Saints 1-1 Brentford - Post Match Reaction

[Latheal]

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?

 

The guys ran 40 yeards for their goal without anybody tackling him - can't just blame Thomson for that. Its an opinion - I thought we looked better with him on the right than that we did with Melis and we improved the second half with him on the pitch, hence I gave him a 7. FWIW, I voted Harding as the MOM. Is a game about opinions, just because somebody doesn't agree with yours, doesn't mean they are a "tosspot". Get over yourself. And sorry, he tested their fullback a hell of a lot more than Melis did.

[derry]

Football is a team game the central midfielders need wide outlets not standing around 5 yds away.

 

Lallana, Mellis, or anybody on the wide midfield positions don't need to play like central midfielders, they have to always start out on the touchline and not be played on their wrong side.

 

My biggest beef is while these players don't have the pace to play wide there is nothing to stop them providing width, they don't have to be narrow. None of them seem to want to be wide and if that is the case put them in the reserves, because they are no bloody use to the team doing their own thing.

[LostBoys]

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?

 

Bit generous I thought with James, Lallana and Paterson - replace them internally or externally and we will have a half decent side.

[rocknrollman no2]

A game we should have won.We had a lot of chances,especially in the first minute and last minutes of the match,but as usual we just couldnt score.

Positives were Harding and Trotman,these two seem to add a good defence.Negatives were our lack of finishing and ability to go wide.Still early days and i have faith in Pardew.

Did anyone see the Brentford fan who fell asleep during the match?

When the Northam sang "Youre sh-t and you fall asleep",was a classic moment.

[hughieslastminutegoal]

Jason Dodd used the words "they switched of" a few times. Does that translate into "not fit enough"?

 

He also said we looked tired with 20 mins to go, so I think that probably answers your question.

[hughieslastminutegoal]

We are totally lacking in any ideas or creativity. When we have the ball in midfield we look absolutely clueless of what to do with it. So we usually play it in the air..

 

So what does MS bring to the side? Can't head, or tackle, now there is no creativity and we are clueless in midfield. I know he is still young, but where is the class he is supposed to have? Is it indoor 5 a side?

[sydney_saint]

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!

 

Perhaps it reflects more poorly on you that you don't know the rules rather then the officials. The rule was adjusted a couple of years ago that you need to stand a metre back from the the thrower so, and I'll try to say this politely, if you want to complain about the ref, learn the rules yourself so you have a right to complain.

[broncoboy]

No divine right to win in this league or any other league

 

Well we are truly aware of that because we have a shocking level of wins at home over the last few years and cant win in any league we play in.

 

The team in the first half looked second best to Brentford now I dont know how rich Brentford are but it would be nice to think we could compete with Brentford or Swindon so I am not going to apologise for hoping or expecting that we could perform well against them.

 

There are serveral players who do not deserve to hold a place in a Saints team

They have failed to perform in years.

 

There is a sickness at the heart of this team and until they go we will surrender everytime a goal is scored against. When Brentford scored the players on the pitch surrendered and it was only in the last minutes of extra time did they make any attempt to score a winner

 

I suppose we will have to put up with this ****e till their contracts run out.

 

A huge amount of damage was done to this club in the last three years

[Chez]

Decent match and a draw was probably a fair result as both sides created a fair few chances in the first half but not very much in the second. We certainly had more of the posession but their long throws caused us problems.

 

As pointed out my numerous posters already our wide men let us down offering very little and even when the opportunity presents itself there is a complete lack of desire to get to the beline. I simply don't understand why, since Bale left we have not done this. Only Skacel, Dyer and Holmes on the odd occasions have done this and usually we've come close to scoring.

 

Davis 6.5 - some terrible kicks, not much to do

James 6 - poor for the goal but not bad overall considering he's not been a regular recently. I think the goal conceded has got fans jumping on his back a little too much for my liking. He should have doe better there but calling for his head?

Perry 8 - I slated him all week and he didn't put a foot wrong all day, although I should add that their front two were weak

Trotman - 7.5 whole hearted ball winner. Tough task marking their giant of a centre forward. Dived in a couple of times and was clumsy on the ball though - slicing a few

Harding 8 - I hold my hands up, I was wrong about his lack of forward forays. He got forward more than enough for me yesterday. My one concern would be his willingness to dive in and also his clumseness when he gets a little too tight to his oponent when in the box. Almost gave a pen away on one occasion when the man was running away from the goal. He went to sleep a couple of times from their throw ins as well leaving Lallana 3 on 1 at one point.

