Chalrton v Saints Post Match 1-1

[NickG]

Just back from what is a local fixture for me. Haven't read any of the other report but just to say that APs game plan worked perfectly. We essentially went 4-5-1 with Mills and Lallana playing slightly further foward in midfield and as a result had them playing in front of us through large chunks of the game. So much for the showboating some were calling for in the prematch.

 

The game swung back and forth. We started the brighter and Mills should have scored from a nice floated ball from Schneiderlin; they then had a good 20 mins before we finished brightly and got the goal. We also started well second half - indeed, they looked like the away side, happy to hit us on the break with pace (which led to the equaliser). Their goal was slightly dubious -KD looked to be fouled - if not, he possibly should have done better; saying that, we had to soak up a ton of pressure and survived a few close-shaves; but this was no Huddersfield.

 

To this extent, I thought AP's substitutions were excellent. Doubtless, people will be criticising him for not bringing Waigo on but I don't think this was the time or the place as we weren't seeing much of the ball and needed a few more bodies to stop the game getting too stretched. Both Mills and Perry were tiring, so Jaidi and Mellis freshened things up. Things calmed down after their arrival and if anything we had the better of the half chances. A couple of 'cheeky' penalty shouts at the end (Mellis certainly went down too softly for one) but a point was a fair reflection.

 

My man of the match was easily Hammond - he was absolutely everywhere - indeed, he was further foward than Lambert at points. Also thought Mills had an excellent game; both he and harding stifled Sam and Mills has a nice tendency to ghost into space. Lallana also was very lively, though his final delivery continues to let him down. Thomas also impressed - some telling headers at the back post while he actually showed he was no mug getting forward (rather than taking the easy option and hitting it long)

 

All in all, it was the best performance of the season and a decent atmosphere. Still need to be a bit sharper around set pieces (they kept playing short corners to bailey each time who managed to get away shots and nobody picked up on this) while another Hammond in the centre of midfield wouldn't go amiss (Surman would be ideal for this set-u). Otherwise, I think we have the nous and resources to kick on and impose ourselves. Yeovil is now a must win, albeit for different reasons.

 

THanks for that - came on looking to see about the game only to find a load of old woman bickering about relegation and failing to hold onto a lead.

 

Thanks for the report.

[saint_stevo]

NickG

 

Did u get/enjoy my PM?

[saint_stevo]

He missed it while colliding with the CH and it just hit Burton and bobbled in. But you could take it back to our shyte corner, cleared to perry who lobbed it straight at their goalie when all the big fellas were still up for the corner. Goalie to shelvey in acres, beat defender, cross, **** up, goal!

 

Goal from a cross?

 

Quel Suprise!

[NickG]

yes - apologies for not replying.

 

Thanks appreciate it (but not at it again are you!?)

[kpturner]

By the way, it was reassuring to see a supposed top of the table team panicking at the back, slicing clearances into the sky, air shots, miss-kicks etc. They did not look comfortable so I think they may come a cropper soon.

[saint_stevo]

yes - apologies for not replying.

 

Thanks appreciate it (but not at it again are you!?)

 

No

 

I haven't been negative today, i wasn't there, just wanted to get a feel for the performance etc and some goon had a paddy. Some more classic lyrics to come i am sure

 

In hope

 

s_s

[70's Mike]

just back

2 defeats from 7 games

bit by bit you see it coming together we just need to find ways to beat sides who do not want to play pretty football.

defensively we look ok but we need to convert pressure and poession into goals

[markr27]

I went today and was very impressed with what I can now describe as a Saints team.

Everyone worked their socks off and we were the better side in the first half and deserved to go in 1-0 up. Charlton rallied after the break and for the first 20 mins pinned us right back, but as the game entered the final stages Saints came back into it and almost snatched three points.

 

Positives were the combination of Mills/Harding down the left, and Thomas again at right back. Fans were great and friendly in the away end. (my first game!)

 

Negatives (slight), Lallana seemed to disappear in the second half, and the right side in general still seems the weak link.

 

A word on the stadium and the police/staff around the ground - very polite and no problems at all in the local cafes/stores. In without a problem, and out too.

Some of the seats were miniscule though and were obviously fitted without taking people that have legs into consideration!

[markr27]

By the way, it was reassuring to see a supposed top of the table team panicking at the back, slicing clearances into the sky, air shots, miss-kicks etc. They did not look comfortable so I think they may come a cropper soon.

 

We counted about six successive clearances from charlton players that just seemed to go miles up in the air and drop a few feet from where they came.

[iansums]

It's interesting how the general mood of this thread has become more positive as posts have come in from people who were actually at the game.

