http://www.theguardian.com/football...t-bromwich-albion-premier-league-match-report The Guardian's write up...journalist found more positives in the game than most. Perhaps he had had a few drinks
Its a very valid comment to make about us shelling out all that money for Dani Osvaldo; a player with apparently a proven goal scoring record who could do the job for us. I just feel that with Long and Pelle; we have spent all that fee on 'journeymen players'. Neither has shown a propensity to score at the highest levels in football; so what have we bought? As for those with knee-jerk reactions to any commentary that does not agree with their own and who then put a completely negative slant on anyone else's statements - I have not stated at any point either is rubbish but I question whether these purchases will take us to the next level because they do not seem to have the attributes to do so and the overall sums paid seem excessive. I make no apology for this or previous comments on these two players - neither will I be intimidated by those who feel that they own this board and, as been seen on a number of occasions over the past 12 months; gang up on those with differing views.
I think there are plenty of people on this board who share your views of Pelle and Long, Romsey, so I wouldn't worry about being intimidated. Personally, I prefer to wait and see, and trust Koeman to get the best out of them. I also think that we shouldn't be expecting to get to the next level for a couple of years at the earliest. If we can get back to where we were last season, then we might attract (and keep) players of the right calibre to push for the higher reaches of the Prem.
It just seems that we have spent nearly half of what we outlayed on two players that, whichever way you look at it, (for me) seems alot. We need probably two strikers who can bag 10-12 a piece alongside Jay. Its difficult to see either of those doing that. Long works hard, has pace and causes defences problems - Jay will appreciate that and could profit from this. Pelle seems to lack the ability to do what Ricky did so well - hold it up, pull off the last defender and, importantly, be good in the air. I looked at his goals on youtube - all were pretty much tap-ins from crosses low crosses, I don't think there was one headed goal. Hence I see him as an impact sub in the future. Hopefully we can find a way of playing Jay alongside Long - we have a definate threat with pace with those two. Hopefully Pelle will score soon - it will no doubt settle his nerves and boost his confidence. Long too, could do with a goal soon for the same reasons. Its a long way to go, so both have a chance to prove themselves with Jay still injured. I wish them both well and, why fans, have taken to jeering Pelle is beyond my comprehension!
Romsey, the key point you make here for me is about his goals and how he got them. So we must play to his strengths. You are right that he doesn't look like he will be overly dominant in the air, so my view is that we should get the ball wide in behind opposing fullbacks and then get low, fast crosses into the box. I think this is why Koeman wants another winger as he probably knows that Pelle needs crosses from wide and high up the pitch to be a success. Pelle can't be blamed for having to deal with the 30/40 balls that were floated in the air above his head yesterday. I know there were a couple of times he seemed to stumble on the ball, but mostly he was facing ariel challenges. I have my reservations, but will give him a few games to see how he adapts.
What he does have for a man of his size is good pace (not saying he's a whippett) but you are right FLT - another winger might help and, as you have written, floated crosses don't seem to play to any strength in that department (just got me thinking them of the number of times Ricky got onto a header and cushioned into the path of a Saints player...heavens I miss Ricky.
Rickie didn't win many headers in the last season and a half though. Remember all the rumours of a back injury? Rickie was/is certainly appearing to be a far more talented player with the ball at his feet.
What we need is a clone of Terry Paine - heavens could that man deliver a cross - low and hard across the box or loft one across, again with power, for Big Ron!
One big positive, is that Ronald Koeman, used to the tepid atmosphere of "De Kuip" just about managed to cope ok with the seething, pulsating, never ending "wall of noise" that cascaded all around the St Mary's Stadium. please log in to view this image
Right what the positives to the game yesterday? Well we picked up a point and didn't concede. Also Forster looked good. What really concerned me was the way in which the team played. They weren't looking for passes or throw ins and they clearly were not gelled as a single unit. Playing the Baggies is never attractive fare they are a workmanlike team but we were so poor with no idea
Yep I agree and have said before. I would rather be playing the teams that we aren't expected to get anything from now, rather than the teams we would expect to get points from
Football doesn't work like that though, we beat Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City at the back end our our first season in the Prem, yet lost 3-0 to West Brom, 2-1 QPR, and 4-2 to Newcastle as well. You play every team twice, it really doesn't make much difference what team you do or don't play first.
Is that a question worth asking? We needed players first and foremost to keep us or get us back to the level we were already at. It remains to be seen whether these players can do that, but if we got 8th this season i'll be chuffed with the management of a tricky situation. Next season i'll worry about whether we're getting players who can take us to the next level. i see chilco addressed this. ignore me </ideal>
next level is apparently a legitimate phrase until you reach your ceiling. otherwise we'd still have lee barnard up front.
Apologies if already posted, but this is excellent: http://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/southampton/news/35889/
We reached our ceiling last season. That was it. 8th. There's always the chance of winning a cup though.
