Saints 5-0 Huddersfield - Post Match Reaction

[Toomer]

Wonder why the depot manager at our Huddersfield depot will not take my calls or reply to my e-mails this morning.

[JustMike]

No it wasnt. The stewards got large parts of block 42 to sit down at points during the game

 

was loud from where i was standing ;-)

[Durleyfos]

My brother-in-law won £550 last night on a 5-0 win.

 

Bastard.

[OldNick]

Great performance. The crowd on all sides of the ground joined in. Im relishing Wembley and the slow OWTS being sung by 40k saints fans, that will be something to stand the hairs on your nexck on end (no Pompey songs that day I hope)

Barnard is the perfect foil for Lambert and has a brilliant football brain as well as RL JP and AL.

The first game in a long time where I felt AL was not a luxury player for this league, as he added workrate to his skill.

I have defended KD on many occasions but last night I did feel he should have come for a couple of crosses in the first half, apart from that he was again very solid.

Lamberts free kick was fantastic and only an unbelieveable save stopped it going in.

The Huddersfield fans I have respect for as they travelled a long way on a tuesday night, and so the chant of 'your support is f'in sh##' was a bit out of order. Why a fan is thrown out for wearin a Pompey shirt is a bit of a odd one.

I listened to Solent and the read out some texts, I assume somebody was using Alpine Saint as a bit of a laugh. It was something like 'we need to get a foutrth' or something like that lol.

[The Saturday Boy]

Blog about last night and the promotion situation -

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/paulfletcher/2010/03/who_is_going_up_from_league_on.html

[whizz]

Wow what a game! Incredible score line - well done Saints!

 

by the way... has anybody mentioned the Mike Hunt text on Radio Solent? ;-)

[Crab Lungs]

Wow what a game! Incredible score line - well done Saints!

 

by the way... has anybody mentioned the Mike Hunt text on Radio Solent? ;-)

 

 

LMAO That was brilliant... I don't actually think it dawned on them until a few seconds later...

[Greenridge]

Great performance. The crowd on all sides of the ground joined in. Im relishing Wembley and the slow OWTS being sung by 40k saints fans, that will be something to stand the hairs on your nexck on end (no Pompey songs that day I hope)

Barnard is the perfect foil for Lambert and has a brilliant football brain as well as RL JP and AL.

The first game in a long time where I felt AL was not a luxury player for this league, as he added workrate to his skill.

I have defended KD on many occasions but last night I did feel he should have come for a couple of crosses in the first half, apart from that he was again very solid.

Lamberts free kick was fantastic and only an unbelieveable save stopped it going in.

The Huddersfield fans I have respect for as they travelled a long way on a tuesday night, and so the chant of 'your support is f'in sh##' was a bit out of order. Why a fan is thrown out for wearin a Pompey shirt is a bit of a odd one.

I listened to Solent and the read out some texts, I assume somebody was using Alpine Saint as a bit of a laugh. It was something like 'we need to get a foutrth' or something like that lol.

 

Don't agree with your assesment on Lallana, his work rate has equalled others for some time now, he is becoming the complete player. Would agree with your view on KD though Nick and I think this is a position that needs a review come the summer. Not sure who we would go for though?

[OldNick]

Don't agree with your assesment on Lallana, his work rate has equalled others for some time now, he is becoming the complete player. Would agree with your view on KD though Nick and I think this is a position that needs a review come the summer. Not sure who we would go for though?

Lallana is not my type of player for this league. I dont think he has been that good in his defensive and tracking back until last night, and for the first time I really felt he now had the stomach for the fight. i congratlate him for that and hope he carries it on to future games. I can then also put him down then as a must play..

KD position is not a problem to me. Last night he should have come for 2 crosses in the first half, apart from that he made a blinding save when it was 1-0 (?)

[Saint_clark]

FWIW every time i've seen Lallana this season he has given 100%.

