WEST HAM AT ST MARY'S

Can Saints win this one?

Nope, WHam revival continues with another away win, will be poor atmosphere, no fight from the team and we will get rolled over. But not to worry as we will still play 433, Redmond will miss a hatful of chances, Boufal will come on and beat several players but fail to hit a ball into the box and Fonte will score. At least think Carroll is injured, he would have a field day if not

Well at least Fonte didn't score but it couldn't have got much worse. Another clueless performance thanks to our manager, and of course his assistants. Long having scored 3 in 5 is dropped to the bench and while accept start Gabbadini why drop Long? So he brings in JRod who has been injured and Boufal. Needless to say JRod was poor, subbed at half time for Redmond and Boufal was stunningly hopeless. What on earth processed Puel and Black to think he deserved a start? Ward Prowse in midfield but a different position to the Leicester game so Puel managed to keep the rotation going. Guess what, for the first half a disjointed half hearted display.

Had a great start when Gabbadini showed he at least has some talent when beat the offside trap and coolly beat the goalie at near post with great shot, some hope for us. Then as before gave away a soft goal within 5 minutes, Yoshida at fault gifting Carroll an easy finish. At least could not blame Forster for that goal unlike the other 2!. Puel said after the game we need to defend well when in front, so why was Boufal strolling around the park not tracking back allowing full backs to be stretched, at least Gabbadini showed a willingness to battle. He was unlucky when it looked like he had broken the offside trap again but this time lino was not on our side, guess he gave one and that was it. Second goal poor at a corner, we had everyone except Boufal in our box, no one outside to pick up the loose ball, headed out to their player, all the time in the world to pick his shot, didn't seem to have much power but FFF Forster (Flat Footed Forster) dived far to late, no movement from his feet to concede a soft goal right before half time.

Redmond came on for JRod who should never have started, and we at least tried to use the width and had a couple of chances but then gave away another soft goal. Snodgrass dived to win a free kick, horrible player in did that all game but he did fight for everything, unlike our players. Obviously not the type of player that Saints sign, we want small, skilful cant tackle midfield players. Noble took with his right foot and FFF Forster just stood there and watched it go in, he is hopeless lately, stands on the back of his feet and therefore unable to move quickly to anything low down.

We did have chances and if we had got 1 back could have scored more, Gabba hit the bar, should really have scored but let him off that one. Prowse, Davies hit shots miles over when good opportunities, their goalie got down to a couple of shots and held the ball , lesson for Forster and plenty of ironic cheers from our fans at him . Long came on for Boufal who went off with an injury, looked put on to me, hardly touched and he wanted off.

Really don't know where we go from here. Yoshida and Stephens are going to conceded at least 2 a game at this rate, 10 in last 3. They have to be given better protection so stop 433, play an extra midfield player, go 4,1,2,1,2 with Romeau in front of back 4, Ward Prowse and Classie or Davies with Hojberg behind a front 2 of Gabbadini and Long or Redmond. If you play Long then full backs provide the width which with a solid midfield in front works. Absolutely no hope Puel will change, Adam Blackmore from Solent asked him after game and he simply didn't answer. No one is any the wiser after Puel speaks so how does he communicate to the players? I would sack him but probably to late now so the one thing the club can do is sack Black. He should never have been employed, he had a terrible reputation at other clubs, showed with the DT sting not trustworthy and could help lift the spirit without massive upheaval. If we need someone to translate bring in a translator not a useless coach who speaks some French. We do need new owners now to get rid of the likes of Reed, Kruger, Katarina wont get rid of them. They are the arrogant pair who keep peddling the Southampton Way as if they are the only ones in football that know what they are doing. I would love to know which one of those idiots came up with the "My Way" song before the kick off, without doubt the most cringe worthy piece of garbage I have heard at a football ground but does sum up the arrogance at the top of the club.

Forster 5 at fault for 2 of the goals we should have gone for Begovic in the window not a 21 year old from Nice
Bertrand 6 didn't get forward much but suspect told to protect Stephens, suspect will be CH next game
Yoshida 5 great chance for him to step up, doesn't look like happening and will always be second fiddle.
Stephens 6 grew into the game, a confidence thing for him
Cedric 6 at least he got forward far more put in several decent crosses
Romeau 7 again our work horse tireless in the middle but he cant do everything
Davies 5 poor game, missed tackles didn't get forward when he did wayward shooting
Ward Prowse 5 different position to Leicester game and poor
Boufal 3 hopeless, some nice flicks, which went nowhere and beat players on the halfway line, don't think ever got in their box.
Jrod 4 didn't do anything, no shots, no headers, didn't look fit
Gabbadini 8 great goal looked lively, afraid our pedestrian pace wont help him, he must be wondering what he has let himself in for.

Subs

Redmond 6 tried and did add some width
Long 6 similar and should really have started, he will be gone in summer unless Puel goes first, I can but hope.

Thanks Matty. Shite result.

Possibly signing Caceres who is a free agent, good news is experienced played for Juventus, not so good hardly played in months so hardly match fit and may be an issue over work permit, wont meet the number of games but an appeal should probably work as he will have missed some internationals due to his injuries.

see the CH Hull signed had a stormer of a game against Liverpool, well done Les Reed another one you missed.