QPR v Saints - Post Match Views

[Legod Second Coming]

Some lovely football from the youngsters, but unless they learn how to defend we are just going to get picked off again and again. Yes, the luck didn't go our way today, but nearly every ball into our box or over the top caused mayhem with 10 or 11 men. Didn't learn the lessons from Blackpool and badly missed a leader at the back, as well as some protection from Gillett/Scheiderlin when down to 10.

 

Sublime goal from Lallana was glorious to watch...

 

Agreed Chris. I don't think Wotton is a natural CB, Cork too early to say. Lancashire... we won't know for three games now...

 

That said, we couldn't have had worse luck with the timing of their second goal. Just after we come back into the game and start to look more confident...

[Dalek2003]

I cant believe you went as far as emailing him. You hated Hoddle that much? The most successful (in terms of winning %) manager we have had in a long time?!

 

Well, in my humble opinion, it is because of you and others which also have an 'ug ug, Im too stupid to forgive' attitude that we are in our current mess. I personally believe Hoddle would not have got us relegated. He wouldnt have not cared like bagpuss.

 

 

True, and the chickens are coming home to roost.

[Greenridge]

Experience is being promoted on here as the answer, for me it isn't. What would be useful is quality, fit, skilled, motivated, experienced players with leadership skills.

 

The fact is we can't afford them. Thomas and Euell are long term injured, Skacel is probably looking to get away. Svennson, Perry, Wooton, Davis, John are motivated. I don't know where BWP stands. That leaves us with the rest of the young squad.

 

I really can't see any point in pie in the sky proposals to insert experience, we just don't have much available.

 

Why is it 'pie in the sky'? We have some who the club have tried to force out and whilst they are not our saviours they could perform a stop-gap where we need it - especially if they are to remain on the books for the immediate future. The loan window will also give us access to these type of players. We might not want the extra burden of their wages but I'm sure we don't want to be in the bottom 3 come the end of the season either.

 

Why was Wooton not at centre-half today? On the radio a couple of weeks ago Nicky Banger was saying he couldn't understand why Wooton was being touted as a midfielder as he played every game at Plymouth (when Banger was there) as a centre-half. There were plenty of options for midfielders but the bare bones at the back.

Edited 14 September, 2008 by Greenridge

[Johnny Shearer]

Completely baffled by Perry not playing today. Him and Cork would have steadied the ship IMO. Again as against Blackpool, we were crying out for Stern to come on and hold up play.

 

Until the sending off I thought we were getting back into it. A reckless tackle, which I hope Ollie will learn from.

 

Yes we got mullered but that took effect when we went a man down. The balance needs to be sorted and JP has to recognise that Stern-Wotton-Perry-Davis as the spine of the team is imperative.

[Kaiser Soze]

lol @ the pitch invader when we scored

[Whitey Grandad]

True, and the chickens are coming home to roost.

Pathetic! You constantly state that we would not have been relegated with Hoddle in charge - although you can't prove it and nobody can ever disprove it - and then go on from that to infer that nobody else could have saved us from relegation. By that argument every club that did not appoint Hoddle would have been relegated.

[chi saint]

Some positives from this game

 

Davis simply outstanding - how he ever got stick in the past from the so called fans i'll never know. Time and time again he proves to be our best player.

 

Whilst we were lacking who knows what may have been the outcome but for the sending off, which for my money was harsh. We were starting to assert ourselves just went he went off. Upset any chance of a win.

 

Still early days.

[Kaiser Soze]

My concern is we continue to defend like we did today will get a proper humilation, today we were fortunate and condeded only four, on another day we could have conceded eight. The side is very young and I don't think it is emotionally strong enough to recover from a real battering, and judging from the inexperience that was witnessed today, that is only round the corner.

 

Hope I'm wrong.

[Dalek2003]

I am busy building a time machine.

I am going back to feb 2004. Glenn Hoddle has signed the contract and will start as manager of saints at the end of the month.

There are a few boo boys in the stadium, but the players respect and respond to the exEngland manager.

We finish comfortably mid table and the rebuilding begins.

