Huddersfield 3-1 Saints - Post Match Reaction

[Window Cleaner]

53 minutes (Score 1-1): Saints Subs: Morgan Schneiderlin & Lloyd James OFF - Jake Thomson and Jacob Mellis ON.

 

Was this the main reason we turned a draw into a heavy defeat?

 

 

the reason that we lost again is the same as last season, we have a 37 year old 5'9" centre half playing against 25 year old 6'4" strikers.

 

anyone who just won't see that is denying reality,

[teamsaint]

One problem is that we really don't have one midfielder who is likely to win their personal battle.They are a second rate lot indeed.

 

We could probably get away with any two of them if we had one class winger and someone of substance in the middle.MS may have class, but they game just passes him by. Until the MF is drastically improved we will fail to pick up points.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

Just got back and have to say in common with others who went I cannot find anything positive to say.

Normally there is one or two players who do OK but it was simply dreadful in every dept. I am more worried tonight than I was prior to the Millwall game because we were inadequate all over the pitch.

 

The defence were all over the place - Thomas was particularly embarrassing and got worse as the game went on, the midfield were shocking. I am a fan of Lallana but totally ineffectual today and fancy dan tricks don't get you far in Yorkshire. Lloyd James looked lost out wide right and Schneiderlin just not suited to this league. Wotton well I think you all know his weaknesses. Lambert did his best and you could see Rasiak's class but we threatened little. The new lad from Chelsea made a few intelligent runs into the area after he came on but no one had the nous to anticipate these runs - once he ran into acres of space as Murty shaped to take a free kick but the former Reading man wasn't even looking.

 

Even Davis was Jekyll and Hyde - he made some great one on one saves but he didn't properly deal with all the corners (and they had loads) which put our defence under continual pressure. Also a shame he palmed a terrible pen kick back into the path of the taker. Bit churlish to criticise him however because of the dreadful organisation of the defence. I just wish he had a greater command of his box.

 

If I was AP tonight I would be worried. I like his post match comments - it sounds like he is aware of the problems but I have to say, based on that performance, I would take an ultimately successful battle against relegation right now. My sights have been considerable lowered after today and I realise just how lowe we have sunk.

[saint1977]

Disappointing but not surprising.

 

Around 5 new faces needed - 2 x huge CB's, 1 x Tough midfielder, 1 x winger, 1 x striker.

 

Mental and physical strength needed in this division - we have neither in too many of these players.

 

Personally I would ship out Perry, Wotton, Rasiak, Saga, Lancashire, Pulis and Molyneux before the transfer window ends. Some are not good enough others don't want to be here.

 

Question marks over James (as a midfielder), Thomson (never seen him have an impact), Spiderman (not cut out for Div 1 football?) at this level. I still think Thomas is mentally suspect also.

 

Some of these need to be replaced with experienced Championship players with a bit of muscle. A hell of a lot to do in the next couple of weeks - from now until then is effectively the pre-season we never had.

 

Spot on - I would free Lancashire and Pulis as neither are anywhere near Football League standard. Lancashire should start with local/County football like Kevin Phillips did when released by us and see if he can work his way up again but we've subsidised enough rubbish like him and Molyneux, let alone Pulis, in the last 18 months. Wotton - whoever signed him should be shot. Rasiak and Saga don't want to be here, Rasiak will be gone next week I reckon, don't know about Saga.

 

James has a lot to prove, out of position last season but despite some encouraging glimpses needs to improve now if he's to have a career at this level but I do think Morgan will do well this season. Thomas we are going to have to work with and bring in 2 more CBs as Perry is going to struggle as anything other than cover. Tough for Pardew - reduced prep time with a soft, unprofessional squad that are mentally shot and 2-0 down before they kick-off. Thank God for Kelvin as today would have been far heavier and we'd have lost V Millwall as well. Let's hope Cortese was watching and releases funds for 4-5 new faces in the starting XI for the Brentford game.

