Jump to content

Saints 3 - 1 MK Dons - Post Match Reaction

Baj

By Baj,
in The Saints

 Share

Man of the Match?  

515 members have voted

  1. 1. Man of the Match?

    • Davis
      2
    • Jaidi
      19
    • Trottman
      71
    • Antonio
      178
    • Waigo
      2
    • Hammond
      77
    • Schneiderlin
      46
    • Lallana
      61
    • Lambert
      46
    • Connelly
      13

Recommended Posts

iansums

iansums

Posted
Posted

Great game and a brilliant second half performance.

 

Just want to mention a few players. Antonio was MOTM for me, was so impressed by the way he flicked the ball past their LB (who got very tight on him) and then beat him for pace, showed a lot of intelligence. Felt sorry for Papa who tried hard and actually pressurised the LB into making mistakes, he just needs to stop getting offside.

 

I actually thought Connolly looked very rusty (understandably so), his first touch was poor on a number of occasions. But when he's back to full sharpness then boy have we got a bargain.

 

The debate over 4-5-1 or 4-4-2 makes me smile, the great thing is that we have options!

 

Best feeling at a game for a long, long time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Fitzhugh Fella

Fitzhugh Fella

Posted
Posted
Good team performance and credit to Pardew as well.

 

First half and for the early part of the second half we played 5 in midfield with Wotton playing in a holding role. It stifled MK Dons just as Pardew wanted. They were not a threat and their goal just before half time came from a dubious free kick decision. A well taken free kick but to me Davis was at fault for not lining p the wall in the correct place.

 

Davis did not have a busy time but what he did have to do (apart from organising the wall) he did well.

 

James is a weakness in defence on the right but when he got forward he put in some decent crosses

 

Jaidi (just about my man of the match) was a rock in defence ably supported by Trottman.

 

Harding looked solid at left back and got forward particularly in the second half

 

Wotton did all that was asked of him but he was always the one to go off when the second half formation changed.

 

Schneiderlin passed the ball well but he needs to have players wide right and left as an outlet.

 

Hammond bossed matters and is now the player we thought we have bought from Colchester. Good goal as well

 

Lallana again busied himself and had some very skilful moments. Gave way late on to Mills as he looked all in.

 

Papa Waigo had a poor game as he kept finding himself offside. It is a bad weakness in his game and making way for Antonio was the correct decision. However he did trouble their left back and because defences to not know what to make of him and his speed they tend to pull to wider to deal with him leaving gaps in the middle. I would still have him start games. He brings something different to the game.

 

Lambert found it difficult on his own in the first half but looked much happier when Connolly came on.

 

Antonio as sub turned to game. He gave a torrid time to their left back who was already knackered dealing with Waigo. Some great runs, strong and very fast.

 

Connolly is a class player at this level, knows where the goal is and is a great foil for Lambert. Smaller in stature than I imagined him to be. If he can stay fit he is the find of the season.

 

Mills came on late and it would be unfair to assess him so I won’t

 

God game and shows how far we have come in a short time. Pardew needed time to find the right players. If he had the benefit of pre season and we had been able to hit the ground running we would be higher up the table than we are and I mean in the top four but for our points deduction.

 

Ron, I think you are being far too kind to Papa Waigo but, apart from that, a fair assessment.

I honestly think there is no future for Waigo at our club - his performance today I would describe as gruesome. There is no excuse for not knowing the offside law and his throw in was embarrasing. Antonio made an immediate impact but please don't credit Waigo for softening up the full-back.

 

Also imo the free kick from which they scored was a free kick, Jaidi unnecessarily impeded their forward, it was Jaidi's only blemish but it was as stupid one.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Fitzhugh Fella

Fitzhugh Fella

Posted
Posted
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 ;)

 

You took a lot of trouble to type this so thanks but to give Antonio just 1 more mark than Waigo sort of undermines your opinion. No offence but the difference between the two was massive and 1 point does not do the gulf justice.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
CanadaSaint

CanadaSaint

Posted
Posted
There is no excuse for not knowing the offside law and his throw in was embarrasing.

 

Absolutely. If he hasn't figured that stuff out yet he can hardly be viewed as "coachable", so I'm not sure we can expect much improvement in his game. He's probably reached his full potential and if you folks don't think that's good enough, which seems to be the case, he's not going to last long here.

 

The only thing that might keep him here is squad depth but AP has withdrawn him in two straight games and seems to be growing tired of his errors and erratic contributions.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
paris

paris

Posted
Posted

Great tune i've just added todays result on the comments...

Many moons ago now i used to play football in Kensington Gardens with him and Flech from Depeche Mode ...

 

 

 

 

I've always loved that song and it has been a part of my pre match ritual for a long time!!

 

I just love watching the Punk/New Wave stuff from that era on TOTPs vids and loling at the dweebs in the audience trying to dance to stuff like The Jam / The Stranglers / The Skids etc. :p

Link to comment
Share on other sites
alpine_saint

alpine_saint

Posted
Posted

Had to follow the game by WAP, because I went to an Austrian Bundeliga game today.

