Saints 1-1 Brentford - Post Match Reaction

[saints triumph]

I agree Minty. I enjoyed the game. It's clear that Pardew is making progress but as expected there is still a lot more to be done. I thought Mellis showed some promise but I don't see Thompson and Lallana as the players to give us the width we need.

 

Also have to say that the armchair warriors on the first 20 or so posts on here who presume to give judgement without actually seeing the game really make me laugh. If I miss the game I wait to read comments form people who were there.

 

2 messages I agree with. I had Harding down as motm even before he scored. Got to be Pardews best bit of buisness to date. COYS

[J Bizzle]

Quick match report

 

1st half absolute shyte (get rid of patterson & mellis too lightweight)

2nd half moderately shyte (get rid of James & Thompson too lightweight)

 

was the slag there?

kids and women should be banned from football.

[Thedelldays]

The armchair warriors are right though

[Gis]

Fairly promising performance overall I reckoned. Very impressed with 'DelBoy' Trottman and the way he coped with Carl Cort, especially as he probably hardly knows the names of his team mates yet - him and Perry look like a partnership already. Loved the way he just thumped the ball into the Kingsland when he was uncertain of what to do in the second half. A bit less hesitance from others later on and we could have had three points.

 

Personally I thought that the (tranquilised) Thomson gave us real width when he came on just by sticking out on the wing, and that at last gave (playground footballer) Lallana the space he needed to really attack on the other side........and give a glimpse of what he is capable of.

 

And in defence of (lightweight) Patterson, other than missing a sitter at the start, he looked as dangerous a forward as we have had for ages, good in the air and on the ground.......another good partnership with Lambert beckons.

[SFC Forever]

Interesting or backing AP's judgement.

[SFC Forever]

For what it is worth I am getting more impressed by Harding every week. Today he made a couple of good runs, scored and made some very timely tackles.M O M imho

[saint1977]

Interesting that the 3 leading contenders for mom are all new arrivals?

 

Not surprising though, they are proper professional footballers and it gives me encouragement that Pardew can spot a player. The academy players are getting found out for what they are - Lallana, James, Thomson and Patterson. I'd loan them to BSP clubs and make them realise how pampered they have been. They are a hangover from a bad time in our history and need to starting proving their worth. In the meantime, let's replace the weak little kiddies with some more grown-up professional footballers that try 100% and track-back in the Harding and Trotman mould. Players that can improve from a mistake or setback - Trotman was released at 18 but looked how he has responded positively since.

[Latheal]

Got to be honest, I was there and didn't think it was anywhere near as bad as some was saying - three home debutants in Melis, Hammond and Trotman which was always going to make it difficult - Brentford also unbeaten this season. First hald was pretty even although they probably just shaded it but the second half was all Saints. Trotman (and lets be fair here, he's useless on the floor but immense in the air and definitely has a presence) was good, I thought Hammond had a good debut and only Melis was disappointing out of the three. Morgan had a mere from where I was sitting and we looked a whole lot better and threatening when Thomson and Saga came on at half time (and to be honest, could not argue with those subs). Also, was it me or was Lallana a different player in the second half as well? He is so much better when he actually runs at players and looked dangerous every time he got the ball. Lambert must have won every single ball in the air, including the one that set up Harding (who was easily man of the match) and we looked pretty comfortable in that second half. Only downside was that nobody nailed their player who ran 40 yards before crossing the ball for thier equaliser and that we didn't get the 3 points the second half performance deserved. I was actually quite encouraged by the second half performance. Ratings, below, for what its worth;

 

Davis 7 (had no chance with the goal, some of his kicking was poor but had little to do to be honest)

James 6 (too far off his man although put some dangerous crosses in first half - hardly saw him second half)

Trotman 7 (Great debut - can't pass for toffee though. Awesome in the air).

Perry 7 (steady and calm.)

Harding 8 (Excellent again. Calm finish, strong in the tackle and was actually showed some good pace at times).

Melis 5 (should have scored when put through by a back pass - was nowhere for first 20 minutes but did show some flashes)

Morgan 6 (excellent in places, just bottles 50/50s too many times and for godsake, head the ball man!)

Hammond 7 (so much better than Wotton it was untrue. Played some good one touch passes as well and spread the ball well. Really promising debut)

Lallana 7 (first half awful, second half much, much better. Actually looked dangerous)

Lambert 7 (won absolutely everything in the air. Has an aura about him - need more crosses for him to thrive on. Free kick was awful though)

Patterson 6 (Shuld have scored in first minute after Lallana put him through. Willing runner but right to be taken off at half time)

 

Subs

Saga 7 (linked up much better with Lambert and worked hard)

Thomson 7 (gave us much needed width and tested their left back. Final ball needs to improve though)

Rasiak NS (too little time to make an impact)

[Mr Saints]

At this rate, I would be happy with a bottom half finish above the relegation zone.

 

Depressing, why the **** can't we defend a lead?

