It was fine when we had Mane!!
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Look at the chances created and I think it tells us that we simply haven’t been clinical.
The system isn’t the issue. The execution has been the problem.
This might not be popular, but I’d also suggest Claude’s teams created chances too.
Also, systems give you a framework but don’t limit or govern the speed at which you can transition between phases of play.
We are often too slow to capitalise on transitions in the game.
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Agreed, he’s a quality player.
Imo, I’d have him over Coutinho any day.
Any team would be worse off for losing him, and it’s always going to be hard for mid-table clubs like us to consistently replace such quality with like-for-like replacements.
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Claude’s team definitely created chances. However, I would argue that they were not that often that clear cut by virtue of the speed (or lack there of) within which we attacked. If you think about it, a ‘chance’ is generally easier when an opposition is exposed or does not have sufficient men back for cover. By definition there is more space and possibilities (borrowed from Claude) for the attacker. Or when our players are running in to empty space as opposed to a congested box with men behind the ball.
Let’s leave Mane out of this for the moment as we are clearly all in agreement over how good he was/is.
With Koeman we did a hell of a lot more counter attacking than we did last season. That was another reason why Shane Long had a great second half to that season. The team and style of play was geared up to counter attack quickly. The home games against Arsenal, Man City and Chelsea away immediately spring to mind.
When he played for Claude he was constantly playing with his back to goal because our build up play was so slow. It was evident to me that he wanted to instil a very calm approach and transition was too cautious and slow.
Bringing Mane back in to the equation, perhaps the fact that we have not replaced his speed and directness has meant that playing in such a counter attack minded way is not so feasible or effective.
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If the rumours are true it was the players, not just the fans, who requested we revert to 4-2-3-1. Citing a system they were more comfortable with.
Certainly did. Most shots in a game since man u in 2003.
“Even when Puel’s team tore through Burnley in October and fired off 34 shots – more than any other Premier League team in any match since 2003 – they managed to win only 3-1.”
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Its not the system. Our biggest problem is not being able to hit a barn door with the proverbial banjo - sort that and the world’s our mollusc.
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Some of us are busy earning money to pay bills.
… and Pelle 
Pay Bill’s what exactly? Cosmetic analplasty?
Poch has got a plan B. He’s called Gazzaniga.
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If players are getting chances and missing them it is not the system that is missing the chances it is the players, that’s obvious.
We don’t appear to have an identity when we play, or if we do ie wing play with balls sliding in from angles then we’re barking up the wrong tree with what quality we have, Tadic and Redmond?
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So once again yesterday we set up in 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 and once again failed to provide any signs that we are a cohesive unit.
I read all those “mantra’s” you know stuff like Repeating the same thing over again and expecting a different result is a definition of insanity. But surely a run of what 8, 9, 10 games now? pretty much the same results?
We as fans all questioned JWP’s selection as #10. We as fans all questioned Steve Davis being picked as a DM.
What is NOT being answered is WHY? - Yeah we are ALL DISAPPOINTED BLAH BLAH, LEARN LESSONS, BLAH BLAH BUT WE DON’T.
Now my point when I opened this thread was not to critique MP (or Puel for that matter), it was to raise the question WHY?
Is Steve Davis so inexperienced and “quiet/shy” that he doesn’t turn round and say “But I’m not very good in that role boss”.
Would any of us enter a Sprinter into a Grand National? Surely not.
When we are short 1 DM (Lemina - Jet Lag/Long Trip, yes I understand that) WHY would you put our only proven AM into a DM role?
The ONLY possible answer is that the club have decided that the SYSTEM is EVERYTHING. Not MP, THE CLUB.
Why else line up 4 - 2- 3 fucking 1? Why not line up 4 - 1 - 4 - 1 or (pray every Saints Fan everywhere - Four Four Fucking Two) at home.
SURELY The Manager must be allowed to put Round Pegs in round holes. Because JWP will NEVER be a #10 and it was Embarrassing to watch Gabbi have to point to tell him where he should be during the 1st half.
Either MP is even more clueless than Claude, OR something in the club is forcing him to play “The Southampton Way”
Yesterday was more than a poor defeat, poor performance. It was players clearly out of position and it simply MUST NOT CONTINUE.
Something is wrong. I think someone is trying to force a “Game Plan / Play Book” mentality on our team
I am very worried now. Not meltdown worried but I think we are losing our Soul on that pitch.
The old dilemma : abandon arguably the best most versatile system because the players are not able to deliver it or coach the players to deliver it which takes longer?
My preference is for the latter because it eventually gives you succession, but currently what re really lack is the ‘general’ playing as one of the ‘2’ to provide a combination of direction and creativity.
I say sell VVD to the twats in red for 80mil, and spunk 100mil on Toni Kroos - you know it makes sense! 
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I’m with you on a lot of this Phil, you have to wonder.
As much as I like Les Reed, he did write the book on coaching and tactics for the FA back in the day and look where its got England. I’d like to think he doesn’t get too involved in ‘on the pitch’ footballing matters but when you keep seeing the same broken, unadventurous game plan, with out of form players still getting picked week after week regardless, it seems strange that 2 managers now, haven’t tried something different.
Not read the article but the headline caught my eye
I chuckled at people questioning why we let JayRod go.
The truth is we could have played Jimmy Greaves, Dixie Dean and Ian Rush up front against Watford, but if you never give them the ball they won’t manage a shot between them.
Surely we just need to use a system where we find Gabbiadini and Austin some space and service?
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Nail on head. Gabbi (and Austin) have shown they can score goals if given the right service. Our one goal from open play this season came when Redmond found Gabbi running into space (ok he was only up against Fonte but it still worked).
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I posted a stat from the Fail in the Match Thread earlier - Gabbi touched the ball 10 times while he was on the pitch - of those were kick offs.
To be honest Messi/Suarez/Ibra wouldn’t be able to score for us with that type of support.
Are we no longer fit enough to press? Watford pressed us all game and strangled us to death.
Is that only an “Away Team Thing” now?