Saints 1-0 Luton - Reaction

[VectisSaint]

That's one way of looking at it. What's more than likely is to find ourselves away to the likes of Doncaster and getting our arses handed to us on a plate. There should be a massive emphasis on us getting into the play off's and this was another chance to rest up more players. I am fully aware we have a week to get over it, but we have hardly been setting the grass alight of late.

 

By the time we get in players and get them up and running the damage could be too big to recover from. Cortese says his main priority is the league, well he had better have a word with Pardew because I don't believe he has caught on to that bit yet.

Well, you are in a small minority. I guess then that you have not read AP's comments on the OS. Clearly he thinks we should give it our best shot AND he has had a word with NC and ML to ensure they understand the meaning of the FA Cup which most football supporters in this country also understand. We employ prefessional footballers, they are paid to play football and enjoy playing games (rather than training). They have a week to recover. There is no earthly justification to rest players at this stage.

 

In the end the team was affected by too many enforced changes, and you might even argue that Bart was rested to give Davis a game - will be interesting to see who is picked for the next league game. Conolly and Jaidi were not risked either, how badly are they really injured. And as for the fatuous comment about Donny Rovers, if we get drawn against them then I would fully expect us to get at least a draw, if not a win and we could then stick their train picture up their arse.

 

Bring on R4 of the FA Cup - the greatest club cup competition in the world, we will be the 2nd lowest rnaked club and we can provide an upset at least if we get a home draw.

[ottery st mary]

I think the picture of the train is a VERY important part of our History......I will endeavour to retrieve this from the car boot sale whenever it is put up for sale by whoever was given it on the clearance at SMS.

[Legod Third Coming]

Well, you are in a small minority. I guess then that you have not read AP's comments on the OS. Clearly he thinks we should give it our best shot AND he has had a word with NC and ML to ensure they understand the meaning of the FA Cup which most football supporters in this country also understand. We employ prefessional footballers, they are paid to play football and enjoy playing games (rather than training). They have a week to recover. There is no earthly justification to rest players at this stage.

 

In the end the team was affected by too many enforced changes, and you might even argue that Bart was rested to give Davis a game - will be interesting to see who is picked for the next league game. Conolly and Jaidi were not risked either, how badly are they really injured. And as for the fatuous comment about Donny Rovers, if we get drawn against them then I would fully expect us to get at least a draw, if not a win and we could then stick their train picture up their arse.

 

Bring on R4 of the FA Cup - the greatest club cup competition in the world, we will be the 2nd lowest rnaked club and we can provide an upset at least if we get a home draw.

 

Quite right. What exactly should Lallana have been doing today?? Playing golf or Wii fit??? So he had to play 90 minutes. Let him have the rest of the week off if he's tired. That's seven full days to recover.

 

Footballers are like racehorses. They can either run up the hill at home or on the racetrack. The difference being, you get feck all for running up a hill...

[doddisalegend]

To put it in some perspective the stats show we had had more possesion, more attempts both on and off target and more corners. Would liked to have won 10-0 but some times it doesn't work that way. We're through thats all that matters. I think today shows we need more strength in depth if we play our strongest team (as we should) you can't see any match changing subs on the bench, we need more quaility on the bench. we have a large squad but its short on good players.

 

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/8433989.stm

[NickG]

8 wins, 2 defeats in last 10.

[JustMike]

load of carp that was, very lucky to have won. Antonio can go back to Reading now imo and Thomas proved he is not a CB.

[John B]

8 wins, 2 defeats in last 10.

 

I know they are the Stats but I dont think the team is playing as well as it was a month ago.

 

 

The constant tinkering of the team cant really help

[SO16_Saint]

i know we all like to win in style and outplay every team we come up against, but the key thing is that we are now able to win when we're NOT playing well. a sign of a good team, surely

[JustMike]

Who was the Blue Square side more so in the 2nd half, my MOM is Chris Perry just got on with it in a quiet fashion made a couple of important tackles in the 2nd half. When was the last time our so called goal machine scored from open play? sorry he reminds me of a certain stricker playing for Reading. Our stewards let Luton fans get away with trying to incite violence even ejected one Saints fan who dared complain about it.

 

"so called goal machine" ummmm 21 goals so far, not bad for a "so called" He will score if chances get created for him, they arent of late.

[Wes Tender]

Win?

