13 Mar 2021 09:22:18
Well we all seem to be saying the same about last night. So a couple of weeks off then maybe we can start again. Bodace must be looked at from here on in. Get matty and Jack back and kick on.
13 Mar 2021 10:40:18
Seems everyone’s on the same page for once southern!
13 Mar 2021 12:00:11
Disappointed with the end result after being so close to 3 points but probably about right in the end.
I'll try and spin a few positives tho -
Ezri Konsa- if he keeps up his upward trajectory I'd go so far as to say he'll be up there with God as one of our best centre halves, and we've had a few. The kid is imperious and effortless in what he does and seeing his reactions when someone does something wrong proves, despite his age, he's got a winning mentality and won't be long before England recognition comes calling.
Sarnsarn (commentators pronunciation) has shown in his few cameos that he can be a real asset to the club if given a long enough run to showcase what he can do- think Barkley's 8 or so games to get back up to speed.
El Ghazi- don't quite get the feeling behind wanting to get rid. Apart from being subbed at half time (probably p####d off at being dropped for Barkley after playing out of his skin) has shown his ability to at least try to create and make things happen. I feel, either with or without Jack, if we went back to our 4-2-3-1 has the skillset to operate in that No10 role and provide more than enough creativity to help the isolated Watkins whilst having more energy than the aforementioned Mr Barkley.
13 Mar 2021 13:37:12
After Jack, there’s no doubting Ezri is our next most prized possession, and after that I would probably say it was Emi.
For me, we have 3 top drawer players who would walk into any side in the top 6.
That is 3 more than we had when we came up from the Championship, as Jack was good then, but he has since improved to be without doubt in that category.
Of those who have played regularly for the team this season, how many more of them have the potential to be in that top6 category, let’s say by the end of next season.
I would say Cash, Targett ( our most improved player this season? ), Luiz ( has been a bit off it lately, but still only 20 and we’ve seen the levels he’s capable of), Watkins ( huge amount been asked of him this season, but he’s risen to the task, and is going to get better and better), Mings ( if he can keep up his levels of concentration more consistently) . All of the above, to my mind, are close, and are capable of getting into that category. I don’t think we’ve seen enough of Sanson yet to judge, but the early signs are promising. Ramsey may have the potential but will I think need at least another couple of seasons to get there.
This is my assessment anyway, you may not agree with it, some of you might think that McGinn, Traoré, AEG, Trez, Nakamba, etc have that potential also for example. For me though they are lower to mid table players at best and I find it difficult to imagine them getting much better.
It would be interesting to see what the rest of you think, it may help us to gauge collectively what our needs are in preparing for next season.
13 Mar 2021 14:21:15
We all seem to agree that Watkins is often isolated up front and living off hopeful balls pumped up to him. Would it not make sense, if we continue playing with 2 wingers, to play them on their natural side and not inverted? That way, once they've beaten their man, they can get 1st time balls into the area- where Watkins thrives, rather than having to cut back on their favoured foot which defenders are aware of and slows down attacks.
Fair assessment of our squad Mark. As you know I'm a fan of Luiz and feel if he played alongside a natural ball winner like Nakamba he has the skillset to improve our attacking prowess. He's also comfortable on the ball, unlike some at the moment probably due to lack of confidence after a poor run of form.
You watch the top sides and there's always a nearby option for a pass unlike us at the moment as when someone gets the ball everyone seems to be 20 yards away thus raising the percentage of us losing the ball. Small margins and all that but something that is easily worked on in training.
14 Mar 2021 15:31:59
I’d like to see that with the wingers mate, even if they were swapping ove and back throughout the game changing things up.