Match Day Thread Southampton v Shrewsbury Tuesday 19/1/2021 8pm BT Sport 2

*play

 

Pleased Fraser played. He is our 2nd keeper and needs to see some action. Having said that I expect McCarthy to return on Saturday

 

He is going to be a joule

 

I've said before that Stuey has the effect of raising the tempo whenever he comes on. Thought Jankowitz looks really good the few minutes he was on. Can see him getting more game time soon. JWP or Diallo take MOTM but Watts easily the best of the debut boys - simply because he was there to enjoy himself and not preoccupied with trying to impress. N'Lundulu looks better every time I see him. Covered a lot of ground. A handful up front, good target man and goes deep when he's not getting the ball (defends well too) - not unlike an undeveloped Ings!

 

Do you think he has the energy for it?

 

If we weighed him, how would be quantify it?

In Kilowatts?

 

I have to raise points on N’Lundulu. Yes he covered loads of ground and looks a handful, but he didn’t look a good target man tonight as his hold up play wasn’t good. Many times the ball was heading towards him and he stood still allowing the CB to come round him and win the ball. That’s not good target play. Now I think he has the attributes to learn it, but tonight he didn’t deliver the target play.

Loads of energy and working for a great coach, so I’m positive about him, but his touch does need to improve and he needs to learn about being a target man in terms of moving towards the oncoming ball.

Took his goal well too.

 

Not going to disagree. Hence my suggestion that he was a 'raw' or 'undeveloped' version of Ings. I thought the issue of being a bit static was actually happening all other the pitch, not just Dan. First touch was just allowing enough space between player and ball for a defender to nick it. Actually, Shrewsbury put a really good shift in defensively. You can see why the B team got beaten by lower league sides in the EFL trophy but the combination of youth and experience got us through tonight.

 

Nine current or former academy players played yesterday for Southampton!

 

You seem pretty amped.

 

Job done in a satisfactory manner. We bossed the game from start to finish. Watts the standout of the young lads for me. Worked hard, won some serious amount of ball when there was a chance of a counter attack and looked creative. Glad Dad got his goal. Took it very well. Raw and looks a talent but some way off Premiership quality yet. Chauke gave away the ball far too often but early days for him yet. Vokins looked pretty impressive and think he will be a solid back up. Stephens and Bednarek played in second gear and still looked very assured. Both having remarkable seasons. Just don't know what has happened Valery. Looked so good when he burst on the scene first. Looks bereft of confidence now and looks extremely one paced. Have really liked the look of Diallo since he's come in. Atm I think Romeu brings slightly more to the table but he's gonna be class. Did well tonight. JWP was JWP. Looked for the ball constantly and kept things moving. We're lucky to have him. I'm afraid from watching the decline the last year and a half that Shane Long is finished at the top level. Sadly I don't think he would even stand out in the Championship anymore. Looking forward to the 4th Round anyway now

 

Mostly agree but I actually thought Valery looked pretty classy last night. Was clear and obvious that he was more a 'first teamer', than a 'youngster'. Had a bit of his old swagger about him, and was having better success down the flank than Vokins (who also played well).

Diallo is great on the ball, but he hits a few too many wayward passes (or at least that's how it seemed to me). Anyway considering he is younger than N'Lundulu, the potential there is very exciting.

Lastly, Shane Long is Champions League quality, forget Championship, you heathen.

 

I thought Valery had a decent game too. If you could combine kwp's defensive abilities with Valery's attacking threat you would have the complete full back. As much as I like kwp you don't see him attempt to cross very often.

 

I'm surprised after his debut, that Watts doesn't get the nickname Michael Svennson the II...

 

I think we expect too much of Long. He was pretty invisible first half but I thought he played OK second half - marred by that poor pass when 1 on 1 with the last defender. He's not the player he was when in his mid 20's but still has the ability to draw defenders creating space for others. He's not going to be the first name on the team sheet but when you have a lot of youngsters playing he's just what you need.

 

Killer Watts?

Very good

 

Exactly what I think. A bit more luck and he could have had a goal and an assist last night. Unfortunately for Shane, one misjudged pass - in a quagmire - is what many will choose to remember of his contribution.

 

Agree re the conditions, not the best for flowing footy or changing direction at pace.

 

Was shouting at them to do exactly that, too!