The Round Ball Game

[teamsaint]

What I mean is that I don't feel with Gerrard or Lampard there is any kind of flair, technical ingenuity or subtelty/imagination in how they pass - you have only to compare someone like Özil, for instance, to see what is missing. And while players like that may be OK at club level, they just aren't good enough against the superior technique and imagination of the best South American and European countries. Hodgson has to unearth young players with unusual talent if he can, since at present only Rooney of the players in his squad is of real international class.

well I agree , although Ashley Cole still cuts it, (and in any case Baines is a defensive disaster waiting to happen) but he isn't going to be around much longer in international footie.

Theo is easily good enough, and has a half decent footy brain. The Ox should make a decent international.Who else? Wilshire ought to be a useful asset, and Lallana may yet develop to be good enough. The two Saints full backs Shaw and Clyne need to be blooded sooner rather than later. Shaw will bet quality, but Clyne is the one to get in NOW. Our RB's are ordinary at best, and Clyne is a really good defender. To be totally Saints centric, I would also get Ward Prowse in the squad asap. He will be a TOP player, mark my words.
You don't often see a player and think "He could captain England one day", but you do when you see him. Born leader, adaptable, skillful. Top class.

Sadly, the problems are deep seated, concerning both tactical awareness and the quality of our players, and and are unlikely to be resolved any time soon.


Apologies for the Pro Saints Bias. I wish there were better players around than that I could think of!!

[aeolium]

I agree, calum - I think RH should be given an extended period to try and create a different, younger and stronger team for 2018. Gerrard and Lampard will certainly bow out of international competition at the end of this tournament which will help.

I do hope this World Cup is an improvement on the last one which was imv the worst possible showcase for football with no team really standing out from the rest and many utterly forgettable games. All I remember of it is a vuvuzuelan cacophony.

[eighthobstruction]

Surely Lampard and Gerrard are in the team to shoot in a case where a defensive header drops short....thus keeping the ball-boys behind the goal on their toes....i.e. total football....

[Beef Oven!]

Good performance last night. I'm beginning to think RH knows what he's doing.

Finessing new talent (and what talent!) along side the still-inspirational and first-choice, first class Gerrard and others (SG should've been made captain yonks ago, and that comes from a United fan).

Chile are a top-notch outfit and the Germans are scarily creative and technically brilliant.

Thought our 'keeper washed his faced and special mention to Ashley Cole for still looking like he's a new kid on the block staking his claim.

RH is giving plenty of players a good run-out, and I think he'll be in a position to make some really intelligent choices further down the road when it counts.

By the way, after the last two games, how many points have Chile and Germany got? answer - same as us, zero. 'nuff said.

[EdgeleyRob]

Having lost these two games I wonder if the media ,as they usually do,will whip us all up into a frenzy and build up our slim chances of winning the world cup.
Out with the old,they haven't looked like world beaters in previous tournaments,and in with the new,if the FA will let it happen.
We are about to find out what Roy is made of.

Probable pots for the Dec 6th draw.

1 Brazil, Spain, Germany, Argentina, Colombia, Belgium, Switzerland, Uruguay.
2 Holland, Italy, England, Portugal, Greece, Bosnia, Croatia, Russia.
3 France, Chile, Ecuador, Nigeria, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Algeria, Ghana.
4 Japan, Australia, Iran, S Korea, Costa Rica, United States, Mexico, Honduras.

I can see it now,Argentina,England,France,Mexico-group of death.

[BBMmk2]

Unfortunately, I missed the match. A great pity, seeing there seemed to be some good pointers coming from it, even though we lossed.

[Paul Sherratt]

teamsaint,
Shearer, A. has been praising your team.
And things have been going so well !

[teamsaint]

teamsaint,
Shearer, A. has been praising your team.
And things have been going so well !

ah well. MP won manager of the month (I think) and we still won the next game, so perhaps this team can even break sacred laws !!

Elder Son has a ticket at the Emirates for tomorrow. very envious, as I have never been there.
He is pretty chuffed though. lets hope he gets summat to cheer.

[EdgeleyRob]

Tough test for Saints ts,I suppose if they win pundits will start to take them a bit more seriously.
Good luck to all our teams today.
Round up will be tomorrow,I've got some time off for good behaviour and am allowed out for a pint or two this evening.

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

yep speaking as a les bleus fan

....¡viva los santos!


and enjoy your well deserved pint [or two] Rob!

[gurnemanz]

Crystal Pulis ..... Not everyone is happy but he's generally thought to be the best available and might do decent job in impossible circumstances.

[BBMmk2]

Great wins today for Seagulls and The Toon!! :)

[teamsaint]

The dream of going top of the PL is over for now, for the mighty Saints.

But if your GK decides to try to play like Messi in his own box, trouble is inevitable !!

[BBMmk2]

Oh dear, ts!! :(

[teamsaint]

Oh dear, ts!! :(

being disappointed at losing at Arsenal and being 4th isn't so bad BBM.

3 years ago in L1:
1 Brighton & Hove Albion 16 10 4 2 17 34
2 Charlton Athletic 16 8 4 4 6 28
3 AFC Bournemouth 16 7 5 4 14 26
4 Carlisle United 16 7 5 4 9 26
5 Huddersfield Town 16 8 2 6 7 26
6 Colchester United 16 6 8 2 3 26
7 Milton Keynes Dons FC 16 8 2 6 1 26
8 Peterborough United 16 8 1 7 0 25
9 Sheffield Wednesday 16 7 3 6 8 24
10 Southampton 16 7 3 6 7 24

and that was after a good run !!

!8 months before that on the brink of extinction.
Happy days for us Saints, living in the moment .