Saints 3-1 Exeter - Post match Reaction

[saint1977]

I think James is quality - in midfield, where his average pace doesn't really make a difference.

At RB though he does struggle on the defensive side of things, which is why I would like to see Thomas there for the time being. I think a new RB is needed in january though, as we can't keep saying "they'll do a job till Murty gets fit again".

 

Spot on. I think Hammond is fine for League 1 but James may well replace him as DMC longer-term. I like Hammond but today was another of his less effective displays rather like the Brighton game. We need a RB and new CBs urgently and need to cut 12 or so of last year's squad/academy rejects out on frees. I'd try a £750k bid for Trotmaan as PNE seem to be a bit unsettled and see if they take it.

[corky morris]

We won. I thought we were great for 15 minutes after half time & pretty poor for much of the rest of the match. I know a lot will disagree, but Exeter pressed harder than us, won more second ball, but simply dont have a Morgan or a Lallana.

That said we are winning when we play porly so onwards & upwards.

[suewhistle]

It wasn't a great game but I was just relieved after 3 and a half years abroad, and only early season and winter holiday games, to see a win!

 

I know James got a deflection for his goal: he was in front of me and completely wrong footed the defender by going inside. The space opened up, he hit it with his left and it was a worthy goal.

 

Shame about conceding. That didn't do my saints fan's nerves any good and I really didn't want to maintain my record of draws and losses but Papa put his one on one away well: I've seen enough of the bloomin' things missed. Connolly looked out of it but you do think he might grab something given half a chance. Antonio occasionally looked a bit headless, but he did work hard and was nowhere near as bad as I'd been lead to believe on here. Schneiderlin is a real asset, and one day he's just going to say "voila'" and hit a screamer; in the meantime I'll say thanks for the passing and tackling.

 

Shame not to see Jaidi but Perry still has a good head even if not the legs. To be honest Exeter played well but they really didn't offer real penetration in attack. I don't think I can afford to go to Colchester even if I could get a ticket, but there's real optimism around now and I might start saving up just in case I need to get a flight around play-off time in May.:-)

[captainchris]

Good win, frustrating win.

 

Lovely to see the stadium so full, worthy of Premiership teams, just hoping it won't be too long before we're there!

 

Exeter were determined to stop us playing football, and they did it quite well. They were the better team to start off with, and as my missus noted, our first goal was against the run of play. I completely missed the second goal, I'll have to watch the highlights tonight, but thought Papa's goal was very well taken. He's got a cool head.

 

Lloyd James was my MOTM today, he's still not a brilliant defender, despite all the practise he's getting in that position, but attacking he was very good, he deserved his goal. On the contrary, Harding, my favourite player so far this season, was poor. Tackling poor, going forward poor. Hopefully a blip. Perry was very good. Has there ever been a shorter centre back?

 

My missus (a neutral) pointed Antonio out for special mention - she thought he was very hard working, with creativity to boot. I've been critical of him in the past, and I still think he's a touch of a one trick pony, but worth a loan extention nonetheless surely.

 

3 points, however they come, is much appreciated. Winning against Colchester is an absolute must, though that'll be a toughie!

 

You say James MOTM - I say worst player on the pitch - football is a game of very diverse opinions. Whilst Harding did not set the world alight but wasn't really too bad at all...

 

We are the opposite to last year. This year on the whole playing playing some average football but winning and last year some great football at times but loosing. Exeter did remind me of us last year year at times. Played some very attractive passing football but didn't win....

[Saint Fan CaM]

Fine performance as we won, however in reality that was a shocking 2nd display against 10 men....it looked like it was us with 10! Thought Trotts and Perry were good. Hammond and Scheiderlin both OK, but as I've said before, they're too similar and hang back together too much leaving a hole at CM.

 

Antonio is not going to do the business for us unfortunately - didn't really achieve enough, although he did work quite hard in the 1st half. I can see why Lambert cannot get out of this division - he can't run.

[Jimmy_D]

'Gearing up nicely for an unlikely playoff push' according to the highlights

[niceandfriendly]

Surprised, very surprised to see Antonio get slated by some. Had a good game today and often beat his man and crossed from the byline. He's a danger to the opposition most of the time but he gives the ball away on occasions. We should enjoy those sorts of players, not berate them.