Lallana - 4.5 another flat display, although he started brightly linking well with Hammond and Morgan. One great opportunity to put Melis clean through but took too long to get it under and pick the pass. Didn't create too much before fading.

Melis -1 hardly touched the ball and when he did it was ugly. Offers genuine pace but might be that he needs time to find his feet here.

Morgan 6.5 - same display as we have come to expect. Dominates early on but fades as the game goes on. At least AP stuck with him for once but he needs to get hold of the game in the kater stages.

Hammond 7 looks a decent player to me. First touch, a range of passing and the willingness to get on the ball means we are going to look to pass teams off the park which is great. For periods in the first half he ran the show but then dissapeared especially in the second half. Looks a decent signing to me.

Lambert 7 much better in the air this week. Acted as the target man rather than playing off Rasiak and he won a lot in the air. Decent player but we lack pace up front so wingers are going to need to be our source unless we sign someone.

Patterson 5 worked hard but his touch let him down a few times and should have scored right at the start of the game when he shot way too early and tamely. Rightly subbed but fans jumping on his back need to get a grip. He shows great promise to me.

 

Saga 5 did **** all. Ran around a bit, but offered less threat than Patterson. Still looks like he wants to try his best for us though.

Thomson 3 - so lethargic and lightweight its not true. I think a huge amount of patience is going to be required here as there must be talent waiting to blossom because there is very little obvious desire and grit.

Rasiak - few minutes at the end.

Edited 23 August, 2009 by Chez

[Chez]

So what does MS bring to the side? Can't head, or tackle, now there is no creativity and we are clueless in midfield. I know he is still young, but where is the class he is supposed to have? Is it indoor 5 a side?

 

he shows class in terms of great first touch and ability to play in tight areas. Give him a bit more time, he has improved on last season, winning heads and tackles in the early games this season. I think him and Hammond coud forge a nice partnership together. WHat would you prefer Wotton? Gillett is obviously an option but I'd like MS to get a bit more time with Hammond.

[St_Tel49]

he shows class in terms of great first touch and ability to play in tight areas. Give him a bit more time, he has improved on last season, winning heads and tackles in the early games this season. I think him and Hammond coud forge a nice partnership together. WHat would you prefer Wotton? Gillett is obviously an option but I'd like MS to get a bit more time with Hammond.

Agree

[John B]

he shows class in terms of great first touch and ability to play in tight areas. Give him a bit more time, he has improved on last season, winning heads and tackles in the early games this season. I think him and Hammond coud forge a nice partnership together. WHat would you prefer Wotton? Gillett is obviously an option but I'd like MS to get a bit more time with Hammond.

 

Exactly and a couple of wingers

[Leicestersaint]

Depressing, depressing!

[Thedelldays]

ok....my take on it..

 

Davis - 7 not a great deal to do..

James - 6 apart from their goal (where it was no way just his fault) I thought he did ok at RB

Harding - 9 Brilliant....

Trottman - 6 did well, how he did not score i dont know

Perry - 6 did ok

Mellis - 4 oh dea

Lallana 4 - still have no idea what he does

Hammond - 6 decent debut

Morgan - 6 has good ideas, he likes to spread the play but our wide players seem to do what the hell they like

Lambert - 6 great target man did not get any supply really, (i think it was) a great knack back by him for harding to score

Patterson - 4 oh dear

 

Sagga - 6 looked lively, was able to hold onto lamberts flick ons which actually allowed us to attack

 

Thompson - 3 WTF..?

rasiak - No score only on for a few mins

[benjii]

at Hammond coming third purely for not being Wotton.

[RonManager]

ok....my take on it..

 

Davis - 7 not a great deal to do..

James - 6 apart from their goal (where it was no way just his fault) I thought he did ok at RB

Harding - 9 Brilliant....

