Saints 1-4 Ajax Reaction

[Deppo]

I hope too many people don't expect miracles this season. There's a lot of work to be done yet.

[stevegrant]

A relief to be back.

 

Enjoyed that, to be honest - first half we played pretty well and gave them a decent test. Well taken goal by Mills and how the ref gave that penalty I'll never know.

 

Second half when we made changes it was always likely to give them a bit more impetus and they tore us to bits, understandably. At the end of the day, they're a very good side who will be one of the leading clubs in the Europa League this season. Losing 4-1 and running out of steam against a side of their calibre is no disgrace.

[70's Mike]

Just enjoyed going to a game after the uncertainty regarding the club over the last 2 months.

Result was meaningless our real pre season starts Monday when the new regime kicks into life at Staplewood

[Deppo]

A relief to be back.

 

Enjoyed that, to be honest - first half we played pretty well and gave them a decent test. Well taken goal by Mills and how the ref gave that penalty I'll never know.

Second half when we made changes it was always likely to give them a bit more impetus and they tore us to bits, understandably. At the end of the day, they're a very good side who will be one of the leading clubs in the Europa League this season. Losing 4-1 and running out of steam against a side of their calibre is no disgrace.

 

True dat.

[saint_mears]

I see McMennemy is still hovering around probably desperate to get his 75k a year hand shaker job back!

 

boring zzzzz

[sidthesquid]

My thoughts on today

Firstly - that Dutch total football is really quite good, isn't it?

Actually Ajax looked a class above throughout, though we had the better chances in the first half. Second half it really did look men against boys

Yet again 4-5-1 looked pants

Plenty of food for thought for Mr Pardew

Players ratings

Davis - 8 - Could have been worse without him

Murty - 6 - looks a solid old pro, but looked even less likely to cross the halway line than Jermaine Wright

Molyneux - 6 - okayish, but not as good as Mills

Thomas - 7 - looked solid, but a careless challenge for the pen

Perry - 7.5 - getting a bit slow, but class is permanent

Wotton - 5 - crashed about a bit, but still looks a league lower than the one we're in

Gillett - 7 - busy and nice touches, but seemed to be playing too far up the pitch

James - 6 - (actually 5 in midfield, 7 as right back) Looked a bit lost at times in midfield. Their long ball style kept missing it out and we were playing so deep that there was never a forward pass to make. Looked happier and more involved at right back

Lallana - 7- looked like he could have made the Ajax first eleven, but then there wasn't a lot of rough and tumble today

Rasiak - 7 - tried quite hard (for him), but way too isolated. Got a seven because at least he held the ball up which never happened in second half

Mills - 7.5 - going to one of the rising stars next season, looked good in both positions, he and James as fullbacks gives us real attacking options

subs

Lancashire - 6 - okay, but no more

Saganowski - 5 - not a lone striker. Will he ever score for us again

Thomson - 5 - looked too lightweight

Schneiderlin - 6.5 - similar comments to Lallana - this is not a league one game

Paterson - 5.5 - looked too lightweight, but why wasn't he put up front where he belongs

McNish - 5.5 - not much of a chance to shine

[whizzpop]

**Sorry if it takes a while to load**

 

 

Picture taken from the back of Northam

 

In that box is from left to right is that Jan Portvleit, Bradley from Eastenders and Trevor McDonald??? :-k

[Deppo]

Mark Fry was there, then.

[kelkel31]

well thank good henderson is not in charge, treated the game as purely a 90min run out and damage limitation exercise which i feel cant be of much help for the coming season, might as well have played 2 90 min games between the squad behind closed doors. used a 4-5-1 which i doubt and sincerely hope we dont use much next year, especially at home and continued to use lallana in a position he is quite clearly ineffective in at any level. if we are going to use him in this way we may as well sell him quick.

