Saints 2-3 Bistol Rovers - Autopsy

[LostBoys]

We should know by now this season that you do not get points in this league by outplaying the opposition. If you cannot hit a barn door from a few yards out and make schoolboy errors you will not win anything. There were some dreadful performances - Mellis Davis and James yesterday and why bring on Mills who continued his dire contribution from Saturday. We need someone on the left as a matter of urgency.

[Give it to Ron]

We should know by now this season that you do not get points in this league by outplaying the opposition. If you cannot hit a barn door from a few yards out and make schoolboy errors you will not win anything. There were some dreadful performances - Mellis Davis and James yesterday and why bring on Mills who continued his dire contribution from Saturday. We need someone on the left as a matter of urgency.

 

Fair points but I thought Mills was bought on to give us that protection on the left with his pace as Holmes is not that quick it backfired big time. Had we not doubled up down the line and the guy wouldnt of been forced inside and hit it the git.

Problem is we went too defensive for me and Holmes would of given us an outlet that Mills doesn't at the moment - Wotton was enough defensive.

[the big red & white 1]

my personal view of last nights game is that we don't have a winning mentallity, we played not to bad in 1st half, but we need to get midfield sorted, MS and hammond should have been replaced with Holmes and mills, and lambert with saga:s holmes and mills can cross the ball in an effective way for the forwards. we need to get Murty back, he;s good on the ball and can find a player in red unlike lloyd james.

10 games gone and still in the same position as the start of the season. AP needs to get it right very quickly now!!!!!

[GenevaSaint]

the reason Harding was done was because the whole game he had no protection, there second was the fualt and lack of protection by mellis and there third was because Mills got pulled inside then harding was left with two on him.

 

Oh how I wished for Chris Marsden to be playing on the left of midfield last night!

[Nineteen Canteen]

Another post that has me agreeing broadly. As I said in my earlier post, why is it that we seem incapable of believing in ourselves? For much of the game we were playing awesome football, making BR look an extremely ordinary side. As soon as they scored their second equaliser, we looked certain to lose. It was almost as if we were a totally different team. We're the Jekyll and Hyde of this division.

 

The whole self belief issue has been evident both this season and in our recent past and can be summed up in 3 words:

 

Composure, confidence and collectivity.

 

3 words that need to be ingrained into the club and all those connected with it from Directors, players, supporters and those in the community. Without the shared faith in ourselves we only deliver angst and apprehension and a major dose of the collywobbles. They say football is a religion but we don't mirror any worthy congregation that offers hope and support in trouble times and thanks and reverence in good. At times it's more like the mourning of a lost opportunity to gloat rather than draw out the positives, which is odd as football, like life, has it ups and downs and expecting to win all the time is a bit like holding the firm belief that some government agency will always bale you out.

 

That last sentence rightly or wrongly is directed at some of the more rabid laden posts full of bile and more expletives than their considered thoughts and thoughts not exclusive to football.

 

Personally, nothing would switch me off this club more than if Mr Liebherr threw £100m at us and tried to buy success. I don't want and have never believed in the get something for nothing (or as little as possible) culture that has pervaded this country in a post Camelot and Reality TV age. Success is earned and when achieved well is far more satisfying but sadly not everyone agrees.

[Sour Mash]

Agree that it was an excellent game (well for the neutral), which on another day we could have won, but a few points:

 

1) We looked knackered in the last 20 minutes, they didn't. The reason Schneirderlin was taken off for Wotton, is he was absolutely shattered.

 

2) Still nowhere near enough pace or cutting edge going forward, not enough balls across the box from the by-line.

 

3) Our back 5 that have been excellent in recent weeks really struggled.

 

4) Fair play to Rovers, they've put together a good team on limited resources.

 

As frustrated as we all are, how much has Pardew actually got wrong? How can he legislate for a Kelvin Davis **** up? Or Lalanna missing a sitter?

 

Another point is why does the Northam always go quiet in the 2nd half after being loud in the first half?

[Fowllyd]

my personal view of last nights game is that we don't have a winning mentallity, we played not to bad in 1st half, but we need to get midfield sorted, MS and hammond should have been replaced with Holmes and mills, and lambert with saga:s holmes and mills can cross the ball in an effective way for the forwards. we need to get Murty back, he;s good on the ball and can find a player in red unlike lloyd james.

10 games gone and still in the same position as the start of the season. AP needs to get it right very quickly now!!!!!

 

So are you saying that our midfield should have consisted of Waigo, Holmes, Mills and Mellis?

[DT]

'Davis caught in nomansland'

*Sigh*

[GenevaSaint]

And Rovers were by no means sh*t, they're attacking play was strong, direct and pacy. Not to mention they never went down the centre.