 

Was disappointed to see the HT score, but when I saw that Hammond had equallised, I knew we would win, such is my confidence in the new set-up.

 

Really chuffed with the result, and really chuffed that the whole team seems to be contributing.

 

Is it unreasonable to say we are currently looking like the most balanced team that Saints has put out since the mid-80s ???

Link to comment
Share on other sites
bpsaint

bpsaint

Posted
Posted

Finally back from the pub,felt that game was worthy of a few pints! I had a feeling before the game today that if we could win this won we had to be considered for genuine play-off contenders,and now I can't see any reason that isn't obtainable! Antonio gets MOTM for me,completely changed the game! Can't wait for LO next week,just hope the players don't turn up with some of our fans "easy,easy,easy" mentalilty else we could be in for a shock.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Saint Fan CaM

Saint Fan CaM

Posted
Posted

Fantastic result - so proud to be a Saints supporter again. The whole team were on top form with perhaps the exception of Papa who somehow forgot the rules of the game for 45 minutes. I just wonder how long it is going to take to wake up and realise this is all a bit of dream and we're still being managed by a couple of Dutch goons. AP and his backroom team are the REAL DEAL.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
S-Clarke

S-Clarke

Posted
Posted

Another view from an MK Dons fan

 

''We were really taught a lesson today. Not only did they outplay us in every part of the pitch, they outfought us in every part of the pitch. The outplaying was embarrassing at times - the way their players moved for each other off of the ball was both fantastic and painful to watch. They wanted the ball more than us for 90 minutes. They battled for everything, and we had nothing to offer in return - just repeated hoofing of the ball up the pitch.''

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Saint_clark

Saint_clark

Posted
Posted

 

They're making out that we only had any chances at all because they gave them to us though.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Saint_clark

Saint_clark

Posted
Posted

And another one;

 

"As for the match, we were truly, truly awful. That first half performance was the worst I have ever seen us play (in all of our long history ;-)) and with our players arguing with each other all over the pitch, it was simply embarrassing. The fact that we went in one up was the funniest thing I've seen in years, but we were all discussing how many we thought we were going to lose by at half time.

 

We were outplayed and outfought today by the best footballing side I've seen this season, although I think we may have helped that a little by being crap.

 

I wish I'd stayed in bed..."

Link to comment
Share on other sites
chi saint

chi saint

Posted
Posted

Superb result we should have been three up by half time. Apart from 10 mins beginning of the 2nd half we completely outplayed the team in third place.

 

I mean completely.

 

I used to live on my nerves when we went ahead in the old days but not now, you actually felt we were in with a chance all along and I didn't wince the few times they came near our goal.

 

A really enjoyable day out.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
NickG

NickG

Posted
Posted
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.

 

do you mean he persisted with it through three victories?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
dubai_phil

dubai_phil

Posted
Posted

Sounds like many of you lot will need the extra hour in bed tonight after all the celebrating:-)

 

Some thoughts based on the MK commentators and my analyst hat

 

1st half formation - really important we just squeezed the life out of them, so often we heard about 2 Saints players closing down 1 MK player.

 

Tactical change - after the moans after Swindon, either AP has learnt or more likely the players have had the chance to understand what they need to do in each formation.

 

BUT, for me looking ahead to the winter, possibly the BEST news are the claims of Hoofball. We now have two plans with our formations. I worried our passing game may not work on muddy or hard winter pitches, but if we are now squeezing the opposition to death, sometimes mixing hoofball and passing game then we could be in for a VERY good winter..

 

Damn, this run has got me looking at my airmiles account.

 

Oh, EoA spent a lot of time talking to my mate from Syria at my b'day party - obviously he got a delivery of the dodgy Vega (Viagra) clone......

 

One thing to check after this run - bet Southampton General Maternity unit gets busy in April, careful chaps (and chapesses)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Smirking_Saint

Smirking_Saint

Posted
Posted
You took a lot of trouble to type this so thanks but to give Antonio just 1 more mark than Waigo sort of undermines your opinion. No offence but the difference between the two was massive and 1 point does not do the gulf justice.

 

Yeah ok, probably should have gave him an 8, papa was not as bad as a 5 though, just can't stay onside.

 

Antonio was fantastic when he came on but trottman was immense.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
hypochondriac

hypochondriac

Posted
Posted
Yeah ok, probably should have gave him an 8, papa was not as bad as a 5 though, just can't stay onside.

 

Antonio was fantastic when he came on but trottman was immense.

 

Football is all about opinions. I thought Papa was quite poor today but certainly not gruesome. He's looked good at other times so I want to wait to see how he gets on before dismissing him.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Nineteen Canteen

Nineteen Canteen

Posted
Posted

Been a long time since we have gone behind in a game and I felt 100% confident we would still win it.

 

If that is representative of how MK Dons play then how were they 3rd before today and why was Pardew concerned about their ability to play the ball?

 

The game for me had it all, excitement, atmosphere, frustration (first half), comedy (their goalkeeper / Powell / the left back in the comedy wig) and like most I agree Pardew played a blinder for the critical timing of those subs and it may be a while before we see Papa start a game - all things considered.

