Article: Southampton vs Chelsea Official Match Thread | Southampton FC, Football

[pass the football]

Doesn't really matter. He gives it to someone with more ability. At least he's won the ball.

The point is not that he doesn't make forward passes, but that he does and that their completion rate would be nearer 50% than the 81% quoted for all his passes.

Bearing in mind recent results, his value to the team is clearly unquestionable. That doesn't mean we have to pretend he's Pirlo. He'd be an even better player if he could pass as well as tackle.

 

[Clem Fandango]

I still have a bone to pick with Wanyama regarding the Hull game. It was so very nearly a perfect team performance.

 

[Dan]

I broadly agree, but how many of those are forward passes?

Not too many (I don't have an actual figure), but that's fine - how often did Makelele pass forward? Like I said, I'm not going to pretend he's as good a passer as the likes of Morgan, just that he doesn't give the ball away nearly as often as some will have you believe.

 

[fatletiss]

I think that it is what I was saying actually; that despite his obvious limitations as a footballer he improves our defensive capabilities. Hey, we are agreed! Oh, and I didn't even mention the amazingly brilliant Cork

Love it. We should have a party. Sorry if i mis-interpreted your post.

 

[fatletiss]

He can't be close to coming back as we have neither heard nor seen him. His cracked bone must have made it impossible for him to regain fitness...suspect it will be a while.

Cracked bone? Is this what he had? In his leg?

 

[fatletiss]

I broadly agree, but how many of those are forward passes?

I'm not sure that is an issue really. Not many players can be all things to all men, and I don't think that's his main role in the team. If he could pass better he'd have signed for a bigger/better team and would be close to a complete midfielder. His function in our team is to be a destroyer.

 

[fatletiss]

We need cover at left back.

Maybe. Both Clyne and Chambers can do that role and at a push Maya.

 

[fatletiss]

I still have a bone to pick with Wanyama regarding the Hull game. It was so very nearly a perfect team performance.

Oh come on. Watch Messi play and see how many mistakes he makes; even the best do. I'd rather he made a mistake at 3 nil up than 0-0.

 

[Puck]

The Mail (I know) reported Wanyama would be out 4-6 weeks. Nobody else quoted a time. Hopefully he'll be back this month.

I can't see us getting new left back cover unless Fox's recent performances have convinced Poch he's useless. Even then I'd expect a loan rather than a permanent signing.

 

[pass the football]

Not too many (I don't have an actual figure), but that's fine - how often did Makelele pass forward? Like I said, I'm not going to pretend he's as good a passer as the likes of Morgan, just that he doesn't give the ball away nearly as often as some will have you believe.

My point, as explained above, is not that he doesn't make forward passes. It's that he does but they are actually often wayward, meaning the overall pass completion stat doesn't give a true representation of how often he gives the ball away.

Take the game against Arsenal as an example. 79% pass completion - sounds decent. But look closer and he only misplaced 2 square or back passes, and 9 forward passes out of 19, so as I say, closer to 50% for forward passes. For comparison Schneiderlin completed 24/29 forward passes, which at 83% is actually higher than Wanyama's rate for all passes.

I'm sure there will have been games where the difference is not be so stark, but the point stands.

 

[SouthamptonFCroatia]

Not too many (I don't have an actual figure), but that's fine - how often did Makelele pass forward? Like I said, I'm not going to pretend he's as good a passer as the likes of Morgan, just that he doesn't give the ball away nearly as often as some will have you believe.

The thing is some of his passes were quite appallingly misplaced that one must take note.

 

[fatletiss]

The thing is some of his passes were quite appallingly misplaced that one must take note.

I disagree. It is clear that his passing needs to improve, however why do we always focus in that. He is immense and it is clear that with him in the team, opponents can't drive at us down the middle. He does that job superbly. Take note all you like about him not being our best passer of the ball while I enjoy watching what his strengths are and why he is in the team.

I remember when Andy Cole first went to United and people said his touch and link up play were poor. Fergie kept playing him because he did his job; he scored goals.

 

[SouthamptonFCroatia]

You're completely missing the point. Am i calling for him to be replaced? Am I denying his strenghts? Am I questioning his role in the team? NO. So what exactly are you saying and with what are you disagreeing?

 

[Lff]

I remember when Andy Cole first went to United and people said his touch and link up play were poor. Fergie kept playing him because he did his job; he scored goals.

I would have dropped him!