Saints 3-0 Tranmere Rovers: Post Match Reaction

[SoccerMom]

Schneiderlin - 6 Seemed a bit quiet. A few quality crossfield balls. Guessing he got taken off because he was booked.

.

What would be the point? He's banned for one game now anyway, isn't he?

[wild-saint]

Absolutely fantastic - and I'm buzzing - just 11 wins from 14 will be tough to maintain given some of our performances. I don't see us losing many or going backwards just a more modest points return, a few more niggardly draws etc.

 

By the same token I also don't see Leeds maintaining their form - the number of last minute winners they've scraped and jammed doesn't suggest that they're invincible or heads and shoulders above the rest of L1.

 

+1.

 

I agree what is it with people? Teams are now coming to SMS and parking the coach in front of the goal. A team of limited ability players with a a decent manager can be organised to prevent a good team playing thier football fairly easilybut leaving them with little going forward and trying to a nick a goal. The trick is having the ability to break them down and getting the first goal. Saints are clearly that team and after that when they need to abandon the tactic it generally means saints are good enough to go on and score more.

 

When a team comes down her to attack and play football (ala Norwich, Charlton) we are allowed the space to play our stuff.

[teamsaint]

Have to agree with Wild-saint.

It 's a different ball game for is now. Good sides have to put up with defensive , spoiling tactics, which often, (and especially for the first half) work.

 

You just can't play fantastic beautiful football for 90 mins, score goals, keep clean sheets every week .

Take a look at Man u. THey often win brilliantly,but they equally have to win games late on through wearing teams down.

 

AP may make the odd mistake, but that is because he is human.Maybe he has overestimates Antonio's ability- or maybe Tranmere actually did a pretty good job on him.

 

This season needs to be a team building Journey. This club has a LONG way to go. I for one am enjoying watching the team despite being in L1, and despite the fact that some of our players are less than perfect.Pretty much all we can do for now is watch the bosses rebuild our club, and enjoy the results with keep the playoff hopes alive.

 

June isn't so long ago.

[Toadhall Saint]

Thought we played ok yesterday given the way Tranmere set themselves out. As to the debate about Antonio - he's a winger and they can be the most frustrating type of player. Yesterday he wasn't at his best but I give credit to the way the opposition played him - absolutely no space at all and in the main doubled up on him. In the end 3 points to the better team and we move onwards and upwards.

 

Next up (league wise) are the current table toppers and TBH we should go there with no fear, as personally I feel we will be given more space to play our game. I'm hoping for a win but a draw will do.

 

COYRAWM!

[Chez]

What would be the point? He's banned for one game now anyway, isn't he?

 

Has he really got five yellows? Will leave us short in the middle. Wotton all game. ****.

BTW If he had got sent off then he'd get more than the one one game suspension.

Edited 13 December, 2009 by Chez

[Chez]

As to the debate about Antonio - he's a winger and they can be the most frustrating type of player. Yesterday he wasn't at his best but I give credit to the way the opposition played him - absolutely no space at all and in the main doubled up on him.

 

spot on. People need to cut him some slack. He has been terrific for us and people must remember that going past defenders is the hardest thing in the game apart from scoring and there are going to be days when you just don't manage it.

 

At Leed I think Waigo should start out wide and then bring Antonio on. He is the best impact sub I've seen down here.

[Johnny Shearer]

Went to the game and got superb seats in block 37, row EE in the Kingsland/Northam corner. Most panoramic view in the place in my opinion.

 

First half was poor but not the worst I have seen this season especially in or first few games.

 

Tranmere came down and knew how to slow the game down and mark Lambert quite close. Also Saints were not their usual selves. Some slack passing and people slipping up on both sides early on. However there was nothing to suggest that Tranmere would be able to keep us out for the whole game.

 

Second half was a lot better. Saints moved up a gear or two after the first goal and walloped Tranmere in a twenty minute spell which won us the game. Passing, directness and tempo all improved.

[Toadhall Saint]

spot on. People need to cut him some slack. He has been terrific for us and people must remember that going past defenders is the hardest thing in the game apart from scoring and there are going to be days when you just don't manage it.

 

At Leed I think Waigo should start out wide and then bring Antonio on. He is the best impact sub I've seen down here.

 

And I agree with you on the Waigo side of things. Leeds will want to play and that will create space for us esp Waigo. Oh and before anyone says "he's offside too much" while not disagreeing in the main - he only needs to be onside once.

