Wycombe V Saints - Post Match Reaction

[egreog]

Somewhat disappointing but not really a surprise. With Saints you kind of expect a "high" to be short lived and doubts to resurface soon......such is the nature of supporting them.

 

Last night was no different following Saturdays excellent result.

 

Maybe the fact that a clean sheet was kept is a step forward as defeat would have been unthinkable.

 

Next season will not be the the stroll that many think it will be.

[Window Cleaner]

Next season will not be the the stroll that many think it will be.

 

 

 

Depends what our side will look like I suppose and who's managing it.

 

I want just one thing for next season's automatic promotion...get rid of Lallana.

to me he is an absolute waste of time and space because he misses so many chances; he did last season, he has this season and he will again next season. It is no use the other 10 lads creating rare chances in tight games like last night's for him to either blaze them over the bar, scuff them straight at the keeper or put them wide of the post.

[doddisalegend]

Yup, great post, great fan.

 

Bet you've got a massive c*ck too :shock:

 

Why would that matter to you, is yours a bit small?

 

My point still stands why would people stop going to see their team just because they're not going to get promoted? You should support your team win lose or draw if you only go when they're winning you're a plastic fan. You don't have to agree with every thing the manager says or does, you don't have to like the way they play all the time, but you should still support them. It's got **** all to do with whose the best fan or anything like that, either you support or you don't. I certainly don't consider my self saints greatest fan I can't afford a season ticket, I can't make every game but I will go to as many games as I can and sing/shout for the team all match wether they're EPL or blue square south win lose or draw and if that gives me a big **** I can live with that.

[Smirking_Saint]

Why would that matter to you, is yours a bit small?

 

My point still stands why would people stop going to see their team just because they're not going to get promoted? You should support your team win lose or draw if you only go when they're winning you're a plastic fan. You don't have to agree with every thing the manager says or does, you don't have to like the way they play all the time, but you should still support them. It's got **** all to do with whose the best fan or anything like that, either you support or you don't. I certainly don't consider my self saints greatest fan I can't afford a season ticket, I can't make every game but I will go to as many games as I can and sing/shout for the team all match wether they're EPL or blue square south win lose or draw and if that gives me a big **** I can live with that.

 

So in essence, you are a plastic ?? As you can't go to every game ??

 

I really hate when fans divulge in the c*cktest of who is the better fan. Get over it, not everyone can go to every game and considering you are one of them then there are certain sayings involving glass houses and all that.

[doddisalegend]

So in essence, you are a plastic ?? As you can't go to every game ??

 

I really hate when fans divulge in the c*cktest of who is the better fan. Get over it, not everyone can go to every game and considering you are one of them then there are certain sayings involving glass houses and all that.

 

Did you read my post? At no point did I claim to be the worlds greatet fan being plastic has nothing to do with going to every game it's any attitude of only supporting a team that is doing well. I'll ask again why would anyone stop going just becuase we won't get promoted this season? I certainly won't and if you do then f*ck I'm a better fan than you. I have no time for fans who only want to support saints if they're winning while turnning their backs the miniute things go wrong. I repeat it's got nothing to do with how many matches you go to as you say not many can get to evey game for good reasons. It has every thing to do with supporting your team the best way you can no matter how well they're doing.

[Kaiser Soze]

Worst performance since Swindon away. Absolute dog sh1t.

[Smirking_Saint]

Did you read my post? At no point did I claim to be the worlds greatet fan being plastic has nothing to do with going to every game it's any attitude of only supporting a team that is doing well. I'll ask again why would anyone stop going just becuase we won't get promoted this season? I certainly won't and if you do then f*ck I'm a better fan than you. I have no time for fans who only want to support saints if they're winning while turnning their backs the miniute things go wrong. I repeat it's got nothing to do with how many matches you go to as you say not many can get to evey game for good reasons. It has every thing to do with supporting your team the best way you can no matter how well they're doing.

 

But it is about being better isn't it ?? Like you just said, if i didn't go just because we are not winning that makes you a better fan ?

 

In my eyes thats all just BS, it doesn't bother me in the slightest what anyone else in that whole stadium is doing or doesn't do, whether they are there for free or not, just because they are there is good enough for me.

 

As long as i get a seat to watch my team thats all that matters, and as long as for instance those fans that have supported home and away this year get the in demand (like JPT final) tickets over the every now again fans which is right then it doesn't matter.