 

Exactly the reasons IMO why Lambert scored 29 last year. They played with pace and width, something we still struggle with. Stuggle to deliver that is, and lasty night struggled to cope with as well.

 

Every time we broke quickly I knew I was destined to be dissapointed, when their player ran at our defence on a quick break I was ****ting myself! They seemed fair more direct running at our defence whereas we seemed to want to hold the ball up.

Edited 30 September, 2009 by GenevaSaint

[Nineteen Canteen]

We should know by now this season that you do not get points in this league by outplaying the opposition. If you cannot hit a barn door from a few yards out and make schoolboy errors you will not win anything. There were some dreadful performances - Mellis Davis and James yesterday and why bring on Mills who continued his dire contribution from Saturday. We need someone on the left as a matter of urgency.

 

Our left side is a real concern but it was not helped by Harding charging forward at every opportunity with little or no understanding with the left midfield that kept changing continually.

 

Does this require a another loan signing or something that just needs to be worked on in a training game? Harding had looked a great acquisition up until the Yeovil game so IMO it's about regaining his focus on his primary responsibilities and identifying and working with a first choice left midfield.

 

Last night it was at times watching a game of singles tennis and no one telling us we could on this occassion use the tram lines whilst our opponents exploited it at every opportunity.

 

That said we still completed plenty of clear cut chances against a team riding high in the league and one with a few talented individuals who proved a handful and overall a very physical side which we were able to match and without retaliation. If they are in the top 3 at the end of the season or even the top 6 I am confident Pardew will produce a championship winning team next season and have us comfortably clear of the relegation zone by February.

[OldNick]

will it ever get better??? seriously F*ck it, its getting worse, they were SH*T yet they still managed to beat us, can't even defend all our players looked tired and Sh*t scared after about 65 minutes

How can you say they were s###??? It amazes me how we still think we are bily big time and because Rovers play in a small stadium they must be s###. They had a very good dangerous forward line and their midfield was combatative. i doubt their manager yearns for ANY of our players but we would take plenty of thiers.

[Hopkins]

Am I the only one who thought we were class last night? we played some fantastic one touch two touch football and the link up play between Lambert, Lallana, Mellis, Morgan, Hammond and Waigo was immense.

 

There 3 goals on another day would not have happened and we would have won convincingly.

 

The result stinks. The way it happened stinks. But i'm only gutted, not dissapointed, just gutted because I can see some fantastic football in there.

[OldNick]

'Davis caught in nomansland'

*Sigh*

Yep i watched the goal again this morning and he should not have come as far as he did.

Of course the player was left to break free in the first place.

[Chap in the Chapel]

I read the first 50 posts and it felt like I was reading remarks about a club in crisis on the verge of going bust and with 10 games to play (not played) and 4 wins from a survival bid. Unbelievable the moaners on here and I apologise in advance if anything I write has already been in posted in the subsequent 200 posts but I was losing to the will to live.

 

Was it just me who came out of the stadium feeling massively disappointed but also encouraged that we gave a very physical and in parts talented team a good game and mostly held our own? For want of a bit more confidence in front of goal and some brilliant saves by the Rovers keeper in the 2nd half we should have won that game 4-3 but our finishing let us down.

 

Also we were undone by a wonder strike of pinpoint placement in injury time. Their first goal we were found ourselves wanting on the left and Davis caught in nomansland but it still required a classy angled shot to just hit the inside netting nearest the post. One iota of a degree of error and it would have probably hit the post and come back out as it was it was a nice piece of skill.

 

Their second goal was woeful from our point of view and again our left side has questions to answer with Mellis seemingly running away along the bye line and looking over his shoulder at the Rovers player with the ball as oppose to standing his ground and making the player at least work to get around him. Anyway where was Harding? Mellis is very weak in his challenges and was found wanting against a very physical side so my complaint to Pardew would be why bring him on second half as he was non-descript in the first.

 

All in all a very entertaining game and still positives to come out of it but the main negative being our left side with Harding being too reckless at times and both our left and right midfielders tucking in. Harding for me has been the player of the season although signs of cracks showed in his performance at Yeovil and he was even more gung ho tonight when he could at least afford it with a weak Mellis in front and stronger opposition and his over exuberance may be reason why all the goals were scored down their right our left.

 

Pardew is a good man and has a good coach with Downes in tow and those who are calling him to be sacked have not considered the position we started in and Coppell, Keegan, Pearson or Mcmenemy couldn't have done any better in the circumstances IMO. Those same fans no doubt expected us to walk the league or steam into the play offs which was always a false hope given them by themselves and no one at the club has ever mentioned anything other than consolidation and rebuild and a promotion push next year as part of the 5 year plan.

 

To the delusioned fans please stop moaning and start listening and watching a bit more objectively and adjust your sights for success this season and you will start enjoying the ride. We didn't get hammered tonight and in fact should have won it and that is a lot better than the team that ran out against Huddersfield back in the middle of August.