[Saint Fan CaM]

Cannot fault any player yesterday - even Antonio who was nullified by a reasonable defence. The first half was rubbish and frustrating due to very poor officials and a Tranmere team who went down for anything to feign injury. It disrupted the entire rhythym of the game in the 1st half. 2nd half was chalk and cheese stuff with Hardings superb goal really killing the Tranmere plan dead. Penalty was nailed on and the player Broom (a sweeper apparently!! lol) should have been red carded. Lamberts free-kick was world-class - not seen the likes of that for a long time and he really is the real-deal. Specially shout for Connolly who always shows a lot of class in his play and ran like a man possessed....what injury?

 

Overall very pleased with our performances and to be creeping up the table - I always knew that it would be a much slower slog over this part of the season. HOWEVER! IF we manage to win a good proportion of our next 6 games we will really start to motor because they are against teams largely above us.

[krissyboy31]

What would be the point? He's banned for one game now anyway, isn't he?

 

Difference being 1 match for 5 bookings and 2 for being sent off. Was correctly taken off as soon as the 2 goal cushion was achieved. Could easily have been sent off for the second trip (not long after his booking), for which he was lectured by the Ref.

[View From The Top]

Difference being 1 match for 5 bookings and 2 for being sent off. Was correctly taken off as soon as the 2 goal cushion was achieved. Could easily have been sent off for the second trip (not long after his booking), for which he was lectured by the Ref.

 

Which was an excellent piece of refing.

 

The fact that he told the skipper and player that another offence and your off was a stark contrast to this 1st half decision making.

[shurlock]

Which was an excellent piece of refing.

 

The fact that he told the skipper and player that another offence and your off was a stark contrast to this 1st half decision making.

 

I reckon he would have been off had he clipped the player anywhere in our half - as it was it was just outside their box. Made the ref's job easier.

[SAFE_SAINT]

We've now gone 14 games without scoring 4 in a match. Unacceptable. Pardew out.

agreed

[Charlie Wayman]

A very satisfying result after a nerve-racking first period when we were poor and just couldn't figure how to outwit a packed defence. Credit to Alan Pardew he does seem to be able to change tactics subtly as well as in the more obvious ways.

 

A bit of a bummer that after such a gritty display and a well-earned victory we made no progress towards the play-offs. I'll bet I am not the only one who is disappointed about that and that we gained only one place. Now we are close to the 'winning' half of the league it is obviously going to be far more difficult to make progress upwards as dramatically as over the past few weeks. Even AP is cautious about it in his reaction piece.

 

We must get something at Leeds so I'd let the Johnson's Paint Can go if I were in charge, put out the reserves or something but let's not get our blokes knackered, injured or sent off ahead of Saturday. We need our best team at Leeds even if they put Murty in a wheel-chair

[Fitzhugh Fella]

I think you're being overly critical. Yes, this is League One. But this isn't September anymore. Sometimes you have to win ugly. Sometimes you have to win when you're not playing well. In order to win championships or promotions, you have to be able to do those things, and be able to string the passes around. You have to be able to do this, and adapt when the opposition and conditions demand it. Some teams can only play one pretty way, or ugly way, and when they don't play to their most effective, they are in complete turmoil. Burley's team was always trying to play pretty football, and that's why it ended as very average, because his team couldn't grind a result out or out-boss the opposition. This team can, albeit at a lower level, where pretty football is played less. When they need to, they'll string the passes together; but to criticise a team that has won almost every game it has played since the 4-1 Gillingham game, is being a trifle picky, IMO.

 

Andy were you there yesterday?

[St Landrew]

Andy were you there yesterday?

 

Alright Duncan, you've got me. No, I was at home working, and listening to the commentary at the same time.

 

But that's not really the point. I was making a general observation, which is that you can't spray the ball around, like Brazil, every week. Even Brazil don't spray the ball around all the time. Sometimes, you have to win by any means you can. You can't always one-touch the ball around the opposition in little neat triangles. The fact is, is that Saints are winning nearly all the time, and by some measure of goals. Yesterday they even kept the ball out of their own net.

 

It's a busy time for me, but I suppose I'm going to have to offend a customer, put work aside, and get down there, so that I can talk on equal terms.

[S-Clarke]

Andy were you there yesterday?

 

what's that got to do with it?