Hoddle is able to attract good esperienced playesd which he belnds with a mixture of youths.

In 2008 we find ourselves in the Premiership, apart from the occasional disappointment and the usual rivalary with Portsmouth we are a solid Premiership side.

We are ripe for big investment that appears to be on its way.

Now wher is the flux capicator ?

[ALWAYS_SFC]

I am busy building a time machine.

I am going back to feb 2004. Glenn Hoddle has signed the contract and will start as manager of saints at the end of the month.

There are a few boo boys in the stadium, but the players respect and respond to the exEngland manager.

We finish comfortably mid table and the rebuilding begins.

Hoddle is able to attract good esperienced playesd which he belnds with a mixture of youths.

In 2008 we find ourselves in the Premiership, apart from the occasional disappointment and the usual rivalary with Portsmouth we are a solid Premiership side.

We are ripe for big investment that appears to be on its way.

Now wher is the flux capicator ?

 

The asylum security has got lax again:D

[Papa Shango]

I am busy building a time machine.

I am going back to feb 2004. Glenn Hoddle has signed the contract and will start as manager of saints at the end of the month.

There are a few boo boys in the stadium, but the players respect and respond to the exEngland manager.

We finish comfortably mid table and the rebuilding begins.

Hoddle is able to attract good esperienced playesd which he belnds with a mixture of youths.

In 2008 we find ourselves in the Premiership, apart from the occasional disappointment and the usual rivalary with Portsmouth we are a solid Premiership side.

We are ripe for big investment that appears to be on its way.

Now wher is the flux capicator ?

 

Or, Hoddle takes over and falls out with all the players (Like he's done many times) and we go down anyway and end up in exactly the same position as we are in now.

[Whitey Grandad]

I am busy building a time machine.

I am going back to feb 2004. Glenn Hoddle has signed the contract and will start as manager of saints at the end of the month.

There are a few boo boys in the stadium, but the players respect and respond to the exEngland manager.

We finish comfortably mid table and the rebuilding begins.

Hoddle is able to attract good esperienced playesd which he belnds with a mixture of youths.

In 2008 we find ourselves in the Premiership, apart from the occasional disappointment and the usual rivalary with Portsmouth we are a solid Premiership side.

We are ripe for big investment that appears to be on its way.

Now wher is the flux capicator ?

You will find it difficult to find any players that liked or respected Hoddle when they played under him. One quote was 'if he were made of chocolate he would eat himself'.

[Dalek2003]

You will find it difficult to find any players that liked or respected Hoddle when they played under him. One quote was 'if he were made of chocolate he would eat himself'.

 

Not the sentiments of Paul Ince who recently called Hoddle 'world class'.

[Dalek2003]

Or, Hoddle takes over and falls out with all the players (Like he's done many times) and we go down anyway and end up in exactly the same position as we are in now.

 

hmm, more risky than a rooky League 1 manager.

[Thedelldays]

Or, Hoddle takes over and falls out with all the players (Like he's done many times) and we go down anyway and end up in exactly the same position as we are in now.

for all his wrong doings he has NEVER taken a team this low ever....even the great sturrock is managing to do a worse job and so many seem to think he is better than hoddle..

 

arry was awful when he was here and regarded as one of the worst managers we have had..

he was one goal away from keeping that shambles that was saints up...I would like to think Hoddle would have faired a bit better..

[ALWAYS_SFC]

Not the sentiments of Paul Ince who recently called Hoddle 'world class'.

 

As a player maybe but as a manager nope..well just look at his record...very average.

[Whitey Grandad]

Not the sentiments of Paul Ince who recently called Hoddle 'world class'.

There are several world class tossers out there. He was certainly a 'world class' player, but as a manager he was nothing special.

[Dalek2003]

There are several world class tossers out there. He was certainly a 'world class' player, but as a manager he was nothing special.

 

Ince was talking about Glenn as a 'world class manager'.

[Thedelldays]

There are several world class tossers out there. He was certainly a 'world class' player, but as a manager he was nothing special.

nothing special would do me right now and when WGS left and instead of arry

[Alucard]

I'm sorry Yorkie, but I would rather be eeking out 1-0 wins and winning scrappy games as opposed to being the whipping boys who have spirit and play some neat football in the middle of the park.

