Sod's law Sarabia would score and a good move. However, 71% possession from Southampton is not good.

Must build on that now

That goal being disallowed

Football is dead isn't it.

Southampton having 73% possession is a friggin disgrace. What the heck is O'Neil thinking. It seems just a matter of time before they score. We had more possession against City.

Does sound like we are sitting far too deep and inviting pressure. Symptomatic of a team nervous about conceding. Push them 5/10yards further forward

comment by wolfieinFL (U16306)
posted 6 minutes ago
Southampton having 73% possession is a friggin disgrace. What the heck is O'Neil thinking. It seems just a matter of time before they score. We had more possession against City.
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To be fair this is how Saints play. they dominate possession often.

We are doing poorly though, make no mistake, pretty dreadful actually.

We are conceding half the pitch when they're in possession. On the other hand, they're closing us down in our own third which makes it difficult to get out. O'Neil has to change things at HT. Larsen again isolated.

We have to go on the offensive and get a second, otherwise I can see another disastrous result for us.

I don't buy that cinci, or they would be further up the table. I think O'Neil is terrified of losing, hence it's all hands on defence and conceding possession far too much.

I bloody love Cunha!!!

Strand is a very good name for our CF. I think we should add a couple more letters...ed.

Valuable 3 points, but I am worried that we gave them 71% possession. It's really not encouraging to watch and I'm just glad it was against the now bottom side who didn't have a shot on target.

Away to Fulham next, who went up to 6th today.

Soton are a possession heavy team. It doesn't mean jack if you don't nothing with it. They had zero shots on target

Are we starting to find some form or are we being flattered? 3 games unbeaten. Fear we have just prolonged the misery honestly. Next 5-6 games are pretty significant for us.

Somewhere between the two
This next run of games is make or break but inspite of our shortcomings we'll be fine

We’ve played far, far better than that and lost, but who cares? Cunha very good, the rest OK. Is it me or has Ait Nouri lost interest? Can see him going by the end of the season.

RAN looks like he’s played too many minutes to me.

He’s never really been a 90 minute + player, week in week out.

comment by Wulfrunnut (U17298)
posted 7 minutes ago
We’ve played far, far better than that and lost, but who cares? Cunha very good, the rest OK. Is it me or has Ait Nouri lost interest? Can see him going by the end of the season.
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Someone was trying to engage me in conversation on this in the gents at half time, except he said Jan not end of season. I was more focused on urination to be honest.

Think RAN is just off form just like several in the team. Just the knock on effects of a poor run for the team.

Finally a win and certainly one we deserved. Southampton had a lot of the ball as usual did nothing with it and but for that disallowed effort never looked like. scoring. Sa didn’t have a save to make.

We allowed them to have the ball and for once looked organised without the ball. Much better from Toti today, his best game of the season. Joao Gomes outstanding again and Cunha just different class. Brilliant goal. Maybe inspired by Ruben Neves who was in the crowd today.

Hopefully a result that will see our season go in a different direction

Job done. Two nice goals, clean sheet. A noticeable drop in the standard of opposition meant that the types of error that we've been making all season weren't punished today, VAR was kind for once, not seen a clear replay of the incident, but the concerning thing was that for a period Southampton were very much on top and instead of stepping up and getting amongst them O'Neil quite clearly instructed them to sit back and get through to half time. Was awful and frustrating to watch but thankfully we got away with it and were more positive after the break, largely due to Bellegarde's contribution. Good finish from Sarabia in the first half but JRB put in far more effort after replacing him. We probably deserved a third if not in terms of possession then certainly quality of chances created. A little unbeaten run then which must continue over the coming weeks if we're to give ourselves a chance.

comment by Cinciwolf-----JA606 NFL fantasy champ 2023 (U11551)
posted about 3 hours ago
Think RAN is just off form just like several in the team. Just the knock on effects of a poor run for the team.
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I know you're a big fan of RAN cinci, but he really does need to be rested as I suggested earlier.

You're right Goldie, it was awful and frustrating to watch and we shouldn't be giving teams like Southampton 71% possession. We sit far too deep imo, but that may be due to Dawson in particular not being the quickest of our defenders.

Thankfully, none of our players close to a one match ban got a yellow today.

We've just about got 4 points from 2 of the 4 worst teams in the division. Going to take a lot better to give me any optimism.

Four points from Palace and Southampton, plus a draw at Brighton and last minute defeat against Man City

comment by wolfieinFL (U16306)
posted 35 minutes ago
comment by Cinciwolf-----JA606 NFL fantasy champ 2023 (U11551)
posted about 3 hours ago
Think RAN is just off form just like several in the team. Just the knock on effects of a poor run for the team.
-------------------------------------------------------------------

I know you're a big fan of RAN cinci, but he really does need to be rested as I suggested earlier.

You're right Goldie, it was awful and frustrating to watch and we shouldn't be giving teams like Southampton 71% possession. We sit far too deep imo, but that may be due to Dawson in particular not being the quickest of our defenders.

Thankfully, none of our players close to a one match ban got a yellow today.
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I was referring there specifically to a 15 minute or so spell before half time when we dropped off an extra couple of yards and it looked like we were going to hand the gameto them. We tightened up a bit in the second half, I wasn't too concerned about the possession stats Southampton have been dominating that in most games they've played under Russell Martin to little great effect.

Problem was we didn't keep the ball well enough when we did get it off them.

I thought RAN did quite a bit of good stuff, he did make errors but he is playing in a different position more infield at times , we were better in second half and Cunha easily the best player on the pitch, Leminha off form maybe we should drop him and include Andre not like for like I know not sure I would start Sarabia , good journey back to Kent , Stafford flier to Euston and good connection from London Bridge home 8-40 pm a record