Nice to read a bit of honesty for a change. I was expecting to come on and say well that was a load of sh*t and have half a dozen posters argue the toss and look for excuses again. That's three games on the trot now where we have been awful. It's alarming.
We were poor tonight. Very poor actually. I don't even think Southampton played particularly well either, I just think we were that bad. We were clueless going forward and we weren't exactly solid at the back either where we? Whenever Southampton broke on the counter I thought they were going to score. Don't get me wrong they are no mugs and they have a decent little team down there but I just felt we made it too easy for them. We were lucky to come away with a 1-0 loss, it could have been worse.
We're really struggling at the moment but obviously we've got half a team out. We're missing matip, hendo, coutinho and mane who are all massive players for us. We have to make do with what we've got available for the time being and just hope we can grind some results out because if we don't, our season could be over in a matter of weeks.
It's noticeable just how much we miss Hendo and Mane. Without them we have nowhere near the same levels of energy or pace and it's quite worrying. We need to either find players to fill their roles properly or have a change of tactics/set up because it's not working at the moment.
It didn't work playing Lallana further up field. For all of the work rate and stamina he has, he lacks speed. I'm a big fan of Sturridge but he was a massive let down tonight, he didn't want to get involved or be there it seemed. We need to go with a whole different attack on Sunday.
Agree with others that having both can and Lucas in the midfield didn't work either. I actually thought Lucas did alright. Can on the other hand I thought was atrocious. I've been saying for a while he isn't good enough for us and tonight was just more evidence of that for me. Similar to Moreno, people are fooled that there is a player in him somewhere because he's quick, energetic and runs around like a headless chicken but in all honesty he is just garbage. I've said before I think his best position is actually at the back and I wouldn't mind having him as cover for clyne or the RCB possibly, but I don't want to see him start in our midfield again.
Special mention to karius who I thought kept us in the game. I was premature giving my motm vote to coutinho, if I had a proper think about it then karius is the only player tonight worthy of the vote. Phil did well when he came on though even if he was rusty. Atleast he looked like he wanted to get on the ball and make something happen.
Moving forward, we need to bring the pressing that has been so effective for us this season back into our game. It has been missing the last few games and we don't look like the same team. So although it's a dangerous gamble, I'd bring Moreno into the team and push Milner into midfield. Moreno has a mistake in him but I don't see any other solution for the time being. We need three energetic midfielders and three energetic forwards. Jürgen has to risk coutinho too in my opinion, bring him off in the second half if he's suffering.
Mignolet
Clyne
Lovren
Klavan
Moreno
Milner
Wijnaldum
Lallana
Firmino
Coutinho
Origi
I'd go with this team as often as possible until the others are back.
We need a result on Sunday. I'd take a draw right now if I'm honest and I wouldn't have said that 4 weeks or so ago.
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