 

Football is ultimately about winning and the gutsy losers will soon be forgotten.

 

And our non-gutsy losers from last season have been forgotten already.

 

If it were only as simplistic as you imply. Play scrappily and we can win 1-0. We played scrappily last season and managed to concede 5 at Preston, Sheff W and Hull. And don't forget Bristol Rovers that was awfully scrappy and we didn't win that one either.

[Papa Shango]

hmm, more risky than a rooky League 1 manager.

 

Why do you talk like Sturrock and Hoddle were the only choices? There were dozens and dozens of managers available at the time who would have been far better than both of those two, who are and always were no more than average.

 

And it wasn't the fans who made the decision to appoint Strurrock so I don't know why you're blaming them.

[Whitey Grandad]

nothing special would do me right now and when WGS left and instead of arry

I know how you feel. I shall be there Wednesday, of course, but it's like being at the bedside of a loved one who is seriously ill.

[saintcrris]

Credit and respect for admitting it.

 

Give it a bloody rest

 

What the hell has Glen Bloody Hodldle got to do with todays match?

 

I personnaly think you are way out of line with your constant attacks at fans who part with there well erned cash watching SFC up and down the country. Along with the other arm chair supporters like ART & Scooby who constantly blame fans who pay money to watch SFC.

 

Why the **** are we torturing each other in the blame game. Yes im no Lowe fan or Hoddle for that matter but do you really think. I and others would part with well earned money week in week out only to be accused of somehow being happy that we LOST just so I can come on here and have a go at Lowe/Hoddle (he has gone get over it) etc etc.....

 

It beggers belief that we somehow might have a Pompey fan (like some say Scooby is)

Accusing the Northam the tea lady etc etc of being some kind of monsters and all that is bad with the club because he happens to be on a windup or he really does have pictures of Rupert Lowe on his bedroom ceiling/along with your pictures of Hoddle.

 

Rant over.......

[Dalek2003]

Why do you talk like Sturrock and Hoddle were the only choices? There were dozens and dozens of managers available at the time who would have been far better than both of those two, who are and always were no more than average.

 

And it wasn't the fans who made the decision to appoint Strurrock so I don't know why you're blaming them.

 

 

So, why was PS appointed ?

[Whitey Grandad]

So, why was PS appointed ?

Because Hoddle dumped us for his 'spiritual home'.

[Thedelldays]

Because Hoddle dumped us for his 'spiritual home'.

erm, you are getting your years mixed up me thinks

[gjphilsaint]

could not give a monkeys about Hoddle or any other ex manager right now.. take it to another thread. As for todays game we are light weight despite some very nice position play we did not really push into strong positions when we had the chance... many of our efforts were weak. We look light weight and will continued to get picked off by more ruthless, direct and stronger teams. gulp!! because there are quite a few of them, many of which we used to think we could beat, Blackpool being one...for instance...

[Whitey Grandad]

erm, you are getting your years mixed up me thinks

I'm getting old. The point is, Hoddle had his chance and he dumped us when it suited him. He only used us to get back in to management. Even WGS left us once his payoff from Coventry came through and he could afford to get his hip fixed.

[Whitey Grandad]

could not give a monkeys about Hoddle or any other ex manager right now.. take it to another thread. As for todays game we are light weight despite some very nice position play we did not really push into strong positions when we had the chance... many of our efforts were weak. We look light weight and will continued to get picked off by more ruthless, direct and stronger teams. gulp!! because there are quite a few of them, many of which we used to think we could beat, Blackpool being one...for instance...

Well said. Perhaps we should start making a list of those teams that we think we might stand a chance against.

[brmbrm]

This is Lowe's revenge. Get used to it, becuase there is going to be lots more.

[Dalek2003]

I'm getting old. The point is, Hoddle had his chance and he dumped us when it suited him. He only used us to get back in to management. Even WGS left us once his payoff from Coventry came through and he could afford to get his hip fixed.

