Saints Vs MKDons - Post Match Reaction.

[saint_stevo]

agreed fonte didnt look comfortable at all tonight

[Andy_Porter]

That email seems to suggest there will be no general sale, either to fan on database or not if they didn't make it to area finals. Can anyone confirm? Surely with a stadium as big as wembley they would be shooting themselves in the foot?!?

 

STH get two and people who went to the area final get one. That will be most the allocation gone I'd have thought.

[saintmonkey1979]

Great night! Biggest cheer for ages at the final whistle - we're going to wembley!!!

 

We started really well, quick, incisive and in their faces - we deservedly went 2 goals up. Papa's movement and pace was pulling their back 4 all over the shop and that let Lambert get through to score...

 

the 2nd goal was fantastic, you won't ever see a better OG. Antonio over-ran it...keeper came to claim it, their player decided to also boot it and it rebounded off another of their defenders and into the net - who cares though!

 

I thought after that it could be any score, because we were rampant...but we got to about 35-40mins and just took our foot of the gas totally, kind of went into ''cruise'' mode - which we can’t do very well. They got a goal back, which was lucky from their point of view, but also pretty poor defending from us.

 

2nd half they huffed and puffed, but they never created anything clear cut and I’d say we were quite comfortable, without ever pushing that hard ourselves (it turned very scrappy). 3rd goal probably flattered us slightly on the night, but it's a deserved win taking in both ties - but let's not underestimate Carlisle...we're going into this as red hot favorites now, which brings it's own pressures…

 

ratings...

 

Kelv - 7 - didn't have to do much tbf, his distribution was a bit iffy at times though

 

Harding 7 - good to see him back, solid as you'd expect - but not as attacking as I’ve seen him in previous games.

 

Jaidi - 7 - good to see him back as well, won most in the air...but tried at times to play a bit too much on the dock and got into trouble, but he's still one of our best CB's

 

Fonte - 8 - untroubled, defends with ease - really like him, way too good for this level, clear to see.

 

Thomo - 7 - If there's one thing you can be sure about with Thomas, is that he'll get up the ref's nose most games. He was solid though - wasn't tested too much tbf.

 

Antonio - 6 - quite quiet in all honesty, he had a few runs at them and helped get the 2nd goal…but he wasn't as involved as he was for the first leg.

 

Morgan - 6 - iffy IMO - when the game turned scrappy he lost it a bit, started giving the ball away and losing tackles etc - good decision to sub him for wotton.

 

Hammond - 8 - fantastic surprise to see him back and he made a massive difference IMO. In their faces all game, didn't let their midfield settle and led as you'd expect him too. We've really missed him.

 

Lallana - 8 - another good game from adam...first 30-35mins he was everywhere, they couldn't contain him. Nice to see him finish it off with a goal too.

 

Lambert 8 - close to his best IMO - tired a bit towards the end, but they couldn't handle him in the first 30 mins, his clever forward play (along with papa) was creating openings time and time again. It was interesting to see him taking all the set pieces (corners etc) - he's got the ability to bend a fantastic ball, so we might as well utilize it from other situations.

 

Papa - 8 - thought he played really well, ran his socks off and he gives us a dimension which I think we've lacked in some games - someone to run beyond the last defender, it makes a huge difference.

 

Got to agree in general with those all bar Jaidi maybe should be a 6. I thought he looked a bit off the pace and IMO had his least impressive (that is no slight on him by the way, as he has been solid for us all season when selected) game in red and white, although he did add some strength and extra experience. Good result though and a great atmosphere to boot. Wembley here we come

[Saint_Ash]

Excellent result, great atmosphere. We started off with one thing in mind and that was to get a couple of early goals which we did, came out the blocks firing and was great to see! Couple of defensive errors between Jaidi and Fonte but this was the first time they'd played together, I'm sure in the league with both of them not much will get through, chopping and changing the centre backs is hurting us but we've had to do that.

[EBS1980]

STH get two and people who went to the area final get one. That will be most the allocation gone I'd have thought.

 

I don't know how many season ticket holders we have but not all of them are going to buy 2 tickets and i'd imagine alot of those would have also gone tonight so i'm sure there will be tickets for the rest of us, just a case of how many...

