It was always going to be tough and it will probably take us a few games before things start to look up. I'm going for about 38.
I liked the formation change, and I liked the players introduced into the starting XI. Miles better than the first three games. But unfortunately, the XI still included Stephens, Bednarek and Diaz. We already know that the two CBs aren't good enough at this level. That's why we Ralph ditched them both last time (and Villa realised their mistake so quickly, that they happily returned Bednarek back to us as soon as they could). And Diaz simply doesn't have the pace or creativity to play LW. The difference between him and Dibling was huge. Having gone with Cornet over JWP as our second loan signing (I would have far happier seeing James standing over that penalty instead of Archer), I really hope we justify that by using Cornet as a regular starter on the left. Sticking him on the right - just so that Martin's second favourite player could come on to play on the left - seemed a waste. Although to be honest, except for Lallana I thought all of the subs were a waste. As I said the other day, Fraser seems like a really, really good guy. But I struggle to see him having much of an impact, and I don't believe that he should be ahead of Cornet in the pecking order for LW. My MOTM was a toss up between Ramsdale and Dibling. The game disappeared from us once Dibling went off. Up until that point, I thought we were good. But part of me doesn't care too much, because I've read this story so many times before. We all know that we'll now follow this up by failing to perform vs Ipswich. It was nice to see a rare example where Flynn wasn't the star of the CM. That's not a criticism of his performance btw, but acknowledgment of the improved level of those who joined him in there today.
Surprised so many are positive after that tbh. Didn’t take much for us to crumble. Man Utd turned it on for 5 minutes, and that’s all they needed to score twice. They then managed the game with ease and we looked about as dangerous as a blind newborn puppy. Despite the second half being played at training ground pace and intensity, the only reason we didn’t lose that 0-6/7 was Ramsdale. There were positives, but if you can’t defend your box and can’t score in the other then it doesn’t matter how well you play for 30mins in the middle third. I also have zero belief that we’ll carry the good 30mins of our performance into the Ipswich game. They were apparently impressive in holding Brighton to a 0-0 at the Amex today too. I had hoped that playing a 2 of Downes and Big Les would see us look more solid and less open out of possession but despite thinking all the midfielders played well on an individual level, there were still far too often massive gaps in our midfield. The only hope I have really is that this lineup with a few small tweaks can grow and improve. I feel a little sorry for Archer and BBD as we are not playing to the formers strengths at all, and the later is so often isolated and being played too much as a winger rather than a wide attacker which I think is supposed to be his strength.
It really wasn’t all that bad. A couple of tweaks and we might actually have the makings of a PL team in there. Whether we can keep that core if/when relegated is another question. My god we miss a goal scorer though. Still, I got to drive there in a McLaren so not all bad.
We can also blame Martin for the penalty palava. Just seen that Archer has never taken a pen before. WHY did he take it when BBD has scored plenty? Bad management
I'd like to see us start ABK and Edwards in midweek against Everton, to see if either can stake their place in the squad for the two league games which Stephens will miss (shame that he gets to use one of his suspended games in a match he probably wouldn't have started anyway). I'm not convinced by Wood, so I'm not sure how much benefit we would get by playing him. It'll also hopefully be a good opportunity for Stewart (and who knows, maybe even Paul). Because whilst I'm by no means anti-Archer (it's far too early to judge him), I think it's fair to accept that the striker position in our XI is very much up for grabs.
I wonder who will step up and fulfill the Gaston role in that equation. I still maintain that was Gaston's best performance in a Saints shirt. He was glorious.
Great first 30 minutes, but jeez I’ve never seen a teams heads drop so badly after missing a bloody penalty. Smacks of a massive lack of confidence resulting in an awful second half performance and no shots on goal after that penalty miss. Think that is what got me the most worried is the lack of fight in the second half. You would have expected us to re group at half time and really go for them in the first 15 minutes of the second half, but no, just a bit of a whimper. And what was JS thinking with the foul. At last now we can play the better player at CB.
Not what I was hoping for on my 77th Birthday, but not really surprised at the result. looked OK early doors. Sugar and Dibbling seemed to be on a good wavelength but they didn't get the ball often or quick enough. Tyler having won the Penalty should have had first dibs at taking it. VAR wrecked it. taking too long to decide it was right. the adrenaline was dropped and the taker's, brain scrambled through the delay. Second half RM's decisions were totally wromg, nothing worked. At the end several defensive clearnces barely made it out of the area, a recipe for disaster. There were small positives but nothing is going to improve very soon.
Result aside, it's irritating that once again an out of form forward gets to rediscover their shooting boots at our place. Rashford hasn't scored since the late 80s, but no worries, pop on down to St Mary's and we'll help you get your aim back. So frustrating. Time for me to get into the wine I think.
