Match Day Thread Southampton v Arsenal Sunday 16th December 2018 13:30.. the Welcome Ralph Thread

Monday morning has never looked so inviting.

 

@BrunelGooner you're more than welcome to stick around

Actually saying that, don't suppose you fancy changing your allegiances to Huddersfield for a week do you?

 

What a difference a (nother) Ralph makes.

 

We finally have a back 2 I FINALLY want us to stick with! Vestergaard and Bednerak! Both Immense. Especially Bednerak, You have been collussal with your tackles.

 

And that cross from Long. Absolutely inch perfect. I thought Leno was going to grab it. Brilliant piece of play from Long.

 

AT ****ING LAST!
OWTS!!!

 

I ****ing love football.

MOTD on record

 

Just noticed thats taken us out of the relegation zone!!! what a difference 90 minutes makes.

 

Exactly the same here with my girlfriend! What a great feeling to be able to finally celebrate a late winner as opposed to conceding I one......

 

Sky saying those 3 goals were our first headed goals of the season!

Is that true? Incredible if so, but well done Danny and Chaz!

 

Did that just happen?

Massive result when you consider how the table is stretching and the games we have coming up, but the main thing is the effect on the team. Easier to put in the work when you see a positive result. Well done to everyone.

 

I Love Football

 

Very similar to the Man U game, except the Arsenal keeper was very generous plus we had more mobile attaching options. I think we just needed that bit of luck to give us confidence. Lots of mistakes still but part of that was nervousness that will hopefully have now evaporated. Everyone played their part:

McCarthy - a couple of important saves including the early one
Valery - still a little naive but had a lot of energy
Yoshida- a bit rusty but was the best distributor out of defence
Vestergaard - much more vocal at the back and made a lot of challenges
Bednarek (my MOTM) - a crucial intervention, as key as a goal
Targett - very nervy start but a great assist
Hojbjerg - lots of energy and won the ball back a lot
Romeu - at fault for the goal but was always open for the pass and played the ball neatly out of a congested midfield many times
Redmond - he looked like the main man for the first hour and ran and took on players more than anyone else
Armstrong - worked hard and also looks like a useful creator
ings - looked rusty to start with but took two good goals
Long - really unselfish and helped reduce pressure at the back as the game grew old
Austin - looking a little more mobile and, of course, the match winner

 

I want to WUM. But, but I've forgotten how to!

 

Let's not forget that this Arsenal team blew Spurs away in the 2nd half when 2-1 down at HT. So proud of the character shown by the players after Arsenal's very gut wrenching 2nd goal.

 

Oh let's list the teams that have beaten Arsenal this season:

Manchester City
Chelsea
Southampton

 

Hjobjerg has the makings of a club legend. And that third goal is my fave since Long in the Semi.

Pierre lovely through ball, Shane de Bruyne with a perfect cross, and Austin with the head.

Romeu still needs a bloody big slap for gifting them their second.

 

Bednarek was good, with some timely interceptions, especially first half to stop a certain goal, but there were times when he was following the ball leaving acres of space behind him, especially with Valery playing so far forward.
Most of the players were putting their bodies on the line today, which was great to see, but I thought Hojbjerg, especially second half, really stepped up.

 

So happy. It feels unnatural...this is not a normal feeling following a Saints game! Beating an inform Arsenal will really backup the work Ralph’s been doing. If the players hadn’t bought into the hard work, this’ll help. COYR

 

Who needs the dishwasher game!