At the game and frustrated we took so long to change it up. Against the likes of Stoke, West Brom, Watford and Hull we will simply get pushed off the ball as they put numbers in defence. Called out for Austin and Rod to get brought on at the start of the second half as we were forced out wide making crosses to two small strikers. By the time the change had come they were down to ten men and sitting back.
Long wasn't going straight through the middle. He would have had to cut inside where there was a defender. Harsh red. I had a fantastic view of it.
It was right in front of me. I could see the whole pitch and there was a defender who could have come across in time to prevent a clear goalscoring opportunity.
I can forgive Cedric for his shocker because, what, he's had just 45 minutes of pre season football so far? As well as no training camp is USA etc. I was surprised that we played him to be honest. But that is no excuse for Romeu. Surely his worst ever game for us? Davis was pretty bad I thought, but not in Romeu's league. Think it's going to take me, as well as the players, awhile to adjust to this new system. I'm just not a fan of playing without wingers. So many times, at least until Watford went down to 10, Targett and Cedric received the ball deep, with room ahead but no-one to play one-two passes with. Virgil excellent as always. PEH great coming off the bench. Tadic showed glimpses of real promise in his free role.
Well, few thoughts on that mixed bag of a game! - Wasn't convinced by the diamond today. MF and ST didn't really know what to do at times. - Cedric played possibly his worst game in a saints shirt. Simply awful. Thought it was a strange sub to take him off as Watford went down to 10. - Hojberg was outstanding, thought he should have won a penalty. Better with him on. - Poor VVD was getting visbily more and more frustrated as the game wore on. - Love Yoshida, but he nearly cost us today. - Tadic was our best player, followed by Redmond. Overall though, I think a few more tweaks with the team and we can perform more consistently.
Just read through the highs and lows on here, onto the next one then eh! When's this record signing coming....
Best part of the day was the new burgers! Cost £4, but proper beef, in a brioche bun. Now they just need to sort out the beer.
Indeed, a mis-timed dive, should have stayed on his feet; as the impending challenge probably would have been a foul.
Don't know what's already been said having just got in from the game, but I'm not liking the new formation one little bit? Hopefully the dire first half was just a case of being ring rusty, but Romeo, Cedric and JWP were pretty poor. Thankfully we lifted our game in the second half and started to look a decent pressing side. Dusan looked a threat all game and Redmond will cause problems, but I'm worried where the goals are going to come from. The big highlight for me was Hojbjerg who looks very comfortable on the ball? Pied looked okish when he replaced the dreadful Cedric, with Cuco probably the pick of the 3 RB's on our books.
I think will have to persevere with Cedric, the Euros form must still be there (surely), and he's just signed the extended contract. Having Ryan and Jose back along with Pierre starting would be a major plus.
Took me about ten minutes to work out who MF and ST were Was sitting there going "Madio Fane....Shane Tong...."
Good to meet up at the Farmhouse and put faces to names. Well done to Helen for making her first trip from darkest Wales to see Saints....hope she wasn't too put off. Totally disjointed at the beginning because Watford did a number on us...they played to their strengths and closed us down all the time. No excuse for Saints losing their shape and being 2nd to almost every ball. Didn't like their gamesmanship, but as I've said before teams play to suit themselves not their opponents. We picked it up and were better before half time, but Watford were not out of it and were worth their point. We kept far more of the ball in the 2nd half. Not looking forward to the ManU match unless we step up a bit more. Tadic played well, but perhaps should have the courage to shoot more. Pierre looked good...should have started with him perhaps. Yoshida has had his annual cock up early in the season so we should be safe from now on. Onwards and upwards.
The stats are astonishing,,,you'd have thought Saints dominated the whole game with 66% possession and 6 shots on target vs 1. Proves something.