 

Progress is and will be slow but it has been positive and improving and tonight our unbeaten run of 6 games in the league has just ended it wasn't our 7th consecutive defeat. We seem to be plotting a similar course to Bournemouth during last season, except I don't think we will require a change of manager and look how they are doing at the moment. Survival and consolidation this season for next we feast on our first trophy for a while, League One Champions.

 

Rabid and ridiculous fan apathy and delusion is our only risk to success.

 

Quite right. Last night was a very good football match indeed against a Rovers side that is obviously the real deal. Williams' winner was just one of those things - he'd shown no inclination to use his left foot all the time he was on, and then he sticks in a shot like that having been shown onto it, as I would want our defenders to do. Further thoughts: Kelvin made a mistake for their first goal, but how many times has he saved us since his last mistake? Lloyd James is not, and never will be, good enough to play at full-back. Harding was not given enough support defensively by Mellis, who had a fairly good game against Carlisle but is rapidly creating the impression that he's a big-time Charlie who doesn't fancy League One. Lallana is playing extremely well at the moment. Finally, although I'd've thought we'd be into positive points now, Pardew's team still needs time. Replacing him would be a move of utter insanity and fans calling for his head don't want what they're asking for. You can't turn an oil tanker round as if it's a skateboard.

[OldNick]

 

 

 

Another point is why does the Northam always go quiet in the 2nd half after being loud in the first half?

When you attack the other end it is never the same excitement and is harder to push the team.

Again their fans added that little extra for them when attacking them second half. You could see that little extra bounce they had when attacking their end,

[Britttherainking]

In last nights game I saw all the same problems as in other games this season.

 

We TRY to play with width but we move the ball sideways, in front of defense and slow the play down, and then cross an awful ball in from deep.

 

We are desperately missing some pace and confidence to take players on - several times saints players broke through and could've run from midfield and attacked the Rover's defense. Instead they run, get to within 10 yards of the penalty area then stop and play the ball sideways, allowing the opposition to recover.

 

Lallana played well at times but tried sometimes to be too clever - little flicks that lose possession - like for Rovers' second goal last night - the ball was played to Lallana and he gave it away very cheaply.

 

We have zero pace at the back. Mills was awful, Papa was little better.

 

Hammond was good for most of the game. I thought Morgan was quiet too personally. Wotton coming on was a poor decision - playing for a draw at home...

 

depressing.... can we still loan players?

 

At least the corners were better

[the big red & white 1]

As subs!

[monkadill]

No width on the left all game - from either Mellis or Mills - and no cover or support for Harding (which is why he looked os bad - he was knackered for the last 10 mins after having to do it all on his own for the whole game)

 

Jaidi seemed to hit a brick wall at about 70 mins and just ran out of steam - seemed to affect Trotman as well

 

too many players stopped tackling or wanting the ball for the last 20 mins

 

Kelvin was a disaster for the first goal and his long kicking off the ball was a complete waste of posession all game (why don't we feed the ball to our fullbacks, play it out from the back and stretch the play)

 

Lallana and Schneiderlin were good with the ball at their feet

 

Mellis, James and Schneiderlin all chickened out of 50/50 challenges in the second half which gave Rovers the scent of or blood

 

Hammond seemed to give up on defending after 70 minutes!

 

Lambert just doesn't attack the ball - seems to want it on a plate - I'm starting to think he's a bit lazy!

 

and no one seemed to want the ball when James was taking the throw-ins - particularly Hammond, Trotman and Kelvin

 

Rovers deserved the win as they outplayed us for the 95 mins and wanted it more

 

we desperately need some width on the left and right - and some more pace all over the pitch!

 

Kelvin was a disaster for the first goal and his long kicking off the ball was a complete waste of posession all game (why don't we feed the ball to our fullbacks, play it out from the back and stretch the play) - This was due to nobody wanting the ball, our midfield just stoped playing.

[Legod Third Coming]

Quite right. Last night was a very good football match indeed against a Rovers side that is obviously the real deal. Williams' winner was just one of those things - he'd shown no inclination to use his left foot all the time he was on, and then he sticks in a shot like that having been shown onto it, as I would want our defenders to do. Further thoughts: Kelvin made a mistake for their first goal, but how many times has he saved us since his last mistake? Lloyd James is not, and never will be, good enough to play at full-back. Harding was not given enough support defensively by Mellis, who had a fairly good game against Carlisle but is rapidly creating the impression that he's a big-time Charlie who doesn't fancy League One. Lallana is playing extremely well at the moment. Finally, although I'd've thought we'd be into positive points now, Pardew's team still needs time. Replacing him would be a move of utter insanity and fans calling for his head don't want what they're asking for. You can't turn an oil tanker round as if it's a skateboard.

