Match Day Thread Wolves v Southampton, Monday 23rd November 20:00 Sky Sports Main Event

Moss gathers a rolling Manc... or something like that

 

Yes it is +

Sunday 29th November 14:00 KO

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Referee: Jonathan Moss. Assistants: Marc Perry, Dan Robathan. Fourth official: Graham Scott. VAR: Martin Atkinson. Assistant VAR: Timothy Wood.

 

This. Who would have thought a year ago that we would be in the top five of the table and some still looking for scapegoats. No one appears to have mentioned that the keeper had the shot covered so even if Walcott had been on target to find the far corner, it would have been saved. Thought he had a great game and he gives us the quality we've lacked to cover for injuries or to provide impact off the bench. Whilst we praise McCarthy for three or four tremendous saves, no doubt Wolves fans are bemoaning their players failing to find the net in several 1 on 1 instances. The stats don't lie and they tell us we should be grateful for a point against an excellently coached side. The Saints of old always had their worst performances just after an international break so this is quite refreshing!

 

I don't think the JWP one was particularly a concern - but a good excuse to put club before country. All the injuries have been strains and not tears - I think in the main they're just being very cautious because of the demands of our playing style.

 

That smile was a great cover for his absolute commitment to win.

 

Fair enough - do you think every footballer has the same level of dedication, commitment and will to improve - and that it is purely technical ability that separates them?

Personally, I don't actually know Walcott's mental attributes - I was merely speculating as that potentially being a reason why many consider him to have never fulfilled his potential. But it is quite clear to me that a players dedication & determination to always improve and give 100% plays a huge part in their career - and that not all players have the same level of dedication.

 

It was nice watching a game where things generally went our way for once. Yellow cards not given to our players, Wolves chances missed, the ball rebounding straight back to Che to allow him to assist for Theo. Just a shame that the rebound fell straight to Neto.

Yes Theo's miss at 1-0 was bad. But Wolves were so strong - particularly in the second half, and especially after introducing Neto - that I'd have backed them to come back from 2-0 down (again!). So I still see it as one point gained, not two lost.

Fingers crossed that we've only got one more game without Ings.

 

Why didn't Theo achieve his potential? Could the answer be Arsenal? For me, they do have an uncanny lack of failing to get the best from their players at times. When Chamberlain went to Liverpool for £40m some people rolled their eyes and thought that Klopp had lost the plot. But the Chamberlain in a Liverpool shirt was unrecognisable from the one playing for Arsenal. Of course, Theo then tried his luck on the wrong side of Stanley Park, where many a player has vanished without trace.

While I mention Liverpool, anyone who was at Anfield last season saw them produce a second half performance of shock and awe. The team that won the league last year were - and I hate to say this - as good as anything I've seen in more than half a century of watching football. However, I don't support Liverpool. I support Southampton who, bless 'em, have had lots of years of being crap. I haven't enjoyed watching a Saints team as much since the Lawrie 'three wins from the double' days. Yes, we'll have forwards who'll miss chances; we'll have centre backs that will make mistakes. But Ralph has created a team that is so much more than the sum of the parts. So while I do get the questions over Walcott's finishing or Vesty's positioning I just remember I support Saints, not Real Madrid in their pomp, Man City at their most imperious or the hurricane force which is Liverpool.

Good result last night against an excellent Premier League team. End of, for me.

 

Individual preference Archers. I like a player to show that. For me, it gives me an indication of the mindset.. doesn’t have to for you or anyone else.

 

Just for the record, has anyone said anyone didn’t want to win?

 

He turned down Venables at Spuds having agreed to sign originally. Cost him his euro 96 place and Venables the chance to win a tournament

 

A very good game, I would say. And have

 

Given Fats previous I'd say he definitely used to think that

Mind you I think he's lost his edge these days

I'll get my coat

 

I am sure I read that he turned down Spurs after his first wife Cathy told him to turn it down, he also said Spurs was the only team he ever spoke to.
Didn’t even speak to Liverpool or Chelsea when they enquired.

 

Charlie Austin famously threw a wobbler for the cameras after a decision cost him and Saints. Out of interest, who would you rather have at Saints late in their career, Austin or Walcott? Who do you think has the better mindset?

I will judge players on what they do on the pitch, not what they say to the cameras.

 

I don't think they all have the same level of commitment, no. I think people have different personalities, and self flagellation in public proves nothing and changes nothing. I don't want to see a player begging for forgiveness because he missed a chance - if that happened Shane Long would never be off his knees, and I don't think anyone can fault his commitment - what I want to see is the player keep trying on the pitch where it matters.

As for Walcott not fulfilling his potential, didn't he win two or three FA Cups with Arsenal? I don't think it's his fault they didn't win in the league in that time.

 

Christ, that's a long time without a league win. No wonder the Arsenal fans got cranky.

 

Agree with this completely. Not slagging him off but I think it's probably fair to speculate as a reason why Theo has never been a top player. Desire and a hunger to improve can go a hell of a long way imo. I dont feel like Rickie would have been happy with just getting a goal last night.

A lazy example to make is Ronaldo. There's loads of players who have had more natural ability than him but he had his heart set on becoming the best and worked every day towards that. The result is one of the greatest players to ever play the game.

Fwiw I don't think that mentality is something you can coach, someone either has that in their persona or they don't.

Theo did play very well last night mind.

 

Well twisted.

I’ll leave it there mate

 

Kick the sponge bucket if it makes you feel better.