Saints 3 - 1 MK Dons - Post Match Reaction

[St Will]

What a team. Absolutely brilliant. We're going up. We're too good for this league. Convinced of it. Pardew, you're a legend. Southampton 'til I die.

[Legod Third Coming]

Sorry but I don't think Pards has got it 100% yet. He's definitely assembled a great squad, and now he needs to firm up some of the loans into signings, but he persisted with 4-5-1 and it was only when that format had seen us go a goal down that he changed to 4-4-2. All credit to him for the change, but lets see Connelly on from the start next week.

 

We did not play 4-4-2.

 

Connolly played as a loan striker.

[Saint_clark]

No idea what Jaidi was doing for the free-kick (he wasn't even looking at the ball), and I thought Davis was too far to the right (or left from his point of view) as the ball was struck. Had to get those points out the way as i'm sure Pardew will have done exactly the same thing.

Excellent, excellent performance from the team today. Waigo hasn't convinced me yet, to be honest i'd rather sign Antonio permanently. Trotman needs to be signed in january as well.

Harding needs to calm down and stop shouting at everybody, including ball boys.

Lallana showed fantastic control today but they closed him down very quickly, meaning he couldn't get many chances to put those killer balls/shots in.

[OldNick]

losing at HT was a travesty.All down to a bad error of judgement by Trottman, he didnt need to block Easter.I felt that we had enough about us to get at least a draw. The subs changed the gamne and Antonio gave us a spark.

Hammond was not his usual self but put his chance away beautifully. The 2nd was a great training ground routine, superb work. Only a mistake was going to let MKdons back into it and apart from a corner when Jaiidi looked as though he was tripped and they had a free header nothoing else happened to scare us.

Darren Powell I have now seen play without getting injured or having a trainer on for him.Nasty tackle on Hammond by him. Lloyd did well and against most fans oin here i put Jaidi as the MOTM. Very calm and assured, although Antonio did well using his pace.

[Legod Third Coming]

No idea what Jaidi was doing for the free-kick (he wasn't even looking at the ball), and I thought Davis was too far to the right (or left from his point of view) as the ball was struck. Had to get those points out the way as i'm sure Pardew will have done exactly the same thing.

Excellent, excellent performance from the team today. Waigo hasn't convinced me yet, to be honest i'd rather sign Antonio permanently. Trotman needs to be signed in january as well.

Harding needs to calm down and stop shouting at everybody, including ball boys.

Lallana showed fantastic control today but they closed him down very quickly, meaning he couldn't get many chances to put those killer balls/shots in.

 

Conversely, isn't Hammond a great outfield captain? Did you see him shout at Connolly late on to mark their keeper from the throw-in? Then when he pressed the keeper, the ball was kicked straight up and we nearly created a goal. It is so much better to see a noisy team than the quiet one of the past three/four years...

[Saint_clark]

Conversely, isn't Hammond a great outfield captain? Did you see him shout at Connolly late on to mark their keeper from the throw-in? Then when he pressed the keeper, the ball was kicked straight up and we nearly created a goal. It is so much better to see a noisy team than the quiet one of the past three/four years...

 

Agreed, but Harding will get himself booked a few times this season for being such a moaner.

[Legod Third Coming]

Agreed, but Harding will get himself booked a few times this season for being such a moaner.

 

I think he's a bit of a hot-head who will probably grow up, or turn into Gary Neville

[krissyboy31]

Is it just me but I thought Milton Keynes were garbage, especially first half. How we went in 0-1 is beyond me, they offered no threat what-so-ever and seemed to be wasting time from the first whistle. Their keeper was comedy value though if nothing else. They improved a bit in the second half when they brought the big centre forward on, at least he gave Trotman and Jaidi something to do. All in all a decent if not spectacular performance, everyone gave a 7 out of 10 performance but the subs Antonio and Connolly, made the difference in the end.

[OldNick]

Is it just me but I thought Milton Keynes were garbage, especially first half. How we went in 0-1 is beyond me, they offered no threat what-so-ever and seemed to be wasting time from the first whistle. Their keeper was comedy value though if nothing else. They improved a bit in the second half when they brought the big centre forward on, at least he gave Trotman and Jaidi something to do. All in all a decent if not spectacular performance, everyone gave a 7 out of 10 performance but the subs Antonio and Connolly, made the difference in the end.

was it us making them look poor? We had little threat in the box first half

[Legod Third Coming]

was it us making them look poor? We had little threat in the box first half

 

I thought we just cancelled each other out and spent far too long with the ball in the fecking air!!!!

