Saints vs Colchester - Post Match Reaction

[derry]

Why was the Perry sub dumb? Thought it was quite astute. They had a couple of free-kicks/throw-ins in dangerous positions and only pushed two men forward while we had 8 men in the box - said everything about their attacking ambitions (of lack of). Having the extra defender was a waste - when Schneiderlin came on, we went to 3-5-2 with James staying in midfield rather than dropping back to RB and Thomas going more central. Taking a defender off and putting another in the middle, in the absence of any strikers, was the most positive thing we could do.

 

Admittedly, Lallana has been playing with greater discipline; but he is better suited 'in the hole' and with his current good form, playing him down the middle would both provide the team better balance and play to his strengths.

 

It was dumb because James was poor at full back in comparison to Thomas and it meant at the end we couldn't put a big man up front.

 

Lallana was awful as a striker and offered nothing up front, he is clever on the ball but lightweight and doesn't get in where it hurts. We needed to do something different but we didn't.

 

As for formations we never went 3 at the back. James and Harding were orthodox and Trotman and Thomas were central. The two midfielders were too deep and offered no support. The problem is the forwards/midfielders have scored one goal between them from open play in six league matches.

[Window Cleaner]

I must say it worries the **** out of me.

 

 

Well if he was that good Fiorentina wouldn't have loaned him out for a season would they. He's serie B, probably got overconfident as well, don't get your hope up, poor man's Henri Camara, a little home truth, if a french speaking african is any good, there's always a french club willling to take a punt on him,

Marseille, Monaco, Lens,Lille,PSG,St Etienne take your pick clubs virtually entirely peopled by africans or french of african descent,why didn't they take Papa Waigo? who the f*ck knows.He nearly went to Toulouse last autumn apparently, why he didn't

i have no idea, Toulouse Jeff might be able to enlighten us on that.

Edited 5 September, 2009 by Window Cleaner

[shurlock]

When you look at the comments on here, what seems to come over is that the new signings are mostly doing OK, and the players left over from last year, especially the younger ones, are still really just reserve team status. This was a truly poor performance. It was Colchester who came closest to scoring by hitting the bar after going down to 10 men, whilst Sainst were hopeless, even when having most of the play towards the end. They struggled to set up real chances, and when they did, they failed miserably to take them. At least we have two more signings to come in, but is it enough to replace the 4 or 5 weak players out there today?

 

There aren't many youhgsters from last year and for every one that is reserve team status (James, Paterson), there is one with promise (Mills, Lallana). AP has said that the biggest disappointment of the transfer window is not loaning out more youngsters (including fringe players like Thompson) - so he certainly doesn't buy any of the hype peddled by the old order. I agree today was extremely disappointing to the extent that we didn't force a save from the keeper with 11 against 10 (apart from Paterson's cleared shot off the line and that was before the sending off if i remember). But I don't think we are 4 or 5 players short, its just that the positions in which we are weak -CM, CF- are pretty key ones.

[southamptonfclegend]

can someone please clear this up for me... was the chance that Thomson seemed to head off the line when it was going in.... was it going in? did Thomson f*ck it up?

[SuperMikey]

Who else absolutely shat themselves when the commentator said that Perry had been subbed for Lancashire?

 

Imo we need more width in the squad, there were some promising signs from Mills and I thought Thomson was decent when he came on, not deserving of some of the flack he's getting on here tonight. He actually ran at his defender, which is something that we've lacked in a winger for a while now. I agree with the 4-3-3 formation that somebody posted earlier, but i'd make a change if I could:

 

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

Thomas--Jaidi--Trotman--Harding

--Hamster--Morgan---Lallana----

Waigo------Lambert---------Mills

 

Subs: Bart, Perry, James, Thomson, Gobern, Saga, Patterson

 

The midfield 3 play predominantly through the center, controlling the play and involving Waigo and Mills in the play by short, simple passes to FEET, something we singularly failed to do today. We need to play it on the ground, and to do that we need to get players like Lambert, Schneiderlin and Lallana on the ball, as they were the ones that got the ball down and played it today. Failing that, we could always line up like this:

 

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

Thomas--Jaidi--Trotman--Harding

---Lallana--Hamster--Mills-------

----Waigo--Lambert--Saga------

 

Subs: Bart, Perry, James, Thomson, Gobern, Lancashire, Patterson

 

That would give us a lot more attacking options than just relying on Lambert to score goals for us.

