Saints 2-3 Bistol Rovers - Autopsy

[mikey_boosh]

Agree with most on here. Bitterly disappointed. Thought the last 10 - 15 mins we were gutless and brought back horrible memories of last season.

 

A few things I noticed during the game:

 

- Rovers players actually ran at our defense, which (especially during the last 10mins) scared our defense and pushed them back. Why oh why do our players not do this? I saw just two of our players attempt this: Harding and Hammond. These players haven't got the pace or the skill like Lallana or Schneiderlin so why aren't these players doing it as well?

 

- First time I've really questionned Pardew's abilities, however I wasn't overly excited by his appointment. Certainly not time to call for his head anyway, but he made some awful tactical decisions IMO. Playing Lallana of Lambert worked brilliantly and is what a lot of us on here have been calling for. So, why (when he reverted back to 442 in the second half) put Waigo up front and Lallana on the wing when this hasn't worked for us previously?!

 

-Mellis was dreadful positionally. Felt sorry for Harding who, many a time, had noone to pass to. At one point Mellis was on the right WITH Lallana! He was on the totally opposite side to wher he should have been! Should play either Mills or preferably Holmes (is he injured?) on the left to create WIDTH.

 

-James actually got to the byline a few times in the 1st half before crossing with fairly good results. This soon ended though as he reverted to crossing from deep in the second half, which rarely works.

 

-Actually saw some through balls from our players! And guess what? We scored from one of them (albeit Lambert with the assist not one of our midfielders). Why do the have to pass sideways or to the feet of the striker all the time? I want to see balls played in front of the strikers to run onto.

 

-Another midfielder problem not solved: Runs into the box. Saw more intent yesterday but still not good enough IMO. If we're home, then we should be taking the game to the opposition and attack. This means getting bodies into the box, not just loitering around outside the penalty area. We seem to pass fairly well untill we get to the striker(s), then they struggle as there's not enough movement around/in front of them.

 

All in all I feel gutted. Mainly because I saw us play some of the best football I've seen us play this season, which does fill me with some hope, but then revert back to the horrific and gutles defending of last season.

[slickmick]

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.

 

 

We ran out of steam well before they equalised. Up until then Rovers looked awful and had we used the width and delivered crosses from the byline and not the half way line we would have been talking about an easy win.

Holmes has to start Saturday. Mellis and Lallana would be better as impact subs.

We have played 10 games against the likes of Carlisle, Brentford, 10 men Colchester and now Bristol Rovers and you talk about how good they are ? Sorry but have to disagree, its about how poor we are.

Edited 30 September, 2009 by slickmick

[Dimond Geezer]

For large patches of the game we dominated a team who are flying, a team that are currently third in the league having won 7 of the 10 games played.

 

Their keeper made 2 great saves, we should have had a penalty, their goal was an absolute screamer, I doubt if their guy will score many more like that in his career, on top of all this Kelvin, Jaidi & Trotman each had mares, which every one is entitled to occasionally.

 

Having read some of the posts on here, (after the first 2 pages I stopped reading & just scanned a few), it sounds like the world is about to stop spinning and Itchen bridge is about to get very crowded, I hope the General Hosp is ready for such a large intake of attempted suicides. I read one poster who ‘really hates’ (his/her words) SFC. In that case bugger-off and find a winning team to support (Man U possibly). :confused:

 

I really can’t understand why people are calling for Pardews head. When he arrived here, the vast majority of fans were over-joyed, after the Radio Silent debate he was declared my many as almost a demi-god, now all of a sudden he’s crap & should be sacked. I don’t remember too many Chelsea fans shouting for their guv’nors head after loosing to Wigan! Sh!t happens, get over it. What would have happened to us if we’d sacked Lawrie Mac when we were relegated in his first season – no FA Cup is my guess – who knows?

 

The manager needs to be given time to do his job, oh hold on…I suppose he should be sacked because we’ve not tried that particular tactic for a while.