[Rasiak-9-]

Well Hammond and Trotman looked like good signings so I guess thats a step in the right direction. We just need some creativity and attacking threat. Theres too much of a gap between what is now a decent defence + central-midfield and the target man and wingers.

 

GET

 

RID

 

OF

 

****ING

 

LALLANA

 

He can't beat players, pussys out of taking players on and plays a square ball, can't shoot, can't play a through-ball. Total overrated ****.

[anothersaintinsouthsea]

Is this the slowest team we have ever had

 

also. How rubbish are the officials at this level

 

I thought Harding and trottman were brilliant

 

 

so true! can someone clear this up because today I've seen a new rule that I never knew about - in the first half we put a man on the touchline to put off their long throw man and the refs and lineman insisted he move back about two yards. I always thought you could stand where you like as long as you didn't jump?

[Running Man]

...and although there were promising signs today we have far to many light weights (James, Thomson, Patterson, Schneiderlein, Lallana) for this Division...

 

There were promising signs of progress today but I agree totally with this. I imagine he will leave soon but with our present squad I still think Saga and Lambert are the best up front pairing.

[corky morris]

Been back an hour now & I agree with what Minty said earlier. We lack real width & pace. We lack composure when teams press high up the park. I am convinced if Murty had been playing that they wouldnt have scored. We needed someone to put the full back in row Z as he ran through where as James, Thomson & a couple of others just watched. Exactly what Hunt did to Morgan just after we scored.

I thought Trotman played well. Brentford.....Hoooofff. The only time they played football they bl00dy scored.

A bit to early to have a dig at Pardew, but I have to say I was hoping for a better start than we have delivered. There are signs of improvement, but I wish we had a proper winger who ran at defenders & crossed! (Probably costs £20m in this market). I think we can learn from teams like Brentford though who press high up the park & work right til the end.

I was impressed by their left full back & keeper.

6 out of 10 performance for me.

[david in sweden]

So would you have got rid of Davis? As I wasn't at the game today I can't comment, but on the evidence of what I saw last Tuesday, he is part of the problem. Great shot stopper and clearly has kept us in games so far, but still maintain his nervousness/positioning at corners, and his shocking kicking and distribution mean he contributes to the problems. Not a popular view I know, but I can only comment on what I see.

 

If he was nervous it's probably because he realises he doesn't have a defence to help him out !

[L1Minus10]

Davis 7 - the odd bit of flappery but a class act

James 4 - crosses from the half way line and let the guy run for the goal

Harding 8 - Solid as you like and a good goal

Trotman 6 - Thought he was terrible first half but improved greatly in the 2nd.

Perry 7 - Mopped up well as usual

Mellis 6 - Thought he looked ok, was he injured ?

Hammond 7 - aggressive in the tackle and calm on the ball

Schneiderlin 6 - ok but capable of so much better

Lallana 4 - Flattered to deceive yet again.

Lambert 7 - Won everything int he air and looked a real threat. his free kicks look ****e though

Paterson 5 - Tried hard but no presence or composure

===========

Thomson 2 - Just dreadful. 90% at fault for the goal against and did nothing going forward. Lightweight and disinterested.

Saganowski 6 - Worked hard with no decent service. The best partner for Lambert

Rasiak ? - 3 minutes to add to his 1 minute on Tuesday.

[dannysfc]

I Went Today As I Normally Go To Every Home Game And Today I Thought It Was A Typical Saints Ending Seeing As Apart From The Goal By My MOTM Harding I Thought We Had A Few Chances In Putting It To Bed But As Always We Stuffed It Up And Brentford Scored!

And As Always We Always Think That 1 Goal Is Enough But It's Not For Me But Fingers Crossed That We'l Put The Errors Right Starting With Birmingham In The Carling Cup On Tuesday Which Will Be Tough But You Never Know With Saints Tbh But We'l See !

Come On Saints !

[Clifford Nelson]

A fair report although possibly too kind to James who crossed the ball like he had a shovel for a foot. But..............

Patience is a virtue us fans do not have.

 

I was shocked at Huddersfield at our ineptness and although there were promising signs today we have far to many light weights (James, Thomson, Patterson, Schneiderlein, Lallana) for this Division.

 

Pardew made some strange remarks in last night's Echo which implied us fans would be made a lot clearer as to the direction the club would be heading in 3-4 weeks. He said (from memory) that some players would go and then we would get some in and then the fans would see the club's agenda. He added that he didn't want to create a mystery about it all and it would be plain in a few weeks. Very intriguing I thought.

 

It would be easy to come on here and let of steam tonight because it was so very frustrating at SMS today especially having to watch James and Thompson put in such a pathetic 2nd half and then see the Brentford full back complete a barnstorming run and cross but I do think we will have to give it at least 3 months before we cast judgement.

 

Interesting how Charlton have regained their composure mind you. Shows I suppose it is possible to turn a club around in a short period of time and correct me if I am wrong they have done it on a shoestring???

 

I agree completely about the lightweights. It is very worryingbecause I can't see a role for them. And as for Thompson...what is it that makes a player completely fail to perform in any perceivable way?

