GeckoSaint

Makes way too much sense - will never happen!

http://www.pafc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ReservesReport/0,,10364~1443686,00.html Argyle 1 Mackie 7 Southampton 4 White 13, 66, 70 Paterson 58 ARGYLE suffered a humiliating 4-1 defeat to a superb young Southamton side in today's totesport.com Combination Cup game at Home Park. Jamie Mackie's early strike gave Argyle the lead for just six minutes before Jamie White equalized for the visitors. Matthew Paterson put the Saints ahead early in the second-half and White then completed his hat-trick with two strikes in quick succession. Craig Noone and Yala Bolasie were outstanding for Argyle but the performances of some of the more experienced Greens, particularly in the second-half, was well below the standard required for this competition, let alone the Coca-Cola Championship. Southampton made a bright start to the game and Paterson was extremely unlucky not to open the scoring on six minutes after cutting inside Gary Sawyer and drifting a superb left-foot shot beyond keeper Oliver Chenoweth, but the crossbar came to Argyle's rescue. It was a moment of fortune that Mackie capitalized on in predatory style. A hopeful ball forward from the back was chased with typical Mackie enthusiasm and he reaped the rewards from a courageous tackle on Saints' stopper Tommy Forecast when he tapped into the empty net after the ball spilled loose. The lead lasted only six minutes as the Saints punished some lacklustre Argyle defending. Ryan Smith delivered a routine cross from the right and White was left unmarked to slide the ball past Chenoweth from close range. The end-to-end theme continued with a blistering turn of pace from Bolasie exposing the left side of the visiting defence and former Tottenham keeper Forecast had to block the stinging drive with his knees. More good work from Bolasie once again left Saints' full-back Joseph Mills tackling grass and the eventual cross found the run of Noone, who planted a strong header into the grateful arms of Forecast. The fabulous feet of Noone and Bolasie's awesome pace was a continuing problem for the Saints and, following a deep corner from the former, the latter swung in a cross that was headed narrowly wide by mountainous young defender Ben Gerring. The sprightly pair combined again just before the half-hour mark with Noone latching onto a Bolasie pass and twisting his way through the visitors before chipping the ball inches over the bar. It was a torrid afternoon for young Mills and, after another skinning from Bolasie, Mackie headed wide from the ensuing Noone corner. The next chance fell to Emile Mpenza, who, after initially losing possession, recovered to feed Noone on the left. The young Scouser repaid the favour with a beautifully weighted pass into Mpenza's path but the Belgians' touch let him down at the vital moment. Southampton continued to carry a threat at the other end and when the diminutive Romain Gasmi was allowed to run at the heart of Argyle's defence, Chenoweth had to be alert to parry the drive to safety. A nasty collision just before the interval left Mpenza nursing a sore head and he was replaced by Ashley Barnes for the second period. It was Southampton who emerged the stronger side after the break with some tricky wing play by Smith testing the defensive poise of Jim Paterson, and a 25-yard rasper from Gasmi had Chenoweth scrambling across his goal. Barnes then introduced himself as a threat with a cheeky curler which drifted inches wide and Bolasie was next to test the Saints with yet another searing cross from the right. The visitors cleared the cross well, however, and broke swiftly down the left, exploiting the gap vacated by full-back Shane White's foray forward. Paterson found the room to run at Chenoweth's goal and he squeezed a shot under the advancing keeper to give Southampton a 2-1 lead. Argyle immediately came within a lick of paint of scoring a sensational equaliser and the two best Greens on display were involved. Noone floated a lovely pass on to the chest of Bolasie, who wasted no time in unleashing a scorching half-volley past Forecast, only to see the stunning effort cannon back off the upright. Seconds later the post came to Argyle's rescue, as the impressive Smith found space behind to poke a shot beyond Chenoweth. The ball bounced away to safety but the visitors were not to be denied, and they extended their lead with White's second goal of the afternoon when he was allowed room to rifle home from 12 yards. Four minutes later White had his hat-trick and Argyle were trailing 4-1. The goal came after some excellent inter-play by the visitors and White, with confidence brimming, side-stepped Gerring before slipping a neat finish into the bottom corner. White will get the plaudits but Smith on the opposite wing was having just as much fun, and the frustration got too much for Simon Walton who ended another dazzling run by unceremoniously dumping the Theo Walcott look-alike to the ground. Argyle's vastly more experienced side were quite simply in disarray and more shoddy defending allowed Gasmi a shot on goal which, from five yards out, should have gone the right side of the post from a Southampton perspective. Mackie's determination gave the Greens the chance to salvage some pride but, after out-muscling his man, the former Grecian fired straight at Forecast. Noone then dipped a gentle free-kick narrowly over. Argyle trudged off after the game with Noone and Bolasie possibly the only positives from an otherwise depressing display. Argyle (4-4-2): 1 Oliver Chenoweth; 2 Shane White, 4 Ben Gerring, 5 Gary Sawyer, 3 Jim Paterson; 7 Yala Bolasie (16 Dan Smith 83), 6 Yoann Folly, 8 Simon Walton, 11 Craig Noone; 9 Emile Mpenza (14 Ashley Barnes half-time), 10 Jamie Mackie. Substitutes (not used): 13 Ryan Brett, 15 Brian McCaul. Southampton (4-4-2): 1 Tommy Forecast; 2 Jamie Hatch, 3 Jeffrey Imudia 14 Tom Dunford 80), 4 Kyle Davies, 5 Joseph Mills; 7 Ryan Smith, 6 Lloyd James, 8 Oscar Gobern, 11 Jamie White; 9 Matthew Paterson, 10 Romain Gasmi. Substitutes (not used): 12 Michael Byrne, 13 Andrej Pernecky (gk), 15 Callum McNish, 16 Kayne McLaggon.

