Bailey

Koeman almost always plays with 2 defensive players, or at least combative players and the other player needs to be able to play centrally and bridge the gap between midfield and attack which he won't be able to do.

He would have been the perfect player for Martinez but I don't see it with Koeman.

Haha! Isn't he Senegalese or something?

And I was more or less right about the fee!

I think I need a lie down ha

That ITK I posted was right about something at least!

Last season Koeman's Saints won at home 3 nil and drew nil nil away.

I'm going to go out on a limb and say we will keep our first clean sheet of the season

We would be mad to let him go. He wasn't always at his best last season but who was.

I am amazed that people are writing him off especially as him and Gueye aren't miles apart in respect of what they can bring to them team. We should be letting Gibson and Besic go a long time before McCarthy.

Eh? Course not.

Any manager worth his salt could change a system to include an attacking mid.

 

Surprised you don't think our Ronny capable of that. He is a much better manager than you think.

I thought you were quoting the players in the starting line up that he could replace, hence my comments.

Saying that regardless of formation, I would have a slow Mata ahead or a quick Lennon.

I am really struggling to understand too

 

Yesterday we played 3 defensive midfielders. McCarthy, Ghana and Barry.

 

And people are saying Mata can't fit into the team? Crazy.

So you would want Mata playing RWB or Defensive midfielder?

I would have expected most keepers in the league to make those saves today. Then again I would have thought that about Bales free kick against Wales!

If I am honest I don't think Rom would have been an improvement on Gerry.

Cant disagree with the above but went for Geri as when you consider that was his first top flight start as a striker, his link up play, movement and work rate were excellent, its just a shame he couldn't finish off a chance or play a killer final ball.

If you consider how we played today, where would he even fit in?

Koeman has suggested that even if we play 4-3-3 we would play with a DM instead of an AM and I don't think he is quick or strong enough to get up and down the pitch to play in one of the wide areas.

There were certainly signs of promise in that performance albeit Koeman was pretty accurate with his 70% fit comments because it was around then (and the Spurs sub) that we started to wobble.

I didn't think anyone of the starting 11 had a bad game, albeit we probably lacked some cutting edge as we could have had it almost wrapped up by the break.

The subs that came on were a bit ropy. Lennon had little or no influence on the game and whilst he had his uses under Martinez I dont see how he fits in to Koeman's set up. Kone came on and did ok but he isnt the player you want leading the line on his own. He can still do a job as a part of a two but not on his own. Cleverly didnt really get involved.

Of the new boys Stekelenberg produced some really good stops and likewise Gueye was tireless in midfield always nibbling at the opposition. He is a more mobile McCarthy, who himself did a good job on the right considering.

I don't know who I would have as MOTM as no-one stamped their authority on the game, maybe Geri?

Also please stop giving Koeman the excuse of not having the players fit enough because of Martinez. The bulk of the starting line up had plenty of time this summer to get up to speed and the buck stops with him for that failure. I would understand it if the excuse was used mid season but not with the preparation we have had. Gueye looked the fittest of the lot but that was mainly because he is genetically the most likely to need the least work and even he was flagging at the end.

Holgate just beaten in the air.

I think they are starting to feel the pace as the intensity isn't as high now.

Defensively solid so far bar Mori getting out muscled once, and we look lively going forward with all three attackers able to run at them. Arguably could be 2 up, and a few of their players on a yellow and the game put to bed.

 

Baines the only player below par, looks like he's struggling to grasp what position to be in.

Baines looks back to his best IMO.

Spurs can't cope with the 3-5-2 either which is promising as the usual flaw comes against attacking FB'S and we won't face a team with more attacking FB'S than this all season.

Really good first half, can't really fault anyone so far and with a little bit more quality we could have had the game hosed up by now.

Massive performances so far from Geri, Gueye and Jags.

Oh Geri have to finish that!

It was really tight, for sure. No guarantees on that one.

 

Seeing us challenge for balls like we are today makes me feel like I'm actually watching Everton again. I'm happy to see the passion and hard work.

The pass had to be really early. As soon as he took the ball on the chance was gone.

Plenty of life in the old boy Jags on this evidence!

Poor touch from Ross otherwise he would have had a good scoring chance!

Great strength and pace from Jags at the other end.

If Geri had played in Ross he would have been 1 v 1

Great counter attack, Geri doing really well.

Great ball from Baines and run from Ross.