 

Perrys reading of the game is first class. What he lacks in pace he makes up for with intelligence. Hammond my MOTM, he went off the boil a little in the second half but that's because most of the balls went over his head after 45 minutes. First half he was all over Exeter. Morgan also had a decent game, I've never seen him look so 'up for it' as he was today. Chasing everything, tackling at every opportunity.

 

James had good game. Never get's praised by the fans but always (well, usually) seems to do a decent job.

 

Not the best of games but we were so dominant in the first half it was unreal. Someone said on the first page of this thread that the best team lost - lol!

 

Enjoyable day.

[SaintRobbie]

3-1 is obvious!

 

James playing so well is not.

 

Nice to see both, I look forward to eating my words on Lloyd James if he wishes to continue to step forward and prove me wrong!!

[SaintRobbie]

You say James MOTM - I say worst player on the pitch - football is a game of very diverse opinions. Whilst Harding did not set the world alight but wasn't really too bad at all...

 

We are the opposite to last year. This year on the whole playing playing some average football but winning and last year some great football at times but loosing. Exeter did remind me of us last year year at times. Played some very attractive passing football but didn't win....

 

...or maybe I was right about James afterall?

[SaintRobbie]

Coca-Cola League One Table - December 26 2009

Played and Points:

 

1 Leeds United 22 53

2 Charlton Athletic 23 47

3 Norwich City 23 45

4 Colchester United 22 42

5 Milton Keynes Dons 23 36

6 Huddersfield Town 22 35

7 Swindon Town 21 35

8 Bristol Rovers 22 34

9 Millwall 23 33

10 Walsall 22 31

11 Brentford 23 29

12 Southampton 23 28

13 Yeovil Town 23 28

14 Hartlepool United 23 27

15 Carlisle United 21 27

16 Southend United 23 26

17 Gillingham 23 25

18 Oldham Athletic 22 25

19 Exeter City 23 25

20 Leyton Orient 23 24

21 Brighton and Hove Albion 23 21

22 Tranmere Rovers 22 20

23 Wycombe Wanderers 23 18

24 Stockport County 22 14

 

[del boy]

Three points is the most important statistic

 

I thought we were far too aerial to began with and our first goal came about when we started to play passing football on the ground.

The first half became vey comfortable and half time felt good.

 

Second half started well - the plan seemed to be to move the ball around and make them run (down to 10 men). The problem is, we didnt seem to know what to do then - keep pressing as in the first half, or keep it tight and close it out - we ended up doing neither and then it all got a bit nervy.

 

But great to see 30k+ and as I said in the first line its 3 points so job done.

[Wade Garrett]

I think that if it wasn't for tomorrows game you would have seen a better second half from the team.

 

Anyone slagging off Perry (only a few) here clearly knows nothing about football.

[Tractor_Saint]

What was Itchen North like?

 

Was looking good and they were in good voice from where I was sat. Look, they were even the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow

 

[JustMike]

Spot on. I think Hammond is fine for League 1 but James may well replace him as DMC longer-term. I like Hammond but today was another of his less effective displays rather like the Brighton game. We need a RB and new CBs urgently and need to cut 12 or so of last year's squad/academy rejects out on frees. I'd try a £750k bid for Trotmaan as PNE seem to be a bit unsettled and see if they take it.

 

god no!!!! James is not the answer in midfield at all. He doesnt win headers, and miss times too many tackles.

[JustMike]

I think that if it wasn't for tomorrows game you would have seen a better second half from the team.

 

Anyone slagging off Perry (only a few) here clearly knows nothing about football.

 

Agree 100% i thought he was our best player yesterday and was also quality v Leeds. He reads the game so well and apart from one dodgy tackle didnt put a foot wrong

[Toomer]

We did enough to win the game yesterday and that is good enough for me.

[Chez]

Agree 100% i thought he was our best player yesterday and was also quality v Leeds. He reads the game so well and apart from one dodgy tackle didnt put a foot wrong

 

except when he got the wrong side on one occasion in the second half and we were left in serious trouble, not to mention giving away free kicks because he is far too small and ends up with his arms all over the attacker.

