23 Forster = 8 Very impressed. Could not do much to stop the goals but his distribution has been the best I have seen from a Southampton Keeper since Niemi. 06 Fonte = 6.5 at fault with Clyne for the first goal but stifled Liverpool’s attacks. (Nice to see him captain) 21 Bertrand = 8 Very impressed with link up with Tadic, good runs and can do what Shaw cannot (Cross the ball) 02 Clyne = 7 At fault for the first goal for not getting back but brilliant link up with Tadic and unlucky not to get 2 identical well worked goals. 03 Yoshida = 6 The guy is brilliant at heading and played ok, but when you have noone around you and you have time to control the ball, heading it straight back is not the best option. (nearly gave away a pen as well) 04 Schneiderlin Booked 7.5 Couple of half-hearted tackles but unlucky not to score from some great long range shots. 12 Wanyama = 8 Best game I have seen him play. Held the ball well, some nice runs down the right and even tried some trickery. 08 Davis Booked = 7 Played well and should have scored when 1on1 with the keeper. Linked up well with Ward Prowse. EDITED mistake led to second goal. 11 Tadic = 8.5 Surprised he was subbed but assume he must be knackered. Constantly running, impressive skill, great passing with Bertrand and looked our best plyer with Wanyama 16 Ward-Prowse = 7.5 Great set plays as always in windy conditions. Unlucky not to get a goal in the top right corner from his free kick. Constantly pestering the opposition like the terrier we love. 19 Pellè = 6.5 Not the greatest of first games. Lovren dealt with him unfortunately. Missed a few through balls. (Long - 74' ) = 6 Happy with his enthusiasm but missed an open goal and couple of poor crosses after good runs. Give some time with the rest of the team and think he will prove to be a good player for us. (Isgrove - 82' ) = 5 Did not really see enough of him really. Came on at the same time as Lambert and we could not deal with the extra attacking player on the pitch. Koeman. = 8 Very happy with his buys and how we played considering the losses we had this season. Onwards and upwards. Happy to see some great link up. Tadic/Bertrand Clyne/Tadic Davis/Prowse Morgan/Wanyama. Just need Gardos to start training and think we can have an exciting season. Feel free to agree/disagree or add your own
Surprised nobody has picked out Davis's fault in the second goal...thought he had a good game other than that (and the tame shot).
Agreed, think the second goal was just a cluster of mistakes. Very scrappy goal to concede but harsh considering how well we were playing.
Absolutely. Wanyama's header was poor because it was very slightly mistimed, but Davis's attempt against the smallest man on the pitch was just hopeless (and ultimately what cost the goal).
My theory on Pelle is that he was rather distracted and appalled by the sight (and probably smell) of Skrtel. If it was MY first game in a new country/league and he was the first man i had to face i would be very confused and disheartened.
Forster - 7 Clyne - 7 Fonte - 6 Yoshida - 6 Bertrand - 8 Wanyama - 9 Schneiderlin - 7 Davis - 7 JWP - 8 Pelle - 5 Tadic - 7
Forster - 6 Clyne - 6 Fonte - 7 Yoshida - 6 Bertrand - 7 Schneiderlin - 7 Wanyama - 9 S. Davis - 6 Tadić - 9 Pellè - 5 Ward-Prowse - 8
Two that I can think of, one of which resulted in a Liverpool goal. I thought taking his marauding runs forward into account and a well-taken goal, 7 was fair. Just my opinion though!
Four changes to the above for me: Bertrand - 7 Wanyama - 8 Pelle - 4 Tadic - 8 The sooner Gardos is fit the better, Pelle was poor, but hopefully with the run of games we have coming he will improve.
IMO everyone is being a tad harsh on Pelle. Must have won most of his duels in the air. Very strong as well. Agree he could have done more and his passing wasn't 100% but still deserves 6+ rating from me.
Are you serious? I don't think he won a header the whole first half! Was really disappointed with his aerial ability tbh.
Not sure he won most of his duals, but certainly improved in the second half. He'll not come up against a defensive partnership as solid as Skrtl and Lovren too often though. What he did do was lay on a couple of chest downs for team mates to have chances. I don't ever think he's going to be spectacularly brilliant, but I think he'll get a whole lot better over the coming months as he adapts.
First half - 3 Second half - 5 Average - 4 Anyway, we all want him to succeed and I hope he enjoys his first home game and gets a goal or two.
Very pleased with the performance of a Saints team with so many new players. Mustn't give up too soon on Pelle...a difficult game for him to start as a lone striker...he was marked out of the game. He will do better with another striker distracting the defence....as we played last year. In the Express, Ward-Prowse was referred to as exciting...oh, oh, he's been hiding behind others up till now. I have high hopes for James this season...will get more chances under Koeman.
