Just in case this thread turns into a we didn't get the result we deserved type debate, it may interest posters to know that, according to BBC stats, Swansea had 58% of the possession. Not bad at all, especially for an away team. A 2-0 result followed. A reflection of the game..? This got me thinking. I was sure I'd seen a recent game report where one team had more possession and still lost. I wasn't deluded. Only a few weeks ago, ManU went to the Etihad and came away with a 4-1 drubbing. Their positive was that they had 59% possession, yet nobody said they deserved more from that match. Even Laudrup said in his post-match interview, it's who scores the goals that win matches. Saints threw plenty at WHU the other week and came away with a 0-0, so we know what it's like to have bundles of possession and yet not win. Have a good season, Swansea.
I think Swansea were the better passing side, but we played better. For once we were clinical and Boruc's saves were good, though if they had gone in we would have been feeling "hmm he should have done a bit better", I feel. Swansea are a very good side and it's a shame the Europa League is going to limit their season. Had we played Chambers over Fox and put Clyne left back, it would have been a comfortable win. Also think that this was Lambert's first really good game this season, pleased for him. Lallana was brilliant and Boruc did everything he could right. The only player who didn't play very well was Wanyama. Was it a goal? Edit: Oh, and Fox was ****ing terrible!
Adam Lallana praised Mauricio for his input in leading to improved performances this season... ...Mauricio said in reply: "I don't like to talk about what I've done in his game. It's an overall group of people who are helping to make this club better. I want to thank him for his kind words about me, but there's a structure at this club to help everyone improve and that goes from the chairman to the cleaning lady."
The problem for Targett now is the opportunity to 'ease him in' has gone until the FA Cup starts up, whatever game he comes into will matter and he will have a lot of responsibility. I personally would rather take a risk on a promising player than persevere with someone who when it comes down to it you know isn't good enough, but I have a feeling Poche will not want to throw Targett into the line of fire just yet.
Fox will be back up this season then moved on in August. Like I said a few months back, Fox is good enough as back up until Targett is ready. No point in buying back up for a season.
[video=youtube;Gy85ngEmIP4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gy85ngEmIP4[/video] I think Mauricio's face at the start answers the first question on its own.
I extremely doubt Fox will move, he's a useful player with good experience. I also doubt we will be able to get any one of a similar ability who is happy to be a back up to a teenager.
He will eventually. He was just about at an acceptable standard last season - when our aim was survival. Now we are too good for him. At the end of the season I hope he will be surplus to requirements.
That's a sensible move for a club which isn't in a hurry to improve, but maybe not this one. Whilst I think Saints will do as you say, as it's a tricky situation do deal with, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if they brought in someone in the January window, to push Shaw along. He needs competition and he isn't getting it from Fox, in my opinion.
But we also want to bring through our youth. What would be the point in bringing some one in when we have some one lined up for the job already?
I thought this was the best game of the season so far. During the first 35 mins, Siaints played some tremendous football against a well organised and creative Swansea team. The second half was a bit like the Alamo and I thought that Swansea outclassed Saints. Jonjo Shelvey was very good and I think Nathan Dyer humiliated Fox. But for some amazing goalkeeping by Boruc, I don't think we could have complained had Swansea taken all three points. You don't mind losing to teams who play attractive and stylish football. However, I would have to say that although we rode our luck (especially when Dyer hit the post) I think this was the kind of match we would have lost a few seasons ago and is demonstrative of how we can soak up pressure and still get the win. Had Shaw been playing, I am sure that the game would probably seen Dyer taking a less significant role. I'm amazed to read some of the criticism of Wanyama and to hear a few negative remarks on this evening's 606. For me, he put in a very good performance and wrestled the Swansea midfield off the ball on more than one occasion. Today's game saw Southampton underscore the fact that we are one of the top 6 or 7 teams in the country. It will be interesting to see how we deal with man Utd in a few weeks time and whether we will meet out match against the likes of Chelsea and man City. What I would say was that today's match was a great advert for British football and maybe a throw back to the time when I first started to watch Saints in the mid 70's when provincial teams were capable of making a big impression in the top flight. Swansea can have no shame in how the performed and , on another day, they could have won. For the neutral, it must have been a terrific match to savour.
Yes, but ambitious clubs can't just wait around for their youth to get good enough. Matt Targett may be just what the club needs to push Shaw along. He may instead be 2-3 seasons away from doing such a thing. All I'm saying is that it wouldn't surprise me if Saints didn't wait. You want to keep Fox, possibly for another 2 seasons..?
Well... Yes. I mean Fox was tormented by Dyer but we didn't actually concede (More thanks to Swansea's poor finishing and Boruc's good keeping), Targett could have given away a penalty, got sent off, scored an own goal and so on. He could also have been a whole lot better than him, but that is the risk/reward. I don't think Fox is so dreadful that we should be desperately seeking to replace him with any one who could possibly squeeze in there, if Targett has the talent and the mentality ( Which I, the #1 Targett Fanboy Worldwide believe he does) then it will be worth giving him a go, but we shouldn't just throw him in for the sake of it.