 

That said I'd agree that he had a pretty decent game yesterday, but the problem with Perry is that he doesn't win enough headers and when he does they are never clean headers that clear our lines. They often just go up in the air and we are still under massive pressure. We may not concede immediately but it gives the opportunity for the oppostion to start another attack. Compare this to how Jardi and Trottman win headers and the ball goes miles.

 

I'd add that unlike when Jardi and Trottman played together we no longer look safe at set peices. Yesterdays goal was down to Lampert being beaten in the air, but dominant centre backs like Jardi and Trottman tend to be everywhere and win everything, Perry just doesn't dominate and we are often stretched.

 

The flip side of course is his experience and the way he nips in at times. He is as honest as the day is long and throws everything at the ball - as he did yesterday. I'm perfectly happy with him as cover, but as a starting centre back against the top six sides I don't think he's quite up to it. He got asway with it at Leeds. Beckford gave him the slip time after time and on another day with better finishing he could have had a hattrick and then I wonder how many would have lauded his performance. The Huddersfield game will be interesting. He got run ragged at their place and was so bad Pardew rightly subbed him. Lets see how he handles Rhodes et al then.

Edited 27 December, 2009 by Chez

[Evil Monkey]

jason puncheon, on loan at mk dons though.crap.

 

hcdajfu.

[david in sweden]

I don't know that he'd be likely to win on yesterday's performance but if you create polls like this one....Rickie LAMBERT will never get any votes !

[S-Clarke]

I don't know that he'd be likely to win on yesterday's performance but if you create polls like this one....Rickie LAMBERT will never get any votes !

 

He's won plenty of MOTM polls before, he just seemed a little quiet yesterday thats all

 

...but he still managed to hit the bar with a 20 yarder!

[Chez]

He's won plenty of MOTM polls before, he just seemed a little quiet yesterday thats all

 

...but he still managed to hit the bar with a 20 yarder!

he's had a few quiet games recently (but still scored goals). I wonder if the service to him has got a little too long?

[jam]

he's had a few quiet games recently (but still scored goals). I wonder if the service to him has got a little too long?

 

We do have a tendency to slip into hoofball mode, which is frustrating and I don't think that it really suits Lambert.

 

I also think that he (and the team) seems better when we play the 4-5-1 or whatever, with lots of movement around him.

 

On another note, really pleased for James to get his first goal. I was hoping that would shut some of the mongs around me up, but sadly no...

[jam]

I have to say, Morgan just looks a class above most players on the pitch. Maybe he could be a little more effective and I'd like to see him get on the score sheet but he really is a pleasure to watch at times.

[DrZuess1979 the 2nd]

he's had a few quiet games recently (but still scored goals). I wonder if the service to him has got a little too long?

 

 

I noticed that !

 

Can only think of 2 balls, that where to his feet.

[david in sweden]

He's won plenty of MOTM polls before, he just seemed a little quiet yesterday thats all

 

...but he still managed to hit the bar with a 20 yarder!

 

Yes I read that but my point was ..Lambert is NOT LISTED IN THE POLL !!

[sandwichsaint]

I enjoyed it yesterday, not a particularly exciting game but a solid 'job done' and 3 points in the bank. Not sure where the 'poor atmosphere' comments are coming from? It was great to see the ground full and considering there were 8-10k occasionals in the ground I thought the atmosphere was pretty good; I was well back in block 39 and it was excellent in there, my fifth home game this season and probably the best atmosphere I've seen at home this year.

 

Winning-when-you're-not-playing-well can be the most frustrating of games and have to agree that 3-1 rather flattered Saints on the balance of play. Exeter played more football but with very little threat up front, Saints more direct and had too much for them on the day.

 

Bart 6, sloppy handling once or twice but he's doing much better than some feared. (was KD on the bench yesterday?)

James 6, bit of a mixture, got his goal and an assist but still not convincing at RB (and those calling for him to play CM clearly weren't at Leeds!)

Trottman 7, solid, not too much to do but kept it tight

Perry 7, ditto, he's doing an excellent job as a squad player, but certainly could have been sent off.

Harding 7, more offensive than in recent games, decent game yesterday in attack and defence.

Antoino 5, never really in it but fair play to AP for mixing it up with both Ant and Papa, expect to see Papa start tomorrow.

