Well, we only bothered to play for about 20-25minutes of the ninety yesterday. But, fuck did we play in that period!
We started off the game very badly, and not just because we conceded after only about 5 minutes. We just weren't on our game in any way, shape or form. We were sluggish to say the least, while Southampton were bright and moving the ball about with ease. They were finding pockets of space between our midfield and defence constantly, and our defence was struggling to cope with Lambert. We were just playing high balls all the time, which went completely against what had given us this good start to the season. Southampton's goal came from a massive fuck up by Howard but they were worthy leaders at that point. After their goal, it took us some time, but we eventually found our feet (and quality football) and we absolutely shit all over them right up until half time. Our football for about 25 minutes is some of the best you're likely to see from any side. It was dripping in class. And Southampton didn't know what had hit them and we mauled them, and really should have got more than three goals we managed to get. There was only one side in the game. It was fantastic to see us have a threat down both sides of the pitch, left AND right. It meant that Southampton couldn't double team anyone and that gave our players a lot more freedom. And Mirallas and Coleman more than took advantage of that. The pair of them tore the Saints full-back a new arsehole, highlighted by the fact that two assists came from that side of the pitch. The first from a bullet cross from Mirallas to set up Osman for our equaliser, and the second from an excellent run by Coleman followed up with an inch perfect cross for Jelavic to put us 3-1 up. Mirallas grabbed himself another assist but that came from him drifting inside and playing a through ball for Jelavic to run on to and smash home. What a tag team those two look like they could become. It wasn't just those two that linked up well though. There was the awesome foursome of Baines, Pienaar, Fellaini and Osman all interlinking down the left. At times I felt like my jaw was hanging open watching them interchange and know exactly what the other is going to do, or know exactly what the other wants them to do. They were toying with Saints, it was like childsplay. I almost felt sorry for them, but then I remembered that I enjoy watching us embarrass sides.
Half time probably came at the wrong time for us, it allowed us to relax and it showed in the second half. I don't have a problem with us relaxing when we've got a good cushion, the top sides do it. However, they relax and still manage to control and dominate the majority of the play. We failed to do that. We were very, very sloppy with the ball. We switched off. We allowed them to gain confidence. And a better side than Southampton would have punished us and may have even gto themselves a point from this game. I think what the second half showed is that we can't afford to let our levels drop. Not because we're not good enough, but I feel that our players need the intensity to keep their minds sharp.
Howard - I have no idea what was going through his mind for their goal, but what a shocking mistake. I think I read that he's been responsible for six of the goals we've conceded this season . That's just not good enough and I really think we should be looking to replace him soon, or at least get some proper competition in so that he knows that if he keeps making these sorts of mistakes then he can be replaced.
Coleman - He's the opposite to Hibbert. Where Hibbert's a pretty good defender and has had to work on his attacking play, Coleman is a good attacking player but needs to work on his defending. In the modern game this makes Coleman the more valuable player. And I think Hibbert will find it hard to get back in the side because an attacking right back is even more important to us. We've been crying out for an option down the right and Coleman gives us that in bucketloads. He demonstrated that yesterday because he absolutely terrorised Southampton down their left with his wing partner. His run and cross for Jelavic's second goal were monstrous. A couple of occasions his decision making was suspect but that will come with experience, as will the defensive side of his game I hope.
Jags and Heitinga - I thought we were in for another disastrous defensive showing from our CB's after the opening spell of the game. The pair of them were being bullied by Lambert, Jags didn't seem to have his bearings at all (at one point he tried to step up to play offside despite being able to see that Heitinga was behind him!), and Heitinga got absolutely left for dead by Rodriguez. But I thought as the game went on they improved a lot, and the understanding between them looked to be returning. Plus, having someone back there in Heitinga who can play the ball out was priceless and it also stopped Jags from launching ball too.
Baines - If the journalists, media muppets, and fans of every other club got to witness the treat of watching this man play week in week out there's no way they'd consider ArseCole to be the better of the two. All of the reasons for this were on show yesterday. He beat his man down the outside and then if they tried to cut that avenue off he was more than happy to beat them on the inside too. He ran at players and took the ball forward for some hefty yardage. He linked up with others to get them, or himself, into a position to inflict damage. He put cross after cross into the box. He has so many facets to his game and that makes him incredibly hard to shut down.