 

One final thing how brilliant was Connolly's anticipation and I hope we don't start a home game 4 5 1 for a long time to come as we could have really destroyed this lot had we got forward in numbers first half.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Smirking_Saint

Smirking_Saint

Posted
Posted
Football is all about opinions. I thought Papa was quite poor today but certainly not gruesome. He's looked good at other times so I want to wait to see how he gets on before dismissing him.

 

Thats what i mean, he didn't have the best game but was not terrible, brilliant cross for lallana that was blocked at the last, goal disallowed.

 

I just don't understand why he can't stay onside ?? Although, as i was coached when i was young, being caught offside is not terrible, it shows you are hanging on the last man, gambling. And when it comes off, your not gonna catch him.

 

I thought MA looked good when he came on but not MOTM, he is still raw, and as the9 said earlier, i think a tougher LB would have had his card after 5 minutes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Bushey Saint

Bushey Saint

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

 

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 .

 

:smt046 Best comment on the board for a long time!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Nineteen Canteen

Nineteen Canteen

Posted
Posted
Football is all about opinions. I thought Papa was quite poor today but certainly not gruesome. He's looked good at other times so I want to wait to see how he gets on before dismissing him.

 

Papa reminds me to much of BWP and his runs apart from one were checked everytime or he was always offside.

 

Antonio's key asset over Papa is that he doesn't get knocked off the ball so easily and is far more purposeful with his forward runs with the ball. I'll be amazed if Papa starts a league game anytime soon provided injuries don't allow him a way back in. He was poor today and even his first touch was letting him down - 5 IMO would be generous score.

 

Apart from James' persistent choice to cross the ball from deep on the diagonal and badly, there was no poorer performer in a Saints shirt and RB is an area of weakness for us still. Apart from those 2 players I thought the team played brilliantly and MOTM to Lambert for consistently holding the ball up well with little support first half and a very well taken goal but you could give it to 5 or 6 of our players and Hammond was outstanding and so was Lallana second half but a bit quiet first half.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Nineteen Canteen

Nineteen Canteen

Posted
Posted
Thats what i mean, he didn't have the best game but was not terrible, brilliant cross for lallana that was blocked at the last, goal disallowed.

 

I just don't understand why he can't stay onside ?? Although, as i was coached when i was young, being caught offside is not terrible, it shows you are hanging on the last man, gambling. And when it comes off, your not gonna catch him.

 

I thought MA looked good when he came on but not MOTM, he is still raw, and as the9 said earlier, i think a tougher LB would have had his card after 5 minutes.

 

Somebody needs to tell him that the last man doesn't wear gloves because he is so far off at times that can be his only excuse.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Nineteen Canteen

Nineteen Canteen

Posted
Posted
Had to follow the game by WAP, because I went to an Austrian Bundeliga game today.

 

Was disappointed to see the HT score, but when I saw that Hammond had equallised, I knew we would win, such is my confidence in the new set-up.

 

Really chuffed with the result, and really chuffed that the whole team seems to be contributing.

Is it unreasonable to say we are currently looking like the most balanced team that Saints has put out since the mid-80s ???[/QUOTE]

 

No more unreasonable than saying Pardew is the best manager we have ever had.;)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Roger

Roger

Posted
Posted

Ff, I used to really respect you're views but you're attack on le tiss and you saying papa hasn't got a future have made me lose faith in you. Papa tried hard today and is a valuable member of the squad IMO. He has scored 3 in 5 and will get better don't be harsh. I thought Morgan was brilliant and is class and most I have enjoyed game for a long time. Looking forwArd to next week.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Saint_clark

Saint_clark

Posted
Posted
Ff, I used to really respect you're views but you're attack on le tiss and you saying papa hasn't got a future have made me lose faith in you. Papa tried hard today and is a valuable member of the squad IMO. He has scored 3 in 5 and will get better don't be harsh. I thought Morgan was brilliant and is class and most I have enjoyed game for a long time. Looking forwArd to next week.

 

Has he? I thought he'd only scored 1.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Bailey

Bailey

Posted
Posted

A good win against a poor MK Dons side.

 

The first-half wasn't the best but we restricted Dons and but for their free-kick, they didn't have a sniff.

 

Second-half we performed a lot better and full credit to Pardew for making the double change when he did.

 

Antonio and Connolly turned the game on its head, with the former looking particularly impressive.

 

Can't remember the last time Saints won 5 in a row! Great feeling! Roll on the next game!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
trousers

trousers

Posted
Posted
I'm at the ground. We controlled it throughout. Antonio was immense. Everyone is still chanting and singing and on a high. Great times

 

just got home from the game (via the scenic route) and that was one thing that I was going to comment on. Can't remember the last time so many people stuck around after the players had left the pitch and carried on chanting for so long. Hair on back of neck moment for me. The corner has well and truely been turned.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
dellgirl

dellgirl

Posted
Posted

We have a TEAM, not just individuals ,it is wonderful to watch and a manager that gets cross on the touchline and the players listen to what he instructs, that hasn't happened in a while,he takes notes so nothing slips past...it's all looking so good I can hardly bear it ......

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
×
×
  • Create New...