Lush Vlad

I’ve never got the fuss around Vini Jr. He’ll probably score a hat trick now. Which I wouldn’t mind

TBF to Xhaka, from the bits and pieces I have seen. He has been absolutely immense for them. Enjoying a resurgence later in his career. He was a bit of a laughing stock (also somewhat of a scapegoat IMO) when he left Arsenal.

We haven't been great in the league in general. But we were still getting some results and seemed to be improving a bit at home. Unlucky to lose to Liverpool and even though we were crap, Arsenal was also unlucky in the end and we shot ourselves in the foot. The cup games have been very good, bar a 40-50 minute spell against Barca. The away form is a big concern, however. As we look toothless and devoid of ideas this season. The results this calendar year have been poor at best. That's where my worry lies. As we're not going to be perfect at home and we need to actually start winning or at least scoring some goals away.

Crosses stopped still not great in his first Prem season at Arsenal. But much better playing as the sweeper keeper: Second season it goes down again. The same as last time with the caveat here. Who knows what Arsenal were doing differently in defence that season: I've been against dropping Pope for a while and I think he is underappreciated because of him being a bit unorthodox in his style. Along with the odd howler and how bad he is with his feet. But seeing as we seem to at least be trying, albeit unsuccessfully so far, to revert to a different style. I'm not opposed to Ramsdale getting more than just League Cup games.

They're not working very well. Seen better legs on a chicken.

At least that might be a reason for how crap he was Sunday. Worst I can remember him playing for us. Had a few getting ill of late haven’t we? The plague is tearing through the squad.

Pubs within 1 mile champions. You’ll never sing that.

Especially when per capita/m2 or however you want to measure it. There is an unreal offer of quality food in the city compared to a lot of places I have visited. A lot of them independents or small chains, as well.

He is particularly strong in those areas and far better at Ramsdale at it. The numbers I posted up on the previous page show that: Pope: Ramsdale (caveat that he will have perhaps played a different role art Southampton): IMO, I don't think there is an argument against Pope basically being a better keeper than Ramsdale on almost every metric, bar distribution. How much of a loss it would be to lose some of Pope's strengths. But gain a keeper than can help in the build up and not lose possession so often, is up for debate. Although it's not as if we are replacing Pope with Claudio Bravo for his ability with his feet alone and you're expecting him to chuck a goal in every week. Ramsdale has shown in his career to be a decent keeper. If a bit erratic and clown like at times. Most keepers are IMO, they're all mental So the longer we struggle to build anything from the back and control the ball, especially in certain away games. Then I'm not as against dropping Pope as I once was.

Didn't he get a load of stick for his ticketing policy at Arsenal? I think it was him and their fans said it became a right mess. If it was him, then history has repeated itself here.

Agree with this. He sort of drifted out of the game as the rest of the team ran out of ideas and the shape was a mess by the end. But for 20-25 minutes of the second half. I thought he looked really lively and arguably our best player. Bit of dynamism about him, shows for the ball and finds space, can carry it up the pitch. Really hoping he can stay fit and get a run in the side. Puts the graft in from what I can see, as well.

I think Tonali often moves the ball quickly and tries to get some semblance of tempo to our passing game. I feel that is a bit harsh on him. He is often too deep to really impact the final third, however. Bruno is simultaneously our best creator on the ball with his through balls and some of the passes he can pick. Whilst also causing us issues with how many touches he wants or by moving the ball across the pitch by dribbling it and then passing. Sort of related. But I remember I used to play for a decent Sunday side, which was mainly made up of semi-pros. I remember getting a bollocking for carrying the ball sideways before releasing it once. When a better player would be able to play the pass earlier from further away, whilst the opposition are out of position. I feel like a lot of our team do this, Bruno in particular. We're not incisive enough to catch teams up the pitch or in the wrong place. I mentioned it in the Woltemade thread, as he often plays the pass perfectly. But other than that or when Bruno is on a going day with his through balls. Our pass appreciation always seems a bit lacking. Too hard, too slow, behind the player, not hitting them in stride or at the angle they need to beat their man or get a shot off etc. Then I'm kind of going to go against a lot of what I've just said As I do think there have been improvements with this at times and maybe it is something we are focusing on and it is just a work in progress. Some of the passing moves against Spurs were top class. The goal against Barca, the final goal against USG, first and third vs Benfica. All some of the best team goals and passing moves I can remember under Howe. I swear there was a near miss the other week which would have been up there with our best team goals we've scored. I forget who it was against, maybe Fulham? The lack of training time, injuries and trying to incorporate new players after a disjointed and interrupted pre-season are all going to have a big impact. Along with the fact that we seem to be trying to transition to a different style.