[LostBoys]

I only heard the game on the radio and I did not think we would win but but we were a very poor second. We need at least three players - a centre half and two midfield players

[shurlock]

Just back from the game and wont reiterate what other fellow travellers have said. Despite the result, my concerns last week were vindicated by today's performance and an AWOL midfield without any natural width. Just a few points:

 

1. The substitutions made sense - we were in the process of bringing on Mellis and Thompson when Lambert scored - so the substitutions werent provoked by the goal per se. Mellis for Schneiderlin was one creative midfielder for another; Thompson for James was meant to add some width and pace.

 

2. Like an old racehorse, Perry's shot. Is a great reader of the game but because pace is an issue he backs off and off, resorting instead to last chance saloon lunges and clearances. This lack of composure just invites pressure. It also makes it really difficult to build anything from the back. More generally, why can't a defender or defensive midfield take f**kin responsibility and bring the ball forward a few yards rather than get rid of it like a hot potato. Thought Harding did it to good effect on Tuesday - forces the opposition out of position, making it easier to find others in space. Elementary stuff.

 

3. Why not try Lallana upfront with Lambert? Lallana works best when he's playing off someone, when he can pick up a loose ball around the box, spot a runner and thread a ball, not when's he isolated on the left or right in the middle of his own half.

 

4. I do have time for Schneiderlin - he hit the ball of the day finding Lallana on the edge of their area from just over the halfway line. But he needs the ball played on the floor to him to do damage and runners breaking from midfield. Wotton is not only deadwood but also upsets Schneiderlin's natural game. Anybody CM will have the same problem with Wotton about.

 

5. James now thinks like a RB and consequently drops way too deep (granted he can deliver a nice ball time to time). Makes it very difficult for Murty to develop an effective partnership.

[Saint Fen]

Just got back and have to say in common with others who went I cannot find anything positive to say.

Normally there is one or two players who do OK but it was simply dreadful in every dept. I am more worried tonight than I was prior to the Millwall game because we were inadequate all over the pitch.

 

The defence were all over the place - Thomas was particularly embarrassing and got worse as the game went on, the midfield were shocking. I am a fan of Lallana but totally ineffectual today and fancy dan tricks don't get you far in Yorkshire. Lloyd James looked lost out wide right and Schneiderlin just not suited to this league. Wotton well I think you all know his weaknesses. Lambert did his best and you could see Rasiak's class but we threatened little. The new lad from Chelsea made a few intelligent runs into the area after he came on but no one had the nous to anticipate these runs - once he ran into acres of space as Murty shaped to take a free kick but the former Reading man wasn't even looking.

 

Even Davis was Jekyll and Hyde - he made some great one on one saves but he didn't properly deal with all the corners (and they had loads) which put our defence under continual pressure. Also a shame he palmed a terrible pen kick back into the path of the taker. Bit churlish to criticise him however because of the dreadful organisation of the defence. I just wish he had a greater command of his box.

 

If I was AP tonight I would be worried. I like his post match comments - it sounds like he is aware of the problems but I have to say, based on that performance, I would take an ultimately successful battle against relegation right now. My sights have been considerable lowered after today and I realise just how lowe we have sunk.

 

 

Just got back from the game and this is a fair summary, we were totally shocking. 0-0 at half time was totally undeserved as Davis made a couple of superb saves.

 

Rasiak and Lambert are too similar and shouldn't be played together, if they do we have to play with out and out wingers and get the ball in the box......which we didn't at all.

 

Lambert took more or less the only chance we created.

 

The need for a new centre half is obvious, Perry was about the only decent outfield player in the first half, however struggled badly in the second half. Thomas was bad and god know why Burley paid £1m for him on £8k a week!!

 

Our midfield were as shocking as the defence if not worse, supplied Rasiak and Lambert with nothing and rarely kept any noteable possession. Why play Wotton with Schniderlen? Which ever one plays (Schniderlin preferably) needs to play with someone who is a box to box player.