Morgan 7, good to have him back but seeing as his two jobs are 'continuity' and 'creativity' (and we had very little of either for much of the game) not sure how he's picking up 9's and MOM nominations? We were outplayed and out-passed by 10 men for long periods, surely he should have been doing something about that?

Hammond 6, another 'job done' sticker, hopefully he was saving himself for tomorrow, I'm looking forward to seeing that one.

Lallana 6, quiet game, worked hard but not too much impact today. Hopefully he was subbed out for nothing more than a rest. He will be massive for us tomorrow.

Lambert 5, not quite firing at the moment but always a goal threat. Not sure why he didn't come off at 2-0, he's stuggling with one game a week so not sure what he's going to be like tomorrow but I won't mind if he does nothing but score the winner! (and his shot against the bar at the end was about the best bit of yesterday's game).

Connolly 7, worked hard on some very limited service but rarely linked with Lambert.

Mills 3, probably ought to be judged as a LB but he doesn’t do it for me at left mid (is Holmes injured or just completely frozen out? HChaveDAJFU for 20 mins yesterday)

Wotton 5, limited impact but did what he had to (he should have played at Leeds, will he play tomorrow in a 4-5-1? I would ...)

Papa 7, excellent, prob my fave player at the moment. Unleash him tomorrow, he is will be way too good for Col U

Ref watch 8, good, unfussy, got most of it right.

Crowd 10! Good day out (if you don’t like ‘stuff’ with your football then don’t get seats in the Northam! Simples)

[ericofarabia]

I noticed that !

 

Can only think of 2 balls, that where to his feet.

 

I heard it was a bit brass monkeyish, but didn't realise it was that bad

[Chez]

I enjoyed it yesterday, not a particularly exciting game but a solid 'job done' and 3 points in the bank. Not sure where the 'poor atmosphere' comments are coming from? It was great to see the ground full and considering there were 8-10k occasionals in the ground I thought the atmosphere was pretty good; I was well back in block 39 and it was excellent in there, my fifth home game this season and probably the best atmosphere I've seen at home this year.

 

Winning-when-you're-not-playing-well can be the most frustrating of games and have to agree that 3-1 rather flattered Saints on the balance of play. Exeter played more football but with very little threat up front, Saints more direct and had too much for them on the day.

 

Bart 6, sloppy handling once or twice but he's doing much better than some feared. (was KD on the bench yesterday?)

James 6, bit of a mixture, got his goal and an assist but still not convincing at RB (and those calling for him to play CM clearly weren't at Leeds!)

Trottman 7, solid, not too much to do but kept it tight

Perry 7, ditto, he's doing an excellent job as a squad player, but certainly could have been sent off.

Harding 7, more offensive than in recent games, decent game yesterday in attack and defence.

Antoino 5, never really in it but fair play to AP for mixing it up with both Ant and Papa, expect to see Papa start tomorrow.

Morgan 7, good to have him back but seeing as his two jobs are 'continuity' and 'creativity' (and we had very little of either for much of the game) not sure how he's picking up 9's and MOM nominations? We were outplayed and out-passed by 10 men for long periods, surely he should have been doing something about that?

Hammond 6, another 'job done' sticker, hopefully he was saving himself for tomorrow, I'm looking forward to seeing that one.

Lallana 6, quiet game, worked hard but not too much impact today. Hopefully he was subbed out for nothing more than a rest. He will be massive for us tomorrow.

Lambert 5, not quite firing at the moment but always a goal threat. Not sure why he didn't come off at 2-0, he's stuggling with one game a week so not sure what he's going to be like tomorrow but I won't mind if he does nothing but score the winner! (and his shot against the bar at the end was about the best bit of yesterday's game).

Connolly 7, worked hard on some very limited service but rarely linked with Lambert.

Mills 3, probably ought to be judged as a LB but he doesn’t do it for me at left mid (is Holmes injured or just completely frozen out? HChaveDAJFU for 20 mins yesterday)

Wotton 5, limited impact but did what he had to (he should have played at Leeds, will he play tomorrow in a 4-5-1? I would ...)

Papa 7, excellent, prob my fave player at the moment. Unleash him tomorrow, he is will be way too good for Col U

Ref watch 8, good, unfussy, got most of it right.