 

F*ck me saying those that only pop down now and again can f*ck off is pathetic, every team will have a certain amount of transient supporters, why does it bother you so much their reasons for being there ??

[Ian the Red]

I was there last night, it was utter crap. We played without imagination; resorting to hoof ball too often. Yes the pitch was bad, the floodlights were poor and with mist and rain conming in visibility must have been poor for all players.

 

We should be able to rise above these lowly clubs. Without Morgan, James and Connoly we lack that inventive edge. Punchy looks a good buy but went out of the game in the last 15, primarily cos we didnt pass the ball to him - there was one occasion late in the second half when I think Hamond or Wotton had the ball in the middle of the park; Punchy was unmarked wide right and the ball was played left to AL who had 3 players round him.

 

But all is not lost.

10 home games: 9 wins and a draw

6 away: 3 wins 3 draws.

 

That's 40 more points giving us 78 points. Think that might get us in the play offs. Next 5 are crucial to get us believing again, 5 wins, Walsall, Huddersfield, Tranmere, dirty Leeds and Swindon no probs and all the negative comments will disappear.

 

Remember the last 20 league games has seen us lose only 3, draw 6 and win 11. Is that really that bad??

[Clifford Nelson]

Chez, saintpat and shurlock all were at the game as was Merrington. Merrington made the same point that the centre of the pitch was poor but we should play out on the touchlines.

 

Pardew has a fundamental problem. He doesn't understand that if we tuck in, play players in the wide positions that come inside on their good foot (although Puncheon looks two footed) and default to 15 yds inside the touchline we can't play the ball around.

 

Once the central midfielders/defenders get the ball, if there isn't an immediate touchline outlet on both sides, it is going to either get booted up field or passed back then booted up field. I defy anybody to try and tell me that isn't the way we play most of our games.

 

Unless we play players on their natural side and they have the necessary pace to go outside and fundamentally want to go outside, we are not going to be a decent footballing team. Cluttering up the centre of the pitch is negative, leads to hoofball and on poor pitches neuters us.

 

If Pardew doesn't sort that out he isn't going to be allowed the time to be manager next year. At the moment there is no evidence that he can do this. One off spikes and loads of draws don't cut it.

 

It is my opinion that if there isn't overwhelming evidence that we can win this league by a mile next season he will be gone at the end of the season.

 

I think you are proven right in the mains. Like most folks I was delighted with the Norwich result, and I'm always pleased with our successes, but however hard I try I can't see a pattern of our play, apart from the one you are pointing out, i.e. to hoof the ball in the direction of Lambert's head. Your analysis of how this is happening I also think warrants merit.

 

If we are to retain the 4-4-2 formation there must be something more to it than the huffing and puffing of every other team in the division. To have better players, which seems to be AP's strategy, cannot do it in the long run since there are far too many teams in PL and CCC who will be happy to outspend us, and judging from last night, even the short perspective is doubtful.

 

We must find a strategy which allows us the confidence to take the ball down and pass it, and which deals with poor and mediocre teams hard work but limited ability.

[saint_stevo]

Worst performance since Swindon away. Absolute dog sh1t.

 

My only other away match other than last night......so happy with my away days this year!

[Smirking_Saint]

My only other away match other than last night......so happy with my away days this year!

 

Don't ever go on away day again Stevo, especially not wembley

[saint_stevo]

Chez, saintpat and shurlock all were at the game as was Merrington. Merrington made the same point that the centre of the pitch was poor but we should play out on the touchlines.

 

Pardew has a fundamental problem. He doesn't understand that if we tuck in, play players in the wide positions that come inside on their good foot (although Puncheon looks two footed) and default to 15 yds inside the touchline we can't play the ball around.

 

Once the central midfielders/defenders get the ball, if there isn't an immediate touchline outlet on both sides, it is going to either get booted up field or passed back then booted up field. I defy anybody to try and tell me that isn't the way we play most of our games.

 

Unless we play players on their natural side and they have the necessary pace to go outside and fundamentally want to go outside, we are not going to be a decent footballing team. Cluttering up the centre of the pitch is negative, leads to hoofball and on poor pitches neuters us.

 

If Pardew doesn't sort that out he isn't going to be allowed the time to be manager next year. At the moment there is no evidence that he can do this. One off spikes and loads of draws don't cut it.