 

I'm going to Swindon Tuesday but not really looking forward to it now!

[Window Cleaner]

Just back from the game and wont reiterate what other fellow travellers have said. Despite the result, my concerns last week were vindicated by today's performance and an AWOL midfield without any natural width. Just a few points:

 

1. The substitutions made sense - we were in the process of bringing on Mellis and Thompson when Lambert scored - so the substitutions werent provoked by the goal per se. Mellis for Schneiderlin was one creative midfielder for another; Thompson for James was meant to add some width and pace.

 

2. Like an old racehorse, Perry's shot. Is a great reader of the game but because pace is an issue he backs off and off, resorting instead to last chance saloon lunges and clearances. This lack of composure just invites pressure. It also makes it really difficult to build anything from the back. More generally, why can't a defender or defensive midfield take f**kin responsibility and bring the ball forward a few yards rather than get rid of it like a hot potato. Thought Harding did it to good effect on Tuesday - forces the opposition out of position, making it easier to find others in space. Elementary stuff.

 

3. Why not try Lallana upfront with Lambert? Lallana works best when he's playing off someone, when he can pick up a loose ball around the box, spot a runner and thread a ball, not when's he isolated on the left or right in the middle of his own half.

 

4. I do have time for Schneiderlin - he hit the ball of the day finding Lallana on the edge of their area from just over the halfway line. But he needs the ball played on the floor to him to do damage and runners breaking from midfield. Wotton is not only deadwood but also upsets Schneiderlin's natural game. Anybody CM will have the same problem with Wotton about.

 

5. James now thinks like a RB and consequently drops way too deep (granted he can deliver a nice ball time to time). Makes it very difficult for Murty to develop an effective partnership.

 

Short answer to Q3, he is ****e, you can play him, centre forward, goalkeeper, deep striker, on the wing, anywhere you like he'll always be sh*te.

[andybeal]

I was there and to be honest people are being unfair to our defence all 5 incl KD were under the kosh from the 1st minute - and were firefighting all 1st half and did well to keep it at 0-0 - the fault lies totally with the midfield all 4 of them totally incompetant.

[lenwilkins]

Just got back and have to say in common with others who went I cannot find anything positive to say.

Normally there is one or two players who do OK but it was simply dreadful in every dept. I am more worried tonight than I was prior to the Millwall game because we were inadequate all over the pitch.

 

The defence were all over the place - Thomas was particularly embarrassing and got worse as the game went on, the midfield were shocking. I am a fan of Lallana but totally ineffectual today and fancy dan tricks don't get you far in Yorkshire. Lloyd James looked lost out wide right and Schneiderlin just not suited to this league. Wotton well I think you all know his weaknesses. Lambert did his best and you could see Rasiak's class but we threatened little. The new lad from Chelsea made a few intelligent runs into the area after he came on but no one had the nous to anticipate these runs - once he ran into acres of space as Murty shaped to take a free kick but the former Reading man wasn't even looking.

 

Even Davis was Jekyll and Hyde - he made some great one on one saves but he didn't properly deal with all the corners (and they had loads) which put our defence under continual pressure. Also a shame he palmed a terrible pen kick back into the path of the taker. Bit churlish to criticise him however because of the dreadful organisation of the defence. I just wish he had a greater command of his box.

 

If I was AP tonight I would be worried. I like his post match comments - it sounds like he is aware of the problems but I have to say, based on that performance, I would take an ultimately successful battle against relegation right now. My sights have been considerable lowered after today and I realise just how lowe we have sunk.

 

Thanks for the report FF. Doesn't sound good I must admit. I think our frailties were also evident in the Millwall match but there were some green shoots there in Harding, Murty and even Saga who looked enthusiastic to me. No doubt we're in need of some more fresh blood.

