Prowsey up for player of the month award. https://plpotm.easports.com/?utm_source=premier-league-website&utm_campaign=website&utm_medium=link
Nemanja Radonjic, 24, Serbian, currently at Marseille, is being prepped for going out on loan in January. Saints and West Ham are said to be interested. I don’t know anything about him, although a glance at his stats shows that he isn’t a prolific scorer or high on assists.
Not our player anymore,but Sofiane Boufal suffered a serious leg injury yesterday playing for Angers and was stretchered off. Wishing him a speedy recovery.
Piece in the Athletic on expected goals for & against - Saints and Spurs currently big over achievers: https://theathletic.com/2244376/202...-in-false-position?source=user-shared-article Here is the bit on Saints: "Southampton’s dip in form was overdue Southampton’s brief stint at the top of the Premier League was heartwarming in an enjoyably unpredictable first few weeks of the campaign, but their form has been less impressive in recent weeks – with a draw to Wolves, a 3-2 loss against Manchester United and then a narrow 2-1 win over Brighton on Monday, courtesy of a hugely controversial late penalty award. They are, by a distance, the Premier League’s biggest overachievers in terms of xG going forward, thanks largely to some brilliant finishing from Danny Ings and James Ward-Prowse’s ability to defy the xG’s interpretation of danger at free-kick situations. Saints’ 4-3 victory at Aston Villa, with Ings’ scorching strike and two classic Ward-Prowse free kicks, tells the story concisely. That said, Southampton have conceded 17 goals from only 13.9xGA — so perhaps their defensive record will improve." I normally rate the Athletic, but to suggest a point away at Wolves, losing to United and beating brighton away is less than impressive is just wrong. Maybe that is a sign of how far we have come though?
One thing I think we absolutely must improve is our final ball. At the start of the second half, last night, we worked some good positions to get the ball into the box, only to pick out a defender every time, frequently the first defender. We don’t create enough decent chances from open play, IMO.
I do understand what the Athletic is saying...we had a great run, but our flaws are beginning to show....those goals let in against Villa were a sign (though admittedly late on in the game). However, what we can take from it is that we are now getting points where we would once have lost. Ralph said last night that the Brighton game was the type of game we were losing last season. He also said (when challenged) that he had no problem with undeserved wins We are not an invincible side, but we have the ability to give anyone a game and to win against the odds. Whatever is said, it was pointed out yesterday that only a couple of teams have had more wins than Saints in 2020. Love this bit: James Ward-Prowse’s ability to defy the xG’s interpretation of danger at free-kick situations. Saints’ 4-3 victory at Aston Villa, with Ings’ scorching strike and two classic Ward-Prowse free kicks, tells the story concisely.
Match Officials Update. Sunday 13th December 2020 Southampton v Sheffield United. 12:00 KO. Referee: Andy Madley. Assistants: Eddie Smart, Derek Eaton. Fourth official: Gavin Ward. VAR: Robert Jones. Assistant VAR: Andy Halliday. Wednesday 16th December 2020 Arsenal v Southampton 18:00 KO. Referee: Paul Tierney. Assistants: Dan Cook, Sian Massey-Ellis. Fourth official: Andre Marriner. VAR: Craig Pawson. Assistant VAR: Stephen Child.
Very good keeper. His replacement Paul Jones although at the time I thought wasn't as good became a good servant to the club and dare I say it a Saints legend. Does anyone else think Paul Jones is a Saints legend or just me?
