Only got to see the highlights, but Hesketh has quite an eye for a pass. Would love to see him getting some time in the upcoming EL matches...if that's a glimpse of what he has about him, and with Boufal returning soon, we might have to find a way to find more than one attacking mid in at a time.
Mmm to quote someone recently when discussing Les Reed and our financial siultuation.... "You can only go by what the man says, how you interpret that is up to you" TSS September 2016 (Words to that effect) Koeman said the youngsters in the academy weren't up to it.
Charlie Austin is proving me wrong about his character. I have never over voiced it but I'd heard a couple of things about him, but everything I've seen and heard from him since his arrival at Saints screams top professional. That is an excellent comment about Hesketh. Well played Saint Charlie.
I disagree. JWP was already part of the squad. Gazzanigga wasn't an academy player. Targett was forced to play as Bertrand was out with a double knee operation. He absolutely held up Reed's development as he didn't even play him when we were short in that position, even playing a CB there in his first season. The only time he played him was Everton at home when we really had no numbers. When we were struggling with no RB, I wonder why Stephens didn't get a crack at RB, or McCarthy. In that same world where millions bear on results, two other managers have the youngsters more time. For me, he was anything but reasonable with his use of the academy.
Not on last night's evidence! Let me rephrase. We need someone to start converting the tons of chances we are currently making. Without a penalty.
Apart from the first real opportunity to use them, Puel used them. Nobody is saying use them for the sake of it, but find opportunities to do it when they are presented.
Yes we do. The team need to start converting more, agreed. We have that natural finisher and if he carries on playing regularly, Charlie will score the goals. Even the best natural finishers need a few chances. Lineker used to say he'd near four chances to get a goal.
I loved the way he integrated the youngsters last night - it was still full of first team quality but also included some of the best of our academy talent. When I saw the team I didn't think "so he's gone for the kids has he"? I thought "good team and chances for those who really deserve it". Boy did they take it! Add Boufal to the mix and we are going to be creating an awful lot of chances per game. Just need to hope competition between Austin, Long, Jay Rod, Redmond means decent conversion rate. COYR. This continues to be exciting.
Most points have made much better than I could, some I even agree with I do love it when one of our academy products score, a special little warm feeling which you don't get elsewhere. The club need to look again at pricing for games like these, £12 was fine for me but 3 games in 6 days will push most finances to the limit. Time for the £5 ticket if you buy a pair or something, the stadium was half full but with all areas open the cost to the club must be pretty much the same for a Prem fixture. I'd make the first League Cup game free to season ticket holders myself. Think of the love.
Oh no!! I forgot to boo because we didn't win by 3 clear goals AND he subbed Charlie (the guy behind me was incandescent about that decision!). I must be losing it - sorry, Vin.
I'm sorry, call me out on this, I don't mind, but Martina's general defence is poor. Therefore I can't get all this Martina love and that he's the best player on the pitch. I think he's great going forward, but leaves huge gaps at the back and that could cost us. Until his defence sharpens up I think he'll be behind Cedric. Or maybe he comes on as an attacking midfield sub as he did against Sparta? His crossing is very good and he's definitely talented, but he was bailed out (again) last night by Maya a few times. <sits back and waits for the responses>
Nearly agree. I thought against Sparta he was great going forward and what was even better was he had Yohida covering his back. That gave him more confidence to go forward.
