Match Day Thread Southampton v Arsenal Saturday 26 December ko 7:45 pm

Most of us think we are right when we post don't we?

Just watching the LVG interview after the Stoke game and it sounds word for word like those made by RK recently. Its tough when you are on a bad run and difficult for the manager to win support as they will be criticised either for not fielding a settled side or for being stubborn with the same group. I sort of hope theses clubs stick by people who are clearly good managers but I think it is less likely to happen in Manchester with Jose waiting in the wings.

For me it is down to the players and I really would start to favour home grown players over imports right now. That has to be where the future of this club lies.

Will be interesting to see todays line up compared to Mondays where RK has declared there will be at least 5 changes.

 

Unlike you I support Southampton FC. This isn't Ronald Koeman FC. Some of you seem to obsess over Koeman. He's just a manager. I don't support a manager for the sake of it. I support the club. When I manager is underperforming, making mistakes and doesn't learn from them then I will criticise him. End of story.

Most managers learn from their mistakes and try something different. Just like players do to improve. Koeman takes an absolute eternity to learn from mistakes.

 

Stephens did not make a league start for boro, he did well against Utd in the cup though. Bit early saying he is the future of the club

 

Some people deal with it differently and some people can accept they may be wrong or their May be another valid opinion. Some just say "end of" or "fact".... It's a bit poor showing really, in my opinion and shows a lack of consideration for anything other than their own view.

 

Im not quite sure what mistakes he has made. On paper every team he has named is well capable of beating the opposition. It's silly mistakes that have let us down and if you drop a player for making a silly mistake then you would quickly run out of players. What we see on a Saturday is only a small fraction of the big picture. We none of us know what happens in training. RK does not make these decisions on his own; there's a sizeable coaching team that discuss options on team selection, strategy, training emphasis, etc. I really think you are letting the players off far too lightly.

 

I have to disagree. Palace away, Europa league away, man city away were definitely odd managerial choices, as well as numerous dodgy substations (bringing on Clasie instead of Romeu for example), as well as playing centre backs at full back.

I am still backing Koeman, but he is not blameless for our slump.

 

Between you, you illustrate the point I was making perfectly. TinTin suggesting he try something different and Osvaldo suggesting it's the changes that have cost us.

One thing I think we can all agree on is that the choices are limited and thus far have not produced the desired result. But today is another day. Not many are expecting much from todays game so if I was RK I would tell them to just go out and enjoy themselves. Allow them to express themselves and be brave. Arsenal are beatable.

 

Corrected that for you.

 

Arsenal are beatable but not by Saints. We have the same problem as Manure, we can't score and can't defend. I'd take a draw, any draw.

 

Haha

 

I'm not disagreeing with some of what you've said but I find it ironic that you have a picture of Koeman as your Avatar!

 

Hmn. I'm not expecting to rush home to watch motd tonight. But I haven't abandoned hope of a flukey victory. Just a shame Oleg Sczezny won't be in goal for arsenal.

 

Be off on shanks' pony, shortly, to see if we can overcome the odds.
Praying that we start with two defensive midfielders, to try and stem their flow through the centre, or it could get very messy.
In all honesty, anything from this game, IMO (and based on recent form), will be a much needed bonus, but looking at the league, the next two games are more winnable.
Makes me wonder if Ron will go with the weakened team tonight, and save the best for Monday.

 

I see. I don't support Southampton - therefore I've been watching them since 1967 and not supporting them, apparently. Fair enough. I'm not supporting Ronald Koeman FC, I'm behind the ckub, the players, the coaches, the manager and the board. I'm not blindly throwing out opinions about players who some people think are brilliant. I prefer to get behind the whole club and support them.
I've seen them through the worst of tones and the best of times and never shirked. Make of that what you will.
You're entitled to your opinions and I to mine. The fact that I don't agree with you doesn't mean I'm not a supporter.
I guess if they play the same way and the same team tonight, you'll be getting behind the team and the manager. Or will you still want a change? We could always have Harry, Brenda or Jose, I guess. Would you be satisfied then?

 

SAINTS: Stekelenburg; Martina, Fonte, Van Dijk, Bertrand; Clasie, Wanyama, S. Davis; Ward-Prowse, Long, Mané.

 

that's inspiring side

 

Martina

 

Martina right in at the deep end then. Let's hope he swims.

 

I don't think I've ever watched a game with Martina in it. Pelle's injury has gone from convenient to annoying now.

 

Perhaps it's a 442 diamond formation. Not a bad idea if it is. Martina is a very bad idea however unless he has improved a lot since we last saw him (which I very much doubt).

I do hope it's a diamond and not 4231 with those players..