Crowd 10! Good day out (if you don’t like ‘stuff’ with your football then don’t get seats in the Northam! Simples)

 

agree with pretty much all of that except for the Holmes stuff as I can't stand him. I thought Antonio had a decent game, he was a handful and has bounced back well from the nightmare game he had against Tranmere. I'm a massive fan of Morgan but it wasn't his best game. Hammond hussled very well today and I can see what he brings to the table even though I hope we can sign another CM in the window.

[Bailey]

A good game in front of a sell-out crowd. Great to see! Should have been a lot more comfortable in the 2nd half than it was, but nice to see us holding out and killing off the game with a third goal.

 

Special mention to Lloyd James who had a fine game. Got forward well, scored a good goal and delivered a first-class ball into the box for Trotman's goal. Was impressed with Schneiderlin once again. His passing ability is second-to-none and he's really worked on the physical side of his game this season; credit to Pardew and the management team for getting the best out of him.

 

All in all, a good result and another 3 points. Hopefully we can follow that up with a win tomorrow at Colchester, but it won't be easy, especially if we're missing Lallana who is a doubt after coming off injured yesterday.

[derry]

Lallana is the key to how well we play. Pardew has him playing narrow on top of the CM, consequently there is little room for him to be effective. The team seem to be very compact which forces them to pass it sideways or backwards whilst waiting for players to get wide or just hit it up front. Unless the team spreads out and passes and moves we aren't going to pull teams apart.

 

This way of playing reduces our effectiveness and against 10 men played into their hands. Yesterday we needed to play to the touchlines and utilise our extra man running the opposition into the ground with our movement, but we didn't. At times we were chasing shadows and often looked like we were a man short.

[SNSUN]

He's won plenty of MOTM polls before, he just seemed a little quiet yesterday thats all

 

...but he still managed to hit the bar with a 20 yarder!

 

...and provide the good assist for Papa's goal.

He was quiet, yes, but was always working.

 

There's only ten spots on the poll, you can't have everyone in there.

[Huffton]

he's had a few quiet games recently (but still scored goals). I wonder if the service to him has got a little too long?

 

Wouldn't get too worked up about it. We had a player a few years ago who would jog around aimlessly for 88mins then win the game with one flash of brilliance. Can't quite remember his name, something French sounding I think...

[Wade Garrett]

Lallana is the key to how well we play. Pardew has him playing narrow on top of the CM, consequently there is little room for him to be effective. The team seem to be very compact which forces them to pass it sideways or backwards whilst waiting for players to get wide or just hit it up front. Unless the team spreads out and passes and moves we aren't going to pull teams apart.

 

This way of playing reduces our effectiveness and against 10 men played into their hands. Yesterday we needed to play to the touchlines and utilise our extra man running the opposition into the ground with our movement, but we didn't. At times we were chasing shadows and often looked like we were a man short.

 

Actually saw Lallana move inside yesterday when there was loads of space behind the full-back. You are right, we didn't stretch the ten men across the park as we should have done.

[Weston Saint]

Actually saw Lallana move inside yesterday when there was loads of space behind the full-back. You are right, we didn't stretch the ten men across the park as we should have done.

Thing is Steve, Adam is asked to play in the middle. Frustrates me as he has shown how effective he can be wide left and coming in to a ball from the right. Derry is not blaming Lallana but Pardew's tactics.

[mcjwills]

What about the guy in 41 about row CC who thought he was the manager and slated Pardew for everything he did. According to him Pardew 'Doesn't have a clue and is an idiot.'. He even was telling the defence how to position themselves. Makes me laugh.

 

Yes Jan Portiliev ought to keep his gob shut

[The Majestic Channon]

Just seen Lloyd james's post mtch interview, yea yeah obviously yeah yeah obviously just happy to play obviously cliche yeah yeah obviously cliche just happy for the team obviously

[RedAndWhite91]

Actually saw Lallana move inside yesterday when there was loads of space behind the full-back. You are right, we didn't stretch the ten men across the park as we should have done.

 

Agree with this, there were times when there would have been perhaps more options if he had cut in behind the full back (obviously staying onside). By going inside he reduced the width, which we desperately needed at times.