 

his point still stands. We won 3-0 whist not playing that well, what is there to moan about?

[sadoldgit]

First things first. We are in L1 and we won 3-0. Very good.

 

And then some serious considerations: What happened with the fantastic football we produced in late September against Bristol and early October against Gillingham? I thought it was a sign of what we wanted to achieve, but it isn't there anymore. Instead there is a preponderence of head tennis and quick balls out of defence to the forward line. We have the players to take the ball down and pass it to feet, so why have we stopped doing it?

 

The first goal tonight came from our only second decent attempt att playing the ball rather than launching it. I don't condemn the quick ball when something is on, but not all the time, eh?

 

Mikhail Antonio showed again tonight why he dwelled for a long time in non-league football. If he were to have a future with us into the CCC and onwards he should at least be able to do the simple stuff well. Sadly he made no contribution tonight, no telliing passes or crosses and no successes against the Tranmere fullback. It was bad enought to border the embarassing. I really struggle to understand why a talent like Waigo sits on the bench for Antonio to perform like this. I've seen it all before, and his performance is not improving. There surely must be some other peculiar and unspoken reason why he keeps starting the games.

 

I'm afraid that we are going backwards in footballing terms, sweat instead of skills, which is why Lallana, for instance, was failing to shine like we know he can. I'm somewhat worried that Leeds will take us apart. I hope I'm wrong, but please send Antonio back to Reading!!!

 

We are winning every week and we are scoring 3 goals a game at the moment. I would suggest that this is no bad thing and long may it continue. I don't want us playing like Brazil and getting nowhere. If we play ugly and get out of the 3rd division I will be more than happy.

 

I seem to remember us playing some pretty football under JP with no end result. What would you rather have?

 

Previous managers have been pilloried for not getting results every week. It now seems that even if you do that is not good enough for some.

 

Even Alpine has given up posting so he must be in a straightjacket by now.

 

[sadoldgit]

Andy were you there yesterday?

 

Duncan, you got your wish. Lowe went and we were relagated (again). Still not happy?

 

The last time I was gutted if we scored less than 2 goals at home Cahoon was in his prome. We are now regulalry scoring 3 goals a game...what's wrong with this picture?

[Weston Saint]

Duncan, you got your wish. Lowe went and we were relagated (again). Still not happy?

 

The last time I was gutted if we scored less than 2 goals at home Cahoon was in his prome. We are now regulalry scoring 3 goals a game...what's wrong with this picture?

Bern, the first half was crap and it was of Saints making. Lallana and Antonio got little service, some on here have said. That is because they were not wide to receive. They were bunched up in the middle making it easy for Tranmere.

 

Yes we scored 3 goals again BUT Pardew has a long way to go to get us competative enough to get promotion and hold our position in the Championship.

 

We are all in agreement that our results have been fantastic but many of us that go week in, week out can see we are not yet the real deal. That is what Duncan is trying to say.

[Weston Saint]

I blame the reff for an aweful first half. It was so stop start neither team could really play their game. It just worked out in Tranmere's favour as they were only ever here for the draw. However i do agree we could have give our wide players better service and maybe played it on the floor a little more. Seemed as if we were still in gear one.

 

We are not far off the "real deal".

You missed my point. You cannot give wide players better service if they are not there.

[St Landrew]

Yes we scored 3 goals again BUT Pardew has a long way to go to get us competative enough to get promotion and hold our position in the Championship.

 

We are all in agreement that our results have been fantastic but many of us that go week in, week out can see we are not yet the real deal. That is what Duncan is trying to say.

 

I think we are in agreement that Saints are not the real deal yet. Even Pardew says we are not there yet, as a team.

 

But let's put it this way. If we aren't quite the team yet, but still win, then we can be reasonably satisfied, knowing that there are many areas in Saints armoury where they have to do better, and there is time to work on them.

 

If however, Saints were not winning nearly all the time, but hanging around the bottom 4, at this time of the year, then there would really be something to be concerned about. Some people might say that we're still preciously close to the bottom 4. Well yes, but only because of special circumstances. In truth, we're a top 6 team, and that is allowing for the poor run of form in the early months of this season, where the management were getting their feet under the table, and also turning around the losing mentality, that had unavoidably existed at Saints for far too long.

Edited 13 December, 2009 by St Landrew

[View From The Top]

Bern, the first half was crap and it was of Saints making. Lallana and Antonio got little service, some on here have said. That is because they were not wide to receive. They were bunched up in the middle making it easy for Tranmere.