 

Some people need to get a grip on reality, we’ve lost a match, never mind, the kids are still healthy and I’ve still got a job that pays the mortgage. Hopefully we’ll win on Saturday.

 

Not so long ago we were worried we wouldn’t have a team to support, fortunately we still do – be grateful for small mercies.

[Kingsbridge Saint]

Why the hell was James put back in defence again? Surely it's midfield for him or nowhere? We would be better off playing three at the back rather than have him back there. Improves the odds for catching the opposition offside at least. It's decisions like that and bringing Wotton on that are starting to worry me about Pardew.

On the positve side - 3 points from 5 games in August, 6 points from 5 games in September.....5 games to come in October, looking for an improvement.

[S-Clarke]

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.

 

IMO they were a constant threat, not from arial bombardment - but from width and pace, i lost count of the amount of times they got in behind us.

 

They broke very well, and switched play brilliantly.

 

Most of the time harding was chasing back and trotman had to come over to cover, which left our defence short - but Jaidi did well dealing with the crosses in.

 

You can't really say they weren't much of a threat in the 2nd half though..

[St Will]

Why the hell was James put back in defence again? Surely it's midfield for him or nowhere? We would be better off playing three at the back rather than have him back there. Improves the odds for catching the opposition offside at least. It's decisions like that and bringing Wotton on that are starting to worry me about Pardew.

On the positve side - 3 points from 5 games in August, 6 points from 5 games in September.....5 games to come in October, looking for an improvement.

 

To be fair, none of the goals last night came from errors from him....they all came from the other side of the pitch. I thought he did ok last night. He's been ropey before, but last night he really did ok.

[St Will]

IMO they were a constant threat, not from arial bombardment - but from width and pace, i lost count of the amount of times they got in behind us.

 

They broke very well, and switched play brilliantly.

 

Most of the time harding was chasing back and trotman had to come over to cover, which left our defence short - but Jaidi did well dealing with the crosses in.

 

You can't really say they weren't much of a threat in the 2nd half though..

 

Their play was threatening, but apart from the goals, they didn't really threaten Kelvin that much - that's what I was trying to say. They didn't create anything clear cut apart from the goals.

[Legod Third Coming]

To be fair, none of the goals last night came from errors from him....they all came from the other side of the pitch. I thought he did ok last night. He's been ropey before, but last night he really did ok.

 

Agreed. He still scares the feck out of me and his positional sense is appalling. But he also hit two superb balls into the box, one which Lambert nodded over when he really should have scored and one which just eluded everyone...

[WGC Saint]

Right. Now I've had time to calm down after spending hours in the car to watch the game and Saints ruining my son's 13th birthday......

 

I was mightily impressed with what I saw for the first 70 minutes (their first goal aside) comparing it with the last game I went to against Brentford.

 

We passed the ball around very nicely and actually showed some real threat - hence the two goals plus many missed opportunities coming from open play for a change. TBH we were all over them until their inspired substitution.

 

I'm not going to panic yet as there are reasons to be optomistic. Rovers are a good side and they're not where they are in the league by chance.

 

It's just so sickening that their winner came so late and beyond the 5 minutes allocated (5.13 according to the BBC).

 

And does anybody else feel like me that there was a conspiracy among the officials last night to have us over? So many poor decisions it beggars belief.

 

Bring on the Gills. I fancy 3 points on Saturday.....

[Nineteen Canteen]

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???

 

Tame, IMO reverence like respect has to be earned and continued to be earned, like OBE's and MBE's reverence and respect are not simple gifts, given and forgotten about and like those honours I mentioned can be withdrawn if those who bestowed them feel the actions of the great and good have fallen below their level of expectation.

[Legod Third Coming]

Right. Now I've had time to calm down after spending hours in the car to watch the game and Saints ruining my son's 13th birthday......

 

I was mightily impressed with what I saw for the first 70 minutes (their first goal aside) comparing it with the last game I went to against Brentford.

