Cuco had a couple of challenging games for him when he first played but, for me, has been as a minimum competent since and more often than not very good. I also think that having tall full backs is an advantage when tall strikers pull off the last defender.
From the BBC text commentary: Charlie Austin is the first Southampton player to score a brace in the Uefa Cup/Europa League since Steve Moran in September 1981.
Now you could really have impressed us if you had left out your source for that fact - but good fact in any case! Thank you
Great first half, we look good on the counter, however I am still disappointed with the number of backward passes, we still struggle to play through the midfield quickly, hopefully this will improve over time.
Really enjoyed that first half - lots of good play and two goals. Same again, please boys (and again, and again, and again...)
Good half, but Sparta haven't shown up. A bit of penalty luck gave us the initiative and Cuco has driven the team on with simply outstanding through ball delivery. I would start him and Austin on Sunday, no doubt. We look better without Redmond as the team all know their positions. Redmond would be a terrific sub to bring on.
Our new formation means that we play the ball around a lot at the back, which is fine for players that are very good on the ball like van Dyke but not for someone like Yoshida, who is a solid centre back but not the best passer, thus it is a lot harder for him.
Maybe should have sided with Tadic unless Austin is now the designated taker, perhaps thought Austin would be trickier to shift!
Have no problem with Redmond playing in front of Cuco which would mean ditching the diamond... which I have no problem with BTW - 4-2-3-1
Austin had the goalscorer's fire in his eyes. He also looked like he would score - where Tadic never inspires penalty awe!