 

My comment regarding James need to be tempered. I said OK, nothing more, and the judgement was based on his defending as a fullback. He doesn't cross like an offensive fullback and he definitely hasn't got the potential for a winger.

 

As for the Brentford fullback running through no less than four saints players...It started with Saga giving up the chase; Thompson, being entirely consistent with his overall performance, watching listlessly as he went past; and the James and a fourt player who's identity I can't remember, both rather pathetically admiring the performance without appearing to interfer. It is the thing which is similar to the 54 all out collapse, and I can't for the life of me understand why it keeps on happening.

 

I'm waiting with anticipation for more signings, because as a team we're still weak as kittens. Like I forecasted early on, it isn't a matter of 2 or 3 signings. It's a matter of replacing the entire team, apart from possibly KD.

[RonManager]

I Went Today As I Normally Go To Every Home Game And Today I Thought It Was A Typical Saints Ending Seeing As Apart From The Goal By My MOTM Harding I Thought We Had A Few Chances In Putting It To Bed But As Always We Stuffed It Up And Brentford Scored!

And As Always We Always Think That 1 Goal Is Enough But It's Not For Me But Fingers Crossed That We'l Put The Errors Right Starting With Birmingham In The Carling Cup On Tuesday Which Will Be Tough But You Never Know With Saints Tbh But We'l See !

Come On Saints !

 

AyeAye Cap'n

[Granadino]

Main problem for me today: Not once did we get the ball to or near the byline. IMO, we need to get in behind the full backs and get some decent crosses in. Brentford did, and when they did they looked dangerous (inc. their goal, of course).

 

Thompson is definitely not the answer, neither is Lallana, and on today's showing neither is Mellis. So, Pardew, good signings so far in Lambert, Harding, Murty, Trotman and Hammond, but please bring a winger or two and I think we can start shooting up this league.

[dubai_phil]

Didn't listen to the game.

 

But read the complaints about the lack of width (again)

 

We lost Dyer & Surman who at least had experience of playing wide, our only other wide player is Holmes who is Darren Anderton at the moment, and MAYBE Fish Mills.

 

I read the criticism of AP about not using width, but at the end of the day, as I said before the game, we don't HAVE any wide players with experience.

 

Even Gobern who shows promise has only started about 5 games so he is not the answer over a season.

 

Last year the kids played without wide players. Before that under GB we had next to nothing (ie BWP sometimes) on the wing.

 

Jeez, it takes EVERYONE time to adjust to change, or to learn a new job at work.

 

The problem and the decision AP now has to make is simple. Will any of this squad give us that width and pace? If not then we need more in and fast.

 

Because even The Special One won't get them playing if they aren't bright enough to understand what is being asked of them?

 

(Oh and also just to point out that half the squad probably don't even know each other's names yet)

[Clifford Nelson]

Got to be honest, I was there and didn't think it was anywhere near as bad as some was saying - three home debutants in Melis, Hammond and Trotman which was always going to make it difficult - Brentford also unbeaten this season. First hald was pretty even although they probably just shaded it but the second half was all Saints. Trotman (and lets be fair here, he's useless on the floor but immense in the air and definitely has a presence) was good, I thought Hammond had a good debut and only Melis was disappointing out of the three. Morgan had a mere from where I was sitting and we looked a whole lot better and threatening when Thomson and Saga came on at half time (and to be honest, could not argue with those subs). Also, was it me or was Lallana a different player in the second half as well? He is so much better when he actually runs at players and looked dangerous every time he got the ball. Lambert must have won every single ball in the air, including the one that set up Harding (who was easily man of the match) and we looked pretty comfortable in that second half. Only downside was that nobody nailed their player who ran 40 yards before crossing the ball for thier equaliser and that we didn't get the 3 points the second half performance deserved. I was actually quite encouraged by the second half performance. Ratings, below, for what its worth;

 

Davis 7 (had no chance with the goal, some of his kicking was poor but had little to do to be honest)

James 6 (too far off his man although put some dangerous crosses in first half - hardly saw him second half)

Trotman 7 (Great debut - can't pass for toffee though. Awesome in the air).

Perry 7 (steady and calm.)

Harding 8 (Excellent again. Calm finish, strong in the tackle and was actually showed some good pace at times).

Melis 5 (should have scored when put through by a back pass - was nowhere for first 20 minutes but did show some flashes)

Morgan 6 (excellent in places, just bottles 50/50s too many times and for godsake, head the ball man!)

