I have to admit that I enjoy watching games but my mind really does not observe the on-field tactics. So my first query is: Southampton tonked us at St. Mary's and apparently ran riot also at the KC. What caused this gulf between the teamsin the initial game and was anything attempted to counteract it in the home game?
I'm surprised you haven't got more replies already because there's a few on here who would have got their UEFA coaching licences but unfortunately they "had a paper round."
They press high and win possession quickly in the opposition half, like Barcelona under Pep. This makes it very difficult to get out of your own half and caused us to play long balls which is not our game at all. They also have very good players with high levels of energy and commitment to carry out these tactics.
Our team is set up - surprisingly - to pass through the midfield and up to the forwards. When we are harried and rushed we give away possesion. We're schooled to basically allow teams as much of the ball as they want in their own half, and we harry them in our half. Southampton press all over the park and don't give you any time on the ball. Our players were unprepared for that in the first game which is what resulted in the high scoreline, which was also down to the pace of the game. At home, this was remedied somewhat, and we were able to strip them of the ball in our half moreso than we were able to in the away game, however the same limitations remained in regards to their pressure on us causing us to cough up the ball, which meant we were never going to score without a gift like in the first game.
I watch SH because of Lovren. They have a very tight defense with two big strong center defenders. Their mid-field is solid, but weak at the same time if that makes sense. Lallana is great on the ball and so is Rodriguez. Lambert is a waste of space. Their biggest asset is they are a tight unit, play nice football, keep possession and go at opposing teams. Their weakness is their strikers.
I said Lambert has sucked so check your reading skills. Go to the Southampton side and see what they say about him. Don't take it from me.
Cool it. There's nothing wrong with my reading skills. As you say, you said he has sucked, and I am saying he has played well. For someone his age to still be having the impact he has is commendable. I'm not suggesting he is Suarez-esque, I'm saying on the balance of expectation vs performance he has performed. So don't get condescending with me.
Looking at some of the excellent answers offered, it would seem that 'paper-rounds' must have a lot to answer for in holding back the development of English football.
Like many teams we've faced this season, as is the norm for Premier League sides, they keep the ball so well. It's as simple as that sometimes. The technical ability, patience and movement when in possession was very striking to me. But then, so it was from a hatful of teams who've come here this season. I don't mind all the tactical stuff, but it's mainly over my head too. For me, Saints have got a number of exceedingly good and clever players, who will cause problems all day long if you're careless in possession. And we were. Credit to them for working so hard off the ball. Hopefully, should we secure safety this season, and with a little minor tinkering in the summer, we may get a bit closer to their level next year.
I agree with the verdicts here.but we also had a better outlet in the second game .It must be daunting When the ball keeps coming straight back as in the first match .but to sum up.i agree they are the better side at the moment
I wouldn't worry about it too much. Almost everyone thinks they understand tactics and hardly anyone really does. Southampton are great at what they do and it seems to have been particularly effective against us. Arsene Wenger made a great point the other day that football isn't decided by formations and tactics it's down to the players. Every team has a game plan but it's about how well it's executed. Makes me laugh when I hear 'Manager x has no plan B' and my particular favourite 'player x has been found out, they just have to stick a man on him and they'll win'.
I think we understand tactics better than Paul Ince. http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y234/oofuss/vlcsnap-43555.png
re the Sot'on game We didn't press them enough and gave them too much time on the ball. Plus we are too naïve in some situations when players should take the man down to stop and break-up play. I remember our total fouls against them was in the single figures - it's not our style to kick players off the ball but it's what you need to do against them. I bet both Sunderland and West Ham committed far many more fouls then we did. That's my theory - do I get a badge now
The very best game plan only holds until the ball is first kicked. We were unfortunate to have two off days against Southampton. Their constant pressure and closing down high up the pitch makes it harder to get going if you're not having a good day, plus they're great with the ball and push a lot of players forward so you get stuck with most your team behind the ball and if you're struggling to string a few passes together, when its one of those days, you struggle to push out your own half and end up panicking under pressure and whacking it long which is easy for their defence to mop up. In short we just didn't play well and they were effective at keeping us not playing well whilst doing just enough to grab a goal to take the points.
