The burning question is, will SF4L be doing the match thread for the massive "Checkatrade Trophy" tie at Charlton on Tuesday evening?
Just a quick afterthought - I'm not a fan of the diamond (yet) personally, and yes of course we have a few issues right now, but all this talk of "we were terrible/only had shots outside the box" etc etc, a little bit disrespectful to Sunderland in what was a classic display of stifling and frustrating a home team. I thought they played their tactics well considering their seriously depleted resources.
Or, as Shakespeare put it: "Cowards die many times before their deaths; The valiant taste of death but once." Vin
Just finished reading Tolstoys war and peace (1,225 pages) twice.........(2,450 pages) and that was far more interesting than listening to a Puel interview. But you know what, I don't care what image he has in the media as long as he can motivate and get this squad playing how he wants them to play. Games will come thick and fast and his squad rotation will be pivotal to any success. Keeping Jrod is a must in my opinion. I predict an average to good season in the league and am hopeful on some cup runs. As for war and peace, let's go to war on the pitch and have peace among fans. Amen.
The diamond and Fonte were my only two real concerns yesterday. I may hate it but it seems we will be stuck with it (of course I hope it ends up working). The biggest issue for me is Fonte.
Exactly LTL - what I was afraid of before the game happened. They set out to frustrate and not lose. Defoe bought the penalty (I'm assuming it was - but it was a soft one) and we were a bit lucky to get back. I think the manager should tell the players to play as if they're one down immediately - that way we might play with more intensity. I'm sure it's been said (can't be bothered to read all the meltdown) but the ref was unbelievably crap, the linesmen appalling and we played better at 4-3-3 than the diamond. Hope Claude takes that on board. And for gods sake DONT let jay go on loan!!
Nah it was a clear pen. Fonte even tried to foul him twice, but missed the first time, so did it again.
I think Puel is slow talking because it is in a foreign language, but also because he thinks analytically and not in sound bites. He does seem to smile a lot and has a sense of humour, so I suspect he is nicer on a day to day basis. I'd settle for an average season whilst everyone finds their feet and sorts out the wrinkles in the system, but I hope we have some decent cup games, especially in the Europa, to keep spirits up.
Fonte has got away with stuff in the past (as do all defenders....because they all take risks), but I noticed he was doing more fouls in the Portugal team (more desperate to stop chances perhaps). Very early in the season to judge, but either the system doesn't help an ageing defender or his head hasn't arrived home yet. He used to be the solid organiser at the back....that is now VVD. He won't have suddenly become a poor defender, but he needs to get his act together when the team need him.
David Moyes will make us hard to beat, this season. We very nearly pulled off a great point at Man City first game of the season. He has got us resolute, we just need our injured players back and two or three more signings in, which we are working on.
Thanks for reminding me...I am more interested in this than before, because it's going to be a long fortnight to the next game. P.s. This statement should not be taken as a suggestion that I intend to do the Match Thread...because I ain't.
Fonte was very poor yesterday, but was fine against Utd. It's not the first time in his Saints career that he's had a poor match. It's the level of player he is - a solid player, but one who can be upgraded. I'm not concerned about yesterday.
