Southampton post match discussion

[Sean_Nile]

Leeds never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity

[JoeDenver]

I live in Morley so not far from elland road (can walk it in 25 min from churwell).

Anyway my three cents, got back from the game, the mood was pretty much dead, at the end, quiet applause (some boos).
Sure we qualified for the play offs, but nobody has any confidence at all.

I went into town center with a few guys with leeds shirts on who had clearly been to the game.

Everybody looked down, and sad.

Sure, play offs is better than nothing, but from what could have been, it feels like a faliure.

The worst thing is, its one thing if we are flying, and going into the play offs, but the form has been so bad, nobody can see exactly how we are going to beat norwich.

Where are the goals/ clean sheets coming from?

Finally i joined the forums a few weeks ago, i dont want to come across like a moaner who only bangs the drums when things arent going well, because i love the team and the players,

But something is wrong and its not just tiredness.

D F`s post match that i heard on the radio on my way home, he was all cheerful and upbeat and totally in denial of the problems.
I am on the fence if we should even replace him before the play offs.
On the one hand, he`s earnt promotion twice before, and our play off record is not great, so it could be a good omen having D F for the playoffs.

But on the other hand as i have said before.. where is the win coming from? where are the goals coming from?

I mean look at garbage like huddersfield, relegated, and we couldnt even hit a barn door past them!

I hate to just be miserable on here.

But man, was today depressing.

Panda Girl

I suspect there are certain players who have their heads in the clouds re: offseason transfers and can’t be bothered much, which has led to a rift between certain players because of that lack of commitment and manifested in a lack of confidence in each other, etc. The Wales letdown, as well as injuries have compounded matters, if not been the primary catalyst. Could also be a lack of confidence in the manager’s tactics starting to seep in. Time will tell…

[Jaydog]

Leeds never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity

Or you could say they took an opportunity to miss an opportunity. With both hands.

[DDB220]

This plan B suggestion that is often quoted is a Myth.

If you play a certain way and Farke employs a possession based tactic what would be the plan B ?

To play direct you need at least one target man. Recruitment is based on players whom you believe will fit the system you decide to employ.

If it isn’t working during a game you use your bench - this is the only fall back. To change tactics and set up differently either mid game or abandon your philosophy is an acknowledgment that you ‘Don’t know what you’re doing’. Which is more likely going to lead to chaos.

[White Riot]

Unbeleavable we are still favourites to be promoted via playoffs do the bookies know something

I could do with some of that great stuff they're smoking

[DDB220]

Southampton have key players back in Stephen’s and Downe Flynne who were injured towards the end of their 25 game unbeaten streak. They look a different team with them back. If we beat Norwich I would prefer West Brom in the final.

Southampton cut through us with ease at times and for all our huff and puff we didn’t create much against them.

[Chilli D]

Norwich lost at Birmingham today while West Brom won 3-0, they will give Southampton a run for their money

Yes, I think we got the best draw for the semi's tbh. Southampton doubled us and West Brom took 4 but we doubled Norwich so it gives us a psychological edge if nothing else.
However my daughters boyfriend is a Norwich fan so I've told him to keep out of my way if they beat us.

[Cjay]

This plan B suggestion that is often quoted is a Myth.

If you play a certain way and Farke employs a possession based tactic what would be the plan B ?

To play direct you need at least one target man. Recruitment is based on players whom you believe will fit the system you decide to employ.

If it isn’t working during a game you use your bench - this is the only fall back. To change tactics and set up differently either mid game or abandon your philosophy is an acknowledgment that you ‘Don’t know what you’re doing’. Which is more likely going to lead to chaos.

Move the ball quicker? Give the midfield more freedom? Drop the 2 holding midfield pivot? Try letting the right winger maintain his width for a change rather than coming narrow and crowding an already crowded centre of the pitch?

Perhaps change formation mid game? 4-3-3? I don't think when someone says "plan B" they mean you totally abandon your principles.

I think you tweak them with small but potentially impactful changes that don't totally compromise your style.

Giving one of the cms a bit more freedom or asking Gnonto to maintain his width doesn't totally ruin the structure of the team.

But it makes the pitch bigger, gives the opposition more to think about and crucially maybe gives those 2 players we rely so much on (Georgie and Jimmy) a bit more space and an extra passing option further forward with the cm.

[DDB220]

Yes of course you did ALL your last 50 posts either contain 1 or 2 sentences tops.

Just another child

I expected you to call him out. I CBA now - just seen his post (s) when I flicked through the thread without logging on.

I have decided to take the advice of his signature /footer - wise words.

I just use them in the correct context.

[DDB220]

Move the ball quicker? Give the midfield more freedom? Drop the 2 holding midfield pivot? Try letting the right winger maintain his width for a change rather than coming narrow and crowding an already crowded centre of the pitch?

Perhaps change formation mid game? 4-3-3? I don't think when someone says "plan B" they mean you totally abandon your principles.

I think you tweak them with small but potentially impactful changes that don't totally compromise your style.

Giving one of the cms a bit more freedom or asking Gnonto to maintain his width doesn't totally ruin the structure of the team.

But it makes the pitch bigger, gives the opposition more to think about and crucially maybe gives those 2 players we rely so much on (Georgie and Jimmy) a bit more space and an extra passing option further forward with the cm.

