TeemuVanBasten 3,327 Posted November 20, 2021 1 minute ago, Carn said: Subs at half time needed badly Villa fans who came on here had "makes subs too late" on their list of cons for Smith. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jambomo 215 Posted November 20, 2021 When we have managed to get possession, we’ve actually done well getting it forward and looking ok. Sick of the long ball punt upfield from Krul or the defenders. It’s just coming right back again because everyone is back defending. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GodlyOtsemobor 2,327 Posted November 20, 2021 1 minute ago, TeemuVanBasten said:          Sorenson Lees-Melou    Normann I want to see this midfield trio given a go, bit more steel in that trio, would even be open to Rupp over Lees-Melou. Id agree with this 100% Gilmour looks like a kid playing mens football, even if all Chelsea fans want to tell us he's the best we have.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Disco Dales Jockstrap 1,893 Posted November 20, 2021 1 minute ago, Kanadyan Kanary said: I don't disagree from a Dean Smith perspective but I would "expect" the players to be more up for it than they have been. Unfortunately, our team aren't very good - they can't simply 'will' themselves to be better. I'm hoping, in time, that Smith can coach them to be more than the sum of their parts. OTBC Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fuzzar 1,702 Posted November 20, 2021 1 minute ago, TeemuVanBasten said:          Sorenson Lees-Melou    Normann I want to see this midfield trio given a go, bit more steel in that trio, would even be open to Rupp over Lees-Melou. I assume you mean going forward as Lungi didn't make the bench. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
City 2nd 191 Posted November 20, 2021 We haven’t been brilliant, but one must remember, we have a new manager in the dug out, he has picked a team on merit and what he has seen on the training pitch and video player, whats out there may very well change second half and as the fixtures progress. Let’s give the man a break. He has been in situ since THURSDAY, two days before this match day! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carn 71 Posted November 20, 2021 1 minute ago, TeemuVanBasten said: Villa fans who came on here had "makes subs too late" on their list of cons for Smith. Well at least we're plenty familiar with that Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
hepphep 175 Posted November 20, 2021 Hanley has been dire. Gilmour ok offensively, but seems to lack defensive awareness even though workrate is better than before often making wrong choices when to close down oppinent. Cantwell looking good offensively and full of energy, but also taking crazy risks on defensive half. Normann have been really invisible and without ball, I think could be key for getting better possession. Rashica and Gibson been really good. Would maybe want to see Gilmour replaced early by PLM or Rupp to get us defensively functional. Hard to see Hanley getting subbed, even though he seems like our weakest link. Interesting to see what Smith can adjust on half time. Expecting better 2nd half for sure. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dylanisabaddog 4,931 Posted November 20, 2021 Has Smith just picked the ones he's heard of? Hanley awful. Cantwell unfit. Is Gilmour actually on the pitch? Williams can't defend so may as well pick Dimi who can at least attack My biggest issue is leaving out Andrew O. I don't care how old he is, he's the best defender we've got. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lake district canary 4,536 Posted November 20, 2021 Not good so far. Pukki defending the left side of his own penalty area running backwards and forwards between two Southampton players while our defenders just stand and watch.....what's going on there?? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Christoph Stiepermann 1,138 Posted November 20, 2021 2 minutes ago, Fuzzar said: Really poor performance. They look a class above - bigger, faster and stronger. They're playing through our midfield with ease and both fullbacks are always in space. How did we get to half time level!?! Hanley at fault for the first goal and really poor. Todd looks rusty and lightweight. Omo looks really unlucky to have lost his place... I mean we all called it after last time, that we're not physical or athletic enough and then we go and sign Gilmour, Lees Melou and considered McLean good enough alongside not even attempting to get in a proper holding midfielder. I don't know what any coach is supposed to do with this midfield. Every other team's midfield if full of tall, strong super athletes who can dribble and carry the ball, we have too many little lads who can't keep hold of the ball and panic ever time the opposition gets within 5 yards of them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Monty13 2,235 Posted November 20, 2021 2 minutes ago, Disco Dales Jockstrap said: Unfortunately, our team aren't very good - they can't simply 'will' themselves to be better. I'm hoping, in time, that Smith can coach them to be more than the sum of their parts. OTBC Yea, we looked poor but that Southampton team look a cut above us and they’ll probably not even finish top half. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Hairy 3,773 Posted November 20, 2021 No end of subs he could make at HT, but getting Hanley off is a must, I'd be sending Gilmour packing too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
All the Germans 1,078 Posted November 20, 2021 I think there's quite an art in looking so ragged at the back and also having nobody forward as an out ball. How can we have nobody forward and still allow their whole team space in our half? I want to see Placheta given a go. If he has the pace he supposedly has (I don't recall seeing him burn away at any point?) then he at least offers something. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hank shoots Skyler 2,094 Posted November 20, 2021 Is New manager bounce on the bench today? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Robert N. LiM 4,392 Posted November 20, 2021 One of Farke's biggest weaknesses for me was not being able to change things in-game. I don't mean subs so much as little tactical tweaks based on what he saw in the game. Be interesting to see if Smith is any better in that regard. Play like that in the second half and we're getting stuffed. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ken Hairy 3,773 Posted November 20, 2021 Looks like Sargent is coming on Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jsim1986 150 Posted November 20, 2021 Cantwell off, thank god Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Baracouda 47 Posted November 20, 2021 (edited) Half the Scottish team is on the pitch, one side can't defend and one can't take its chances.  😂  Edited November 20, 2021 by Baracouda Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fuzzar 1,702 Posted November 20, 2021 Sargent on for Cantwell. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jsim1986 150 Posted November 20, 2021 Sargent on for Cantwell Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carra Rud 17 Posted November 20, 2021 Smith's done a great job you can see it already - pushing for mid table I reckon -Â absolute masterclass we're giving the saints. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Christoph Stiepermann 1,138 Posted November 20, 2021 I'd like to see us change to this pretty quickly in this game Aarons Hanley Gibson Williams     Normann Lees-Melou    Rashica Sargent Tzolis            Pukki   Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alex_ncfc 662 Posted November 20, 2021 Good to see a manager have the balls to make changes at half time, and glad to see Cantwell make way. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kirku 1,334 Posted November 20, 2021 Everyone was clamouring for a change - Sargent for Todd. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carra Rud 17 Posted November 20, 2021 Exellent the ginger ninja's on... he'll show the new boss what yanks can do with a round ball. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KiwiScot 1,450 Posted November 20, 2021 Just now, Baracouda said: Half the Scottish team is on the pitch, one side can't defend and one can't take its chances. Except the Scot playing for Southampton. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
All the Germans 1,078 Posted November 20, 2021 1 minute ago, Jsim1986 said: Cantwell off, thank god Have you noticed it's Sargent on? Not sure that's an improvement! I suppose he has better physical attributes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Indy 3,301 Posted November 20, 2021 So comments made in commentary appears to vindicate Farkes view that Cantwell needed more time training and in the U23 to get up to game fitness? 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites