I doubt it’s anything to go with the trip in regards to flights etc as they came back Wednesday afternoon, so had 4 days back.I agree with the general opinion here and don't have much to add . Except this minor point .
The team looked knackered and slow. They are just back from their Barca trip. it could be argued that the Soton performance was similar to previous jaded post Europe ones . Even those who didn't play when out in Europe were often jaded too I remember.
Something about flights and travel tires players physically or mentally imo . Add to this that 2 players were out with flu , presumably caught on the trip (on the flights ?) and possibly others were affected by a virus in some way .
The wide open spaces for Soton to play in were surely due to our players being short of energy (physical and mental) .
Could it be that the Barca trip was an act of spectacular self harm ?
I agree with the general opinion here and don't have much to add . Except this minor point .
The team looked knackered and slow. They are just back from their Barca trip. it could be argued that the Soton performance was similar to previous jaded post Europe ones . Even those who didn't play when out in Europe were often jaded too I remember.
Something about flights and travel tires players physically or mentally imo . Add to this that 2 players were out with flu , presumably caught on the trip (on the flights ?) and possibly others were affected by a virus in some way .
The wide open spaces for Soton to play in were surely due to our players being short of energy (physical and mental) .
Could it be that the Barca trip was an act of spectacular self harm ?
Vorm 7
Aurier 5
Sanchez 5
Verts 7 MOM
Davies 6
Sissoko 4
Dier 5
Dembele 5
Dele 5
Son 5
Kane 6
Trips 5.5
Wanyama 4
Lamela 4
Poch 4
Awful performance. Subs did nothing to change the game.
An infuriating performance, players out there that aren't good enough and a manager who doesn't react quick enough when changes are required.
Then why start him? Start Lamela who was clearly alright!Id wager that Son was one of the ones suffering with this virus thing, no way he'd be coming off otherwise...surprising how many people aren't considering that possibility and blaming Poch.
He didn't look anywhere near the player he has been in the last month or so.
How do you know he was alright?Then why start him? Start Lamela who was clearly alright!
No he was notThen why start him? Start Lamela who was clearly alright!
I doubt it’s anything to go with the trip in regards to flights etc as they came back Wednesday afternoon, so had 4 days back.
Apparently some had the flu going out there. Kane missed most of the training due to it so it probably got passed around the squad.
Unfortunate
I think this match showed that we desperately need a CM version of Eriksen so that we can hopefully always have at least one on the pitch if not both. Dembele’s form has been more bad than good, Winks could be it but is struggling to get there, Sissoko is Sissoko and Dier/ Wanyama will always be there mainly to destroy.Im pretty sure Dele was nominally slated into Eriksen's space and Dembele was supposed to help out in this function. Both failed miserably. There was a massive disconnect between the back 6 and front 4 yesterday.