First off great win today we played well although not amazingly which must somewhat frighten the rest of the teams in our league knowing that that wasn't our best performance. A couple of negatives are, chaplow and sharp looked off the pace today however I think thats because sharp is new to the club and chappers isn't fit I'm sure they'll both play their part in latter matches. Lallana was stunning today unplayable for a good 70 minutes would have been 90 bar derbys short spell of a pressure in the 2nd half of the first half. Lees goal was the best debut goal I've ever seen. (debut as in his first goal), and his celebration was class. I didn't notice a difference in our defence when our 1st choice centre back went off for our 3rd that's gotta be a good thing. We trounced derby 4-0 without playing our best, the future is BRIGHT!
It's funny how people see things differently. I thought both Chappers and Sharp played brilliantly first half. Chapers was great at getting beyond our front two, something our midfield rarely do more recently. Great team effort regardless.
I dont know how much better we could have played? Sure it wasnt perfect but thats the best i've seen us for along time fantastic performances and Lallana is back to his very best.
There's a nice report on the Guardian web site. I particularly like this paragraph: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/feb/18/southampton-derby-county-championship
i thought Sharp was pretty quiet,and we looked better with Lee on,but thought Chaplow got better as the game went on,although he was always likely to get tired,and Nigel probably took him off at just the right time. Lallana was quite brilliant,and absolutely terrorised an ordinary Derby side,and apart from a 10 minute spell at the end of the first half,Saints always looked in control of the match.
Superb all round performance and I enjoyed the whole match. I did miss Guly but thought Morgan was brilliant again today. He and lallana are two players whose form affects the whole side.
i totally agreed with everything you said except the bit about us not being at our best. football is a game of 5 minute spells and even a far superior team like today will not dominate every single one of those spells. just look at our win against oldham last year - we won 6-0 but oldham still hit the post and had various chances before we went on the finish the game off.
The observant among you, i.e. the ones not in the bar or bog, during the half time interval, will have seen Jos come out and have a trial run out, and wasn't happy with his mobility, a sensible precaution to replace him, before further damage was incurred in the knowledge he had a suitable replacement on the bench.
Thoroughly enjoyed todays performance. Our passing was very good and the goals were well taken. Special mention to the 2 half time subs Martin and Lee. Brilliant goals and performance. My only moan today was for the stewards - i normally STAND in the kingsland north, northam corner. Today i was in row H in the Northam, right behind the goal. Every 3-4mins the safety stewards going up and down telling everyone in rows A to I to sit down. It was very irritating. From row J back everyone seems allowed to stand - Whats the difference - is it just too hard to 'police' further back - just let everyone enjoy themselves. In future i will stick with being further back. Anyway - We are top of the league Altogether now - Sha la la la la la la la, sha la la la la la la la, sha la la la la la la la who is ****ing laughing now. COYS
And a big thanks also to Ipswich again - doing us many favours at the moment. Hopefully they can help finish off Brighton, Burnley, and Boro's challenge over the next month or so. Obviously taking their medicine at SMS on 6 March, though!
Fonte is not as confident when Martin is along side him. Understandable as Jos is a cool and commanding customer.
There was a thread the other week about whether people were worried about Sharp, at all. Most people said said No. Have to admit, I, and a few others, said Yes. And the problem is, Sharp has to fit into the Saints way of playing. At Doncaster Rovers, he was the main outlet for goals. At Saints, he's just one of many. OK, at DR, the fact that he converted a lot of chances over the games he played, is great encouragement. for the future, but DR were still pretty much bottom of the league. At Saints, he's has to fit in. I think it'll take him longer than many people think, which was instantly, I feel. It may even be that he loses confidence and runs totally dry, so that the fans aren't so ready to back him. But I think his instincts are there, so he'll get it in the long run. Just don't expect the great onrush of Sharp infested goals. Chung seems to have settled quicker, with much fewer minutes. At this rate, I reckon he might be starting games soon. Never mind, it's all goals for Saints, whoever scores them.
Also have to think for Sharp itis a massive move for him. Being away from where his son was laid to rest. Plus the fact that sick idiots took the piss out of it on twitter. All must effect him a hell of alot.
