints fans as I will have to suffer a very long and humiliating laugh and then put up with that for a whole year to say 'told you so'. Don't forget I have been an eternal pessimist (I used to call myself a realist) I don't care if it is Ramirez, Davis or s pre season leftfield signing that is playing. BUT I can't wait for next season so I can open my mouth
I don't think he did get on no. He was going to replace Rodriguez but seeing as Reading best chance of getting a goal was through balls into the box, particularly from set-pieces, Rodriguez was left on.
A few stats on Gaston's recent history. Gaston Ramirez Stats (G) - Goals (A) - Assist 2012 - 2013 Southampton - 23 (Apps) - 4 (G) - 3 (A) 2011 - 2012 Bologna - 33 (Apps) - 8 (G) - 5 (A) 2010 - 2011 Bologna - 25 (Apps) - 4 (G) - 2 (A) 2008 - 2010 CA Peñarol Montevideo - 20 (Apps) - 6 (G) - 4 (A) Seems to me that Gaston performed similarly in his first season in Italy, stats wise. On this limited data and sample size, but let's judge Gaston this time next year. He is young and he is in the toughest league in the world for his style of play at a newly promoted team. I think next year his consistency will improve.
I agree we're a fickle bunch on here. I think to be fair, a lot of people agreed that he wasn't playing well, but were prepared to wait for him to spark into life and realise his true potential, which I for one though must be there bubbling under the surface. There's always glimpses of technical brilliance in his play, but he's just so inconsistent. Anyway the season is nearing the end and he hasn't improved. He'll probably get another season to prove it though because he was expensive and well, he hasn't impressed enough for us to sell him on.
Am I allowed to say that I think I'd like to see Fonte back over Hoolveld who didn't look at his best today, or would I be accused of slagging Hoolveld off? Actually, maybe with Carroll playing thats not the best move. In general, I think we can all be delighted with the result but be honest enough to say that it wasn't as good a performance as our big 3 wins.
To be fair the Saints not606 board is way less angsty than most of the other popular ones. Probably helps that we have a good team and not too many irritating WUMs.
[video=youtube;NppARBAHQng]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NppARBAHQng&feature=player_embedded[/video]
Really impressed with your team today. What some lovely football. Agree with the comment above, you could have a great season next year. As you saw, Adkins really has his work cut out with our shower. I'm a long time Reading fan and I've seen many lows, at a far lower level than this, but all in all I've never know a more disappointing season. Good luck for the future. Quality team.
Hoovield won the most aerials today of anyone on the pitch. Safe to say he will be playing against West Ham.
Just back from the game, pretty good game and a great result. After the first 30 minutes i was starting to think Reading may win it. But One-Goal took matters into his own hands after that, sterling performance from him again.