 

It is my opinion that if there isn't overwhelming evidence that we can win this league by a mile next season he will be gone at the end of the season.

 

The general consensus over ere as well, i spotted The9 in the ground

 

http://saintsweb.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=20451&page=2

[Window Cleaner]

I was there last night, it was utter crap. We played without imagination; resorting to hoof ball too often. Yes the pitch was bad, the floodlights were poor and with mist and rain conming in visibility must have been poor for all players.

 

We should be able to rise above these lowly clubs. Without Morgan, James and Connoly we lack that inventive edge. Punchy looks a good buy but went out of the game in the last 15, primarily cos we didnt pass the ball to him - there was one occasion late in the second half when I think Hamond or Wotton had the ball in the middle of the park; Punchy was unmarked wide right and the ball was played left to AL who had 3 players round him.

 

But all is not lost.

10 home games: 9 wins and a draw

6 away: 3 wins 3 draws.

 

That's 40 more points giving us 78 points. Think that might get us in the play offs. Next 5 are crucial to get us believing again, 5 wins, Walsall, Huddersfield, Tranmere, dirty Leeds and Swindon no probs and all the negative comments will disappear.

 

Remember the last 20 league games has seen us lose only 3, draw 6 and win 11. Is that really that bad??

 

I doubt that even 80 points would get us into the play-offs. They are long gone, since the 3 disaster away results, Brentford,Exeter, Millwall.

To stand any chance whatsoever of making the POs it needs just 1 thing..15 wins and 1 draw.

[RonManager]

My only other away match other than last night......so happy with my away days this year!

 

I think you need to stop going to away games - that's not a good record is it?

 

I'm consoling myself by still mentally enjoying a great weekend out in Norwich and ignoring last night

[Clifford Nelson]

Just out of interest, who would you have as manager?

 

I think you are asking the wrong question. Charisma won't do it. Southampton Football Club needs a footballing strategy, and future managers needs to be interviewed as to what strategies they favour and their history in that respect. Football management, especially below the very top, is left to whatever pragmatic manager of the day. And pragmatism is our enemy, not our friend. We don't know what it's judgement is from day to day, and neither do the players. Confused players play confused football, or resorts to the lowest common denominator, which is usually the way the opposition play.

 

This club needs first of all a Sporting Director with no ambitions as a manager, but with the intelligence and experience to develop a footballing strategy. This is not a job for a manager. Then we can discuss who the manager should be.

[saint_stevo]

Don't ever go on away day again Stevo, especially not wembley

 

I am going to Wemberleee

[doddisalegend]

But it is about being better isn't it ?? Like you just said, if i didn't go just because we are not winning that makes you a better fan ?

 

In my eyes thats all just BS, it doesn't bother me in the slightest what anyone else in that whole stadium is doing or doesn't do, whether they are there for free or not, just because they are there is good enough for me.

 

As long as i get a seat to watch my team thats all that matters, and as long as for instance those fans that have supported home and away this year get the in demand (like JPT final) tickets over the every now again fans which is right then it doesn't matter.

 

F*ck me saying those that only pop down now and again can f*ck off is pathetic, every team will have a certain amount of transient supporters, why does it bother you so much their reasons for being there ??

 

 

It's got nothing to do with people who only go every now and then. If you claim to be a supporter why would you stop going if we are not going to get promoted? you haven't answered this question yet.

 

The word is supporter to be a supporter you have to support. Yeah it bothers me not becuase I want to be the saints best ever fan, but becuase I want the club to do well if people can't support the club (to the best of their ability) regardless of the teams performance on the pitch we will not do well.

 

If the unthinkable happens and we don't get promoted for years to come how well will the club do when only the hardcore come. I want supporters at this club who are here what ever happens not just here for the good bits like cup finals and promotion. Your not bothered fine good for you it bothers me and I defend my right to be bothered by it. Part of the reason this club ended up where we are is becuse people stopped turning up when things went badly, we where lucky things turned out alright for us, you only have to look down the road to see what an under committed fanbase (coupled with awful management) can do to a club. If someone is truly a supporter isn't their role to support no matter what, rather than just the good bits.

 

Thats my opinion and I stick with it.

Edited 24 February, 2010 by doddisalegend

[Saint Keith]

as soon as i saw the pitch i thought we were in trouble.

