Just thought I'd post a few points that I picked up from the game now I'm back in the office after travelling back: - our fans were amazing. We sung from the first minute to the last, regardless of score, and the Newcastle fans really let themselves down. For such a big stand on one side you would think at least one song wouldnt be hard to come by but they were silent. - we really missed width today, and (in my opinion) is the biggest reason we lost today. Silly goals aside, we should've tried to put ourselves in control and get more goals before even giving them a chance to get back into the game but we had no control over the game, in part to our passing options. Lallana, Lambert and Jay all played very high up as three strikers, with Davis playing centrally and both Cork and Morgan stay close together. Clyne and Shaw were heavily outnumbered on the wings and Clyne, second half, had to get help from Cork as we was losing every header. It was very noticeable that when Clyne ran forward he had no-one to pass to (likewise with Shaw) and is one of the reasons we ddint get enough crosses or chances down those wings. Once Puncheon came on he added width on the left and THEN cut inside, providing the out ball and then the running down the middle. - Davis has been playing really well recently but I get the feeling he's a jack of all trades and we would be better off trying something a bit different. Lallana prefers to come inside, he's our best player at finding space and arguably at splitting the defence with passes. He can also shoot and run at people. Hence below is my team selection: Boruc Clyne Fonte Yoshida Shaw Cork Schneiderlin Puncheon Lallana Davis Lambert Davis is disciplined enough to stay out wide when we need and drop in to defend, he's full of running and is an experienced head which is always useful. Lallana, Lambert and Puncheon is a deadly combination on that right hand side, and Lallana is FULL of running like Davis. He may not be defensively sound but he will give 100% to Pochettino's play style. I cant see two old, slow centrebacks are going to do against Lambert, Lallana, Puncheon and Davis. It also provides you with Jay and Ramires as substitutes. I dont think Jay Rod, Davis and Lallana is creative or fast enough to be our main attacking threat.
1. I think J-Rod is probably our fastest player so it would make sense to put him in if you want pure speed above all else. 2. I think the reason the high-pressing thing came undone was because a) Newcastle have two incredible engines in their midfield, Sissoko and Tiote (both were immense), and b) Newcastle's passing is very direct. 3. Negative can be positives, and I'm hoping the game has been a learning curve for Pochettino 4. Well done to you and all the Saints contingent for the support. Nice one lads!!