[S-Clarke]

agreed fonte didnt look comfortable at all tonight

 

i think it was more down to him playing with Jaidi for the first time - he did defend well when he needed to IMO - kind of played in first gear, came across a bit casual at times (which maybe made him look a bit iffy to some)...but thats because he's too good for this level tbh.

[Give it to Ron]

First 35 mins we were very good, pace, width, battling well in midfield then lost control and were second best until the 3rd goal.

Jaidi won loads of headeers but made too many mistakes with his laid back approach.

Ref was bloody awful far too fussy and never let it flow.

I was amazed at only 3 extra minutes.

 

Some good substitutions by Pardew especially keeping Thomas out of trouble.

 

Are we the only fans that go 3 up and are panicking?

[Weston Saint]

Saints out of the block well and at 2-0 up we looked comfortable but then we reverted to our old problematic self. Mind you we never looked like losing the tie. We were by far the better team.

 

Davis does worry me. He is a stopper but that is all.

 

Thomas played well and should be our first choice until Murty back. Solid game

 

Fonte missed a couple of headers but otherwise solid.

 

Jaidi immense when using his head but not so good when he used his feet.

 

Harding showed why he should be first choice. Excellent game. Has been unwell and even had a hospital visit for suspected appendicitis. Probably why Pardew benched him until he was fully fit.

 

Lallana his usual tricky self and another goal

 

Schneiderlin very quiet and ineffective tonight

 

Hammond looked off the pace a little which is to be expected but did enough to suggest he has been missed.

 

Antonio made a few decent runs but his positioning and crossing needs major improvement

 

Lambert his usual self scoring again after a great hold p and pass by Waigo. Taking all the set pieces now including corners. Great delivery. Virtually every corner caused MK Dons defence problems

 

Waigo frightened the life out of the MK Dons defence. Fast, tricky, aware of where his team mates were, accurate passing most of the time. My MOM

 

Pardew got his win but it worries me that he seems not to be able to get his team, when on top, to continue the momentum.

 

Oh and Cortese has introduced a new rule. All non football staff now have to pay £4 parking charge on match days. Had the email today and tonight confirmed by the parents of a member of staff who sit behind me. It was they who told me about Hardings recent illness.

 

Good win in the end. Wembly here we come. So in recent era we have a hat trick. Old Wembly, Cardiff and New Wembly.

[Andy_Porter]

I don't know how many season ticket holders we have but not all of them are going to buy 2 tickets and i'd imagine alot of those would have also gone tonight so i'm sure there will be tickets for the rest of us, just a case of how many...

 

14,000 STH x 1.5 = 21,000 -

 

28,000 - 14,000 = 14,000

 

21,000 + 14,000 = 35,000 - That's probably what our allocation will be, can't see many tickets going on general sale tbh.

[Saints foreva]

What a fantastic day, what a fantastic atmosphere.

 

Fully deserved, well done Pardew and the team.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

On paper our players are good but something is still not gelling.

 

A lot of our problems are in the head. We have no composure and no leadership. Waigo and Antonio have good points but both are erratic - great coming off the bench but over 90 minutes both are light weight.

 

In my opinion , Wayne Thomas was an absolute disgrace - he should have been sent off tonight. Having been booked 5 mins earlier he then chose to run across the pitch to assault a MK player who had just committed a foul. He was a lucky person to stay on the pitch. At that point there was only 2 goals in it and with us down to 10 men, it could have been awkward. As an experienced pro he should have controlled himself and even as he went down the tunnel he had to be restrained from approaching Ince.

 

If ever this team needed a Jimmy Case/Alan Ball type figure it is now.

 

I do feel once we get this problem sorted we can build but at present we suddenly get shambolic under pressure.

 

Sorry to rain on a happy parade. It is marvellous that Southampton are going to have a day at Wembley but there remains an awful lot of work before we can be regarded as a solid outfit.

 

MK Dons were without their main forwards (Puncheon and Easter) and yet they still caused us awkward moments.

We flattered to deceive but now we are there I hope it is an enjoyable day - but if I was AP I would be far from relaxed tonight because there are still massive deficiencies in our makeup.

[revolution saint]

14,000 STH x 1.5 = 21,000 -

 

28,000 - 14,000 = 14,000

 

21,000 + 14,000 = 35,000 - That's probably what our allocation will be, can't see many tickets going on general sale tbh.