Hammond 7 (so much better than Wotton it was untrue. Played some good one touch passes as well and spread the ball well. Really promising debut)

Lallana 7 (first half awful, second half much, much better. Actually looked dangerous)

Lambert 7 (won absolutely everything in the air. Has an aura about him - need more crosses for him to thrive on. Free kick was awful though)

Patterson 6 (Shuld have scored in first minute after Lallana put him through. Willing runner but right to be taken off at half time)

 

Subs

Saga 7 (linked up much better with Lambert and worked hard)

Thomson 7 (gave us much needed width and tested their left back. Final ball needs to improve though)

Rasiak NS (too little time to make an impact)

 

I was about to ask who the two tosspots are who gave Thompson their mom votes, and then I came across your post. What on earth are you talking about. Thompson played immediately in front of me where I sat in the Kingsland, and a more pathetic performance is difficult to imagine. He contributed nothing and hardly ever touched the ball. When passed it he very clearly only stood there wondering what to do with it. He is young, so I felt sorry for him being so out of his depth in front of 20000 spectators, but "tested their fullback" and "final ball needs to improve"? The left back rang rings around him (remember the Brentford goal?) and he didn't show signs of either first, middle or final ball. What on earth did you see?

[Clifford Nelson]

Didn't listen to the game.

 

But read the complaints about the lack of width (again)

 

We lost Dyer & Surman who at least had experience of playing wide, our only other wide player is Holmes who is Darren Anderton at the moment, and MAYBE Fish Mills.

 

I read the criticism of AP about not using width, but at the end of the day, as I said before the game, we don't HAVE any wide players with experience.

 

Even Gobern who shows promise has only started about 5 games so he is not the answer over a season.

 

Last year the kids played without wide players. Before that under GB we had next to nothing (ie BWP sometimes) on the wing.

 

Jeez, it takes EVERYONE time to adjust to change, or to learn a new job at work.

 

The problem and the decision AP now has to make is simple. Will any of this squad give us that width and pace? If not then we need more in and fast.

 

Because even The Special One won't get them playing if they aren't bright enough to understand what is being asked of them?

 

(Oh and also just to point out that half the squad probably don't even know each other's names yet)

 

If you had seen Mellis and Thompson today you would have wondered what is wrong in the world. It was excruciating. Thank good Harding, Lambert, Hammond and Trotman provided some hope. Interesting that they are all newcomers. Like you started another thread: What on earth has been going on in this club?

 

Regarding wingers both Fish and Holmes are left footed and I'm not sure about Fish as an out and out winger yet. We haven't got a right footed wide player in the club as far as I know, which is why we are playing what was a poor centre midfielder, re-schooled to right back on the right wing when Murty is fit. He is not the answer.

[John Boy Saint]

Before the game all I heard about was the car crash at Swindon mid week, we were feeble too by all accounts v Huddersfield. With that in mind and playing a team who are still on a Championship winning crest of a wave I thought there was a a more positive approach to the game from Saints especially for the bulk of the second half.

Also considering that we had 3 new players on the pitch 2 of which were brand spanking new we did ok, Hammond looked instantly better than Wotton.

 

A couple of seasons ago Sunderland had not won their first 10 games by the seasons end they were promoted, yes we are -10 points in the hole but just cut them some slack.

 

As for the knob jockeys who booed at both half and full time, please bugger off and support Manchester United or someone else.

[teamsaint]

Bit disappointing to not win at home, but it was a whole lot better than swindon.

Biggest problems are that

1.we still have too many lightweight and over rated players.

 

2. The players really don't have much idea about a team pattern.

 

The first few games have been a real lesson in teamwork. The three games I have seen have showed the immense value of teams playing together and gaining in confidence and awareness.

 

The new players look the business, pretty confident that AP will get it right, but a few wins soon would be nice!

[corsacar saint]

As per usual we score and sit back. The equaliser was coming from the moment we scored, and how no one made a tackle before the cross was made is inexcusable.

Not happy, we should be beating sides like Brentford at home.

[MorningtonCrescent]

Well, I was there and I wonder which game most of the people here were watching!

 

Saints were miles better than vs Swindon, far better approach to the game, balanced and aggressive

 

No single player played badly. The new signings hae shown that Pardew knows where our weaknessed are and he has addressed them well.

 

We still had a few moments where lapses and/or good play from Brentford gave us some problems, but when does any team ever hold court over the opposition for the full 90 minutes?

 

On today's performance and if we can continue to improve for the next 3/4 games, we will win far more than we lose/draw.

 

People really need to re-align their expectations of this team and to take each match as it comes and judge it accordingly.

 

We don't need to "get rid of the -10", as one match will not achieve that. We need to focus on improving every game and getting as many points as possible from each game.

 

As soon as we "get rid of the -10", we'll find that we are still many points the rest of the division, so lets just "expect" to improve and gain as many points as we can from each game.

 

If we are somewhere near 0 points by the end of Sept and out of the bottom 4 by Xmas, I'll feel that we have made good progress.

[BlakeySFC]

I went to the game today, and was a very positive performance indeed.

 

Been to every game this season so far; saw the awful performances at Huddersfield (and to a lesser degree Swindon), and this was a huge improvement on that...echo's of the Millwall game however where we did pretty much exactly the same thing with a squad nowhere near as good as the one we've got now.

 

I think the win will come soon enough, and i wish i could make it to Stockport this weekend as i've got a feeling it might happen there...

