Soton Match Thread

We are weary and stale, lacking both intensity and composure. Several players way, way off their game but as we all know we do not have the squad depth to rotate them without really weakening the side.

This, combined with a lack of experience and leadership is going to make the last few games really difficult. We need tp perform well just to prove to ourselves that we can win something, that belief seems to be lacking at the minute.
 
The thing that concerns me is that we are going to need other teams to drop points, because with our run in the others will have an opportunity if they finish strong.
Liverpool have Manpoo, after that I can see them winning all 4 of their remaining games.
Chelsea should beat Fulham tonight putting them within 2 again. Unless we are 4 Infront they know they have our game to overturn it.
Same as Tottenham.
West Ham don't play any BCC in their last 5, but I think they will bottle it.
Everton will still be a threat if they win their games in hand.
Liverpool and Chelsea are the big concern imo, and thanks to our fuck ups at West Ham and Southampton, we will need a big result from one of those last 3.
That's going to be very difficult. Tottenham at home is the only one I have a small degree of confidence in, and that will depend on what Tottenham have to play for.
Apologies for the gloom, but I just see those horrible banana skins. Just an awful feeling that last night will come back to haunt us.
 
Nobody seems to have factored in a punishing Europa programme. With a good cup run and key men injured this has resulted in a crowded fixture pile up so I would argue that it is a miracle where we are
PS YT just played his 55th game of the season...
 
Nobody seems to have factored in a punishing Europa programme. With a good cup run and key men injured this has resulted in a crowded fixture pile up so I would argue that it is a miracle where we are
PS YT just played his 55th game of the season...
Spot on, made the point earlier.

The problem is simple enough, we have a small squad.

Take our 'first' 11, whatever you think that is, and 'on song' that is a pretty good side but we have 3, maybe 4 players who can be rotated into that side without loss in quality, that's it. The top sides have 8 or ten such players and the teams above us in the table maybe a dozen.

With financial (un)fair play, there is little we can do about it. I know there are some who feel that we can 'build' our way to that level by developing our own players but I disagree, we need a group of players with experience of fighting for the top honours and these have to be bought in.

Such players are in high demand, which of course is why it is so very difficult for us to do.
 
It's not a small squad as they are all the same size but you are talking about of first team quality depth.
This is where the big boys have it. They buy deep as they expect to be in at the death in every competition.
Will we ever have that depth? I would argue that we are on the way as the first choice team now is light years ahead of last season when it all got a bit too far for us. We have had the necessary clear out and there are some really good lads coming through. A couple of experienced men like Robin Gosens and the building goes on.
The story of this season for me is how previously back up players have regularly stepped up when needed. Allied to most of the key men maturing we have squad which just needs to have enough energy to get over the line after a ridiculously long season.
If we miss the CL then please let us go sixth...
 
Never mind about others it's in our hands
but we need discipline and composure
Which was not in evidence last night
There was little guile out there is nobody
Trying something different, our approach work was panicky and touch of a muchness that's why the Saints looked so solid little to trouble them
 
Never mind about others it's in our hands
but we need discipline and composure
Which was not in evidence last night
There was little guile out there is nobody
Trying something different, our approach work was panicky and touch of a muchness that's why the Saints looked so solid little to trouble them
It’s totally in our hands... a win and 2 draws will be enough. Spurs will be totally effed up by the time we play them ... chill out folks, we have a great bunch of players and we’ve just won 7 points out of 9, so please do not wet the bed.
 
Wasn’t that what Ranieri did in 2016? It spooks the opposition. It’s a great shout. Even just Vardy would mean they’d leave two with him at least.
Vardy is one of our best headers of the ball in our own box.
 
Just watching the Chelsea vs Fulham game, recorded, as I wanted to have drinkies and supper with Mrs AFC.

Just watching the way Chelsea are able to bring on high quality, like for like, substitutes and are 'managing' the game. We are still quite some way from being able to do that.
 
I know it wasn't the most exciting of games but surely motd could have found something else happening in the game to show in the short highlights other than Wes eating a banana 🙄
 
Yes Daz

but that is where a striker/centre forward should never be regardless of any formation he should be halfway up the field waiting to start a movement or
putting pressure on midfielders to hold a line.
 
Last edited:
Yes Daz

but that is where a striker/centre forward should never be regardless of any formation he should be halfway up the field waiting to start a movement or
putting pressure on midfielders to hold a line.
I don't know look at the likes of Alan Shearer always managed to get his head on things in his own box.
 
Why did he play the same team again?
We're playing 2 games a week.
Our squad isn't threadbare, why not give some players a rest and others a chance to get in the the frame for the fa cup final.
Poor squad management for that game.
 
I know it wasn't the most exciting of games but surely motd could have found something else happening in the game to show in the short highlights other than Wes eating a banana 🙄

It’s the BBC’s way of educating the masses. Explaining what Ramadan is. The daft bit is I’m probably not far from the truth.
 
Back
Top