I don't get the Martina hate. Everyone blamed Martina for the Sunderland goal for not following his man (even though it wasn't even his man), and now the problem is he follows players all over the place instead of defending an area? Also, Cedric's positional awareness is by far the weakest part of his game. He's excellent at everything else.
Me neither, he certainly hasn't let us down badly in any game as far as I can remember, he looks a steady RB as far as i'm concerned. I think it's probably because he is percieved as a "cheap option" and didn't play any part for much of the start of the season.
Woah back fella. No hatred, just stating the facts. If you disagree with my comments then feel free to say so, but no need to overreact and accuse people/me of hatred. Edit Just one question. What are your thoughts on Martina following players, leaving the right back area wide open, leading to, in the examples I cited, clear cut goal scoring chances? Do you think he should be following them to the extent that he ends up standing next to our left sided centre back?
Oh no Merson has said we are going to win 2-1. I suppose there is a vague chance he might actually get one right. Please please please please please let us win this one!
This game has caused Pool so little trouble. They are going to be hard to beat on Sunday, thats for sure.
It's not hatred for no reason. The guy is simply below the level of player we should be aiming for. In his defence, he has performed fairly well in a few cameo roles, but if we had to rely on him for a long time I think he would eventually begin to cost us points. He has the look of a deer caught in the headlights about him IMO.
Isn't it the same for every player who gets a game every couple of months and is expected to be up to speed from the first minute. We have had a few players who are criticised because they don't get enough playing time. Gazzaniga and Bailkowski are the most obvious ones I remember, plus Juanmi.
This is pretty much the definition of hatred for no reason. If he's performed fairly well, what's the problem? How is he below the level of player we should be aiming for if he's done well when tasked? Do you have any reason to believe that he would be exposed if played for a long time other than your totally subjective opinion that he has the look of a deer caught in headlights?
please log in to view this image This is a screenshot I just took of the initial (failed) cross leading to the first goal. I do not have a problem with Martina tracking Arnautovic and his positioning here. If he's not there, there are two Stoke players wide open in a dangerous position. And there's no one from Stoke on the right. What happens is the cross goes to Fonte, who makes a weak clearance straight to Stoke player(not in picture). Afellay who is shown here unmarked at the top of the box, then drifts to his left toward the corner flag, into Martina's vacated area to pick up the pass. He then crosses to Arnautovic for the goal. So while I think Martina was fine in following Arnautovic pretty far, the question is, did Martina lollygag a bit returning to his position to cover Afellay after the failed clearance? And yes, he definitely hesitated. I don't know if he picked up that Afellay was there right away. But... Steven Davis can pick Afellay up right here. He's much closer and not otherwise occupied. Instead he lets Affelay drift in behind him and turns his attention upfield looking to cover any trailing Stoke players. As the pass reaches Afellay, Davis is pointing at him like "Hey someone mark that guy." In the end, I think it was just a good goal. it was good movement from Afellay to drift into space, a nice run from Arnautovic to get across VVD, good cross and good finish. They were just a bit quicker to react than we were. You can always go back and breakdown a goal like if the defense had only done X,Y,Z but hindsight is 20/20. We made a couple of small mistakes and Stoke did well to capitalize and turn it into a well-worked goal.
http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2016/03/17/michael-owen-predicts-southampton-v-liverpool/ Owen predicts a 1-1 draw. http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35798388 Lawro and Cram both predict Saints win (2-1 and 3-2, respectively). http://www.skysports.com/football/n...united-while-spoils-shared-in-tyne-wear-derby Merson also predicts a Saints win. 2-1 Now I am worried.
http://www.fansnetwork.co.uk/football/southampton/news/42314/ A Liverpool fan providing his best combined eleven for Saints and Liverpool on the Ugly Inside video channel. Good listen and he does show his knowledge of Saints. He reports that Lallana can last 90 mins and added that he knows we weren't aware of that.
We need to be at our most energetic best for this game. Pool will be missing pretty much no-one, but Klopp may well shake things up with some changes. Henderson, Flamingo, Clyne & Sturidge places will be up for grabs after last night, but who-ever he starts, we are going to have to punish them early on to get anything from this game, failure to do so will be terminal for our hopes. On a side note,can't believe how fit Lallana looks now, fair play Jurgen, you've earned your first sack of corn.
Lots of decisions to be made about the team, which formation to play, does Vic come back in etc. I honestly don't have a clue what team Ron will put out which is a good thing I suppose as it means they don't have a clue either.
I don't think he's a particularly good player, simple as that. Its crazy to have to analyse very second of his play to be able to hold that impression. We have all commented at different times that stats can be misleading and sometimes you just have to believe what your eyes are telling you. I don't think he a "deer in headlights" simply that his touch isn't great and his positional sense not perfect (although still way better than Fox). Also I think that Cedric is better going forwards. He's a decent enough back up but as Osvaldorama says, I wouldn't fancy him as a first choice. Unless of course he is one of those that could improve with game time.
I'll put up with all of Cuco's deficiencies in return for the fact that I was bang in line with the original direction of his shot versus Arsenal, about five yards off the edge of the goal. There is still no way that went in. Vin
