Block Y Seat 176

The squad will be growing confidence with recent results and decisions made my Smith. Leeds and Brentford had the more possession in their games at WHL. It will be interesting, but our conversion rates of chances is poor. I expect a team that on balance is defensive as a team but can use Pukki as main threat via well placed through ball. Or even scoring from a corner via Hanley. 1-1

The through ball to Pukki is a key part of our play. As soon as they lost a defender for the most part of the game they set up in such a way that our Option 1 was not on. I’m not surprised by our “hangover “ after the efforts against Wolves. The positive was Smith & Co finding a way through tactics and substitutions to secure a point FROM A LOSING POSITION!

I’m not surprised by performance tonight after the efforts of the game against Wolves at the weekend. We looked tired mentally and physically tonight at times and came back from a losing position to get a point. Sarge needs a rest I think and let’s not forget Smith’s substitutions to bring about the point.

From my elevated view in the Barclay a Southampton player was clearly signalling to teammates by having outstretched arms and bringing hands together to narrow and condense the field of play leaving space for wide players. We seemed happy to allow this though as we rode our luck. it wasn’t until second half after substitutions and tactical changes we got the better of them and their tactics went on to win the game.

Saturday was a reality check for fans, players and the new manager. As fans we all want players to achieve but, to me , the surprise inclusion of Cantwell was in part to show to Todd, where he was at “ in the heat of battle”. There were a lot of poor performances in the first half but the substitution of him was correct. Smith comes across as a players manager and I’m sure he has the skills to work from the base where Todd is in reality, and get him ready for the challenges we will have in the New Year to achieve PL survival.

and don’t forget that special aftershave

Pukki’s goal had all the hallmarks of Klopp/Salah influence. Lots more to come I hope.

I thought he was carrying an injury which eased as the game evolved. Che Adams was clearly saying to his Scottish team mate in the first half “You struggling mate, I’ll arrange a sub for you”

Listening to Villa fans, Smith comes across as cautious in making substitutions and changing players as Farke. I’ll go with the same team that beat Brentford, not accounting for any recent injuries of course. Reward the players who performed well

Did you know that 50% of the teams on 5 points after 11 games go on to avoid relegation.

It may simply be to reunite the squad and resolve the Cantwell situation, clean slate, blah, blah, we’re all in this together. Fine margins and playing as a unit. Or issues could run deeper

Pukki’s miss was much worse, move on!

He watches Match of the Day, with volume turned down.

Farke was in hindsight a dead man walking. Players may have been the coup de gras but he ultimately was the manager with a poor record in the PL.