[Bailey]

Decent point and would have taken that before the game.

 

Sounded as though we were on top for large spells of the game so it's just a shame we couldn't find that elusive second goal.

 

Had we doubled our advantage then we probably would have gone on to win it but it wasn't to be.

 

Quite positive after today though, now we just need to follow it up with 3 points against Yeovil.

[Thedelldays]

if we cant beat yeovil at home..we deserve to be relegated

[docker-p]

A good performance today. I thought we had the better of the first half, and apart from the first and last 5 minutes they had the better of the second.

I would have taken a point before KO so can't complain.

Yet another lead taken and not held is a little concerning, as is the fitness of an otherwise excellent Trottmen, who seemed to flag more than most towards the end.

[wild-saint]

Ignore him, he comes out with it every week

 

I watched the game today and saw a really spirited display. We dominated the first half against a very good charlton side with arguably the best midfield quartet in this league.

 

The side is really starting to gel and we played some really good footy.

 

So what did you and saint stevo base your criticism on? how are you juging whether the team is progressing in the right direction? how did you jusde whether AP's tatical choices and substiutions were right or wrong and how did you come to you conclusions on what we should have done ?

 

Was it listening to Dave Merringtons radio commentary? watching teletext? or reading a few posts during the game on here? maybe your thoughts and judgements would have slightly more credibility if you actually watched the team and not jusdged them third hand or based onabout 2 column incehed in the NOTW FFS

[ART]

Well, a point against our fellow relegated partners and two points lost YET again. We are supposed to win games, especially when we have the players at our disposal to do so. Yet Pas Dieu can't pick a winning team, can't adjust tactics and hasn't a clue on the use of substitutes. And he's got 7 to choose from. Don't think things are all rosy, cos they ain't. We're just as likely to play p i ss poor against Yeovil next week.

 

12 points are now needed to get out of the bottom four, not 11! It's worsening not improving. Marcus you're being ripped off. Just look at our neighbours Bournemouth, not a cent spent yet top of League Two. And Brighton are pulling away to.

 

Jan Poortviet had won two games and drawn 3 this time last year, and all with a bunch of academy lads, in the Championship. Come 10 games I'd like to see if Pas Dieu can even equal Poortviet's number of points.

 

We have the players, but our manager hasn't a clue how to use them. He keeps them on the bench, uses them when they're off form. What a waste he's made of Lambert. And it'll be the same with the rest of them. A whole f u ck ing new team of players and he doesn't know who to pick.

 

And our supporters have become so used to using the phase, but such and such a team lost today so we're alright. We draw again today. It's what we do that counts. A bird(points) in the hand are worth two in the bush. Well those points are flying out the window faster than I'd be prepared to let them.

 

Wake up Nicolas, get that Director of Sport in double quick and put some pressure on that Mark 2 version of Burley we have inherited. If players play better with competition, then managers should perform better with the same pressure.

 

I just hope that seeing Pas Dieu's on a 5 year contract (what a farce!!) that he's got a 3 month trial period too.

[Cabrone]

Good point at a difficult venue, however make no mistake we got very lucky in the 2nd half.

 

Can't help but think if Pardew had been braver we could have had 3 in the bag.

 

Some questions for me are:

 

1) Wago: We'd been crying out for real width all game to finally get it on 90 mins - what was the point?

 

2) Jaidi: On after 78 mins - a full 30 mins after our defence had started to creak badly.

 

Looks a decent player and once he came on things calmed down again.

 

Question is why did AP keep a 37 yr old Perry on for 78 mins in a creaking defence when there was a younger international with recent prem experience sitting on the bench?

 

AP got away with his indecision but very easily might not have.

 

3) Lambert: I like him, reminds me of Steve Howard.

 

A good old fashioned target man that will give you flick ons and a physical presence in the box. Does what it says on the tin.

 

Question is why didn't AP give him support in the form of Saga? I reckon Saga could have bagged at least 1 of his lay offs in the first half. At the very least it would have given the Charlton defence a lot more to think about.

 

4) Schneiderlin: Did some nice things but pretty lightweight in all honesty. To be fair not the only lightweight in the team.

 

Pleased with a point but we could have taken a mediocre Charlton to the cleaners before half time had AP had been braver. Just my honest opinion.

 

Jaidi, Wago & Saga to start against Yeovil.

 

Fingers crossed for 3 points.

[Mr Saints]

if we cant beat yeovil at home..we deserve to be relegated

 

Exactly, them and Tranmere are surely the weakest in the league.

 

Anything other than a comfortable 3 points next week would be embarrasing.

