What’s often not mentioned about the good old days under Koeman is that we had a hell of a lot of squeaky bum 1-0 wins. It was undoubtably the defence that got us up the table, not our attacking superstars who are always name checked.
Squeaky or not, we did win them. The difference between championship winning sides is, more often than not, those who can change draws into narrow wins. The last few seasons, Saints have acquired a habit of turning draws into losses. I think someone once said that attacks win battles, but defences win wars.
My point was that we don't have a spine of a team, of absolute regulars, that are miles ahead. Hojbjerg and Redmond are probably the only two who you can say HAVE to start every week. JWP is almost in that bracket. When we were good, the team picked itself, at least in the key areas.
True, I would say Pochettino got the attacking part of the team together which made us a top 8 side then Koeman shored up the defence which made us a European side. Without the narrow wins we would still have been a top side just more like a Puel team!
It’s a funny old game. That was the season the crowd started to get on Koeman’s back, due to a poor Nov/Dec. Then I think we whooped Arsenal 4-0 on Boxing Day tho king we’d turned a corner only for that long miserable trip to Norwich where we lost 0-1. We must have fallen from about 6th or 7th to 14th maybe over that period and still finished 6th. If those fans who wanted Koeman out in December had go their wish.... Funny old game Saint
All jokes aside though, if Djenepo and Adams struggle, joining the evergrowing list of failed attackers (Elyounoussi, Carillo, Osvaldo, Ramirez, Mayuka, Boufal etc, etc), it does kind of make you re-think your opinion of Long. Despite being a bit-part player, unfancied, unorthodox, lacking in certain departments, he is far ahead of that lot, and in a weird way, reliable for what he brings. I'd start him against Liverpool, and give Adams an easier game to make his home debut.
I don't think either of these buys are reckless. We have been pursuing Adams for ages and surely know his capabilities.
Strewth guys lets give the guys a chance...........I agree we haven't the strongest of defences but let's give them a chance to improve lets see how we are 4/5 games in. If we haven't any points on the board we will know we are in for one hell of a season. We have had only one game..........let's see what we can achieve............. or not as is the case........Then moan if we have to!
I'm not trying to moan, I was actually really positive after the pre-season game I went to. I do think Ralph will sort us out. We played some nice stuff. I just think that we could have spent more wisely - seeing the same defence for successive seasons scares me a bit.
I said "if". Every transfer is 50/50 unless you spend a crazy amount. I mentioned nothing about it being 'reckless' at all. And I'm pretty sure we monitor all of our purchases for a year or so before going in (yes, even Elyounoussi)
Good luck to him...... Mohamed Elyounoussi’s move to Besiktas is set to be confirmed this week, according to Fanatik, and this should come as a boost for Saints. The winger is surplus to Ralph Hasenhuttl’s requirements, and as such, he is set to spend the season in Turkey. Fanatik reports that after initially demanding a loan fee worth €1.5 million for Elyounoussi, Southampton have agreed to accept €500,000, with the player now poised to join Besiktas this week.
Hopefully this will happen, can they not also take Boufal on a similar deal - bulk purchase discount available!?
Fanatik reports that after initially demanding a loan fee worth €1.5 million for Elyounoussi, Southampton have agreed to accept €500,000, with the player now poised to to pay for it himself the useless dud. Nice little correction.
I will never understand this board's love for Boufal who has played a decent amount for us and accumulated more yellow cards than goals and assists, contrasted with the hate for Elyounoussi who really hasn't played enough to make an impact one way or the other. One guy is like "Yeah, let me stay. Give me a chance and I'll fight for my place." The other guy is "Oh, did you need me in this critical match which could not only save the team but give me the chance to be the hero and prove my worth? Naw. Think I'll sit this one out."
I think he's one of those, 'when things are going great' players. But while we struggle, we'll get nothing.