[shurlock]

 

4) Movement

 

I lost count of the number of times Hammond, Schneiderlin and even Thomas when going forward either played a square pass or had a hopeful bash at goal because none of our attacking 4 players (wingers and strikers) made a run that gave them a chance to play a through-ball. When was the last time we played a quick one-two as well? There needs to be far better movement off the ball.

 

 

For me, this has been the most disappointing and worrying aspect of our game. It's also one of the hardest things to solve, isn't it? Requires composure on the ball, willingness and ability to exploit space and effective communication.

[shurlock]

Who else absolutely shat themselves when the commentator said that Perry had been subbed for Lancashire?

 

Imo we need more width in the squad, there were some promising signs from Mills and I thought Thomson was decent when he came on, not deserving of some of the flack he's getting on here tonight. He actually ran at his defender, which is something that we've lacked in a winger for a while now. I agree with the 4-3-3 formation that somebody posted earlier, but i'd make a change if I could:

 

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

Thomas--Jaidi--Trotman--Harding

--Hamster--Morgan---Lallana----

Waigo------Lambert---------Mills

 

Subs: Bart, Perry, James, Thomson, Gobern, Saga, Patterson

 

The midfield 3 play predominantly through the center, controlling the play and involving Waigo and Mills in the play by short, simple passes to FEET, something we singularly failed to do today. We need to play it on the ground, and to do that we need to get players like Lambert, Schneiderlin and Lallana on the ball, as they were the ones that got the ball down and played it today. Failing that, we could always line up like this:

 

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

Thomas--Jaidi--Trotman--Harding

---Lallana--Hamster--Mills-------

----Waigo--Lambert--Saga------

 

Subs: Bart, Perry, James, Thomson, Gobern, Lancashire, Patterson

 

That would give us a lot more attacking options than just relying on Lambert to score goals for us.

 

JP would be smiling. Not bad but I think there's one too many attacking players. I think its three from Lambert, Saga, Lallana and Waigo with somebody left on the bench.

[Window Cleaner]

Who else absolutely shat themselves when the commentator said that Perry had been subbed for Lancashire?

 

Imo we need more width in the squad, there were some promising signs from Mills and I thought Thomson was decent when he came on, not deserving of some of the flack he's getting on here tonight. He actually ran at his defender, which is something that we've lacked in a winger for a while now. I agree with the 4-3-3 formation that somebody posted earlier, but i'd make a change if I could:

 

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

Thomas--Jaidi--Trotman--Harding

--Hamster--Morgan---Lallana----

Waigo------Lambert---------Mills

 

Subs: Bart, Perry, James, Thomson, Gobern, Saga, Patterson

 

The midfield 3 play predominantly through the center, controlling the play and involving Waigo and Mills in the play by short, simple passes to FEET, something we singularly failed to do today. We need to play it on the ground, and to do that we need to get players like Lambert, Schneiderlin and Lallana on the ball, as they were the ones that got the ball down and played it today. Failing that, we could always line up like this:

 

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

Thomas--Jaidi--Trotman--Harding

---Lallana--Hamster--Mills-------

----Waigo--Lambert--Saga------

 

Subs: Bart, Perry, James, Thomson, Gobern, Lancashire, Patterson

 

That would give us a lot more attacking options than just relying on Lambert to score goals for us.

 

I'mnot sure that playing it on the grass is one of Pardew's theories.

 

As Brian Clough said, "if god meant for football to be played up in the air he'd have put grass up there".Football is a simple game, played on the turf and not 3 meters above it.

[Saint_clark]

can someone please clear this up for me... was the chance that Thomson seemed to head off the line when it was going in.... was it going in? did Thomson f*ck it up?

 

Certainly seemed so from where I was sat - ball going in, he tries to head it towards goal (unnecessary) and heads it over. Great.

[ooohTerryHurlock]

There were no excuses for not winning today.

 

Positives;

We TRIED to play with width. When Mills came on he looked very good IMO.

Lallana was fantastic, anyone who questions his commitment really doesn't have a clue. The defence looked extremely solid. Once Jaidi comes in and Murty is fit again, it will be exceptional. Pardew has done what I and many others always say you should do; he has built from the back.

The three CMs who played a part - Hammond, James and Schneiderlin - looked very sharp, and their passing was accurate for the majority of the game.

 

Negatives;

With regards to width, Lallana is not a winger, Thomson is useless and Mellis is too weak/inexperienced. Until we get decent wingers (it may well be Mills on the left and Waigo on the right), we will never be able to play well with width.

