Quote Originally Posted by Omegstrat6 View Post
That's very true Boingy, but stats don't tell the whole story and I think Tipp might be referencing some of the woeful defending in some games that have cost us. I know that all players make mistakes but we do seem to have had our share of poor positioning, lack of awareness and sloppy or hospital passes at times this season. If we're to make any progress in the play offs we'll need to cut out any silly mistakes.

As for individual players, Bartley-and even Kipre-have had their off days but have generally been very solid and personally I think that Furlong and Townsend have been better than others have rated them. It's true that they seem better going forward than they are defensively but both have made important tackles and interceptions at the back. Reach too has begun to show why Carlos clearly rates him.

Sometimes I think that the current fad for playing out from the back and too much tippy-tappy football doesn't help either. Much prefer long passes (when we get it right&#128512 which I thought we did quite well with on Saturday.

As someone else recently pointed out, full backs are required to do more than just defend these days and, to be fair, both of ours -Furlong particularly-have been quite effective going forward and helping to create chances. On the other hand maybe this style of play almost inevitably leads to greater vulnerability at the back?

When we get it right, which we mostly did against PNE, we play some nice football on the deck. S'hampton will make it harder for us to do this than Preston but if everyone is on form and plays as we know they can do then there is no reason that all 3 points on Sunday shouldn't be ours.

Good post Omeg and yes at times Furlong has been great but on other occasions sloppy. Townsend is ok apart from quality sides and wingers and then he’s poor. The point you make is a good one though - look at Leicester where we played excellent but their 2nd goal was shocking when Townsend switched off and a smaller 37 year old Vardy was allowed to out jump Furlong.

The point being and you have made - any mistakes against a quality Southampton side will be punished. Equally - any east chances need to be converted. Cut out mistakes - convert easy chances and we can win!