 

We passed the ball around very nicely and actually showed some real threat - hence the two goals plus many missed opportunities coming from open play for a change. TBH we were all over them until their inspired substitution.

 

I'm not going to panic yet as there are reasons to be optomistic. Rovers are a good side and they're not where they are in the league by chance.

 

It's just so sickening that their winner came so late and beyond the 5 minutes allocated (5.13 according to the BBC).

 

And does anybody else feel like me that there was a conspiracy among the officials last night to have us over? So many poor decisions it beggars belief.

 

Bring on the Gills. I fancy 3 points on Saturday.....

 

When they took their number 3 off I thought they were bonkers as he was their best player. Shows why I'm not a manager...

[OldNick]

When they took their number 3 off I thought they were bonkers as he was their best player. Shows why I'm not a manager...

Their front men were making runs and pulling our defence about.They did not give our players time to rest and all the time were probing to make a threat. I was impressed with them, but also with us as we outplayed them for long periods which should be a credit to us. if there are many better sides than them ,we should be concerned

[Legod Third Coming]

Their front men were making runs and pulling our defence about.They did not give our players time to rest and all the time were probing to make a threat. I was impressed with them, but also with us as we outplayed them for long periods which should be a credit to us. if there are many better sides than them ,we should be concerned

 

There aren't, they were miles better than Charlton!

[GenevaSaint]

And does anybody else feel like me that there was a conspiracy among the officials last night to have us over? So many poor decisions it beggars belief.

 

WGC, I don't think there is a conspiracy amongst the officials, it's been mentioned on here already today, the general standard in League 1 is awful. Every step down the pyramid you take the worse it gets, we all thought CCC officials were bad, welcome to League 1 !

[dubai_phil]

First game for ages, really enjoyed it, but hwo did we lose it.

 

Impressions, we played some good football for about 65 minutes. Some schoolboy errors cost us the game.

 

We had width with Papa wide and forward and James got into the space well and got a lot of good crosses in (but not made that dangerous).

 

Mellis seemed to stay 15-20yards further infield than Papa and as such the shape on the left seemed all wrong and they scored their goals down that flank. Was Melis operating to instructions? 3 in the middle with only Papa wide? Don't know. We sure fell asleep for one of their goals, booking for a dive in the penalty area, seemed everyone in our team was watching what was going on and bang, they've scored.

 

So great movement of the football at some real pace at times but it never ACTUALLY went anywhere until our 2nd goal. Are we too pretty for our own good? Adam made two mistakes from soft flicks, the second one cost us their 2nd goal.

 

Melis seemed to be ineffective but when he went off and we went more 4-4-2 we just disappeared from the game. Was that due to Melis going or we are actually useless in that shape.

 

Too many questions last night, really enjoyed the game have no idea how we didn't win, boarding my flight home now at LHR and will ponder it with a few bevvies and still have no idea.

 

Hmmm

[Wade Garrett]

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.

 

I take it you didn't take up your option for an Arsenal season ticket.

[OldNick]

I take it you didn't take up your option for an Arsenal season ticket.

lol nice one Wade

[RedAndWhite91]

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 the award for the most ridiculous post ever goes to... Charlie Wayman.

[derry]

We lost last night because we had a narrow left side. All three goals came down our left. Although James wasn't good, the right side was fairly secure because the width on that side blocked off the runners.

 

On our left Mellis was narrow the whole game allowing the space outside to be exploited and Harding exposed. The second goal was stoppable by Mellis blocking Regan off instead he went into 'I won't give a free kick away mode' and actually stepped aside with his arms up to let him to the byeline to cross for the goal.

 

Holmes should have been brought on wide left to occupy the left wing and deny the space we were gifting to BR. Instead the three substitutions were bizarre, Mills wasn't wide left or left back and didn't seem to know where to play, consequently looked inept. Replacing the only player with pace for a one paced and inneffective Saganowski gave us no outlet and Wotton coming on like a headless chicken was just stupid.