He doesn’t have the bench to do this Cjay. He has set out his stall. He does make minor tactical changes, but they are not really a plan B - there are only so many tactical changes you can make in a game before it all goes south.
Like any manager he changes players and tweaks things but the platform stays the same.

The reason Gnonto and Summerville come inside is to offer an outlet for the defence, as the two in the middle offer virtually nothing. They only pass forward if we are on top and dominating.
I really do not understand why we try and play out from the back when we are getting so effectively pressed. On most occasions we pass it around whilst effectively retreating. The ball very regularly ends up with Mes who often has to preform a hurried clearance.
Gruev used to want the ball on the half turn - I haven’t seen this for god knows how long.

I do get what you allude to - I just think we do not have the players in key areas to undergo a significant change during a game.

[weasel]

No excuses for Farke today or his fans. Ipswich were never going to lose to an already relegated Hudds, who probably joined in the celebrations with them.

He had a chance to rest out of form players and didn't. He had a chance to try something different and didnt. He had no pressure and a free hit and has cost any chance of the playoffs.

Or alternatively he gave out of form players the chance to rediscover their form, given that they are probably the best players that we have in their position. So your suggestion would be to change the team and tactics?

The players have done well with these tactics for the majority of the season. If we are to do well in the play-offs it will be cos the players rediscover their form and do well with the tactics that they have done well with before.

[Kennyb41]

Thanks for an absolutely fantastic season and effort DF, that's by no means over yet.

You've had me glued from matchday 1 and have started your work excellently.

You are singlehandedly sifting thru the mess you inherited, none of the owners will have any idea of what it takes to run a 'football' club, players, wages, loans, transfers and staff. You brought us to within a whisper of automatic promotion with a barely believable threadbare squad and your signings have for the best part been near enough for the Championship.

You have made excellent use of some garbage and you seem to have a very wise head on your shoulders, and also an eye for youthful talent and the not so talented youth.

I look forward to you being in charge next year come what may, and hope you and your staff can find some gems in the market again to aid your cause.

Best of luck in the play offs, it's been quite a ride come what may, I for one hope you get the reward you deserve in them, along with the players

Fingers crossed anorl that, you deserve a touch of luck

[hector]

I've never been asked to be a mod here, Waccoe once, that I turned down

You were on here, about 8 or so years ago.... I know because I nominated you and Adam pm'd you.... you turned it down.
Also there have been several calls to the forum as a whole asking for volunteers.

[Kennyb41]

OMG ! Guess what i just did ! I wrote out that long post above on the matchday thread which is now closed !!


God job i had the common to just press back on my laptop, and guess what ! ?

Yes, it was still there. So i just copy n pasted it to here, it was so so much hardwork that.

[WhiteRose]

You watch other games and even the opposition vs us and their attacking players have bags of space where as when attacking our players are constantly surrounded by 2 or 3 players - can anyone remember the last time we had a player through on a one on one with the keeper for example? Everything about us has become too slow and too predictable

[Sean_Nile]

We don't do well against 4-3-3. It gets congested as a Vegans colon at the back when we try to attack.

Southampton didn't bother to be wide out on the wings when we went forward, they remained very central across the 18yd box, and more often just backed off and only put in tackles when we came within shooting range. Rutter, Summervile were being continually fouled just outside the box, and if we got a resultant free kick we could do nothing with them, though Sam Greenwood might have. The last free kick specialist was Raph and before that Ian Harte. We don't do particularly well in that area.

Regards our own defending the players positioning could be likened a Jackson Pollack painting of white paint splattered on a green canvas, having no shape or form. Firpo jogs back cos he thinks the ball is going out, and having no sense of urgency his lackadaisical attitude results in a goal. He was not switched on to the danger.

I should not be making an analysis of the mistakes in attack and defence. It feels like rubbing salt in the wounds. It is a mystery how we have changed from a good team to a bad one. All I can think of is a crisis of confidence, and it will take a miracle to remedy that in 9 days.

Miracles are hard to come by as evidenced by the results at Leeds and Ipswich, though that is what we all hoped for.

[Scoobychief]

Will we ever get shot of Bamford though?

If lord farquaad still here Bamford will probably still be his King pin and build a new team around him ready for league 1. Ffs

[Kennyb41]

You were on here, about 8 or so years ago.... I know because I nominated you and Adam pm'd you.... you turned it down.
Also there have been several calls to the forum as a whole asking for volunteers.

He didn't turn it down from Waccoe, and he is the reason i got an instant ban on there.

Along with another forum he joined in banning me from.

Forums are his life dontcha know.

H

[DDB220]

Or alternatively he gave out of form players the chance to rediscover their form, given that they are probably the best players that we have in their position. So your suggestion would be to change the team and tactics?

The players have done well with these tactics for the majority of the season. If we are to do well in the play-offs it will be cos the players rediscover their form and do well with the tactics that they have done well with before.

I agree - I would love to see Amps back in the middle, but it creates a problem in defence with what he has available.
With DJ and Paddy back for the playoffs he will have more options. The return of Roberts is also significant.

[White Riot]

If lord farquaad still here Bamford will probably still be his King pin and build a new team around him ready for league 1. Ffs

Get the band back together: Ayling, Cooper, Forshaw, Tyro and captain Bamford