Alcaraz with the worst one minute spell from any player in the league this season Also, WTF has happened to the Prem? It’s horrendous viewing most weeks. Every team just playing for set pieces, long throws, a lot of drab games (plenty involving us). It’s awful.

Didn't he leave under a bit of a cloud? I'm sure he was blaming the players in post-match interviews and the fans were absolutely sick of him by the end. Seems a strange appointment.

Agree with a lot of that. I think a lot of the same could be applied to most clubs and fans, mind. Just the way the game is going.

I think they will be harder to play against than Benfica. But I still fancy us to get a result. Driving up and back on the day. Which is always a killer with work the next day when it's a night game. So I'm hoping for more Southampton in the cup semi, than losing in the last minute to WBA under Pardew. Makes the drive back a bit easier and the getting to bed at 2-3AM more manageable.

You know it is the CL and not Bradford in the Carabao? Although TBF. Using the Pope logic of one bad game this season means he should be dropped. Then we should probably make 8-9 changes to the XI.

I always watch Paqueta and think he's overrated. Apart from when he plays us and he turns into prime Rivaldo.

Quite interesting that. Plenty have alluded to his change in style and not tearing about like a loon and looking to get in defenders faces and not give them a second to think. That is when he is at his best. Clearly trying to move away from that for whatever reason and the aggression has gone with it. He's not good enough to do whatever it is he is trying to do now. He is totally ineffective in the league.

He has got a few thumbs up already, aye

Great finish. He has that in his locker. I like that he is a volume player. Will always look to make space to get a shot off or a cross in. Too many in our team don’t. As for the rest of his game. The less said the better. Oh and please stop those left foot swingers from 25 yards that never go anywhere near the goal

I couldn’t see him turning it around after Brentford away. Oh how wrong I was. I’ve referenced it a few times on here that I was far too quick to judge. I won’t be doubting him again in a hurry. I believe he will turn it around. He has done so many times. But our away form is really concerning, for sure.

I don’t mind players who blow hot and cold. Erratic types and/or flair players I have a lot of time for, weirdly. They’re usually inconsistent because of how they play the game. Asprilla, Martins and HBA are three of my favourite NUFC players for example. But with Gordon. He is just not exciting to watch. He plays with his head down a lot, he isn’t skilful or decent with his shooting or passing. He’s almost stopped going down the line. He doesn’t have a good touch. Not sure what he is supposes to be offering now?! It’s not like his poor performances are down to him trying low probability, high reward stuff. He is just inefficient as a winger most of the time. He’s at his best when he is playing like he has a point to prove and he’s angry about something. He used to zoom around and not give defenders a minute’s peace. I don’t see that with him anymore. He’s become really predictable and ineffective. To be totally honest. I can’t stand him as a player. The diving, the sulking, his playing style…. It‘s harsh to type it out like this and I’d never actively give him stick at the match. He’ll always get my support. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if he was great on Wednesday. But I’ve just not been a fan of his for quite some time.

We still have no clue how to beat a press. It’s not just not having the players who are technical enough. Our patterns of play always seem very rigid, slow and predetermined. I always feel like our players/lines are miles apart. I’d love to see data on it if it exists. But I feel like it would be the highest in the league. Not being able to beat a low block is a recurring theme. But I think most teams struggle with this.

We’re a streaky team, so we’ll go on a good run at some point. But it’s hard to be confident. Doesn’t feel like there are goals in the team ATM and we don’t create much. Need more FRET™️ As for the away form and performances. We are back to looking like the NUFC I’ve watched most of my life. Dire on the road and never look like getting a result. Got more chance of qualifying via a cup I reckon.