Match Day Thread Southampton vs Everton 15/08/2015 12.45 pm

Most disappointing aspect of today? I have moved seats this season, still in the Chapel but a bit closer to the pitch. I have an idea that the reason the seats were available was the guy behind me who provided a running commentary the entire sodding match. And I do mean the whole sodding match. He must have drawn breath for 4-5 seconds at a time. All of it giving the players a steer on what they ought to be doing. What a shame they couldn't hear him. Such an expert! And a pain in the arse to boot!

 

I am definitely not in the get out of Europa.... Let's win it

 

The idea of getting out of Europa to concentrate on the league makes no sense. Look at West Ham. We've earnt the right to compete in Europe - why would we want to throw it away. Besides, there are more games to keep a bigger squad happy. More games for us to watch. More days out. European football attracts better players and helps us retain our star players. Struggling to see a downside.

 

Worst aspect of the day is that darn Kingsland Tannoy, it was certainly louder but even more uninteligible than before, I have no idea what Ralph was saying or anything else if it comes to that.

 

Just a little reminder....the transfer window is not closed yet

 

Yup, time to get ten more in to go with Romeu.

 

As Ron said, the Europa may affect us later, but shouldn't be considered a problem at the beginning of the season. We had the same number of points at this moment last season and we weren't even in the Europa. We worked hard to get into this competition, lets enjoy it. Be good to have a nice run in it, even if it costs a few league places (if it does). I don't see relegation as even a possibility anyway.

 

Apologies if this has already been posted. Had a quick scan but don't usually bother reading this thread after a defeat. Here's what Ron has to say

 

Maya sounding pissed off

 

Watched the game on TV. Man we were ****ing **** in the first half. I was watching with a mate and when they went two up I said one word to him: "deserved". Everton thoroughly deserved to be 2 up at half time and we deserved to be 2 down. I'm not going to single anyone one out because the whole team was awful in the first half. We were better in the 2nd when Romeu came on but the damage was done. Romeu has got to start alongside Wanyama next week. Oh well, time to draw a line under it and move on. And TBH, I'd rather we played **** against Everton than Spurs, Liverpool or Man United. And of course Bournemouth. And I saw a comment about the ref being ****. He wasn't. Didn't spot the arm in the face from Barry which should have been a yellow card but got everything else spot on.

 

Watched the game live on SK in Serbia and yes it wasn't an inspiring performance.
I think criticism of Matt Target is a bit harsh - I thought his booking was wrong as I thought it was a great tackle. I do remember clapping some of his defensive work but yes his crossing was as bad as anyone elses!
I thought Romeu looked good with some good crisp one touch forward passes (although he was lucky to stay on the pitch with a bit of first game over-enthusiasm)
Everton goals were really quite good and I wouldn't blame any individual, Lukaku just had an excellent game.
and of course it's crazy to blame the Europa matches - we haven't even started yet!

 

Definitely a few questions answered today
1. Do we need to play with 2 defensive midfielders? yes
2. Do we need a new centre half? Yes
3. Do we need back up for pelle? Yes

 

The worst thing for me, is seeing, on various forums, that some so called Saints fans are gloating, at the result because they think it vindicates their picking on certain defenders.
Some appear to be too lacking in football intelligence to understand that defending, is a team game, and if you don't put a solid enough midfield in front of ANY back four, the defence will look decidedly carp.

 

Our strength last season was the defence, but we have to remember we have lost 2 defenders (Toby and Clyne) and have 2 more out at the moment (Caulker and Bertrand) and we have lost a DM (Morgan). We are in a rebuilding stage and need to stitch the back line to the midfield again...we're just a bit unravelled. As Ronald said, the team may feel more unsure at the moment....that can mean wrong decisions are made. However, we have to keep reminding ourselves that it is only 2 games and in between we won 2 Europa Cup matches.

 

You have to appreciate that these poor neggies have had a long wait to vent their spleens, let them make the most of it while they can, it might not happen again for a while,

 

How true, we all had a good laugh at LOLvrens expense last season, but Liverpools defensive problems stemmed from playing Gerrard as a defensive midfielder and leaving the back four constantly exposed.

I understand why Ron didn't start Romeu after only being at the club a couple of days, but he should have played Reed alongside Vic instead of who he thought were the best fit individuals

 

https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/wa...aints-fan-he-hit-with-the-ball-125038639.html

Video of Lukaku saying sorry to Saints fan he hit with the ball....gent.

 

I only watched the first half as I had to go out - so I guess I missed the "better" half. My thoughts were that we had gone too gung ho and we need to restrain ourselves a bit. Positive comments on Romeu are reassuring, so let's hope we can now go back to last year's system and start winning again.

I'm still excited by a midfield three of Wanyama, Romeu and Clasia - though that is still a way off.

 

Tom,thought ref did ok and it was probably because you only saw it on telly but he certainly didn't get everything else spot on. We were poor today - not his fault either.