 

 

Sadly, football today is full of mercenaries. There is no room for sentiment. You hire the best and make a pact with the devil if you have too.

So some SFC fans took the high groud over Hoddle. Fine. Accept the consequences.

[Fan The Flames]

I am busy building a time machine.

I am going back to feb 2004. Glenn Hoddle has signed the contract and will start as manager of saints at the end of the month.

There are a few boo boys in the stadium, but the players respect and respond to the exEngland manager.

We finish comfortably mid table and the rebuilding begins.

Hoddle is able to attract good esperienced playesd which he belnds with a mixture of youths.

In 2008 we find ourselves in the Premiership, apart from the occasional disappointment and the usual rivalary with Portsmouth we are a solid Premiership side.

We are ripe for big investment that appears to be on its way.

Now wher is the flux capicator ?

 

Well if we cant beat Pompey under GH then you can leave the flux capacitor where it is

[um pahars]

And our non-gutsy losers from last season have been forgotten already.

 

If it were only as simplistic as you imply. Play scrappily and we can win 1-0. We played scrappily last season and managed to concede 5 at Preston, Sheff W and Hull. And don't forget Bristol Rovers that was awfully scrappy and we didn't win that one either.

 

Which is why I said eek out a one nil win or win a scrappy game.

 

Last season's non gutsy losers will not be easily forgotten, but sadly this season is turning into a losing one, albeit that the players are gutsy. Being gutsy is admirable, but the last time I checked the league rules I couldn't see how many points you were awarded for that characteristic.

 

I would prefer neither losing with or without a gutsy performance, and instead get back to watching a winning team and moving up the league.

[J Bizzle]

We were ****, simple as. First half we were completely outplayed, midfield needs a serious overhall with Gillet being dropped a necessity. Lallana should not be playing 90 mins, yes he is a great prospect but is not a 90 min player atm. He plays well for 5 mins then goes wondering for half an hour, not what we need. I see him more of an impact player for the most of this season and he would be much more effective coming on for the last 30. John has to be played and i think McGoldrick needs to be out wide right as he seems to favour that position, Skacel needs to be on the left especially with the Holmes injury, and we need to start gambling more. Defending set pieces is also needs a major improvement. marking should be man marking and if you can't win the ball, at least stop the attacking player getting a free attempt on goal and the ball can never bounce in the box. Davis was fantastic and deserved MoMdidnt deserve to let 4 in, had someone else been in goal 7 could easilly have been conceded. I think Schniederlin needs to be given as much creative freedom as possible, his vision surpasses every other player in the division and he needs to be played.

[Micky]

We were ****, simple as. First half we were completely outplayed, midfield needs a serious overhall with Gillet being dropped a necessity. Lallana should not be playing 90 mins, yes he is a great prospect but is not a 90 min player atm. He plays well for 5 mins then goes wondering for half an hour, not what we need. I see him more of an impact player for the most of this season and he would be much more effective coming on for the last 30. John has to be played and i think McGoldrick needs to be out wide right as he seems to favour that position, Skacel needs to be on the left especially with the Holmes injury, and we need to start gambling more. Defending set pieces is also needs a major improvement. marking should be man marking and if you can't win the ball, at least stop the attacking player getting a free attempt on goal and the ball can never bounce in the box. Davis was fantastic and deserved MoMdidnt deserve to let 4 in, had someone else been in goal 7 could easilly have been conceded. I think Schniederlin needs to be given as much creative freedom as possible, his vision surpasses every other player in the division and he needs to be played.

 

Right - thats that then - sorted....!!!!

[offix]

Ru**rt's brilliant plan is exposed for the cr@p that it is, and the number of his admirer's is rapidly shrinking. Sounds like another season that I remember from not too long ago. Let's hope history doesn't repeat itself in the final result at the end of the season.

[northam 12th man]

rubbish to be fair.

 

we dont seem to want to shoot when 20 yards out or closer.

 

why?

 

changes are looming

 

KK in!! ya i wish

[saintrich]

We need to drop McGoldrick.

 

He is absolutely useless as a lone striker.