Trottman - 6 did well, how he did not score i dont know

Perry - 6 did ok

Mellis - 4 oh dea

Lallana 4 - still have no idea what he does

Hammond - 6 decent debut

Morgan - 6 has good ideas, he likes to spread the play but our wide players seem to do what the hell they like

Lambert - 6 great target man did not get any supply really, (i think it was) a great knack back by him for harding to score

Patterson - 4 oh dear

 

Sagga - 6 looked lively, was able to hold onto lamberts flick ons which actually allowed us to attack

 

Thompson - 3 WTF..?

rasiak - No score only on for a few mins

 

I saw about 3 or 4 blokes who look like your avatar yesterday. I'm sure you look nothing like that (or do you)? Forum member spotting (ooer missus) has become a bit of a hobby now.

[Granadino]

at Hammond coming third purely for not being Wotton.

 

Thought he looked decent. FYI he won the Saints Man of the Match award-thingy where they do the presentations in the hospitality section. He also won MOM in the "League Paper" write up...

[Clifford Nelson]

The guys ran 40 yeards for their goal without anybody tackling him - can't just blame Thomson for that. Its an opinion - I thought we looked better with him on the right than that we did with Melis and we improved the second half with him on the pitch, hence I gave him a 7. FWIW, I voted Harding as the MOM. Is a game about opinions, just because somebody doesn't agree with yours, doesn't mean they are a "tosspot". Get over yourself. And sorry, he tested their fullback a hell of a lot more than Melis did.

 

I agree with Harding. He was my mom as well. Regarding JT I am still flabbergasted about your opinion. I'm not prejudiced against him. Indeed I thought that AP had done the right thing in subbing Mellis, who was totally ineffectual. I was then perturbed to see JT being totally at a loss on the right wing. As far as I can recall and as I agonized during the game, he didn't test anything, lot less the left back.

 

I didn't blame him for the goal against. He was one of for. The first was Saga, who gave up the chase, second was JT who watched no 3 go past with the ball. There was no challenge, no chase. Then it was James and one more who I can't identify in my mind.

 

I've seen many poor performances in my day, but this was down there amongst the worst. A period in the reserves is strongly needed.

[Clifford Nelson]

Football is a team game the central midfielders need wide outlets not standing around 5 yds away.

 

Lallana, Mellis, or anybody on the wide midfield positions don't need to play like central midfielders, they have to always start out on the touchline and not be played on their wrong side.

 

My biggest beef is while these players don't have the pace to play wide there is nothing to stop them providing width, they don't have to be narrow. None of them seem to want to be wide and if that is the case put them in the reserves, because they are no bloody use to the team doing their own thing.

 

I was a winger myself in my days (oh, them days...). It suited my game in that I could use the line as my crutch and only worry about what was ahead and inside me. Playing in positions in the middle of the pitch was uncomfortable. Maybe too much to think about. When I started coaching I quickly sorted out which ones were wide players and who belonged in the middle, who were attack minded and who preferred defense. It worked. Every time. I have also seen the pro game destroy genuine talent by re-schooling boys to what they are not suited to. That's why I don't think you can make a wide player out of something else, or vice versa.

 

And that's also why I am doubting both Lallana and James. Lallana hungers for a free role, which no doubt he had in his boy's side, but on this level he isn't talented enough to be given that, and you then need to ask yourself whether he has got a role. James is decidedly unspectacular, but looks better as a RB than anything else. We have Fish and Holmes who must be tried LM when they are fit, but RM is totally talent free as far as I can see. If there is a pacy rightsided player out there, anywhere, who can cross a ball, he must be found.

[Thedelldays]

I saw about 3 or 4 blokes who look like your avatar yesterday. I'm sure you look nothing like that (or do you)? Forum member spotting (ooer missus) has become a bit of a hobby now.

nothing like it what so ever..

 

I have silky smooth black hair...fizzy bubbly

[Clifford Nelson]

ok....my take on it..

 

Davis - 7 not a great deal to do..

James - 6 apart from their goal (where it was no way just his fault) I thought he did ok at RB

Harding - 9 Brilliant....

Trottman - 6 did well, how he did not score i dont know

Perry - 6 did ok

Mellis - 4 oh dea

Lallana 4 - still have no idea what he does

Hammond - 6 decent debut

Morgan - 6 has good ideas, he likes to spread the play but our wide players seem to do what the hell they like

Lambert - 6 great target man did not get any supply really, (i think it was) a great knack back by him for harding to score

Patterson - 4 oh dear

 

Sagga - 6 looked lively, was able to hold onto lamberts flick ons which actually allowed us to attack

 

Thompson - 3 WTF..?

rasiak - No score only on for a few mins

 

I'm pleased to say that I agree, and especially pleased to note that it wasn't only me who spotted the stinkers of the season so far in the performances (if that is what it was) of Mellis and Thompson. Not everybody did and I have been arguing with somebody who thought that JT warranted a 7 and that he "tested the fullback". Oh dear!