[Saint_clark]

Agree with this, there were times when there would have been perhaps more options if he had cut in behind the full back (obviously staying onside). By going inside he reduced the width, which we desperately needed at times.

 

Which is possibly down to a lack of experience...

[Weston Saint]

Which is possibly down to a lack of experience...

No, it was probably instructions from Pardew

[Chez]

why does James never pass to Antonio when he is ten yards in front hugging the touchline and ready for a one on one? He crosses the ball from deep all the time. Does he just not rate Antonio?

[RedAndWhite91]

why does James never pass to Antonio when he is ten yards in front hugging the touchline and ready for a one on one? He crosses the ball from deep all the time. Does he just not rate Antonio?

 

James also rarely makes the effort to take on the defender and get to the byline. I'm sure his crosses would be a lot more effective if they weren't from the deep every single time, the keeper can read it so easily as can the defenders. It's predictable and often ineffective.

 

Unless it's from a set piece, as I'm sure Trotman would tell you.

[derry]

James also rarely makes the effort to take on the defender and get to the byline. I'm sure his crosses would be a lot more effective if they weren't from the deep every single time, the keeper can read it so easily as can the defenders. It's predictable and often ineffective.

 

Unless it's from a set piece, as I'm sure Trotman would tell you.

 

His crosses from 30+ yds out in the main are gifting the ball to the opposition. His cross for Trotman's goal was pretty square not lofted in from near the halfway line.

[derry]

Thing is Steve, Adam is asked to play in the middle. Frustrates me as he has shown how effective he can be wide left and coming in to a ball from the right. Derry is not blaming Lallana but Pardew's tactics.

 

I thought I had made that obvious Ron from my first sentence. He was much better coming in from wide and was scoring regularly, which now seems to have dried up because of this narrow role. I think it's a real waste of his effectiveness.

[RedAndWhite91]

His crosses from 30+ yds out in the main are gifting the ball to the opposition. His cross for Trotman's goal was pretty square not lofted in from near the halfway line.

 

Yep, exactly what I just said. His cross for Trotman was from a set-piece, that was the difference. More often than not his deep lofty crosses go into the hands of the keeper or onto the head of the defender.

[derry]

why does James never pass to Antonio when he is ten yards in front hugging the touchline and ready for a one on one? He crosses the ball from deep all the time. Does he just not rate Antonio?

 

Even his fluke goal should have been a quick pass inside and behind the full back to put Antonio behind the defence, and again when he and Lallana messed up a free kick in approximately the same situation a pass bypassing the wall would have put the unmarked Antonio in again.

 

He should be either giving it to Antonio early, putting it inside the fullback then/or coming inside on the burst to wall pass Antonio to the Byeline.

[RonManager]

Stopped for a beer on the drive back yesterday at a wayside pub. The only other people at the bar were 3 Exeter fans. They were of the opinion that Chris Perry was our MOM in the 2nd half, and thought we should have been 4 or 5 up by half time.

[eelpie]

Grecians match report.

 

http://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10436~47826,00.html

 

They seem to feel they were soundly defeated.

[The Majestic Channon]

Lloyd is still young and better than some of you believe IMO , or is he just the compusory scapegoat ? Dave merrington was singing his praises yesterday and pardew ( who's judgment most of us trust ?) obviously rates him, good enough for me.

[Whitey Grandad]

Even his fluke goal should have been a quick pass inside and behind the full back to put Antonio behind the defence, and again when he and Lallana messed up a free kick in approximately the same situation a pass bypassing the wall would have put the unmarked Antonio in again.

 

He should be either giving it to Antonio early, putting it inside the fullback then/or coming inside on the burst to wall pass Antonio to the Byeline.

:smt038

[Window Cleaner]

Grecians match report.

 

http://www.exetercityfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10436~47826,00.html

 

They seem to feel they were soundly defeated.

 

And so they were, is not 3-1 good enough for most people?

Today will be different,we'll get cards but there'll be no quarter in the second half, unless of course we're 3-0 up by then--which we probably won't be.

I think far too little is being made of today's effect on Saturday's game.

I said we'd ease up and so we did,no-one important got carded and they're all in the mix for today (except maybe Lallana).We got a result and everybody is there again today, what more can you ask.