 

Hallelujah...

 

Can we have a bit more rational analysis in this thread and a bit less emotional retardation...

 

Last night was a brilliant game of football - really genuinely inspiring for League One and a superb advert for our league and our game.

 

Their first goal could easily be laid at Kelvin's door - whisper it...

 

Their second came because we don't close down in the full-back positions well enough (or at least didn't last night)

 

Their third was a screamer and Mills (rightly) blames himself for not closing down properly.

 

Both our goals were excellent football and both Lallana and Morgan missed sitters - albeit their keeper pulled off two good saves for both chances.

 

I came away from that game feeling like I'd been kicked in the nuts by a blonde who had previously given me the impression I was going to get lucky.

 

I still think I will, just she needs a bit more time to come around to my charms...

 

On the upside, we battled throughout the game, for long periods were better than them and had some excellent individual performances.

 

That we did not win is evidence of the wafer thin margin between defeat and victory. You score your chances, you win - that's how it goes.

 

But as for the usual retards leaping on the manager's back, just grow up a bit first eh?

[Nineteen Canteen]

Quite right. Last night was a very good football match indeed against a Rovers side that is obviously the real deal. Williams' winner was just one of those things - he'd shown no inclination to use his left foot all the time he was on, and then he sticks in a shot like that having been shown onto it, as I would want our defenders to do. Further thoughts: Kelvin made a mistake for their first goal, but how many times has he saved us since his last mistake? Lloyd James is not, and never will be, good enough to play at full-back. Harding was not given enough support defensively by Mellis, who had a fairly good game against Carlisle but is rapidly creating the impression that he's a big-time Charlie who doesn't fancy League One. Lallana is playing extremely well at the moment. Finally, although I'd've thought we'd be into positive points now, Pardew's team still needs time. Replacing him would be a move of utter insanity and fans calling for his head don't want what they're asking for. You can't turn an oil tanker round as if it's a skateboard.

 

Exactly, and for those already trying to write Pardew's obituary for his time at Saints will struggle to find a better epitaph. The skateboard analogy is particularly relevent as some fans need to grow up a bit IMO.

[Leicestersaint]

Only one win all season! Dreadful.

[alpine_saint]

Hallelujah...

 

Can we have a bit more rational analysis in this thread and a bit less emotional retardation...

 

Last night was a brilliant game of football - really genuinely inspiring for League One and a superb advert for our league and our game.

 

Their first goal could easily be laid at Kelvin's door - whisper it...

 

Their second came because we don't close down in the full-back positions well enough (or at least didn't last night)

 

Their third was a screamer and Mills (rightly) blames himself for not closing down properly.

 

Both our goals were excellent football and both Lallana and Morgan missed sitters - albeit their keeper pulled off two good saves for both chances.

 

I came away from that game feeling like I'd been kicked in the nuts by a blonde who had previously given me the impression I was going to get lucky.

 

I still think I will, just she needs a bit more time to come around to my charms...

 

On the upside, we battled throughout the game, for long periods were better than them and had some excellent individual performances.

 

That we did not win is evidence of the wafer thin margin between defeat and victory. You score your chances, you win - that's how it goes.

 

But as for the usual retards leaping on the manager's back, just grow up a bit first eh?

 

Why dont you leave it out with the abuse if you want to occupy the moral high ground ?

[MorningtonCrescent]

I wouldn't normally post on these "post match" theads, as many people often seem to have watched a different game to me! With the title "autoposy" I was even less inclined to add anything, however...

 

As this is one of those few occasions I actually agree 100% with Nineteen Canteen, I wanted to add my weight to the arguement that Saints played some fantastic football last night and on another day we would have come away with a very pleasing 2-3 goal winning margin.

 

Yes, there were some players below par (doesn't everyone have an 'off day' at the office?) and you could argue that we had the chances to finish the game off..... (Papa - first half when he needed to commit to a header at the far post but watched in sail past..... Lambert header first half from a Lloyd James precision cross..... Lambert and Lallana second half with gilt edged chances their keeper had no right to save...... )

 

The positives far out weigh the negatives..... we played one of the top teams in this division and made them look ordinary for long periods. we actually created the above chances to score, something we have moaned about all season.... Hammond and Spiderman are forming a good CM parnership..... Trotman and Jaidi are forming a solid CH partnership.....

 

Bring on Gillingham and lets make the hurt from last night tell by securing all 3 points on Saturday.....

[Andyb1]

Why dont you leave it out with the abuse if you want to occupy the moral high ground ?

 

How do you know you fit the bill? Says it all that you instantly assume it's aimed at you really doesn't it.

[Fowllyd]

As subs!

