Decent game yesterday, Soton had the ball in more dangerous positions but goals aside I don't think either keeper was really tested. Their first goal was just a typical showing of how poor in defence we've been and the sort of luck we've endured at the back. Mason slipping, playing the back pass when a Soton player was closing in and then Davies not knowing how to clear a ball which then allowed Pelle to poke home, I mean ****ing hell what a joke. Welcome back Hugo, I bet you've missed having this lot in front of you. We had a stroke of luck for our first, too. Great cross from Dier (who made about 3 other ones during the game), tiniest of flicks from Kane and Lamela didn't really have chance to react other than seeing the ball bounce in off of his elbow. Was completely unintentional and had it not been his elbow, chances are it'd gone off the defender and in as an own goal. Their second was a great header from Pelle but why the **** was he allowed to win it?! Fazio's job from what I can tell is to be the more aerially dominant centre half, so why on earth he's left the 6ft 4 target man to have a free header is beyond me. The situation with Faz this season hasn't changed, looks a half decent player but you can guarantee a mistake every 90 minutes, whether it's a red or giving away a goal-scoring opportunity, far too costly in my opinion. Our second was a superb finish from Chadli, again nice play from Dier to thread the ball through and Nacer's finish was as cool as you like. That Mane fella was a disgrace, I know that unfortunately diving has found its way into the game these days but this fella dropped to the floor about 6 or 7 times like a sack of ****, how the ref failed to punish him is just beyond me, another ref on another day would've (and should've) booked him twice and thus seen him gone. Good point away from home, Soton have been impressive this season and have had a solid defence to thank for that, so scoring two against them at St Mary's and taking 4 points overall this season is nice, especially as a few of their fans were spouting nonsense on our board earlier in the season when they had a substantial lead over us in the table. Will be interesting to see how Soton do in the Summer, admittedly I had them down for relegation at the start of this campaign and they've completely proved me wrong there, though with Alderweireld's loan finishing (and being linked elsewhere) and Schneiderlin & Clyne both being linked away, can they really afford to lose more key players if they do depart? Especially as they've been key in keeping the clean sheets and good defensive record. Anyway, bring on City next week, both teams having trouble defending but tend to be strong on the front foot... 0-0 is my prediction then
Agree with you about Faz,I've been on about it for weeks how he has a mistake in him every game,and it cost's us a goal
While I'd agree about Fazio in general, I'm not convinced that the goal was entirely his fault. Vertonghen was marking nobody at all and the cross wasn't even vaguely challenged. Fazio's far from perfect, but he's probably the best partner that we've got for Vertoghen. The balance of our side seems to leave them exposed way, way too often, though. We've chopped and changed a lot at the back and it's never been entirely convincing. I don't think that's all down to the personnel. Dier put some really dangerous balls into the box, too. His eye for a final ball seemed spot on that day. Still not sure it's his best position, but he shows glimpses of getting a real hold of it. Pochettino's system doesn't seem ideal for him in that role, though.
I don't think Jan's positioning was that bad if I'm honest (though I was **** at defending in my playing days so what do I know ), there was only Pelle, Mane and someone at the far post in the box and I think he had one eye on Mane after Mane played the pass out wide (though didn't exactly close him down), Fazio and Dier were both behind him with Fazio being closest to Pelle. That's what worries me, while Walker is out and Dier is at RB, Fazio is probably the best option to partner Jan and yet I think he's borderline terrible. For 88/89 minutes he can have a solid game but every single match he's played, there's been at least one mistake which has usually led to a goal or a good goal scoring opportunity that the opposition fluffed/ Hugo saved, not to mention the fact he looked like a walking red card machine at the start of the season. As for Dier, I think he's been really good at RB, far better than Walker this season and if we bring in a new CB in the summer I'd favour Dier over Walker at the moment all day long, especially if he can continue whipping in those crosses like he did on Saturday, he may not have the speed of a modern day full back but his defending is much better.
