madruss

In context. Three of those 4 games were away against 3 of the top 5 home teams. We're not going to face that every week til the end of the season now are we? In fact I'd go as far to say that our only really difficult games left this season are Norwich away and Leeds home. 63 points to play for...it's by no means over yet

What like Colchester and Leeds did?...who both lost at Millwall earlier in the season

Exactly. He's not being signed as our main goal scorer, (if he is being signed), it would be as a squad player to enable Rickie to be rested every now and then, or as a sub.

Nah, **** poor. Lacks **** Can't **** for **** Weak in the tackle ....it's ok I've stopped now:(

He's a RB, you not heard of him then!!

I think Lambert's second against Leyton orient deserves a shout. So much power and with his weaker foot as well.

I disagree, the form at the beginning at the season is not representative of the team, the current form is a measure of where we are as a side. The fact that we haven't lost ground on the top 6 despite shaky start is the clearest indicator that we're a good bet for the playoffs...that and the fact the squad will be strengthened in January. Can't wait for two trips to Wembley!

Looks rubbish IMO

Exactly. Our toughest game of the season today. Follow up with 6 points from the next two games and we'll go into the new year with the gap under 9 points f'sure!

Just to clarify.... Was this game a win or a draw???

I reckon it's 4-4-2 with Papa up front with Lambo.

6-1 CMFG to lob the keeper from 45 yards

Ok, I was talking about when AP took over before the spending had begun (pre-Harding and Murty). I agree with KD, Rasiak, Thomas, Gillet, Llallana and Schneiderlin being able to walk into nearly every League 1 team, but the point I was trying to make was that if we hadn't spent a lot of money we would not have been competitive in this League, certainly not looking to finish top half anyway. I'm still impressed with the success rate of Pardew's signings, especially considering how many he's made. Only Mellis has really failed to set the world alight, but then even he's had a couple of good games

Really? Lloyd James as 1st choice RB Matt Paterson as 1st choice CF Olly Lancashire as 3rd choice CB No fit right wingers! When AP took over we, certainly in squad terms, had a very average team that I would argue was worse than at least half of the teams in League 1

That didn't look over the line! Keeper looks well narked!! Still, nice for Saints to get some of the luck for a change!

Sure this is a big blow, but thinking about it Kelvin hasn't really been needed as much as last season (I mean when was the last time he even came close to the MOTM award?). For all the faults of our defence and not keeping clean sheets, Kelvin's been much better protected this season and I don't actually think GK is our priority position at the moment. Bart will do just fine

What has Lloyd James done to justify being in the side tonight?? Just weakens the midfield......GET IN AL!!!!!!!!!!!!

Looks like Connolly needs to score 2 goals for every 1 we concede in order to justify the decision to play 4-4-2 rather than drop him for a formation that suits the other 10 players in the side

A massive improvement on the Brighton game. Norwich are one of the top sides in this division (since the Colchester game prior to today they'd only conceded 2 goals away from home in 7 games), and we were more than a match for them. Disappointing goals to concede, and (although he was loads better than last week) Trotman still looks a bit shaky...especially compared with the awesome performance he put in against MK Dons. Positives: Connolly - Absolutely brilliant, intelligent runs, great first touch, world-class goal, worries defenders....wayyyy too good for this league Llallana - starting to show a bit of consistency and his all round game is definitely improving as the weeks go on. The return of Murty...hope he stays fit so no more James at RB. Thoroughly entertaining game against one of the promotion contenders, I would say overall we were the better team. I actually thought Mellis looked quite good for his brief cameo Negatives: Poor finishing at times, and inability to kill the game off. Coupled with the Brighton game, that's a point from 2 home games, not really promotion form Lambert out of sorts (although I'm going to put it down to flu & recovery...etc) James having a mare...he hasn't been that bad this season Dodgy Trotman moments Antonio proving he should really only be used as an impact sub. Ratings FWIW: Davis 5. Didn't have a lot to do, and I think he should've done better with the long range effort that led to their goal. James 4. Outpaced, outfought, out jumped, terrible tackle for the pen. Bad day at the office Jaidi 7. had a tough time against Holt, but battled well and asserted his dominance when needed. Trotman 6. Much better than his Brighton mare. A coupld of howler moments that could easily have led to a Norwich goal. Still excellent in the air though Harding 7. Very strong, and made some crucial blocks and tackles towards the end. Had very little protection from Morgan at the left side of the diamond Hammond 7. Bit wayward in the first half, but improved in the second and really got stuck in when needed. So glad we've finally got a midfielder like that in our side Morgan 6. His long range passing was not up to its usual high standards, and he looked suspect on the left of the diamond in the second half Llallana 8. Excellent goal. Tracked back well, was at the forefront of most of our attacks, and relished his favoured role behind the front 2 in the second half Antonio 5. Some threatening forward play in the first half, but his positional sense is awful, really left James exposed at times..predictably ran out of steam in 2nd half, and his 'knock-and-run' move didn't really work today. Connolly 10 MOTM Ran his socks off, movement on and off the ball was sublime. Thought he looked a class above today, and his goal typified that. If he stays fit I'm a bit worried a Prem team may come in for him Lambert 5. Held the ball up well at times, and some nice touches and passing that nearly put Connolly and then Llallana through on goal. However, Doherty had the measure of him, and the after effects of his flu seem to be still hampering his game Subs: Murty 7. Shored up the right side when he came on, and looked good going forward. Everything James wasn't. Glad to have him back Mellis 6. Suited the AMF role really well, and with a bit more confidence would probably have scored when put through late on Papa 5. Looked threatening at times, but offside AGAIN at crucial moments

It really suited Llallana I thought, and he looked very dangerous at the front of the diamond. Schneiderlin looked less good on the left and I just don't think Lloyd James is up to the job if we're truly looking to push on to the playoffs. Hammond on the right seemed to work ok though, but would still prefer him in the middle. On today's showing, I'd give the diamond 5/10. I still think we've been at our best this season with the 4-5-1. Trouble is, how to fit Connolly into that system? He was phenomenal today, and should not be dropped from the starting line-up...

Kelvin's a strange one. When he's behind a REALLY bad defence a la last season, and he's having to make loads of saves, he looks brilliant. Today he didn't have much to do, sign of a half decent defence IMO, but looked suspect at the key moments-including the second goal.

Loving it Alpine! You tell em!

I think there's a very important point here. The measure of the quality of our defence is not necessarily clean sheets but how many chances the opposition are creating. When was the last time KD got even close to being man of the match? Yes we need to cut out some silly errors, but IMO the defence is in great shape.

Question is, is Connolly fit enough to start. Because without him there's not a lot of point playing 4-4-2

Totally agree with your views on Trotman. He seems to be growing in confidence and stature with each game. He even made some classy turns and feints when before clearing the ball which is a sign of a player in top form. We shouldn't underestimate the positive effect that playing alongside a player like Jaidi will be having on him as well. It's a fantastic CB pairing, and long may it stay in place.