This is what I'm looking forward to as well. A tranquil summer with one or two key purchases and no major sales setting us up for a full preseason. Puel has shown that the main problem with the team was the lack of an effective striker, once Charlie was injured, although even when Austin was playing we didn't find the net enough. The performance in the EFL Cup Final was superlative, with the whole team playing above themselves and Gabbiadini practically unplayable. That game, and the great ground-out victory at West Brom, sets the standard for where we should be starting in August, and Puel can begin to show the miserable so-and-so's in our ranks exactly what he is all about.
You'd almost think we had a ridiculous schedule with a smallish squad to contend with in the first part of the season...
Yes. Next season will be easier and with better preparations. And I don't think that there are any core players who have short contracts now. If any leave it will be on our terms.
And replacing the manager for no reason is a great way to get another year of tactical experiments, no pre-season and minimal transfers.
Don't agree (just goes to show we watch different games - lol). I've noticed that when Redmond moves out to the right after we make subs and bring on Sofianne, he becomes less effective. Happened a few times in my opinion and was the same yesterday
You weren't in block 29 around row F were you? Because I have 4 or 5 tossers behind me who go through every ****ing game talking like that. One reason I may well not bother with next years season ticket - I like my seat but can't handle the moaning and constant cries of "get it forward" .... I pointed out to them yesterday that I didn't see the City fans crying out to have the ball launched forward at every opportunity but got told to eff off ....
While I think Puel is still learning about the premier I think he has done more than enough to warrant at least another full season. It will be interesting to know where he thinks the weaknesses in the side are and who he brings in to strengthen. Assuming of course we do not have our normal exodus of core players. Would be nice to see Saints buck the trend for once thats for sure.
If anyone wants a laugh go onto the Saints premiership banter page on Facebook. OMG - we've got some pathetic fans .......
Sadly I think we pass it sideways and back a lot unnecessarily. We don't quite have the luxury of having experienced enough players to be able to pick up an alternative pass, that we watching can often see. They are improving it is true which was proved in flashes yesterday but unlike City we didn't have the skills to actually disguise our passes and too many went astray. Forster in particular yesterday was at fault on several occasions something a defender in particular cannot do. Exactly the reason for the side and backward short passes I guess.........
Alot of people don't read the game very well or do not see the big picture or understand the reality or expectations of the club or even the quality of the opposition. I'm fine with people voicing their opinions, if they think boufal for example is a waste of money after the limited games he has played or gabbiadini is the best player ever to wear the shirt, fine. But if they want to slay players or the team or the board they should do that with their mates, maybe at home, in the pub, on a forum, at work. Not in the ground. Once inside St Mary's we should all unite in our support. Those who don't should stay at home and watch loose women. The sad thing for me is we seemed far more positive when we were in league 1. I dont remember so much criticism as we are getting since being more successful.
It`s very seldom these days that Saints are outplayed by a better team, and beaten fair and square. That`s what happended yesterday, and there`s no disgrace in it. Next game please !
Pretty much my view. City are a very very good team. They played very well yesterday and we couldn't match them. Chelsea next but its a new game.
The last few visits we really struggled because Southampton played with a lot more intensity,the pressing as a team really stopped us playing and players like Jack Cork really stood out from memory. Yesterday the intensity wasn't there,especially in the 2nd half where we were given so much time and space. First half Puels tactics of sitting deep and narrow were working with Redmond in particular a threat,possibly a different outcome if tadic puts his chance away. Substitutions didn't work at all and Redmond now crowded out by Sane & Clichy was as clear as day and should've been addressed by Puel. Saints heads seemed to drop when Vinnie opened the scoring but with very little now to play for perhaps that's understandable to a degree but with the game so 1 sided I was surprised that Puel did little to try and change the flow of the game. Teams who come at City are the ones we struggle against,we tend to wear down teams who just sit back and let us have the ball. At the Etihad saints had the correct gameplan and deserved at least a draw but maybe the array of injuries have taken their toll on the squad?
Thanks. Tend to agree, but your general play yesterday was outstanding. With Kompany back you looked much more assured and your midfield were majestic. We had one clear chance in the first half and who knows what might have happened if Tadic had stuck it away, however, as I said to my mate, City looked like they could easily move up a gear if they wanted. The 2 teams I've seen at St Mary's who played so well were City and Chelsea, so I'm not holding my breath for points in our next game!
Agreed but compare a Pochettino side pressing (or even us away at City early in the season) and our pressing yesterday where we were content with them to pass it around on halfway. We just didn't get it right and City were very good.
For the records, you did come on here and call members of this forum "Puel Apologists" and I for one, was pissed off with that attitude.
I've been crying for years for us to leave a striker up. A quick one. Maybe two. Absolutely guaranteed to make a team leave three players back if we push two up. I can't understand why it doesn't happen.