 

Sure he works hard, but his biggest problem is that he drops stupidly deep and then when we cross we have no-one in the box as McGoldrick is walking towards the edge of the box.

 

He also holds onto the ball for far too long and gets tackled trying to run past 5 players.

 

We could do with getting a centre back AND a right back... sorry but Lloyd James isn't a full back whatsoever... he got absolutely done down the left by Cook and Delaney time and time again.

[Frank's cousin]

I sometimes hate being a football fan.... because right now I am torn between a new excitement at te prospect of what we might achieve versus whether we are in division 2 before we know it.

 

OK so maybe not that bad, but i loved the way we played yesterday (for the most part) and Lallana's goal summed up what football is all about. Its exciting, and the pasing agme from lets be honest from such a young and inexperienced side can be joy to watch - I love the idea that my team is playing this way..... but we will get slaughtered many time this season, if we dont sort out teh defensive frailties.

 

The question is, would I rather we played a more physical, direct game and had 12 points on the board or watch the kids develop with style with 3? choices choices... for now I can cope with the position as we will soon be due top spank someone....

 

the natural other worry is that the cream of talent will not be here come season end, play offs, relegation or mid table - the reality of championship sides.

 

Arse....

[JustMike]

was impressed with what i saw of peckhart (spl?) some of his movement in the box was pretty good for a young lad. i would have him start v Ipswich

[Chez]

Its hard to evaluate the side when you are down to ten men for an hour, but the fact we got back into the game showed the positives of a passing game. What a ****ing goal, one of the best I have seen for years.

 

But yet again the shortcomings of our lack of quality showed up. It's not youth that is the problem, no one has a problem playing Lallana, the problem is we do not have enough top class players throughout the side (young or old).

 

I think some minor tinkering could help improve things though:

James is not a fullback. His positional play needs to improve massively (and no doubt it will in time) as he has zero pace. Either play Cork there or get a fullback on loan.

McGoldrick is not good enough to lead the line on his own. He is tricky, but he lacks raw pace and doesn't have the strength required. IMO he doesn't bust a gut to get in the six yard box. He is just not a threat. Either play him with somneone else or play JOhn.

Gillett has not been good enough. His first touch is constantly poor and he is not getting hold of the game. Perhaps he needs more time to settle in. I wonder if Pulis will be better?

Why take Schneiderling off to play McGoldrick in midfield - he is **** there. In fact why is he being taken off full stop, we go to pieces after he goes off.

The side lacks height everywhere and add to this we do not have ball winners at full back either. Not sure how to solve this one.

[badgerx16]

it's the barnsley game we have to focus on. we must win games like that and it's those we should be judged on, not ten men at qpr.

 

Bit like the Blackpool game then ? :confused:

[mscoones]

From watching today’s game you can take positives from it, but you could also get very worried as well.

 

Good Points:

 

Going forward we looked quite good and played some great football, however sometimes our youngsters need to learn to shoot quicker. There were several times today where I thought they could take a shot but held on to it to look for a pass out wide or to someone running through. We aren’t going to score many goals if we don’t shoot.

 

Kelvin played brilliantly; I don't really blame him for the first goal as he would have been wrong footed being nearer the front post, not leaving him much time to get out.

 

Adam Lallana was brilliant, for a youngster he has come on leaps and bounds and that goal was class

 

Bad Points:

 

Whoever thought it wasn't a sending off really needs to look at the replay and change their minds. For me it was clear-cut. Annoyingly he should never have thrown himself in like that as he could have kept the player and the ball in the corner.

 

Defence Defence Defence - We really were bad at the back today, it could have been a lot worse, but Kelvin made some amazing saves and we still lost 4:1. I know the second shouldn’t have been a goal and some people will say (including our manager) that changed the game and gave QPR the advantage, but the warning signs were there already. Remember they had 2 (probably only 1 because Kelvin had stopped for one of them) other goals disallowed. Only Jan will know why he didn't start Perry with one of the youngsters, who knows, maybe he couldn’t choose between them or maybe he wanted them both to get some experience quickly.