Any budding Goalkeepers out there fancy a game at Eastleigh FC. Kick off is 9pm Let me know cheers P

The great thing about football is no one can predict for sure what's going to happen. Saints could win every game 3-0 or lose 0-3 that's how close this league is. We've yet to be out played by any team this season, the reason we keep losing is all down to poor finishing. If we address this we will be fine. We're creating chances which is a big positive. As for the 5 next games on our current form the maximum we're going to get out of these games is 2 points - but the reason we all show up every week is cos we don't really know what's going to happen, we may even be sat happily in mid table in a months time? I'm going for the half full option rather than half empty. Cheers

Watford can't win away, we struggle at home: 3 - 3 draw

I thought Phil Ifil was the best RB we've had over the past 18 months.

I only ever bought one of the black away kits I designed and unfortunately I've lost it! - I'm absolutely gutted!! Is there anyone on here willing to sell their shirt (preferably L or XL) in decent nick (ideally with flybe still on it) for a reasonable price. Cheers in advance.

Ditto, there is a great balance to this side. I'd tweak the formation slightly: ---------------Davis James -- Lancashire -- Perry -- Fish McGoldrick -- Cork -- Wotton -- Surman --------------Lallana ------------Robertson

Not knocking the kid, but described as a winger that can play upfront isn't exactly prolific: Prove me wrong nipper

I reckon it's because we're slowly falling off the footballing map. Asked my kid 'who supports Saints in your class?' the reply i got 'no one apart from me'. I got mocked by Pompey supporting lads for wearing my red & white stripes - no one wants that! The Saints no longer have the draw of a 'big club' so all the floating johnny come latelys stay away. Saints have always had 15,000 or so hardcore who will show rain or shine hence the attendances we're pulling at the moment. I believe Saints need a new hero, someone who will die for cause like some fans would. Someone we can call our own. The problem with modern day football is if a player has a handful of decent games he is sold in the following window. The last game of last season showed they're out there somewhere, but the product needs to improve if Saints want the crowds back in. Win a couple of games and people will start returning.

Stern was disappointing last night, he lacked energy & effort. The complete opposite to Perkart - he put himself around, closed people down & took his chance when it came to him. Stern is gonna struggle to get in the starting line up with Tomas about. Still don't think McGoldrick offers us anything playing out wide.

Can't help thinking we're playing really well but we're not converting enough of our chances. For all of McGoldrick's hard work & goals I reckon we would have scored more if we'd have someone of Stern's experience & finishing up front. Don't change the system as Lallana just playing off the front man looks good but we just need to find the back of onion bag more often. Step forward Mr John?

See Cranie's gone on loan to Charlton. He so should have stayed with us! Shame how things turn out as he would have played every week if he'd stayed. http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11688_4083894,00.html

Cheers for the update. But doesn't the upper tier get sold first? The view from the lower tier is rubbish cos you can't see the other end properly. So can we request upper tier when purchasing?

Will do, but for now how about this one:

Blink and you would have missed it! But 2 great finishes regardless!

Carling Cup goals now ITV1

These avatars were quite popular on SaintsForever so I've created some new ones now our squad has settled down again. I've left Skacel, Saga & Rasiak in as they're techincally still Saints players. Put Pekhart in @ No.16 as it's been vacated by Viafara - only a guess.

Cork, Lallana & Holmes were outstanding IMHO. Bart 6 James 7 Thomas 6 Cork 8 (actually nearer 9 cos he didn't put a foot wrong) Surman 6 Lallana 9 Gillett 6 Wotton 7 Holmes 8 Schnederlin 6 McGoldrick 7 John 6 Mills 6 Would have been a different game if Cameron Jerome played again tho. Skysports says we only had 3 shots on target and 2 went in! Well done lads

I love the line in his interview about the 30,000 fans! Yeah fella we used to ;-)

Ask Granty he'll know ;-)

I'm going for a 3-3. The folks at Derby aren't very confident going into this one. We can't keep a clean sheet and nor can they!