Southampton Game

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Be interesting to see if Llorente gets any game time

[spaldy]

Really hope he doesn't end up another forshaw but afraid that might be the case. do think he's a better player than forshaw if he ever gets healthy.

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

Really hope he doesn't end up another forshaw but afraid that might be the case. do think he's a better player than forshaw if he ever gets healthy.

If he can stay fit he looks like he could be a very good player - reads the game, can defend including in the air, passes well and comfortable on the ball - fingers crossed!

[WTF11]

It would be great if Llorente was able get, and stay, fit.

What I genuinely don't understand is why we persist in getting players in who have a history of injury (Llorentes playing record was clear and publicly available). We spent millions on getting Costa/Roberts in, or under new contracts, and they have contributed next to f00k all, so why not apply just a little common sense and use funds like that to acquire players who have a strong, consistent and reliable playing record?

I know there are no guarantees of continued good health, one tackle can end a career, but surely it makes sense to start out form a position of good health and regular game time?

[hopelesslyoptimistic]

It would be great if Llorente was able get, and stay, fit.

What I genuinely don't understand is why we persist in getting players in who have a history of injury (Llorentes playing record was clear and publicly available). We spent millions on getting Costa/Roberts in, or under new contracts, and they have contributed next to f00k all, so why not apply just a little common sense and use funds like that to acquire players who have a strong, consistent and reliable playing record?

I know there are no guarantees of continued good health, one tackle can end a career, but surely it makes sense to start out form a position of good health and regular game time?

Wish I knew the answer - suspect the training regime doesn’t help anyone with weaknesses or issues though

[WTF11]

Wish I knew the answer - suspect the training regime doesn’t help anyone with weaknesses or issues though

Exactly the point HO.

The club (Bielsa for sure) know just how demanding that regime is, and that players often struggle to match the demands placed on them, even those who are super fit (such as Bamford, who has admitted as much quite recently). Yet on his (Bielsa) watch we brought in JKA, Llorente both of whom were "suspect" based on playing record, and signed a multi-million pound new contract for Costa. Not as disasterous as letting Orta loose I'll grant you, but hardly good value for money (I'll forgive him as we have Raphina, just don't want to see any more "bloopers"!).

[Tichi1]

Exactly the point HO.

The club (Bielsa for sure) know just how demanding that regime is, and that players often struggle to match the demands placed on them, even those who are super fit (such as Bamford, who has admitted as much quite recently). Yet on his (Bielsa) watch we brought in JKA, Llorente both of whom were "suspect" based on playing record, and signed a multi-million pound new contract for Costa. Not as disasterous as letting Orta loose I'll grant you, but hardly good value for money (I'll forgive him as we have Raphina, just don't want to see any more "bloopers"!).

Seems Phiips is a bit of a sicknote too - how many games has he missed so far this season? 6 or 7? not back yet and seems unlikely for this Saturday against Villa.... getting down to the Bare bones, and these current games we need a few more points before we come up against the big boys towards the end of the season.

[WTF11]

Seems Phiips is a bit of a sicknote too - how many games has he missed so far this season? 6 or 7? not back yet and seems unlikely for this Saturday against Villa.... getting down to the Bare bones, and these current games we need a few more points before we come up against the big boys towards the end of the season.

Agreed, maybe Phillips is a victim of his own success (being "focussed" on by the opposition) and also doing what he does as central to our success is ok, but it must put extra stress on him?

As to the position we're in, it's interesting that after the Brighton/Palace game, all the talk was of escaping the relegation battle and that 30 points was the magic break point. I know thats stretching things a bit, but I suspect what they mean is that its "do-able" from that point, so with our remaining matches (and recognising that lots of the lower teams are playing each other and taking points of each other), we should be ok.

[Tichi1]

I agree - should be ok, but would like another 5 or 6 points quickly - then Bielsa might be prepared to give a couple of the youngsters a run of games? highly unlikely given his previous stance, but when we are mathematically safe our leader might just feel comfortable bringing a few changes in for once when it isn't through need alone.

[bathlad61]

Def need to pick up another 5-6 points asap - injuries for sure not helping, but table suddenly seems much tighter, if we lose a couple, and Fulham win a couple, gap could be just 4 points.
If, buts, maybe"s, i know, but the real hard work, still needs to be done.