 

Yes, I realise that. You suggested replacing our two central midfielders with two left-footed wide midfielders - Mills and Holmes for Schneiderlin and Hammond. That would have left Waigo, Mills, Holmes and Mellis as the midfield (or Lallana rather than Waigo if the latter moved up front alongside Lambert). I was just trying to check that was what you really meant.

[Charlie Wayman]

Does it matter what we think any more?

 

Staying away might drive Cortese and the Swiss money away as well so that's not the answer.

 

PARDEW, CLEARLY IS NOT THE ANSWER EITHER.

 

Sorry Pal, but you've had your chance and blown it so "On your Bike!"

 

... and take that great lumbering brainless idiot Lambert with you.

[OldNick]

Does it matter what we think any more?

 

Staying away might drive Cortese and the Swiss money away as well so that's not the answer.

 

PARDEW, CLEARLY IS NOT THE ANSWER EITHER.

 

Sorry Pal, but you've had your chance and blown it so "On your Bike!"

 

... and take that great lumbering brainless idiot Lambert with you.

You never have naything positive to say and so it is no surprise you are so negative. To point at Lambert is madness IMO

[S-Clarke]

Does it matter what we think any more?

 

Staying away might drive Cortese and the Swiss money away as well so that's not the answer.

 

PARDEW, CLEARLY IS NOT THE ANSWER EITHER.

 

Sorry Pal, but you've had your chance and blown it so "On your Bike!"

 

... and take that great lumbering brainless idiot Lambert with you.

 

..and thats why fans should not run football clubs.

[ALWAYS_SFC]

Does it matter what we think any more?

 

Staying away might drive Cortese and the Swiss money away as well so that's not the answer.

 

PARDEW, CLEARLY IS NOT THE ANSWER EITHER.

 

Sorry Pal, but you've had your chance and blown it so "On your Bike!"

 

... and take that great lumbering brainless idiot Lambert with you.

 

Most ridiculous line ever...laughable in the extreme....

[Legod Third Coming]

Does it matter what we think any more?

 

Staying away might drive Cortese and the Swiss money away as well so that's not the answer.

 

PARDEW, CLEARLY IS NOT THE ANSWER EITHER.

 

Sorry Pal, but you've had your chance and blown it so "On your Bike!"

 

... and take that great lumbering brainless idiot Lambert with you.

 

There you go Alpine, there is no moral high ground argument required with this sort of woefullly inaccurate analysis.

 

This is the bloke who scored one (really), and made one with a sublime ball Frank Lampard would be proud to have played.

[alpine_saint]

There you go Alpine, there is no moral high ground argument required with this sort of woefullly inaccurate analysis.

 

This is the bloke who scored one (really), and made one with a sublime ball Frank Lampard would be proud to have played.

 

OK, didnt notice that and didnt realise you were referring to that.

 

That comment is so way out there, I am surprised you dignified it with an response, to be honest.

[oldsarum]

Quite right. Last night was a very good football match indeed against a Rovers side that is obviously the real deal. Williams' winner was just one of those things - he'd shown no inclination to use his left foot all the time he was on, and then he sticks in a shot like that having been shown onto it, as I would want our defenders to do. Further thoughts: Kelvin made a mistake for their first goal, but how many times has he saved us since his last mistake? Lloyd James is not, and never will be, good enough to play at full-back. Harding was not given enough support defensively by Mellis, who had a fairly good game against Carlisle but is rapidly creating the impression that he's a big-time Charlie who doesn't fancy League One. Lallana is playing extremely well at the moment. Finally, although I'd've thought we'd be into positive points now, Pardew's team still needs time. Replacing him would be a move of utter insanity and fans calling for his head don't want what they're asking for. You can't turn an oil tanker round as if it's a skateboard.

 

 

Totally agree with your summary of the game, very disappointed to lose but it was a great game to watch and had we taken advantage of the two chances we had with only the goalie to beat at 2-1 and 2-2 I'm sure we would have won.

[Legod Third Coming]

OK, didnt notice that and didnt realise you were referring to that.

 

That comment is so way out there, I am surprised you dignified it with an response, to be honest.

 

Some people need to take the emotion of losing out of their analysis of how we played last night.

 

Christ it was gutting. Really, really painful.

 

But then you have to take the game and review it.

 

Where did we go wrong?? Substitutions? Tactics? Individial errors?

 

These are the things we should be discussing. I defy anyone to say, for example, that we played badly? Or that anyone on the pitch wasn't giving 100%.

 

For my money, we were simply beaten by a bloody good side who we made look ordinary for long periods. But sadly not for the whole game!!!

 

People seem to forget that under WGS we would sometimes be beaten at home by Spurs or Blackburn or Bolton...

 

Last night we lost to a team in fantastic form who were good. We fecking nearly didn't.

 

Is that good enough. Not if it's repeated every week no!

