I thought Ayew was also pretty bad yesterday, so he's not the answer.

I don't think the Luksa / McArthur partnership is working either. Although they're both quite decent players, we need something else.

FFS it's his first game since the end of last season. But ok let's write him off already.

I don't rate Townsend and never have.
He is one dimensional, predictable, rarely scores and like Puncheon before him pretends to be interested in tackling back but rarely does so.
I am not saying he hasn't had some good games for us - he has - but right now he is not good and that is not just Saturday's game - he was the same at Watford as well.
Lucky for him that he has Wan B behind him to clear up his constant mess.
To think that Roy used to pick him for England over Wilf and that is really now why Wilf is not an England player!

I heard an interview with Townsend’s dad where he said that Andros had injuries which took the edge off his pace which resulted in him having to adapt his game.
It is evident that he often turns back on himself and doesn’t seem able to get away from defenders as when he first burst on the scene.
Nobody can question his work rate but is he effective?
His goals are few and far between and he averages about 2 or 3 crosses in a game.
The Southampton right back alone must have hit eight crosses on Saturday.
There is argument that playing the narrow 4-4-2 system which Roy favours either Mcarthur or Meyer could have more influence and effect the game more in the right side midfield position.

Having had a few days now to calm down, sit and think about the game, there are quite a few errors and observations I personally spotted on Saturday which I don't believe some have been mentioned.

1st Goal : Sakho does well to make sure his man doesn't win the ball in the 50/50 and has the trust that Kelly will be sweeping him. Kelly loses all focus and ball watches and allows the ball to bounce and come across him and Ings to get inside him and finish. Without Tomkins we look so fragile at the back and lack a real leader. Ings and Long should not be bullying Sakho and Kelly.

Goal Kicks : Southampton's strikers allowed Kelly to remain free and come to collect the ball short from Hennessey. When Kelly received the ball he was immediately closed down and is forced to go long as the midfielders are all marked tight. In doing so, Kelly is playing the ball 60 yards up to Benteke who flicks it on to their centre backs. We are not releasing any off pressure of the back 4 by playing this way and allowing our defence to push up as unit. If Hennessey goes long to Benteke, the back 4 start 20 yards higher and this pushes the midfield on. We either play short and stick to it and need good movement from forward players, or we go direct with Hennessey's kicking (which is a strong point of his)

Team Shape : 442 and the line to start the game with no Zaha is one I did agree with and place no blame with Roy starting the game, apart from perhaps Meyer for Schlupp and pushing McArthur wide. After the first half hour it became clear we had no foot in the game and were overrun in midfield throughout. The obvious half time sub was to bring Ayew off for Meyer and go 451 with full back pushing on to put crosses into Benteke. Not until about 75 mins did we really get right round the back of them and pick a cross, which is Benteke's strong point. Playing 2 very attacking full backs meant without Zaha our plan B should have been go wide and put crosses in the box. I can't help but think Southampton's 2 worst players were there centre backs, who had a reasonably comfortable day in the end. Roy got it wrong and failed to change it when every supporter in the ground could see it. Frustrating to see. I would back that his decision to remove Townsend for Kouyate paid off and going 352, although I was at first very angry with the sub of our only winger.

Benteke : I feel bad for the guy today, which is different to my opinion on Saturday at 5pm. He's getting in the right places and doing some of the right things but nothing will drop for him. His chance from 6 yards was almost criminal to miss but McCarthy made a good instinctive save and had he came out in a 'star' shape to save it would have gone in. I wouldn't really know what to do if I was Roy. Sorloth is so clearly not the answer. Zaha and Townsend upfront like last season is his best bet. This compliments playing out from the back. *See Sakho pass to Zaha for his goal against Chelsea last year.

One final point, to the middle aged bald bloke in Block V of the Arthur, stop shouting WOY! and find something positive to say. You and a few of the guys sitting with you shouted nothing but negativity and borderline racist comments throughout the game towards Ayew, Benteke and Schlupp. I'm new to the seat this season, but I'll be keeping an eye at future home games. So disappointing in 2018.

Huddersfield away cannot come quick enough...

Edited by HerneBayPalace (03 Sep 2018 9.34am)

Excellent post Sir.