 

i personally have concerns with murty being signed after seeing him today, forgivable out of shape but seemed a bit lost, out of position often, poor communication with lallana and unwilling or unable to go past the RM. if we do sign and use him im hoping this was just the tactics and not an insight to his play over a season. thomas look good for the half he played, strong, mobile and communicating well, not sure about the penalty looked like a dive but he shouldnt have got to thomas in the first place. mills looked better at LB, gillet worked well but is better in the holding role rather than further forward, was a little concerned that he look a little lightweight against big players, the type we are likely to see in L1, but was only a friendly. rasiak looked eager and mobile to me, but why oh why was he on his own, have we never seen him play before, better to have played patterson on his own who we know will run all day. great day for kelvin, great display backed up his desire to play for the saints, and man who is obviously happy with the decision hes made. formation made attacking play almost pointless, the goal was well worked and well taken( a player running at the far post, how many times have i asked for that) but happened infrequently. the 4-5-1 did look solid in the first half which should give us a chance of holding onto leads in tight games, team looked up for it and gave a good showing until the last 20mins when ajax just showed there class.

 

not a day for firm judgments as to where this leaves us for the start of the season, started as it should of, a celebration that we are still here, good ovation for ML who had a big smile on his face whenever i saw him in the box. for the first 30mins the northam was in the finest voice i think ive ever heard them, just remember the games 90mins guys, 2wks left of supporters pre season to get yourselves upto the full 90mins, lol

 

overall saints are still here and the signs are we can start to look forward our club being rebuilt into the club we deserve, got some work to do but onwards and upwards cause we are southampton, the pride of the south!

[maxi_sopez]

why does the guy front row 2nd from the left look really familiar

[70's Mike]

today just showed Pardew has loads to do and we will have to be patient

[UncleRay]

Just back. Kelvin played a blinder. One reaction save of the highest order. Thought Murty looked solid, obviously thinks he is still a captain, shouting and pointing positions all the time.

Rasiak......first five minutes I thought he was a new transformed player....then he reverted to type...totally average at best.

Mills.......well up for the game...MoM after Kelvin for me.

Crowd in the Northam up for it.......like old times.

All in all good work out against serious opposition, more than held our own in the first half then the different class and teamwork showed in the second half.

[Paul Chuckle]

Is that Michael Wilde bottom left of directors box?????

 

And lol at the Trevor McDonald shout

[Toadhall Saint]

I'm still standing by my long held opinion that Morgan Schneiderlin is a class act, despite what others on here think.

 

Was very good when he came on.

 

No arguement from me.

 

James needs to shed a few pounds and I thought we looked v tired from 80 mins onwards.

 

Given the opposition I'm reasonably ok - pardew got a good look and wil know what needs to be done.

[Alain Perrin]

Two thoughts.

 

Lallana - Ship him out. I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and say he might be a good squad player in the Premiership, but he'll get killed in League 1. Uncharitably I'd say he's all pretty feet and no product.

 

Saga - Saga who? Sag a loo more like. Did he spend the entire break eating? Ironically it may help him as I always thought he got pushed off the ball too easy.

 

Plenty of work to do Mr P.

[Wopper]

I see McMennemy is still hovering around probably desperate to get his 75k a year hand shaker job back!

 

Good

[CFSt.Matt]

Would ML have been chuffed with the crowd?

 

I should imagine, given his welcome, the general atmosphere, crowd and the far from disastrous first half showing, his half-time pie & a pint went down extremely well indeed. On his feet when we scored and I'm pretty sure the £12.5M investment seems very worthwhile this evening.

 

Thought the Dutch fans were great today by the way. Spoke to a couple of guys afterwards who found it incomprehensible that we are a third tier club with a ground and support like that. Their rendition of 'always look on the bright side of life' when that fella was being chucked out the Northam wash pure classhh.

[Teddy Nutkins]

Where the hell do we get these bloody incompetent clowns of coaches that pick these sides.

 

I shudder to think if this is the sort of thinking from the coach running the academy, no wonder the youngsters have problems understanding how to play.

 

Ajax played with touchline to touchline width instead of copying them our geniuses play any way but.