 

If we lose to poor teams or play poorly, I will be calling for Pardew to be hung from the Itchen Bridge.

 

But really? What more could we want last night? Other than we had buried our chances.

 

Morgan and Lallana missed sitters. Well, there's a reason they and we are in League One... oh and both were superb for most of the remainder in the game for what my opinion is worth.

[St Will]

Ahhh. Whos seeking a scapegoat now ?

 

No no, you're the one who's always looking for a scapegoat. You seem insistent on finding someone to blame. The truth is, sometimes you just have to say, "we played really well tonight, and were damn unlucky to lose" and just accept it. It doesn't always have to be someone's fault. Losing happens in any walk of life, especially in sport, and you need to learn to accept it without going off on one and trying to find someone to blame, some excuse, some explanation. The truth is, their right winger had a lash with his left foot from 25 yards and it happened to go in. 1 kick of the ball and we ended up with nothing.

 

Whether you agree with it or not (I don't really care), your opinion is so far off the mark, because you weren't there and you didn't see the performance. Even YOU would have walked away from watching that game and been excited by the way we played. Of course, you would have been gutted, we all were, but like I said, sometimes it just happens. This game was nothing like the other games that we threw away this season - the performance really was very good. All you can ask from any manager or player is a good performance with lots of effort. And that's what we got.

 

As for me looking for a scapegoat....what a load of tosh. I didn't blame Saga for the result, I just think we need a fresh face, as I don't think his heart is in it anymore, which is fair enough after what has happened with him. Unlike you, I can make an observation like that without throwing the blame around, criticising him or the manager.

[yorkie]

I only followed the game on here but here's my view on events last night.

 

We scored against the run of play 1-0.

We conceded just before HT 1-1 - concentration thinking of HT team talk and half an orange?

We score virtually straight after the break 2-1.

They make a substitution with immediate impact 2-2.

We bring on Mills & Saga and then Wooton (or was that a joke?)

When you are 2-2 at home and nothing to lose you go for the win...seems we wanted to hold out for the point.

 

In my opinion the Manager got what he deserved.

 

Tremendous attendance - well done you lot. It's a shame the team don't deliver on a more regular basis.

 

Hard to say where we stand in the league of things - but our position is confirmed on -1 points for another few days.

 

We lost to a team 3rd in the league - and they have always been a bit of a bogey side too! Still to ship 3-goals at home is not a good sign.

 

Finally for those who want Pardew out already...I think the root cause of all our problems are a long way from his door. There is something not quite right at SMS - and we may never know why!

[Legod Third Coming]

I only followed the game on here but here's my view on events last night.

 

We scored against the run of play 1-0.

We conceded just before HT 1-1 - concentration thinking of HT team talk and half an orange?

We score virtually straight after the break 2-1.

They make a substitution with immediate impact 2-2.

We bring on Mills & Saga and then Wooton (or was that a joke?)

When you are 2-2 at home and nothing to lose you go for the win...seems we wanted to hold out for the point.

 

In my opinion the Manager got what he deserved.

 

Tremendous attendance - well done you lot. It's a shame the team don't deliver on a more regular basis.

 

Hard to say where we stand in the league of things - but our position is confirmed on -1 points for another few days.

 

We lost to a team 3rd in the league - and they have always been a bit of a bogey side too! Still to ship 3-goals at home is not a good sign.

 

Finally for those who want Pardew out already...I think the root cause of all our problems are a long way from his door. There is something not quite right at SMS - and we may never know why!

 

 

I don't think we scored against the run of play, far from it!

And then their goal was as a result of our Aboriginal Goalkeeper!!!!! Rather than thoughts about the oranges...

 

Agreed on their substitution and ours - although I still think a tired Morgan is better tha a fit Wotton!!!

Edited 30 September, 2009 by Legod Third Coming
dyslexia!

[alpine_saint]

No no, you're the one who's always looking for a scapegoat. You seem insistent on finding someone to blame. The truth is, sometimes you just have to say, "we played really well tonight, and were damn unlucky to lose" and just accept it. It doesn't always have to be someone's fault. Losing happens in any walk of life, especially in sport, and you need to learn to accept it without going off on one and trying to find someone to blame, some excuse, some explanation. The truth is, their right winger had a lash with his left foot from 25 yards and it happened to go in. 1 kick of the ball and we ended up with nothing.

 

Whether you agree with it or not (I don't really care), your opinion is so far off the mark, because you weren't there and you didn't see the performance. Even YOU would have walked away from watching that game and been excited by the way we played. Of course, you would have been gutted, we all were, but like I said, sometimes it just happens. This game was nothing like the other games that we threw away this season - the performance really was very good. All you can ask from any manager or player is a good performance with lots of effort. And that's what we got.