 

but you have to earn the right to play, and we didnt do that

[captainchris]

Good result for next season. This sort of performance will show Cortese that Pardew's squad is not good enough to top this division and that to get out next year means a major clear out of the fringe players in the close season and a few serious first choice replacements especially in midfield.

 

You mean it will all be ok if Pardew is given even more money and players! Come on - we can't beat teams who have spent the sum total of zero on players so how does that justify us buying another half dozen players to kick it 100yds up the pitch to nobody!

 

It's Pardew's lack of tactical nous that is the problem........

[Cabrone]

Poor result and by the sounds of it a very poor performance.

 

Playoffs or no playoffs we have got to get a darn sight more ruthless and learn how to knock over the Wycombe's of this world.

 

The rest of this season needs to be treated as a dress rehearsal for next i.e. use these games to develop a hard nosed winning mentality.

 

Consistently taking out the mediocre teams is an absolute pre-requisite for promotion - after all 3 points is 3 points whether it be against Norwich or Wycombe.

[Griffo]

Our atmosphere was one of the worst I have experienced in a good few years.

[Smirking_Saint]

It's got nothing to do with people who only go every now and then. If you claim to be a supporter why would you stop going if we are not going to get promoted? you haven't answered this question yet.

 

The word is supporter to be a supporter you have to support. Yeah it bothers me not becuase I want to be the saints best ever fan, but becuase I want the club to do well if people can't support the club (to the best of their ability) regardless of the teams performance on the pitch we will not do well.

 

If the unthinkable happens and we don't get promoted for years to come how well will the club do when only the hardcore come. I want supporters at this club who are here what ever happens not just here for the good bits like cup finals and promotion. Your not bothered fine good for you it bothers me and I defend my right to be bothered by it. Part of the reason this club ended up where we are is becuse people stopped turning up when things went badly, we where lucky things turned out alright for us, you only have to look down the road to see what an under committed fanbase (coupled with awful management) can do to a club. If someone is truly a supporter isn't their role to support no matter what, rather than just the good bits.

 

Thats my opinion and I stick with it.

 

I did answer it, problem is you can't do anything about those transient fans that you talk about, every club has them and always will.

 

We are getting decent numbers now but back in the prem we were filling the ground every week.

 

This sort of thing happens, it always will and there is nothing anyone can do about it.

 

Whatever their reason for being there, they pay their money, they may buy a pint and a pie and for those 90 minutes they are there to support the team.

[East Leake Saint]

Went to the game last night. Don't get to many these days so went full of anticipation, and as soon as I saw the ploughd field of a pitch thought it would be a dire game .

 

Bad game, sh*t pitch, naive tactics from Saints not to play wide where the only grass on the pitch was. Kelvin brilliant and comical, but without him we'd have lost. Could have won at the end but the draw was a fairer result.

 

The best bit of the game was the quick get away so back home near Nottingham by half eleven.

[derry]

Just out of interest, who would you have as manager?

 

Alex Ferguson.

[OldNick]

Alex Ferguson.

you'd moan about him as well Derry, as his players dont get to the byeline or the keeper is just a shot stopper lol

[derry]

you'd moan about him as well Derry, as his players dont get to the byeline or the keeper is just a shot stopper lol

 

Rooney is scoring nearly all his goals inside the six yd area, 7 out of the last 8 from headers most of them from byeline crosses.

 

They are for me the best footballing team in the country.

[ericofarabia]

Rooney is scoring nearly all his goals inside the six yd area, 7 out of the last 8 from headers most of them from byeline crosses.

 

They are for me the best footballing team in the country.

 

Couldn't listen to the match last night, but I see from the stats we didn't get a single corner .... probably due to nobody getting down to the byeline to put in any decent crosses.

 

A lot of the talk is about the state of the pitch. Normally the wings are about the last bit of the pitch that gets cut up on football pitches, but maybe with the pitch being used for egg chasing matches as well, the wings were equally as bad.

[derry]

Couldn't listen to the match last night, but I see from the stats we didn't get a single corner .... probably due to nobody getting down to the byeline to put in any decent crosses.

 

A lot of the talk is about the state of the pitch. Normally the wings are about the last bit of the pitch that gets cut up on football pitches, but maybe with the pitch being used for egg chasing matches as well, the wings were equally as bad.

 

Merrington and the other football reporters on here all said that the touchlines were ok. I saw a short tv cameo and the centre looked awful but the wide areas looked ok.