 

When Wotton came on the first thing he did was to instruct the wide right players to come in narrow. All that did was give more space to BR to attack us. The goal that Williams scored wasn't a fluke, he checked back onto his left foot and curled it across and over Davis into the side netting.

Davis had no chance, I was right behind it and it was in all the way.

 

Substitutes are supposed to improve a situation. Ours contributed to our defeat. The fact we had a quick wide right player even though the left was narrow helped to open up and spread out the defenders, resulting in two goals from play and damn near another two if we had been more clinical.

 

If Pardew wasn't so bloody negative and played with width on both sides we might just win some games. The only other criticism I have is Harding allowing the winger the space to turn and spin off around him. As soon as he started having trouble with him he should have got tight on him. Alternatively Mills should have done that and Harding double teamed him.

Edited 30 September, 2009 by derry

[dellgirl]

All my family sit in different parts of the ground and go to every match, we all have different thoughts on players and discussed the appointment of AP at length,some for some against,my granddaughter is 5th generation,so we have stuck with our Club through thick and thin (a lot of that lately) and will continue to do so, but amazingly we all enjoyed the game last night,although they ran out of steam and panicked in the last 20 minutes, we were sad we lost but did see a vein of hope and will all be there again on Saturday getting behind them and willing them to WIN!

[Legod Third Coming]

All my family sit in different parts of the ground and go to every match, we all have different thoughts on players and discussed the appointment of AP at length,some for some against,my granddaughter is 5th generation,so we have stuck with our Club through thick and thin (a lot of that lately) and will continue to do so, but amazingly we all enjoyed the game last night,although they ran out of steam and panicked in the last 20 minutes, we were sad we lost but did see a vein of hope and will all be there again on Saturday getting behind them and willing them to WIN!

 

If we play like that on Saturday you won't have to do any willing!!!

[Pedro]

No one can convince me that Mills is better than Holmes or Gillett, his substitution made us worse.

[golfdelsur]

Spot on!! Good post.

[adelfas31]

Agreed. He still scares the feck out of me and his positional sense is appalling. But he also hit two superb balls into the box, one which Lambert nodded over when he really should have scored and one which just eluded everyone...

 

And who else would we play at RB with Murty and Thomas out? James has his weaknesses but he gives his all and never lets his head drop, even when it's not working for him (as at Carlisle). He's lightweight and sometimes puts himself in trouble with his first touch but he's a really good pro for a youngster. I'm never sorry to see him in the team - at least I know he will show.

[RonManager]

Best game I've seen in ages. Saints were quite brilliant at times. We should have been out of sight by the time they came back into it. I know a few Gasheads and they all say this is by far the best BR team ever.

 

Totally agree with 19Cs posts and the other positive one's.

 

I'm in block 5 and saw an inspired and fantastic cameo by Andy Williams. One word of advice to AP - buy him in January!

 

 

 

 

Keep the faith

 

COYS

[hackedoff]

" If we play like that we will win more games than we lose,someone soon is going to get a thumping off us " Jesus I get real p1ssed off hearing that time after time after time .......................ITS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN O.K.

[Saint_Mabes]

Ok, having had a day to slightly get over the dissapointment, here's my view.

 

People who demanded the sacking of Pardew and slammed us for the performance I hope have now calmed down.

 

We played a VERY solid rovers side and did a very good job for most of the game. Edged the first half and absolutely destroyed them for 15 mins after half time. It was the best i've seen us play in years and i'm sure few teams could have emulated that in this division.

 

I agree it was confusing and soul destroying that we just bottled it and turned into a different team - I can only assume its a confidence prob.

 

The thing I still can't decide is whether we should play 4-3-3 again. I was screaming at Mellis as he seamed to be playing as a central midfielder despite supposedly being on the right - there was just no one to work with Harding. Because of this we rarely got down the flanks. HOWEVER, we were mostly brilliant in that half and seemed to self destruct when we went more 4-4-2.

