Southampton v Leeds Utd Match Thread - Harrison, Roberts and Struijk in for Phillips, Raphinha and Firpo

[WhiteRose]

Oh absolutely he shouldnt, i agree.

Many of this squad hit heights last season they were never likely to again

Forshaw was never very good in the first place never mind years of injuries later.

But Bielsa first and foremost got it wrong bringing him on, it was a highlight of MB's worst traits, of his stubbornness, of his fixation with must choose anyone from my 18 first.

Before the season started I had no doubt we wouldn’t follow sheffield united but seems we were more similar than we thought. Both had championship standard players playing well outside their usual ability who returned to type in the second season and we both have owners and managers stupid enough not to see it. We do have quality individuals sheff didn’t have and hopefully they will be enough to see us safe.

[60sUnited]

Cutting out all of the emotion and just looking at the facts of this game, imo we will definitely be in a relegation fight for the rest of the season but 17th place is what we will be fighting for with our wafer thin squad

[Leeds1000]

I just think we massively overachieved last season and as a club have been guilty of complacency in thinking that basically the same squad could achieve the same level.
Lack of proper investment will end up costing us badly.

After last season we may have attracted a certain type of player due to our good form and finish in the PL. It will be harder to attract a decent level of player after this season, especially if we do and i think its inevitable with Raph, maybe not Phillips lose our best 2 players.

You can't defend the players after a showing like that they will have to suck it up and prove themselves next week.

[Mick Jones shoulder]

I just think we massively overachieved last season and as a club have been guilty of complacency in thinking that basically the same squad could achieve the same level.
Lack of proper investment will end up costing us badly.

Got it in one

[60sUnited]

Also, I totally agree with cjay.....for a team losing 1-0and playing crap the decision to replace a forward with an unfit, match shy defensive midfielder suggests that the coach involved has lost his marbles !!

[Leeds1000]

Cutting out all of the emotion and just looking at the facts of this game, imo we will definitely be in a relegation fight for the rest of the season but 17th place is what we will be fighting for with our wafer thin squad

Its hard to disagree 60's after the start to the season. I don't know if the players just think they can turn up after last season. They better start rolling their sleeves up sooner rather than later.

[Ellandback1]

Ive given myself 20 minutes to calm down, and am ready to talk

If Bielsa won't or can't make a tactical change in formation to fit our team - get rid!

All player to be fined a weeks wages!

[BGwhite]

I love MB for what he has done but at times you can see why he has never moved on to the elite level.

He is to stubborn on certain things and to inflexible

The Forshaw for Rodrigo change was one of the most ludicrous subs i have ever seen by a team losing.

Bielsa has never had a clue regarding subs. How many times have we been here talking about his bewildering substitutions. Hate to say it but he is now taking us backwards and unless there is a massive improvement against a Wolves team who have turned the corner Bielsa can start counting the days down. That performance was championship at best regardless of how many players we had out, thank fook ward Prowse and Adams weren't playing for them. Ask Phillips....he will know what's coming from the fans if this isn't sorted !

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[SG90]

About as much as I expected given the team sheet. We can't use Raph as an excuse, as Rodrigo and James cost over £50m and offer nothing. If some still can't see we're in a relegation scrap, they are delusional.

[SG90]

Livramento same age as Bate, yet Bate apparently isn't better than Forshaw.

[BGwhite]

Also, I totally agree with clay.....for a team losing 1-0and playing crap the decision to replace a forward with an unfit, match shy defensive midfielder suggests that the coach involved has lost his marbles !!

Thank god for that.... thought it was me for a minute

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[SG90]

I just think we massively overachieved last season and as a club have been guilty of complacency in thinking that basically the same squad could achieve the same level.
Lack of proper investment will end up costing us badly.

Only took 8 games for people to notice! A few of us said this all summer and got called negative.

[whiteswan]

I just think we massively overachieved last season and as a club have been guilty of complacency in thinking that basically the same squad could achieve the same level.
Lack of proper investment will end up costing us badly.

To be fair, some supporters thought the same thing close season....I do agree with you

[Cjay]

Before the season started I had no doubt we wouldn’t follow sheffield united but seems we were more similar than we thought. Both had championship standard players playing well outside their usual ability who returned to type in the second season and we both have owners and managers stupid enough not to see it. We do have quality individuals sheff didn’t have and hopefully they will be enough to see us safe.

I was concerned all summer tbh, thought you could see the issues a mile off hence why the club needed a bit of an overhaul.

The worst thing you can do at the top level is consolidate because by its very definition you stand still.

The top level doesn't stand still.

[danhirons]

Also, I totally agree with clay.....for a team losing 1-0and playing crap the decision to replace a forward with an unfit, match shy defensive midfielder suggests that the coach involved has lost his marbles !!

Not necessarily because it involved pushing other players up into more attacking positions. It was a good idea to get someone on in cdm since we couldnt transition the ball from defence to attack well, but unfortunately forshaw didn't really do any better

[1964white]

No depth

And there lies are problem.

[1964white]

I know it seems weird due to our performance, but Southampton are actually poor, they have just worked their socks off and managed to beat us at our own game.

True, as simple as that

[WhiteRose]

I’ve asked this before and people answered no as he seemed to be able to get a tune out of this squad but personally I think there are signs that’s now ebbed away and his bemusing decisions and playing players clearly out of form is now damaging us. So should we say time to go Marcelo?

[1964white]

I love MB for what he has done but at times you can see why he has never moved on to the elite level.

He is to stubborn on certain things and to inflexible

The Forshaw for Rodrigo change was one of the most ludicrous subs i have ever seen by a team losing.

Bielsa will tell us it's all about the team evolving

[Overman]

The signs were all there pre-season. We look disjointed as a side, lacking creativity or penetration, and more worryingly, we look tired at this early stage. I hear posters refer to MB as stubborn, but at times, I think it's more about his inability to think outside of the box or adapt to each game accordingly. Our Champsionship cohort are looking exactly like Championship players. Our complacency over the summer is costing us and Radzs' (validated by MB) with delusional belief that this squad would be good enough to sustain the momentum of last season.