As my last thread got merged and I don't think it should have as it wasn't thoughts on the Southampton game... Clayton, Brown, O'Dea and Lonergran possibly along with O'Brien the worst players on the pitch. I challenge all those that say we have a stronger starting 11 this season to justify that opinion? Wake up call to Bates and Grayson, act now and act fast or come January we are in serious trouble.
I'm sorry but Clayton was man of the match for both teams by some distance, Brown was unlucky to be booked for nothing and none of the goals were Lonergan's fault. O'Dea was also very solid. A huge overreaction to one loss.
Simon21 I don't want to abuse another Leeds supporter but ffs what match were you watching, he was awful and at fault for the 3rd goal. Careful mate or peeps will be putting you on ignore along with clivetime for comments like that
Agreed, overall it obviously wasn't a good start, but Clayton had a solid, tidy game. Yes we played badly but it's one game in a very long season. Realism on this board isn't a strong point. Like it or not we're not going to win every game comfortably like most on here seem to think we should.
I have to agree - what game were you watching! Brown was unlucly not to be booked from the very beginning - two challenges which easily could have been carded. Clayton i felt was one of your better players. Snoddy was marked out of the game (always had 2 men on him). Lonergan certainly not at fault. O'Dea looked solid for a league 2 team!! Overall your defence looked appauling and your midfield lacked creativity. Im hoping the saints were that good and you didnt make them look good!
Cheese I really can take losing a game, I can take losing a few games, what I can't take is a poor performance and a manager who has had how fecking long to sort the defence out and he hasn't. As someone pointed out in another thread, 24 hours before the new season starts we sign a CB on loan and play him at LB when he hasn't had a pre-season game under his belt. Where transfer and Leeds and Grayson are concerned this pre season is stinks of desperation
Ageed im sorry Simon 21 but on yer bike. Clayton showed signs of talent but was quiet for most parts. We were shcking today like many games last season, obviously im totaly incorrect. Brown was poor, too old and just gives fouls away all day. Lonergan clda done better with #1 and # 3 we had 2 shots on goal ffs, one was Nunez's shot in the 73rd minute
I thought Lonergan looked good (the one he turned against the post in the second half was a great save) and O'Dea did OK. Brown added some bite but his reputation precedes him and racking up yellows is going to be a problem. He seemed to storm off down the tunnel after what was an obvious substitution, which doesn't bode well. O'Brien was poor. Just didn't look as though he was up with the pace of the game and that contributed to the first two goals. The key to the game though, and something Southampton deserve credit for, was stopping Gradel and Snodgrass playing. Our midfield started to look desperate with too many poor lofted balls to nowhere. With McCormack looking far too lightweight up front, keeping the wings quiet gave them the base for the win and three cool finishes made it game over. If Southampton continue to play like that they will be hard to beat. Was it me or did the referee call fouls against the attacking side on what seemed like every corner that beat the first defender?
Watch the replay/highlights, Clayton stood watching the ball, decided to make a move and allowed Conolly to get the wrong side of him for the third goal. Reputation or not, Brown was awful, just bad tackle after bad tackle. This starting 11 were piss poor, I just hope it can't get worse.
Saints fan in peace except for one issue, Max Gradel, he showed some signs of talent with his pace but was one of the biggest jokes and laughing stocks I've seen in a while. I thought we had a drama queen in Jason Puncheon, but Gradel seems like something else throwing his toys out of the pram, when he dived for a penalty and got nothing. Was funny to watch though. I thought you centre backs were lacking in positioning and common sense, I mean for the second goal Lallana is clearly right footed and is going no where near the touch line and just let him cut back. I thought Howson looked good for you and it clearly showed you were missing Becchio (sorry if wrongly spelt). You goalie pulled of a cracking save you keep you in it but looking back on the replay maybe could have done better for the first goal, but seems like a good addition to your squad. I have to say in the last 5 years, the support today was properly the best I've seen and wish you good luck for the season.
Yeah Max is a total drama queen. He went down last week and you'd have thought he'd be out for the season. But you can forgive him that when he did as well as he did last season. Kisnorbo looked a little rusty, which you can forgive, and he got better as the game went on. Howson is top quality and showed flashes of it today, but the same fans who won't hear a word against Grayson continually run him down. Longergan made two great saves, but he lacks Kasper's presence. It's harsh to suggest that he could have done better on a couple of the goals, but when you lose a quality keeper you're always going to wonder if he'd have saved them. Clayton showed signs of quality but it was tough for him. I thought O'Dea was okay but is clearly a centre half playing at full back. Grayson talked Brown up as the player we were lacking last season then subbed him after 53 minutes of the first game! All in all we were awful as we are too often under Grayson, even though people try to sweep it under the carpet.
And by the way, I'm glad to see it's not just me who's had problems with the poor moderating on here.
San Ho Ze, have to agree with your comment regarding the corners. Every corner down the chapel end (far end to the away fans) he gave a free kick to the defending team - bizarre, as i could see very little wrong. would like to echo the thoughts on your fans - excellent support, noisy throughout despite there being little to cheer on the pitch.