 

Keep the faith people, i know times have been tough in the past year or so but be positive, things'll improve trust

[John Boy Saint]

As per usual we score and sit back. The equaliser was coming from the moment we scored, and how no one made a tackle before the cross was made is inexcusable.

Not happy, we should be beating sides like Brentford at home.

 

Please tell me why? We are in this division as a result of our performance over the course of last season, Brentford are in this division as a result of their performance over the course of last season.

 

Please wake up we are not Champions of Europe.

[saint phil]

As an avid reader and 20 year season ticket holder I have to say this website leaves me so depressed. In many ways this was the best I have seen us play in a long long time. Finally we have centre backs who can head the ball, fullbacks who get forward, central midfielders who can tackle and pass to their own men and at least one striker who looks like he could score at the drop of a hat. We even have a manager that clearly works on stuff in training....look at the way Trottman was left to attack the ball only and not mark at set pieces and he's been with us 2 days. Yes we lack width but in fairness both our natural wingers are injured. If we play like we did today through the rest of the season and AP is able to replace the 2 clear "want-aways" we will be pushing for a play off place. Frankly the single most depressing thing about today was when we let in the goal we still had 10 mins left yet the crowd went silent and we all sat there assuming we were going to fail. Can you imagine that during the great escape! Get a grip - this was the first game where AP has been able to put out a side that wasn't a glaringly makeshift one whilst he scrambles to find decent players.

[RonManager]

Good improvement today, the twenty minutes leading up to the goal were the best this season. Trotman excellent, well within his comfort zone. Yes, there are still silly mistakes and some of the team need to step back as replacements are found, but I came away from the game feeling that the 'SaintsGraph' is on the up.

 

Keep the faith, COYR

[krissyboy31]

Started off playing like a bunch of strangers, which TBF a lot of them are. Did improve as the game went on and although we conceded the equaliser, for once in the last 5 minutes and in injury time, we finished strongly and actually looked like we might get a late winner.

 

Paterson was dreadful in the first half and James dreadful throughout!

[ooarrlatvian]

I would have thought Brentford was one of our more easier games given our squad of players - what worries me is how many points we are going to get away to Charlton, Leeds, Millwall, Tranmere etc.

 

I am worried:(

 

Sorry to say it, but it's that attitude that has led to the disappointments expressed thus far and will lead to further disappointments as the season progresses. Just because the Bees were two divisions below us last May doesn't mean they'll be a walkover. In fact, I'd have expected them to occupy one of the top six places by now as they have done, because all the sides that come up from L2 always make good starts. That's what a winning mentality does for a side, and that's what AP is working hard to achieve.

 

So my advice to all fans with CCC expectations for our L1 side this season is to be patient, we need to learn to walk small steps as somebody above nicely put it, then once we can take small steps we can learn to trot.

 

That 'orrible little dwarf at Bristol City - Gary Johnson - once said that he always divides the season up into four game segments. Then he looks at the next segment and decides which games he targets to get three or one point from. This is what we need to do.

 

I still think we'll finish mid-table. Let's not panic, let's not get on the team's back or the manager's, and please let's not look at any games and think "we should win this one easily" because that's one surefire route to disappointment.

 

Come on you Saints.

[matthieu]

Ok another disapointing performance, and I know some people may crucify me for this but we really should be beating teams like Brentford. We're one of the biggest teams in this league and brentford have just come up. It does not matter what league you are in, you MUST win your home games otherwise you're fudged.

 

right my observations from today, Pardew (again) has worried me with his starting XI and tactics. He seems to be trying to build the team around Lallana...very worrying indeed.

 

Davis 6- nothing to do, his kicking is sh*te

James 2- Not a right-back, right-winger or midfielder...not a footballer really.

Trotman 7- Did well for his first game, looks like a good signing.

Perry 6- Struggled against Carl Cort who is about 3feet taller than him!

Harding 9- What he was doing in the 6 yard box i'll never know, but i'm not complaining. Early contender for player of the season.

Lallana 5- Too lightweight, no end product.

Schneiderlin 5- tries the killer ball too often

Hammond 6- Solid debut, only worry is he loks very very right-footed only.

Mellis 4- Only recall him touching the ball once, and that was him smashing it wide

Lambert 7- Won pretty much everything in the air but won't score if we don't give him chances

Patterson 1- Why? just f*ck off. Too lazy, too lighweight, not enough ability for a sunday league team. He reads the game about as well as I can read Chinese. Utter Sh*te.

 

Thomson 3- Did nothing when came on, at fault with James for equaliser.

Saganowski 5- Hardly set the world alight but I'd much rather have an uninterested Saganowski than Patterson in any mood.

Rasiak n/a- did he even touch the ball?

 

a few conclusions...

1) We still can't defend for toffee, everytime the opposition gets a set piece they look as if they will score.

2) what was the point in AP introducing a winger in Thomson and the team then not using him? What's Ryan Smith up to these days?

3) Patterson, James, Thomson and poss Lallana will be playing non league footy in 2years or so. If they'r ethe best of our youngsters then God help us thats all I can say

4) The referee's in this league are worse than we are.

