We owe from about three years ago when I took my five year to his first game. And Long and Lukaku battered us.
****ing chuffed, a totally dominant performance from Saints, a special word for young Matty Targett, it was like Luke Shaw with and end product, superb game.
Anyone seen Tin Tin? I see BBC have given Mane MOTM. I watch the game on TV so unless he made some amazing moves off sceen, not sure how he gets that. The entire team deserved that plaudit. If someone twisted my arm really hard I would say Shane Long, he never gave up and was tottaly spent after 80 mins and still ran back to defend. Hope they are not all too spent by Sat. Great win and some hope for the remaining season.
Firstly, congrats to Fats for the positive vibes and match thread!! Secondly, a great win - should have been out of sight by half-time, but, in true Saints fashion, they made us sweat until Ron's inspired substitution. I must admit, though, apart from doing what Sadio appears to have forgotten to do, Dusan wasn't exactly brilliant tonight. For example, as soon as he came on, Matt Targett hardly got the ball and the only time I saw Dusan pass to him was when he was right on the line and couldn't do anything with it. Before that, Matt had their right back on toast and was playing excellently - the cross for Long's goal was magic. Who said he couldn't cross? Thirdly - our defence was (in the most part) solid - we never gave them a sniff. Frazer had 2 shots to save, neither of which were going to test him. At the other end, we were all over them - Long put in an amazing shift, I'm not surprised his legs had given out 5 minutes from the end. I don't understand how he can out-leap a CB who is at least a foot taller than him. Steven Davis was excellent and his goal should have stood - I was directly in line and he was a yard onside. Sadly the lino was on the halfway line and not in line. VVD was a rock, Bertrand played very well and I think Clasie and Romeu should keep Big Vic out of the team for a while. Mane was ........... well, Mane. Apart from the shot which forced a great save from Gomes, he doesn't seem to remember how to hit it. Hopefully it'll come back to him. I'd start the same 11 against WBA - we know they're here for a draw or a breakaway (as Watford were playing) and they don't have pace at the back. If Shane is fit and raring to go, I'd start him and then bring Pelle on. I thought he looked really out of sorts and I think it'll be a while before he gets back to match fitness. All in all a great result - and Spurs losing at home has made my evening!!
WHAT????? You're joking. Long, Davis, VVD, Targett .......... ****, even Ron played better than Mane (lovely control of that ball hit past him for a throw) They're trying to get Man U to have a punt on him, I bet ..............
I thoroughly enjoyed that performance. So, so many good performances throughout. Can't wait to see the extended highlights to see just how good we were. I would be sorely tempted to go with the same line up against WBA, because the speed and movement of Long and Mane, had their defence all over the place. Romeu seemed to get stronger, the more the game went on, so leaving Vic on the bench wouldn't be a bad idea.
Must admit to being surprised at the lack of comments bemoaning the "5 at the back" approach and the "negative" style of play due to it before the game. And where are the Yoshida haters? He came on and was solid, knocked a couple of great balls to Shane and made some telling tackles ......... Interesting how they fade away ......... I wonder whether they'll be back next time we lose .........
Nice win even though too many chances squandered. Big plus for me was that there were no schoolboy errors. Now 3 points Saturday and we'll all feel a bit better!
Just wondering, Deeney clearly tells the ref to **** off when he got booked, would the ref get into trouble by responding- no **** you whilst showing the card? must be so tempting to tell a player to go **** himself.
I think that is how Ron had it in his head about 532. Only trouble is he kept on trying with Yoshi, Ryan on the left is so better balanced as he has the speed to turn and get back into position. It also gives VVD the freedom to go wondering. Thought the MF pair looked more flexible and mobile withoutVW
Things not being right behind the scenes is just hearsay though isn't it? Not fact? As far as I can tell, because we've not been winning, people start saying there must be issues behind the scenes, mentioning everything from the kids not playing, tactics not working, stupid subs, Ron seems less happy(he's a born winner, of course he's not happy), issues between Ron and the Board/Les. Then there is a meeting(which is fact) and everyone knows it's because Ron is walking a tightrope. While this is going on some weird Sliding Doors **** is happening where Ron is wanted and is being offered a new 5 year contract. I voted in the ridiculously unnecessary pole to keep Ronald and suggested offering him a new contract a few weeks ago. These players are playing well and creating good chances, Ronald can't put them in the net, what more can he do? The defence is mostly tight and the possession is mostly high and the chances created are plentiful. As far as I'm concerned he's doing a great job. His only concern is scoring so what is he doing? Looking to sign a finisher. Perfect. He has identified the problem and is doing something about it. A new striker will fire an arrow up the arse of the existing strikers so I am sure this will be win win. I'm not getting carried away after 1 win but with Forster back and a new striker likely, I'm confident we will pick up more points in the next 10 than in the last 10 games. As Adkins used to say, don't get too high during the highs and don't get too low during the lows.
I don't get why people keep saying bad news coming out the club must be only hearsay but good news being leaked is always seen in a better light. Guan and more people and a few reporters close to the club all reported on various news that everything wasn't going as it should. If you choose to believe everything was fine that is up to you. I am not on about Koeman's tactics,subs, first team player form, players not scoring, defending being **** etc. But I have been hearing about some things from the person I know.Then Guan ( very in the know person) posted about u21's not being happy how things have changed under Koeman. Poch was very hands on with the u21s were as Koeman isn't. Then you had his comments that ended up everywhere in the media, you can see why tension built up a little. Hopefully the meeting got us past that and we can look forward.
