Saints v Watford - Sat 30 Nov - 17.30

I always defend JWP and Stephens as they are academy players but both were truly awful today (free kick aside). Fantastic to win but not sure what Ralph can take in terms of positives from that performance. We still stand around like statues and move the ball sideways and backwards at walking pace. It really would help if they at least faced the right direction when they have the ball.

So much is down to confidence. This isn't a bad set of players but they just don't look that interested at the minute. At half time I even wondered whether one or two (Redders and Bertrand in particular) were actually trying to get Ralph the sack. A confident player will pass the ball and immediately call for it back. Most players today were passing the ball and then actually looking the other way for fear that it would be returned to them.

Still, a win is a win and a recovery has to start somewhere.

 

Should declare today a bank holiday.

 

Ralph can take the positive that Boufal and Djenepo are game changers. I missed the first half (luckily) but 2nd half once Boufal came on we were very positive and were the better team. Similar to the Everton game except we got the winner instead of Watford.

 

You missed that first half? You lucky ****er.

 

Both teams were rubbish for 70 minutes but Boufal and Long changed the game. Some of the play from Boufal and Djenepo was brilliant.

Again the Saints midfield laziness caused all the problems in the first half for Saints. Ward Prowse was a liability and Hojberg stood around in the middle and did nothing.

Once Hojberg started to protect the back 4 in the second half with Boufal, Djenepo, Long and Ings causing Watford all sorts of problems Saints had the chance to win the game.

Boufal has to start against Norwich.

 

Well, kind of. I was in the car coming back from Fleet but had it on the radio. Fortunately the signal was dire so I couldn't make out an awful lot of it.

 

For 3/4 of the game we were poor
Watford were just as bad if not worse.

There was not much quality and plenty of mistakes but we came from behind, held on and won a home game.

We can't underestimate how much confidence and belief in ourselves that could give us and couldn't have come at a better time either with the up coming fixtures we have.

Reason to be hopeful but can't get carried away.






Although despite how bad we have been on occasions, we are still only 7 points off 6th. The table is pretty tight.

 

Well, I think I've got my answer.

 

What are you doing on Wednesday? May need another drive up the M3.

 

I'm sure I can throw a sickie if needed.

 

Only cos you are answering your own question. Thankfully it wasn't about handball

 

Not just yet.

 

For me, the turnaround wasn't just the double substitution (which was hugely influential). There was also a change in approach. By and large, out went the slow passing across the defence of the first half (and the dangerous misplaced passes which came with that), and in came forward balls. Yes, it might not have always been pretty. But needs must. Firstly, we no longer have the likes of Virgil, Toby and Morgan who can comfortably cope with the ball at their feet. Secondly, we actually have some alright attacking players (not great, but alright). Thirdly, Watford (like us) aren't too great when it comes to defending. So put all that together and guess what, getting the ball up the field isn't a bad idea.

It was almost as if we finally put our pride to one side, and played how the situation demanded - rather than how we ideally want to. It worked. More of the same please Saints.

One down, four to go.

 

This woman commentator on MOTD is awful ... our first home win, and we're lumbered with her. Sigh.

 

She can be the commentator all the time if it means we win!

 

Her voice is really grating.

 

We failed to kill Poch off.

We failed to kill Silva off.

We failed to kill Emery off.

Sounds like we've been 4th time lucky. Apparently Flores will be gone tomorrow/Monday.

 

And I think with Armstrong in place of JWP we would be a bit better. We can’t keep playing someone so useless in open play just for his free kicks ... can we?

Not much room for manoeuvre though
Redders needs a reboot. His confidence is so fragile

 

But then JWP has scored 4 goals this season, more than anyone else apart from Danny.