 

Yes we scored 3 goals again BUT Pardew has a long way to go to get us competative enough to get promotion and hold our position in the Championship.

 

We are all in agreement that our results have been fantastic but many of us that go week in, week out can see we are not yet the real deal. That is what Duncan is trying to say.

 

And plenty of us that do go home and away every week do think we are the real deal.

 

In case it's passed you by but without the -10 we'd be sat in the play off positions, despite rebuilding the team, from scratch during August & September.

 

If you don't think we are competitive enough to get promoted then you're an idiot.

[krissyboy31]

You missed my point. You cannot give wide players better service if they are not there.

 

TBH nearly all of our attacking play went wide up the right hand side but their left back (easily their best player) had Antonio (easily our worst) in his pocket.

[Arizona]

What would be the point? He's banned for one game now anyway, isn't he?

 

He looked like he was bent on an early shower (no inuendo intended) to me. I think Pardew was worried about the more immediate future as opposed to any suspensions.

 

Is it five? Four unless this is wrong:

 

http://www.soccerbase.com/players_details.sd?playerid=49345

[krissyboy31]

He was offside when Bart kicked it. What happens later is irrelevant. The asistant will delay his flag until the player becomes 'active'. Have a play with this: http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/lawsofthegame.html and click on 'interactive guide to the offside law'.

 

Disagree 100%. Van Nistlerooy made a career of standing in an offside position and picking up the second phase, when played onside by circumstances. In the Prem or other top leagues in Europe, Waigo would have been adjudged onside.

[sydney_saint]

I've just looked up the exact wording:

"gaining an advantage by being in that position” means playing a ball that rebounds to him off a goalpost or the crossbar having been in an offside position or playing a ball that rebounds to him off an opponent having been in an offside position.

 

Haven't seen the incident nor know much about it but am I correct in thinking that the incident was off a goalkick? If so you can not be offside off a goal kick. Other then that you are quickly becoming my favorite poster as someone that sees the decisions without tinted specs. Officials get a ridiculous high amount of decisions correct and I am glad that there are at least some fans that can see this. From what I've read it sounds that if the incident was not off a goalkick, then the correct decision was made.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

Alright Duncan, you've got me. No, I was at home working, and listening to the commentary at the same time.

 

But that's not really the point. I was making a general observation, which is that you can't spray the ball around, like Brazil, every week. Even Brazil don't spray the ball around all the time. Sometimes, you have to win by any means you can. You can't always one-touch the ball around the opposition in little neat triangles. The fact is, is that Saints are winning nearly all the time, and by some measure of goals. Yesterday they even kept the ball out of their own net.

 

It's a busy time for me, but I suppose I'm going to have to offend a customer, put work aside, and get down there, so that I can talk on equal terms.

 

Wasn't having a go - it's just sometimes the scoreline can give the wrong impression.

Although our results have been fantastic I am not I am afraid overly impressed with the performances. We were not very good at Northampton, poor at home to Wycombe and awful in the 1st half yesterday. Tranmere were poor.

 

I would be more inclined to enthuse over this "great" run if the performances were better. Leeds will be a massive test. If we win I will start to believe.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

what's that got to do with it?

 

his point still stands. We won 3-0 whist not playing that well, what is there to moan about?

 

The debate involved the level of performance yesterday which a fan who was there pointed out was not really that impressive. Someone who wasn't there, somewhat strangely, disagreed.

 

That is what that's got to do with it.

 

Yes we won 3-0 not playing well, we are merely pointing out that it would have been nicer (and more reassuring) to have won 3-0 and played well.

 

I really can't see what's wrong with that.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

Duncan, you got your wish. Lowe went and we were relagated (again). Still not happy?

 

The last time I was gutted if we scored less than 2 goals at home Cahoon was in his prome. We are now regulalry scoring 3 goals a game...what's wrong with this picture?

 

Bern, I am a lot happier, trust me.

 

I am merely pointing out that, despite this impressive winning streak we are not actually playing THAT well.

With Leeds on the horizon and with play off expectations rising with each win that worries me (and others such as Ron) a little.

 

Surely pointing this out on a fan's forum is not heresy?

 

Some on here seem to think evidently it is.