 

I did say that it was improbable, but not beyond the bounds of possibility. We are five matches away from the final and although we might easily be dumped out in the next round, we might have strengthened the team with some astute purchases this month and had time to have bedded them in by the next round. Also at the stage of the next couple of rounds, Premiership clubs start to eliminate each other and then the draws are also a lottery. There have been precedents of minnow teams progressing quite far in the past few years, notably Havant and Waterlooville and Wycombe Wanderers. At the later stages, it also becomes a matter of confidence, or playing without fear because there is little to lose for a club from the lower divisions. That is the attitude that Luton had against us and it is the mentality that we can adopt should we pull off a match against one of the big boys. The further we progress, the more the belief will increase.

[Thedelldays]

wes...behave

[Wes Tender]

wes...behave

 

If we did a Wycombe Wanderers, do you think that we are a better team now than they were then?

[John B]

I did say that it was improbable, but not beyond the bounds of possibility. We are five matches away from the final and although we might easily be dumped out in the next round, we might have strengthened the team with some astute purchases this month and had time to have bedded them in by the next round. Also at the stage of the next couple of rounds, Premiership clubs start to eliminate each other and then the draws are also a lottery. There have been precedents of minnow teams progressing quite far in the past few years, notably Havant and Waterlooville and Wycombe Wanderers. At the later stages, it also becomes a matter of confidence, or playing without fear because there is little to lose for a club from the lower divisions. That is the attitude that Luton had against us and it is the mentality that we can adopt should we pull off a match against one of the big boys. The further we progress, the more the belief will increase.

 

After a poor performance I admire your optimism but I wont be going out to back them at the bookies.

[Tractor_Saint]

Didn't think Lambert looked that good - for him - until the two freekicks, class above!

 

Just uploading those - one already done below... Was like watching two different sides during each half today. Did Luton sub two players at half time? Can't believe how much they dominated the 2nd half. Still, a win's a win

 

 

The other freekick to follow - YouTube playing up.

[John B]

Just uploading those - one already done below... Was like watching two different sides during each half today. Did Luton sub two players at half time? Can't believe how much they dominated the 2nd half. Still, a win's a win

 

 

The other freekick to follow - YouTube playing up.

 

Yes the did sub 2 players at half time not sure who they were.

[John B]

Well I didn't go but I feel Pardew see's something in Antonio that I don't and won't start Waigo upfront who is a perfect fast foil for Lambert (scored 7 odd goals and has been sub alot!)

 

Glad to get through, Luton are a good side and beat the top league two clubs to get here, and lets remember they won the Johnstons paint Trophy and they're on the up again. Of course they had NOTHING to lose and we did.

 

Whats needed is perhaps another striker but perhaps Patterson can do a job? and another defender and a left back, then we'll be okay I think.

 

Antonio was poor today but so was Waigio because he is not a left winger.

 

If he had started on the right and another striker up front I think the team would have performed better.

 

Although Lallana played well he is not a striker

[alpine_saint]

Dare i say it since Wotton was dropped the TEAM performance and dominance has dropped dramatically.

The balance just does not look right or gel

 

Interesting.

 

It was Wotton's re-introduction that started our winning run.

[mcjwills]

Who was the Blue Square side more so in the 2nd half, my MOM is Chris Perry just got on with it in a quiet fashion made a couple of important tackles in the 2nd half. When was the last time our so called goal machine scored from open play? sorry he reminds me of a certain stricker playing for Reading. Our stewards let Luton fans get away with trying to incite violence even ejected one Saints fan who dared complain about it.

 

"so called goal machine" ummmm 21 goals so far, not bad for a "so called" He will score if chances get created for him, they arent of late.

 

Umm that so called striker that is virtually guaranteed to be our highest scorer for best part 30 years, he's good enough for me

[Pat from Poole]

Interesting.

 

It was Wotton's re-introduction that started our winning run.

 

 

I think you have to look at the teams we beat in those games a couple of months ago or so, they really weren't good sides. Wotton is really just there to kick people.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

8 wins, 2 defeats in last 10.

 

Moonie alert

 

Sorry couldn't help it!

[John B]

load of carp that was, very lucky to have won. Antonio can go back to Reading now imo and Thomas proved he is not a CB.

 

Strange a number of people including me thought Thomas played quite well

[Chez]

Interesting.

 

It was Wotton's re-introduction that started our winning run.

 

the 4-5-1 formation was also a factor, and having a dedicated holding central midfielder (wotton) enabled Morgan and Hammond (and Melis) to `run free'. Note that we moved to a 4-4-2 because we started to run out of ideas and penetration. Wotton was dropped for Connelly and we immediately looked more threatening. Difficult choice. Perhaps a 4-5-1 first half and 4-4-2 in the second (bringing on Connelly AND Antonio).

 

No reason why we can't find a better WOtton to play the holding CM role.

