Southampton vs Aston Villa post-match thread

[Walmley_Villa]

Have to say Ayew looked a player again when he came on, was mobile and looking to bring others into the game. Unfortunately no f*cker moved....one of our many problems.

[bobdylan]

I think most of us agree on the midfield of Sanchez Gueye and Veretout.It seems so obvious.
But Sherwood and now Macdonald  are paid a lot of money not to agree with us.

What do we know anyway.

I don't, what do people see in Sanchez?  He's been very poor for me since he's joined.  Yes he travels a lot for international duty and has come from a different country but he can't last longer than 60 minutes and gives the ball away in silly areas to often for me.  I'd play Veretout and Gana sitting with Gil, Adama, Grealish and Ayew as the 4 more advanced.  If we need a 3rd centre mid I'd try Illori there before reverting to Westwood or Sanchez.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

Have to say Ayew looked a player again when he came on, was mobile and looking to bring others into the game. Unfortunately no f*cker moved....one of our many problems.

Agree, after a few early duff touches.

I've been saying for some time that Gabby actually "hides" behind defenders when we are in possession near the box...he did it at least 3/4 times last night.
In general, our movement off the ball is bloody awful.
Look at what Pelle does to get in position to receive the ball and score their second last night...we don't appear to have anyone capable of doing that. Or not being coached to do it.

[CT]

Have to say Ayew looked a player again when he came on, was mobile and looking to bring others into the game. Unfortunately no f*cker moved....one of our many problems.

It seems to have been engrained in our players for years.

Yet again last night, Gestede and Blobby just stood around like a pair of giant oak trees. When Blobby did decide to actually move he was always offside. I've not seen two players less willing to move since Warren Aspinall.

[bobdylan]

Richards
Okore
Clark
Amavi

Sanchez
Gana
Veretout
Gil
Grealish

Ayew

...is a side capable of staying up IMO.

Not sure about Guzan.

Frustrating we've picked nothing close to that front six - I realise that defence has not been an option.

I'm frustrated that finally we've signed some players for decent money, and I know you don't always get what you pay for but other than Gana, £9m, and Amavi £10m, none of them have regularly featured and Amavi was recently dropped for a couple of games.  Veretout, £10m, Ayew £12m, Adama, £8m, Illori, loan with view to £6-9m fee (Liverpool paid £7m for him) surely they must be better than the bunch of £0-1m limited players we're having to put up with watching, Westwood, Bacuna, Lescott, Crespo, Richardson etc.  Also Grealish and Gil seem to be bit part players this season, they should be in most weeks rather than dross like Gabby and Gestede.

[Ron Manager]

I think most of us agree on the midfield of Sanchez Gueye and Veretout.It seems so obvious.
But Sherwood and now Macdonald  are paid a lot of money not to agree with us.

What do we know anyway.

I don't, what do people see in Sanchez?  He's been very poor for me since he's joined.  Yes he travels a lot for international duty and has come from a different country but he can't last longer than 60 minutes and gives the ball away in silly areas to often for me.  I'd play Veretout and Gana sitting with Gil, Adama, Grealish and Ayew as the 4 more advanced.  If we need a 3rd centre mid I'd try Illori there before reverting to Westwood or Sanchez.

We all have different opinions that is what forums are there for. Sanchez has been, in my view, a good addition to the defensive ranks.

[frankmosswasmyuncle]

For the last two games almost every player on the bench was better that what was on the pitch.
The mind - if I had one left - boggles!

[Walmley_Villa]

Have to say Ayew looked a player again when he came on, was mobile and looking to bring others into the game. Unfortunately no f*cker moved....one of our many problems.

I've been saying for some time that Gabby actually "hides" behind defenders when we are in possession near the box...he did it at least 3/4 times last night.

Gabby's movement usually consists of running behind the opposition defenders to see if our players literally can find a needle in a haystack with a pass. Having said that Gabby now has plenty of presence, enough for 3 players in fact. .

[bobdylan]

For the last two games almost every player on the bench was better that what was on the pitch.
The mind - if I had one left - boggles!

That's the last shred of hope I have left, we've looked dreadful this season, but for the most part Gil, Veretout, Adama and Ayew have not featured regularly, Illori, Okore and Kozak not at all really and Grealish not that much really either.  If a new man can get at least 3-4 of these playing regularly well we've a chance of moving up the table.

[adrenachrome]

Have to say Ayew looked a player again when he came on, was mobile and looking to bring others into the game. Unfortunately no f*cker moved....one of our many problems.

Agree, after a few early duff touches.

I've been saying for some time that Gabby actually "hides" behind defenders when we are in possession near the box...he did it at least 3/4 times last night.
In general, our movement off the ball is bloody awful.
Look at what Pelle does to get in position to receive the ball and score their second last night...we don't appear to have anyone capable of doing that. Or not being coached to do it.

My theory about Gabby "taking up a cheating position, if you will" as BFR might have said, is that he spent most of his career playing off the shoulder of the last man when he had frightening pace and we were set up to counter attack with a lone striker. Put him in a front 2 with a ponderous build up and he does not know what to do with himself. 

[tj66]

. . . and playing Gabby alongside Gestede to chase the flick-ons is a complete waste of time as his reading of the game is so poor that he never spots them. If he had a football brain, then  he should be able to run onto at least one out of three flick ons and be one on one with the keeper or with just one defender to beat . . but he doesn't.

[peter w]

Gabby read carew's easy enough. Or carew knew how to head the ball in the direction of a player rather than the elaborate side flick/glances that gestede seems to prefer that can go anywhere.

[rob_bridge]

Gabby's a Busted Flush. We need to offload to some Dimwit Manager who thinks he is still the player he was 5-6 years ago.

[Dr Butler]

Gabby's a Busted Flush. We need to offload to some Dimwit Manager who thinks he is still the player he was 5-6 years ago.

Pulis ?

UTV
The Doc

[aj2k77]

A 0-0 at WHL and then a 0-0 at home to CI£y would feel like a domestic trophy win just now

It would indeed.

You'll see me running across the pitch giving Fox a double fist pump, O'Leary style if we get two 0-0's.