[alpine_saint]

The debate involved the level of performance yesterday which a fan who was there pointed out was not really that impressive. Someone who wasn't there, somewhat strangely, disagreed.

 

That is what that's got to do with it.

 

Yes we won 3-0 not playing well, we are merely pointing out that it would have been nicer (and more reassuring) to have won 3-0 and played well.

 

I really can't see what's wrong with that.

 

And I get accused of finding something to moan about....

 

Compared to the drivel written on here in the first half of last season about how great we played and how we "deserved" something from a game where we were "mugged" in the last ten minutes, some people really are being fussy.

[Toadhall Saint]

I my humble opinion I think Saints play better when playing at a high tempo. Yesterday especially in the first half Tranmere did all they could to disrupt that - in effect they slowed the game to a snails pace took all the time in the world at throw ins etc. If onw was fouled they went down and made a meal of it. I think that effected us more than AL coming inside to collect the ball. Granted Antonio wasn't at his best but as I've posted elsewhere I give more credit to Tranmere for that, kept very tight on him and in the main doubled up.

[Chez]

Wasn't having a go - it's just sometimes the scoreline can give the wrong impression.

Although our results have been fantastic I am not I am afraid overly impressed with the performances. We were not very good at Northampton, poor at home to Wycombe and awful in the 1st half yesterday. Tranmere were poor.

 

I would be more inclined to enthuse over this "great" run if the performances were better. Leeds will be a massive test. If we win I will start to believe.

 

I agree that we are not playing as well as we did against Gillingha, but the the quality we have up front is getting us the wins and that same quality will be there against Leeds.My concern wouldbe that we are tonking almost everyone, but we have yet to beat any of the top 6 sides in the league, and those 6 seem to settled now and will all present real tests. Can't wait for Saturday. A shame this game was not later in the season. I'd of loved tonhave seen us to 3 or 4 tousand up there.

[derry]

Bern, the first half was crap and it was of Saints making. Lallana and Antonio got little service, some on here have said. That is because they were not wide to receive. They were bunched up in the middle making it easy for Tranmere.

 

Yes we scored 3 goals again BUT Pardew has a long way to go to get us competative enough to get promotion and hold our position in the Championship.

 

We are all in agreement that our results have been fantastic but many of us that go week in, week out can see we are not yet the real deal. That is what Duncan is trying to say.

 

Another person who understands what was happening.

[jawillwill]

Went to the game and got superb seats in block 37, row EE in the Kingsland/Northam corner. Most panoramic view in the place in my opinion.

First half was poor but not the worst I have seen this season especially in or first few games.

 

Tranmere came down and knew how to slow the game down and mark Lambert quite close. Also Saints were not their usual selves. Some slack passing and people slipping up on both sides early on. However there was nothing to suggest that Tranmere would be able to keep us out for the whole game.

 

Second half was a lot better. Saints moved up a gear or two after the first goal and walloped Tranmere in a twenty minute spell which won us the game. Passing, directness and tempo all improved.

 

Agree with everything you say except the bit in bold. I was in row FF, block 13 in the Itchen/Chapel corner a few weeks ago and they have the most panoramic views there!

[Saint_clark]

Bern, I am a lot happier, trust me.

 

I am merely pointing out that, despite this impressive winning streak we are not actually playing THAT well.

With Leeds on the horizon and with play off expectations rising with each win that worries me (and others such as Ron) a little.

 

Surely pointing this out on a fan's forum is not heresy?

 

Some on here seem to think evidently it is.

 

We may not have played that well yesterday, but I have seen us play some fantastic football.

Besides, what happened to all the people during Burleys time here who said they would be happy watching us play sh*t and grind out 1-0 wins (like Derby)?

 

It's also worth remembering that we are in League One. Average football in the leagues above us translates into good football in this one.

If anybody thinks our general play is sh*t, then they must have their eyes closed for the vast majority of games.

Edited 13 December, 2009 by Saint_clark

[Legod Third Coming]

And I get accused of finding something to moan about....

 

Compared to the drivel written on here in the first half of last season about how great we played and how we "deserved" something from a game where we were "mugged" in the last ten minutes, some people really are being fussy.

 

Absofeckinglutely.

 

What do people want?

 

Beautiful football - you had a season of that under JP. It got us relegated.

 

Winning football - we have that now (11 in 14 won - which must be bordering on our best ever results return).

 

If you want both go and support Arsenal and even then you'll find the trophy cabinet has more cabinets than trophies.

