Rodriguez makes scoring start (From Daily Echo)
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£7m Jay scores on Saints debut but Arsenal win the Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup
6:13pm Saturday 14th July 2012 in Saints News
Rodriguez makes scoring start
Record signing Jay Rodriguez made the perfect start to life at Saints by scoring on his debut against Arsenal - but it was the Gunners who won the Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup.
The £7m summer signing from Burnley announced his arrival with a flicked header but the Gunners had the last laugh to take the trophy back to north London.
Saints leave for their trip to France on Sunday looking for a first win of pre-season after losing one and drawing the other of their two 45 minute openers.
Saints lost their first game of pre-season as they were defeated 1-0 by Anderlecht in the first game of the Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup.
Nigel Adkins fielded a side that was very similar to the team that won promotion from the Championship, the only exceptions being youngsters Luke Shaw and Calum Chambers at left back and centre midfield respectively.
Anderlecht were without a few of their star names but still looked a class outfit and were well worth their win.
The only goal of the game came on 15 minutes when Tom De Sutter was picked out by a defence splitting pass and after seeing his initial effort blocked by Kelvin Davis tapped home the rebound.
Saints had Davis to thank for several good saves to keep it to one while the only real chance Adkins' men created was a Jos Hooiveld header from a corner that struck the crossbar.
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After the Olympic torch had passed round the outside of the St Mary's pitch came the second of the day's three 45 minute matches as Anderlecht took on a youthful Arsenal side.
The Gunners had brought a young squad to the south coast with their 11 Euro 2012 stars still on holiday and others away with Olympic squads.
Anderlecht again saw plenty of the ball but failed to create the same volume of chances they had against Saints and never really looked equalising after Arsenal grabbed the lead on 35 minutes.
It was two players with first team experience that created and converted it with Carl Jenkinson's low cross from the right turned in at the near post by the sliding Henri Lansbury.
The result meant Anderlecht finished with three points and a zero goa difference with one for and one against while Arsenal had played one and won one with a plus one difference, meaning if Saints were to beat the Gunners by more than one goal in the final match they would win the Markus Liebherr Memorial Cup.
As expected Adkins changed the whole team from the first game and Saints also switched from a 4-4-2 to playing just one up front - and that was a St Mary's debut for £7m record signing Jay Rodriguez while Dan Seaborne made a welcome return.
And Rodriguez made quite an impact as his flicked header into the far corner gave Saints the lead on 32 minutes.
However, the Saints joy was short lived as Gervinho got to the left by-line, cut back onto his right foot and fired in a low shot that went through the legs of Tommy Forecast to level things up.
The game finished 1-1 meaning Arsenal won the trophy.
The rules of the competition state that a drawn game must be decided by a penalty shootout which Saints won 5-4.
Saints team v RSC Anderlecht: Davis, Richardson, Fonte, Hooiveld, Shaw, Do Prado, Schneiderlin, Chambers, Lallana, Lambert, Sharp.
Saints team v Arsenal: Forecast, Butterfield, Stephens, Seaborne, Fox, De Ridder, Chaplow, Hammond, Ward-Prowse, Puncheon, Rodriguez.
Don't miss Monday's Daily Echo for all the analysis
Comments(36)
bogie
says...
7:49pm Sat 14 Jul 12
saintmac
says...
8:39pm Sat 14 Jul 12
Strasbourg Saint
says...
9:08pm Sat 14 Jul 12
Some 12-15,000 there I heard. Not bad, given the weather.
Looking forward to hearing what those present made of it.
saintmac
says...
9:16pm Sat 14 Jul 12
Peter Godwin
says...
9:17pm Sat 14 Jul 12
jezza
says...
9:35pm Sat 14 Jul 12
I'm not sure what there is to be learnt from these games, but just to be remembering Markus Liebherr and the legacy he has left us is enough to make this a vital part of every pre-season.
A few more in, and the absent players today regaining fitness, before August and I think we'll be fine.
COYR
bully0046
says...
