Austin hasn't looked prticularly mobile since he signed. He is a target man through and through. Which is why we need to play him up there instead of having him chasing about!
I was there - we took 20mins or so to get going, but once we did, we looked quite good until the half-time subs. After half-time we didn't look bad, so much as a bunch of talented players not yet gelled. We also really missed Prowsey IMO. Most interestingly, however, is that we played really well once the kids came on at 70 mins, we looked really good - they are obviously used to playing with each other as there was a passage of play straight from the training ground that that looked brilliant. A shame with our end product, but lots of encouraging signs - lots to build on for Bilbao & the new season.
Yes, I thought that, Killer. When the U21 lads came on, we clicked back into the gear we were in before half-time. We got a bit bogged down with Charlie trying to do the Shane role, Hojbjerg unsure where he fitted, as Oriel was running the show and Tadic a little absent (he was great before half-time) What this showed me (but what do I know?) was that we can't play Charlie and Jay upfront together, we need Shane. Think we need Prowsey in midfield (when he and Tadic went off, we had no-one to take corners) and I think we need Oriel in a holding role with Hojbjerg in front of him. With Jose, Ryan and Cedric, we've got lots of strength at the back (Jones and Stephens look capable back-up - I'd like to see them again). Harry and Lloyd in midfield were very industrious and, again, looking much better than I saw from them last year. With them, we, also, have good strength there. My concern (as everyone is saying) is that I'm concerned we're light up front. Now - unlike some clubs, I don't think we should spend crazy money on someone, but we do need someone to stick them in the net - both Charlie and Jay had half chances which I'd have liked to have seen put away. Trouble is, when I look around, I don't see anyone who catches my eye, so I have to trust Les, Claude and the black box!!! Fingers crossed ........
We've always needed a lot of chances to score a goal. Imagine where we would have been last season if we hadn't been wasteful. We need a Rickie Lambert.
Oh, yes - only the Chapel & Itchen were open, so we decided to sit right pitchside, (seats were unallocated) in the Chapel, in line with the edge of the area as she's never sat so close to pitchside before. Lots of families & kids around, so Sammy Saint came and said hello to us before the match, too. We're up in the far more sensible Itchen North on Sunday - but it was a great atmosphere last night, only 10-15,000 but everyone seemed to make the most of it.
I must have been about 6 rows behind you! Was a good atmosphere, wasn't it? Everyone can't wait for the Watford game, I feel! I hope we're as positive after it!
Not sure Rickie's got it anymore. He's been on the sidelines for so long now, I doubt he'd be any better than we currently have.
Charlie is a proven goal scorer, we mustn't judge him on a couple of half chances. What we need to do is find away to use that goal scorer in our system well.... IF he is going to be the chosen option for that and if we don't sign another.