[Saint_clark]

Absolutely smashed right now, probably gonna throw up any second, great result, great day out.

COYR!

[Thedelldays]

Absolutely smashed right now, probably gonna throw up any second, great result, great day out.

COYR!

what an embarassment...light wieght

[saint lard]

I watched the game today and saw a really spirited display. We dominated the first half against a very good charlton side with arguably the best midfield quartet in this league.

 

The side is really starting to gel and we played some really good footy.

 

So what did you and saint stevo base your criticism on? how are you juging whether the team is progressing in the right direction? how did you jusde whether AP's tatical choices and substiutions were right or wrong and how did you come to you conclusions on what we should have done ?

 

Was it listening to Dave Merringtons radio commentary? watching teletext? or reading a few posts during the game on here? maybe your thoughts and judgements would have slightly more credibility if you actually watched the team and not jusdged them third hand or based onabout 2 column incehed in the NOTW FFS

 

I will base mine on this,as this sums up my feelings even prior to the Charlton game.......

 

Well, a point against our fellow relegated partners and two points lost YET again. We are supposed to win games, especially when we have the players at our disposal to do so. Yet Pas Dieu can't pick a winning team, can't adjust tactics and hasn't a clue on the use of substitutes. And he's got 7 to choose from. Don't think things are all rosy, cos they ain't. We're just as likely to play p i ss poor against Yeovil next week.

 

12 points are now needed to get out of the bottom four, not 11! It's worsening not improving. Marcus you're being ripped off. Just look at our neighbours Bournemouth, not a cent spent yet top of League Two. And Brighton are pulling away to.

 

Jan Poortviet had won two games and drawn 3 this time last year, and all with a bunch of academy lads, in the Championship. Come 10 games I'd like to see if Pas Dieu can even equal Poortviet's number of points.

 

We have the players, but our manager hasn't a clue how to use them. He keeps them on the bench, uses them when they're off form. What a waste he's made of Lambert. And it'll be the same with the rest of them. A whole f u ck ing new team of players and he doesn't know who to pick.

 

And our supporters have become so used to using the phase, but such and such a team lost today so we're alright. We draw again today. It's what we do that counts. A bird(points) in the hand are worth two in the bush. Well those points are flying out the window faster than I'd be prepared to let them.

 

Wake up Nicolas, get that Director of Sport in double quick and put some pressure on that Mark 2 version of Burley we have inherited. If players play better with competition, then managers should perform better with the same pressure.

 

I just hope that seeing Pas Dieu's on a 5 year contract (what a farce!!) that he's got a 3 month trial period too. Today 08:48 PM

 

Posted by ART,directly under yours.

Edited 12 September, 2009 by saint lard

[saints-cris]

Well, got back in about an hour ago and really enjoyed that. Much more postives than negatives I gotta say.

 

First half it was pretty even but we deffo had the chances, they created nothing in all honesty! I thought Mills should have scored really early on but to his credit he tracked their danger man well alongside Harding the whole game. It was two teams hitting eachother on the break but I think they were better at it due to a bit more pace. We scored late on, cue bedlam.. and was good to see us hold out ti lthe end of the half. Were scoring late on in a half, a good sign.

 

Second half we got out the blocks well, only to get hit on the counter as i feared. Was it a foul, im not sure but i wasnt complaining much at the time. That cued a bit of a Charlton siege and somehow thanks to 2 offsides.. thankyou lineo.. at least one official was on our side! Once we made the changes we got back in it, and we seemed the more dangerous at the latter of the game. Mills got in and cut it back for charlton to clear it, and Schneiderlin shot when he cudda perhaps laid it off to Papa?

We should have had a penalty im sure of that.

 

Overall i think a draw was a good result, and a very fair result. Pards got his tactics pretty well spot on, would have liked to see Papa get on a bit earlier though.

 

Positives -

 

Trotman, he looked class, did everything! Perry didnt need to do anything as he did it all! Thomas looked good as well.. and in general we looked sound defensively, great having a bit of height at the back! Midfield hussled and bussled well.. couldnt have asked for more in terms of effort from the 3 of them.

 

Davis - 6 - Didnt have to do much, not sure whether he could have prevented the goal

Thomas - 7 - Did well, looked a threat going forward in the box and did well defensively

Trotman - 8 - He was awesome. Did everything defensively.

Harding - 7 - Did well to keep Sam quiet.

Lallana - 6 - Looks great when he has the ball.. goes missing otherwise. Would have liked to see him read a few flick ons. Did score though.

Hammond - 7 - Great effort, put his foot in and tried to get forward.

James - 7 - Shielded the defence well. Nothing spectacular.