9:42pm Sat 14 Jul 12
Peter Godwin wrote:Tadanri Lee is still recovering from injury, he had surgeryback home
I see Tadanri Lee didn't apper in either game today. Has he still not recovered from his March injury or has he fallen out of favour? Does anyone know?
franiow
says...
9:45pm Sat 14 Jul 12
St.David
says...
10:01pm Sat 14 Jul 12
slugger
says...
10:32pm Sat 14 Jul 12
hedge end bob
says...
10:38pm Sat 14 Jul 12
Puncheon for me DONT tick the boxes. There is no final product, when he loses the ball, which is very often, he just looks to the sky and dont try and win it back. Thought the young lads did very well and hope N.A. gives them a chance this year. JAY ROD rose and scored a good flicked header and started to look the price tag. Think we will carry Billy Sharp this year unless we can bring in someone to get the crosses into the box where he can work his magic.
Talking of boxes we need one double quick to ship out Tommy Forecast, four years he has been waiting to show us what he can do, what a waste of time, i m o. One through his legs and one good laugh when he can out to collect the ball only to fall flat on his ****.
Dan Seabourne stood tall and strong and will be cover for C B. Glad to see him back on the green carpet. All in all, it was a good way to remember MARKUS, just wish he could have been there to see his dream and plans start to bear fruit.
Jesus_02
says...
10:57pm Sat 14 Jul 12
hedge end bob wrote:Doesn't not Dont?
MARKUS not MARCUS, it was in lights around the pitch.
Puncheon for me DONT tick the boxes. There is no final product, when he loses the ball, which is very often, he just looks to the sky and dont try and win it back. Thought the young lads did very well and hope N.A. gives them a chance this year. JAY ROD rose and scored a good flicked header and started to look the price tag. Think we will carry Billy Sharp this year unless we can bring in someone to get the crosses into the box where he can work his magic.
Talking of boxes we need one double quick to ship out Tommy Forecast, four years he has been waiting to show us what he can do, what a waste of time, i m o. One through his legs and one good laugh when he can out to collect the ball only to fall flat on his ****.
Dan Seabourne stood tall and strong and will be cover for C B. Glad to see him back on the green carpet. All in all, it was a good way to remember MARKUS, just wish he could have been there to see his dream and plans start to bear fruit.
Tirau Dan
says...
11:04pm Sat 14 Jul 12
What did you think of Luke Shaw Callum Chambers and James WP please?
yellowcard
says...
11:16pm Sat 14 Jul 12
saintmac
says...
11:26pm Sat 14 Jul 12
figure?
OSPREYSAINT
says...
1:20am Sun 15 Jul 12
OSPREYSAINT
says...
1:46am Sun 15 Jul 12
ButtyIoWSaint
says...
1:51am Sun 15 Jul 12
OSPREYSAINT wrote:If Sharpy had been quicker off the mark, it would have been a well worked free kick. Great ball through that surprised everyone. One from the training ground
Why did Lambo waste that free kick opportunity I can't believe he has lost confidence in his ability to score from that range, Foxies effort nearly did the trick.
ButtyIoWSaint
says...
2:49am Sun 15 Jul 12
OSPREYSAINT wrote:Agree about the tannoy. I was in block 5 upper tier, same problem there.
Nothing quoted on the OS yet, difficult to tell, the Kingsland was pretty full, the Northam and Itchen less so and Chapel fairly sparse. A decent atmosphere although not noisy, the Torch got a good round of applause, I was glad to have the opportunity to see it, I will never do that again. I found the new touchline adverts iritating, and they have done nothing to improve the Tannoy in the Kingsland.
I didn't realise, the seats up there have padding and cushioned arm rests!
NC came out of his executive box to watch from the stand. Also the Saints players from the game against Anderlecht were sat up in block 6 just along from us watching.
Both Shaw and Chambers impressed in the 1st game, also Guly was working his socks off. Steeeeve looked very sharp with some excellent turns on the ball to lose his man.
Don't like us in red though!!
milton road
says...