[Charlie Wayman]

Bugger! Nothing to grumble about... except, er the crowd. We really are rubbish at singing these days, with stuff like "There's only one Alan Pardew" etc. How very 80's is that?

 

Come on lads lets have some real imaginative songs to match the brilliant performances.

 

Just chanting "Ricky Lambert la, la, la" doesn't get to the heart of it, he and all the others deserve better form us!

[Greenridge]

FWIW every time i've seen Lallana this season he has given 100%.

 

I think it's either an urban myth or people who don't get to see the games that think he doesn't put the effort in. He's been tracking back week in week out as well as being the most creative player and probably most naturally talented in the team. If he could add better ball striking when in front of goal and therefore a higher goal tally then he's going to become a very fine player and will play in much higher leagues than present.

[alpine_saint]

Has anyone really said Lallana doesnt give 100% ?

 

I just think sometimes he is a headless chicken.

[Saint_clark]

Has anyone really said Lallana doesnt give 100% ?

 

I just think sometimes he is a headless chicken.

 

Well then you have proved the point people make about not being able to make a proper judgement of a player over the internet/radio.

[OldNick]

I think it's either an urban myth or people who don't get to see the games that think he doesn't put the effort in. He's been tracking back week in week out as well as being the most creative player and probably most naturally talented in the team. If he could add better ball striking when in front of goal and therefore a higher goal tally then he's going to become a very fine player and will play in much higher leagues than present.

add pace and decision making to that and you are correct. He looked as good as I have ever seen him play last night, and showed heart and commitment.Well done AL

[OldNick]

Bugger! Nothing to grumble about... except, er the crowd. We really are rubbish at singing these days, with stuff like "There's only one Alan Pardew" etc. How very 80's is that?

 

Come on lads lets have some real imaginative songs to match the brilliant performances.

 

Just chanting "Ricky Lambert la, la, la" doesn't get to the heart of it, he and all the others deserve better form us!

The ricky Lambert song is very good. Im sorry but it is difficult to get new classics like 'knees up mother brown' going around. lol

[alpine_saint]

Well then you have proved the point people make about not being able to make a proper judgement of a player over the internet/radio.

 

Just as well I've seen him a few times this season then.

 

But go ahead with your next wind-up attempt if you wish.

[OldNick]

Well then you have proved the point people make about not being able to make a proper judgement of a player over the internet/radio.

On this occasion i am on Alps side of the fence sorry StC.

[Saint_clark]

Just as well I've seen him a few times this season then.

 

But go ahead with your next wind-up attempt if you wish.

 

You cannot seriously believe that Lallana isn't good enough?

[alpine_saint]

You cannot seriously believe that Lallana isn't good enough?

 

No, I have said on several occasions I am concerned about....his....CONSISTENCY.

 

Are even AP acknowleged that this week, about all the youngsters.

[Saint_clark]

No, I have said on several occasions I am concerned about....his....CONSISTENCY.

 

Are even AP acknowleged that this week, about all the youngsters.

 

Oh right. So you think it's Lallanas fault there is a little thing in football called form?

Righto.

[Greenridge]

add pace and decision making to that and you are correct. He looked as good as I have ever seen him play last night, and showed heart and commitment.Well done AL

 

I remember some ropey player we had, MLT or something, didn't track back, couldn't tackle and had no pace but somehow he scratched a living at the top level. Kelvin's goal record is poor as well. You can't have every single attribute but you can use what you have to the best of your ability and still be an outstanding player. I'll leave this debate there.

[Tractor_Saint]

Lamberts free kick was fantastic and only an unbelieveable save stopped it going in.

 

Only on watching it again I realise how far out he actually was. You don't need to see him to know it's Rickie taking that free kick but did the keeper actually save it ?

 

 

But Lallana needs to put these types of chances away:

 

[krissyboy31]

I just think sometimes he is a headless chicken.

The addition of Barnard and Puncheon has given the team much more balance and Al now doesn't feel he has to chase around looking for the ball and trying to make something happen. He can now stay out wide left and know that he will get the ball if it is going up that flank or can come in narrow, now we have genuine width and pace on the right and we attack that side.

