Really quite thorough and comprehensive piece by a neutral looking at Saints pre and post-Pochettino as well as assessing Cortese's decision. Worth a read. http://playedoffthepark.net/2013/04/11/southampton-the-pochettino-effect/ DTLW
Very good read which is encouraging, because it means others are seeing what we are seeing. It can be quite annoying when so-called pundits say they can see little difference after Pochettino's appointment. All I can say is that they haven't been looking. Mauricio is benefitting from inheriting a well-schooled, fit side from Adkins, but he has brought a more sophisticated style of play to the side. I don't fully understand the subtleties of what he is doing, but you would think people who have been years in the game would. I have been wondering what the Spanish press have been reporting on what MP is doing in England. I am glad that Mauricio is not considering the double enganche...that was a constant worry
As long as we can continue to get players with the ability to play like this, we should hopefully be able to play the way we have been for a long time yet. They mentioned Athletic Club in that piece, who of course put United out of the Europa League with a similar style of play (winning me a nice wad of cash in the process ). This season, they have fallen massively and are fighting in the lower mid-table of Liga BBVA, because they've lost players like Javi Martinez and Fernando Llorente (he's still there, but has fallen out with Bielsa and has been dropped, leaving in the summer for Juve anyway) and haven't been able to replace them, as they obviously have their cantera policy. Where they had Martinez with height and ball playing ability in defence, they now have Carlos Gurpegui, with neither. The same could be said for Llorente and his replacement Aritz Aduriz. Luckily we don't have the same transfer constraints that they do, so like I said, hopefully we can sustain our level of performance for years to come.
I've already thought of the day when Cortese says.. Ok, enough is enough..! I'm shuddering at the prospect.
A very interesting read. It is extremely positive about Saints style of play since Poche's arrival, and the author clearly enjoys watching our games. (Perhaps we will become his second-favourite team!) I do think, however, that in his argument over the improvement in Saints performances both pre- and post- the Managerial change that writer rather short-changes the progress achieved by Nigel Adkins as the season unfolded. In fact after the difficult learning curve of the first 10 games which yielded just 4 points, N A's remaining matches produced an average 1.5 points per games, the same ratio as Pochetino has managed. It would fair to say, though, that half of Mauricio's opponents have been top 7 teams. We were making good progress under Nigel, and I was sorry to see him leave. But things have got even more exciting since his departure!
Well said anglesey, you have written what I was thinking....yes there has been an improvement, but we were by no means playing badly under Nigel and were improving too.
Interesting and well-researched piece (surely the author must have some love of Southampton to take so much time!). My only gripe is that it doesn't contain any info. on how Cortese got to know about Pochettino, something that I'd like to hear more about. I understand Poch's use of Espanyol's youth setup would have been an attraction, as would an attacking style of play, but how did Cortese get put onto Poch - was it Les Reed, does Cortese watch Spanish football, chance encounter..any insights?!
This article needs to be read by the FA and Roy Hodgson. They should pay particular attention to the remarks about defenders or keepers knocking it long and turning possession into 50:50. A lot of Saints fans need to heed that also. I still listen to people at the ground screaming for the ball to be got rid of or panicking and moaning when Boruc or a defender doesn't "whack it clear"
Thats it thats the master plan.... Cortese approached Mouriniho to manage us but as he only manages clubs in the Champions League, he suggested getting Pochettino in to get us there. When we get there Mouriniho will come in to take us to the next level and win the Champions League. Nicola is a genius.
Very true and at our current rate of improvement it wouldn't be too far down the line. Our progress has been astounding, yet I am sure we are still only part of the way to wear Cortese wants us to be.
I do agree with what you say.... but ,that said, as someone who didn't progress further than village football (well I did , but not much) I do love to scream "get rid off it" when I see the goalie and defenders tip-tappin' the ball around the 18 yard box...similarly as we automatically always used to yell "off-side" as soon as the opposition crossed into our half of the pitch. Admiration for an old-fashioned no nonsense defender reflects the memorable joy of agriculturally hoofing the ball away over a hedge from a skilfully superior team and should not be underestimated or hope denied by you FLT
I thought a lot of our supporters would be a bit calmer now as we've been playing from the back successfully since a few months into Nigel's reign, but I guess anxiety can take over whilst watching a game. I wonder if the Swansea faithful have the same issues. Great article and the best I've seen of the various blogs referring to the NA v MP debate which have been posted on this board. I liken Adkins to a school teacher who got our trusty band of league one players fit and playing uncomplicated but pleasing and successful football. It appears from the recent Eterna watch contract extensions and player interviews that the players are full of praise for the ideas that Professor Pochettino has bought in and tactically he has lifted us up a level. Adkins has such enthusiasm and hunger for the game that I'm sure it would not have passed him by how simply MP changed his Southampton side into this effective pressing unit. He already got the fitness and passing game going and I would not be shocked to see Reading switch to a press next season.
