To be honest, he has been on fire of late, even when he hasn't been scoring. His passing has been crisper, he's had a bit more get up and go. Just better all round. I used to say that when he played right up on his toes you could tell he was going to have a good game. Well, he's been playing on his toes for the last month or so. I've been a fan ever since he arrived, but after a few games this season I began to think that he might be the first person to be dropped once Clasie came into the team. Just shows what a little proper competition does. Steven is absolutely worth his place because he's back to his best.
I've been one of his biggest critics for well over a year now, but yes recently I cannot say a bad word against him. Play at this level every week Steven, and you can absolutely stay in my team. Very impressed.
I do like Matchday Uncovered videos. I know we've seen a lot of the same thing before, but there is always something a little different. Seeing Andrew Surman again enjoying his career is a delight, and Graziano adjusting the camera, and Virgil smacking the cameraman so hard it dislodged the camera off his shoulder.! I understand Eddie Howe and Les Reed had a good long chat at some point. I'd imagine it was to do with taking players on loan, if they need any.
That reminds me, I'm going to tip my hat to Tom this evening. Here's what Jose said about Sunday: "Jose Fonte insists that if Saints want to compete with the Premier League’s elite they must sort out some mentality issues. Although pleased with the 2-0 victory over south coast neighbours AFC Bournemouth, the Saints captain couldn’t hide his discontent with a drab second-half performance. Fonte withdrew himself from the game at half-time, with Saints 2-0 up through goals by Steven Davis and Graziano Pelle, because he didn’t want to risk getting injured after feeling stiff. The 31-year-old, who was replaced by Maya Yoshida, watched as Ronald Koeman’s side switched off and allowed Cherries to dominate possession. Fonte believes that if Saints want to compete in the top six of the Premier League, they cannot perform like that, despite extending their unbeaten run to seven games in all competitions against Eddie Howe’s team. “This cannot happen again,” he stated. “That is why everyone in the dressing room was disappointed after the win 2-0 at home because if you want to compete with the top six, then you cannot allow yourself to have this second half." In other words, it was unacceptable. Fair enough Tom. Although I didn't argue your point at the time, I had my doubts. I now accept that you were right.
Have to say Sammy Lee really does strike me as a true gent. Gracious in defeat and victory every time.
Let's just make it more in victory He seems popular with a lot of people throughout the football world...despite crippling a few of them.
By the way TSS have you listened to the 5 live commentary of the game with Alan Green and Steve Claridge? They were very complimentary of our first half and scathing of our second. They saw exactly what I saw. Jose concurred as well obviously.
Interesting, this expression "unacceptable". I could certainly think of games were the referees' performance was unacceptable. But I didn't watch the second half and think it's unacceptable, because it wasn't something I could control or change and to do so would indicate a feeling of entitlement. I certainly didn't feel that I would be justified in demanding a 50% refund because we pay admission to witness the game, good bad or indifferent. It's as pointless as finding the weather "unacceptable" But if look at my professional situation I could certainly look at my performance or that of colleagues as potentially unacceptable if it was well below the understood benchmarks. I suppose it's possible to conceive of an unacceptable performance if the team were obviously not trying. On the other hand, I am very happy that the players found the second half unacceptable. It shows the right attitude to a good win but with obvious room for improvement.
As your possibly know as I've mentioned it a few times, I do suffer from a bit of tinnitus, so I often go to bed with a good pair of in-ear phones on and fall asleep to something which takes my mind off the distant whistles in my head. Last night I played back Alan Green and Steve Claridge's 5 Live commentary and I have to say that not for the first time it was absolutely brilliant. There's something about listening to Alan Green's radio commentary in the quiet of the night, and Steve Claridge just adds to it because he's an excellent co-commentator. Having watched a lot of the match much earlier I was able to put pictures to their words. I know that they were absolutely knocked out by our 1st half performance, and Steve kept mentioning about how it was exactly the opposite in the 2nd. He did though say that we were defending quite comfortably, but that we'd 'lost the out ball'. Anybody who doesn't listen to Alan Green and Steve Claridge really ought to. It's a treat, especially if you want to relive the excitement.
Tom, not a single poster said it was a good half. We all saw what you saw. The difference was we dealt with it differently.
Like everyone else I found the second half frustrating, but on the long journey home I just kept thinking about the goals and the points. However, on Monday night in the pub I got a different perspective from a Liverpool fan (a proper one; goes to matches, that sort of thing) who said the performance reminded him of Liverpool in the old days - efficient. Turn it on, score and then the players have a bit of a chat about their holiday plans while keeping the opposition at arms length. Thought about this and so hope he's wrong. It was why I and supporters of every other team hated Liverpool in those days (I have different reasons to hate them now, of course).
