Elyounoussi is baffling. Was a solid performer at the European level...since joining us is unable to control a ball, can't shoot, can't do much of anything in an attacking sense. Hoped that his somewhat-lively performance against City might presage a bit of confidence, but nope. If we bring someone in/through, a loan probably isn't a bad idea. Overall, we're still Saints. Still prone to mind-boggling lapses of defensive concentration and providing far more space to players around our box than is rational. We need reinforcements.
To be fair, if you took today’s performance in isolation, there wasn’t. Mostly because we have a squad of championship level players. Can’t see us starting another game without at least one from Romeu, Lemina or PEH. And we desperately need a striker this January; we can’t leave it all to Ings, and Charlie looks gone at the game. Long too imo. The difference is that I wouldn’t have bet on Hughes learning much from today.
Just got back from the game and firstly apologies I tempted fate by saying to Derby fans around me literally only a minute before they scored that they could still win this when it was 2-0. Sorry! About the game in general. The 1st half was awful. Both sides played so badly. In the 2nd half they played better and we were still in the main rubbish. I thought Gunn was at fault for their 1st goal as he was too far over to his left. Elyanoussi is just dreadful. I didn't think our CM pairing was good enough, and apart from Redmond our forward line created nothing. Cedric can stay on the bench as well. That was painful, and yes Fran I came away unscathed.
Not looking promising for Elyounoussi. Not a bad effort scoring two goals in a system focusing mostly on early driven passes to the feet of attacking players, in which only one of the four attacking players looked comfortable receiving said passes. Not to mention 3 opportunities inside their six yard box and a should-have-been penalty (though is there really any other kind of penalty?). Slattery looked worth further chances, and I liked his comfort passing the ball in any situation, but on first impressions I do worry he might end up a bit of a 'tweener. Shame to not really get a proper look at Barnes and Johnson. Think it's a bit of a once bitten twice shy reaction to our defending personally, it certainly wasn't perfect but I thought both of Derby's goals were very good.
The biggest difference in my mind is that Ralph has a long term strategy that is in line with the club's now, that is to produce our own players and be brave enough and back yourself to integrate and improve them...Sparky (and Les) would never have done that. We are not going to lower the age and experience of the first team and get results and perfect performances overnight, but Saints fans are not known for their patience.
I thought Slattery was good. Great passer of the ball, and broke up play when he could. Obviously made a few errors/lapses in concentration, but I think he could be worth something to the squad going forward.
I think Hughes could've just about squeezed that performance out of our first choice team. I think Hughes putting out the team from today would probably have been accompanied with tactics that consisted of rolling over and exposing our bellies. Which even if many have low opinions of our defending today, we didn't do.
I guess we all see different things but I thought he played ok but other people have said good things
This remains the real positive for me about having a manager who is brave enough to test academy players. I think it also lifts the fans. Hard sometimes when you're fighting the drop and scared for your job. Maybe because Ralph knows he won't be sacked next defeat he can take the risks Sparky couldn't. Mind you being a better coach helps.
Gunn, didn't have a lot to do, but I think his positioning was wrong for their first, but i do like him. I would give Slattery 5 or 6. Vestergaard - for a tall bloke doesn't win enough in the air for me, but he has generally improved. Ely - what on earth did we see in him to spend that much on him. Some people have said that he impressed in the Champions League Long - not in the game at all. Redmond - was the best Saints player by a country mile to be honest By the way how did we not get a penalty. Even the Derby fans I was sat with thought it was a nailed on penalty.
Still feeling a far more positive vibe. Not a bad result considering the players who were rested. Defensive frailty with 4 at the back continues and bit of an issue that all our strikers are either injured or not very good isn’t good. At least we have Nathan and Stuart scoring though. Lots of youth players getting a game is great for the future. That’s Slattery, Valery and Ramsey all looking promising Support was great today Hasenhutls red and white army!