Schneiderlin - 6 - Did well at times, faded in and out. Shows promise for more consistency though.

Mills - 7 - Tracked back reeeally well, coullda scored. Got in behind a couple of times too.

Lambert - 6 - Wasnt really helped out much, did okay for the minimal support he had.

 

Subs -

Jaidi looked solid as to be expected

Mellis looked lively, got forward well. Should have had a penalty!

Papa. Not enough time to say much!

[Ruffo]

happy with a point. onwards and upwards

[RedAndWhite91]

First half we were dominant, most of the game played in their half and then capitalised on the increasing pressure with the goal. Second half we lacked the edge, but I don't know why this is. We should have carried on and got a couple more, the chances were created but not taken. A bit lucky considering Charlton had 2 goals disallowed. I'll take a point away at Charlton any day, was a well good day out and hopefully we will build on this and thrash Yeovil.

 

I must say I was impressed with Waigo and his 3 minute stint, he got well stuck in, looked lively. Jaidi looked solid as well, happy with his input. In my opinion it would have been better off putting Waigo on on about 70 minutes, so he made an impact.

 

I guess all that I have said has been said a hundred times on this thread already, but oh well.

[wild-saint]

I will base mine on this,as this sums up my feelings even prior to the Charlton game.......

 

Well, a point against our fellow relegated partners and two points lost YET again. We are supposed to win games, especially when we have the players at our disposal to do so. Yet Pas Dieu can't pick a winning team, can't adjust tactics and hasn't a clue on the use of substitutes. And he's got 7 to choose from. Don't think things are all rosy, cos they ain't. We're just as likely to play p i ss poor against Yeovil next week.

 

12 points are now needed to get out of the bottom four, not 11! It's worsening not improving. Marcus you're being ripped off. Just look at our neighbours Bournemouth, not a cent spent yet top of League Two. And Brighton are pulling away to.

 

Jan Poortviet had won two games and drawn 3 this time last year, and all with a bunch of academy lads, in the Championship. Come 10 games I'd like to see if Pas Dieu can even equal Poortviet's number of points.

 

We have the players, but our manager hasn't a clue how to use them. He keeps them on the bench, uses them when they're off form. What a waste he's made of Lambert. And it'll be the same with the rest of them. A whole f u ck ing new team of players and he doesn't know who to pick.

 

And our supporters have become so used to using the phase, but such and such a team lost today so we're alright. We draw again today. It's what we do that counts. A bird(points) in the hand are worth two in the bush. Well those points are flying out the window faster than I'd be prepared to let them.

 

Wake up Nicolas, get that Director of Sport in double quick and put some pressure on that Mark 2 version of Burley we have inherited. If players play better with competition, then managers should perform better with the same pressure.

 

I just hope that seeing Pas Dieu's on a 5 year contract (what a farce!!) that he's got a 3 month trial period too. Today 08:48 PM

 

Posted by ART,directly under yours.

 

This is my last of three posts so wont be able to respond after this but you are basing your judgemnet on ARTs judgement. Interestingly his location states Exiled from costa del solent. So Am I assume his judgement is based on the same number of games actually watched, a big fat ZERO. FFS

 

Watch a game and then watch a few more then decide for yourself if you think A)PArdew is shyte and B) if we are improving or not.

 

Art I apologise if you have watched some games this season and respect your opinion even If I dont agree with it. However its the criticism from quarters were it is clear they are judging based on a view from teletext that winds me up

[ART]

This is my last of three posts so wont be able to respond after this but you are basing your judgemnet on ARTs judgement. Interestingly his location states Exiled from costa del solent. So Am I assume his judgement is based on the same number of games actually watched, a big fat ZERO. FFS

 

Watch a game and then watch a few more then decide for yourself if you think A)PArdew is shyte and B) if we are improving or not.

 

Art I apologise if you have watched some games this season and respect your opinion even If I dont agree with it. However its the criticism from quarters were it is clear they are judging based on a view from teletext that winds me up

 

 

I am not judging the players wild-saint, but the man paid to get them together and performing and winning games. I know today was an improved performance, but how often so far have we seen that and then next game was p i s s poor? I honestly don't see any different in the excuses and performances under Burley. Even Jan Poortviet was doing better and supporters singing his praises one year ago on a shoe string. That man was crucified but is a top coach and would have achieved miracles with the financial backing that Pas Dieu has now.

 

I thank you saint-lard once again for your support and for showing that I'm not alone with feeling the way things are going. I find it astonishing that alpine and I have something to agree on for once. Gut feeling comes with years of experience. I'd love to be proved wrong but as I've said so many times before now, Pas Dieu is very much for being gone by the end of November unless something dramatic happens. This Pas Dieu isn't a Nigel Pearson, this is another Burley, come Steve Wigley aka Stuart Gray.