Paterson looked lost, he really should have scored.

We are wasting Lambert by having him play with his back to goal.

 

What????? what game were you watching - call me critical but Mills was having an absolute shocker - back in the reserves for me. Al is just to light weight - and playing him up front against a big lump of a CB isn't the bag for him!

[L1Minus10]

Davis 8 - Dealt well with anything that came his way - the odd cross that landed 5 yards out that he didn't come for.

Thomas 7 - Good game I thought - looks confident at right back

Trotman 6 - Good 2nd half but Darren Powell like in the first - the corner he gave away when trying to clear it over his shoulder was a particular highlight.

Perry 7 - Same as always, solid and reliable

Harding 7 - Troubled for pace sometimes against No7 but a good game

Mellis 5 - Send him back - too lightweight and not a winger in the slightest

James 6/2 - He winds me up - not bad in midfield but when he went toright back he was sh!t. Crosses from the half way line are never going to work.

Hammond 7 - Some decent stuff and shots but some terrible crosses.

Lallana 8 - Pretty good game I thought.

Lambert 6 - Did what he could winth zero service below 9 foot and a referee who didn't give him one free kick all game

Paterson 2 - Abysmal. Doesn't seem to have any awareness of anything and no clue about the offside rule.

Subs:

Thomson 2 - this guy is a waste of space. hopefully won;t be near the squad when Waigo gets in.

Schneiderlin 8 - what a difference when he came on. Class player. In with Hammond next time please.

Mills 6 - Started very well, then faded, the came back into it. once he gets fit should be very near a start.

[brett24]

I really think we wiil get our 1st win next week against Charlton. Pardew going back, new signings (if permits arrive) and Saga back. Charlton have had a great start but they are not that great. We just need to score the 1st goals. I think things are improving, looking a bit more solid at the back, Mills and Holmes (both can cross a decent ball) coming back. Saga will go on a run soon and we will start picking the wins up, if we finish 4th for bottom it will be a good season.

[Kingsbridge Saint]

Still too many Losers around from last season - and still some on the bench as well, limiting options. The clues are in the names LL oyd and LaLLana. Not good enough. Still one of the worst sides in English football. Sort it out Pards.

[ooohTerryHurlock]

I felt that there hs been alot of improvement mate, esp with width we just lacked the final touch. AP had alot of work to do and every time I see saints (at home) I see improvement.

 

Not sure if you agree mate the only thing I felt we lacked was the finishing and this is something else that I'm sure will be worked on, as well as the new players coming in.

 

It was really hard walking home today but if I were a neutral Id feel saints can still make the play-off with the larger squad, confidence and time.

 

UTS

 

We will not make the play off's this season - wake up and smell the coffee we are going to need to get ontop of our game to even avoid being in another relegation dog fight. 6 games in and we have made no indent to the 10 point penalty - infact we are actually losing ground on other teams - regardless of our 10 point penalty our form puts us 3rd from bottom.

 

I know AP has a massive job on his hands but if we can't put away a side playing with 10 men for 50 odd minutes then - we have major problems. Making four or five chances, at home, and taking pot shots from thirty/forty yards out against 10 men is a great improvement. It think we are lacking a lot more than just finishing - hence the need for them to drag their collective sorry arses into staplewood tomorrow at 07.00hrs to keep trying to gel as a unit.

[kpturner]

can someone please clear this up for me... was the chance that Thomson seemed to head off the line when it was going in.... was it going in? did Thomson f*ck it up?

 

It was, but I can't remember if a defender was on hand to clear it

[Whitey Grandad]

can someone please clear this up for me... was the chance that Thomson seemed to head off the line when it was going in.... was it going in? did Thomson f*ck it up?

That was my comment to my neighbour, but I'm in the Kingsland, half-way line, and it was all very gloomy by then, in every sense.

[RedAndWhite91]

Still too many Losers around from last season - and still some on the bench as well, limiting options. The clues are in the names LL oyd and LaLLana. Not good enough. Still one of the worst sides in English football. Sort it out Pards.

 

Serious question - Really??

[Channon's Sideburns]

Someone please explain to me why we can't simply play Lallana as a central midfielder? He has a great engine on him so let's ask him to be the box to box midfielder that we need alongside Hammond. Forget playing him wide, or 'in the hole', just play him in the middle of the park for 2 or 3 games and let's see if he can start controlling games, because at the moment he's being wasted and it's to the detriment of the team.

