Southampton 0-1 West Ham Utd (14/12/19)

[richneal]

Regardless of the result, the first half was the best we've performed this season by a country mile.

1. 4-4-2 looked much better

2. Haller much better with Antonio - I think every poster on this site was calling for this a couple of weeks ago? On today's evidence there's not a striker in the prem that wouldn't have looked better alongside Antonio.

Let me tell you something you already know: Antonio was the difference, an outstanding performance in which everyone this side of Neptune correctly names him as MOTM. We could perhaps criticise his first touch (nothing new there) but he was an absolute nightmare for the Soton back four and most of their midfield.

Always great to scrape a win and certainly rode our luck in the second half - all my prayers to the Footballing Gods of The Woodwork obviously helped. Shane Long looked excellent and was IMHO unlucky not to get one in the back of the net.

Points to ponder:
1. The opposition. We can only play what's in front of us but that was an awful Soton first half performance, nearly as bad as L'Arse first half
2. Failure to score a second in the first half could have come back to haunt us - something like 12 points we've dropped from winning positions so far this season?
3. Unforced errors in midfield 2nd half - Rice, Noble and Sanchez - could have cost us dearly against stronger opposition

[OFT]

That was our 17th EPL win over Southampton, more than against any other opponent.

Dear Santa.. ignore my letter, well The Southampton bit, keep them up for us please

[Johnny Byrne's Boots]

Spotted this, skimming through Saintsweb

I remember Antonio playing for us on the wing (in League 1?). At the time he was young and the general consensus was that he had pace but not enough skill or strength. What an improvement. Shame he couldn't have done it through our coaching system.

They also thought it was certainly a penalty.

[Paolopaul]

Turns out i was wrong about not wanting fornals to play - thought he had a decent game and did well setting up the goal.

Antonio is by far our best player though. Outside shout for England at the euros?

[Mikloskosglovebag]

I would take Antonio ahead of Kane to the Euros. Such a weapon of a player. Fornal does like to be in those right places in the box, still hard to find his position.

[stu1]

Injured I think.

He was ill apparently.

How would Anderson fit in to 4-4-2, I don’t think he does.

[S-H]

I would take Antonio ahead of Kane to the Euros. Such a weapon of a player. Fornal does like to be in those right places in the box, still hard to find his position.

Steady.

[Graza]

Antonio is by far our best player though. Outside shout for England at the euros?

I hope not we all know what happens to our players at international level. Plus Southgate wouldn't want him, in fairness with Stirling, Sancho et Al we are stacked on the wings.

On the game, ****ing bull**** not to get that first half pen - this is what VAR is supposed to be for. Haller finished really well for his goal. Composed and full of effort first half, was good to see. Second half they were fighting a bit harder and we were sitting a bit more. Antonio really unlucky on the handball, to the letter of the law it was, but his hands were in a neutral, natural position and I don't know what else he could have done. Then we got lucky twice with one cannoned of the bar and one chalked off for a pretty tame free kick - given how tame the Antonio handball was I fell ok about it, not to mention the ****ing pen. Martin could be a worry for the next game :cry: or he learnt something from the Arse on Monday?

Antonio makes our team work, the pace, power and fight he injects makes life so much easier for everyone else - which is why Arnie made us look better, he did all that too. But Haller also showed what he can do with a bit of ****ing support, long may it continue.

Got to say though those last two subs... It's like Pellers wanted the pay off.

[Moxy]

My son was born today at 14.19 this afternoon and West Ham got an away win, life doesn’t get much better than that.

[OFT]

My son was born today at 14.19 this afternoon and West Ham got an away win, life doesn’t get much better than that.

That's fantastic. Many congratulations Moxy

[Eggs'n'nuts]

My son was born today at 14.19 this afternoon and West Ham got an away win, life doesn’t get much better than that.

Nice one Moxy.

Overchuffed for you mate.

[Graza]

He was ill apparently.

How would Anderson fit in to 4-4-2, I don’t think he does.

In any of the positions. He has recently looked better as the advanced midfielder, but he also has a range of passing that would make him dangerous in the middle. He also does more defensive work than he gets credit for because he can be inconstant with it, but in a team pulling together and putting more in together I think he'd shine more.

[Johnny Byrne's Boots]

My son was born today at 14.19 this afternoon and West Ham got an away win, life doesn’t get much better than that.

Congratulations!

Is he to be Michail or Antonio

[Graza]

My son was born today at 14.19 this afternoon and West Ham got an away win, life doesn’t get much better than that.

I think what you are saying is that you need to knock up a bird every week and we'll be perfect win record champions?

I mean it's worth a try right?

Enjoy the win and baby.

[S-H]

My son was born today at 14.19 this afternoon and West Ham got an away win, life doesn’t get much better than that.

Congratulations Moxy!

[Blow Bubbles]

In any of the positions. He has recently looked better as the advanced midfielder, but he also has a range of passing that would make him dangerous in the middle. He also does more defensive work than he gets credit for because he can be inconstant with it, but in a team pulling together and putting more in together I think he'd shine more.

Looked great at 10, agreed. But that ain’t a 2 man midfield though. He’d have to play wide, but does he do the Snodgrass job? (Yes, I did just say that... )

[vietnammer]

Congrats Moxy!

[61dicksey]

Congratulations Moxy , life is good

[hayzelden]

Congratulations Moxy, thought Antonio was immense today, also a big shout to Fornals, Haller , oggy & Balbuena

[Grovellini1972]

Don't be a stranger. Safe journey to you and everyone travelling home.

Thanks!