[The Fat Controller]

I think Saints are "too pretty" for this league. Taking the fact that weve been out of the top flight for a while, we cant seem to do very well away from home when we have to play on muddy pitches. Last night we seemed short of idea's on how to deal with the pitch and surely we should by now be able to cope with this. Last night and at Brentford we had to result in hoofing the ball long , as we seemed to lack much inventness. When we are on the carpet pitch at St Mary's it's a different scenario

[Appy]

Our atmosphere was one of the worst I have experienced in a good few years.

 

Agreed it was very subdued.

[derry]

I think Saints are "too pretty" for this league. Taking the fact that weve been out of the top flight for a while, we cant seem to do very well away from home when we have to play on muddy pitches. Last night we seemed short of idea's on how to deal with the pitch and surely we should by now be able to cope with this. Last night and at Brentford we had to result in hoofing the ball long , as we seemed to lack much inventness. When we are on the carpet pitch at St Mary's it's a different scenario

 

No it isn't. I've seen every game at SMS this season and in most of them we have been hoofing it up at Lambert. It's the way Pardew sets the team up to play with the wide midfielders tucked in and no natural left sided player.

[derry]

I think you are proven right in the mains. Like most folks I was delighted with the Norwich result, and I'm always pleased with our successes, but however hard I try I can't see a pattern of our play, apart from the one you are pointing out, i.e. to hoof the ball in the direction of Lambert's head. Your analysis of how this is happening I also think warrants merit.

 

If we are to retain the 4-4-2 formation there must be something more to it than the huffing and puffing of every other team in the division. To have better players, which seems to be AP's strategy, cannot do it in the long run since there are far too many teams in PL and CCC who will be happy to outspend us, and judging from last night, even the short perspective is doubtful.

 

We must find a strategy which allows us the confidence to take the ball down and pass it, and which deals with poor and mediocre teams hard work but limited ability.

 

Maybe we should send him 'Inverting the pyramid' so he can see there is more than two ways to play.

[OldNick]

Rooney is scoring nearly all his goals inside the six yd area, 7 out of the last 8 from headers most of them from byeline crosses.

 

They are for me the best footballing team in the country.

Even Rooney couldnt convert a lot of our crosses. The only goal Ive seeen Rooney score with his head was the one in the CL last week where the ball was flung in from 25 yards out. I do except that the rest may have come from Nani or Giggs etc.

I also believe we should get to the byeline. My father always was saying that a winger should either head fro the bye line to cross or gewt into the box where the defender is under pressure and the odds improve for the winger to get the ball across or get a penalty.

We played open football for a great deal last season and were caught time and again with a sucker punch and then this when we were winning 3-1 there were complaints because we were getting goals against. It is a delicate balance we are not Man u who have quality but a L1 side who are facing in the main battlers. Yes hoofball is not the way to play but if we win who cares? im sure Colchester are not moaning too much.

Basically we all want a winning team who play mouthwatering football, sadly NO team does so week in week out.

It is work in progress, but i also will become impatient if we do not start to look like the real deal ready for next season.

[OldNick]

 

We must find a strategy which allows us the confidence to take the ball down and pass it, and which deals with poor and mediocre teams hard work but limited ability.

Passing and pretty football does not overcome hard work week in week out.

You need the mix of the good and ugly, that is where our club and some fans have missed the point since relegation from the PL.

You need a couple of brute centre halves , tough tackling midfielders who run and run and then a lump of a centre forward with a moore mobile player alongside to pick up the pieces.

[saint1977]

I agree with the many postings on here saying that we were far too narrow, particularly for that surface. Lessons have not been learned from Brentford or Exeter and need to be. Fonte was immense last night and despuite the missed chance Lallana did well. When Wotton came on it reduced Wycombe's chances of winning but almost totally destroyed ours as well.

 

Holmes either needs to be played or released in the summer and replaced.

 

My real concern is Hammond. He was superb V MK and I'm told at Norwich, a game I sadly couldn't make but dreadful last night and it's not a one-off, he's had a number of other utter stinkers, not least against Brighton. Morgan can be frustrating but you'd pick him ahead of Hammond. Does Hammond want to be in the Wotton role next season - coming on for 20 mins to shore it up or as our midfield heartbeat going into the CCC? Time he added consistency and made his mind up.

[derry]

Even Rooney couldnt convert a lot of our crosses. The only goal Ive seeen Rooney score with his head was the one in the CL last week where the ball was flung in from 25 yards out. I do except that the rest may have come from Nani or Giggs etc.

