I'm deeply dconcerned about this thread. Where's the big meltdown? Where are the people saying we're doomed as we always give away stupid goals? Where are the people saying that we're unstoppable and will end up in the top six at this rate? Where are the people claiming we never get it in the net? Where are the people saying we are now unbeatable? When will someone point out that we're not mathematically safe so we can't relax yet? It's all disturbingly balanced. Please stop it at once. Vin
From when football began in 92 to our relegation in 05 my overall memory of Saints performances were beating the big sides at home with some great victories and then tripping up in matches against teams in the lower half. Perhaps it's this teams promotion experiences which have led to a more consistent performance. Also their is a respect from the top teams. Liverpool and Chelsea both got caught out last season, they both worked incredibly hard this season and their extra quality earned them the wins.
http://hoofoot.com/?match=Southampton_4_-_2_Norwich_City_2014_03_15 Highlight, Saints and more. Good site love the name.
Talking of errors, am I the only one who gets nervous every time the ball goes near Boruc (i.e. when he's not actually making world class saves). My recollection is that most of his long clearances were pretty dire (such that ironic cheers started up when the ball stayed on the pitch) and some of his short passes just put us under pressure. It might be my perception but I like to see a goalkeeper on his toes and looking alert. Boruc seems to do the opposite, like he's trying to look cool and he really doesn't want to bothered by the likes of a football match!
Read on Saintsweb that Boruc has a strapped up leg, but has to play because of the injury to Davis. The other choice is Gazzaniga, so be careful what you wish for
Artur seemed to be losing his rag a bit. He was certainly getting pissed off with the crowd, and probably frustrated with himself. For awhile he seemed to completely lose the ability to kick a ball straight.
I totally agree. Boruc is far too casual sometimes. Merrington was suggesting that his lack of concentration infiltrates the rest of the team. The two goals we conceded yesterday were due to sloppiness stemming from play in the middle third of the pitch and had no influence from Boruc. That said, there were moments in the first half where Boruc's casual distribution did seem to cause Fonte to panic and there was one attack in the first half where Norwich should have scored. The main issue for me yesterday was how much we missed Jack Cork. Had he played, I think we would have got a tighter grip on the match and would not have allowed Norwich to have pressed for the two goals they eventually scored. I think that Saints have always had a problem playing "poor footballing" teams and the likes of Norwich seem to drag our performances down whereas we seem more inspired when playing football against more technically proficient and creative teams. The last home match against Man Utd will be fascinating - I think we will absolutely destroy them.
I wouldn't wish for that, true. But I do think that Boruc's seemingly casual approach lets him down. He could really be an outstanding player with a better attitude (NB I'm not necessarily saying that he has a bad attitude, rather that he gives that perception).
Boruc is worrying me a little with his kicks, am I the only one who though he should have done a little better for the second after getting beaten at his near post? It was mainly Guly's fault for doing a stupid pass, but at least he created the counter for our 4th. The first one was silly from Fonte, but I think Cork or Wanyama might have given Fonte a better option to pass to, and JWP seemed to be a bit weak in letting Elmander past and was a bit reluctant to stick a foot out.
I thought that for a moment but on watching it on MOTD, Boruc stops a little early when he gets into position, I guess in order to stop him overshooting and leaving the goal open. That left the near post unguarded but he didn't have time to place himself, IMO, and his positioning (unlike his distribution) is generally pretty spot on. I saw a great display of goalkeeping today from Onionman Jr (12) who stood in for his team's injured keeper. One goal conceded (from a penalty that he was an inch from saving) and his distribution was significantly better than Artur's... Vin
JWP definitely thought about bringing him down, but he would have been sent off for sure and at 3-0 that would have been a tad unnecessary, best thing was to hope Boruc would save it. I have a little sympathy for Boruc on the 2nd as the initial shot from Van Wolfswinkle was so terrible it turned out ok. At full stretch it's difficult to hold the ball so you have to deflect it away, but the shot lacked power so he couldn't deflect it wide for a corner or towards the corner. He perhaps could have been a bit sharper in recovering in time for the 2nd shot, but it was a decent enough finish.
I watched the replay of the game. I called for Gaston to start instead of Lambert and I'm glad it worked out well. Gaston improved his game and i think he can still play a significant part in the team in the future. Lambert was immense when he came on and i hope he can keep that level of perfomance.