 

I'd expect our initial allocation to be around that number but get the impression we could probably take as many as we wanted. My guess is we could end up with an allocation of near 50,000 if we could sell them - I think we'll end up around the 45k mark.

[Mozz]

In my opinion , Wayne Thomas was an absolute disgrace - he should have been sent off tonight. Having been booked 5 mins earlier he then chose to run across the pitch to assault a MK player who had just committed a foul. He was a lucky person to stay on the pitch. At that point there was only 2 goals in it and with us down to 10 men, it could have been awkward. As an experienced pro he should have controlled himself and even as he went down the tunnel he had to be restrained from approaching Ince.

 

Probably lucky the yellow wasn't a red as well.

 

Kicked Lewington from standing well after the whistle had gone for the Saints free kick.

[MadDogMatt]

great night - a well deserved win

 

and ITK for a pub opening at 10 Saturday for regulars:)

[saint lard]

Just got back,over the moon to be going to Wembley but a really poor performance imo.

[doddisalegend]

Probably lucky the yellow wasn't a red as well.

 

Kicked Lewington from standing well after the whistle had gone for the Saints free kick.

 

Thomas is that sort of player watching him against Ipswhich he was constantly sticking in an elbow or pushing people in the back. He's a brute and a bully but sometimes you need a player like that as long as he doesn't get sent off.

[JustMike]

Thomas was quality imo, showed a set of balls ad leadership, something i which we have been lacking of late. Red card for him? No way, the booking he deserved but did nothing wrong in the bit that followed. He went for ince afterwards because there lot and ince were blatently trying to get him sent off for nothing.

[Jonnyboy]

Thomas was quality imo, showed a set of balls ad leadership, something i which we have been lacking of late. Red card for him? No way, the booking he deserved but did nothing wrong in the bit that followed. He went for ince afterwards because there lot and ince were blatently trying to get him sent off for nothing.

 

He was an idiot for steaming across to start on the Dons.

 

Even after the whistle he came back on the pitch and was arguing with one of theirs when the rest of the team were enjoying the win with the fans

[Kingsbridge Saint]

Terrific result against a decent team and an awesome attendance. Great to be going to Wembley - have to find it on streaming somewhere as its a long old poke from Brisbane. Hoping for a similar result Saturday!!

[DG]

Off to Wembley baby!

 

Great first half, crap second half but who cares. The ref was awful, their goal was comical and 9 + 3 are complete ****s! lol @ Thomas for waving them goodbye and having a go at Ince too.

 

The Northam looked great by the way.

[Um Bongo]

Thomas was just showing some passion. The ref showed some commen sense in saying 'Look, calm down, there's only 3 minutes left'

 

Kick off for the Final last year was 13.15 - Hope they put it back to 3/4 for this year!

[Block 5]

Thomas had a go at Ince as he walked off. AP had to drag him away.

[saint_stevo]

Loved Thomas giving the full back some grief as he left the pitch and then giving it to Ince as well!

[Saint_clark]

Waigo MOTM.

Thomas is a legend.

Jaidi looked really dodgy, Seaborne looked better in his last two appearances.

Ref was terrible, never let the game flow. Blew for absolutely anything. Except hand balls. They're allowed.

All I can manage right now.

[tommi]

Very happy to be going to Wembley but Jesus Christ we are terrible. So one dimensional, everything goes long to Lambert, where has the incisive, 2 touch passing gone which served us so well through Oct/Nov and early December? We seem to be a shadow of the team we were.

 

Play like that and we will get murdered on Saturday.

 

But tonight, Wembley here we come!!!

[saint_stevo]

Not been for a few weeks.......but how long have we been a long ball team? Morgan and Hammond (who must have given away 189 fouls tonight) get bypassed by the lumping from the back aimed at Lambert. All a bit one dimensional

[John B]

Very good result but poor game.

 

Somebody behind me said we were **** after an hour I disagreed with him but at the end agreed with him.

 

Thomas was a disgrace arguing all the time lucky not to get a second yellow

[Saint_clark]

Am I the only person who thought we were actually fantastic in the first half and then just a bit more conservative in the second? It's certainly the best i've seen us for a while.

[John B]

Am I the only person who thought we were actually fantastic in the first half and then just a bit more conservative in the second? It's certainly the best i've seen us for a while.

 

We were OK for half an hour or so up to the second goal I thought but after that pretty dire

[benjii]

On paper our players are good but something is still not gelling.