[saint lard]

This is my last of three posts so wont be able to respond after this but you are basing your judgemnet on ARTs judgement. Interestingly his location states Exiled from costa del solent. So Am I assume his judgement is based on the same number of games actually watched, a big fat ZERO. FFS

 

Watch a game and then watch a few more then decide for yourself if you think A)PArdew is shyte and B) if we are improving or not.

 

Art I apologise if you have watched some games this season and respect your opinion even If I dont agree with it. However its the criticism from quarters were it is clear they are judging based on a view from teletext that winds me up

 

I go to games,does that make me special like you.I therefore have formed my opinion based on what i have witnessed.

My opinion is the same as ARTS,based on his post.

[InvictaSaint]

Well, a point against our fellow relegated partners and two points lost YET again. We are supposed to win games, especially when we have the players at our disposal to do so. Yet Pas Dieu can't pick a winning team, can't adjust tactics and hasn't a clue on the use of substitutes. And he's got 7 to choose from. Don't think things are all rosy, cos they ain't. We're just as likely to play p i ss poor against Yeovil next week.

 

12 points are now needed to get out of the bottom four, not 11! It's worsening not improving. Marcus you're being ripped off. Just look at our neighbours Bournemouth, not a cent spent yet top of League Two. And Brighton are pulling away to.

 

Jan Poortviet had won two games and drawn 3 this time last year, and all with a bunch of academy lads, in the Championship. Come 10 games I'd like to see if Pas Dieu can even equal Poortviet's number of points.

 

We have the players, but our manager hasn't a clue how to use them. He keeps them on the bench, uses them when they're off form. What a waste he's made of Lambert. And it'll be the same with the rest of them. A whole f u ck ing new team of players and he doesn't know who to pick.

 

And our supporters have become so used to using the phase, but such and such a team lost today so we're alright. We draw again today. It's what we do that counts. A bird(points) in the hand are worth two in the bush. Well those points are flying out the window faster than I'd be prepared to let them.

 

Wake up Nicolas, get that Director of Sport in double quick and put some pressure on that Mark 2 version of Burley we have inherited. If players play better with competition, then managers should perform better with the same pressure.

 

I just hope that seeing Pas Dieu's on a 5 year contract (what a farce!!) that he's got a 3 month trial period too.

 

At the risk of letting the facts get in the way of a good rant, Pardew is on a 3 year contract, not 5. Hope you enjoyed being at the game today Art, and that you saw, as I did, the immense progress that is being made given the corpse of a football club that was SFC post the Lowe "revolution". Destroying a football club over 12 months cannot be rectified in 10 weeks.

[S-Clarke]

Well, a point against our fellow relegated partners and two points lost YET again. We are supposed to win games, especially when we have the players at our disposal to do so. Yet Pas Dieu can't pick a winning team, can't adjust tactics and hasn't a clue on the use of substitutes. And he's got 7 to choose from. Don't think things are all rosy, cos they ain't. We're just as likely to play p i ss poor against Yeovil next week.

 

12 points are now needed to get out of the bottom four, not 11! It's worsening not improving. Marcus you're being ripped off. Just look at our neighbours Bournemouth, not a cent spent yet top of League Two. And Brighton are pulling away to.

 

Jan Poortviet had won two games and drawn 3 this time last year, and all with a bunch of academy lads, in the Championship. Come 10 games I'd like to see if Pas Dieu can even equal Poortviet's number of points.

 

We have the players, but our manager hasn't a clue how to use them. He keeps them on the bench, uses them when they're off form. What a waste he's made of Lambert. And it'll be the same with the rest of them. A whole f u ck ing new team of players and he doesn't know who to pick.

 

And our supporters have become so used to using the phase, but such and such a team lost today so we're alright. We draw again today. It's what we do that counts. A bird(points) in the hand are worth two in the bush. Well those points are flying out the window faster than I'd be prepared to let them.

 

Wake up Nicolas, get that Director of Sport in double quick and put some pressure on that Mark 2 version of Burley we have inherited. If players play better with competition, then managers should perform better with the same pressure.

 

I just hope that seeing Pas Dieu's on a 5 year contract (what a farce!!) that he's got a 3 month trial period too.

 

That post is full of so many inaccurate 'facts' it's untrue. You used to be an interesting poster ART - not sure what's happened to you.

 

oh, and it's still 11 points btw.

