http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/23685153# Just read this on the Beeb. As Saints fans is it win or bust or do we just want to see a great game of football? I'm greedy and would always like both but I'd rather see us lose 4-3 than watch dreadful matches that we sneak 1-0. Views?
Playing great football builds confidence...we all knew last season that we weren't as bad as our early league position suggested. However, have no problem with scrappy 1.0 wins...that's how teams win titles.
You can't play great football all the time sadly, It takes two to Tango as they say and it's true with a Football match. Both teams have to be slightly open. If one team parks the proverbial bus then whilst you'll be able to pass the ball around nicely in your own half it's going to be difficult to create goal scoring opportunities and that's what ultimately makes for an exciting game and great football. I am much happier that Southampton have a style which takes it to the opposition rather than tries not to lose and nick a win, that's why this season I think we'l have some memorable wins but drop a few frustrating points for a mid-table finish.
Preseason showed that both our signings (so far!) can mix it up in the opposition box so if we come up against a park-the-bus team we have more options than ever for breaking them down. Against these sides our tactics should always be, score first, as early as possible, so they have to come out of their shell. That will, in itself, make for an entertaining contest. Against the more open and attacking sides our pressing game and the extra muscle in midfield should give us even more success than last season. I am quietly confident we will see lots of great games this season, including some thrilling 0-0 draws like Everton at home last season. Most of the players have a season in the Prem under their belts now, so there are no unknown horrors lurking out there for them. And Rickie has shown the way how to step up to the plate. If the photos and videos from the training ground are anything to go by, his confidence will be rubbing off on the whole squad.
Most dull games featuring Saints aren't really our fault, it's down to the opposition. We always try and play football and create chances, despite lacking goals at the tail end of last season. I'm expecting a dull 0-0 tomorrow as I don't think West Brom, consistently, played good football in the second half of last season but seemed to play amazing against us!