 

The problem with our defence is that I really don't see how we can improve, especially for the next 6 games. Svensson was missing yesterday and rumours our that he might not play again, Thomas is injured and personally I don't think hes a great option anyway (better than nothing but only just) and now Ollie will be missing for at least 3 games. This leaves Perry and Cork as our only recognised centre backs, with an inexperience right back (although I thought his crossing today was exceptional and didn't have too bad a game (if you ignore the first goal).

 

Balls in the box seem to be our weak point, Kelvin doesn’t come to claim many, but our defence seem to shy away from it and more often than not are second to the ball.

 

Holmes - not sure on the extent of the injury, but from what they said on TV he could be out for a while. This might mean there is room for Skacel and Surman to both play on the left, but I thought Holmes has been very good since he arrived.

 

So in summary, it’s going to be hard but - COME ON YOU SAINTS

[Saint Martini]

I think people are overreacting a bit. Yes we lost and quite emphatically, but there were quite a few reasons besides the quality of our team that led to this result. Although starting off with a goal within 40 seconds is entirely our own fault We had a red card that in my opinion didn't have to be red (I just watched it on Saints TV and if that's red then Delaneys challenge on Scheiderlin later in the match is red as well) and even after the red card we managed to play OK although we did need Davis to save the day a few times (but that's what happens with a man down, holes appear in your defence). The second half I thought we were the better team and had the better chances and took our goal very well. Then they score the most obvious offside goal in ages and even after that we were the better team until Scheiderlin went of (did he carry a knock from that Delaney challenge? He didn't seem to be running freely after that). We went for plan B then with an extra striker but that never really worked. Pekhart played OK but after Scheiderlin went we lost the midfield battle and they walked over us which let the defence to being pressured. This would have not happend if:

- we still had 11 players or;

- Scheirderlin had stayed on or;

- It would have been 1-1 at the time.

In the end I think we were unlucky in the first 60 mins and in the last 30 mins we were crap but with a reason.

 

Next match, I'd say Perry has to start (still a bit baffled why he didn't today) and we just need to continue with playing the way we did before Scheiderlin went off.

[saintjay77]

A very good summary and something I really have an issue is the piece I have put in bold.

 

IMHO the decision to go with two rookies at centre half away from home was wrong. If we are going to blood players, then at least try and pair them up with an experienced player.

 

Additionally, try and do it home where the youngster might fel a bit more comfortable and also where the opposition might only play with one up front.

 

JP was very naive today and IMHO it cost us.

 

You serious? With Our home support?

 

IIn a normal situation I would agree with you but with our home support as it often is I would have thought there is a lot less pressure on younger players when playing awayofrom SMS. Our fans are far too quick to Boo and jeer at a team, that although might not be doing all the right things, they are trying bloody hard to produce some good football.

 

Jan needs to sort out the defence and I dont mean just the back 4!!!! When we attacked QPR got numbers behind the ball and cut down our space which often meant we didnt get that many clear cut chances. When QPR attacked they often carved us wide open because the people who tracked back left spaces all over the place and the defenders were pulled out of position. The defensive issue is a whole team issue and is allot bigger task than blameing Olly for being a rookie or having no experience.

 

I can wright off the last 2 goals because we were trying to get back in the game and with 10 men we were bound to leave more gaps. Olly making a tackle in the RB position just shows where we were leaving gaps. He was unlucky to get the red IMO although I can see how the ref felt it was warented. But how many times did QPR cause us problems from that position? QPR's midfield had the time and space to play the ball down the channel and into lots of space. Our defending needs to come from our midfield coming back and getting into the right positions to try to limit this from happening.

 

Also we have Dyer who has pace to burn but cant get into these positions at the other end of the pitch? I know he was playing most of the time on the left and his left foot is as much good as a 50 pence piece. But IMO he is the one player that doesnt have the control to have the ball played to his feet. Give him something to run onto and he could be utterly fantastic for us. He is a simple player that needs simple tactics. I believe Morgan can put the ball anywhere in the park within a few feet so a 30 yard pass towards the corner flag would give dyer about 15 yards of space to beat there defence. This would drag the opostions defence out of position and create the space needed for our flare players in the middle.