6:43am Sun 15 Jul 12
So wait and see, maybe that is a smokescreen or maybe the truth.
Glad to see Dan Seabourne back and apparently in good shape.
Still need a couple of experienced heads i reckon at this level.
Good that Jay had a good first game.
seany1966
says...
7:59am Sun 15 Jul 12
calumjsaint
says...
8:41am Sun 15 Jul 12
dadofmy3sons
says...
8:42am Sun 15 Jul 12
Puncheon was willing to run forward, but not so keen on running back, Steve was much the same though, so perhaps that was an instruction. Dan Seaborne did nothing wrong and looked at ease.
Forecast is fodder for jokes!
Good atmosphere considering probably about 11- 12 000ish
StevieSteve
says...
9:01am Sun 15 Jul 12
Not sure why everyone wants Puncheon to leave he's a top class player on his day, so he would be an excellent squad member!
ghk230473
says...
9:46am Sun 15 Jul 12
Cracking goal from Jay rod who looked the better of the 3 Center forwards with good movement off the ball. Guly passes the ball and thinks that's his job done, very little urgency in creating space/opportunity for player in possession.
More importantly they ran out of bottled lager in itchen norf!
Strasbourg Saint
says...
9:48am Sun 15 Jul 12
seany1966 wrote:To put it in to context, last season's first game was in Biel, Switzerland. Likewise, it was only a work-out and two different 11s played each half (and Forecast looked okay).
It was no more than a couple of training games IMO ... No one wanting to get injured and have a bit of a run out .. But saying that if the 1st team out was meant to be our strongest then they better pull there socks up . The player that stood out for me was Jack Stephens (watch out Fonte) I won't slag off the poor players as its only 1st game back...
That day, the one player who really looked sharp was Jose Fonte. Yet, come the season, he struggled more than expected. So, I agree, it's a little early to make too many judgments.
As for the pre-season timetable, if I remember correctly, the Markus Leibherr Tournament took place after the school hols had begun and people rightly commented that it should be moved to early July to attract more people. I think that worked, didn't it? Despite the weather, was the attendence considerably up on last year?
long memory
says...
9:59am Sun 15 Jul 12
Strasbourg Saint wrote:Maybe the opportunity to see the Olympic torch put a few more bums on seats. Guly adding another year to his contract is going to divide a few fans opinions.
seany1966 wrote:To put it in to context, last season's first game was in Biel, Switzerland. Likewise, it was only a work-out and two different 11s played each half (and Forecast looked okay).
It was no more than a couple of training games IMO ... No one wanting to get injured and have a bit of a run out .. But saying that if the 1st team out was meant to be our strongest then they better pull there socks up . The player that stood out for me was Jack Stephens (watch out Fonte) I won't slag off the poor players as its only 1st game back...
That day, the one player who really looked sharp was Jose Fonte. Yet, come the season, he struggled more than expected. So, I agree, it's a little early to make too many judgments.
As for the pre-season timetable, if I remember correctly, the Markus Leibherr Tournament took place after the school hols had begun and people rightly commented that it should be moved to early July to attract more people. I think that worked, didn't it? Despite the weather, was the attendence considerably up on last year?
Strasbourg Saint
says...
10:25am Sun 15 Jul 12
long memory wrote:I think he always will. It'll be interesting to see who makes the grade this season.
Strasbourg Saint wrote:Maybe the opportunity to see the Olympic torch put a few more bums on seats. Guly adding another year to his contract is going to divide a few fans opinions.
seany1966 wrote:To put it in to context, last season's first game was in Biel, Switzerland. Likewise, it was only a work-out and two different 11s played each half (and Forecast looked okay).
It was no more than a couple of training games IMO ... No one wanting to get injured and have a bit of a run out .. But saying that if the 1st team out was meant to be our strongest then they better pull there socks up . The player that stood out for me was Jack Stephens (watch out Fonte) I won't slag off the poor players as its only 1st game back...
That day, the one player who really looked sharp was Jose Fonte. Yet, come the season, he struggled more than expected. So, I agree, it's a little early to make too many judgments.