5) Let someone else take corners

 

that's all I can think of at the moment, but to sum up, we were shocking!

[Kingsbridge Saint]

Keep swinging with that axe Alan. James, Schneiderlin, Lallana please go and play football somewhere else. You are not up to League 1 football.

[sydney_saint]

so true! can someone clear this up because today I've seen a new rule that I never knew about - in the first half we put a man on the touchline to put off their long throw man and the refs and lineman insisted he move back about two yards. I always thought you could stand where you like as long as you didn't jump?

 

No that rule was adjusted a couple of years ago, you now have to stand one metre back.

[Give it to Ron]

As an avid reader and 20 year season ticket holder I have to say this website leaves me so depressed. In many ways this was the best I have seen us play in a long long time. Finally we have centre backs who can head the ball, fullbacks who get forward, central midfielders who can tackle and pass to their own men and at least one striker who looks like he could score at the drop of a hat. We even have a manager that clearly works on stuff in training....look at the way Trottman was left to attack the ball only and not mark at set pieces and he's been with us 2 days. Yes we lack width but in fairness both our natural wingers are injured. If we play like we did today through the rest of the season and AP is able to replace the 2 clear "want-aways" we will be pushing for a play off place. Frankly the single most depressing thing about today was when we let in the goal we still had 10 mins left yet the crowd went silent and we all sat there assuming we were going to fail. Can you imagine that during the great escape! Get a grip - this was the first game where AP has been able to put out a side that wasn't a glaringly makeshift one whilst he scrambles to find decent players.

 

Thanks for that at least someone else isn't slitting their wrists yet, there were so many positives from the game yet those get hidden by the armchair warriors and serial whingers.

Hammond looks light years ahead of Wotton, Trotman was as you say attacking the ball from set pieces, Lambert looks absolute quality in the air and we need wingers to feed him not our goalie.

AP was critisised heavily after Swindon for his lack of subs yet made the right 2 yesterday - its not his fault that the person he puts on fails to show what he does week in week out in training and the reserves yet steps into the first team and plays like a rabbit in headlights.

We need pace and width and have to give AP the chance to do that we are still work in progress.

We have suffered years of crap and sub standard signings and youth being ruined by being pushed up too early AP has shown to me already that he has bought in far better players so its time and patience.

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

My ratings for Saints v Brentford (1-1)

 

K Davis 7 - Only called upon for fairly routine work here , which he did we his usual efficiency .

L James 6 - Reliable hard working but not at all special player .

N Trotman 7 - Big quick and confident young defender , good in the air too - we'll soon knock that out of him .

C Perry 6.5 - Experienced & capable CB , tellingly selected ahead of Wayne Thomas .

D Harding 7.5 - Dan the man was my MOTM before he scored - the best LB we've had since Bale IMO .

A Lallana 5.5 - What exactly is this players proper position ? he's neither striker nor wide midfielder really . A career in limbo .

M Schneiderlin 5 - Invisible for 92 minutes but then nearly won the game for us .

D Hammond 6.5 - Good grafter & much better than Wotton (but who isn't) . A useful but not outstanding signing .

J Mellis 4 - Deservedly subbed at HT he's another young player learning his trade , Lee Holmes stand in basically . Criminal miss on 16 mins

M Paterson 5.5 - Lively enough and he'll be a good player in time I reckon . Subbed at Half time (yellow card ?)

R Lambert 6.5 - The record shows he's a good player in this league but we didn't see much of that quality here frankly . Set up our goal .

 

Substitutes :

M Saganowski 6.5 - I'm not a fan but a decent honest effort again here , but Saga goals are like hen's teeth - very rare .

J Thompson 4 - On for Mellis he somehow managed to be no better , lightweight & ineffective sums it up .

G Rasiak - A Late sub he had little opportunity to do much . He's already been replaced by Lambert in truth & should go.

 

Summary :

A fierce competitive and evenly fought battle in the main I can't say we deserved anything more than we got . Just Like the Millwall game we wilted in the sun again with 20 minutes still left to play and to be brutally honest we could quite easily have lost the match in the last 10 minutes - more fitness work required I'd say . You don't win football matches with a team that doesn't believe in itself , but it's hard to build that belief without winning games - Alan Pardrew has to find a way to break that vicious circle , asap please .

Anyone with even half a football brain in their head can see we need more time to get this team functioning properly but the trouble is this minus 10 point penalty (thanks Rupert :mad:) means that unless we start winning games soon we're going to be in serious trouble again.

 

Finally - If there is a club in world football that throws away more points than we do from winning positions I'd like to see them , I could do with a laugh .

Edited 23 August, 2009 by CHAPEL END CHARLIE

[dune]

Thought Trottman played well and is a good addition in a weak link area. We just need another Centre Half now to complete the job.

 

Overall Saints were the better side and deserved the win.

 

Not creative enough, but we are improving game on game as the new players gel.

 

Obviously disappointed with the draw though.

