Soton (A)

[red_maradona]

--------------Mignolet-----------------
Flanno--Skrtel--Agger--Johnson
---------------Gerrard----------------
--------Allen----------Hendo--------
-Sterling----Suarez----Sturridge

yeah - I would go with that, shame Coutinho is not in, but away from home we can't keep expecting our strikers to bail us out, plus he could come and change the game. If push comes to shove, there might be a case for resting sterling and putting coutinho there.

 

[Whirly]

Maybe there's something in the water here, but I think Kolo is absolutely fine for us.

He's been extremely solid outside of two ridiculous moments. I can chalk up a stupid pass and a miskick to "shit happens", and put him into my first team.

Skrtel can't mark corners, Agger can't defend, Sakho's broken. Maybe there's something missing for me, but I just don't understand all the negative sentiment to Kolo, people saying he shouldn't see another minute for the rest of the season for us, isn't a premier league quality defender, and so on.

Two moments of madness, both unlucky, shouldn't define his body of work this season, which is arguably the best among our central defenders, bar a healthy Sakho. And it's not like you can criticize his attitude or intangibles either, those are some of his most important qualities.

For me anyways, it definitely feels like Kolo's had fewer fatal errors than our other CB's. Just unlucky that he's gotten burned twice in such a short period.

 

[mark1975]

Maybe there's something in the water here, but I think Kolo is absolutely fine for us.

He's been extremely solid outside of two ridiculous moments. I can chalk up a stupid pass and a miskick to "shit happens", and put him into my first team.

Skrtel can't mark corners, Agger can't defend, Sakho's broken. Maybe there's something missing for me, but I just don't understand all the negative sentiment to Kolo, people saying he shouldn't see another minute for the rest of the season for us, isn't a premier league quality defender, and so on.

Two moments of madness, both unlucky, shouldn't define his body of work this season, which is arguably the best among our central defenders, bar a healthy Sakho. And it's not like you can criticize his attitude or intangibles either, those are some of his most important qualities.

For me anyways, it definitely feels like Kolo's had fewer fatal errors than our other CB's. Just unlucky that he's gotten burned twice in such a short period.

No, no, no. He's faded away and gone shit, as predicted. Well, as predicted after it was said he was completely shit and a "terrible player", which was then backtracked upon after he started the season and played for months as our best central defender.

 

[Modo]

No, no, no. He's faded away and gone shit, as predicted. Well, as predicted after it was said he was completely shit and a "terrible player", which was then backtracked upon after he started the season and played for months as our best central defender.

he did? Well that changes everything.

 

[Frogfish]

Said for a while that I think Sakho (LCB) - Toure (RCB) is our best pairing but that Toure is not as convincing in the LCB slot as when he plays on the right.

 

[Glock21]

--------------Mignolet-----------------
Flanno--Skrtel--Agger--Johnson
---------------Gerrard----------------
--------Allen----------Hendo--------
-Sterling----Suarez----Sturridge

Yup lets play with the back four that almost got us beaten....bloody hell!

 

[Brizzle]

Maybe there's something in the water here, but I think Kolo is absolutely fine for us.

He's been extremely solid outside of two ridiculous moments. I can chalk up a stupid pass and a miskick to "shit happens", and put him into my first team.

Skrtel can't mark corners, Agger can't defend, Sakho's broken. Maybe there's something missing for me, but I just don't understand all the negative sentiment to Kolo, people saying he shouldn't see another minute for the rest of the season for us, isn't a premier league quality defender, and so on.

Two moments of madness, both unlucky, shouldn't define his body of work this season, which is arguably the best among our central defenders, bar a healthy Sakho. And it's not like you can criticize his attitude or intangibles either, those are some of his most important qualities.

For me anyways, it definitely feels like Kolo's had fewer fatal errors than our other CB's. Just unlucky that he's gotten burned twice in such a short period.

It is more than just those 2 moments. He has absolutely zero aerial presence, which has led to goals from players getting unopposed headers (e.g. Lukaku). He is often holding a different line to other defenders which leads to extra pressure in the box. For a 4th choice, he has been a good person to have in the squad due to the number of injuries we have had but there is no way he is worthy of a starting place when 2 of Agger, Sakho or Skrtel are around.

Yes - the others also have their weaknesses, but when they don't make their own "shit happens" errors then they perform to a higher standard than Kolo.

 

[Mystic]

Kolo is our fourth choice centre back, and as a fourth choice centre back I think he's very good.

 

[Frogfish]

Yes - the others also have their weaknesses, but when they don't make their own "shit happens" errors then they perform to a higher standard than Kolo.

Is this why Kolo (19 games) is getting such high rankings in our MoM voting then ? He's currently 6th in the table with 2 MoM awards and 3 Runners up. Skrtel (25 games) is just 6 points ahead of him having played 6 games more. Agger (13 games) is 15th with just 1 single point from a 3rd place vote.

It seems when people vote for MoM they vote on what they have just seen but when it comes to debating on the forum they forget the actual performances (bar the high profile errors) and the heart takes over and with Skrtel and Agger having a number of ardent supporters on here the facts fly out of the window.

 

[Hansern]

It is more than just those 2 moments. He has absolutely zero aerial presence, which has led to goals from players getting unopposed headers (e.g. Lukaku). He is often holding a different line to other defenders which leads to extra pressure in the box. For a 4th choice, he has been a good person to have in the squad due to the number of injuries we have had but there is no way he is worthy of a starting place when 2 of Agger, Sakho or Skrtel are around.