[alpine_saint]

I am not judging the players wild-saint, but the man paid to get them together and performing and winning games. I know today was an improved performance, but how often so far have we seen that and then next game was p i s s poor? I honestly don't see any different in the excuses and performances under Burley. Even Jan Poortviet was doing better and supporters singing his praises one year ago on a shoe string. That man was crucified but is a top coach and would have achieved miracles with the financial backing that Pas Dieu has now.

 

I thank you saint-lard once again for your support and for showing that I'm not alone with feeling the way things are going. I find it astonishing that alpine and I have something to agree on for once. Gut feeling comes with years of experience. I'd love to be proved wrong but as I've said so many times before now, Pas Dieu is very much for being gone by the end of November unless something dramatic happens. This Pas Dieu isn't a Nigel Pearson, this is another Burley, come Steve Wigley aka Stuart Gray.

 

Not only that, wild-saint gives it the big schlong-swinging thing after each game about people daring to express an opinion about a game who he thinks dont go, when taking my own example I have been twice this season already.

[Saints foreva]

Just got back - Impressed but disappointed at the same time.

 

First half we looked up for it and took a deserved lead. But the second half was all Charlton! We were lucky as I reckon at least one (if not both) of their disallowed goals were onside!

 

Was I the only one who thought we should of had a clear penalty in the closing stages of the match? Mellis looked like he had turned the defender - only to get his legs taken away.

[The boy done well]

Just back too. I thought we were pretty good. Seen every game this season except Huddersfield. Today we were up against a team who I thought were really good on TV last week against Brentford and except for a 20 minute spell in the 2nd half thought we matched them completely. Also thought AP's gameplan was good as were his substitutions. Just wonder how many of the negative posters on here actually went. Make no mistake about it we were not at all bad and it's definitely going to be upwards from here. We've got a good team at last after 5 years of real dross.

[RedAndWhite91]

The referee was sh!t I thought, as usual, but this could just be Southampton bias.

[Block 5]

What a great awayday.

The best we've played for quite some time.

The fans were excellent, the weather was lovely, the Charlton fans were affable, the football was entertaining and the hip flask of Laphroaig was just the ticket.

 

Bring on Yeovil.... lambs to the slaughter!

[Block 5]

The referee was sh!t I thought, as usual, but this could just be Southampton bias.

 

Spoke to some Charlton fans after the game and they agreed that the ref was dog dirt.

[RedAndWhite91]

What a great awayday.

The best we've played for quite some time.

The fans were excellent, the weather was lovely, the Charlton fans were affable, the football was entertaining and the hip flask of Laphroaig was just the ticket.

 

Bring on Yeovil.... lambs to the slaughter!

 

Post of the day!!

[wightman35]

Thank you Shurlock and all the other posters who have sent in well informed comments on the game which you have clearly watched. I am glad that you enjoyed the game. (most of it!). Not being able to attend in person, the opinions of those present enable the absentees to get a fair view rather than be engulfed by the vitriolic babble that appears from some who never go.

[Lazlo78]

Followed the game in here, as Polish and Swedish telly let me down :-/

 

Felt the joy of 0-1 and the recurring nightmare of 1-1. However judging by the Charlton onslaught in the first 20 minutes of the 2nd half we were lucky or organized enough to grind out a deserved draw.

 

Of course most would accept a draw away to the free-scoring league leaders as a good result. And of course most will feel disappointed with a draw having been in front. I'm assuming a lot of people will feel this ambivalence towards todays game. At least that's what I'm seeing in this thread.

 

Judging by web reports Wayne Thomas is emerging as a surprise contender to the RB - I guess we all had that spot reserved exclusively for Murty with James as backup. Murty is definitely not going to waltz back into the side once he is match fit again. That's a positive surprise as competition is most often healthy... thank you Mr. Thomas!

 

I've never read any negatives about Harding in here. He just seems too good to be true (not in that he wins matches singlehandedly but in that he seemingly doesn't c*ck up all the time)...

 

Perry starting ahead of Jaidi was a surprise to me but as people wrote in the Perry thread he is a role model professional who certainly hasn't ruled himself out of the team by sulking over Pardews new acquisitions. Perry is not getting younger (or taller) so eventually I hope he'll go back to being a reliable (and vital) squad player. Trotman? Well, judging be reports in here he is also the biz in League One.

 

Someone mentioned Hammond as MoM, others have rated him more average. At least it sounds like he is not a player who disappears from the match like most CM's we've had for... ages :-) Schneiderlin got some positive mention today which is promising. General consensus (yeah right - good one ) seems to be that he is extremely gifted but for some reason can't make it work in our team/League One. I just hope that he can build a good partnership with Hammond, because judging by the reports those two should be able to complement each other nicely. Hammond a bit more mobile and aggressive, Schneiderlin a bit better on the ball.