 

The only thing that made me smile was your last sentence Duncan where you perhaps subconsciously seem to still be blaming the duckhunter for our woes.

 

Still it can only get better and I'm certainly not regretting buying a Season Ticket.

[Window Cleaner]

I was there and to be honest people are being unfair to our defence all 5 incl KD were under the kosh from the 1st minute - and were firefighting all 1st half and did well to keep it at 0-0 - the fault lies totally with the midfield all 4 of them totally incompetant.

 

What is this new trend to blame the midfield when the defence can't cope with their job-defending??

It is no use having a 29 goal striker and a midfield that creates them for him when your defence can't stop a granny with a zimmer frame.

Defenders are there to defend, not swan about for 89 minutes whilst being protected by a band of thugs in midfield. Our problem is Perry and to lesser extent Thomas, it is a sieve, it f*cked us last season and it will again this season if we don't get some real centre backs on the job sharpish.

[shurlock]

Short answer to Q3, he is ****e, you can play him, centre forward, goalkeeper, deep striker, on the wing, anywhere you like he'll always be sh*te.

 

Bit harsh, i reckon. Surprisingly it was JP who got the best out of Lallana with his infamous 4-2-1-2-1 which meant that he was tucked just behind DMG (neither a straight midfielder nor straight centre-forward). I'm not saying we go back to that - christ no!- but with someone like Lambert properly able to lead the line, he could flourish in a more advanced, central position.

[andybeal]

What is this new trend to blame the midfield when the defence can't cope with their job-defending??

It is no use having a 29 goal striker and a midfield that creates them for him when your defence can't stop a granny with a zimmer frame.

Defenders are there to defend, not swan about for 89 minutes whilst being protected by a band of thugs in midfield. Our problem is Perry and to lesser extent Thomas, it is a sieve, it f*cked us last season and it will again this season if we don't get some real centre backs on the job sharpish.

 

Get real

[Window Cleaner]

Bit harsh, i reckon. Surprisingly it was JP who got the best out of Lallana with his infamous 4-2-1-2-1 which meant that he was tucked just behind DMG (neither a straight midfielder nor straight centre-forward). I'm not saying we go back to that - christ no!- but with someone like Lambert properly able to lead the line, he could flourish in a more advanced, central position.

 

 

Lallana's real position is.........in the reserves.

[shurlock]

Lallana's real position is.........in the reserves.

 

So who would you play instead?

[saints_is_the_south]

Cheers for the reports guys, sort of wish i hadn't read them! Not looking forward to the game on Tuesday now!

[Sidney Fudpucker the 3rd]

So who would you play instead?

 

Joseph Mills! And before you start, I know he's injured. But if fit he should be straight in the team.

[Window Cleaner]

So who would you play instead?

 

Holmes until McLaggon is fit (or we get someone else)

 

I'd even try dropping Saga into midfield before I gave Lallana a start.

[badgerx16]

What is this new trend to blame the midfield when the defence can't cope with their job-defending??

The defence were exposed because the midfield could neither keep possession nor string one pass together; 4 vs 7 is always going to end in tears - the midfield had the impact of a marshmallow and the bite of a toothless slug

....a midfield that creates....

They created the square root of f u c k all.

when your defence can't stop a granny with a zimmer frame.

.............. Our problem is Perry and to lesser extent Thomas, it is a sieve, it f*cked us last season and it will again this season if we don't get some real centre backs on the job sharpish.

However, I am not trying to claim the defence are blameless. Perry is probably now too slow, ( to go with his being too short ). Thomas had his good, and bad, moments, but I felt was probably mostly just lacking matches. Murty looks the part, but is probably also a couple of matches short of a decent level of fitness, and Harding is at least an improvement on the last few left backs we've had.

 

Given the extremely uncertain close-season, & the late start to pre-season, all coming on the back of last season's trail of disaster, is it any surprise that the co-ordination and understanding that an efficient team needs are not yet there. Combine this with an away fixture against a well prepared and motivated opposition, likely to prove one of the better sides in this division, and I won't be losing sleep over the team just yet.