 

As for Wotton attempting to imitate an Italian traffic cop arm waving, gestures etc whilst giving a totally incompetent display allegedly holding in front of the back four.

 

Apart from his usual high percentage of fouls, all he succeeded in doing, was giving the ball back to Ajax nine times out of ten, wandering about in between the Ajax players picking up nobody.

 

His incompetent display disrupted the midfield and stopped the centre backs coming out and attacking the ball.

 

Mills did well and looked useful at left back, we needed two up front and two banks of four. One up front with everybody funneling back was awful.

 

Gillett was fine but James was poor in midfield but Wotton didn't help matters. If we are going to play a holding player they have to attack the ball and have a nearly 100% passing success rate not 10%.

 

Murty looked useful, I just hope he hasn't done his knee.

 

Pardew has a lot to do yet and a lot of changing of the way we have been playing. Wotton just cannot be played in a five man midfield.

 

David, i could have written that myself.I enjoyed watching the way Ajax pulled us apart 2nd half with long passes which switched play and after Murty went off, caught poor old Lloyd-James watching the ball drop over his head. I hope we are not going to play 1 up front again, i felt sorry for Rasiak and Saga trying to close their back 4 down.Agree Wootton is very agricultural,dung and slurry come to mind.Alan Pardew, please sort this out. I will return next Saturday to see if we have an improvement.I hate being negative but it stank 2nd half of same ****e different league.Sorry:(

[Master Bates]

Quite an interesting picture there Nexstar, Markus Liebherr wearing fake tan? or does he just have a natural glow.

 

Who can spot the sailor boy? and you also seem to have captured the ghost of Michael Jackson.

 

Great to be back today, the result didn't matter to me.

[shurlock]

Where the hell do we get these bloody incompetent clowns of coaches that pick these sides.

 

I shudder to think if this is the sort of thinking from the coach running the academy, no wonder the youngsters have problems understanding how to play.

 

Ajax played with touchline to touchline width instead of copying them our geniuses play any way but.

 

As for Wotton attempting to imitate an Italian traffic cop arm waving, gestures etc whilst giving a totally incompetent display allegedly holding in front of the back four.

 

Apart from his usual high percentage of fouls, all he succeeded in doing, was giving the ball back to Ajax nine times out of ten, wandering about in between the Ajax players picking up nobody.

 

His incompetent display disrupted the midfield and stopped the centre backs coming out and attacking the ball.

 

Mills did well and looked useful at left back, we needed two up front and two banks of four. One up front with everybody funneling back was awful.

 

Gillett was fine but James was poor in midfield but Wotton didn't help matters. If we are going to play a holding player they have to attack the ball and have a nearly 100% passing success rate not 10%.

 

Murty looked useful, I just hope he hasn't done his knee.

 

Pardew has a lot to do yet and a lot of changing of the way we have been playing. Wotton just cannot be played in a five man midfield.

 

Spot on. Wotton = pure deadwood

[Channon's Sideburns]

Thought Mills was fantastic today..MOM after Kelvin who was immense.

 

Really, Ajax turned up the tempo in the last 20mins, which showed in the final score. Texted the Mrs after Mills' goal - 'WE'RE BEATING AJAX!!!'....ah well it didn't last but it was a good game.

 

BTW I could see from the Northam that it was never a penalty....

 

Lowlights for me...Molyneux in 2nd half, thought he did ok in the 1st considering who he was up against.

 

Lallana is too lightweight..and ineffective - one fancy flick and that was it. Rasiak and Saga - GET RID NOW

 

When Rommedahl came on, Ajax looked much more dangerous.

[Red&White]

Strange how we all have differing opinions I thought Murty was one of our best players but needs to be fitter.

We did ok against superior opposition we all know we need some new blood, our strikers need a kick up the arse no fight or passion.

[Amesbury Saint]

regarding picture of the directors box please can someone add names to each person

[Guest Dark Sotonic Mills]

Quite an interesting picture there Nexstar, Markus Liebherr wearing fake tan? or does he just have a natural glow.