 

James - was he DMC or RW today? I've read both but DMC seems most likely. If so he is starting to be an integral part of our team - he might see himself ousted by Waigo, but he'll be close to the starting XI. How did he do today?

 

Mills got a lot of positive mention. I've only seen him briefly but he seems a bright spark in the side. With Holmes pushing him all the way for the starting spot and Harding looking out for whoever is in front of him hopefully the left wing shouldn't be a big problem this season...

 

Lallana. Oh well he seems to be the new enigma. Is he crap, is he a genius. Is he a winger, a midfielder or a striker. Is he lazy or misunderstood... Who knows, at least he's scoring some goals in a goal shy side ;-) I thought he'd be played alongside Lambert today in a 4-4-1-1 but I can understand that was not the case. Would have been interesting to see him in the thick of action. Some players thrive better with a touchline nearby, others need space to perform.

 

And lastly Lambert. He has gone a bit quiet. I really do hope it's a question of him doing his usual stuff and the rest of the team slowly getting it right. What one might fear is that by the time the rest of the team gets it right and start producing chances, Lambert has gone way off the boil. Is that a reasonable worry or just plain silly?

[Alucard]

It

 

wastes

 

a

 

bit

 

of

 

time

 

when the other team are most likely to

 

score.

 

It's a pity that Pardew didn't come up with the idea at Stockport we might only be 9 points away from the relegation zone now.

[Alucard]

First half we played awesome and played some of the best football i have seen for sometime......

Reading away last season was said to be ome of our best away performances for years.

 

If this was last year or the year before we would of lost it.

We had a bit of luck especially with the shot that hit the bar. Charlton dominated majority of the second half and i think a lot of us were just waiting for that 2nd goal.

......

What you mean you forgot we had managed to hold on to away leads at Derby, Doncaster, Reading, Preston, Barnsley and Ipswich last season.

 

 

In my book this is our hardest game on the fixture list and have now gone through a sequence of games against teams fancied for promotion. We now go into 6 games which are a lot easier and i expect we will now win majority of those.

 

 

Yes we've played the mighty Millwall, Stockport, Swindon, Brentford and 10 man Colchester in our first 7 games and fairly soon we should be able to find someone in Div 3 we can actually beat.

 

When are you going to relaise we are 11 points from safety have spent a fortune in terms of this division and have still gone 15% of the the season without a win. Jan Portfliet was being crucified at this stage of last season in a higher league with far less resources and the same points total from the first 7 games.

[Block 5]

Reading away last season was said to be ome of our best away performances for years.

 

 

What you mean you forgot we had managed to hold on to away leads at Derby, Doncaster, Reading, Preston, Barnsley and Ipswich last season.

 

 

 

 

Yes we've played the mighty Millwall, Stockport, Swindon, Brentford and 10 man Colchester in our first 7 games and fairly soon we should be able to find someone in Div 3 we can actually beat.

 

When are you going to relaise we are 11 points from safety have spent a fortune in terms of this division and have still gone 15% of the the season without a win. Jan Portfliet was being crucified at this stage of last season in a higher league with far less resources and the same points total from the first 7 games.

 

The difference last season was that we were playing with a young team, the majority of whom all knew each other and had played together for quite some time, albeit in reserves and youth teams.

 

This season we have a team of strangers who are now beginning to develop an understanding. We are improving rapidly.

I want it to happen as quickly as you do however I am rather more realistic than that; I understand that it takes time to build a TEAM!

[Block 5]

Not only that, wild-saint gives it the big schlong-swinging thing after each game about people daring to express an opinion about a game who he thinks dont go, when taking my own example I have been twice this season already.

 

.

[Alucard]

The difference last season was that we were playing with a young team, the majority of whom all knew each other and had played together for quite some time, albeit in reserves and youth teams.

 

This season we have a team of strangers who are now beginning to develop an understanding. We are improving rapidly.

I want it to happen as quickly as you do however I am rather more realistic than that; I understand that it takes time to build a TEAM!

 

So having a bunch of kids in the CCC was an advantage to JP. I don't think so but at least they did know how to pass to somebody wearing the same colour shirt which is a big difference to the hoofball I witnessed against 10 men Colchester. Where is this rapid improvement coming from. I have yet to see it. I didn't see todays game where we we were meant to be the best team for 45 minutes but unfortunately the points are awarded after 90 and 5 points from 21 is relegation form even without a -10 point penalty. If only last seasons kids had been given the same freedom from criticism that our vastly experienced squad now enjoys maybe their confidence might have grown and results improved. Can I ask just how long it take s to build a team before I start panicking that we're going to start next season in div 4?

