Pata

It's definitely too early to write off Haidara after that last game. He looked nervous which is understandable as that was basically his first game for us as a first choice player and he didn't get any help from Obertan. Tadic is good and he even seemed to be closing down Haidara immediately when he had the ball. I'm sure he'll be better both offensively and defensively when he has a better player ahead of him to link with.

This thread has been a train wreck. We have De Jong, Perez, Cabella and Sissoko who could play at the position Wijnaldum took yesterday. So people would rather have those five of our most talented players fight for that one position and have two of Colback, Anita and unfit Tiote below them? And I do realise Sissoko and Perez can play on the wing too but there's competition for those places too. It's a non-brainer decision even if it would take something out of Wijnaldum's game (which I highly doubt would be the case).

:lol:

Yes it is.

If a player's best ability is that he tries hard, he isn't very good. Simple.

Partly at fault for a goal and kicking poor throughout equates to excellence now? Not excellent but definitely better than most of his performances last season.

Love it when professional footballers get praised for putting a shift in.

That'd be ace to know if we were a running club and not a football club.

Well it clearly did as we never invited pressure like that when he was on the pitch and as soon as he goes off we are magically allowing Southampton to pass around our box and sitting very deep. Not a coincidence. Attacking players tiring is usually a recipe for inviting pressure, no?

Even if Anita could play I would do this. Wijnaldum is so much better than our other CMs and the AM is like the only spot where we have many good options. Don't think it would limit his game too much either.

Tiote was obviously massively unfit but I still think the attacking players tiring was a bigger reason for it. De Jong is just so different to Wijnaldum and that sub wasn't the right one for this match. Badly needed Ayoze or Aarons there in the end when everyone else was tired, not the static De Jong.

Mane is also brilliant player.

I don't really buy this 'Anita going off changed the game' talk. All of our good play came through Sissoko and Wijnaldum and they both faded badly. Can't see how Anita could've changed the fact that literally everyone looked tired for the last 30 minutes. That itself is obviously a joke, pre-season was garbage. Overall we looked a lot better so I'm quite happy with that performance.

Nope, movement died when Wijnaldum got tired.

:lol:

:lol:

Anita too.

Williamson takes a yellow there every time if he can even touch the attacker. Love Mbemba.

Get in! Love Obertan tbh.

Can't wait for Aarons or Ayoze going up against Cedric.

Anita his best mate too.

Disgusting dive.

Not his fault but don't think it was an impossible save to make either.