 

As for me looking for a scapegoat....what a load of tosh. I didn't blame Saga for the result, I just think we need a fresh face, as I don't think his heart is in it anymore, which is fair enough after what has happened with him. Unlike you, I can make an observation like that without throwing the blame around, criticising him or the manager.

 

Yes, I wasnt there, but there has been enough comment on here about players missing sitters, bizarre midfield selections leaving Harding exposed and bizarre substitutions weakening the team progressively, to leave me with the clear impression that something is rotten in the kingdom of Denmark.

 

so, it was a good performance and a good game, but what will your excuse be after the next lousy defeat ?

 

We have won 1 game in 10. ONE. REGULATION FORM. THERE IS A MESSAGE THERE.

[S-Clarke]

 

We have won 1 game in 10. ONE. REGULATION FORM. THERE IS A MESSAGE THERE.

 

Depressing isnt it.

 

no matter what ****ing league we're in, we still struggle at the bottom end.

 

what is up with us?? these swiss guys have got their work cut out.....but because of the type of guys they are, im 110% confident they'll succeed in the end.

[St Will]

Yes, I wasnt there, but there has been enough comment on here about players missing sitters, bizarre midfield selections leaving Harding exposed and bizarre substitutions weakening the team progressively, to leave me with the clear impression that something is rotten in the kingdom of Denmark.

 

so, it was a good performance and a good game, but what will your excuse be after the next lousy defeat ?

 

We have won 1 game in 10. ONE. REGULATION FORM. THERE IS A MESSAGE THERE.

 

How many times.....there doesn't always have to be an excuse or an explanation. At what point did I make an excuse about why we lost last night?! I didn't. I said they had a lash at it from 25 yards on virtually the last kick of the game, and it went in. 9 times out of 10 it would have flown high and wide and the wrist slitters MIGHT have been a bit more philosophical about things. One kick of the ball, and all of a sudden, people like you are looking to plant the blame on someone.

 

Why are you always looking for an explanation? And someone to blame? Why? Can't you just accept we were undone by a wonder goal and move on?

[Thedelldays]

Yes, I wasnt there, but there has been enough comment on here about players missing sitters, bizarre midfield selections leaving Harding exposed and bizarre substitutions weakening the team progressively, to leave me with the clear impression that something is rotten in the kingdom of Denmark.

 

so, it was a good performance and a good game, but what will your excuse be after the next lousy defeat ?

 

We have won 1 game in 10. ONE. REGULATION FORM. THERE IS A MESSAGE THERE.

 

When people say we were good. Yes for 15 mins in each half.

 

Criminal lack of width that left both James and Harding exposed... Which contributed to all of their goals as all 3 came fro

our left. They had no chance down the middle as Morgan and Hammond owned that part of the pitch but we invited them all game to go down our wings

 

criminal really

[St Will]

When people say we were good. Yes for 15 mins in each half.

 

Criminal lack of width that left both James and Harding exposed... Which contributed to all of their goals as all 3 came fro

our left. They had no chance down the middle as Morgan and Hammond owned that part of the pitch but we invited them all game to go down our wings

 

criminal really

 

The second goal they scored was poor defending on the wing, but apart from that, they didn't really threaten. So I disagree. Yes, Harding was exposed, but it's not like BR were crossing the ball in every 2 minutes and threatening our goal with headers.

[Thedelldays]

The second goal they scored was poor defending on the wing, but apart from that, they didn't really threaten. So I disagree. Yes, Harding was exposed, but it's not like BR were crossing the ball in every 2 minutes and threatening our goal with headers.

 

Behave they whipped in a few crosses that skipped across our 6 yard box in the second half. Their 2ng goal that was ruled out was from another move down our left... It was there for all to see from early on that they could only threat down the wings and we did not counter it really..

 

Their first goal should have been a wake up call really.

 

Everyone around me could see and said early that once again our lack of width would cost us... An no matter how you dress it up. It did

[Legod Third Coming]

When people say we were good. Yes for 15 mins in each half.

 

Criminal lack of width that left both James and Harding exposed... Which contributed to all of their goals as all 3 came fro

our left. They had no chance down the middle as Morgan and Hammond owned that part of the pitch but we invited them all game to go down our wings

 

criminal really

 

I thought Harding had a torrid time apart from when he spent a lot of the time going forward where he looked great. But for both goals from that side, I would want to see my full back running the guy outside to the bye-line and then blocking his cross. To be fair I don't think Jaidi helped him much last night.

 

The first goal we didn't block the cross either on the wing or inside, the second sadly Mills just invited the bloke to step inside and lash it!

 

Their first goal came from a good ball which Kelvin went Aboriginal for - not sure you could blame the defence for that one!

[St Will]

Behave they whipped in a few crosses that skipped across our 6 yard box in the second half. Their 2ng goal that was ruled out was from another move down our left... It was there for all to see from early on that they could only threat down the wings and we did not counter it really..