 

Because he can't/won't tackle. I've yet to see evidence of why he gets played - doesn't even deliver decent corners half the time yet people seem to think he's our best player.

 

He's not. If he was that great he'd be superb WHEREVER he played..this 'best position' nonsense is covering it all up = he's actually not as good as you think he is.

 

Simple.

[brett24]

Team against Charlton has to be:

 

Davis

Thomas Jaidi Trotman Harding

Lallana Hammond Spiderman Mills

Lambert Saga

 

Bench: Gilliet, Holmes, Papa, Gobern, Perry

 

Need some width, really want to see Holmes at least on the bench.

[RedAndWhite91]

Team against Charlton has to be:

 

Davis

Thomas Jaidi Trotman Harding

Lallana Hammond Spiderman Mills

Lambert Saga

 

Bench: Gilliet, Holmes, Papa, Gobern, Perry

 

Need some width, really want to see Holmes at least on the bench.

 

On paper with that team we could beat anyone in this league. But in the wise (?) words of Andy Gray "football isn't played on paper, it's played on that big green thing out there". I would like to see this team line up against Charlton.

[AlfredKo]

And here's the scores on the doors for today (and before anyone moans, I'm thinking positively and reported rather gushingly on our performance last week against Brum).

 

A good start against a side content with a draw who really battened down the hatches when they had 10 players. A decent first half where we should have gone ahead, followed by a second half where we just did not have the nous to eek out a goal.

 

Some of the youngsters were terrible (so god knows who thought they could do it in the Championship) and we looked pretty lacklustre upfront.

 

Davis - 7 - not much to do, but looked as good as ever

 

Thomas - 7 - I wasn't sure he could fill in for Murty, but have to say he impressed me today, particularly the first half.

 

Perry - 7 - A good display, sometimes left with their centre forward when Trottman should have had him

 

Trottman - 7 - First time I've seen him, but impressed (see the bit above losing their centre forward).

 

Harding - 8 - Definitely like the look of him and think he has much to offer

 

Mellis - 5 - Didn't really offer us anything even in the first half where we had control

 

Hammond - 6 - Not really sure, let's leave it there

 

James - 5 - Did he do anything

 

Lallana - 7 - Maybe he's found his level, as this was another good game. However, I'm looking for gials from him and he does lack a cutting edge

 

Lambert - 7 - Feel a bit sorry for him as the midfield was poor and his strike partner was terrible, which brings me on to......

 

Paterson - 1 (ONE as the videprinter would say) - I'm sure I'll have to eat my words when he goes on to play for England, but he was absolutely diabolical. Did nothing.

 

SUBS:

 

Mills - 4 - Had a good run when he first came on, but that was it.

 

Thomson - 4 - Never gave us anything

 

Schneiderlin - 4 - Propaganda stuff as WGS would say. Some nice passes when under no pressure, but nothing clinical and nothing match changing.

 

 

 

For me the problems are upfront, so fingers crossed Papa and Saga can turn it on.

 

A very disappointing performance despite Colchester doing everything to break up the game.

 

But fingers crossed, you have to eat your words now because Patterson is scottish and will never play for England.

[Saint Fen]

Davis 8 - Dealt well with anything that came his way - the odd cross that landed 5 yards out that he didn't come for.

Thomas 7 - Good game I thought - looks confident at right back

Trotman 6 - Good 2nd half but Darren Powell like in the first - the corner he gave away when trying to clear it over his shoulder was a particular highlight.

Perry 7 - Same as always, solid and reliable

Harding 7 - Troubled for pace sometimes against No7 but a good game

Mellis 5 - Send him back - too lightweight and not a winger in the slightest

James 6/2 - He winds me up - not bad in midfield but when he went toright back he was sh!t. Crosses from the half way line are never going to work.

Hammond 7 - Some decent stuff and shots but some terrible crosses.

Lallana 8 - Pretty good game I thought.

Lambert 6 - Did what he could winth zero service below 9 foot and a referee who didn't give him one free kick all game

Paterson 2 - Abysmal. Doesn't seem to have any awareness of anything and no clue about the offside rule.

Subs:

Thomson 2 - this guy is a waste of space. hopefully won;t be near the squad when Waigo gets in.

Schneiderlin 8 - what a difference when he came on. Class player. In with Hammond next time please.

Mills 6 - Started very well, then faded, the came back into it. once he gets fit should be very near a start.