As for the pre-season timetable, if I remember correctly, the Markus Leibherr Tournament took place after the school hols had begun and people rightly commented that it should be moved to early July to attract more people. I think that worked, didn't it? Despite the weather, was the attendence considerably up on last year?
Last night, after hearing how impressive the kids had looked, I started wondering what our squad might look like 5 years from now, once the likes of Guly and Rickie have gone.
If we continue to build a squad for the future, if all make the grade and if none leave, the future will look good.
btw, just had an email reply from a Gooner friend. I had told him that we had beaten them, but that they had finished top. He said 'thanks Southampton - we (Arsenal) have finally won a trophy!'
SMS, the place were EVERYONE'S dreams come true.
Inspiral Saint
says...
10:38am Sun 15 Jul 12
ghk230473 wrote:Cork is with the GB Olympic squad.
No cork either.
Cracking goal from Jay rod who looked the better of the 3 Center forwards with good movement off the ball. Guly passes the ball and thinks that's his job done, very little urgency in creating space/opportunity for player in possession.
More importantly they ran out of bottled lager in itchen norf!
hedge end bob
says...
2:28pm Sun 15 Jul 12
Jesus_02 wrote:Glad you pick that up Jesus!!! I DID PUT IT IN CAPITALS.
hedge end bob wrote:Doesn't not Dont?
MARKUS not MARCUS, it was in lights around the pitch.
Puncheon for me DONT tick the boxes. There is no final product, when he loses the ball, which is very often, he just looks to the sky and dont try and win it back. Thought the young lads did very well and hope N.A. gives them a chance this year. JAY ROD rose and scored a good flicked header and started to look the price tag. Think we will carry Billy Sharp this year unless we can bring in someone to get the crosses into the box where he can work his magic.
Talking of boxes we need one double quick to ship out Tommy Forecast, four years he has been waiting to show us what he can do, what a waste of time, i m o. One through his legs and one good laugh when he can out to collect the ball only to fall flat on his ****.
Dan Seabourne stood tall and strong and will be cover for C B. Glad to see him back on the green carpet. All in all, it was a good way to remember MARKUS, just wish he could have been there to see his dream and plans start to bear fruit.
pompey in spain
says...
2:51pm Sun 15 Jul 12
ghk230473
says...
3:40pm Sun 15 Jul 12
pompey in spain wrote:Agree, poor old Pompey....... R.I.p.
all downhill from now on then boys and girls!!!!!
Strasbourg Saint
says...
3:57pm Sun 15 Jul 12
ghk230473 wrote:What I thought was a shame yesterday was that the H&W vs. Poopey match had to be called off.
pompey in spain wrote:Agree, poor old Pompey....... R.I.p.
all downhill from now on then boys and girls!!!!!
It's been a regular pre-season fixture over the years, raising some much needed revenue for the hard up lower league team.
Anyway, it was good that H&W tried to help out.
Strasbourg Saint
says...
4:04pm Sun 15 Jul 12
Strasbourg Saint wrote:btw, have any of the Skates tried to nick the Olympic Torch yet? If not, maybe they could run it through Fratton so that a little spark could 'help clear the site ready for the bulldozers'.
ghk230473 wrote:What I thought was a shame yesterday was that the H&W vs. Poopey match had to be called off.
pompey in spain wrote:Agree, poor old Pompey....... R.I.p.
all downhill from now on then boys and girls!!!!!
It's been a regular pre-season fixture over the years, raising some much needed revenue for the hard up lower league team.
Anyway, it was good that H&W tried to help out.
seventh-junction
says...
4:05pm Sun 15 Jul 12
"Poopey down the drain" seems to think we are......stupid tw@t
costa gaz says...
6:51pm Sat 14 Jul 12
SOUTHAMPTON have signed Crystal Palace defender Nathaniel Clyne, 21, on a four-year deal after agreeing a £1.5m compensation package.
Ok, I know it's the daily star and to wait for the OS to announce transfers but......