In terms of game management, I think this was one of our best performances of the season. Yes, we controlled the game from start to finish and we scored our goals at crucial times, but we also saw a team that chose its moments to switch on the burners, and the moments to sit back and catch a breather.
The substitutions were well-timed. Roberts showed he is up to speed with the requirements of this division, while Piroe produced some good moments, although he sat too deep, where he did not pose enough of a threat. Byram was a safe replacement for Firpo. Interestingly, we still have a soft underbelly which Farke noted in his comments. We gave away two unnecessary free kicks late in the game, which required good saves from Meslier to keep the sheet clean. It was scrappy towards the end but crucially, we gave five players some valuable time on the pitch.
Farke acknowledged the need to share the load in the month ahead and yesterday was a good start. Yes, we should have scored at least three more goals, but when we saw the Saints concede three to Huddersfield, whose result was the more impressive?
This is the time of year where the real battles will be fought. Farke is beginning to show the value of having ‘been there, done that’. The Saints have got bigger fish to fry and Martin will do well to maintain their amazing winning streak. The fact that we are keeping pace with them suggests that this race has along way to go. Martin has certainly improved the quality of his squad, but Farke has improved the mentality of ours, and that might just be the difference.
The difference
posted on 11/2/24
You could argue that the Southampton win is more impressive - to comeback from 0-2 and 2-3 to win shows a lot of character and builds a lot of confidence and feel good factor. Their fans will have been happier than ours leaving the respective grounds yesterday. Sounds like both Southampton and Ipswich are getting some joy from their January transfers. Joe Rothwell I said was a great signing for them and he seemingly completely changed the game yesterday with 2 goals and an assist. Brooks also coming on.
Didnt see any of the soton game yesterday obviously but what I have seen of them recently frightens me. Reminiscent of Bielsa football.
Ipswich had a lot fortune early season. Deflected goals. Their game at home to Plymouth was crazily lucky. Having watched them a few times I’m not surprised by their drop in form which now amounts to 1 win in 9.
It’s looking increasingly like a fight between us and soton but games are starting to run out. They have more home games to play than we do but have trips to Leicester ipswich and West Brom to come. One side is going to be a very very unfortunate playoff bound - lottery from there.
posted on 11/2/24
Watched Southampton game. Kebab, you're spot on.
They are very good. Worth that second place right now.
Their squad is just as good as ours. And Martin is up
there with Farke. "Reminiscent of Bielsa football" they
know what they're doing for sure. The 3 Prem teams
look so much better than the rest.
As for the game, Huddersfield were camped out in their
own half first 25-30 minutes. Around 25th minute,
during a Soton attack, three of their players were injured.
Downes the worst. He had to come off and Rothwell
replaced him. It took him a while for him to get up to
speed though.
In that time, Hudds scored. Completely against run of
play and during one of three small pockets they were
able to break out of their half. Soton's sloppy finishing
was the only reason Hudds were in it.
Armstrong almost scores a free kick. Hudds keeper
hoofs the goal kick and they score catching Soton
napping. So Soton go in at the half 2 down after
dominating play. Weird half. The Downes injury rattled
them. Soton 5 shots 1 on target. Hudds 6 shots 3 on
target 2 goals. Shows how stats don't tell the story.
Second half Rothwell scores a screamer. Great signing
for them. Fits in well. Looked more settled second half.
Almost immediately scores a second beauty. Set up by
Brooks. Another solid signing. Soton absolutely carved
Hudds up out the gate. But then it was end to end.
Sorba Thomas was everywhere for Hudds. Good game.
Matos scored a deflected goal that was a bit flukey.
But, rattled Soton. I thought they would fold. They didn't.
They got the equalizer care of Lees og. But they were
worth that. Then they hit another gear that only we,
them, and Leicester have. All three teams are clearly
better than the rest. And as you say Kebab, us and
Soton will be battling it out for second. I have no doubt
the other will be a safe third place. And in the lottery.
Really entertaining game for any neutral. Good advert
for the Championship.
posted on 11/2/24
Excellent cooments, Kebab and Batty, thanks for elaborating on this. Thinking back to our first season under Bielsa, we had some barnstorming games where we made dramatic late comebacks, such as Villa away and Blackburn at home, but those resullts were driven by our stamina and drive, more than our ability to control games. As good as we were in that first season, you seldom felt comfortable watching the team.
As good as Southampton are, the long highlights reel suggested they can be attacked down their left flank, where Huddersfield scored their goals. Other teams will take note of this and I am expecting them to face sterner tests in the next couple of games, against Bristol City and West Brom away this week. This week could well be a decisive moment in their season. Win those games and I think we will see them sprint for second place. In contrast, we have Swansea and Plymouth away, both of whom we have beaten this season and, with respect to them, we should be able to collect six points, to set us up for the home game against Leicester.
Something's got to give, and I suspect this week will tell us a lot about who has the cojones to take second spot.