 

I think these are totally fair ratings, Paterson and Thomson are so poor and were awful in the last home game as well.

 

I feel these two need to go out on loan as they offer us nothing at the moment. Patterson was so bad but was replaced by the equally poor Thomson. Patterson is a bit lazy and thinks making a hard tackle here and there is good enough, his control was awful today and is constantly offside. Making him easy to defend against.

 

We are crying out for a winger which Thomson is however he can never beat his man and his crossing is very poor. Passing is rubbish and never makes a tackle when tracking back.

 

Schniederlin looked clases when he came on and his passing was superb, his range of passing could help us unlocked defences especially if we play with 2 decent wingers who can get to the by line. Hopefully he can take corners as well.

 

Hopefully Papa can make a hugh difference as will Jaidi attacking corners with a decent ball being put in the box. I also think we are desperate for a player like McLaggon to come back in with his pace and directness.

 

We also miss Murty who offers great experience and natural width because although Thomas did well, he is not the most Natural player running forward with the ball at his feet.

 

I really believe we are not far from being a decent team, the side needs tinkering are the moment to find the right balance.

[Ruffo]

on the bright side - clean sheet.

 

still early and we are overdue for a winning streak.

 

Let the newbies settle in to the team

[Saint Fen]

Team against Charlton has to be:

 

Davis

Thomas Jaidi Trotman Harding

Lallana Hammond Spiderman Mills

Lambert Saga

 

Bench: Gilliet, Holmes, Papa, Gobern, Perry

 

Need some width, really want to see Holmes at least on the bench.

 

Would change this slightly:

 

Davis

 

Thomas Jaidi Trotman Harding

Lallana Hammond Spiderman Holmes

Lambert Papa

 

Subs: Bart, Perry, Gillett, Saga, Mills, James, Gobern (Your allowed 7 these days)

 

Hopefully Papa offer pace and Holmes natural width.

[Channon's Sideburns]

I know its all mind-play but sooner or later Pards has to be honest in interviews and say they have not played well.

 

His interviews are starting to sound like Burley's - 'Blah Blah not that bad,very pleased' - which is a load of bollix...we know he won't be happy about it so why pretend?

 

The mental problem the players have (that were here last season) is that they were told they were world beaters....in fact they can't even beat carpets...

 

If he can, Pards needs to move on as many from last season as poss...and QUICK.

[shurlock]

I know its all mind-play but sooner or later Pards has to be honest in interviews and say they have not played well.

 

His interviews are starting to sound like Burley's - 'Blah Blah not that bad,very pleased' - which is a load of bollix...we know he won't be happy about it so why pretend?

 

The mental problem the players have (that were here last season) is that they were told they were world beaters....in fact they can't even beat carpets...

 

If he can, Pards needs to move on as many from last season as poss...and QUICK.

 

Think that apart from the Swindon interview which Goebbels would have been proud of, I think he's been pretty honest in his assessments, especially the specifics of games while naturally looking for things we can take comfort from on a general level.

 

Do our players really have 'mental problems' given so many are new and have no baggage or is it us, the supporters who are the real head cases?

Edited 5 September, 2009 by shurlock

[Blackheathan]

We will be the underdodgs v Charlton and win

[WGC Saint]

FFS please please please give us a win..........

 

Sick and ****ing tired of the same old **** season after season......

[um pahars]

But fingers crossed, you have to eat your words now because Patterson is scottish and will never play for England.

 

LOL, I was going to put "England or whoever" as quite frankly I've never been bothered to look up who he is or where he comes from as I've always thought he was shte (even when I saw him in the Academy teams).

 

Sad to see someone so out of their depth as not only it is bad for him, but more importantly to me it is bad news for my team. IMHO he is not our answer up front.

[SarniaSaint]

I saw enough today to suggest we will soon start winning games.

 

Defence looked sound, central midfield needs to create more and get forward to support the forwards.

 

Lallana had a good game out wide and showed he can play there effectively. Mills looked good when he came on.

 

Paterson lacks confidence and needs to avoid getting caught offside. He is just not ready yet.

 

We had enough of the game but just could not break down their defence. Very frustrating but not as bad as many early comments on here from those who did not attend (not having a go at their absence just that they cannot get perspective from verbal or written commentary)

 

Thanks for that, maybe there is some light at the end of the tunnel.

[SarniaSaint]

What a well balanced view for a change with which I agree. No histrionics just plain facts. Paterson had an off day, don't we all at times and unfortunately that caused the problem with only 2 out and out forwards to select. We had width today but no-one in the middle to convert the crosses.