[Chez]

Strange a number of people including me thought Thomas played quite well

and others like me didn't. Two short, slow centre backs is a real long term problem. This is a key area for improvement in my book. Trottman and Jardi looked the real deal earlier in the season. We need to find the right partner for Jardi in this window. We will not make the play offs with Perry as first choice IMO. Thomas is back up only. Never rated him. Massive mistake by Burley.

[John B]

and other like me didn't. Two short slow centre backs is a real long term problem. Key area for improvement in my book. Trottman and Jardi looked the real deal earlier in the season. We need to find the right partner for Jardi in this window. We will not make the play offs with Perry as first choice IMO.

 

I agree with what you are saying but I thought Thomas was OK today but his distribution was poor

[Tractor_Saint]

 

The other freekick to follow - YouTube playing up.

 

Actually, watching it again, had it not been for the fact he scored from the 2nd free kick, think this one was better!

 

[CLOTH EARS]

load of carp that was, very lucky to have won. Antonio can go back to Reading now imo and Thomas proved he is not a CB.

 

I thought Thomas did ok.

[Sour Mash]

Thought we were very poor today and Luton really stretched us, think the last few weeks have been shown us how far we still have to improve. However, anyone knocking Rickie Lambert needs their head testing, we aint going to get a much better striker in this league, so don't hold your breath!

[hypochondriac]

Moonie alert

 

Sorry couldn't help it!

 

He's right though...

[explorer saint]

Think we have been looking very mediocre in last month or is that just me, we now play like a mid table div 1 team, Antonio and James very poor would and should never be near a Championship team line up, maybe James just had another bad game today but Antonio very embarrasing what does Pardew see in him

[washsaint]

Chez - I would say that better holding midfielder than Wotton could be Gillett.

 

He might not be Pardew's cup of tea but since he went to Doncaster (a league above Saints) they have started winning games and moving up the table.

 

No chance of that happening though......

 

Have to say I thought Hammond was crap today.....Morgan is an unbelievable player for the ;league we are in and I'm not surprised Arsenal were/are looking at him.

[NickG]

Moonie alert

 

Sorry couldn't help it!

 

stalker alert!

[CityRanger]

load of carp that was, very lucky to have won. Antonio can go back to Reading now imo and Thomas proved he is not a CB.

 

Ok mate, and you just proved you aint got a clue!

[Channon's Sideburns]

According to the Lymington Times newspaper last week, when they covered Thomas' court case, they stated that he was off up north on loan this month.

 

Echo missed it. No surprise there then.

[OldNick]

James had a terrible game and was shown up for his lack of pace. I was in block 31 and could see why Weston and Derry have been giving him stick about his crosses after today.Saying that I don't think anybody was outstanding.Lamberts free kicks were superb though. My friend who plays for Luton I felt had a very good game. He marked Papa , got unfairly booked IMo and was decent at right back, and made a couple of important blocks in the second half.

[SuperMikey]

Patterson sounded awful when he came on, running around like a headless chicken and making rash challenges. I thought he seemed like a good prospect, but now I really do think his future lies elsewhere. Bye bye!

[ottery st mary]

James had a terrible game and was shown up for his lack of pace. I was in block 31 and could see why Weston and Derry have been giving him stick about his crosses after today.Saying that I don't think anybody was outstanding.Lamberts free kicks were superb though. My friend who plays for Luton I felt had a very good game. He marked Papa , got unfairly booked IMo and was decent at right back, and made a couple of important blocks in the second half.

 

nick is this the lad who was on loan at Salisbury and you suggested was a possible Saint one day?

[Roger]

We have to get rid of lloyd james, he is a waste of time, his corners are awful he is too slow and not tough enough. Waigo was in wrong position, antonio was awful, hammond was too. Two centre backs were good, and hammond was awful too. Morgan played well again

[John B]

Patterson sounded awful when he came on, running around like a headless chicken and making rash challenges. I thought he seemed like a good prospect, but now I really do think his future lies elsewhere. Bye bye!

 

He played quite well when he came on.

 

 

If the front six was

 

Waigio

Schenderlein

Hammond

Lallana

Patterson

Lambert

 

I think we would have had a better result

[OldNick]

Patterson sounded awful when he came on, running around like a headless chicken and making rash challenges. I thought he seemed like a good prospect, but now I really do think his future lies elsewhere. Bye bye!

Well you should go and watch rather than listen (sorry if you are sight impared) Patterson did more than Antonio did and was up on the defenders shoulders not letting them rest.He also went close to scoring.I liked him

[OldNick]

nick is this the lad who was on loan at Salisbury and you suggested was a possible Saint one day?

