Match Day Thread Brighton v Saints Sunday 29th October 13:30pm - Goals galore thread.

Agree. I intensely dislike VVD and was suspicious of his first couple of appearances since KlopStropgate. However he played really well against West Brom, looked motivated and was coming out and starting to dictate play as needed. Play your best 11 at all times.

 

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints/15611976.The_message_Boufal_sends_to_his_Saints_team_mates/

I missed this yesterday....so apologies if posted before. Just found it interesting that Maya spoke to Mauricio during the week and knew that the plan was to dominate and then put Nathan and Sofiane on to make the difference. Brighton is another team and another game, so it will be interesting to see how we are set out this time....though I suspect the starting line up will be virtually the same. The team must be boosted by the goals in the last couple of games....at least they know it is possible to score.

 

Forster
Cedric VVD Hoedt Bertrand
Romeu Lemina
Long Davis Boufal
Gabbiadini

Bench: McCarthy, Yoshida, McQueen, JWP, Tadic, Redmond, Austin

Brighton are playing well and will be really up for it, I think Davis has to start to try and help solidify the midfield a bit.

Then pace on the wings and in atttack for the counter

 

Remind me what VVD did wrong against West Brom?

It seems to be a fashionable comment that he can't be arsed, based on a couple of occasions he didn't move as quickly as many would have liked against Newcastle.

Maya's done nothing wrong either, of course, but this idea VVD can't be arsed hasn't been shown to be true in any of the games I've seen.

 

Of course he can be arsed - in fact, he is a massive arse. And various other body parts normally kept hidden.

I wouldn't hesitate to play him though.

 

I actually feel like VVD and Hoedt in terms of potential is our best CB partnership, though it feels horrible to say it as I love Maya, and he's been very good recently (as he often is).

Up until January we're blessed with talent in that position (and actually if VVD goes then, we're hardly struggling there). Not something we've often been able to say, but an area we've done well in the past few seasons.

 

That would be extremely poor man management if Pellegrino did that. Boufal would think what on earth does he need to do to start. If Long starts ahead of Boufal I will be most displeased.

 

I criticised him against Newcastle and stand by that, but he didn't put a foot wrong against West Brom, looking focused and determined.

 

Will it be "unacceptable" if Redmond does?

In fairness, in amongst the Boufal praise, it's rather diluted the fact that we looked immediately more threatening when Nathan did come on last week.

 

I've recently watched the first 45 minutes of Saturday's match again, just to calmly see why we couldn't break WBA down, after so many attempts. I was staggered by the number of attacks and link-ups where the whole thing broke down when Shane Long received the ball. He would either mistime a pass, or misplace it, or his first touch would let him down. That happened way more times than he successfully moved the ball to a teammate.
Now, I've always liked Shane Long, even back to his Reading days, and I know that he isn't the sharpest technically, but I've been suspecting for quite a while that he isn't up to the close and quick passing, like several of the team are. For me, Long is someone you put on when the game gets a little stretched and the opposition defence aren't fresh anymore, where his pace can wear them down. I'd start Boufal in a three, behind Austin, including Gabby and Redmond/Dusan, and let them choose where they want to go, provided they cover each other's positions. Whoever didn't start out of Redmond/Tadic would be a substitute.

So a rare line up from me would include:

Forster [or McCarthy. Alex is a perfectly capable keeper]
Cedric, VVD, [or Maya] Hoedt, [or VVD] Bertrand
Lemina, Romeu
Boufal, Gabby, Redmond [or Tadic]
Austin

Subs: Keeper, Pied, Stephens [or Hoedt/Maya], Davis [or JWP], Tadic [or Redmond], McQueen, Long

 

I think it's paucity of choice that sits behind Long starting. He provides the hassle, Gabbi provides the class.

From what I've seen of Charlie recently, he's not providing an awful lot of either, but happy to be wrong about that. I have no sense when he comes on that he's likely to score a goal, put it that way.

 

We did, and I wondered at the time whether Nathan’s being dropped to the bench sharpened his determination somewhat. If it did, that that was good man management. The same probably applies to Boufal, as he was obviously fired up to make a difference when he came on for the last 10 minutes or so on Saturday. The question is, has he made his point strongly enough, or will Pellegrino think his best role is as an impact sub?

 

Exactly this. Which is why I won't be surprised if the same applies to both this week. I suspect that Nathan is actually the more likely starter of the two though, for good or ill.

I wouldn't agree with that approach, but I would understand it.

 

For me Tadic has to start, he's our most creative player when on form and he's played a lot better over the last few games.
The tough decision for me is whether Hoedt comes in for Yoshida but seeing that he's played very solidly as he usually does I can't see him being dropped for Brighton.

 

I think Maya compliments the abilities of Virgil better than Hoedt does. Both Hoedt and Virgil are good at playing the ball and attacking the ball, especially in the air. Hoedt is like Virgil-lite. while Maya is a good cover, first back from a corner and has a great last ditch challenge.

I've barely seen Hoedt play though, so thats very much a first impression.

 

Yoshi had two good chances

Went over to Boufal after he scored as well, looked very happy and animated I'm pleased to say. He looks like getting back to pre Jan form.

 

Yeah that's a fair point.

 

Chris Houghton has done a very good job - quality manager.
Interesting fixture this as saints have a good record against Brighton but the seagulls will fancy their chances
But I dont like Brighton much and I hope we smash them

 

Disagree. He performed as well as a cb should be expected to but was a shadow of his former self.

He didn’t run forwards with the ball, his tackling was half hearted and he was partially to blame for the 2nd goal. He made a couple of blocks but wasn’t the same Virgil. He was also quiet and wasn’t martialling the defence like he used to.

We don’t know if this is post injury getting fit/back into the game or he just can’t be arsed. I hope it’s not the latter. He doesn’t need to put himself in the shop window to get suitors.

 

My concern is that Sofiane starts and does very little. Then he gets hooked in the 60-something minute and gets all demotivated again. Give him longer by all means, but speak to him before the game and explain. 1 goal in, what, 26 starts, is not a great average.
But, I’ll support whatever the manager decides. I may not agree, but I’ll support his decision.