 

Saga or Papa would have been ideal today, but without them there was still progress and it was great to see Fish back in the team.

 

It's coming together, slowly I admit but it is coming together.

 

And thank you for that.

[alpine_saint]

Is there someone else who can take corners? Lallana was hopeless today, ever corner was floated in and either picked out of the air by the keeper or headed away by a defender who had all the time in the world. Same thing every time.

 

Was the same in both games I've seen.

[sperm_john]

my thoughts on today (taken from the northam) ...first half, played really well, dominated, unlucky with the clearing off the line and penalty shout with the handball in the box, sending off was clear as crystal ..thought melis put in a good performance..lambert looked quite quiet all game imo. Second half, just what the eff did pardew say to the team at half time because they came out and played awfully, nothing like the first half, we didnt need the whistle to blow for half time at all ..we were quite un inspired just playing mainly long balls (reminded me of the old days, the bad old days...) other than that, colchester played for the draw and made it very hard for us, but with home advantage, us being a team relegated from league above and the extra man advantage, theres no excuse that we didnt capitalise... tough game away at flying high charlton next week, especially for pards whos their favourite person.

[alpine_saint]

I agree with the comments that we have to get rid of the remaining losers from last season. Those kids arent good enough, and they are dragging the team down.

[bpsaint]

can someone please clear this up for me... was the chance that Thomson seemed to head off the line when it was going in.... was it going in? did Thomson f*ck it up?

 

Having just seen it again on TV no it wasnt heading in. At the time I thought it was but thats just the way it looked from the Northam.

 

Didn't realise till now we're actually 11 points from safety now.****.

[captainchris]

The -10 is still buying a lot of people a lot of excuses.

 

Just forget it. This is league 1. The minimum expectation should be playoffs, so we should make that and then if the -10 puts us mid-table, so be it. But to not even get near it pathetic. To be second bottom in real terms as we are now is disgraceful.

 

Not because of Pardew, but all these players who claim huge wages for this league, supposedly think they're good enough for higher levels, yet they can't beat absolute rubbish in this league.

 

We need a midfield and we need Saga, that's clear. That means half our team weren't there today.

 

Mills is a must. Papa Waigo will be too IMO, on the right. Which leaves Hammond and Morgan central, as I don't see James adding enough creativity, he should be back up for Hammond.

 

Where does that leave Lallana, I don't know. Up front hopefully, competing with Lambert and Saga.

 

FFS - It's nothing to do with personnel it's everything to do with tactics. We are are totally disorganised and are hoofing it all the time. Don't tell me that is not AP's strategy - it obviously is. It's boring non productive rubbish no other way to describe it. It's nothing to do with who plays the result is exactly the same who ever plays - haven't you noticed!

[S-Clarke]

We will be the underdodgs v Charlton and win

+1

 

i fully expect this. Charlton are on a high, could get 7 out of 7 - so will obviously be pushing and attacking...but in tern i expect them to leave space. If they do that...we could do very well, we've struggled this season against teams who stop us playing....i don't think charlton will.

[hamster]

Who else absolutely shat themselves when the commentator said that Perry had been subbed for Lancashire?

 

Imo we need more width in the squad, there were some promising signs from Mills and I thought Thomson was decent when he came on, not deserving of some of the flack he's getting on here tonight. He actually ran at his defender, which is something that we've lacked in a winger for a while now. I agree with the 4-3-3 formation that somebody posted earlier, but i'd make a change if I could:

 

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

Thomas--Jaidi--Trotman--Harding

--Hamster--Morgan---Lallana----

Waigo------Lambert---------Mills

 

Subs: Bart, Perry, James, Thomson, Gobern, Saga, Patterson

 

The midfield 3 play predominantly through the center, controlling the play and involving Waigo and Mills in the play by short, simple passes to FEET, something we singularly failed to do today. We need to play it on the ground, and to do that we need to get players like Lambert, Schneiderlin and Lallana on the ball, as they were the ones that got the ball down and played it today. Failing that, we could always line up like this:

 

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

Thomas--Jaidi--Trotman--Harding

---Lallana--Hamster--Mills-------

----Waigo--Lambert--Saga------

 

Subs: Bart, Perry, James, Thomson, Gobern, Lancashire, Patterson

 

That would give us a lot more attacking options than just relying on Lambert to score goals for us.