 

In case people have forgotten, we are still about 13 games old with this current squad...

 

And yet we have a bunch of experts demanding that in the third tier of English football we play like Real Madrid.

 

It's priceless, fecking priceless.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

Absofeckinglutely.

 

What do people want?

 

Beautiful football - you had a season of that under JP. It got us relegated.

 

Winning football - we have that now (11 in 14 won - which must be bordering on our best ever results return).

 

If you want both go and support Arsenal and even then you'll find the trophy cabinet has more cabinets than trophies.

 

In case people have forgotten, we are still about 13 games old with this current squad...

 

And yet we have a bunch of experts demanding that in the third tier of English football we play like Real Madrid.

 

It's priceless, fecking priceless.

 

Let's widen the debate.

 

Do you go to SMS hoping to see good football or to see Saints win?

 

Obviously the ideal answer is both but if you had to choose I guess you would say the latter.

 

In the Prem I would agree, but down in the 3rd tier I would like to see just a little more class - especially as we have spent more than others this season. Grinding out results against the likes of Wycombe, do leave me a little underwhelmed. Am I meant to apologise for that?

[teamsaint]

Even at this level , having spent money, you aren't going to get great football for 90 mins every week.

 

Against Wycombe we would have had a hatful with decent finishing.

 

Yesterday we were poor for 45 mins , but when we got chances we finished well.

 

As Brighton showed, you only have to play well (in an attacking sense) for 15 mins to win a match.

 

We went to Walsall with people saying a point would be a good result, and won with ease.

 

We are improving, and winning games. We need to keep on improving and winning.

[View From The Top]

Let's widen the debate.

 

Do you go to SMS hoping to see good football or to see Saints win?

 

Obviously the ideal answer is both but if you had to choose I guess you would say the latter.

 

In the Prem I would agree, but down in the 3rd tier I would like to see just a little more class - especially as we have spent more than others this season. Grinding out results against the likes of Wycombe, do leave me a little underwhelmed. Am I meant to apologise for that?

 

You live in LaLa land as far as I can tell.

 

If Chelsea win without playing their best they are lauded as being professional, hard to beat and having the hallmark of champions.

 

Saints do it and a bunch of what only can be described as idiots, say it's not good enough as we aren't playing like Brazil for 90mins of every game.

 

Last season, early on, under the Dutch, we played some delightful football, lost and went down.

 

Now we play expansive football when we can but above all else, we are professional and very, very hard to beat and that'll do me.

[Thedelldays]

FF... A win is all that counts

[S-Clarke]

Let's widen the debate.

 

Do you go to SMS hoping to see good football or to see Saints win?

 

Obviously the ideal answer is both but if you had to choose I guess you would say the latter.

 

In the Prem I would agree, but down in the 3rd tier I would like to see just a little more class - especially as we have spent more than others this season. Grinding out results against the likes of Wycombe, do leave me a little underwhelmed. Am I meant to apologise for that?

 

Well for me, I go to see us win and if we win in the 93rd min after being battered, i couldn't give a damn. 3 points is 3 points.

 

You don't get extra points for passing it or playing better, so if we can be professional and close games out when we need to, then that's fine with me.

 

I see some people saying that we won't do well in the championship playing like this...well we're not in the championship, let's get there first and then approach it differently.

 

Pard's is a clever manager and has got Reading promoted from this league - he knows how it works. I would say the quality in the league has gone up a notch this year, but i certainly wouldn't be expecting to see any sort of class in L1, and if you're going to games expecting that then you're going to be a bit underwhelmed all year.

 

Just enjoy the wins, we haven't been on a run like this since the 80's.

[Legod Third Coming]

Let's widen the debate.

 

Do you go to SMS hoping to see good football or to see Saints win?

 

Obviously the ideal answer is both but if you had to choose I guess you would say the latter.

 

In the Prem I would agree, but down in the 3rd tier I would like to see just a little more class - especially as we have spent more than others this season. Grinding out results against the likes of Wycombe, do leave me a little underwhelmed. Am I meant to apologise for that?

 

First and foremost I go to see us win.

 

Over a decade we won fewer games than any team in the land - ANY team.

 

Finally, we are winning football matches.

 

Against Bristol Rovers we played great football and lost, and people moaned. Not me - because I had seen effort and applicaton which is and always has been what I ask from my team.