 

A lot of our problems are in the head. We have no composure and no leadership. Waigo and Antonio have good points but both are erratic - great coming off the bench but over 90 minutes both are light weight.

 

In my opinion , Wayne Thomas was an absolute disgrace - he should have been sent off tonight. Having been booked 5 mins earlier he then chose to run across the pitch to assault a MK player who had just committed a foul. He was a lucky person to stay on the pitch. At that point there was only 2 goals in it and with us down to 10 men, it could have been awkward. As an experienced pro he should have controlled himself and even as he went down the tunnel he had to be restrained from approaching Ince.

 

If ever this team needed a Jimmy Case/Alan Ball type figure it is now.

 

I do feel once we get this problem sorted we can build but at present we suddenly get shambolic under pressure.

 

Sorry to rain on a happy parade. It is marvellous that Southampton are going to have a day at Wembley but there remains an awful lot of work before we can be regarded as a solid outfit.

 

MK Dons were without their main forwards (Puncheon and Easter) and yet they still caused us awkward moments.

We flattered to deceive but now we are there I hope it is an enjoyable day - but if I was AP I would be far from relaxed tonight because there are still massive deficiencies in our makeup.

 

What a load of crap. I can't believe someone who is a historian of the game has such a limited understanding of what it takes to play football. I can only assume you were rubbish at it.

 

Apologies for any offense caused or if I have upset you but that is a quite flabbergasting post.

[Saint_clark]

We were OK for half an hour or so up to the second goal I thought but after that pretty dire

 

As I said at the time, it is no coincidence that the atmosphere died minutes before the tempo from the players went the same way.

[benjii]

Am I the only person who thought we were actually fantastic in the first half and then just a bit more conservative in the second? It's certainly the best i've seen us for a while.

 

This is correct, you are not alone.

 

We absolutely dominated them for the first 45 (for the third time this season - not easy against any professional team from a comparable level).

 

Second half they improved; not surprising, but we never looked like conceding again.

 

I was dismayed at the lack of fortitude and panic shown by some in the stands. Just glad our players are built of sterner stuff.

[saint_stevo]

we were on top for 35minutes. Not 45. They ended the half very much on top and the second half was dire

[John B]

This is correct, you are not alone.

 

We absolutely dominated them for the first 45 (for the third time this season - not easy against any professional team from a comparable level).

 

Second half they improved; not surprising, but we never looked like conceding again.

 

I was dismayed at the lack of fortitude and panic shown by some in the stands. Just glad our players are built of sterner stuff.

 

We were not very good and MK Dons were a lot worse

[Saint_clark]

I have to give credit to MK Dons for closing Lallana out of the game in the second half.

[benjii]

We were not very good and MK Dons were a lot worse

 

You're right actually. I won't be happy until our League One team is regularly playing like Brazil and beating the cream of Europe.

[Tractor_Saint]

Not even having 3 points on my licence and a £60 fine on the M27 on the way back can stop me from smiling about the game. Didn't think that telling the Officer that I wanted to see what was being said on SaintsWeb would have helped my cause tbh.

 

 

 

A few more crowd vids to follow once they have uploaded....

[Greedyfly]

Always play your best team.....

 

Shame Saints forum doesn't have a 'Like This' option.

 

Just saw the team before the result, spoke to my old man at the game (Im in Oz before we get the 'Im a better supporter than you are' clan out) and I knew we had won before seeing the final score. I've been told we looked impressive and lively. This is our strongest team bar Connelly who may well of been on the bench anyway and this should be the team playing week in and week out in my very far but fairly well informed opinion.

 

Great result and lets make it 2 in 2 this week.

[Saint_clark]

Quality vids, the own goal was the best i've seen.

[RedAndWhite91]

Pathetic attendance from MK Dons fans, but terrific from ours. I'd like to see the extra 10000 there week in, week out, but hey ho. Terrific win and I'll see you all at Wembley.

 

I would have won £25 if it was 2-1. Bloody hell Lallana :mad:

[Saint_clark]

I had £2 on Lambert first winning 4-0, and £2 on Hammond last winning 4-0. If they had both come in I would have won just under £800.

[Nineteen Canteen]

On paper our players are good but something is still not gelling.

 

A lot of our problems are in the head. We have no composure and no leadership. Waigo and Antonio have good points but both are erratic - great coming off the bench but over 90 minutes both are light weight.