 

In all these problems can be sorted out and with the squad available. We have the skill we just lack the execution.

[saintjay77]

From watching today’s game you can take positives from it, but you could also get very worried as well.

 

Good Points:

 

Going forward we looked quite good and played some great football, however sometimes our youngsters need to learn to shoot quicker. There were several times today where I thought they could take a shot but held on to it to look for a pass out wide or to someone running through. We aren’t going to score many goals if we don’t shoot.

 

Kelvin played brilliantly; I don't really blame him for the first goal as he would have been wrong footed being nearer the front post, not leaving him much time to get out.

 

Adam Lallana was brilliant, for a youngster he has come on leaps and bounds and that goal was class

 

Bad Points:

 

Whoever thought it wasn't a sending off really needs to look at the replay and change their minds. For me it was clear-cut. Annoyingly he should never have thrown himself in like that as he could have kept the player and the ball in the corner.

 

Defence Defence Defence - We really were bad at the back today, it could have been a lot worse, but Kelvin made some amazing saves and we still lost 4:1. I know the second shouldn’t have been a goal and some people will say (including our manager) that changed the game and gave QPR the advantage, but the warning signs were there already. Remember they had 2 (probably only 1 because Kelvin had stopped for one of them) other goals disallowed. Only Jan will know why he didn't start Perry with one of the youngsters, who knows, maybe he couldn’t choose between them or maybe he wanted them both to get some experience quickly.

 

The problem with our defence is that I really don't see how we can improve, especially for the next 6 games. Svensson was missing yesterday and rumours our that he might not play again, Thomas is injured and personally I don't think hes a great option anyway (better than nothing but only just) and now Ollie will be missing for at least 3 games. This leaves Perry and Cork as our only recognised centre backs, with an inexperience right back (although I thought his crossing today was exceptional and didn't have too bad a game (if you ignore the first goal).

 

Balls in the box seem to be our weak point, Kelvin doesn’t come to claim many, but our defence seem to shy away from it and more often than not are second to the ball.

 

Holmes - not sure on the extent of the injury, but from what they said on TV he could be out for a while. This might mean there is room for Skacel and Surman to both play on the left, but I thought Holmes has been very good since he arrived.

 

So in summary, it’s going to be hard but - COME ON YOU SAINTS

 

 

TBF I have had the benifit of the replay and he missed the ball by the smallest of margins. Had he made contact the ref would have done nothing but awarded a throw in or corner.

 

The speed he ran in at made me think even before he slid in that he was on a man hunt rather than going for the ball but in the end I thought it was a fair tackle that was mistimed. Yellow card for not making contact with the ball and a word in his ear to make sure he keeps his head would have been more that satisfactory IMO.

[CitySaint]

Why on earth should i pay £75 (3 tickets) to watch that. It's f*cking embaressing, the picture of Lowe's face in a nice cosy directors box rubs the salt in the wound as well. I've tried to be positive but it's starting to look very concerning.

[Scummer]

The picture of Lowe's face in a nice cosy directors box rubs the salt in the wound as well.

 

Who was Lowe sitting next to? Was that David Jones?

[Saint Billy]

I think the side we have has some potential, but I also think the coach is getting it seriously wrong with selection and he is worryingly showing some inexperience at this level.

 

Why Perry never started I do not know. McGoldrick is just not good enough yet to play the lone striker especially when you have John on the bench. How many did John score last season!. Skacel not in the side, well perhaps there is issues we know nothing about, but it now must be time to bring him back, we cannot afford to have a guy of that calibre doing nothing for the side especially if Holmes is out for a while. Gillet also concerns me so why not have Dyer and Skacel both in midfield.

[derry]

We knew Thomas has an injury history, we knew Killer would be touch and go, we knew Skacel was ****ed off and we must have known Perry was getting on a bit.

 

So having known all that then maybe we should have thought about bringing in some other wise old heads who can help the youngsters in these tough matches.

 

We may be skint, but there are players out there who would fit the bill and who would not have broken the bank (free transfers and an average wage).

 

We didn't because the "revolutionary new coaching set up" believed the youngsters could hack it.

 

 

Who?