I also believe we should get to the byeline. My father always was saying that a winger should either head fro the bye line to cross or gewt into the box where the defender is under pressure and the odds improve for the winger to get the ball across or get a penalty.

We played open football for a great deal last season and were caught time and again with a sucker punch and then this when we were winning 3-1 there were complaints because we were getting goals against. It is a delicate balance we are not Man u who have quality but a L1 side who are facing in the main battlers. Yes hoofball is not the way to play but if we win who cares? im sure Colchester are not moaning too much.

Basically we all want a winning team who play mouthwatering football, sadly NO team does so week in week out.

It is work in progress, but i also will become impatient if we do not start to look like the real deal ready for next season.

 

What crosses? With Utd a lot of players get to the byeline during matches, Valencia, Fletcher, both full backs, Park and Nani even Rooney, Giggs when he is fit that is why they get so many crosses in.

 

Ready for next season which is really about the next month and how we finish the season off. I fully expect a change by Cortese if we aren't the real deal by May.

[OldNick]

I agree with the many postings on here saying that we were far too narrow, particularly for that surface. Lessons have not been learned from Brentford or Exeter and need to be. Fonte was immense last night and despuite the missed chance Lallana did well. When Wotton came on it reduced Wycombe's chances of winning but almost totally destroyed ours as well.

 

Holmes either needs to be played or released in the summer and replaced.

 

My real concern is Hammond. He was superb V MK and I'm told at Norwich, a game I sadly couldn't make but dreadful last night and it's not a one-off, he's had a number of other utter stinkers, not least against Brighton. Morgan can be frustrating but you'd pick him ahead of Hammond. Does Hammond want to be in the Wotton role next season - coming on for 20 mins to shore it up or as our midfield heartbeat going into the CCC? Time he added consistency and made his mind up.

In my mind Hammond should be one of the first on the team list. I prefer him to Morgan, but that's football for you.

[OldNick]

What crosses? With Utd a lot of players get to the byeline during matches, Valencia, Fletcher, both full backs, Park and Nani even Rooney, Giggs when he is fit that is why they get so many crosses in.

 

Ready for next season which is really about the next month and how we finish the season off. I fully expect a change by Cortese if we aren't the real deal by May.

Derry please do not keep comparing a L1 teams abilities to Man u. I wasn't there last night and so cannot comment on the amount of crosses.

If Antonio played then his job is to get to the byeline and cross (or if not to the byeline still cross) same goes for any of our wide men. I myself dont think that lambert is that good in the air, he competes but doesnt dominate (Ilike him as a player a great deal). I think he didnt play as the front man at Rovers but just behind the attacker. perhaps we need a Rob Hulse type forward and Lambert alongsode to feed off the hoofs.

[LostBoys]

I think it works like this - we need to win 14 games but 7 are against teams above us. If we win those 7 then we could make it with less than 14 wins. This is based on taking the other teams results and games played and calculating end of season points pro rata to now - and I know football results do not happen like this....... We may be able to afford 2 more **** ups and still make it just.

[Saint_clark]

I think it works like this - we need to win 14 games but 7 are against teams above us. If we win those 7 then we could make it with less than 14 wins. This is based on taking the other teams results and games played and calculating end of season points pro rata to now - and I know football results do not happen like this....... We may be able to afford 2 more **** ups and still make it just.

 

Over the last four seasons the team in 6th place have finished on 75/76 points. Not sure before that.

Make of it what you will.

[AndyNorthernSaints]

Alex Ferguson.

 

Serious and realistic answer please.

[SNSUN]

Having been at a birthday bash, I had no chance of following last nights game, and looking at the scoreline and the reports, I think I'm glad I didn't.

 

If we want to get out of this league next season, we've got to learn how to play on shyte pitches. Going to Carrow Road and out playing the hosts on a good pitch is one thing, going to Wycombe or Exeter and playing crudly in a sand pit is another. We need to have a team that can perform on all pitch types, we're not in the Premiership playing on perfect grass everytime. It's a credit to St Mary's groundstaff that our pitch is as nice as it is.

 

We are too inconsistant. It has to be said, and has been, that if we go to Norwich and pick up three points, it means nothing if in the next game we undo all that good work. I maintain that the playoffs are out of reach this season. Enjoy the rest of the season, support the lads, but lower your expectations. If a miracle happens, deal with that as and when it comes, but if it doesn't come, just enjoy what I am hoping will be more good performances than bad.