 

Their first goal should have been a wake up call really.

 

Everyone around me could see and said early that once again our lack of width would cost us... An no matter how you dress it up. It did

 

Their first goal came from a through ball, it wasn't a cross or anything to do with their or our wing play.

 

How many saves did Kelvin have to make as a result of shots coming from crosses. Hardly any.

[Thedelldays]

Their first goal came from a through ball, it wasn't a cross or anything to do with their or our wing play.

 

How many saves did Kelvin have to make as a result of shots coming from crosses. Hardly any.

 

But the crosses were there and it was a good indication from god knows how many around me thatbit was going to cost us sooner or later. And it did

[St Will]

But the crosses were there and it was a good indication from god knows how many around me thatbit was going to cost us sooner or later. And it did

 

Well no matter where you choose to put the blame, we played well last night (your original post after the game made out you disagree - which is wrong, I think), and I'd be happy if we played like that the rest of the season.

[Kingsland Codger]

I align myself with Mornington Crescent, Le God Third Coming, Chap in the Chapel and Nineteen Canteen. I saw a magnificent football match last night with superb support from both sets of fans. Every bit as enjoyable as some of our better Premiership matches.

 

The fact we were defeated was due to a wonder goal that might have been avoided but had we taken the chances that fell to MS and AL in the second-half then we would have been hope and dry anyway.

 

But even then, the chances for MS and AL were a clear sign of our new-found ability to make goal scoring opportinities; and it wasn't as if either MS or AL missed the target - they were both saved superbly by the Rovers keeper.

 

So whilst we can curse Lady Luck with her cruel twist against us, I look foward to the match on Saturday and believe that elusive 'emphatic' victory will occur.

[Tamesaint]

The whole self belief issue has been evident both this season and in our recent past and can be summed up in 3 words:

 

Composure, confidence and collectivity.

 

3 words that need to be ingrained into the club and all those connected with it from Directors, players, supporters and those in the community. Without the shared faith in ourselves we only deliver angst and apprehension and a major dose of the collywobbles. They say football is a religion but we don't mirror any worthy congregation that offers hope and support in trouble times and thanks and reverence in good. At times it's more like the mourning of a lost opportunity to gloat rather than draw out the positives, which is odd as football, like life, has it ups and downs and expecting to win all the time is a bit like holding the firm belief that some government agency will always bale you out.

 

That last sentence rightly or wrongly is directed at some of the more rabid laden posts full of bile and more expletives than their considered thoughts and thoughts not exclusive to football.

 

Personally, nothing would switch me off this club more than if Mr Liebherr threw £100m at us and tried to buy success. I don't want and have never believed in the get something for nothing (or as little as possible) culture that has pervaded this country in a post Camelot and Reality TV age. Success is earned and when achieved well is far more satisfying but sadly not everyone agrees.

 

 

I went back and read this post again. There is a lot of good stuff in here , excellently written with which I agree - especially the bit about people expecting to win all the time. I think that the demand for continual success is at the root of many of football's ills.

 

HOWEVER

 

In a non agressive fashion, I would like to ask this poster how he can possibly square up his concern about Saints fans's lack of reverence with his continual sniping at MLT and Lawrie Mac. Reverence is hardly what he has shown to 2 of our all time greats in his postings over the last few weeks .... so why criticise Saints fans now for lack of reverence???

[hughieslastminutegoal]

We are in League One, have better players individually than arguably all of the teams in the league

 

But do we, really?

 

We've signed a decent forward at this level. A reasonably good midfilder at this level. The rest? A 34 year old "has been" centre half. A rather untalented centre-back who can head it and not a lot else. An questionable left back. The remainder are really no change on last season when we looked an L2 team most of the time.

 

Pardew will get an improvement out of them, I'm just not sure the raw material is really good enough.

[WATERSIDEIFASAINT]

I can't believe some of the cr*p posted on here by some saints fans.What a bunch of whinging idiots who were probably not at the game!!

 

We played very well for about 70 mins yesterday but run out of steam after the 2nd equaliser which seemed to hit confidence aswell.On another day we could have comfortably won the game and if we play like that we will win the majority of our games.

 

Progress is definately been made.And for people slagging off Hammond and Lambert I thought they were both immense.Lambert was unlucky and only stopped by their keepers brilliance of scoring a hatrick.Hammond was everywhere and a real driving force in midfield.

 

Bristol Rovers were a decent side who never gave up.We will not play many better teams in this league this season imo.

 

I saw enough last night to say we're heading in the right direction and we played far far better than we did against Yeovil which we won.

 

WE WERE VERY UNLUCKY LAST NIGHT.That is why it irritates me people slagging the team off who were not at the game and are solely going on the result and not the performance.