 

I thought Mills was a poor choice to bring on. We had already started to fall apart then and a young inexperienced lightweight winger was not a good move. Holmes would have been better option.

 

I desperately want to see those 2 close range saves to see if it was poor from us or great from goalie?? I'm gonna go look now...

[Saint_Mabes]

I probably should have just read dubai phils post - completely agree!

[chi saint]

The club is an embarrassment. The worst club to support in world football. I hate its guts. We are in League One, have better players individually than arguably all of the teams in the league, and yet we are on a results basis one of the worst teams in the league. The club is set for relegation now and there seems no way of stopping it. Pardew must be sacked if we don't beat Gillingham, in order to send a message out to the useless f*cks that are our players.

 

1 win in 10 games and in League One, playing some sh*t teams. The club may as well be dead. Absolute disgrace, DISGRACE, DISGRACE

 

What a tirade of stupid remarks. Clearly you don't support Saints, rather you probably post simply to get a reaction and so make you feel you have some 'friends'. You really need to get out more and attempt some socialising.

 

The only embarresment is you, the club doesn't need you, doesn't want you and doesn't deserve you!

[alpine_saint]

What a tirade of stupid remarks. Clearly you don't support Saints, rather you probably post simply to get a reaction and so make you feel you have some 'friends'. You really need to get out more and attempt some socialising.

 

The only embarresment is you, the club doesn't need you, doesn't want you and doesn't deserve you!

 

Classic post demonstrating everything wrong with this site.

[St Will]

Classic post demonstrating everything wrong with this site.

 

Yes, if only this site was FULL of whinging, moaning, whining, negative, miserable people.....it would be soooo much better. For you maybe.

[Nineteen Canteen]

" If we play like that we will win more games than we lose,someone soon is going to get a thumping off us " Jesus I get real p1ssed off hearing that time after time after time .......................ITS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN O.K.[/QUOTE]

 

Why isn't it? Enlighten us with your perceived wisdom.

[alpine_saint]

Yes, if only this site was FULL of whinging, moaning, whining, negative, miserable people.....it would be soooo much better. For you maybe.

 

Whereas you want it full of happy-clappies talking about..........

 

Actually, what would you talk about ? All of your posts currently are abusive.

[St Will]

Whereas you want it full of happy-clappies talking about..........

 

Actually, what would you talk about ? All of your posts currently are abusive.

 

Yeah I want it full of positive people. Positivity leads to happiness. Why would anyone choose to me miserable? Why do you choose to be miserable?

[captainchris]

We lost last night because we had a narrow left side. All three goals came down our left. Although James wasn't good, the right side was fairly secure because the width on that side blocked off the runners.

 

On our left Mellis was narrow the whole game allowing the space outside to be exploited and Harding exposed. The second goal was stoppable by Mellis blocking Regan off instead he went into 'I won't give a free kick away mode' and actually stepped aside with his arms up to let him to the byeline to cross for the goal.

 

Holmes should have been brought on wide left to occupy the left wing and deny the space we were gifting to BR. Instead the three substitutions were bizarre, Mills wasn't wide left or left back and didn't seem to know where to play, consequently looked inept. Replacing the only player with pace for a one paced and inneffective Saganowski gave us no outlet and Wotton coming on like a headless chicken was just stupid.

 

When Wotton came on the first thing he did was to instruct the wide right players to come in narrow. All that did was give more space to BR to attack us. The goal that Williams scored wasn't a fluke, he checked back onto his left foot and curled it across and over Davis into the side netting.

Davis had no chance, I was right behind it and it was in all the way.

 

Substitutes are supposed to improve a situation. Ours contributed to our defeat. The fact we had a quick wide right player even though the left was narrow helped to open up and spread out the defenders, resulting in two goals from play and damn near another two if we had been more clinical.

