HULL AT ST MARYS

Hull are sure to be up for a scrap.......can Saints get a win??

well another disappointing result and even more disappointing performance. Team selection was dumb as always, No Ward Prowse despite him playing well most of the time recently, Boufal, Tadic and Redmond so no defence in midfield and as was so predictable we struggled in the game for any cohesion or control in the middle of the park. Plus 3 selfish type players so how would that show in team spirit, bickering and arguing all game long. Tadic constantly moaning at others whenever he screwed up and Redmond ignoring Bertrand so many times in first half it was embarrassing. Boufal actually was the best of the 3 and in first half did try and tackle back clearing on a couple of occasions and delivering some crosses as opposed going back to beat his player.

Hardly any chances in first half, up until 40 minutes we didn't have a shot on goal, we were at home to Hull for goodness sake! They hit the post from a free kick that Forster didnt even move for!Even when we did it was blocked so their goalie did not have a save to make. Second half not much better, we had a few more corners, though no Ward Prowse to deliver and crosses but again few clear cut chances. Predicted Boufal would be subbed on 60 minute, think it was 58th, so predictable ignoring the fact that Redmond and Tadic were awful. Subs again show how clueless Puel is, opportunity to play Ward Prowse but leaves him on the bench and brings on sims for Boufal and takes off Gabbadini as he did against City at home. What's wrong in trying Long and Gabbadini together, he is convinced they wont work together but ignores Tadic and Boufal don't work. Sure enough we nearly sneaked a win when we got a penalty but Tadic completed his awful performance with a poor miss, no power obvious what side he was going for. He shouldn't have been on the pitch and who allows him to take the penalties, why doesn't Davis step up as captain and take control, Bertrand has a decent left foot. Even then took a header by Cedric off the line to stop them losing.

We are in big trouble for 17/18, Reed has got what he wants, a weak manager who does exactly what he wants so no chance he will change it. VVD is bound to be sold and will be sold on the cheap as like our team our Board have no back bone. Where is the dumb Ralph these days, open communication with the fans he said, never hear anything. Keep getting emails reminding me to renew my ST, what for, more of this crap???

Forster 4, lucky he had a clean sheet, distribution awful again, flat footed, poor positioning, going backwards.
Cedric 6 did try to get forward but had to defend to help midfield so restricted
Stephens 5 for a big lad he is quite weak with his clearances, yet played in Div 1 with Swindon so able to hoof it when needs to, at best 3rd choice CH
Yoshida 4 lots of errors in distribution, playing with Stephens is not helping him, at best 3rd choice CH next season
Bertrand 5 there is clearly an issue with him and Redmond and Puel defends okay but didn't seem bothered going forward
Romeau 7 hope he is picking up 2 salaries as does the work of two in most games.
Davis 6 mixture of good and bad cant fault effort but want more of him as captain, order players around put Tadic in his place
Boufal 6 in first half did okay did try and deliver some crosses but with one striker in box bit pointless but he didn't pick the team
Redmond 4 terrible display poor distribution, lost the ball easily beaten and ignored Bertrand when in good positions
Gabbadini 6 didn't do a lot but service was appalling
Tadic 3 sell him, Has a bust up with Puel and ever since picked every game and not subbed, constantly moaning at others not on his wave length. Just shows how weak Puel is. Penalty as weak as all his others, Puel tell him he doesn't take any more but he wont and Tadic is such a selfish player he will keep on taking them

We were so bad even Mike Dean didn't seem that bad!

Thanks Matty. It sounds like a shit afternoon, hopefully you enjoyed a few beers either pre or post match.

had a glass of red wine Pete in the evening. couldn't believe Shearer on MOTD drooling over Maguire, yes he made a couple of blocks but he is like a carthorse and certainly don't think any better than Stephens. Just shows what a bit of hype and being English can do, will look good in a side like Hull but certainly not a replacement for VVD.

Thanks Matty......terrible display, lucky we already have the points we need to stay up this season,  but we could well finish down around 15th/16th.

I think Ward-Prowse is probably the best of a bad bunch for our penalty-taker at present.

I read somewhere that Puel could be on the move, hope that is not just the usual rumour tosh!!

It is just rumours Mike, seen as a puppet for Les Reed so unless owners change and new ones want their own person in unlikely to happen. What would help is if they got rid of Black and brought in a decent up and coming coach. Blacks record is abysmal and no way should he be at saints

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/05/01/claude-puels-southampton-future-uncertain-club-poised-review/

this a link but don't think based on anything serious