[Colinjb]

Is it just me but I thought Milton Keynes were garbage, especially first half. How we went in 0-1 is beyond me, they offered no threat what-so-ever and seemed to be wasting time from the first whistle. Their keeper was comedy value though if nothing else. They improved a bit in the second half when they brought the big centre forward on, at least he gave Trotman and Jaidi something to do. All in all a decent if not spectacular performance, everyone gave a 7 out of 10 performance but the subs Antonio and Connolly, made the difference in the end.

 

A mate of mine who watches the franchise was at the game today, he said that we where by far the best team they had played all year and that 'we stopped them at every turn.'

 

We where simply a class apart and made them look bad.

[OldNick]

I thought we just cancelled each other out and spent far too long with the ball in the fecking air!!!!

I dont know that the ball was in the air too much. the conditions were not condusive to flowing football but if the ball gets kicked into the air by the opposition it is not always easy just to bring it down and play

[Smirking_Saint]

They did not look like league contenders in my book, FWIW i thought Yoevil caused us more trouble. We just looked solid at the back, solid in midfield and and times ver dangerous.

 

At times they looked as though they had no idea how to deal with us.

 

Fantastic team effort today, Pardew if you read this, which i know you do at times. Thank you, you have brought pride back to the south coast

[Elmore]

Fantastic result.

 

MK Dons say we play a bit "long ball"...

 

http://www.mkdons.com/page/MatchReaction/0,,10420~1836250,00.html?

[OldNick]

Fantastic result.

 

MK Dons say we play a bit "long ball"...

 

http://www.mkdons.com/page/MatchReaction/0,,10420~1836250,00.html?

That long ball dig is a nonsense IMO

[Essruu]

My semi is now a full blown boner

 

 

At your age, that's a reason to celebrate in itself.

[Gigersaint]

Saints played well today and made MK Dons look second best all over the pitch. Even when they took the lead through what looked like a dubious free kick I still had confidence we were going to get something from the game.

 

After Antonio and Connolly came on 10 minutes into the 2nd half it was clear we were going to get something from the game and so happy we did. It's great to see players coming off the bench and adding to our game nowadays helping to score goals rather than taking something away from our play and conceding.

 

For a few posters on here who thought Saints were booed off at half time, they weren't. The boo's were aimed at Easter who looked to have fooled the referee in giving the free kick which resulted in their goal, not sure if it was a foul from Jaidi but looked dubious from where we were. Saints were down the tunnel when majority of boo's rang out against the MK Dons.

[S-Clarke]

Fantastic result.

 

MK Dons say we play a bit "long ball"...

 

http://www.mkdons.com/page/MatchReaction/0,,10420~1836250,00.html?

 

first half we were, but 2nd' half we passed the ball around them in triangles a lot of the time, whilst they just stood and watched us break on them again...

[OldNick]

Saints played well today and made MK Dons look second best all over the pitch. Even when they took the lead through what looked like a dubious free kick I still had confidence we were going to get something from the game.

 

After Antonio and Connolly came on 10 minutes into the 2nd half it was clear we were going to get something from the game and so happy we did. It's great to see players coming off the bench and adding to our game nowadays helping to score goals rather than taking something away from our play and conceding.

 

For a few posters on here who thought Saints were booed off at half time, they weren't. The boo's were aimed at Easter who looked to have fooled the referee in giving the free kick which resulted in their goal, not sure if it was a foul from Jaidi but looked dubious from where we were. Saints were down the tunnel when majority of boo's rang out against the MK Dons.

I agree that the boos were aimed at the ref, although I think it was a foul by Trottman

[Katalinic]

That long ball dig is a nonsense IMO

 

Absolutely, at least we tried to play football at times although there was the odd moments of hoofing it up in the air, while they were long ball all game, just punting it up into the channels. One of the most negative teams I can remember at SMS over the past few years. MK were truly awful and are/were third - that should give us hope that we can make the play offs this season.

[krissyboy31]

A mate of mine who watches the franchise was at the game today, he said that we where by far the best team they had played all year and that 'we stopped them at every turn.'

 

We where simply a class apart and made them look bad.

 

I said to my brother, that watching this Saints' team reminds me of the Strachan team. Closing down, harrying and pressing the opposition into rushed mistakes and giving the ball away. The team are obviously much fitter, stronger and have a lot more stamina than in the last 4 or 5 seasons.

[OldNick]

Absolutely, at least we tried to play football at times although there was the odd moments of hoofing it up in the air, while they were long ball all game, just punting it up into the channels. One of the most negative teams I can remember at SMS over the past few years. MK were truly awful and are/were third - that should give us hope that we can make the play offs this season.

thanks i agree. They came to nick a point

[Essruu]

We did not play 4-4-2.