Yep and he'd be keen to be I suggest. Not that he has said so, just the impression I got Edited 2 January, 2010 by OldNick

[ottery st mary]

He played quite well when he came on.

 

 

If the front six was

 

Waigio

Schenderlein

Hammond

Lallana

Patterson

Lambert

 

I think we would have had a better result

 

Good stuff coach.....Patterson played really well when he came on....After a lull..the lad still shows he has what it takes.

[Clifford Nelson]

Interesting.

 

It was Wotton's re-introduction that started our winning run.

 

Wotton's re-introduction was as a defensive midfielder who could protect the defense and anchor the midfield in a 4-5-1/4-3-3 formation. I'm sure that we can find better players to play that role, but then we had to introduce Conolly, which means a 4-4-2 formation and the discussion about Wotton and a three/five man midfield a purely academic question. For as long as it lasted, though, it gave us a spine o work around, and it produced the most exciting football I have seen for many a long year.

[Rut]

 

The other freekick to follow

 

Thanks for the uploads Tractor_Saint - watching them really felt like being there. Great for us ex-pats who can't make it to the games.

[SuperMikey]

Well you should go and watch rather than listen (sorry if you are sight impared) Patterson did more than Antonio did and was up on the defenders shoulders not letting them rest.He also went close to scoring.I liked him

 

Well, I didn't go to the game, so I can't disagree with you, but what I gleamed from the commentary was that he made a couple of rash tackles and should've been carded. Maybe that was biased commentary, or maybe it was my own personal opinion. I still don't think he's good enough though, and I would've much preferred to see a semi-fit Connolly on the bench to come on for the last 10-15 minutes or Saga.

[Tractor_Saint]

Thanks for the uploads Tractor_Saint - watching them really felt like being there. Great for us ex-pats who can't make it to the games.

 

Cheers Rut - my seat is your seat and all that... Only attempt to take vids of set pieces but we seem to score from them at the moment !

[Chez]

Patterson sounded awful when he came on, running around like a headless chicken and making rash challenges. I thought he seemed like a good prospect, but now I really do think his future lies elsewhere. Bye bye!

 

whoever was describing the action to you is clueless IMO. He showed great endevour, a real sharpness, snd ju7st enough quality for a big man. The lad has it IMO. He was fantastic against Millwall and then poor in ht enext couple of home games, but apart from those two games every time I see him I see a player that will go far.

Edited 2 January, 2010 by Chez

[The Kraken]

Well, I didn't go to the game, so I can't disagree with you, but what I gleamed from the commentary was that he made a couple of rash tackles and should've been carded. Maybe that was biased commentary, or maybe it was my own personal opinion. I still don't think he's good enough though, and I would've much preferred to see a semi-fit Connolly on the bench to come on for the last 10-15 minutes or Saga.

 

The perfect example of most things wrong with this site; people who don't go to games and criticise individual players on a performance they haven't seen.

 

Saga hasn't been on the bench for many a week, he clearly wants to go. Pardew has confirmed that and cup-tieing him will reduce his value; and we have nothing to gain by playing him in a competition we are never going to win. Connolly needs rest, and this is the perfect game to allow him it.

 

But carry on. You weren't at the game so you're clearly well placed to comment.

[John Boy Saint]

We have to get rid of lloyd james, he is a waste of time, his corners are awful he is too slow and not tough enough. Waigo was in wrong position, antonio was awful, hammond was too. Two centre backs were good, and hammond was awful too. Morgan played well again

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz oh do please change the record!!

 

The poll on here sums up the performance today, at the time of writing this only 52 people have voted on the MOTM poll. We didn't seem to get out of first gear. It would have been interesting to have seen what would have happened if Luton had scored the goal that they were all lining up for in the second half........... Attendance today was the highlight of the game.

[RedAndWhite91]

Patterson sounded awful when he came on, running around like a headless chicken and making rash challenges. I thought he seemed like a good prospect, but now I really do think his future lies elsewhere. Bye bye!

 

Utterly ridiculous. You weren't at the game, how can you come to this judgement. I was well impressed with Paterson when he came on, he gave 100%, and was a breath of fresh air. He was unlucky not to have a goal. He got back and helped the midfield, and then got up and linked well with Lambert.

 

I was unsure of Paterson but if he plays like that then he'll have no problems.

[Kingsbridge Saint]

In the fourth round and going well in the League - would have settled for that at the end of September. Need to keep improving though so a new defender or two and a creative midfielder would be nice to get in the transfer window.