[Saint_clark]

Just got back. My basic summary before I go to bed;

 

Perry and Wotton are not up to it.

Lallana cannot play on the wings.

Harding and Murty are as best you will get at fullback in this league.

Lambert is phenomenal, but cannot play with Rasiak - he needs someone who will chase the flick ons (hello Paterson)

Kelvin Davis is the best keeper in the football league bar none.

 

And (bearing in mind I DO NOT want to start criticising him this early) but Pardews substitutions baffled me.

[shurlock]

Joseph Mills! And before you start, I know he's injured. But if fit he should be straight in the team.

 

I agree - Mills would go straight in on the left. Found it odd that Lallana's been played there, though AP switched him to the right in the middle of today's game.

[Whitey Grandad]

What does anyone expect with a midfield of Lallana, Wotton, Schneiderlin & James? We're not going to dominate many games with those four.

[Window Cleaner]

Just got back. My basic summary before I go to bed;

 

Perry and Wotton are not up to it.

Lallana cannot play on the wings.

Harding and Murty are as best you will get at fullback in this league.

Lambert is phenomenal, but cannot play with Rasiak - he needs someone who will chase the flick ons (hello Paterson)

Kelvin Davis is the best keeper in the football league bar none.

 

And (bearing in mind I DO NOT want to start criticising him this early) but Pardews substitutions baffled me.

 

 

Can,in fact, anyone play with Rasiak? Saga can't (apparently)

Cristiano Ronaldo could probably, ah bugger, he's fcked off to an easy life in Spain.

[saintrich]

Will do the match report in the morning, too tired.

[Window Cleaner]

Honestly I don't see that dissappointment at what can only be described as a poor result can be seen as an overactive knee jerk reaction. Charlton have won 2 from 2 and were certainly no better than us last season.Something is desperately wrong at SFC and it is totally incomprehensible, we have the money(allegedly) and the support yet we are still totaly and utterly p*ss poor. 1 point from 2 games is unacceptable yet you are still all rejoicing because we have a club.I just can't understand it to be frank.

[Arizona]

Can,in fact, anyone play with Rasiak? Saga can't (apparently)Cristiano Ronaldo could probably, ah bugger, he's fcked off to an easy life in Spain.

 

What are you basing this on?

[Window Cleaner]

What are you basing this on?

 

Hmmm Burley's surprising decision not to play them together?

[ianthesaint]

I went today, just in, we played ****.

 

I can confirm, the pies were excellent.

[Smirking_Saint]

What are you basing this on?

 

Rasiak and Lambert are one and the same, make money on GR and play a boy that compliments the big man, someone that works hard and annoys defences, like ormarod did for beat's

[Arizona]

Hmmm Burley's surprising decision not to play them together?

 

Burley made many surprising decisions. The one not to have any defenders in his squad was perhaps the most surprising. Doesn't mean he was right though.

 

Crouchie, read that post again.

[Window Cleaner]

.

 

Crouchie, read that post again.

 

 

????????????????????

[Arizona]

????????????????????

 

Sorry, that part wasn't refering to your post.

[Smirking_Saint]

Burley made many surprising decisions. The one not to have any defenders in his squad was perhaps the most surprising. Doesn't mean he was right though.

 

Crouchie, read that post again.

 

Don't you start, i am not crouchie, don't even know who the **** is, just think that we will benefit if Lambert plays with a worker

[Arizona]

Ok. I was refering to a comment that Saga and Rasiak couldn't play together and not today's strike partnership.

[ghq]

Just back from the game and wont reiterate what other fellow travellers have said. Despite the result, my concerns last week were vindicated by today's performance and an AWOL midfield without any natural width. Just a few points:

 

1. The substitutions made sense - we were in the process of bringing on Mellis and Thompson when Lambert scored - so the substitutions werent provoked by the goal per se. Mellis for Schneiderlin was one creative midfielder for another; Thompson for James was meant to add some width and pace.