 

Ironically, while last nights result was poor, if someone had offered me 4 points from the two away games, I would have taken it. The disappointment comes from knowing we're good enough to beat anyone, beat Norwich, and then falter against Wycombe.

 

No disrespect to Wycombe, from the reports, it seems that without Kelvin we'd have been stuffed, but if our aspirations are to get out of this league next year, we need to learn to the basics now. This season. Iron out the niggles, learn from them, and next season we won't make the same mistakes.

 

I can attend 5 more games this season once I move some shifts around, and I'll be at SMS, enjoying the football, enjoying the atmosphere and knowing that, despite poor results like last nights, we're on the up. UTS, don't ever drop your chins.

[derry]

Serious and realistic answer please.

 

Nigel Atkins, Paul Lambert, Sean O'Driscoll, Simon Grayson, Owen Coyle all build teams that pass the ball.

[Saint_clark]

Nigel Atkins, Paul Lambert, Sean O'Driscoll, Simon Grayson, Owen Coyle all build teams that pass the ball.

 

All unrealistic.

Can't even remember who Atkins is. Didn't he develop a special kind of diet?

[derry]

Derry please do not keep comparing a L1 teams abilities to Man u. I wasn't there last night and so cannot comment on the amount of crosses.

If Antonio played then his job is to get to the byeline and cross (or if not to the byeline still cross) same goes for any of our wide men. I myself dont think that lambert is that good in the air, he competes but doesnt dominate (Ilike him as a player a great deal). I think he didnt play as the front man at Rovers but just behind the attacker. perhaps we need a Rob Hulse type forward and Lambert alongsode to feed off the hoofs.

 

If you look back you will see it was you brought the subject of MU not getting to the byeline. I wouldn't dream of comparing the dross that passes as div 1 with IMO the best footballing team in the country and arguably Europe and the World.

 

As for needing big players, Rooney is hardly tall and has scored I believe 19 out of 27 in the league with headers. Maybe we need to just stop hitting the ball at the centre backs and get it down and play and that brings us back to the manager. It's the pragmatism that is going to lose him his job.

[derry]

All unrealistic.

Can't even remember who Atkins is. Didn't he develop a special kind of diet?

 

S****horpe, O'Driscoll isn't realistic? Give it a few months and all these names could well be in the frame with the exception of Grayson and Coyle.

[SNSUN]

I think Saints are "too pretty" for this league. Taking the fact that weve been out of the top flight for a while, we cant seem to do very well away from home when we have to play on muddy pitches. Last night we seemed short of idea's on how to deal with the pitch and surely we should by now be able to cope with this. Last night and at Brentford we had to result in hoofing the ball long , as we seemed to lack much inventness. When we are on the carpet pitch at St Mary's it's a different scenario

 

I worry perhaps that maybe Pardew has put together a Championship team before it's needed. While I can't deride League One football, I'm enjoying it, you really do have to get stuck in and dirty in order to grind out results. Save the pretty football for the Championship, for the next 15 months, we need to fight.

[AndyNorthernSaints]

Nigel Atkins, Paul Lambert, Sean O'Driscoll, Simon Grayson, Owen Coyle all build teams that pass the ball.

 

Atkins and O'Driscoll might be financially viable. The others, no way would they leave their current jobs.

 

Atkins has done well on very limited budgets but lost last seasons JPT Final to Luton. Imagine the mass suicide and outrage on here if that happened to Saints.

[OldNick]

If you look back you will see it was you brought the subject of MU not getting to the byeline. I wouldn't dream of comparing the dross that passes as div 1 with IMO the best footballing team in the country and arguably Europe and the World.

 

As for needing big players, Rooney is hardly tall and has scored I believe 19 out of 27 in the league with headers. Maybe we need to just stop hitting the ball at the centre backs and get it down and play and that brings us back to the manager. It's the pragmatism that is going to lose him his job.

Derry if you recall you mentioned Alex Ferguson as manager (I do realise it was tongue in cheek, althugh with some on here !!!)and so I followed on from there.

As always we are both close to the same thing (except KD) and want the team to go on from here.

[Saintjersey]

On a lighter note, the highlight of the evening was the Wycombe MC trying to pronounce Papa and Bart's names.