[Saints Warrior]

It was an entertaining game which both side played end to end football. Brentford were more experienced and as a unit. Saints could of had 2-3 more goals easy if the right decision to pass, square the ball or shoot first time was taken and thats the difference.

 

Also the Brentford goal was seen in advance by all fans , someone should have directed things or just ran into thier forward to put him off. You cant have a goal keeper as captain as he is looking to judge the cross not organising the defence.

 

Wingers are needed and a distributor in midfield, and to support the forwards.

 

Its better than last season its just the teams in Div 2 are better than we thought!!

[dubai_phil]

Yes, our first choice winger is Jo Mills, who is very good for this league and played very well pre-season. We need him back. Holmes will also be useful. But we'll still have ****e on the right wing.

 

BUT, if Mills is back, and we sign a right winger, what do we do with Lallana? He won't be happy on the bench, but he just doesn't seem to fit in. IMO, he really needs to adapt and become a forward.

 

 

I think I mentioned that AP has to work out very quickly where the RM position will be filled from.

 

The problem and the decision AP now has to make is simple. Will any of this squad give us that width and pace? If not then we need more in and fast.

 

We do not need "wingers" on both sides, but what we do need is a player who actually knows what he is doing at RM. Let's face it, Beckham was never a winger at Man U but he was a useful RM, and CMFG on the left could never have been called a wide man, but he WAS experienced, had a brain and was suited to playing on the edge of midfield. (In fact he often looked like a fish out of water when he was swictched to play CM)

 

Clearly from his comments AP is aware of the issue. He will be working out how long Holmes/Mills are likely to be out for, but I would guess that LM is not where we need to strengthen.

 

Again, we've read negative reports from games for the past 5 years or so, but the Echo & Pardew's comments show that we have at least started to add some building blocks to the foundations, so while this is not happy clappy time, the knee jerks do seem a little over the top

 

I think once AP makes his mind up about James/Lallana/Gobern/Thompson and whether any of them really can be salvaged for this season on the right, we'll have the beginning of the makings of a good solid side.

[alpine_saint]

I came away fairly entertained, exhillerated, and confident we are on the right track.

 

Couple of points :

 

We play too narrow in the centre, with no width. Worrying, but can be improved when Holmes is back and by getting a right winger.

 

As usual, fitness seems to be our worst enemy.

 

Apart from going absent for their goal, I was impressed by Lloyd James.

 

Melis is, imo, not up to the job. Gave the ball away far too often, I thought Thomson was a slight improvement.

 

Lallana is an enigma. He was truly sh*t for the first two-thirds of the game, but was arguably our best player for the last third. Did he change position when Thomson and Saga came on ? I dont like the way he runs, like a nonce.

 

Rasiak is clearly not interested, and I finally want him away from SFC. Saga, on the other hand, looked up for it and I would try to keep him.

 

Hammond and Trotman look the part, and Lambert is tireless - he cleared crosses from defence a couple of times. Good buys, AP.

[Lazlo78]

I came away fairly entertained, exhillerated, and confident we are on the right track.

 

Couple of points :

 

We play too narrow in the centre, with no width. Worrying, but can be improved when Holmes is back and by getting a right winger.

 

I've never seen this "trend" before but it must be a good sign. For 10+ years we have been crying out for a spine in the team never caring too much about wingers. So I assume that when we are talking about wingers now it's because the spine is slowly getting in place?

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

I think I mentioned that AP has to work out very quickly where the RM position will be filled from.

 

The problem and the decision AP now has to make is simple. Will any of this squad give us that width and pace? If not then we need more in and fast.

 

We do not need "wingers" on both sides, but what we do need is a player who actually knows what he is doing at RM. Let's face it, Beckham was never a winger at Man U but he was a useful RM, and CMFG on the left could never have been called a wide man, but he WAS experienced, had a brain and was suited to playing on the edge of midfield. (In fact he often looked like a fish out of water when he was swictched to play CM)

 

Clearly from his comments AP is aware of the issue. He will be working out how long Holmes/Mills are likely to be out for, but I would guess that LM is not where we need to strengthen.

 

Again, we've read negative reports from games for the past 5 years or so, but the Echo & Pardew's comments show that we have at least started to add some building blocks to the foundations, so while this is not happy clappy time, the knee jerks do seem a little over the top

 

I think once AP makes his mind up about James/Lallana/Gobern/Thompson and whether any of them really can be salvaged for this season on the right, we'll have the beginning of the makings of a good solid side.

 

For my money the 1st choice midfield if we're sticking with 4-4-2 should be : (l to r)

 

Mills.......Hammond......Gillett.......James

 

LLoyd James is more ok rather than great and a proper RM would be very welcome .

[corky morris]

Couple of other things from yesterday.

Why do we not have anybody up when the opposition has a corner. It bugs the hell out of me as when the ball is cleared all they needed to do was hump it back in our box. Even they kept a striker up the park when we had a corner & they were not at home.

Not impressed by the ref today. Am I ever?

[SaintRobbie]

Lloyd James + Jake Thompson.