 

2. Like an old racehorse, Perry's shot. Is a great reader of the game but because pace is an issue he backs off and off, resorting instead to last chance saloon lunges and clearances. This lack of composure just invites pressure. It also makes it really difficult to build anything from the back. More generally, why can't a defender or defensive midfield take f**kin responsibility and bring the ball forward a few yards rather than get rid of it like a hot potato. Thought Harding did it to good effect on Tuesday - forces the opposition out of position, making it easier to find others in space. Elementary stuff.

 

3. Why not try Lallana upfront with Lambert? Lallana works best when he's playing off someone, when he can pick up a loose ball around the box, spot a runner and thread a ball, not when's he isolated on the left or right in the middle of his own half.

 

4. I do have time for Schneiderlin - he hit the ball of the day finding Lallana on the edge of their area from just over the halfway line. But he needs the ball played on the floor to him to do damage and runners breaking from midfield. Wotton is not only deadwood but also upsets Schneiderlin's natural game. Anybody CM will have the same problem with Wotton about.

 

5. James now thinks like a RB and consequently drops way too deep (granted he can deliver a nice ball time to time). Makes it very difficult for Murty to develop an effective partnership.

 

Thanks for the reports, a few were informative, most were memodramatic doom and gloom, but thanks for the time spent contributing.

The above report from Shurlock is easy to read and doesn't get into the theatricals that dominate the board today. Post of the day in my opinion. Thanks.

[saintsforlife7]

Rasiak was rubbish, he won 2 headers all afternoon, got pushed off the ball every time it went near him and was offside more times than Leon Best used to be! The freekick at the end summed it up when he calls for it, we watch him walk offside, challenges, loses the header but is a good yard or two offside, when all he had to do was look across as we could see it in the stand!

[Kingsbridge Saint]

Keep the revolving door spinning Alan - you know it makes sense.

[John B]

Keep the revolving door spinning Alan - you know it makes sense.

 

I thought that it was poor management from JP Lowe Wilde and Wotte which caused our relegation but now as I suspected the players had something to do with it.

 

Although I agree it would be a good idea to get in some better players it is hardly likely that we can off load some our current ones

[Professor]

Keep the revolving door spinning Alan - you know it makes sense.

 

This has to be the way forward. On the OS Murty is quoted a saying about Huddersfield, "When you've got guys like they have in the side they're going to be a handful...". That seems to sum it up for Saints that we don't have enough good players of that kind.

Although people are criticising quite a few of the team, and even complaining about some people who aren't in the side, the problem does seem to come down to a couple of the older players who are past their best and going downhill but they need replacing with genuine quality of the kind Murty is talking about.

[John B]

This has to be the way forward. On the OS Murty is quoted a saying about Huddersfield, "When you've got guys like they have in the side they're going to be a handful...". That seems to sum it up for Saints that we don't have enough good players of that kind.

Although people are criticising quite a few of the team, and even complaining about some people who aren't in the side, the problem does seem to come down to a couple of the older players who are past their best and going downhill but they need replacing with genuine quality of the kind Murty is talking about.

 

We obviously need a CB and CM as soon as possible

[OldNick]

I didnt go and so can't comment on the teams performance. I had sympathy with the fans on here who questioned why we were not more active in the transfer market.Thompson is not first team quality and if are going to need him to come on and change the game in a Plan B way we are in real trouble.Many said Rasiak would score for fun in this league, personally |i dont think so.#

Holmes should be tried, and if he can avoid injury he would be better to play wide.

I was amazed at FF criticism of KD as he saved the penalty but pushed it out, surely he did his bit by saving it the defenders are there to then get it away.

I had warned that we need not to get cut adrift and we need to start from the block.If we get 15 points adrift from safety it will be hard to make up.

