Agreed, and in a sense, a review of the minutiae of the game could be considered a little harsh in light of all the team did right. Big Vic looked like he is growing into the vacancy left by Schneiderlin. I’m not declaring equivalency, but I am seeing a player that is wearing the extra responsiblity well.
I’ve still got doubts about Stekelenburg, but no doubt that he’s ahead of Davis, who God love him, gave me the shivers most time he played in the Premier League. Since Poch notched up his first win against a big club, I’ve always felt that Saints are a team that can beat anyone on their day - something that continued with Koeman.
That confidence evaporated whenever our first choice keeper was unavailable, but I’m definitely not feeling the jitters I used to. A good acquisition on the evidence so far.
Mané still has the ability to frustrate and delight in equal measure, but the frustrations are becoming fewer. The only concern about him is his reputation for going down easy. Deserved, on the basis of some evidence.
VVD is going to be huge. Great to see him score what is going to be the first of many. For the sort of player he is, an emerging goalscoring centre back, he really couldn’t have a better mentor than Koeman. I loved his goal, and he’s pretty nifty at free kicks too. Lots to be excited about here.
Bertrand was back and immediately made a difference. Only going to get better with games, and with Shaw and Baines both out of the squad on long term injuries, he’s got every reason to up his game with a view to getting established in the national side.
Pelle’s just awesome. I’ve watched that bloke play week after week, and even when the end product deserts him, the industry and the work for the team have never lacked. It’s all still there, and goals are again a regular feature.
Tadic seems to be in much better form than he was for large parts of last season.
The Norwich win was nice, but it was always tainted by the fact that they had a man sent off. The three points were welcome, but we still had no idea when we’d get a win against eleven men. The Man United game was disappointing, especially their period of complete dominance, but mostly because we’d already proved we could compete.
The team is slowly working out how to operate without Morgan and with some of the new players. If Koeman’s beef was about the pressure not being applied all game, I can totally understand that, especially in the context of the Man United game, which was lost as much by complacency as it was Martial’s brilliance.
The team is not at its best yet, but I think an understanding is starting to develop. We scored three goals in open play and triumphed in a game where the ref was awarding fouls against us throughout. All things considered, encouraging.