 

These two are why we lost the game. Thompson offered nothing when he came on, and was at fault for not closing the bloke down. James was equal at fault, do NOT LET YOUR MAN RUN PAST YOU!!!!!!!

 

The marking was awful for the goal, two men on the line, go to the man and stop him from heading it in the first place??

 

Really didn't look like much insperation out there, Brentford didn't help with jusst there hoof tatics.

 

We also need people who will play on the wing and cross the ball in, plus a new striker.

 

I hope we ship them both out soon.

[hasper57saint]

Head-tennis hoofers? That seems to be the trend in this Division. I agree with quite a lot of the above but for me the game was spoilt by an incompetent set of officials. Marks out of 10. Ref 2. Lino 1. 2. Lino 2. 2. terrible decisions all over the place. Ball goes out from B'rord player Lino flags for them to have the throw. Since when is it an offence to stand in front of the thrower? Nice to see that 'Alpine' was at the match. I have serious doubts as to his residence however. When travelling down the M42 yesterday morning with my Nipper and grandsons I saw a huge coach, on the side of which read, ALPINE Travel NORTH WALES. In this part of the world we call the 'Brecon Beacons' the 'ALPS'. I think you should confess Alps!

[sfc6mufc3]

Sorry to say it, but it's that attitude that has led to the disappointments expressed thus far and will lead to further disappointments as the season progresses. Just because the Bees were two divisions below us last May doesn't mean they'll be a walkover. In fact, I'd have expected them to occupy one of the top six places by now as they have done, because all the sides that come up from L2 always make good starts. That's what a winning mentality does for a side, and that's what AP is working hard to achieve.

 

So my advice to all fans with CCC expectations for our L1 side this season is to be patient, we need to learn to walk small steps as somebody above nicely put it, then once we can take small steps we can learn to trot.

 

That 'orrible little dwarf at Bristol City - Gary Johnson - once said that he always divides the season up into four game segments. Then he looks at the next segment and decides which games he targets to get three or one point from. This is what we need to do.

 

I still think we'll finish mid-table. Let's not panic, let's not get on the team's back or the manager's, and please let's not look at any games and think "we should win this one easily" because that's one surefire route to disappointment.

 

Come on you Saints.

 

fair do's mate , but I expect us to not be in the bottom 3 after 4 games even without the points deduction. We have improved our squad and to get turned over @ Swindon and not beat Brentford at home is, to say the least awful. I'm not expecting promotion or play offs but I thought being an ex prem team not so long ago we could maybe have got a win after 4 games in div 1 - like Leeds, Charlton & Norwich have managed. We have a good manager with experience and I can see he is strengthening the right areas but it's frustrating that we still cannot hold a lead. I can be patient but I am also worried that we have tough fixtures in the next month and how far off will we be after them??

[graveworm]

To be honest this shows how truly brutal we are with the present team of wasters.

I think we are going to be looking at another month of sh*te till Pardew can actually get things staightened out, maybe longer.

I think it is so easy to think because where we have come from in the last few years that we should walk this.......well reality check is here and we are dreadful.

You cannot blame Pardew ..........It looks like we are trying to start walking after dragging your a**e around for the past 3 + years.

I would say that over the next 12 months it will be interesting to see how many of the present line up will be here.

I got to admit I expect nothing this season other more bile and excuses.......Still theres always next season!!!!!!!!!!1

[J Bizzle]

Davis 7 (didn't have much to do, delt with everything well. No chance on the goal).

James 4 (utter w*nk. Crossibg from far too deep, no pace and let the player run past him for the goal when he should have snapped him in half).

Trotman 7 (Solid, won everything in the air and the type of defender we need in this league).

Perry 6 (decent game, past it now though and shouldn't be starting as first choice).

Harding 8 (Brilliant, got to the by line to put balls in, much more attacking than James. Had the pace to get back and did well with his defencive duties).

Melis 5 (Crap, would have had him on the right not the left)

Morgan 7 (very good passibg game and won more tackles than he did last season. Pretty much our only player getting to the opposition 'on their touch')

Hammond 6 ( Not bad, didn't set the world alight, but he will improve as he gets games under his belt).

Lallana 4 first half, 5 second half (Bloody crap, gave the ball away far too often and offered no width what so ever.

Lambert 6 ( Wasn't his best day, won everything in the air but didn't do a lot else).

Patterson 4 (Why does he start? he was **** when I played against him, he's **** now).

 

Subs

Saga 6 (Didn't really do anything as there was little service.

Thomson 5 (Doesn't know how to play out wide, when everyone goes over teh the left of the pitch, he shouldn't be following. Should be hitting the chalk as soon as we get teh ball and staying there to stretch the opposition out.

Rasiak (what was the point in putting him on?

[ulstersaint]

Interesting to see that Pardew's two recent signings (Trotman and Hammond) are heading the MOM poll, in spite of a lack of opportunity for trainingg and playing with the rest of the team. This should show the pessimists and moaners than Pardew is starting to get in right.