Thought it was interesting that in the club interview, when asked about what he made of the game, Still talked about observing people's body language and attitudes pretty early on in his answer. Might be nothing and I'm just reaching, but not necessarily the usual cliché stuff He also said 'We've pushed them hard physically, which isn't something they've really been used to. We had some tired legs out there today. But we need to be fit, we need to be very fit - and we will be'
Sounds like he’s worked out a few of the lazy bastard’s already? if you don’t run and work in his team, you’ll be out. The energy in the second half was a massive improvement on the first half team. That was shown when late in the second half we lost the ball but I noticed 4 players closed the Eastleigh player down straight away and won the ball back. Not a lot of that went on in the first half.
I’d be annoyed if that’s the case. The lazy bastards demonstrated their laziness pretty emphatically last season, we should already know the problem players in the team. Unfortunately it’s just 90% of them and we’ve shifted **** all.
Will Still confirmed that THB's absence is just a continuation of his recovery from ankle surgery after his injury at Everton "The next two or three weeks are going to be about building up his fitness levels and getting his foot where it needs to be. He will be back in full training at the early stages of August, and hopefully back for match situations in the first week or two of August."
Playing two opponents this week: Tuesday: Gillingham at Staplewood Friday: Valenciennes at Staplewood Playing two 60 minute games against each, so as to spread the minutes throughout the squad and keep ramping them up Will then travel to Girona on Monday, which is when Damion Downs will join the group. Mateus Fernandes and Ronnie Edwards back in this Wednesday
Saints beat Gillingham 4-1 in the 120-minute training match at Staplewood. Aaron Ramsdale, Ryan Manning and Joe Aribo played. Cam Archer scored in the first half, which finished 1-0. Ross Stewart, Tyler Dibling and Kuryu Matsuki scored in second (3-1). Good exercise. Southampton XIs vs Gillingham today: 1 | Ramsdale; Bree, Stephens, Quarshie, Welington; Downes, Smallbone; Armstrong, Fraser, Robinson; Archer 2 | Bazunu; Sugawara, Wood, Taylor, Manning; Matsuki, Charles; Edozie, Dibling, Brereton-Diaz; Stewart Credit Alfie House
First 60 Saints: Ramsdale; Bree, Stephens, Quarshie, Welington; Downes, Smallbone, Armstrong (Dibling, 30), Fraser, Robinson; Archer. Second 60 Saints: Bazunu; Sugawara, Wood, Taylor, Manning (Kayi Sanda, 45); Matsuki, Charles, Edozie, Dibling (Aribo, 15), Brereton Diaz; Stewart.
He played as one of the two CMs initially, alongside Charles. Aribo replaced Dibling and Matsuki got to move further forward.
I thought the same against Eastleigh. His movement across the width of the pitch making himself available for passes is very good and on Saturday he took up some great positions on the edge of the box for crosses to be pulled back to him. His willingness to receive the ball is reminding me a little of Berkovic, who was always on the move and opening up passing opportunities.