 

If Pardew wasn't so bloody negative and played with width on both sides we might just win some games. The only other criticism I have is Harding allowing the winger the space to turn and spin off around him. As soon as he started having trouble with him he should have got tight on him. Alternatively Mills should have done that and Harding double teamed him.

 

Derry, this is so very accurate but AP can't see it - it's been ten games now twelve with cup games and the tactic remains the same. ITS NOT WORKING NOR IS AP!

[madruss]

Derry, this is so very accurate but AP can't see it - it's been ten games now twelve with cup games and the tactic remains the same. ITS NOT WORKING NOR IS AP!

 

Go find a tape of the first 20 minutes of the second half yesterday.

 

Watch it. Watch how we tore Bristol Rovers apart solidly throughout that whole period. They couldn't live with us at all, a team 3rd in the league were completely under the cosh.

 

For me, that period of the game convinced me that it IS working under Pardew and that the team has made some excellent progress.

 

Of course points matter, but there are so many points still to be had that it's no time to panic at the lack of points we have.

 

If we fail to play like we did again yesterday and it proves to be a one off, then I'll accept that something is wrong. Until then, I know what I saw and it was better than anything seen in the last couple of seasons

[St Will]

Go find a tape of the first 20 minutes of the second half yesterday.

 

Watch it. Watch how we tore Bristol Rovers apart solidly throughout that whole period. They couldn't live with us at all, a team 3rd in the league were completely under the cosh.

 

For me, that period of the game convinced me that it IS working under Pardew and that the team has made some excellent progress.

 

Of course points matter, but there are so many points still to be had that it's no time to panic at the lack of points we have.

 

If we fail to play like we did again yesterday and it proves to be a one off, then I'll accept that something is wrong. Until then, I know what I saw and it was better than anything seen in the last couple of seasons

 

Very, very true. That 15 minutes was unbelievable.....we were camped in their half.

[RedAndWhite91]

Go find a tape of the first 20 minutes of the second half yesterday.

 

Watch it. Watch how we tore Bristol Rovers apart solidly throughout that whole period. They couldn't live with us at all, a team 3rd in the league were completely under the cosh.

 

For me, that period of the game convinced me that it IS working under Pardew and that the team has made some excellent progress.

 

Of course points matter, but there are so many points still to be had that it's no time to panic at the lack of points we have.

 

If we fail to play like we did again yesterday and it proves to be a one off, then I'll accept that something is wrong. Until then, I know what I saw and it was better than anything seen in the last couple of seasons

 

+1 that.

[St Will]

+2 that!

Edited 30 September, 2009 by St Will

[NickG]

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.

 

lol - classic post made me smile.

[alpine_saint]

Go find a tape of the first 20 minutes of the second half yesterday.

 

Watch it. Watch how we tore Bristol Rovers apart solidly throughout that whole period. They couldn't live with us at all, a team 3rd in the league were completely under the cosh.

 

For me, that period of the game convinced me that it IS working under Pardew and that the team has made some excellent progress.

 

Of course points matter, but there are so many points still to be had that it's no time to panic at the lack of points we have.

 

If we fail to play like we did again yesterday and it proves to be a one off, then I'll accept that something is wrong. Until then, I know what I saw and it was better than anything seen in the last couple of seasons

 

Last time I checked, football matches lasted 90mins and the winner is the team who scores more goals.

 

Perhaps the rules changed when my back was turned, I dunno...

[hughieslastminutegoal]

Yeah I want it full of positive people. Positivity leads to happiness. Why would anyone choose to me miserable? Why do you choose to be miserable?

 

 

That's what Adolf Hitler said to the germans - "you will all like everything about the new Germany -- and we will burn anyone who crticises anything about it."

 

Bit of a latent tyrant really, aren't you? Southampton FC's Josef Goebbels.

[lordswoodsaints]

Was I the only one laughing when the goal went in,it made me giggle all the way to the bridge.

I'm just glad I can only make non Saturday games this season.

[Nineteen Canteen]

That's what Adolf Hitler said to the germans - "you will all like everything about the new Germany -- and we will burn anyone who crticises anything about it."