 

Connolly played as a loan striker.

 

 

I thought we'd signed him.

[Gingeletiss]

losing at HT was a travesty.All down to a bad error of judgement by Trottman, he didnt need to block Easter.I felt that we had enough about us to get at least a draw. The subs changed the gamne and Antonio gave us a spark.

Hammond was not his usual self but put his chance away beautifully. The 2nd was a great training ground routine, superb work. Only a mistake was going to let MKdons back into it and apart from a corner when Jaiidi looked as though he was tripped and they had a free header nothoing else happened to scare us.

Darren Powell I have now seen play without getting injured or having a trainer on for him.Nasty tackle on Hammond by him. Lloyd did well and against most fans oin here i put Jaidi as the MOTM. Very calm and assured, although Antonio did well using his pace.

 

nick......I think you need to go to specsavers!!!!!!!! or get a seat closer to the pitch;)

[Katalinic]

I agree that the boos were aimed at the ref, although I think it was a foul by Trottman

 

It was Jaidi I think. Kelvin had called for the ball as well (I heard it through the noise at the Chapel end...) and it was going to bounce through so was a totally pointless foul.

[OldNick]

nick......I think you need to go to specsavers!!!!!!!! or get a seat closer to the pitch;)

well i was in the Northam and so thought it was trotman, there agian that far away I could have thought it was harding!

[krissyboy31]

That long ball dig is a nonsense IMO

 

I think to be fair, we do play long-ball at times but we do have the players to get it down and play and do mix it up. They certainly couldn't say our equalizer was long-ball. That was a splendid team goal of how many passes?

[eurosaint]

I agree that the boos were aimed at the ref, although I think it was a foul by Trottman

 

The free kick was conceded by Jaidi and he got booked for it !

 

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~1835842,00.html

[Smirking_Saint]

I think to be fair, we do play long-ball at times but we do have the players to get it down and play and do mix it up. They certainly couldn't say our equalizer was long-ball. That was a splendid team goal of how many passes?

 

I agree with that, we now have a few dimensions to our play, width, pace, strength, height and some very good footballers.

 

Lallana looks a class above.

[OldNick]

The free kick was conceded by Jaidi and he got booked for it !

 

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~1835842,00.html

Stupid of him, and so I will retract my motm for him today

[Smirking_Saint]

Stupid of him, and so I will retract my motm for him today

 

Thought Trottman was the saviour in defence today, he looked class, solid and composed. Both of them dealt with everything.

 

I missed the MK Dons goal so i can't comment.

[Katalinic]

Seeing is believing and I'm actually beginning to believe. A wonderful result and a goal for each time I posted.

 

spanish saint can you please PM or email me for what you require. I cannot PM or post anymore today but will help you.

 

"Pas Dieu" was spot on with his substitutions and change of tactics today. Another slice of humble pie Mr.Art?

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

My ratings for Saints v MK Dons (3-1 home win)

 

K Davis 6 - May have done a bit better with their (well taken) goal but the ball did 'move' on him a lot , otherwise unemployed almost .

L James 6.5 - Good effort and no complains today . Personly I'd prefer to see Murty back there .

N Trotman 8.5 MOTM - Rock solid Centre Back , I don't think he lost a header all game . Outstanding young defender .

R Jaidi 7.5 -Marked down only because his needless foul led to MKD's goal , but still a dominate force in our defence .

D Harding 7 - Fine game but I'd like to see him get forward more , when he does 'Dan the Man' can be a real handful for the opposition .

P Wotton 6 - A reliable player within his limitations . Subbed early 2nd half .

M Schneiderlin 7.5 - Talented and 'puts himself about' more now , if he could could score as his ability suggests he should he'd have it all .

D Hammond 8.5 - Surely one of the best midfielders in L1 - and a real goal threat too . Captain material .

A Lallana 8 - A rejuvenated player under Alan Pardew , enjoy him while he's still here .

Papa WN 6.5 - Hard to rate but not great today , the opposition never know what he's about to do - I'm not sure he does . Subbed .

R Lambert 8.5 - Top , top striker at this level and quite possible a higher one . The best striker we had since........ Beatty ?

 

Substitutes :

D Connolly 8 - So sharp it's not true - Mark my words he will score 25+ goals for us this season if he stays fit . Far too good for L1 .

M Antonio 7.5 - Looks like yet another great find , quick bright winger always ready to chase a lost cause . Could be a real asset on this evidence .

J Mills - Late sub .

