Match Day Thread Our beloved Saints -v- The Arsenal - Sunday 10th December, 2017 @ 12pm

I’ve been saving the wins, three in a row now...

 

Yes....pleased to see Jack given a chance and take it.

 

I believe you only get paid if you write ten successive match day threads.

 

It is strange but that Maya challenge penalty claim seems to have been totally ignored by Arsenal, a brief murmur on MoTD, it did look a possible claim on the replay, but seems to have been just deemed as an on field collision with no intent, certainly Mr Madley completely ruled it out, and his gesticulation was strange too, a sort of forward hand motion possibly indicating a bit of a dive and pointing for a goal kick. Seen similar ones given though.

 

No thread yet so not sure where to put this. 2pm today.

 

Watch the highlights:-
https://southamptonfc.com/news/2017-12-11/highlights-southampton-1-1-arsenal-premier-league-1718
Dave Merringtons' last words "Ergh, the Referee has blown up early!"

 

Amazed at how Charlie kept running for 85 minutes again. Can we risk him on Weds? Seems daft benching an on form striker, but this is the time of year where history suggests an injury is waiting just around the next corner. We have to be very careful, he has been the difference.

 

He has, but I also think the style of play has been equally, if not more important - specifically moving Dusan central, and the emergence of Sofiane.

I can't help but feel MASSIVELY sorry for Gabbi right now, as we've suddenly started playing a style that would also have suited him far better than the "go wide, lump in a high cross" style of early season. We're playing into the channels now, which would suit him. Charlie holds the ball up a lot better than Gabbi, but I can't get rid of the nagging suspicion that MG would have put a couple past Arsenal, at least, early on in that game.

(Please note, this is not in any way a criticism of Austin, before someone accuses me of moaning. I'm not, it's just a thought I have).

 

I also think that Tadic’s performance was undervalued yesterday by some, cough *Beefy* cough

His link up play at times was excellent. I think him in that role also means we can play both him and Boufal. Sofiane’s work rate is very good and he so excites me With his directness.

 

Made me laugh when Bertie did 'Teammates' and was the asked who was quickest. He thought for a second and said, "err, Charlie, at the moment. Must have been downhill."

 

Yep. For me, he was his usual curate's egg. Brilliant at times, unbelievably frustrating at others.

 

Indeed, and contrary to one particular BBC pundit, Boufal does track back. He does make tackles, and he puts in a shift. In all probability, he's doing exactly what the manager asks of him.

I thought Dusan played very well. Central position does suit him with a good backup in Hojbjerg/Romeu behind him.

 

As pointed out on MOTD2, Charlie sprinted 30 yards past 6 Arsenal defenders to receive the return pass from Tadic yesterday, from which he scored. And kept going for another 82 minutes. Heaven help the opposition if he ever gets fit!

 

Yep, Phill's over the top dressing down last week was frankly embarrassing.

 

Tackle came in after he’d got his shot away, was a foul but hard to see how he was impeded. A penalty would have been the wrong decision.

 

But our play has improved since we put Carlie in the starting lineup and his hold up play is big part of it. If we lose that in favour of bringing Gabby, i wonder wether we would continue to play on the same level or we would revert to our old drab ways. That is the dillema

 

did we win? I left to get the bus after 87 minutes

 

It's certainly a part of it, yes.

I just wouldn't be worried if Manolo was starting on Wednesday, as long as we don't revert to type.

 

We won the morale battle.

 

Yes, I saw that too. I think someone must have had a word in Charlie's ear, because he's starting to look very fit indeed. My only caution with Austin has been that he usually carries a little too much bulk above those short, stocky legs, and I think it has worn him out in the past. Being this trim can only be better in terms of tiredness, effectiveness, and resistance to injury.