 

Who can spot the sailor boy? and you also seem to have captured the ghost of Michael Jackson.

 

Great to be back today, the result didn't matter to me.

 

Looks like a bit of jaundice to me.

 

Where do you think the ghost of MJ is? There are too many white people in the photo for me to guess which one it is.

[Running Man]

A relief to be back.

 

Enjoyed that, to be honest - first half we played pretty well and gave them a decent test. Well taken goal by Mills and how the ref gave that penalty I'll never know.

 

Second half when we made changes it was always likely to give them a bit more impetus and they tore us to bits, understandably. At the end of the day, they're a very good side who will be one of the leading clubs in the Europa League this season. Losing 4-1 and running out of steam against a side of their calibre is no disgrace.

 

Yes - pretty much the way it looked from where I was. I think Murty could be a good leader at the back.

 

Thanks God we still have Kelvin though otherwise it could have been 7-1. He's definitely going to be worth a few points to us this season.

[Nexstar]

regarding picture of the directors box please can someone add names to each person

 

I see Oldknow and Claus standing up talking.

Leon and Lawrie sat below them.

Liebherr being the tanned one in the front row, possibly with his sister between him and Pardew.

Trevor Macdonald look-a-like is fairly obvious

[agboola]

why does the guy front row 2nd from the left look really familiar

 

Roman Abrimovitch lookalike?

[kpturner]

Trevor Macdonald look-a-like is fairly obvious

Is it? Beats me. The only really obvious one is Jan Poortvliet sitting in front of Lawrie Mac.

[Master Bates]

Looks like a bit of jaundice to me.

 

Where do you think the ghost of MJ is? There are too many white people in the photo for me to guess which one it is.

 

Seriously

 

Edited 18 July, 2009 by Master Bates

[Charlie Wayman]

Still conceding plenty of late goals then. Something there to be looked at by the new man in charge.

 

Not really late goals. Ajax stepped up a gear in the second half and were very comfortable winners, the gulf in class all too easy to see. On the other hand our lads were knackered after 20 mins, so the contest was effectively over.

 

A lack of leadership and purpose was evident to all, not entirely unexpected as we don' t have manager right now, so we must hope that AP has enough time to get some tactical cohesion and knowse into the squad before Aug 8. Schneiderlin looked a real class act and showed the rest how holding the ball up and running with it changed the way the game was going. If we can keep him and keep him fit then we have a mid-field general as good as any will be in this league.

 

As usual Lallana looked like a headless chicken, where he earned his reputation is beyond me. No wonder there were no offers, can we not offload him to Bournemouth?

[Channon's Sideburns]

Not really late goals. Ajax stepped up a gear in the second half and were very comfortable winners, the gulf in class all too easy to see. On the other hand our lads were knackered after 20 mins, so the contest was effectively over.

 

A lack of leadership and purpose was evident to all, not entirely unexpected as we don' t have manager right now, so we must hope that AP has enough time to get some tactical cohesion and knowse into the squad before Aug 8. Schneiderlin looked a real class act and showed the rest how holding the ball up and running with it changed the way the game was going. If we can keep him and keep him fit then we have a mid-field general as good as any will be in this league.

 

As usual Lallana looked like a headless chicken, where he earned his reputation is beyond me. No wonder there were no offers, can we not offload him to Bournemouth?

 

Careful Charlie..the Lallana Protection Squad will be along in a minute ;-)

 

TBH I was indifferent to him after Xmas - now with his 'Billy BigBalls Act' that Wotte mentioned - well I hope he watches his own performances...because guess what...Molyneux was better than him in the first half..

 

His REAL PROBLEM is that:

 

a) He doesn't seem to know what his position is;

b) None of our coaching staff or players seem to know either.

 

If Pardew can solve that conundrum then perhaps Adam may get his big move and payday in January.

[SaintBobby]

Thought we did okay. Still hope we play a straight forward 4-4-2 in future.

 

I'm v happy with the keeper.

 

Like Perry and Thomas as first choice centre-backs, but don't rate Lancashire as cover.

