I actually felt bad that last week’s post was fairly pessimistic, despite discussing two big wins. I really struggled to celebrate either, and I thought there was something wrong with me that I couldn’t take much pride in the results. Everyone else was talking about it being a turning point and looking up the table. Suddenly Ralph was a tactical messiah that was marching us on to Europe. Call me miserable, and I was ill at the time so that’s probably the reason, but all I saw was us being the weaker team for 120 of the 180 minutes. Watford outplayed us for the majority, and we were lucky to hold on versus Norwich. Yes, I get the results were all that mattered and that we did what was needed of us, but I saw nothing in those performances to suggest we had enough in us to trouble anyone above.
It was no surprise that we then followed it up with a loss at Newcastle. Although that performance was more positive and we almost looked comfortable, our dire game management struck again and we left with nothing. A theme has certainly developed this season – either we play well but throw it away at the end (or, in the cases of Watford and Norwich, try our best to) or we just don’t turn up at all. Home games in particular are bad for us never getting into the game, Bournemouth, Chelsea, Leicester, Everton… and now West Ham.
To be honest, there isn’t much to be said about the game that hasn’t been said too many times already this season. All I can really say is that after two big wins, we’ve fallen to two consecutive defeats. All season we’ve looked at this run of fixtures as being the ones that would pull us out of trouble. Statistically we did have the hardest start, but it was probably naive to think we’d just suddenly turn our form around, given the manner of of how we’ve played up until now. We remain in the relegation zone with one more game to play before our fixture difficulty increases. That game is against Aston Villa. They are directly above us, only on goal difference. Win at Villa Park next week, and we pull ourselves out of the relegation zone.
However, they then go on to face Norwich and Watford.
We go on to face Chelsea and Crystal Palace.
A win on Saturday is crucial, but it might only be a short reprieve from the depths of the relegation places. A small gap is beginning to open between 16th-17th and we can’t let that get much wider, and we especially can’t let Aston Villa jump up with the rest. Then we have to worry about the teams below us. Watford looked a different animal under Nigel Pearson, and were deserving of at least a point at Anfield, whilst Norwich managed a draw at the King Power. Both teams showed fight and endeavour, meanwhile what did we offer in a far more winnable game?
Saturday was yet another embarrassment live on Sky. Whilst it may not have been the bloodbath we suffered at the hands of Leicester, if it wasn’t for McCarthy, it could’ve still been a heavy defeat against a team in worse form than us. At least we spared Pellegrini’s job for another week, as we did Marco Silva, so that they can go on and lose a few more games. I honestly dread to think what would have happened had Felipe Anderson played. As it was, it was up to Antonio to tear us a part, and that he did to devastating effect all game long. Yes, okay, so his goal was disallowed for a handball, but the way he ran through our midfield and defence and got such a powerful and clinical shot away unchallenged was laughable.
As was the defending for Fornal’s effort twenty seconds into the second half. And the defending that should’ve led to West Ham having a penalty. And the defending for Haller’s header that McCarthy got down well to. And then of course the goal itself…
West Ham should’ve won at least 3-0, and more wouldn’t have flattered them. It was another disgrace of a performance that really doesn’t come as a surprise anymore. The only surprise is at myself for thinking this season would be different. I look back at my Season Preview and just wonder what was I thinking when I wrote all of this?
The signings of Adams and Djenepo have bolstered our attack. The 22 year old [Adams] arrived at St Mary’s with welcome ambition of ‘we want to win the league.’
Okay, so Djenepo has had an impact, but I’d argue he’s regressed since his two goals at the start of the season. I haven’t lost faith in him and he’s still one of our best players, but I just don’t think this team is the right environment for him to develop and improve. We also need him to start doing the easy things right, his misses at The Emirates were costly. As for Adams, well I feel for him. The man management has been abysmal. He’s been frozen out bar five minute cameos where he can have no influence on the game, whilst he sits and watches Shane Long. I wouldn’t be surprised if he wanted a loan in January. It’s quite clear that with his winning the league comments, he was not sold the fact we’d be 18th in December after breaking records with how poor we’ve been.
Whether he [Danny Ings] is good business though remains debatable.
What was I on about? This man is the only player on that pitch that the fans can have any pride in, any affiliation to. He is carrying this club at the moment and was the only outfield player of ours trying to make something happen. With no support he hit the bar, post and had a goal ruled out on Saturday. If he doesn’t get the captain’s armband soon, rather than Højbjerg who blatantly is planning his next move, it’d be a travesty. After scoring twice in the Fratton end, and going on a five game scoring streak, he is becoming something of a Southampton hero.
The first big news for Saints yesterday was a contract extension for Nathan Redmond, which will see him stay at the club until 2023! I am delighted with this news and think he will go on and achieve even more this season.
I feel for Redmond. He is out of form, low on confidence and Ralph just keeps making him start. I get that Nathan was our saviour last season and played a big hand in keeping us up, but he’s visibly uncomfortable out there and needs to be taken out of the firing line. Hopefully Ralph has realised this hence why he pulled him at half time, but start him next week and his confidence will be even lower after Saturday. He’s certainly yet to make a telling contribution this season unfortunately.
We’re regaining our reputation of having an academy that provides a pathway into the first team… we’re now an attractive destination for exciting future talent.
Well I don’t know what’s happened to Ralph’s youth policy. Last season he oversaw the emergence of Yan Valery, a debut goal for Obafemi and even featured the likes of Kayne Ramsay. Now he seems to have no faith in academy products, despite them not being able to do any worse. In fact, they’d try, which is instantly an improvement on what’s currently being served up.
And so we got the centre back everyone had been calling for, and we needed it.
Oh yes, the centre back who is yet to play that position in the league, whilst we haven’t kept a clean sheet since September and have conceded the most home goals ever after 9 games in the Premier League. What was the point of signing him on loan if he is somehow worse than what we already have?
It could possibly be that match fitness becomes the difference, as well as an increase in mental strength. Last season saw too many dropped points in the last ten minutes. Confidence should have been bred by our preseason form – winning seems to have become a habit.
This one actually makes me cringe, I can’t believe I wrote those words. If anyone ever actually thought I knew what I was talking about… We look less fit and mentally weaker every week, whilst still dropping points on the regular.
The fun is back at St Mary’s.
I mean, how much more wrong could I get? The swathes of empty seats the last two games tell you everything you need to know, and I can’t see them becoming full any time soon. It seems fans have had enough, and who could blame them? Especially when you charge Category A prices for Everton and West Ham. We may make them look like Category A teams, but they’re not, they’re almost as poor as us. It’s just frankly unacceptable to not put effort in on that pitch, especially with the amount people are paying to attend. After the Chelsea game, the atmosphere came under fire, but frankly by us turning up every week they’re getting more support than their performances and attitudes warrant.
And yet, there will still be a load of us who travel up to Villa this week for another season defining match. In truth, we’ve already blown our chance to salvage the season this month, but a win would give us a bit of hope. Lose and that’s most likely that in my opinion. All I ask is that everyone does what they can to try and win. That includes Ralph who once again left the subs too late, didn’t manage the game and then even came out and admitted that West Ham’s style of play was a surprise to him… I don’t really know how he has a free pass and is getting away with this every week. Clearly, it’s not all on him, but we’ve seen what he’s able to get out of these players and he’s not managing to do so anymore. Lose on Saturday, and I really think his position is starting to become untenable.
I will be back next weekend with a look back at the vital clash at Villa Park and a preview to our festive fixtures. Make sure you subscribe to the blog so that you don’t miss out, and follow my Twitter @Owen_The_Saints.
Owen The Saints 