[SFC Forever]

Listening to the commentary I was overjoyed when we scored. We had a large part of the first half and I was praying fervently for the vital second goal to go in to calm our nerves. It didn't come and they scored and began to over run us for a while.

Normally we would have ended up getting turned over but today we fought hard and regained some composure. We even appear to have finished better which has to be a good sign.

The Saints fans were superb and could be clearly heard yet again in an away match. Why can't we make more noise at home, I wonder?

Roll on Saturday where I hope to have two of my kids see us win a game. We are getting there I just wish it could happen a little quicker.

[RedAndWhite91]

Listening to the commentary I was overjoyed when we scored. We had a large part of the first half and I was praying fervently for the vital second goal to go in to calm our nerves. It didn't come and they scored and began to over run us for a while.

Normally we would have ended up getting turned over but today we fought hard and regained some composure. We even appear to have finished better which has to be a good sign.

The Saints fans were superb and could be clearly heard yet again in an away match. Why can't we make more noise at home, I wonder?

Roll on Saturday where I hope to have two of my kids see us win a game. We are getting there I just wish it could happen a little quicker.

 

It was great today, seemed everyone joined in and did their bit to get behind the lads, great atmosphere, great support, well done all.

[The boy done well]

So having a bunch of kids in the CCC was an advantage to JP. I don't think so but at least they did know how to pass to somebody wearing the same colour shirt which is a big difference to the hoofball I witnessed against 10 men Colchester. Where is this rapid improvement coming from. I have yet to see it. I didn't see todays game where we we were meant to be the best team for 45 minutes but unfortunately the points are awarded after 90 and 5 points from 21 is relegation form even without a -10 point penalty. If only last seasons kids had been given the same freedom from criticism that our vastly experienced squad now enjoys maybe their confidence might have grown and results improved. Can I ask just how long it take s to build a team before I start panicking that we're going to start next season in div 4?

 

Well, it takes longer than 7 games. I went Swindon and we were awful. I went to Stockport and I felt gutted because we should have won, but we were better. I went today and thought we were pretty good. Last Saturday was poor but we're still building and consistency doesn't come overnight. We've probably got further to go yet but this team isn't going down and can't be compared with what happened last year. The kids were thrown in at the deep end and should never have been. That's why their confidence was wrecked-they just weren't ready to play week in week out. That's not how you bring kids on.

[AndyD]

Decent point and would have taken that before the game.

 

Sounded as though we were on top for large spells of the game so it's just a shame we couldn't find that elusive second goal.

 

Had we doubled our advantage then we probably would have gone on to win it but it wasn't to be.

 

Quite positive after today though, now we just need to follow it up with 3 points against Yeovil.

 

 

we will get there - u just never know - a silly run might send us top 6???? oh yeah - i have had a few beers/wine 2nite x

[Fitzhugh Fella]

He missed it while colliding with the CH and it just hit Burton and bobbled in. But you could take it back to our shyte corner, cleared to perry who lobbed it straight at their goalie when all the big fellas were still up for the corner. Goalie to shelvey in acres, beat defender, cross, **** up, goal!

 

Absolutely - Lallana's corner was crap - never even got close to the near post let alone the far stick, subsequently cleared to Perry who hit an aimless ball into their keeper's hands and they then scored within seconds. Lallana's corners are a disgrace for a professional footballer.

 

We were the better side today but we still have weak links and in the end that robbed us of all 3 points.

[oxfordshire_saint]

How Charlton are top, I don't know.

 

Shelvey, Racon, Sam and Bailey can all play but the rest of them are garbage.

 

Although the lad with the scrum-cap was dominant in the air, he couldn't make a 5 yard pass without having to lift the ball at least 40 feet into the air. Thought it was rather comedy when 3 of their defenders in a row all hoofed the ball straight up in the air one after the other.

 

It's a shame we didn't make more of our good first half.

 

My only worry today was how many times Charlton got into 2-on-1 in the wide areas, despite people's praise for Harding and Thomas, which was deserved in their 1-on-1 battles, but we were opened up down the flanks at times.

[Block 5]

Where is this rapid improvement coming from. I have yet to see it. I didn't see todays game

 

Exactly!

[shurlock]

My only worry today was how many times Charlton got into 2-on-1 in the wide areas, despite people's praise for Harding and Thomas, which was deserved in their 1-on-1 battles, but we were opened up down the flanks at times.

 

Probably more true down our right hand side than down the left (Harding+Mills).