 

I know we were bad yesterday but all the same I am flattered, but seriously Mikey I am not match fit right now. Ask me again in a couple of weeks.

[Eastcowzer]

Sounded dreadful on Solent - how long before we win? how long before we create some decent chances? decent movement?? better be ready for Yeovil or I'll want my money back before we kick off!

 

Every thing sounds dreadful on Solent. !

[tttdcs]

Because Patterson was f*cking terrible

 

It would also help if someone explains the off side rule to him !!!!

[sidthesquid]

A bit of context for our display yesterday. How many times have we played against 10 men & fooked it up in recent years? Colchester worked hard, played 9 behind the ball and made it difficult to find any space. Usually we contrive to lose to their only shot on goal.

Also, you can sense the apprehension in the crowd & it must get to the players. Since we beat Hull City 4-0, nearly two years ago (a real false dawn, if ever there was one) we have won 8 out of 38 home league games. There have been (approximately) 4 chairmen, 7 managers and 80 different players in that time - the only constant being us. Our nerves & our pessimism must get through to the players. You could see it yesterday, the longer the game went on - players failing to push on into space, needing an extra touch to shoot, playing the safe ball or shooting from 35 yards in desperation. We don't roar them on, we sit and panic & prepare for the worst & it gets through to the players.

I don't know how we change it save a couple of flukey wins, but we must not start getting on the backs of the players. Personally, I thought booing at the end yesterday was out of order - it wasn't a dire performance, just mediocre, and it wasn't for a lack of effort, either.

[InvictaSaint]

A bit of context for our display yesterday. How many times have we played against 10 men & fooked it up in recent years? Colchester worked hard, played 9 behind the ball and made it difficult to find any space. Usually we contrive to lose to their only shot on goal.

Also, you can sense the apprehension in the crowd & it must get to the players. Since we beat Hull City 4-0, nearly two years ago (a real false dawn, if ever there was one) we have won 8 out of 38 home league games. There have been (approximately) 4 chairmen, 7 managers and 80 different players in that time - the only constant being us. Our nerves & our pessimism must get through to the players. You could see it yesterday, the longer the game went on - players failing to push on into space, needing an extra touch to shoot, playing the safe ball or shooting from 35 yards in desperation. We don't roar them on, we sit and panic & prepare for the worst & it gets through to the players.

I don't know how we change it save a couple of flukey wins, but we must not start getting on the backs of the players. Personally, I thought booing at the end yesterday was out of order - it wasn't a dire performance, just mediocre, and it wasn't for a lack of effort, either.

 

Some very interesting info Sid, not least the 8 wins out of 38; that is quite astonishing, and evidence - if evidence were needed - that the players involved over the last 24 months, or those who remain, must have zero confidence when playing it home. Wouldn't be surprised if they dread it! We all need to keep calm, remain supportive and cheer the players on at every opportunity. However, as the last win I witnessed was against Sheff Utd on the last day of the season before last, a win soon would be just the tonic for all of us!! :-)

[Clifford Nelson]

It was dumb because James was poor at full back in comparison to Thomas and it meant at the end we couldn't put a big man up front.

 

Lallana was awful as a striker and offered nothing up front, he is clever on the ball but lightweight and doesn't get in where it hurts. We needed to do something different but we didn't.

 

As for formations we never went 3 at the back. James and Harding were orthodox and Trotman and Thomas were central. The two midfielders were too deep and offered no support. The problem is the forwards/midfielders have scored one goal between them from open play in six league matches.

 

Good analysis as always. I didn't like swapping Lallana to the right. He is doing alright there after having found an understanding with Harding. Problem is that we haven't got a right footed wide man. Both Fish and Holmes are lefties. Lallana does everything difficult very well and struggles with the simple stuff, but here speaks an old winger with very little talent who survived only because of pace and crossing ability. It would be nice to see him play a few killer balls, but since he rarely does he doesn't belong in the middle.

 

Lambert desperately needs Saga, or somebody like him, up front. It can never work with Paterson who is another target man. Both of them are holding the ball up for each other and nothing is ever going anywhere. Lambert looks bewildered, probably for not quite knowing what to do with the ball: Nobody who runs along side of him, no winger who looks in a threatening position and no offensive CM who runs through. I makes him looks bad, whilst he is just badly served. He leads the line better than any predecessor since Beattie.

 

James didn't have an especially good game and should have been swapped with Schneiderlin rather than to jumble the defense. All managers have players they like and others they don't. James and Gillett are AP's.

