Healey's long throw may get him extra game time in the future. A real weapon, even though I hated Stoke for that tactic with Delap.
He did well. Though I thought he was a bit lucky in the first half when he cleaned out Sema when he was through on goal (but offside). Couldn't tell from sure from the other end but looked like he was a bit late and far too forceful in the challenge for modern standards.
Likewise I thought he did alright, the save he made to stop Kone’s shot was superb. Could have done better with our goal maybe but if Southampton hadn’t timewasted so much (Armstrong taking an age to go off springs to mind) then 8 minutes would have been 4/5 and we probably wouldn’t have scored. I thought Porteous had a really good game. I’ve been critical of him lately but fair play to him he was much better.
Seemed like he was allowed to just smack the ball away more rather than being pressured into trying to pick a pass, which hasn't been his strength.
Bringing on Bayo should have happened far earlier. Rajovic didn't win one header and is too slow to close down their backline, that is not is game. He is pedestrian with his movement and doesn't hold the ball up well. l am not sure he likes the physical stuff of English football. He does not want to go in for any 50/50's. He has scored goals though. Bayo does harris the backline and rose like a salmon for the Healy goal. The game was enjoyable. Southampton had most of the ball, but their play acting and time wasting meant we deserved the equaliser. Southampton were rather dull to be honest and their fans were quiet considering how many came to the Vic. Not convinced about Ismael, but saw greater effort by Watford than in the past
if it wasn’t for their keeper they would have lost 3-1 , so wouldn’t be giving him stick , thought he was pretty good to be fair
This team seems to have something that you cannot grade , and that is a good synergy. If we go behind these days their is a belief amongst the team/ fans that we can turn it around. Last season if we went behind some players would flap their arms whilst others would gaze at their toes and the fans would start grumbling , quite rightly, at the s**tshow in front of them .
He was fairly solid - but did you not see the tackle which earned him a booking?! At least he left it until towards the end when it was less of an issue.
It doesn't really matter when the challenge is made. Stupid, needless tackles that get players' booked lead to suspensions which is something we don't need for a squad as thin as ours. It's part of the game of course, but timing and knowing how you go for the ball will result in less of a punishment.
Been saying since he signed that if he can get back to the same place mentally + physically pre-ACL (and currently I don't think that's the case yet, he looks a lot less mobile than what I've seen of him previously) that he'd be the best striker at the club. Hopefully this goal is a corner turned for him mentally at least as he really would give our attack a whole new dimension if he can get back to those pre-injury levels. Big if though!
They're not far wrong with that although Saturday was an improvement in atmosphere. Southampton basically sing one song and nothing else
I think we get a rough deal. We are on the quieter end of the spectrum, but then so are many clubs. I didn’t hear a peep out of Southampton until they scored. For an away following, they were extremely quiet. I went to St Mary’s a couple of years ago when we beat them 2-1. Again they were quiet. Only cheering the goal. Same thing at Bristol City last season in the 0-0 draw. They didn’t make any noise. Fans don’t tend to be all that fervent, unless they are a clear underdog playing against a superior opponent. Even at Old Trafford, with over 70k you can hear a pin drop at times. You only tend to hear an atmosphere at kickoff and after a goal is scored. Only if you’re having a dominant season and you’re battering every team you come up against are fans singing constantly, or in a particular match when you’re beating a team you didn’t expect to.
The away section tend to be more 'hardcore', so if they're not noticeable compared with the home fans, something has gone wrong
I remember Watford taking the lead at St Mary's and our fans singing "How **** must you be, we're winning away!" To which the home fans replied "How **** must you be, it's only 1-0!". I also remember how gracious the home fans were after Saints stuffed us 4-1 in the Cup semi-final at Villa Park. Liked their team too, so I've always had a soft spot for them - until last Saturday.
A point I meant to mention was that I doubt they've have done the must blatant timewasting I've ever seen if the ref hadn't given that ridiculous 1 min stoppage time at the end of the first half. Near full time I said we're due another 10 mins but I bet we only get 5. I suspect the Saints staff and players thought the same.
Posted this in the stats thread, but thought I'd post it here as it's an interesting little tidbit. We limited Southampton to just 0.57 xG on Saturday. Only once this season have Southampton managed to create less (GW4 against QPR - 0.32 xG). Our defensive record + stats are superb.
TBH, quite a few managers & even some players (and not only those who have joined us) have made comments in interviews as to how much they feel the Vic Road crowd get behind the team...maybe the crowd noise carries onto the pitch more than we realise.
Looking back at reids' video, I re-watched the final attack from Healey's throw, had Bayo hit it backwards with a bit more pace, either Martins or Sierralta could have run on to that, as it happened Martins had too much ground to make up due to the weaker lay off and ended up clattering the defender.
Presumably if we limit the opponents to very low xG figures, we do not need a 'keeper who is required to pull off a "worldie" every few minutes......