 

Conclusions :

The first half was not the best although I though we easily had the best of it but a well taken free kick saw us one down at half time . Ten minutes into the second half with not much changing Alan Pardew decided to act decisively , with Connolly and Antonio added (4-4-2) we battered MKD (a pretty good team at this level) into submission . Some of our play today was a privilege to watch and bares close comparison to the best I've seen at St Marys for many years , keep it under your hat but I think we may be one of the very best teams in this division . We have good players all over the pitch but the basis of our success is built from the back of course , Jaidi and Trotman in particular - the Rock steady crew .

 

Tonight we find ourselves still near the bottom of the table thanks to the points deduction , but to be frank we're far too potent a team for that to be a real concern anymore - indeed we can start to dream about the other end of the table methinks .

 

Credit to Alan Pardew and the coaching staff for managing the team so well , credit to the many good players we have now in the squad , but above all credit to Markus Liebherr for making it all possible .

 

ps - The standard of refereeing at this level is shocking :mad: , you may as well strategically shave a monkey , put him in a black shirt and let him officiate - he couldn't do much worse .

[70's Mike]

losing at HT was a travesty.All down to a bad error of judgement by Trottman, he didnt need to block Easter.I felt that we had enough about us to get at least a draw. The subs changed the gamne and Antonio gave us a spark.

Hammond was not his usual self but put his chance away beautifully. The 2nd was a great training ground routine, superb work. Only a mistake was going to let MKdons back into it and apart from a corner when Jaiidi looked as though he was tripped and they had a free header nothoing else happened to scare us.

Darren Powell I have now seen play without getting injured or having a trainer on for him.Nasty tackle on Hammond by him. Lloyd did well and against most fans oin here i put Jaidi as the MOTM. Very calm and assured, although Antonio did well using his pace.

 

sorry Nick it was Jaidi who did the block which led to their goal

[RedAndWhite91]

Absolutely brilliant.

 

Last year's team and management would have crumbled at 1-0 down half time and given up. Pardew has got those lads sorted, the mentality shown and the pure grit to come back and win 3-1 was impressive... I'm really happy.

 

Antonio made an immediate impact, a proper 'explosive' substitution, really impressed by him today, his speed and strength were very refreshing to see.

 

5 wins in a row now in all competitions, 4 consecutive League wins, 3rd time in a row we have won 3-1. 13 goals in those 4 League games. Things are looking up.

 

Spot on today. LOVE IT.

[Katalinic]

ps - The standard of refereeing at this level is shocking :mad: , you may as well strategically shave a monkey , put him in a black shirt and let him officiate - he couldn't do much worse .

 

I knew we were in for trouble when he was doing ball "skills" as part of his pre-match warm up.

 

Seemed to be the "I could have been a pro you know but choose refereeing instead" centre of attention seeking type.

[RedAndWhite91]

My ratings for Saints v MK Dons (3-1 home win)

 

K Davis 6 - May have done a bit better with their (well taken) goal but the ball did 'move' on him a lot , otherwise unemployed almost .

 

From what I made of it he was positioned for the right footed player, but after a dummy, the left footed player took it bent it the other way towards the near post, the opposite to what the right footed player would have done, meaning Davis was out of position. It didn't look like it was the ball 'moving' as such, it was more the fact that KD was completely done by the switch of takers. IMO.

[Joesaint]

Must say I though L James is getting alot better very fast in his NEW position. I was very very happy and if you remember on a cross they had which was very good it was him who managed to header it out. That I felt really did save us. Think he should have better than 6 1/2 that all, he's doing well.

 

Great game soooo happy with the team at the moment, do think for all the dominance we had esp in the first half why didn't we score!

 

Anyway great game, and result happy days COYR

Edited 24 October, 2009 by Joesaint

[Smirking_Saint]

My ratings for Saints v MK Dons (3-1 home win)

 

K Davis 6 - Done well, his distribution was good, the defence gave him nothing to worry about TBH, missed the goal so can't comment.

L James 6 - Done well, he delivers a decent cross and can pass a ball well but just unsure about him defensively, he gets beaten far too easily.

N Trotman 9 MOTM - Absolute rock at the back, how so many can give antonio a MOTM and miss this guy baffles me, he was composed, solid and never looked ruffled. We HAVE to sign him.

R Jaidi 8 -Should still be a CCC player, great solid defender, does his job well and obviously is a massive influence in the team.

D Harding 7 - Defends well, gives everything, and yes i agree, looks good when he goes forward, his crosses caused them troubles, as i said before though, Lallana's wondering takes this out of his game.

P Wotton 6 - I'll admit, i don't like him, but looked ok today, did what he needed, broke up attacks.

