The difference between their games was Lallana started, Balotelli was a sub. We could keep it that way if that is what gets the best out of them.
Raheem has been painful to watch in the last two games,the movement and pace is always there but finishing has gone tits uo
A penalty that wasn't which was given to them, and a penalty that was which was not given to us, that's potentially a 2 goal swing which would usually kill any team
He was shocking in midweek. Today, he was poor but we saw glimpses of his brilliance too. He definitely needs a rest.
Also put this in the progress thread: Last season it took us 4 games to get 10 points, this season it took 7. But After 10 games last season we had 20 points. Win our next 3 games and we will have 19 points from 10 matches. Not to far behind aye. Next 3: QPR, Hull, Newcastle.
Shame he'll play 180 minutes against 2 nobodies for England even though the under 21's would beat both of them 5-0.
Just read this in another thread... My response: I said something similar the other day. I didn't mention the points but I said we needed to be winning the next four games. We won the first today
please log in to view this image Hodgson needs to shut the **** up and accept that we know more about developing English players than he ever will
Breaking news: Daniel Sturridge has suffered a sprained finger from switching his television set off while watching the national team flounder on international duty.
They might as well rest during international training. Hodgson's dinosaur methods are more likely to hurt than help them, plus his team is picked based on media hype rather than form anyway.
In any case we needed to regroup and go again after the international break. A win today does nothing for momentum but relieves a lot of pressure. Hendo's response to scoring was great to see, and Lallana scoring was nice too.
Interesting and amazing fact. Adam Lallana scored his first ever Southampton goal again.... West Bromich Albion.
Have the hordes of wums been over yet wingeing about dodgy pens? Thought not.... My ratings, Mig: 6 Didn't do TOO much wrong, and punched one or two corners off his six-yard box in the first half. Still static on his line most of the time though (would have preferred Foster on today's showing). Manquillo: 6 Ok defensively, got forward a tremendous amount of time but still lacks quality in his final ball/cross. Skrtel: 6 Would have been more but for his daft booking early on that restricted his presence. Lovren: 5 Totally owned by Berahino (sp), who must be three inches shorter and ten kilo less. When he did win headers they often just carried five yards. Unlucky with that 'pen' that was nearer to their box than ours. Moreno: 6 As always, offers more going forward than back, but often lost the ball in the opposition that reduced him to grabbing and body-checking breaking opponents. We need a left midfielder, though Lalana offered some cover. Gerrard: 6 Looked a better player in the second half in a free role further forward. A couple of timely interceptions earlier on, but after his booking it was heart in the mouth time when his old legs were taking him towards some of those tackles. Henderson: 7 Involved in both goals, and as always was everywhere. A future with Lalana in CM (with Can as DM? ) may be the future. Stirling: 5 persistence made the second goal, but looks as likely to trip over the ball as much as control it. We've overplayed him and he needs a break - watch Woy give him extra sessions and 'test' his loyalty. Lallana: 8 Great goal, great presence - a Liverpool-type player. Paid ten million over the odds for him, but still ten million less then what we've wasted on Markovic. Lambert: 5 Sigh. God (and the Kop) loves a trier. Coutinho: 5: Not happening for him. I was raging at how Markovic got the nod over him last weekend - this, perhaps, gives some indication of Brod's thinking. Another who needs a break. Subs: Balotelli: 6 Didn't do a lot and could have held the ball up better, but still incomparably more presence than Lambert. Lucas: 6 Came on to shore-up the midfield and had two shooting chances! Go figure! Johnson: 7 Didn't the defence look more solid with him on? Could there be life in the old dog?.... Overall: 6 Tricky, tricky opponents and I feared the worst when they equalised. Fine three points (as we could have had more goals in that second half, truth be told), but that defence (and Lovren in particular) still looks iffy. Those not on international duty need to work on the training ground. Ain't turned no corners yet.
