No one deserved more than a 4/10. Players like Howson, McCormack etc. weren't to blame for the loss, because it's hard for any attacking players to do anything if the service they get is ****.
To begin with, Grayson's tactics were awful. We played a 4-2-3-1 but couldn't keep hold of the ball. Whenever we got the ball, it was hoofed up to McCormack and our entire midfield ran forward. This meant that we were counterattacked so easily by Southampton.
Second, his team selection was ****. Darren O'Dea? The worst player, he's so bad. Ben Parker or even Aidy White should have played.
The player performances that stood out were AOB, who was awful. He is yet to put in a string of good performances, with the occasional decent game last season. He HAS to be dropped. I'd like to see Tom Lees alongside Kisnorbo. He's young, so would have a bit of pace and after his Player of the Year promotion winning season with B'mouth, he deserves it.
O'Dea is not, and will never be, the answer to anyone's defensive problems. Why have we signed him?! Who does our scouting? He was actually dreadful last season for Ipswich.
Michael Brown was poor. Didn't do anything, almost got sent off. Clayton was average, did some decent things. Snoddy and Gradel were poor as well.
Basically, a lot of it came down to tactics and team selection. Away against a tough team like Southampton, we should have gone for a simple 5 in midfield. Not a 4-2-3-1 because to play that we'd have had to have 2 defensive midfielders holding but we only had one and he's 34. A midfield 3 of Howson, Brown and Clayton with McCormack, Gradel and Snodgrass ahead of them. This would have allowed us to keep possession a lot more, and actually have some defensive solidity.
Buy some decent players for ****s sake! We need a leftback, a centremid and a striker. This happened last year - we needed a DM and everyone could see it, but we never signed one. Does Grayson even know his strongest line up or what he's doing? I think signing O'Dea on loan shows our desperation.