 

Mills good at left back. Molyneuax wasn't. Murty was prety good.

 

Gillet and James can't play together in central midfield. Think Schneiderlin is a key player for us if he stays. Didn't think Wotton was as sh*te as others are saying. Still rate Lallana as a "joker in the pack" player this season, if he stays. I'd also keep Euell if his wage demand is reasonable. Brings some experience and strength and could be good in the third tier.

 

Neither Saga nor Rasiak can play as lone strikers. We need a pacey centre forward quite urgently to compliment Rasiak/John/Saga.

 

After a glimpse today and a slighty longer look at Bournemouth, I think Jake Thomson is my "one to watch" this year.

 

Really enjoyed the day (well, made a full weekend of it by going to Isle of Wight for the Newport game on Friday). It's great to be back at SMS. I genuienly feared the day may never come.

 

Ajax were very, very good. Top 8 premiership side, on basis of today, I'd say.

[pilsburydoughboy]

Is that Ian Turner in front of Lawrie Mac?

[View From The Top]

Ajax looked slick, passed slick and a decent team. We looked what we are, a div 1 side. Passing poor, midfield too deep for much of the game and some of our players looked unfit. That said I think Pardew has something to work with.

 

Sums it up perfectly IMHO.

[Kingsland Red]

The first XI looked good against quality opposition.

Once the subs came on it all fell apart a bit but a good run out.

Desperately need forwards who can score - Leroy Lita ?

[shurlock]

Davis, CBs, Mills and Schneiderlin (when he came on) were all reasonable - suggests midfield and upfront need real attention (though can't see us playing with just the one striker in other matches - henderson still seemed to be thinking like the old regime). We need more width and pace - ajax gave a master class in how to spread the ball and use all the width of the pitch. Thankfully Pards likes playing with wingers.

[musesaint]

Felt generally encouraged today but Pardew has a lot of work to do

 

We start on minus 10....Play-Offs our best hope I think ...anything better a miracle...mid table realistic unless Pardew can get the right players in ...will be interested to see what, if anything, he does with Euell and John

 

Oh Yes Spiderman is a class act ...made an obvious difference today when he came on .....he will be awesome in League 1 if we give him his chance...as will Mills

 

Kelvin is God. Fact

[St Marco]

Was a nice game up to about the 75 mark. Was good to see the new manager and owner and the atmosphere was awesome. Obviously Ajax are a better team then us by quite some distance but we did ourselves proud.

However i still think the squad needs about 4 or 5 new players who are of better quality then what we have. Our defence was ok for the most of it but saw the same problems we have had for past few seasons. Slow players who are a bit clumsy now and then and not always chosing the easiest options for dealing with crosses,passes etc. Thomas did good i thought and if we can keep him fit then he would be a big plus for us. Perry is ok and has the commitment level but i think we need to keep him as cover, get at least 1 CB in and at bare minimum a decent left back. Our wingers did ok but we need better players out there, without the people creating chances for the strikers they will never score.

Im sure Pardew knows this and as he said will be bringing in some players.

A lot of positives for the team and im sure we will do ok. With the current squad i think mid table is best we can hope for. With a few clever signings we could push for a playoff spot.

[rick1976.4.38]

just got back,have to say i thought we were ok first half.perry and thomas will be a solid pairing in lg1.dont think 4-5-1 will be our best option,especially as rasiak is so slow and had very little support.pen was a no no,and changed the game and the atmoshere in the ground,went a bit quiet for a while.all changed second half with all the substitutions,to be expected and ajax showed what a class act they are.all in all,thank god weve a team to support,it was good to be back at sms and roll on the new season.pardew will have to get a few players in,strikers for sure.coyr

[harvey]

Don't normally do 'friendlies', but as it was ML's first game at St Marys after shelling out 12 million quid to keep the club alive, I thought I'd attend and show my appreciation.......the actual game was secondary.

