Didn't see the game but loving the Lyanco comments. He was the same at Chelsea in the cup earlier in the season - an absolute ****ing lunatic and I love him and his passion. Defo a cult hero in the making.
SAS Match Report v Arsenal - During the week it was said that Southampton players were already “on the beach.” I’d say that’s a bit unfair. “At the morgue” seems closer to the mark - Anyway, on to Arsenal and after last week’s debacle Ralph has decided to use his Don’t - Get - Battered formation. Smart move. - After dominating the opening 15 minutes and with 138% possession Arsenal finally decide to put in a dangerous ball as Saka scores into an empty net from one meter out to make it 1-....WHAT THE HELL?! It’s a 7-foot bearded Simone Biles with one of the best saves you’ll ever see. Still 0-0, somehow. Seat 1A to Doha please ✈️ - With the ground still in shock for the next 20 minutes at what they’ve just seen, Cedric kindly brings us back to reality with two crosses straight out of the ‘hungover bloke playing his last game of Sunday league’ text book. - As the half draws to a close we get a flurry of corners that all amount to nothing until the Polish Pele latches onto one that thankfully goes into the right net. Quality finish. - Half time. 1-0. - Ralph spends the entire break hugging Fraser Forster. Good man management. - Audible groans are heard around St Mary’s as Cedric is taken off in the 60th minute. Master stroke from Arteta. Game on. - Arsenal increase their possession rate to 243% in the second half which is ironically the same amount of shots they’ll need to beat Fraser Forster today. - Shane Long comes on and does Shane Long things - 1-0. Get in.
"Audible groans are heard around St Mary’s as Cedric is taken off in the 60th minute." I don't know why Cedric was getting abuse from our fans yesterday. As far as I remember he didn't cause any problems to get a move or make any snidey comments about the club. He always tried his best and scored against Pompey. And when he put two crosses into the crowd yesterday it was like he had never left.
Just watched the 90 seconds highlights. Shane Long at the end. I love Shane Long. There is only one number 7. Sir Shane Long. #SSL
Yesterday was a much needed gritty and defensive minded performance and got us a 1-0 win. But it also served me as a reminder why I would be against Ralph being replaced by a Sean Dyche type manager. It wasn't a great game and wouldn't want to be watching that week in week out.
Loved Shane at the end. Apart from the goal, the biggest cheer of the day when he charged down Ramsdale.
Bit unfair on Dyche and Burnley to imply that's how they play every week. I’ve only watched Burnley a handful of times this season, but each time it's been a good game; against us and against Utd a few weeks back spring to mind. In both games they set up defensively in the first half, but then came out in the second half playing open attacking football. Also against Everton last week it was a cracking game.
I liked the fact that on MOTD they didn’t go on about Arsenal playing badly and letting us win...they actually praised our defending. Not just Fraser, but how we were arriving in numbers and reducing the space available.
At times it was great. Thankfully the goal shut the Arsenal fans up pretty well for the rest of the match. Then our lot really came to life at times.
