Match Day Thread +++++Saints v Man City 1st May 2016 4:30pm+++++

I watched Clasie scurrying around, breaking up play and just generally harassing citeh players at every opportunity. Some good passing and a decent attempt with the chip and I'd say he had a good game. Romeu also played well when he was introduced. I thought Cuco had a good game too, but what do I know?

 

Bit late to the thread so apologies if anyone's mentioned this.
As we were playing a 'weakened' Man City I thought I'd just check the figures.
Including their subs I make the cost of the 'weakened' team £255m - OMG

What I found almost as shocking is that the cost of our team (inc 1 extra sub) was £98m.
So I guess Bomo are allowed to slag us off good and proper when they beat us like they did at home this season.

 

I agree. Unfortunately, Cuco is not allowed to have a good game, by order. A bit like Graziano, but with less hair gel.

 

I thought Cuco had an excellent game and is our 1st choice right back at present.
He was getting left a bit exposed 2nd half but any criticism should acknowledge that he cost us £1m and the 3 players running at him (Sterling, Nasri, Kolorov?) cost over £80m.

I think I'm going on about money too much now. I'll crawl back in my hole

 

I agree about Martina, and I've been one of his biggest critics up to now. He didn't do a lot wrong yesterday, although apart from the first 10 mins after the break, he didn't have to worry too much about tracking back and defending (no one did). On yesterday's performance I'd say he's possibly our most improved player.

I'd have Romeu ahead of Clasie at this point personally; presumably it doesn't look that way in training, but for me he's better at keeping the ball and just as good at picking the forward pass. I get that Clasie's instincts may be more creative, but that's no good if it's not coming off. I also get that comparisons to Schneiderlin are going to find most players wanting, but they're still inevitable for a new signing operating in the same area of the park.

 

Strapping Go-Pros to children now

 

I'd have Romeu AND Clasie for games when we are playing a counter attacking style, as they both perform well defensively but give us more going forward than when Big Vic plays. Not saying Victor didn't play well yesterday but he has his limitations.
We do have real strength in depth at certain positions and I think we will have to get used to more squad rotation and a slightly less settled first 11 as it really is horses for courses. When we need a wall, we have Vic plus one, when we play more expensively we have Romeu and Clasie. Gardos is going to be back soon too so more options as he can play Dm as well.

 

*scratches head* - Graziano gets a lot of credit when he has a good game. Agreed on Cuco though, thought he was solid yesterday and provided a noticeable attacking threat. I don't think he'll be out first choice RB next season, but I hope he won't be our scapegoat player either.

 

I thought Cucu was poor earlier in the season but he's playing well now.

If I, or anyone else, suggests a player isn't playing well and they subsequently come good, it doesn't mean we were wrong at the time the comment was made.

I don't see anyone critical of Cucu yesterday.

 

Suggest you leave that way until the end of the season- not being superstitious or anything....

 

*also scratches head - it's catching* I'm not saying he doesn't. But often supporters would rather throw brik-bats rather than understand why a player doesn't have a great game. I seem to be the only one who has been fully aware that Pelle has been playing with a knee injury all season, for example. So I take that into account.

Cuco has grown into the side. Yesterday the ball bounced off him to Iheanacho. It wasn't his fault. He was ready to clear the ball, but it deflected off Jose, so there was nothing Cuco could do. Many supporters have not seen that. Instead blaming him for the goal.

 

Hmm...I think people have been more guilty of over protecting him, or being blind to an otherwise poor game because he's banged in a goal. Regardless, that's a discussion that's been done to death! When they're on form all our strikers have been tremendous.

 

Yeah, that's probably it. Players go from crap to good to crap all the time in the space of 2 or 3 games. It's not your opinion that changes, but their ability to play football.

 

Be careful. I've never seen a stat that records a player closing down an opponent, making him play the ball backwards, which effectively breaks up an attack without even making a pass, tackle or interception.

 

See Lff, you saw it, yet failed until now to acknowledge that.

 

Indeed.

 

No, I think the point is it's okay to change your mind as the evidence changes.

I expect the stats will settle all arguments who is actually right though

 

You telling me that people don't acknowledge when Pelle has a good game? Even I do that.

Edit: just read your next post - you've answered that

If I had a bad knee and was playing centre forward, I would certainly be getting on the ball and playing everything simple, to protect that knee. No risky flicks or turns and attempted champagne passes

 

Where's Tintin when you need him...

 

I think that may well be a MUVI or a VEHO product