SO in short the complacency of 'it is alright dont panic' is not the right 1 at present, we need to realise quickly that staying up is not going to be a doddle.

Well done to all those that ravelled by the way

[Rational Rich]

Just got back. My basic summary before I go to bed;

 

Perry and Wotton are not up to it.

Lallana cannot play on the wings.

Harding and Murty are as best you will get at fullback in this league.

Lambert is phenomenal, but cannot play with Rasiak - he needs someone who will chase the flick ons (hello Paterson)

Kelvin Davis is the best keeper in the football league bar none.

 

And (bearing in mind I DO NOT want to start criticising him this early) but Pardews substitutions baffled me.

 

Nail on the head imho. Kelvin was immense today, first time I'd seen the new fullbacks and lambert, happy with them, the problem is what pardew's been left with at CB and CM. Perry had a mare and Wotton is not and never has been a footballer.

 

Got to remember that huddersfield and millwall are two of the better teams in this league and according to some huddersfield fans I know, that was the best they have played for years (though we made it easy for them to do so).

 

Good turnout of saints fans and liked the new rickie lambert song.

[Rational Rich]

Also have to say the huddersfield song based on anarchy in the uk was original and impressive. Think that's one we could adapt.

[Under Weststand]

Seeing a fair bit of division 1 football last year at Stockport this is what I feared, that we would be overrun in midfield, as happened in the last 30-mins against Milwall & yesterday. the spine of the team is neither athletic enough or powerful enough, we need 2 CB's 1 to play with Thomas & 1 as cover, a t least 1 holding midfielder, because at the moment our midfield is to lightweight, and offers no protection to the back four, top of the spine taken care of with Lambert. We also need to inject some pace into the side.

All this AP probably knows already, probably hoped we could cope a little better than this, & buy him a little time to improve us, but its looking like he will have to move a little quicker. The next three games are eminently winnable, Swindon, brentford at home & a trully woeful Stockport (they were quite abject yesterday) if we've not started cutting into the -9 deficit by the end of august then it will be time to start worrying.

[up and away]

I don't know why people are so surprised and angry because we still need what we needed last year and the year before and the year before that - a dominant central defender and a reliable link midfielder. Everything - good or bad - flows from those two positions.

 

There is something else we need, and it's at least as important - a captain. We need someone who will pull the best out of those around them on the pitch - whether by warm words, harsh words, adjustments or sheer example. When's the last time we had that?

 

Until those needs are addressed we'll struggle no matter what division we're in.

 

The good news is that we have the resources to act. I hope.

 

That about sums it up for me. Why should the team be vastly different from last season? the basic problems are still there. The one thing that impressed me the start of last season, was the way we played it from the back and our major downfall was not having a Lambert. We don't even have that now.

 

Firstly the midfield has to give cover for the back four and that will require at least 2 changes. Wotton is your classic chocolate fireguard, totally useless unless no heat is being applied. Gillet we know will do a better job but still needs someone alongside of him, even then he could not keep it going for any length of games previously. Get decent cover in front of the back four and even Perry looks adequate.

 

I would have thought Rasiak would do better in this league, but if you need the team to defend from the front to the back he is not your man and you would be better replacing him. Get control of the match and it may well be a different matter.

 

As someone stated last season, if Wooton is the answer, the question must be relegation. Really surprised Pardew has failed to see this already, staff still remaining could easily have told him if questioned. We are always going to fold against a lively attack and a midfield that press, hopefully we will not find too many of the like of Huddersfield in this League.

[Block 5]

Back from Yorkshire, and following a good night's sleep..........

 

I think we need 2 CBs at least.

Perry reads the game well, but cannot keep up with it all the time. Yesterday, he was great in the first half, but as the game went on he faded and just couldn't maintain the pace.

Thomas is good in the air. But that's it. Put the ball on the deck and he's lost.......

