Saints v Stoke match thread [including League Cup tie]

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Tadic got absolutely knackered, needed Long on for him.

Yep. I wanted Long from about 70 mins onwards. Very surprised that he didn't get on.

Just so Long as he plays next week. Nailed on to get his first goal for us.
 
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By the way, I heard on Radio Solent that Mane's goal against Sunderland was taken away by the dubious goals panel. Has that been on here? Anyone know the reason?

In truth, I really don't know how they came to that conclusion. I've seen it several times, and the defender did get a touch after Mane hit it. It was goal bound, so I don't know why they changed it. You can go onto Youtube and find any number of deflected goals that are better cases for own goals. Even Pelle's shot, saved by Mannone and put in by Bridcutt, should be his goal. It was going in, but no, he can't have it either.
 
In truth, I really don't know how they came to that conclusion. I've seen it several times, and the defender did get a touch after Mane hit it. It was goal bound, so I don't know why they changed it. You can go onto Youtube and find any number of deflected goals that are better cases for own goals. Even Pelle's shot, saved by Mannone and put in by Bridcutt, should be his goal. It was going in, but no, he can't have it either.

Pelle's was definitely an own goal - if not for Bridcutt, it wouldn't have gone in as it had been saved.
 
Moment of personal triumph for me today. Managed to get a few souls singing along with "All we need is Sadio Mané" with a guy behind me helping hugely and then later heard a nearby section of the crowd singing it. I'll take credit if it catches on.

Vin
 
Heading for the keeper makes no odds, if it was on target it should be his goal. Pelle's would not have gone in without Bridcutt's intervention.
 
Popped across to BBC Final Score at 5.15pm and caught John Hartson and Steve Claridge being absolutely glowing in their overall praise of Saints. Dan Walker had just summarised John Motson's downplay of Saints because of fixtures coming up, and they effectively rubbished it. Hartson rightly said Saints would fancy playing anyone at the moment, and Claridge rightly said the defence is better than it was last season. They said other things too. If you want to see get on iPlayer LIVE and pull the pointer back to about 5.15pm and wait. You'll enjoy it, I promise.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/live/bbcone

Agree, much rather be 2nd going into November than 'dreaming' about 2nd with the usual suspects lining up to pour cold water on what has been a truly remarkable season so far. Points on the board always must be the main objective, from wherever they come. The fact is we have more points than anyone else, other than Chelsea, no apologies required to anyone. The Beeb's main presenters cannot handle this, if LFC were where we are, no doubt the Linekars of this world would be all over them and nominating them potential champions etc. by the end of the season. The fact that it's SFC, in their myopic view (to date), needs to be explained away in terms of other teams weaknesses, not in our strengths. That is their problem and the longer they hold on to such thinking the more ridiculous they look and sound. Thank you RK, the players and the background staff for giving US something to be really proud of.
 
Pelle's was definitely an own goal - if not for Bridcutt, it wouldn't have gone in as it had been saved.

Disagree. It was trickling in. It was that goal bound momentum that meant Bridcutt's scuffs couldn't stop it.

The DGP obviously don't know their arse from their elbow.

Indeed. Sorry LTL, but I downloaded the 90 minutes and I've looked at that shot loads of times, even in slow motion, and the trajectory of the ball, after it had been partially saved, shows it was heading in, plus it had enough momentum left to cross the line. Sure, Bridcutt changed it's direction but if he hadn't been there it would have gone in, so his intervention should be deemed immaterial. Whether Mannone would have recovered to save it again is another matter. Don't think so though, as he was well into his head-in-hands aftermath.

By all means get the goal and look for yourself. It is close.
 
Saw this pretty amazing set of stats on Twitter.

Southampton Saints ‏@SaintsRelated · 3h3 hours ago
Mane v Stoke
Passes Completed: 37/39
Ball Recoveries: 3
Tackles: 5/6
Interceptions: 2
Goals: 1
#saintsfc
 
Weirdly, probably enjoyed that game as much as last week. Like to be fully "engaged" right up to the final whistle. Another good team performance, everyone does their job well.

Do find it a joy to watch Schneirderlin, Davis & Cork (and then Big Vic) work the midfield so well. They are all always aware of where each other are, very rarely leaving gaps or over committing.

Second, now for top next week.