Southampton Post Match Thread

[ian_marshall]

Was the challenge on Vassell a penalty?

I thought the one on Schlupp got the ball, the Vassell incident looked very close to being a spot-kick.

The Vassell one looked close from where I sit. I personally thought Vassell clearly beat the man and he was brought down but in all honesty didn't have the best angle. As for Schlupp, I got a good view of that and the man definitely took him out and made no contact with the ball. Schlupp was well away and bearing down on goal. The saints defender had no choice but to bring him down and take a chance. Luckily for him the ref was rather lenient. Whilst the ref was again another clown to be fair he was consistent with his decisions towards both sides. Another ref would have awarded the saints a penalty when Lallana dived on the box and I personally though Danns was a lucky boy to stay on the pitch after his rash challenge on the left back in the second half.

[Guest Col city fan]

If they had started to dominate I could understand the change somewhat, but to do it when you're the better team made no sense to me.

Nor me neither... And the paradox is that when Sven makes this change it makes us look MORE vulnerable because we can't keep the ball up front, defend too deeply and encourage the opposition to attack us. Same thing as happened at forest.. This is obvious to me?

[Mr Happy]

Today was my first game of this season (hopefully not my last) so it was my first look at some of these new summer signings. Pleased we got the 3 points we fully deserved them, Southampton who were the league leaders put in one hell of a performance, ours (first half anyway) was just better. The lads showed some proper resiliance in the second half, real backs to the wall job. Kasper played a blinder kept us in the game, well done son. pleased with the whole teams performance on first half showing, thought we conceded a little too easily but attack wise we looked spot on. Shame to lose Nugent though. Second half I thought we lacked options. Definately need either someone to help give us a bigger threat up front or better service to our currant frontmen. Fernandes, Pantsil, Kasper and Wellens put in 100% shifts and more. Tidy signing is that Fernandes. Pity we couldn't keep a clean sheet but at least we got the 3 much needed points, lets hope this is the start of our season. Up the city

[Bob Weasel Fox]

So much better than the first two home matches, in the first half we were quick, used possession well and created many chances. Three goals, three excellent saves from Davis and a shot just wide from Danns. Wellens' goal was lovely after a good passing move.

We gave away two soft goals which again is worrying, and sat back on our lead too much. Half-time probably arrived at the wrong moment, as were getting control of the game back.

Still, three very welcome points and a much-improved performance at home.

wasnt there but wil take your word re the positives, up the foxes

[ajthefox]

Many positives to take from today.

First and foremost 3 points, and that against a team who look very good to me. It's easy to say that with them sat where they are, but I highly doubt Derby would've come and played as well as Southampton did.

We were very good going forward first half in the diamond and against a lesser team I could quite easily have seen us give someone a trouncing.

Individually, Schmeichel made a few outstanding saves, Mills looked a little more settled, Wellens and Fernandes bossed the midfield and Vassell looked good up top.

On the downside, we changed to the 4-3-3 when we had the upper hand which invited Southampton onto us and made most of the second half a lot harder work than what it could've been. Sven has made this mistake before and from what I read of last week, it was what lead to Forest snatching the points off us. It's so disappointed to see as well because we were frightening at times and as I said, the way we play we could quite easily have given a lesser team or indeed Southampton (had Sven shown a little more balls) a hiding.

Still, the main thing is that we've got the points in the bag and our first home win. Will be another big challenge when Brighton come here, but hopefully a good performance at Barnsley after the international break and another home win and we will really start rolling.

Must just say fair play to the Southampton fans. A long trip for them but they bought big numbers and were very vocal, outsung us for the most part.

I have to admit that their rendition of "Oh When the Saints..." from the Kop was quality.

[Bert]

Many positives to take from today.

First and foremost 3 points, and that against a team who look very good to me. It's easy to say that with them sat where they are, but I highly doubt Derby would've come and played as well as Southampton did.

We were very good going forward first half in the diamond and against a lesser team I could quite easily have seen us give someone a trouncing.

Individually, Schmeichel made a few outstanding saves, Mills looked a little more settled, Wellens and Fernandes bossed the midfield and Vassell looked good up top.

On the downside, we changed to the 4-3-3 when we had the upper hand which invited Southampton onto us and made most of the second half a lot harder work than what it could've been. Sven has made this mistake before and from what I read of last week, it was what lead to Forest snatching the points off us. It's so disappointed to see as well because we were frightening at times and as I said, the way we play we could quite easily have given a lesser team or indeed Southampton (had Sven shown a little more balls) a hiding.

Still, the main thing is that we've got the points in the bag and our first home win. Will be another big challenge when Brighton come here, but hopefully a good performance at Barnsley after the international break and another home win and we will really start rolling.

Must just say fair play to the Southampton fans. A long trip for them but they bought big numbers and were very vocal, outsung us for the most part.

I have to admit that their rendition of "Oh When the Saints..." from the Kop was quality.

Well seeing as that's the only song they song, it's bound to be half decent.

