Match Day Thread Southampton v Inter Milan 3rd Nov. 20:05

Well, what to say? An incredible night that I will not forget in a long time.

Aside from the fact that it was an incredible night and also a very important 3 points, we learnt a few things.

Sadly it was the first time I where I lost a bit of hope that Jay would ever return to his former self. Really wish the best for him.

On a more positive note, JWP showed what he is really made of. I've always thought he was a good player but lacked a bit of identity, well he showed what he is all about tonight and deserves a starting spot ahead of Davis for sure.

Although I've criticised Clasie a few times of late, I can see from Höjbjerg's performance last night why Clasie starts. He wasnt awful but made a few mistakes and clearly needs a bit of time to settle.

 

I'll give you a hand...

We've got Van Dijk...

 

What a fantastic evening. Apart from that brief spell in the middle of the game where we couldn't seem to pass to each other, just about everything else was tickety boo. I really can't be arsed focussing on any individual issues - there were a few as always; instead I'm revelling in a wonderful result and a wonderful experience.

 

You've confused me, or I've confused you, or something!

 

Me at work this morning...

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Thinking the worst, SaintsWeb would have inadvertently agreed with you that a Japanese defender would likely score an own goal - immediately assuming it would be Maya - and not for a second thinking that Internazionale might have one too, to commit the error.

 

Finally read through 20+ pages.
Was surprised at the vitriol at half time.
On the whole, it was a thoroughly deserved victory and was a good team performance.
For the first 20 minutes, or so, JRod looked quite decent, working a couple of shooting opportunities, tried to get a few one-twos going around the edge of the box and throughout the time he spent on the pitch, he put in a heck of a good shift, regularly tracking back. I still haven't written him off for the simple reason that he is not (IMO, owing to persistent injuries) fully up to match fitness. Hopefully he can now stay injury free and attain that all important level of fitness.
Hojbjerg had a strange game, by his standards. Ball retention was generally good, but his passing seemed unusually wayward. Ran his socks off.
I enjoyed the moment, after the crowd got onto him for going backwards instead of hitting an easy ball up the line for Austin. He acknowledged Austin by putting his hand up, then as he trotted off he half turned towards the Kingsland and made the same acknowledgment to the crowd.
Probably, certainly in the second half, the best all round performance I have seen from JWP. He just needs to score from distance, in open play, to become even more important to the team/squad.
VVD and Romeu showed, yet again, just how important they are to the team.
Yoshida, was calmness personified and had to be fully on his game, especially with VVD choosing to spend so much time supporting the attack. Saints without Maya, isn't Saints.

 

When are doing the Hull match thread? It's yours to do, you don't retire, as has already been pointed out

 

Yep. Less than Klopp, but more than Koeman. Who'da thought it.?

 

I think its easy when you look back on the thread to feel like that but the whole debacle with the penalty/digging on the spot/elbow/miss was in the 45th minute so peoples emotions were high directly going into half time and we were all pretty frustrated cos it looked at that point that we were going to have a repeat of the game at the San Siro.

I'm sure some people did say things in that frustration, but I stand by my opinion of J-Rod.. I think he's done at this level as far as I'm concerned - you mention that he isn't at full match fitness, with his injury record in recent years, will he ever be again? He seems to have lost his pace and, as someone else rightly pointed out, the rest of his game doesn't appear good enough to compensate for that.

 

Just in case you haven't thought about it, the highlights have been up on the OS since very early this morning. Nearly 20 mins of the stuff:

https://southamptonfc.com/news/2016-11-04/highlights-southampton-2-1-internazionale-europa-league

Sadly, no full 90+ mins, but there you go. Can't have everything.

 

http://www.footballorgin.com/europa-league-southampton-vs-inter-milan-full-match-replay/

Full game

Vin

 

Good man. I thought Footballorgin had gone down the tubes, and didn't think to look. Cheers.

 

Is it time yet?

 

Well

I was reading through before having my four penneth but I see that Lff has said exactly what I was going to. Great game, and if you were wondering who was going to replace Mané and his attacking runs into space, looks like it's Virgil.

 

I usually watch the match at the local but was out last night. Why? On this night of all nights. Having read the comments and seen the highlights it's probably best that I missed it. I don't think I would have left the pub on my own. Either the management would have helped me out or the paramedics would have carried me out. Matches like that should come with a health warning!

 

Full 90 up on the OS now:
https://southamptonfc.com/news/2016-11-04/the-full-90-southampton-internazionale-uefa-europa-league

 

What happened to the tannoy system, at SMS yesterday?
I could hear every word clearly.

 

Actually, I noticed that...even the Italian was clear - I channeled my inner Mrs No7 mother and understood everything