 

I thought Fish coming on looked promising because it seemed to give others an outlet. Sadly he was too rusty to do much with it. Nevertheless I would like to see some perseverence now. Keep him playing and sub him if necessary with Holmes. Whoever is the biggest threat will start.

 

Get Lallana to play on the right until it gels there and reserve Lambert's partner to Saga and Papa Waigo and see what is the most dangerous. Then Hammond should play the offensive role and be paired with whoever suits an attacking or defensive tactic the best.

 

It all sounds very simple, doesn't it.

[Joensuu]

I'm still disappointed today. The 'team' didn't look like they'd ever met each other; each played by themselves, passes without runs, runs without passes, crosses to thin air. A bit more time, and I'm sure things will start to gel. (*Fingers crossed*).

Why do we stand off teams? Why do we wait for them to try and play against us? We seem totally unable to change the way we play. When you're at home, your opponents aren't anything special, have been reduced to 10 men and lost another of their first choice players through injury, what do you do? Certainly not sit back for 60+ minutes waiting for your opponents to attack. All we needed to do was turn the pressure on, push them back into their own half, but instead we sat back. I hope AP sorts this out in training asap.

I disagree with many of the player ratings above. For me the outstanding performers were Davis and Trotman. Trotman seemed to be winning almost everything, putting in the tackles, tracking back, winning in the air; but more than anything he was showing some heart - at points he looked like the only player who actually wanted to win.

Harding - another player you all seem to rate, and yes he was generally good, but twice in the first half he failed to track the winger, giving away too much space, and not closing down. These two failures led to Colchester's two best chances of the whole game. Harding isn't a 'kid' and should not be making silly mistakes.

Lallana - Did not have an exceptional game. Yes he had flashes of talent, a couple of runs, and couple of side steps. He obviously has skill, but still doesn't seem able to apply it. For me he was best when on the right (much much better than Mellis).

Mills - Why the criticism? Yes he needs to work on his crossing, but he created more hope than almost anyone else all game. All he needs to do is look up and time his crosses... if he learns to do that he could be very dangerous at this level.

Paterson - Should be fined a days wage each time he's caught offside... he'd then soon learn to watch their defenders! If he can get the basics right, he might come to something. But frankly if you're always offside, how can you expect to actually get to have a shot? Back to training for me.

Thanks to Trotman we are now okay at the back... and Jaidi should give us one of the better defences in the league (still concerned by Harding though)... but going forward we need to find some pace, and some more creativity. We need someone who has pace who can cross (not from the half way line, James!), but from the touchline. I don't want to pin too many hopes on Papa Waigo... but otherwise we look seriously lacking.

We need to do some serious work on perception. Paterson: learn to watch the defensive line; Mills, Lallana, Thomas, Thompson: lookup and identify a player before you attempt to blaze a cross into nowhere. Whole team: push up and attack when you perceive that the opponents are on the back foot and there for the taking! FFS

[View From The Top]

I've just got home after spending the night in Soton at a family do and I felt we played OK, did ok and will be ok.

 

Plenty of positives as far as I'm concerned and I'm really looking forward to the rest of the season.

[Block 5]

someone needs to throw there season ticket at the gaffer IMO

 

Why don't you throw yours at the gaffer Stevo?

Do you have one?

[hypochondriac]

If we are playing Papa as a striker, I really feel we are one pacy winger short of having a real go. A loan perhaps?

[SNSUN]

We can't win. (Literally and non-literally)

 

If our defence plays well, we can't score, if we score, we concede.

 

The defence is looking strong now, even with Murty out injured I thought James would be in there, but Thomas played there for us in the CCC so is competent. Add Jaidi and our defence now looks sorted. In attack, we have Lambert, Saga and to an extent Waigo and Paterson. With creativity from the midfield, I think that'll be enough, although I wouldn't be suprised to see Pardew dip into the loan market for another.

 

Sort out the midfield creativity problem and we'll be marching up the league. Can't wait til Holmes and Mills are fully fit!

 

Overall I'm disappointed but understanding.

[AndyNorthernSaints]

If Lee Holmes returns to the side, he will make a MASSIVE difference.

 

His reputation continues to grow during his absense due to another injury. He must be the most highly rated player ever based on 2 early games last season.

[Arizona]

His reputation continues to grow during his absense due to another injury. He must be the most highly rated player ever based on 2 early games last season.

 

It's weird. He is like the opposite of David Prutton.