 

I've posted about wingers elsewhere, but I'm also wondering about Morgan. Is he maybe just a lightweight in the middle of midfield, because after every match I can never remember having seen him. Spotted him three times yesterday. Two passes and one he made a hash of straight to the opposition. I'm not sure what he is. Where are the ballwinning or the killer passes. Or is it all because of the lack of winger. Pass for now.

[rooney]

We were crying out for 2 wide wingers on the flanks yesterday. Had there been, Rickie Lambert would have got a hatfull I am sure. Why o why does lallana keep cuting inside when he only has to get down to the by line to cross, just like Brentford did when they scored. This is elementary stuff surely? Is there a Paine & Sydenham out there somewhere?

[derry]

I was a winger myself in my days (oh, them days...). It suited my game in that I could use the line as my crutch and only worry about what was ahead and inside me. Playing in positions in the middle of the pitch was uncomfortable. Maybe too much to think about. When I started coaching I quickly sorted out which ones were wide players and who belonged in the middle, who were attack minded and who preferred defense. It worked. Every time. I have also seen the pro game destroy genuine talent by re-schooling boys to what they are not suited to. That's why I don't think you can make a wide player out of something else, or vice versa.

 

And that's also why I am doubting both Lallana and James. Lallana hungers for a free role, which no doubt he had in his boy's side, but on this level he isn't talented enough to be given that, and you then need to ask yourself whether he has got a role. James is decidedly unspectacular, but looks better as a RB than anything else. We have Fish and Holmes who must be tried LM when they are fit, but RM is totally talent free as far as I can see. If there is a pacy rightsided player out there, anywhere, who can cross a ball, he must be found.

 

I understand all of that and agree however I wouldn't play either of them as wide men but if that role is required of them then it has to be spelt out to them that's how they have to play for the benefit of the team.

 

If they can't understand that or don't do it as required then they shouldn't be in the team. Playing narrow is just stupid, just like paying £1m for a big striker then playing no wide men to provide crosses.

[derry]

I'm pleased to say that I agree, and especially pleased to note that it wasn't only me who spotted the stinkers of the season so far in the performances (if that is what it was) of Mellis and Thompson. Not everybody did and I have been arguing with somebody who thought that JT warranted a 7 and that he "tested the fullback". Oh dear!

 

I've posted about wingers elsewhere, but I'm also wondering about Morgan. Is he maybe just a lightweight in the middle of midfield, because after every match I can never remember having seen him. Spotted him three times yesterday. Two passes and one he made a hash of straight to the opposition. I'm not sure what he is. Where are the ballwinning or the killer passes. Or is it all because of the lack of winger. Pass for now.

 

Schneiderlin will pass for fun if they give him a couple of line hugging, pacy players. That is now the most important thing, until we provide width we might as well play no strikers at all as they are easily marked.

[Thedelldays]

Schneiderlin will pass for fun if they give him a couple of line hugging, pacy players. That is now the most important thing, until we provide width we might as well play no strikers at all as they are easily marked.

i agree with this alot..

 

morgan gets alot of stick...yes he does try things that dont come off but..but he tries to spread the play..

 

every time he has the ball he looks to the wings..where NONE OF OUR FARKING PLAYERS are capable of doing anything...

morgan is not daft and spreading the play like this will find so much space....yes, it will not come off all the time, but when it does it can create an attack from nothing..and we also have a great aerial threat in lambert too...

[Legod Third Coming]

i agree with this alot..

 

morgan gets alot of stick...yes he does try things that dont come off but..but he tries to spread the play..

 

every time he has the ball he looks to the wings..where NONE OF OUR FARKING PLAYERS are capable of doing anything...

morgan is not daft and spreading the play like this will find so much space....yes, it will not come off all the time, but when it does it can create an attack from nothing..and we also have a great aerial threat in lambert too...

 

Spot on. Last season when he and Holmes were playing he sent him away for fun!

