This, except maybe swap Larios for Bree on the bench as KWP can swap if Manning gets injured. Bit harsh on Fraser also as he's a better footballer than A Armstrong. Just realised you can name 9 subs, so add Bree and Fraser.
I'm not totally against Adam Armstrong. At times our players are so pedestrian. Aribo and Smallbone are just not sprinters. They sort of ghost around the pitch appearing here and there. Adarma busts a gut to get back and to put tackles in. He was also man of the match in the last game before we turned sh*t (QPR). But yeah, it's hard to find a starting place for him when everyone is fit.
it doesn't matter what team we put out whilst this clown is manager. i hope we lose as it might help speed up his departure
This is worth a read as it confirms what so many of us already know about our slow playing style. https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/23801964.ipswich-towns-burns-felt-easy-read-southamptons-passing/
Slow passing is on the whole ineffectual as well as boring to watch ... however, if we could master it like the Italians of old then that would be something. We won't though. My recollection of the Italians was pass the opposition into boredom, lulling them into a false sense of security, before ... *BAM* ... up the ante, hit them hard, score and then revert to passing them into boredom.
Perraud! Wow, I’d forgotten all about him. Loved his passion. Scored goals, great going forward & in EPL. Ok defensively he wasn’t great but again that was a league above. Got screwed didn’t we? Edit: Ok just read the other comments & maybe he’d already decided to leave but Manning!
Southampton's Russell Martin has never won a league game against Middlesbrough in four attempts (D1 L3). Time to turn this stat upside down
Having thought some more, I’d almost be tempted to start the game super defensively: baz Kwp Bednarek THB Manning Charles Downes smallbone Edozie Adams Fraser Try and win the midfield battle and stop conceding crazy goals early by having a more solid midfield. Either this or my previous line up idea. Both of these seem to pick themselves bar 1 or 2. Still mostly the same players
That isn't even that defensive, that is just playing 3 central midfielders... in central midfield. It shows how strange Martin's selection have been that we look at that and think that is shutting up shop! I'd go for something similar, but probably Alcaraz or Stu Armstrong in for Smallbone to make us slightly more creative.
It’s all entirely rescuable, and I’m not in any way panicking yet. But if we lose Charly Alcaraz in January because RM can’t find a way to use him, I will be deeply pissed off.
What worries me is comments from Martin about going through this struggle with former clubs and the fact it will take time. This makes me think he isn't planning on changing or adapting the system. I worry he has blind faith that the way we are playing now is 100% right and the players will eventually understand it and all will be okay.... which just isn't going to happen.
That’s pretty much exactly what Martin has always said as far as I’ve seen - we aren’t going to be changing the system or the way we play. So it either gets better and it works, or it stays like this and he’ll be sacked.
For me, I'd go with... Bazunu; Walker-Peters, Harwood-Bellis, Bednarek, Manning; Downes, Charles; Edozie, Alcaraz, Fraser; Adams I feel a bit harsh leaving Arma out but I really struggle to fit him in, unless it's wide left (for his work rate to help Manning) and flip Fraser to the right, to help KWP. I think we need Ché as he brings others into the game and will give Charly more to work with in terms of lay-offs etc.
I find that a bit frustrating but I find it hard to get too annoyed at Russell for it. He's always been an ideologue and he made it very clear when he joined us and with his previous clubs. I recall the interview with The Guardian where he said he doesn't have a Plan B because he prefers to always work on making Plan A better. Saints knew what they were getting here.
Fans also know where we stand with Russell too, So the bit where we are getting annoyed at him not changing is a pointless cause for debate as it will just never change. Think when we eventually have a settled first 11 we will be just fine. I actually think Ross Stewart when he comes back to fitness will be just the catalyst too.
So longs as Charles plays in CM I don't really care what variation we include outside of that. Can easily see him bringing bednarek into the fold and benching Charles as he tries to make downes work.