Lancashire may become a good CB, but not this season.

 

The midfield were pretty awful yesterday, but I feel this was down to AP's tactics which seemed rather naive.

He effectively removed them from the game himself for 53 minutes.

 

When we managed to get the ball, we hoofed it up the park in the air to the big guys at the front. They won nothing, mainly because they were both going for the same ball all the time and inevitably, the Terriers regained possession and launched another attack.

 

After 53 minutes of this, AP decided a different approach was required and so brought on Thomson, who tried to exploit his pace playing wide. This didn't work because Huddersfield read the tactic well; every time the ball went to JT, there were 2 and sometimes 3 players on him all the time. He had no support with him and so was dispossessed.

Jacob Mellis was brought on and was obviously told by AP to make runs through the centre of midfield and get into space, which he did reasonably well, however nobody was on his wavelength and so possession ended up being wasted yet again.

 

I'm sure that AP now realises that playing RL and Raz together doesn't work unless you are playing with wingers who are putting crosses into the box from the byline (remember that???).

If we are playing the direct ball we need a nippy striker to play with RL. Another poster suggested Lallana. I think that may work quite well, but my concern is that AL is a bit too lightweight for that role; this is another physical league and the ref yesterday demonstrated this by giving nothing for hard, crunching tackles that would make premiership prima donnas soil their underwear.

 

Huddersfield looked pretty good yesterday and will most likely be up amongst the play off places; the main reason for this was that they appeared very organised and seemed to have a keen understanding of the gameplan which was backed up by communication.

We would do well to learn from them, because at this level, those are attributes that will separate the wheat from the chaff.....

 

I am not overly disappointed by yesterday's result.

We are a transitional team.

We cannot expect anything just yet. It will take time for things to start to gel, and I am sure that they will.

 

I would like to think that we could get 6 points from the next 2 league games but realistically, I would be over the moon if we got 4.

[AndyNorthernSaints]

My memories of the game were that Huddersfield were more stronger, fitter, determined, faster and physical than Saints. It was similar to last season with Davis keeping the score down with his heroics. Lambert workerd hard and is not lazy like some poster stated on another thread. We need width/pace to supply Lambert and co and i don't think we have enough quality in these wide positions. Thomson/james on the right are not the answer,Lallana is not a winger and i don't understand why so many people rate Holmes?

Hopefully AP will have seen how ****e Wotton is and get in a replacement for central midfield.

 

Best thing about yesterday was the real ales in the Grove pub.

[oldsarum]

My memories of the game were that Huddersfield were more stronger, fitter, determined, faster and physical than Saints. It was similar to last season with Davis keeping the score down with his heroics. Lambert workerd hard and is not lazy like some poster stated on another thread. We need width/pace to supply Lambert and co and i don't think we have enough quality in these wide positions. Thomson/james on the right are not the answer,Lallana is not a winger and i don't understand why so many people rate Holmes?

Hopefully AP will have seen how ****e Wotton is and get in a replacement for central midfield.

 

Best thing about yesterday was the real ales in the Grove pub.

 

Other good things was the barmaid in the Grove, and the food and drink festival outside the train station where I got a brilliant Thai Curry for £2.90 for train home

 

On the the playing side if we get a dominating centre back, we still need someone in midfield who can control the game and a good winger to create the chances for the likes of Lambert and Rasiak, but don't underestimate Huddersfield they will do well this season

[eelpie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by eelpie

An 18 year old in the middle is not wise, no matter how good a prospect he may be. Gillett would have done much better.

Quote: (Ash)

"Absolute nonsense, if he is good enough, he is old enough."

 

If only it were as simple as that.

No matter how talented, youngsters need to be supported by experienced older players around them.

[xS II TURTLE x]

I live in eastbourne and our local team is in the blue square premier and at the monent its more worth my while to go down there. Its cheaper less hassle and the standard of football is pretty similar.