[Teddy Nutkins]

In the cold lager-less light of day, i don't think i can add anything different to what has been said about wide players.I actually quite enjoyed the game, and thought our new recruits freshened things up.I thought Hammond had a fairly safe debut, lots of little short passes to team mates, not wanting to make too many mistakes, i am sure there is a lot more to come from this fella.Reminds me a lot of Anders Svennson the way he shuffles about.Only better i hope.

 

We still have a long way to go and slowly Alan Pardew will see there are still a number of players who need to be replaced........not enough time, this window, i fear.

[Sour Mash]

Been saying it for as long as I can remember, we lack pace and will never break teams down without it. Pacey widemen has to be Pardew's priority now.

 

Agree with the majority of what has alredy been written. New signings all look good with the exception of Mellis, Thompson and Patterson just don't cut it at this level yet, they may have potential, but that's not enough to perform and win games at this level.

 

Thought it was a poor game, with both teams struggling to play decent football, on a brighter note, I genuinely believe we'll keep improving from here as the new signings gel and settle in.

[Clifford Nelson]

I understand all of that and agree however I wouldn't play either of them as wide men but if that role is required of them then it has to be spelt out to them that's how they have to play for the benefit of the team.

 

If they can't understand that or don't do it as required then they shouldn't be in the team. Playing narrow is just stupid, just like paying £1m for a big striker then playing no wide men to provide crosses.

 

I agree. I was talking more about the long term. In the short they will have to do what they are told, since there are no alternatives. And if they don't, I'm afraid it curtains.

 

Quite apart from that I can't figure out what position Lallana is suited for. With more decisive skills maybe on top of a midfield diamond, but I doubt he is good enough.

[derry]

I agree. I was talking more about the long term. In the short they will have to do what they are told, since there are no alternatives. And if they don't, I'm afraid it curtains.

 

Quite apart from that I can't figure out what position Lallana is suited for. With more decisive skills maybe on top of a midfield diamond, but I doubt he is good enough.

 

I'm not sure they have been told, as I'm sure Pardew would have been signalling for them to play wide if they have. It's not helping having the goalkeeper as captain.

 

I think Lallana hasn't worked out yet that he isn't the blinding natural talent he and a few others have been promoting. Instead of everybody fitting in around him, he needs to decide where he might get a place in the team and develop that in the reserves. He just isn't providing anything useful and his lack of positional sense is damaging the team shape.

[Teddy Nutkins]

I'm not sure they have been told, as I'm sure Pardew would have been signalling for them to play wide if they have. It's not helping having the goalkeeper as captain.

 

I think Lallana hasn't worked out yet that he isn't the blinding natural talent he and a few others have been promoting. Instead of everybody fitting in around him, he needs to decide where he might get a place in the team and develop that in the reserves. He just isn't providing anything useful and his lack of positional sense is damaging the team shape.

 

Totally agree David,but Pardew appears to like him as much as he dislikes Simon Gillett.I still believe Lallana is a good footballer, let's not forget that, he is just a luxury we cannot afford, at the moment.

[derry]

Totally agree David,but Pardew appears to like him as much as he dislikes Simon Gillett.I still believe Lallana is a good footballer, let's not forget that, he is just a luxury we cannot afford, at the moment.

 

Absolutely right Colin. I want to see him doing well and contributing something useful but he isn't. I don't think Pardew is helping him, letting him play as he is, then criticising the team for not having width.

 

I think it is get off the pot time for both of them. I don't understand why Pardew is not using Gillett, because I'd play him wide right and as soon as he is fit Holmes wide left. Gillett might not be the quickest but he would reinforce our right wing and worry the hell out of the opposition with his energy. I bet if he had been wide right on Saturday the full back wouldn't have got forward so easily for their goal.

[Andy_Porter]

We need width and pace. We won't get the best out of Schneiderlin, Lambert or the two full backs untill we're playing with proper wide players.

 

We're so one dimensional at the moment, it's basically the same ****e as last season. If we're not going to bring in any proper wide players we should start playing a diamond in midfield because the way we're playing at the moment isn't working at all.

 

Lallana should be on the bench and playing for the reserves, certainly shouldn't be a first choice like he is at the minute.

 

For the next game i'd go with:

 

----------- Davis

James Trotman Thomas Harding

- Schneiderlin Gillett Hammond

----------- Mellis

---- Lambert Saganowski

[Clifford Nelson]

I'm not sure they have been told, as I'm sure Pardew would have been signalling for them to play wide if they have. It's not helping having the goalkeeper as captain.

