AWAY TO THE EX-SAINTS

Can Saints spring a surprise and get a result?

It worries me that several of the team have had a large dip in form compared to what they have shown themselves to be capable of in the past (Tadic, Redmond, Gabiadini, Austin, Romeu, Forster, Bertrand and maybe more). Is there a general apathy amongst the players (it seems that way).... or is it a coaching failure??

Mike I think a bit of both, some of the players seem to have an attitude problem, always blaming others for their failings, Redmond and Tadic are two of the worst offenders, and one of the reasons why I would not play them. That is another reason why playing a couple of youngsters wouldn't be to bad a thing, though wont spur those dropped will just make them more in the victim mode but that is fine by me, they can leave (if anyone will have them!)

But coaching has to be a major factor, you only have to look and see what a difference Pochitino has made at spuds. I certainly put a lot of that down to Black, he came with a poor record as a coach at all his previous clubs, so should be no surprise that our players appear to have gone backwards. But he is another Reed cronie, who no doubt sucks up to him as knows who is the real power at the club. The players have become lazy

I suspect our approach will be better suited to away games but still cannot see us springing a surprise as not only not scoring but we have Fraser in goal, I think a reasonable display for 60 minutes with just a goal in it then heads down when he takes off Gabbadini and a 3 nil defeat.

Well did get the score right though thought he would have started our best striker, silly me! Who on our coaching staff thinks that playing Tadic, Boufal, Redmond is a good idea?? It will always mean the midfield is going to be over run and no balance in the team again. See Tadic fell over in agony in first minute, then did nothing until giving the ball away for their first goal!

We need to get rid of the coaching team plus Reed, but cant see that happening though think MP is on borrowed time with Mr Gao who will be worried about his investment. If I saw any change in his tactics or team selection then I would say we should stick with MP but its just more of the same, he must destroy a players confidence, the crap players, Tadic, Redmond, Forster all seem to be automatic picks which will be soul destroying for the others. Drastic action now needed, short term contracts seem to the name of the game now so maybe a big name manger for rest of the season. Fat Sam wont be interested unless a long contract and can understand why. Maybe Reed is waiting for WBA to sack Pulis then he will bring him in:pale:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5096523/Southampton-open-offers-Gabbiadini-Austin-Long.html

Can't really see big offers coming in for those 3....and would we have a forward line if they all left? Mind you, it wouldn't hurt much if he added Redmond and Tadic to the list.

and that is the problem, those 3 are not the problem, the service is dire, Tadic and Redmond should be out the door regardless, aside for the fact they are that good their attitude is shocking always blaming others. How can you have that mentality and try to build a team ethos. MP has shown to be to weak to manage players who think they are good.

Though of course is the DM so they just make up most stories but something has to happen and pretty quick but if we have Reed making the decisions unlikely to be much better he is part of the problem not the solution

I am inclined to think Grino will be shown the door before January....but I have little faith in a decent replacement coming in. Would Koeman come back???? Black has to go too, but he won't. Would like to see the assistant manager we sacked a year or 2 ago come back......having a senior lapse and can't remember his name. I loved the way that guy got involved on the touchline, his heart was really in it. I'd have thought he might bring some passion to the side.

Do you mean Sammy Lee? Not sure if he picked up a job but think he would be great and think he may even know Pellegrino from his Liverpool days. That would be a very simple quick start, sack Black bring in Lee, and see if it works

Ah, thanks Matty.....I've been struggling to think of his name for ages. I've checked him out on Wiki and apparently he's been out of a job since September when he followed De Boer out of Crystal Palace. Now it's just a simple matter of getting Saints to take our advice.........