[Bezzanator89]

Whatever tactics that were implemented from the start, Sven should have stuck with that. He is fast becoming the new Tinkerman.

Wrong formation, sloppy passing, lack of discipline, and sometimes lack of concentration and common sense.

I didn't applaud Pantsil's lap of honour, because I don't rate him. I appreciate there are teething troubles but we can't play like this much longer.

Well ground out victory, but we just make it too hard for ourselves.

[MC Prussian]

Just seen the highlights - err, as for our third goal... Hmm... reminds me of a certain equalizer for F"*wst last week...

Funny the referee didn't see a push.

[Trav Le Bleu]

Whatever tactics that were implemented from the start, Sven should have stuck with that. He is fast becoming the new Tinkerman.

Wrong formation, sloppy passing, lack of discipline, and sometimes lack of concentration and common sense.

I didn't applaud Pantsil's lap of honour, because I don't rate him. I appreciate there are teething troubles but we can't play like this much longer.

Well ground out victory, but we just make it too hard for ourselves.

Barring Naughton last year, when we were richly spoiled, he's the best right back we've had after years and years of dross in that position.

You're deluded.

[Father Ted]

Anybody blaming the players is a moron. We pissed on arguably one of the teams that will be up there come the end of the season - in the first half.

Unfortunately, some goon thought it would be funny to change the formation and make us all shit ourselves.

[Bettsj2]

All I know is, I was out in town so didnt manage to listen to the game. I got in the car at about 5 past 5 and stuck the radio on.

I heard Alan Young moaning that we put ourselves under too much pressure again. Then a caller came on saying 'why did we change it when we were playing so well?' Then another caller moaning about Schlupp not playing up front for the whole game and my heart sank thinking we'd lost another home game. Then they said that we'd won 3-2.

Such a shame that the fans who are positive dont bother to ring in to that station to tell that fat idiot to wind his neck in.

[Father Ted]

Just seen the highlights - err, as for our third goal... Hmm... reminds me of a certain equalizer for F"*wst last week...

Funny the referee didn't see a push.

Only making up for a blatant penalty Schlupp should have had.

[Guest Col city fan]

Whatever tactics that were implemented from the start, Sven should have stuck with that. He is fast becoming the new Tinkerman.

Wrong formation, sloppy passing, lack of discipline, and sometimes lack of concentration and common sense.

I didn't applaud Pantsil's lap of honour, because I don't rate him. I appreciate there are teething troubles but we can't play like this much longer.

Well ground out victory, but we just make it too hard for ourselves.

Who do you rate then?

Pantsil had a good game today.

[Father Ted]

All I know is, I was out in town so didnt manage to listen to the game. I got in the car at about 5 past 5 and stuck the radio on.

I heard Alan Young moaning that we put ourselves under too much pressure again. Then a caller came on saying 'why did we change it when we were playing so well?' Then another caller moaning about Schlupp not playing up front for the whole game and my heart sank thinking we'd lost another home game. Then they said that we'd won 3-2.

Such a shame that the fans who are positive dont bother to ring in to that station to tell that fat idiot to wind his neck in.

If you had been at the game you would have been the same.

We DOMINATED first half.

Then we changed to 4-5-1 which we played against Bristol and Reading and the 2nd half was worse than some of the periods in these two games. Negative football produces negative fans and negative atmosphere.

[Bezzanator89]

Barring Naughton last year, when we were richly spoiled, he's the best right back we've had after years and years of dross in that position.

You're deluded.

In normal circumstances, I would say f*** you for calling me deluded, but I'd get banned, meanwhile you'd get away with slandering people. You sir are brash and very rude. You can shove those words back where the sun don't shine. It's my opinion. F***ing deal with it.

Anyway, the way he got turned inside for the first goal, his reluctance to get stuck in like defenders do. The way he kept passing it side ways or back makes him look like he's allergic to the opposition's half.

[B52]

Great win against Soton...

Shame though that some fans still think we'll walk the league...

My view on the tactical changes is that Sven has to teach the players different systems. This is very importent if we want to achieve the PL-goal and stay up.

Why does so many think "one system is the only"....

Funny is that if sven had stuck with 4-4-2 and lost the game we've had an endless moun inn on FT because Sven didn't have a "plan B".....

[Bezzanator89]

Who do you rate then?

Pantsil had a good game today.

Schmeichel, Fernandes and Vassell.

[Bettsj2]

If you had been at the game you would have been the same.

We DOMINATED first half.

Then we changed to 4-5-1 which we played against Bristol and Reading and the 2nd half was worse than some of the periods in these two games. Negative football produces negative fans and negative atmosphere.

So if we won the majority of our games 3-2 in that manner and went up as a result, everyone would moan?

I cant understand why people would be THAT negative after a win? After a loss or a dissapointing draw then fair enough, but after a win? Southampton before today were unbeaten in 15 games. 15 games!! Did anyone think we'd roll them over?? They're a very good team full of confidence with 4 wins on the bounce behind them. They pushed us back, pulled a goal back but we held on. In football (the game of 2 halves!!) it's very often the case that you play well one half and not so well the other. Happens week in and week out in every league around the world.

