itsbeautifuloutside

Southampton 3

• Puncheon 7'
• Davis 22'
• Barry 48' OG

The Beast (AKA Crash), covered this far better than I could have done, before I had even got home from the match!

channonite

Match Report

As you will know if you read my postings before the game I was a little worried about this, mainly because we had three first choice defenders out (I thought). Then, I got to the ground and eventually saw the team sheets, there were surprises on both sides (at least for me).

Fox was playing instead of Shaw, not really a surprise there as Batts saw him wandering about in West Quay before the game and reported to us beauties the same, Clyne was playing which was more than a relief to me and Ramirez had been replaced by Davis, not sure what to make of that but I was willing to give it a go.

My biggest surprise though came with the revelation held within the Manchester city team sheet, that being that they actually only needed three defenders and a jobbing midfielder to hold us at bay, it was at that point that I announced to the entire bobby Stokes that we would smash them and Mancini was a twat for not doing even basic research onus.

There was a few raised eyebrows but let’s see what the players did?

Player Ratings:

Boruc: I like mad Arthur, did I say that before? Anyway, he is looking fitter, still doesn’t exactly fly across his goalmouth but certainly does the job and looks the part that we hoped he would. Apart from the goal, where actually I didn’t think he could have done much more (although I couldn’t really see it clearly I admit), I thought he was very good and his defenders look like they know they can rely on him which is half the job done for a goalkeeper. Not really very tested but when he was, in my opinion, did well enough and was even seriously cheeky without putting us in danger. 7/10, feck Butland, We’ve Got Mad Arthur!

Yoshida: This guy was superb today, a real candidate from man of the match, quick, smart, percentage defensive football at its best, no chances taken and no significant feck ups. He really gets going when he runs, I don’t think I really realised until today the fact that this guy is quite quick. Uses both feet and is aggressive and intelligent, his passing is also getting significantly better and he made some very useful and accurate passes up from the back during this game. 9/10, looking more comfortable with Jos and I think, contrary to popular belief, could prove to be our buy of the season.

Hooiveld: Did really well today, didn’t look fazed and coped very well, made a couple of very excellent tackles and looked much more like the Jos we all remember from last year. Saying that, this was agame that suited him, he is obviously one of those defenders that plays well against certain types of forwards, it worked for him today and a really good 8/10.

Clyne: I was incredibly glad to see his name on the team sheet and, after watching Richardson flap about (to be fair to Richardson, he has had very little, if any,first-team football this year and he is clearly not quite on the pace) on the right wing after Foxy got injured I was even more glad. Much more determined and attacking, working very well with puncheon and generally being that extra offensive player that our system demands he is, very good 8/10, especially for swapping over to the left and, with the help of lallana, keeping the Brazilian right back quiet for the last 20 minutes.

Fox: Initially looked a bit hesitant, not particularly unexpected with his lack of first-team football, a couple of times played us into trouble but pretty much help to get us out of it again so I will let him off as I’m sure he’s trying to impress with the absence of Shaw.Generally, because he was left on his own against sometimes three city players(I’m looking at you Rodriguez) I think he did okay, a real shame he pulled up and I hope it’s not too serious as we have no real idea about when Shaw might get back. 7/10, he would have got an eight if he had finished the game in the same way he started the second half.

Puncheon: Did brilliantly, made his own goal by robbing a dithering city player and then capitalising on a series of defensive feck ups (much more Southampton-esque than city-esque, at least I’m sure it will be when the TV pundits have finished describing it). Provides much more defensive cover than Rodriguez on the other side, consequently also making Clyne and the right side of our defence happy bunnies. 8/10, really good and only substituted because he was clearly knackered.

Steve Davis: Started relatively anonymously and then began to get into the game, I can’t help watching him and thinking he’s a player whose game would benefit from him being at least 6 foot but, his lack of aerial prowess notwithstanding, did very well and gobbled up that little Joe Hart cock up nicely. Still room for improvement but a reasonably effective Ramirez substitute, which surprised me mightily I have to say.

Schneiderlin: Started off like a feather duster,that lasted about three minutes and then he was just great. There is no way the quality of this guy is going to stay quiet for very much longer, I would be massively surprised if we didn’t receive some serious bids for him in the summer whichever league we’re playing in, and the way he’s playing and the way we’re playing it will be the premier league that’s for sure. I thought he was slightly less influential than I have seen him but, by no means the weak link in our midfield. 8/10, I’m starting to get behind the idea maybe he should be the captain, he was much more voluble to the execrable referee than Rickie was the entire game, Morgan for captain I say.

Cork: days like today make me remember the beginning of the season and the lack of dynamism Southampton exhibited, what a bonus to have a player like this in our midfield, if he could only look even vaguely like he could score a goal he would be first on the team sheet for England let alone anyone else. Very very good, very very effective and, despite obviously being nearly out on his feet at the end, still running and closing down whenever he could. 9/10, ineffective in places but just so influential in our entire game, man of the match for me.

Possession

• Southampton 51%
• Man City 49%

Shots

• Southampton 13
• ManCity 7

On target

• Southampton 7
• Man City 4

Corners

• Southampton 6
• Man City 6

Fouls

• Southampton 9
• Man City 13