I've only seen the highlights, but there was evidence there of the up tempo passing game Adams has been talking about. Surman was particularly noticeable in this regard and his through balls were excellent. Same could be said of Wes and even Johnson seemed to be passing well and with confidence. As for Surman, he was born in South Africa to British parents who returned to Southampton when he was nine.
Just came to make the exact same point. His passing was key to the first two goals, and he scored the third.
Thanks DH - I didn't watch the game. The idea that Johnson's passing is poor or that he is not creative is a recent Canary myth. His passing is inconsistent. I have seen plenty of games where he has passed brilliantly, as well as games where he has passed appallingly. He also has very good vision and will go for a lofted ball or a through ball much more often, and our best goals over the last couple of season have involved him (I remember one showed on MotD where we had something like 25 odd passes from every man in the team and the penultimate pass was a lofted ball down the line from Johnson). Johnson's possession problem is really that he isn't quite quick enough on the ball, moving it immediately with one touch, not that he isn't capable of passing well, and technically he doesn't quite match his vision. But these are things that will be much less of a problem in the Championship and I see him being a really important player this year.
Yes, inconsistency is probably the key, but he will have more time this year against less technically gifted players.
I believe he was in the bottom 10 for passing accuracy in the league two years running. Agree he has good vision but sometimes it's his downfall trying something too ambitious. I want him to do well and in this league Johnson is fine but I really don't see him as a premier league player.
There is an old adage that states speed of brain equals speed of action. The very best players know all their options before receiving the ball. Unfortunately Jonno receives the ball and then has to decide what to do. We may get away with this in the championship, but I would not like to bet on it.
I'm not going to get carried away as last night as it was only a friendly but what I saw last night, particularly in the first half, gave me more encouragement than I have had for a couple of years. Surman looked top class, nobody will convince me that Wes wasn't up for it and Grabban and Redmond looked sharp and incisive. If we can get Tettey fit and hang on to him then any defensive weakness which was apparent should disappear as he will protect the back 4. Encouraging progress from last seasons dross.
I would also vote for Bennett, whose positioning is good. I don't have a problem with either Bennett or Martin, but if Bassong leaves, we'll still need another CB.
R.Martin R.Bennett Turner Olsson (if still here) is my choice at the back. That's not me saying I don't think Bassong isn't good enough because he is, but that's my ideal back four.
Changing the subject slightly - anyone going on Fri to see Celta Vigo?? I'm in area L of the Jarrold in row K, so should get a good view of proceedings.
Be interesting to see whether Olsson, Fer or RvW feature on Friday. Of the three, I hope we can hold on to Olsson.
Fer was never going to play, whether he plays for us this season or not, he's on his Honeymoon and doesn't return to the club until next monday.