 

I think Lallana hasn't worked out yet that he isn't the blinding natural talent he and a few others have been promoting. Instead of everybody fitting in around him, he needs to decide where he might get a place in the team and develop that in the reserves. He just isn't providing anything useful and his lack of positional sense is damaging the team shape.

 

Agree, and then we come back to the deep unabiding question: How come we haven't managed to teach a 22 year old who has been here for many years that he isn't "blinding natural talent" who everybody need to fit around. The Academy and reserves set-up are unchanged and populated with the same leadership which must take the responsibility for why the young players are ill prepared both mentally and technically. I don't want people sacked, but can they be trusted to do things differently from now on?

 

I couldn't agree more with the comments about Gillet. If his size is AP's problem, play him RM, at least until a natural RM can be found. For sheer energy and determination there is nobody to match him. If I was LB for the opposition he would worry me to death. Can somebody slip AP a tip on a note under the door or something?

[dellgirl]

Morgan is the most intelligent player we have,he thinks the game and sees it light years ahead of the rest,when they catch up and we have some nippy wingers you will be singing his name.

[Charlie Wayman]

I think what is really good about this is that we are now in the Relegation Drop Zone on Merit even without the 10 point Administration complication.

 

The lads should be applauded for their magnificent achievement and a good hiding by Stockport at the weekend might well confirm us as the Strongest Team in this League.

[derry]

Agree, and then we come back to the deep unabiding question: How come we haven't managed to teach a 22 year old who has been here for many years that he isn't "blinding natural talent" who everybody need to fit around. The Academy and reserves set-up are unchanged and populated with the same leadership which must take the responsibility for why the young players are ill prepared both mentally and technically. I don't want people sacked, but can they be trusted to do things differently from now on?

 

I couldn't agree more with the comments about Gillet. If his size is AP's problem, play him RM, at least until a natural RM can be found. For sheer energy and determination there is nobody to match him. If I was LB for the opposition he would worry me to death. Can somebody slip AP a tip on a note under the door or something?

 

And this is where I came in earlier in the season when I slated Henderson and the Academy for the end product. Walcott/Bale were naturals, the rest are sadly lacking in knowhow and awareness.

[benjii]

Thought he looked decent. FYI he won the Saints Man of the Match award-thingy where they do the presentations in the hospitality section. He also won MOM in the "League Paper" write up...

 

Well that just shows that whoever judged those is either a numpty or wasn't actually watching the match.

 

He was ok. Not bad, not great. Should hopefully get better as he settles in. If anyone thinks he had a better game than Harding, Trotman or Perry then i seriously wonder what they were looking for.

[krissyboy31]

http://www.griffinpark.org/forums/showthread.php?p=1452448#post1452448

 

Pretty fair IMO.

[OldNick]

I think what is really good about this is that we are now in the Relegation Drop Zone on Merit even without the 10 point Administration complication.

 

The lads should be applauded for their magnificent achievement and a good hiding by Stockport at the weekend might well confirm us as the Strongest Team in this League.

Is there ever a time when you actually get behind the team or club? You have had your way and the chairman is gone, now it is tme to stand up and get behind the new people and stop the sniping, or is that just too difficult.Using a user name of a player that my father adored much like i do MLT is doing a disservice to their memories when you post your constant negative stuff.

Constructive criticism yes but this all the time is plain wrong IMo

[OldNick]

http://www.griffinpark.org/forums/showthread.php?p=1452448#post1452448

 

Pretty fair IMO.

i agree

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

http://www.griffinpark.org/forums/showthread.php?p=1452448#post1452448

 

Pretty fair IMO.

 

Appalling summary - Paterson is spelt with one 't' not two - thank God I've never made that mistake . :---)

[Clifford Nelson]

And this is where I came in earlier in the season when I slated Henderson and the Academy for the end product. Walcott/Bale were naturals, the rest are sadly lacking in knowhow and awareness.

 

Hear, hear! It's funny though that the concerns that we share about what has been going on in the depths of the club don't seem to create much interest. They are all there, as far as I know, and maybe still doing the same things?

[Wes Tender]

Did anyone see the Brentford fan who fell asleep during the match?

When the Northam sang "Youre sh-t and you fall asleep",was a classic moment.