I'm not saying that the team and management are beyond critisism but I listened to that station for 15 minutes and heard not one positive comment after a game where we defeated the team that were top of the league.

If you think that's fine then good for you. Thankfully i'm able to make the rest of the games this season so wont have to listen to all that bullshit. I just hope to god that whoever i'm sitting next to are a little more upbeat!!

[Podge]

First game of the season today, so these were my first impressions on the new lads.

Gelson Fernandes looks a real player in the middle.

Neil Danns looks a good player and works hard, but second half he switched off on quite a few occasions and didn't track runners which lead to Konchesky being overwhelmed at times.

Konchesky looked solid defensively and pretty good going forward.

Matt Mills had a game of two halves looked solid first half, second half seemed a little lost.

Paintsil looks harried and rushed seemingly non-stop but does a good job. Needs to make sure he suitable studs pre-game though one of his many first half slips cost us for their first.

Kasper was a hero in the second half made sure we kept the 3 points, although he owed us after that bone head move last week.

Wellens had a great game, always wanted him to shoot from distance more often though and that goal today was sublime. Was also impressed with Schlupp when he was played in the middle.

As a side note, did anyone else notice how the lineo on the sideline by K and L blocks was consistently 4/5 yards behind where he should have been level with the last defender he mixed up so many offsides today it was untrue. Especially in the second half.

[philce]

So if we won the majority of our games 3-2 in that manner and went up as a result, everyone would moan?

I couldnt cope with winning like that every week!

The LRI would be overworked with all the fans suffering from stress and heart related problems!

[Jimothy]

So if we won the majority of our games 3-2 in that manner and went up as a result, everyone would moan?

I cant understand why people would be THAT negative after a win? After a loss or a dissapointing draw then fair enough, but after a win? Southampton before today were unbeaten in 15 games. 15 games!! Did anyone think we'd roll them over?? They're a very good team full of confidence with 4 wins on the bounce behind them. They pushed us back, pulled a goal back but we held on. In football (the game of 2 halves!!) it's very often the case that you play well one half and not so well the other. Happens week in and week out in every league around the world.

I'm not saying that the team and management are beyond critisism but I listened to that station for 15 minutes and heard not one positive comment after a game where we defeated the team that were top of the league.

If you think that's fine then good for you. Thankfully i'm able to make the rest of the games this season so wont have to listen to all that bullshit. I just hope to god that whoever i'm sitting next to are a little more upbeat!!

It's not disappointment at a win, and if we won every game like that, at the end of the season we'd be delighted. But the fact of the matter is we won't win games like that, we were lucky today. All Southampton had to do was take one of the many chance we gave them in the second half and it would have at least been a draw. Sometimes all it takes is the ball the hit someone's arse and it goes in, and when you let a team spend that much time in and around your area you're asking for that to happen.

Fact of the matter is we were dominating the team top of the table in the first half, and many thought we had chance to come out second half and really put them to the sword. Carry on as before and score a couple more and give them a real hammering. We didn't we switched it around to a formation that we used when losing to Bristol City and Reading, and that saw Forest claw back a 2 goal deficit a week before. As a fans it's really disappointing to watch your team willingly almost throw a game away. Also I'm sure many watching fans sat in disbelief that Sven sat watching that second half and wasn't alarmed at how much Southampton dominated us and that changing the system might not have been such a good idea, and that he let it continue for practically 45 minutes without once looking to change it.

There is joy at the victory, but also relief and a lot of concern that we almost lost a game we were winning so comfortably.

[Bob Weasel Fox]

can anyone post the goals at all?

PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[buzzy]

The moaners will continue to moan even though we've won 3pts and scored 3 goals.

yeh and we conceded 2 goals again. sven has to get this defence sorted out because it is not good enough it's no better than the start of last season so yes i will still moan until because i spend my money on this club

[Corky]

The Vassell one looked close from where I sit. I personally thought Vassell clearly beat the man and he was brought down but in all honesty didn't have the best angle. As for Schlupp, I got a good view of that and the man definitely took him out and made no contact with the ball. Schlupp was well away and bearing down on goal. The saints defender had no choice but to bring him down and take a chance. Luckily for him the ref was rather lenient. Whilst the ref was again another clown to be fair he was consistent with his decisions towards both sides. Another ref would have awarded the saints a penalty when Lallana dived on the box and I personally though Danns was a lucky boy to stay on the pitch after his rash challenge on the left back in the second half.

Thanks

I was in the Kop and thought that the defender nicked the ball away from Schlupp. Obviously not.

One of them should've been given.

[leicesterseddon]

We dominated in the first half and in truth could have scored 4 or 5. Again though, just like at the City Ground, we sat back and invited them to come at us. And again, in the end we were lucky not to lose the game. Sven has got to get it better tactically if we want to close out games this season...