Mirallas - I won't lie, I'm quite prepared to have this man's children already. He was a menace for Southampton yesterday and the understanding he's got with Coleman was brilliant, and could be the making of quite a few wet dreams. He has unbelievably quick feet, a quick mind to match it, footballing intelligence and the pace to pull it all off too. What I liked about him yesterday was his total positivity in his play, he just wanted attack, and with that attacking intent he was unpredictable too because he'd beat his man down the wing and then the next time he'd cut inside or drift into the middle of the park and inflict damage there where it was unexpected and no man to cover him i.e. for Jelavic's first. Yes he tired in the second half but he's still getting up to speed and managed to get two assists. He has the potential to be a massive, massive player for us. My MOTM.
Osman - You'd be forgiven for thinking you were watching the Scouse Iniesta at times yesterday . When we were dominating and making Southampton look like schoolboys he was the orchestrator and right at the centre of everything. And, like I said up above, he was part of the foursome that absolutely took them apart down the left. He got himself on the scoresheet too, but gave me a scare with how high into the goal he put it! When he plays like that you wonder why he's never got an England cap. Then you watch him be incredibly sloppy with the ball all through the second half and you remember why.
Neville - Other than negecting what he was out there to do in the opening part of the game and firing a few balls at his team mates, I thought he had a pretty good game. He's a limited passer but usually still attempts Hollywood balls but he seemed content enough to play the simple ball to Osman or one of the wide men.
Pienaar - I thought he was absolutely outstanding when we were dominating, seriously impressive. He was really making us tick (along with others) and was a constant threat to Saints. They couldn't handle how quick he could change direction with the ball, or his speed of thought to make things happen. However, in the second half I thought he was terrible. He gave the ball away far too much, and too many times left Baines to deal with two players because he'd gone walkabout.
Fellaini - The destroyer was back on show for us yesterday . I'm still amazed at just how good with the ball at his feet he was tbh. And how easily he gets away from his man when he runs. He's not particularly fast but he just lopes away time after time, and there's nothing they can do about it but trail in his wake. He showed phenomenal strength too. I remember him bringing the ball down on his chest ( ) and then he threw their man to the floor because he was in his way lol. I loved that he was more willing to shoot from distance too, and fuck he can hammer a ball based on yesterday. I want curly hair too .
Jelavic - Took his time getting into the game but he could have ended up with at least a hat-trick. He was very nearly on the end of Mirallas' cross that Osman finished off, slotted home from Mirallas' through ball, scored a thundering header to make it 3-1, and had a few other other chances too. I just wish he wouldn't go down so easily, it really annoyed me yesterday .
Was a pretty standard league cup selection for us...few rested but a much stronger XI than most premier league teams put out at this stage of the competition.
Should have been easily good enough to beat Leeds....I really don't think the selection can be blamed for losing.
And why would he play anything other than the first eleven tomorrow?
I think everyone realises we're over reliant on our left side and that it causes us problems when the other team nullify it. Even though Hibbert is a much improved player the past few seasons he is a big problem for us being able to attack down both sides and give the opposition an extra problem to think about. This is why Coleman should be given a run at RB, or if Moyes has decided he'll never be able to play there then we've got to go out and sign someone for the role by at most the summer.
I'm not gutted from an Everton point of view it's just that a put a bet on that included Spurs winning, that's £55.75 that I could have had that AvB has fucked up for me
Two points for me;
Neville really is a waste. Wasn't sure what game people were watching against United, I personally found him missing during play and some people said he played well?
And all the signings were great, I do fear we missed out on a cheap RB option in Clyne though. Even if Hibbert was first choice for the season and slowly integrating him in, that would have been ace. I think although we have options all over the park, RB is slightly lacking.
I wouldnt say that this guy is cover for Gibson. I would say that this guy is signed to play in Fellainis old position. Leave Felli where he is now. I think its capt Phil who should be afraid of losing his place in the starting XI.
Van der Vaart was pretty much done imo, weight problems, can't run for shit. Of course a lot of class on the ball, but you need more than that and he doesn't have it anymore.
This means he will be sitting on the bench twiddling his thumbsfor 3 or 4 years. Would rather we keep Mucha for that and loan Butland out until he is ready.
Steve_E got a reaction from nutmegwolf203 in Southampton - Home 29th September
Steve_E got a reaction from Valguard in Southampton - Home 29th September
Steve_E got a reaction from chicagoblue in Swansea (away)