 

That was a comedy moment. Sometimes it was more interesting watching some of their fans than the game. A mate of his woke him up and then a few minutes later he was zonked out again. Did you see the middle-aged guy who sat there for long periods with his head in his hands, trying to stare us out? Looked a bit of a weirdo.

[chrisobee]

Is there ever a time when you actually get behind the team or club? You have had your way and the chairman is gone, now it is tme to stand up and get behind the new people and stop the sniping, or is that just too difficult.Using a user name of a player that my father adored much like i do MLT is doing a disservice to their memories when you post your constant negative stuff.

Constructive criticism yes but this all the time is plain wrong IMo

 

Totally agree, pointless sarcasm which gives the impression of actually enjoying our position. We are getting better ( not difficult I know) but we are still rebuilding from the shambles left behind by other people who I shall not even bother to name. In terms of Pardew I'd say he has done extremely well in the transfer market and anyone who thinks it is easy to come to a club and turn things around in 6 weeks knows nothing about football. Hell, Lawrie Mac managed to get us relegated after taking over from Ted Bates and look what happened over the next few years, I have no doubt many on here would have been calling for his head even before the end of 1973/74 . History tells us that changing everything from personnel, confidence ( the club HAS had a losing mentality, to suggest otherwise is foolish) etc does not happen over night. I would agree that the team lacks width and that is something which needs to be addressed but if you sign a player like Lambert without realising he needs to be given a good supply of crosses in order to produce his best then that would be worrying but really who do we have at the club who is a decent winger ? The answer I suggest is nobody and I'm sure Pardew knows that but unfortunately we don't have the likes of Paine and Sydenham and dare I suggest that Nathan Dyer would have been a very good player at this level. Stupid of Pardew to sell him ( and Surman come to that ) but oh of course he wasn't even here at the time but I guess it's still his fault. Really I despair at the reaction of certain people, everyone is entitled to an opinion, unfortunately some are just plain daft.

[kpturner]

Is there ever a time when you actually get behind the team or club? You have had your way and the chairman is gone, now it is tme to stand up and get behind the new people and stop the sniping, or is that just too difficult.Using a user name of a player that my father adored much like i do MLT is doing a disservice to their memories when you post your constant negative stuff.

Constructive criticism yes but this all the time is plain wrong IMo

Don't worry Nick. He is off to support Arsenal soon.....

[St Lightjaw]

For those who couldn't make the game, and missed the highlights on the beeb, you can see all the action here ..

[chrisobee]

I was a winger myself in my days (oh, them days...). It suited my game in that I could use the line as my crutch and only worry about what was ahead and inside me. Playing in positions in the middle of the pitch was uncomfortable. Maybe too much to think about. When I started coaching I quickly sorted out which ones were wide players and who belonged in the middle, who were attack minded and who preferred defense. It worked. Every time. I have also seen the pro game destroy genuine talent by re-schooling boys to what they are not suited to. That's why I don't think you can make a wide player out of something else, or vice versa.

 

And that's also why I am doubting both Lallana and James. Lallana hungers for a free role, which no doubt he had in his boy's side, but on this level he isn't talented enough to be given that, and you then need to ask yourself whether he has got a role. James is decidedly unspectacular, but looks better as a RB than anything else. We have Fish and Holmes who must be tried LM when they are fit, but RM is totally talent free as far as I can see. If there is a pacy rightsided player out there, anywhere, who can cross a ball, he must be found.

 

Yes, I was a winger in my younger days which was many moons ago. At the age of 13 I was a half decent player, a regular in my school team which won the league. However, a different teacher took over the following season and indeed he tried to get me to play a more disciplined role instead of doing what I was good at which was using my pace to get to the byline and crossing. After 2 games I was left out and never played for him again. I was lucky enough to be good enough at 13/14 to play in an Under 16 Sunday league team where I was indeed able to play as an out and out winger. So the point is one I can certainly relate to and agree with. In my view of course you coach a player to improve his all round game but not at the expense of what they are good at. I don't think it is coincidence that wingers such as Paine, Sydenham and Jenkins are almost a dying breed given how seriously football is taken even when kids are so young and of course you get clubs signing up players at silly ages.

[krissyboy31]

at Hammond coming third purely for not being Wotton.

 

FWIW I thought he was our best player and seems a few people also agree!

 

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~1768449,00.html