 

The following week we played worse and beat the Gills 4-1. And no one moaned.

 

Since then we have become the form team of the division - demolishing Wallsall (previously unbeaten in six) or grinding out 1-0 wins against Wycombe (also on a good run, 3 wins from memory). And then beating Tranmere (also having won three on the spin) 3 -0.

 

What are you expecting???? 6 -0 and goals from the halfway line?

 

I have one aim this season. Win the next game.

 

If we do that we will be in the Championship next season.

 

If we entertain we could end up anywhere, including the Royal Opera House for all that's worth.

 

If you want a guarantee of entertainment, buy a ticket for Peter Kay.

 

If not, accept that we will win pretty, win ugly and, I sincerely hope not, occasionnallly get turned over.

 

Winning matters, all else is pointless.

 

We are in the third tier, you're unlikely to bump into Messi any time soon...

 

Were you underwhelmed when WGS ground out results against Bolton?

[S-Clarke]

you've said it better than i did, Legod. spot on.

[Weston Saint]

If we are not going to play football pleasing on the eye for a fair amount of time then count me out. I can sit home in the armchair watching the videprinter latest scores as we grind out results.

 

Winning is the number one priority for the team and for the supporters but if it is not good football many will find no desire to go and watch the experience

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

 

Winning matters, all else is pointless.

 

 

Silly thing to say .

 

Everyone wants to see their team win as often as possible but to say that is everything is not a philosophy I could sign up to . Many things matter in sport - integrity , talent , excitement , drama - if I just wanted to see victories and nothing else I'd follow Man Utd or Chelsea like so many do .

 

'Victory is Everything' sounds a tad too much like 'Greed is Good' for me thanks .

[Legod Third Coming]

If we are not going to play football pleasing on the eye for a fair amount of time then count me out. I can sit home in the armchair watching the videprinter latest scores as we grind out results.

 

Winning is the number one priority for the team and for the supporters but if it is not good football many will find no desire to go and watch the experience

 

The ground will be full.

 

I too would like to see good football.

 

Last year I watched loads of it.

 

Now I get to watch Wycombe and Hartlepool as a result.

 

Answer me this, four years in this division playing pleasing on the eye football?

 

Promotion in five months?

[Fitzhugh Fella]

First and foremost I go to see us win.

 

Over a decade we won fewer games than any team in the land - ANY team.

 

Finally, we are winning football matches.

 

Against Bristol Rovers we played great football and lost, and people moaned. Not me - because I had seen effort and applicaton which is and always has been what I ask from my team.

 

The following week we played worse and beat the Gills 4-1. And no one moaned.

 

Since then we have become the form team of the division - demolishing Wallsall (previously unbeaten in six) or grinding out 1-0 wins against Wycombe (also on a good run, 3 wins from memory). And then beating Tranmere (also having won three on the spin) 3 -0.

 

What are you expecting???? 6 -0 and goals from the halfway line?

 

I have one aim this season. Win the next game.

 

If we do that we will be in the Championship next season.

 

If we entertain we could end up anywhere, including the Royal Opera House for all that's worth.

 

If you want a guarantee of entertainment, buy a ticket for Peter Kay.

 

If not, accept that we will win pretty, win ugly and, I sincerely hope not, occasionnallly get turned over.

 

Winning matters, all else is pointless.

 

We are in the third tier, you're unlikely to bump into Messi any time soon...

 

Were you underwhelmed when WGS ground out results against Bolton?

 

Well like I said in the Prem, staying there was our goal.

I did think under WGS we played some of our most dreary of football, but it got results.

 

Maybe in the old days having MLT on the pitch meant whatever the drudgery there was always going to be a moment of pure class.

 

Lambert's goal yesterday was worth paying £20 for but like I say, and in line with Weston Saint's views - sometimes the armchair and Jeff Stelling is the more tempting.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

The ground will be full.

 

I too would like to see good football.

 

Last year I watched loads of it.

 

Now I get to watch Wycombe and Hartlepool as a result.

 

Answer me this, four years in this division playing pleasing on the eye football?

 

Promotion in five months?

 

The latter of course.

 

But it would be nice to do it with just a little more panache.

 

Remember that feeling after we spanked Spurs in the Cup at SMS. That was a real chest out performance.

[NickG]

Is 40 goals scored, 18 conceded - in 15 games - grinding out results?

 

Yesterday was another comfortable win.