M Schneiderlin 7 - Great on the ball, AP seemed to have fired him up this year, the boy is beginning to become a more well rounded midfield player.

D Hammond 8 - Unbelievable player, definately our lynchpin, skill, desire and industry.

A Lallana 8 - Brilliant on the ball, just brilliant, defensively we know he gives harding a hard time but hell, when he turns on the style he really turns it on. He is a class above this level, loved the small touches and skills today.

Papa WN 6 - I thought he did ok today, not fantastic but causes issues just being on the pitch, great outlet.

R Lambert 8 - Well done today Rickie, shame that we still struggle to pick up the flicks. He causes so much trouble. Great threat, please don't compare him to beat's, he has far more industry.

 

Substitutes :

D Connolly 7 - Agree, he looks fired up and composed, with the ball at his feet in the box, we all know the outcome. Clinical

M Antonio 7 - Looks good, quick, strong, tricky. MOTM ?? No not for me but asked a lot of questions. The game was already turning when he came on and he made sure it changed for good. But please, someone teach him a new trick.

J Mills -6 It's a shame as he looks a good player, he gives us balance and allows harding a bit more freedom. Did well.

 

Crowd - 10/10 - Everyone was awesome today, really good feeling in the crowd, the old times are back again !!!!!!! Gave it everything, and made sure the keeper was thoroughly wound up.

 

Well done today lads, dominated from start to finish. AP has instilled confidence and fight in the team. I am not worried about our defence and more and we look dangerous.

 

If we can do this to a team at the top of the table then it proves our calibre really. Really pleased today.

 

COYR's

 

BTW - cheers for the template chapel

[Huntingdon]

Really impressed with Dan Harding again

 

Defensively he's solid, but coming forward his crosses are mustard

[St_Tel49]

You do make a good point about changing winning teams but I just dont like playing 4 5 1 at home

 

Just want to keep on winning

 

4 5 1 is Ok away probably

 

By the way Sir Alf changed a winning team in 1966 to make an even better team

 

It is 4-3-3 attacking and 4-5-1 defending - that is not being negative. We had a number of unconverted chances in the first half.

[RedAndWhite91]

Photos from the game on OS: http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/Gallery/0,,10280~1836297,00.html

 

Good to see the players looking so passionate! Connolly looks like he is absolutely loving it.

[teamsaint]

You're overreacting.

 

For the first 15 minutes we were ok in a blunted game.

 

Then we were so-so, then we were ordinary. Then we gave away a pathetic cheap free kick.

 

Then half time.

 

Then until 52 minutes we were poor.

 

Then for the last 38 minutes we were very good.

 

HTH

 

spot on. The good news is that even though we played poorly for a while and conceded, the moment the subs came on we looked likely winners.

Don't really underdtand why we would now need a holding MF player in a 5 man MF, at least at home. I know its hard to change a winning team, and Wotton didn't deserve to be dropped, but we really ought to be confident enough to go 442 at home all the time. We don't know, of course, who's carrying injuries etc. DC may be less than fully match fit for all we know.

 

if we can keep injury free we have a run of very winnable games coming up- they really do give us a chance to charge up the league.

 

Also, surprised at the crowd figue. Apart fro gps in the Northam Kingsland corner, it was nearly full all the way round the Northam and Kingsland.

[View From The Top]

I've just walked in after spending far to long in a car today after a quality win.

 

The change in formation/personnel was spot on.

 

Southampton are back!

[Smirking_Saint]

For a team that has not conceded in 3 games we made there defence look very dodgy.

[Massimo Osti]

my girl in for a rite seeing to tonight!!!

 

I recon Antonio will be to tired to satisfy her tonight after today's game? best she charges up the rabbit ??

[suewhistle]

Massimo ...sei cattivo! :-)

[Dark Munster]

At last, the first manager since WGS that knows what he is doing !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Oi, Pearson seems to know what he's doing too.

[LostBoys]

I thought it was a cracking game and MK dons were lucky not to have a real thumping. At times the football was terrific and the Schneiderlin crossfield pass which led to our first goal was exquisite.

[saint1977]

The deluded comments from MK's Asst Mgr tell you how outclassed they were in every regard - fans support, players, skill, pace, thought process. We were faster in thought and execution for our first 2 goals and should have scored long before that. I think MK got rumbled today, watch them fall like a house of cards. As for Saints - CBs were excellent, Harding got great delivery in, Lallana troubled MK, Antonio and Connolly were superb as subs. If they are third in the table, we are going to win a lot of games because it was a very one-sided game. Well done to Pardew, thought all of his signings were excellent today and great desire and thought we out-footballed them as well.