 

Bit of a latent tyrant really, aren't you? Southampton FC's Josef Goebbels.

 

Not bad really just the 394 posts before the usual Nazi analogy starts. We must be getting a far more liberal and tolerant bunch. Far more than some would like obviously.

[alpine_saint]

Not bad really just the 394 posts before the usual Nazi analogy starts. We must be getting a far more liberal and tolerant bunch. Far more than some would like obviously.

 

He has a point though. St. Will has got into the habit of bullying posters he doesnt agree with.

[Nineteen Canteen]

He has a point though. St. Will has got into the habit of bullying posters he doesnt agree with.

 

Don't confuse bullying with exasperation

[John B]

Go find a tape of the first 20 minutes of the second half yesterday.

 

Watch it. Watch how we tore Bristol Rovers apart solidly throughout that whole period. They couldn't live with us at all, a team 3rd in the league were completely under the cosh.

 

For me, that period of the game convinced me that it IS working under Pardew and that the team has made some excellent progress.

 

Of course points matter, but there are so many points still to be had that it's no time to panic at the lack of points we have.

 

If we fail to play like we did again yesterday and it proves to be a one off, then I'll accept that something is wrong. Until then, I know what I saw and it was better than anything seen in the last couple of seasons

 

 

Most teams play well for some periods of each game good teams play well for most of the game that is what Pardew needs to address I would have thought.

 

Then most of us will be happy

[John B]

Don't confuse bullying with exasperation

 

I dont think he is confusing bullying with exasperation the poster in question can of course have his views but like most zealots does not accept others in a reasonable manner.

[alpine_saint]

Don't confuse bullying with exasperation

 

I havent. I suggest you take your own advice.

[Clifford Nelson]

We lost last night because we had a narrow left side. All three goals came down our left. Although James wasn't good, the right side was fairly secure because the width on that side blocked off the runners.

 

On our left Mellis was narrow the whole game allowing the space outside to be exploited and Harding exposed. The second goal was stoppable by Mellis blocking Regan off instead he went into 'I won't give a free kick away mode' and actually stepped aside with his arms up to let him to the byeline to cross for the goal.

 

Holmes should have been brought on wide left to occupy the left wing and deny the space we were gifting to BR. Instead the three substitutions were bizarre, Mills wasn't wide left or left back and didn't seem to know where to play, consequently looked inept. Replacing the only player with pace for a one paced and inneffective Saganowski gave us no outlet and Wotton coming on like a headless chicken was just stupid.

 

When Wotton came on the first thing he did was to instruct the wide right players to come in narrow. All that did was give more space to BR to attack us. The goal that Williams scored wasn't a fluke, he checked back onto his left foot and curled it across and over Davis into the side netting.

Davis had no chance, I was right behind it and it was in all the way.

 

Substitutes are supposed to improve a situation. Ours contributed to our defeat. The fact we had a quick wide right player even though the left was narrow helped to open up and spread out the defenders, resulting in two goals from play and damn near another two if we had been more clinical.

 

If Pardew wasn't so bloody negative and played with width on both sides we might just win some games. The only other criticism I have is Harding allowing the winger the space to turn and spin off around him. As soon as he started having trouble with him he should have got tight on him. Alternatively Mills should have done that and Harding double teamed him.

 

Excellent analysis. Poor Harding had no assistance all through the game and was eventually done. Where was Mills? A very poor performance from him.

 

On the other hand, for the first 30 minutes we were running rings around them, which was a joy to see.

 

If we score two goals at home, that should be a certain win, and we should never concede three. A rotten defensive performance where their forward players pulled our defence to pieces and Harding was roasted alive. Trotman and Jaidi just about coped, but the left side was responsible for at least two of their goals.

 

I understand that it was similar against Carlisle, although there the opposition concentrated on James. Just as much as going forward and crossing the ball, wide midfielders must help in protecting the fullbacks.