 

In my opinion , Wayne Thomas was an absolute disgrace - he should have been sent off tonight. Having been booked 5 mins earlier he then chose to run across the pitch to assault a MK player who had just committed a foul. He was a lucky person to stay on the pitch. At that point there was only 2 goals in it and with us down to 10 men, it could have been awkward. As an experienced pro he should have controlled himself and even as he went down the tunnel he had to be restrained from approaching Ince.

 

If ever this team needed a Jimmy Case/Alan Ball type figure it is now.

 

I do feel once we get this problem sorted we can build but at present we suddenly get shambolic under pressure.

 

Sorry to rain on a happy parade. It is marvellous that Southampton are going to have a day at Wembley but there remains an awful lot of work before we can be regarded as a solid outfit.

 

MK Dons were without their main forwards (Puncheon and Easter) and yet they still caused us awkward moments.

We flattered to deceive but now we are there I hope it is an enjoyable day - but if I was AP I would be far from relaxed tonight because there are still massive deficiencies in our makeup.

 

Fair assessment and I to worry about the contribution of Waigo and Antonio who are very lightweight and rarely win the ball back after invariably getting caught or giving it away cheaply. Papa did run around a lot and managed to keep himself on side (can't remember him being caught at all tonight) but there was really very little to get excited about from these two.

 

We struggled again in CM and couldn't decide if Hammond has been rushed back or just needed the game after being out for a while. Not the performance he was giving before Christmas.

 

An enjoyable first half helped by the comedy of their own goal but we were poor in the 2nd and if we carry on like that on Saturday we will be well beaten.

 

Pardew's programme notes we're very interesting with regard to his decision at the start of the season to focus on the knockout competitions because of the difficulty of overcoming a 10 point penalty, explains why we haven't been fielding weakened sides. Clearly, reading his notes you don't need to be Sherlock Holmes to detect a difference in opinion with regard the club's objectives for this season and unless Pardew and Cortese get themselves on the same page and quickly there will be trouble ahead and quite needlessly IMO. Surely, the two of them agreed this approach at the start? There are questions to be answered about the team gelling but a bit early for Cortese to be applying the screws IMO.

[benjii]

Anyone who worries about Waigo's contribution at League One level is a shin-pad short of a football kit IMO.

[Deanovski]

mk dons are so **** we are their bogey team.

[Saint_clark]

mk dons are so **** we are their bogey team.

 

Tell me about it, I really want to win at their place in the league now just so we can say we beat them 4 times this season

[Deanovski]

Tell me about it, I really want to win at their place in the league now just so we can say we beat them 4 times this season

 

who are our bogey teams other than preston ?

[Nineteen Canteen]

This is correct, you are not alone.

 

We absolutely dominated them for the first 45 (for the third time this season - not easy against any professional team from a comparable level).

 

Second half they improved; not surprising, but we never looked like conceding again.

 

I was dismayed at the lack of fortitude and panic shown by some in the stands. Just glad our players are built of sterner stuff.[/QUOTE]

 

LOL - I had the misfortune of sitting in front of a female supporter who started shrieking in desperation after their goal as if they had just gone 1 up after 85mins. Thereafter, her shrill pleading and slagging off of our players at every opportunity just about kept the second half entertaining. The best moment was after Lallana scored and she shrieked come on Saints lets bury them!

[Tractor_Saint]

Not even having 3 points on my licence and a £60 fine on the M27 on the way back can stop me from smiling about the game. Didn't think that telling the Officer that I wanted to see what was being said on SaintsWeb would have helped my cause tbh.

 

 

 

A few more crowd vids to follow once they have uploaded....

 

Couple more from the 12th man on the pitch. Crowd were amazing - well done everyone!

 

 

 

BTW - for those betting folks, I had Saints to win 4-1 at 60/1 - would have paid for my speeding fine ffs.

[shurlock]

who are our bogey teams other than preston ?

 

Can't f**king stand watford.

[Nineteen Canteen]

Anyone who worries about Waigo's contribution at League One level is a shin-pad short of a football kit IMO.

 

His contribution was ineffective and his final delivery poor. He kept getting caught in possession but that was in part to having a lack of support at times but he reminds me to much of BWP. A weapon in Pardews armoury better released from the bench. Now can I have my shin pad back?