 

Tbh, I really can't believe those fans who left after the 3rd and 4th goals.....what were you expecting? :smt102

[trousers]

why does the guy front row 2nd from the left look really familiar

 

I don't recognise him....any clues?

[trousers]

Couldn't go what was the atmos like? Would ML have been chuffed with the crowd?

 

Markus had a broad smile on his face whenever I looked up towards the director's box - he looked genuinely proud and chuffed with his purchase. Looks to be a really humble chap.

 

He wrapped a saints scarf around his neck at the end and waved to the fans as if to say "this feels right".

 

I caught one of the "Welcome Markus" t-shirts that the players wore when coming onto the pitch and then threw into the crowd....a tad chuffed about that!

 

All in all, an encouraging performance by Saints....held their own in the first half but a combination of fitness, experience and Ajax raising their game in the second half was our undoing.

 

I would definately trade in Rasiak and Saga for a hungrier 'League 1 type' goalscorer. Both players still seem to be wearing their "I ought to be in a higher league' badge - I'd rather have one or two hungrier League 1 or League 2 strikers who are more likely to be prolific in this league.

[harvey]

why does the guy front row 2nd from the left look really familiar

 

Looks like Michael Atherton to me......highly unlikely though.

[krissyboy31]

Looks like Michael Atherton to me......highly unlikely though.

 

Seeing he was 3rd Man in the Sky Commentary box at Lords, I'd say more than highly unlikely.

[trousers]

Is that Michael Wilde bottom left of directors box?????

 

 

Looks more like Tommac to me....

[harvey]

Seeing he was 3rd Man in the Sky Commentary box at Lords, I'd say more than highly unlikely.

 

There ya go then!....that told me :cool:

[Nutwood2]

I asked for a ticket in the Chapel. Told it was sold out.

[SaintSparky]

Being able to have a football match at St Mary's involving Saints without heavy clouds over the club is a total joy and a huge relief.

[Chez]

what the game showed me is that we desperately need a left and right midfielder, a box to box cental midfielder and some pace up front. I also worry about the size of the side, a team full of midgets. I suspect we need a centre back to win some headers but obviously Ajax didn't play the ball anywhere but on the deck.

 

Davis - prevented a hammering

Murty - short and slow. Comitted. Not impressive by any means.

Thomas - steady half.

Perry - quite a lot if desperate streches

Molyneux - did OK until Rommadahl came on then quickly taken off.

Wotton - far too deep and usual poor passing except for our goal which was a peach of a pass.

Gillett - actually played as the attacking midfielder of the three. Totally ineffective in that position.

James - some poor passing and never in the game. When moved to right back he had a mare, but with little protection in front to be fair to him.

Mills - never really in the game at left midfield. Did well at left back though.

Lallana - totally ineffective in the wide right role. Why on earth we plat Gillett in the hole when that role is perfect for Lallana I will never know.

Patterson - why play him wide right.Madness. Did nothing but wrong position totally.

Rasiak - did OK and looked up for it. Needed more support.

 

McNish - lookeed lightweight but only got a minute or two.

 

Saga - totally isolated. Why on earth we played him on his own is beyond me.

Thomson - poor and I wonder if he is good enogh for league 1. Lightweight.

[Gravesend Saint]

I asked for a ticket in the Chapel. Told it was sold out.

 

Same here but as others have said, it was probably a lot of the freebie tickets not being used.

 

Still, just got home (Kent) - stopped off at the hungry horse in Andover to console ourselves

 

Thought the first 30 minutes or so were a good start - began brightly and the goal was well worked.

 

Murty may have been caught out of position a couple of times and needs to fitten up a bit but I thought he did well and, along with Molyneux, put in some good tackles and blocks.

 

Lallana's deadballs were poor - was sat in the Itchen South corner and his corners in front of us in were atrocious.

 

Saga tried to make a difference when he came on but the final ball was poor all over the park.

 

You could tell Ajax were a quality outfit - when they received the ball to feet it just stuck whereas we had no control. We were also bundled off the ball to much.

 

Roll on the era of AP - time to get some real work going.