Yes - the others also have their weaknesses, but when they don't make their own "shit happens" errors then they perform to a higher standard than Kolo.

Toure didnt play against Lukaku though

 

[Brizzle]

Is this why Kolo (19 games) is getting such high rankings in our MoM voting then ? He's currently 6th in the table with 2 MoM awards and 3 Runners up. Skrtel (25 games) is just 6 points ahead of him having played 6 games more. Agger (13 games) is 15th with just 1 single point from a 3rd place vote.

It seems when people vote for MoM they vote on what they have just seen but when it comes to debating on the forum they forget the actual performances (bar the high profile errors) and the heart takes over and with Skrtel and Agger having a number of ardent supporters on here the facts fly out of the window.

I'm not an ardent supporter of either - in a perfect world none of Skrtel, Agger or Toure will be our starting CBs as they are too error prone.

Apologies for not consulting the MOM thread before stating my own opinion.

 

[Brizzle]

Toure didnt play against Lukaku though

I'm sure it was Lukaku... There was a headed goal we conceded when someone just took a step to the side against Toure who was unable to jump off the ground. If it wasn't Lukaku, then apologies for that reference but it was 100% Toure who was the defender.

 

[SummerOnions]

I'm sure it was Lukaku... There was a headed goal we conceded when someone just took a step to the side against Toure who was unable to jump off the ground. If it wasn't Lukaku, then apologies for that reference but it was 100% Toure who was the defender.

Crouch?

 

[Frogfish]

I'm not an ardent supporter of either - in a perfect world none of Skrtel, Agger or Toure will be our starting CBs as they are too error prone.

Apologies for not consulting the MOM thread before stating my own opinion.

The second paragraph wasn't aimed at you specifically or indeed at all. It was a general comment on the feeling on this forum.

Yep you should have taken a good look at it before solidifying your opinion - happy you recognise that now 😀

 

[Brizzle]

Crouch?

Not sure I would have mistaken Crouch for Lukaku but you could be right 😛

 

[TheRedCrusade]

He gets a FAR easier ride than other defenders. That's just a fact. Other defenders would be pilloried for what he's judged to be 'a little rough around the edges'. Indulge him as a cult figure all you like, but don't tell me what my eyes can see. He's got loads to improve.

agreed, again the same it has to do more with coaching and stuff that we can improve our defense. Sakho or anyone as hoped/expected wont be a solution to the actual problem we are facing

 

[RolandG]

We need Sakho in the thick of things at the back and also need to tighten up in the midfield. Let Suarez play through the middle and get a badly needed goal to break his drought. Sturridge can be equally effective from the wing and on counter-attack.

This will be a true test of character. A win away at St. Mary's will fuel title ambitions. Its exactly what the doctor ordered.

 

[TheRedCrusade]

He was off the boil last game so I can understand some decisions to drop him. Add to that Allen having a good game.

Retention is the most important part against saints.

I am not sure about retention, mostly away from home we anyways play the counter attacking game so this game can be a good example where we can do what we did against Arsenal cunts and nevertonians, for that purpose i will start with Coutinho and alter might introduce Allen to cool down the things

 

[SummerOnions]

BR: The spotlight on Daniel Agger has been unfair this week. We made the change and we won the game. No different because he’s a defender
BR: Agger has been outstanding in training this week. He will play on Saturday - there’s no question about that.

 

[Modo]

 

[Modo]

Sakho and Lucas are back in training. Seems like Lucas did some light training though.
Trickett-Smith also training with the first team. Hence why he didn't play for the U21s today.
Teixeira as well.

Sakho could be on the bench on Saturday.

 

[mark1975]

Good stuff. A few options coming back at the perfect time.

 

[StevieM]

Agger (13 games) is 15th with just 1 single point from a 3rd place vote.

I refuse to believe KHL has only voted once for Agger this season.... and 3rd place at that.

Lies, I tell ya... lies.

 

[SummerOnions]

Sakho and Lucas are back in training. Seems like Lucas did some light training though.
Trickett-Smith also training with the first team. Hence why he didn't play for the U21s today.
Teixeira as well.

Sakho could be on the bench on Saturday.

your pics don't work Modo

Is Trickett-Smith rated?

 

[gene hughes]

Wanky name.

 

[the count]

We're going to win.
By at least two goals I reckon.

 

[Modo]

your pics don't work Modo

Is Trickett-Smith rated?

Are you using Netscape as your default browser?

 

[SummerOnions]

Are you using Netscape as your default browser?

safari

im blaming you cos i can't blame steve jobs

 

[FoxForceFive]

safari

im blaming you cos i can't blame steve jobs

Get a proper computer/tablet. 😉

 

[Dreambeliever]

Is this why Kolo (19 games) is getting such high rankings in our MoM voting then ? He's currently 6th in the table with 2 MoM awards and 3 Runners up. Skrtel (25 games) is just 6 points ahead of him having played 6 games more. Agger (13 games) is 15th with just 1 single point from a 3rd place vote.

It seems when people vote for MoM they vote on what they have just seen but when it comes to debating on the forum they forget the actual performances (bar the high profile errors) and the heart takes over and with Skrtel and Agger having a number of ardent supporters on here the facts fly out of the window.

Kolo was our best defender for the first 5 months of the season and anyone that can't see that is blind.