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Morocco win bad news for Saints
8:08am Tuesday 22nd January 2008
Comments (15)
Saints are almost certain to have to do without Youssef Safri for at least three more games.
The Moroccan midfielder is away with his country on Africa Cup of Nations duty and yesterday captained his side to a resounding 5-1 win over Namibia in their opening group game.
That result puts Morocco in a strong position to qualify for the last eight and would rob Saints of his presence for at least their next three games - the FA Cup tie with Bury and Champion-ship fixtures with Norwich and Crystal Palace.
Saints have missed Safri since he went away with Morocco and manager George Burley has repeatedly said how hard it is to find a midfield balance without him sat in front of the back four.
Initially, Saints tried Jason Euell and Inigo Idiakez in those central midfield roles but then swapped with Euell partnering Jermaine Wright for the game at Plymouth.
Either way, Safri has been sorely missed.
If the wheels come off for Morocco and they end up crashing out despite their heavy win against Namibia, then Safri could travel back shortly after their final group game against Ghana next Monday - in time for the trip to face in-form Palace at Selhurst Park.
But that seems unlikely.
Though their victory was very much against the minnows of the group, favourites and hosts Ghana, also in Group A with Morocco, overcame Guinea in their opener.
Morocco are big favourites to beat Guinea themselves when the two teams meet on Thursday.
If they do, and as long as Ghana don't lose to Nam-ibia in what would be an unbelievable shock, Safri's team will go through.
The quarter-final will take place on February 3 with the final on February 10.
If Morocco were to go all the way, Safri wouldn't be expected to return to Saints until the match with Plymouth at St Mary's on February 16.
Your Say YourDaily Echo
Portswood Pete, says...
9:06am Tue 22 Jan 08
Sniper wrote:Have you seen him play Sniper? We are a far better team with him in it than without him, next time you go and he's playing, watch him carefully and you'll see the difference he makes. £100,000 wasn't it? What a bargain!
From what the Echo and Burley say, you'd think that Safri was Saints equivalent to Steven Gerrard. Not knocking the lad, but really, he's not been that great for Saints. Much like the rest of the team, it's mostly been average displays from him. 23 games for SFC, no goals and I can't recall too many, if any, assists. That maybe not his job, but the amount of goals conceded by the team, also point to the holding midfielder(s) not doing their job. But then it's hard for any individual player to shine under the current management malaise.
Moose, Canada says...
9:13am Tue 22 Jan 08
Osama Bin Laden, A Cave far far away says...
9:30am Tue 22 Jan 08
Sniper, says...
9:35am Tue 22 Jan 08
When he's played we've won 9 games, drawn 5 and lost 11.
When Safri's not played, we've won 2 games, drawn 2 and lost 1.
Is he really such a huge asset?
Portswood Pete, says...
9:54am Tue 22 Jan 08
Sniper wrote:Yes, it's a team game. Shall we agree to differ on this one?
Yes, I've seen him play. When he's played we've won 9 games, drawn 5 and lost 11. When Safri's not played, we've won 2 games, drawn 2 and lost 1. Is he really such a huge asset?
Sniper, says...
10:16am Tue 22 Jan 08
Agree to disagree? I don't agree to that.
Ciaran, says...
10:47am Tue 22 Jan 08
Sniper wrote:Fine, but you're in the minority. Most people think we miss Safri.
It is a team game, I had noticed that. We have a team that doesn't play the game correctly, have you noticed that? Agree to disagree? I don't agree to that.
If you'd seen the Scunthorpe and Plymouth games and compared them to what we were like with him you'd understand.
Sniper, says...
10:52am Tue 22 Jan 08
Ciaran wrote:Minority? I presume you mean a minority of one against you and Pete? Or have you taken time to canvas the views of all Saints fans on this issue? What method did you use for your research?
Sniper wrote: It is a team game, I had noticed that. We have a team that doesn't play the game correctly, have you noticed that? Agree to disagree? I don't agree to that.Fine, but you're in the minority. Most people think we miss Safri. If you'd seen the Scunthorpe and Plymouth games and compared them to what we were like with him you'd understand.
andy, southampton says...
11:09am Tue 22 Jan 08
Sniper, says...
12:06pm Tue 22 Jan 08
Well if Safri is that good, then won't it be great to have him back in the side after the African Nations cup and see Saints charge up the table like we did when he was here before... oh.
ric flair, says...
1:44pm Tue 22 Jan 08
FUZZY, SALISBURY says...
1:49pm Tue 22 Jan 08
Sniper, says...
2:04pm Tue 22 Jan 08
FUZZY wrote:In comparison to his and our midfield's performance against Watford the week before when Safri gave the ball away repeatedly and barely put a tackle in?
Safri in my opinion was A bargain , and much missed in midfield as Scunthorpe and Plymouth showed. Speaking to fellow fans on saturday they all agreed that.
Are we talking about the same Safri?
Are you getting mixed up with Labi Sifri?
Fish Bone Man, Mansbridge says...
3:48pm Tue 22 Jan 08
Youssef Safri
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Sniper, says...
8:51am Tue 22 Jan 08
Not knocking the lad, but really, he's not been that great for Saints. Much like the rest of the team, it's mostly been average displays from him.
23 games for SFC, no goals and I can't recall too many, if any, assists. That maybe not his job, but the amount of goals conceded by the team, also point to the holding midfielder(s) not doing their job.
But then it's hard for any individual player to shine under the current management malaise.