[sidthesquid]

I think all these years of watching Saints has done my psyche some irreparable harm. We were 3-0 up with about a quarter of an hour to go on a team that had barely had a shot at goal all evening and yet..... Two corners on the bounce and I'm getting agitated, thinking I don't like the look of this, if they score now and all the rest of it. Even at 4-0 I was only just able to relax a bit. I'm certain fans of other clubs don't think like that, but is it just me or do other Saints fans suffer like it too?

[krissyboy31]

I think all these years of watching Saints has done my psyche some irreparable harm. We were 3-0 up with about a quarter of an hour to go on a team that had barely had a shot at goal all evening and yet..... Two corners on the bounce and I'm getting agitated, thinking I don't like the look of this, if they score now and all the rest of it. Even at 4-0 I was only just able to relax a bit. I'm certain fans of other clubs don't think like that, but is it just me or do other Saints fans suffer like it too?

 

I can certainly relate to that post because thought exactly the same.

[Professor]

We need to hope that the result will have unsettled Huddersfield because they had been unbeaten since 18 Dec. If we are to get to the playoffs, not only have Saints got to keep winning but the teams above us have to drop points. We have 2 games in hand on Huddersfield but if we win them both we are still 8 points behind them so we need them to lose a few more yet. They are unbeaten at home but have lost 8 away, so its not impossible, but then you have to look at Millwall.........

[Give it to Ron]

I think all these years of watching Saints has done my psyche some irreparable harm. We were 3-0 up with about a quarter of an hour to go on a team that had barely had a shot at goal all evening and yet..... Two corners on the bounce and I'm getting agitated, thinking I don't like the look of this, if they score now and all the rest of it. Even at 4-0 I was only just able to relax a bit. I'm certain fans of other clubs don't think like that, but is it just me or do other Saints fans suffer like it too?

 

Sid you are me........I only relaxed when we were 5-0 up in the 87th minute!!!!

[The9]

Only on watching it again I realise how far out he actually was. You don't need to see him to know it's Rickie taking that free kick but did the keeper actually save it ?

 

 

Yeah, I was in the Northam and the keeper definitely tipped it onto the top of the bar.

Edited 4 March, 2010 by The9

[St Landrew]

I think all these years of watching Saints has done my psyche some irreparable harm. We were 3-0 up with about a quarter of an hour to go on a team that had barely had a shot at goal all evening and yet..... Two corners on the bounce and I'm getting agitated, thinking I don't like the look of this, if they score now and all the rest of it. Even at 4-0 I was only just able to relax a bit. I'm certain fans of other clubs don't think like that, but is it just me or do other Saints fans suffer like it too?

 

Sid you are me........I only relaxed when we were 5-0 up in the 87th minute!!!!

 

I'm pretty sure you fans are not the only ones. 5 seasons of utter mediocrity and failure are going to sit long in the mind. I feel exactly the same way, but I'm starting to feel the layers of anxiety coming off when I see, hear or read of this team's performances. Another month or so of this stuff and we'll all be at the pinch-ourselves-stage to make sure we're not dreaming.

[St Landrew]

We need to hope that the result will have unsettled Huddersfield because they had been unbeaten since 18 Dec. If we are to get to the playoffs, not only have Saints got to keep winning but the teams above us have to drop points. We have 2 games in hand on Huddersfield but if we win them both we are still 8 points behind them so we need them to lose a few more yet. They are unbeaten at home but have lost 8 away, so its not impossible, but then you have to look at Millwall.........

 

Don't know if you've looked at the BBC Predictor, Prof, or the upcoming fixtures for all teams, but not only do we have to play nearly all of them, but they have to play each other. They'll be a lot of points won and lost there. Hopefully, either the top teams always beat the teams below them, or they all draw, so that 1 point is lost per match.

[Glasgow_Saint]

Oh right. So you think it's Lallanas fault there is a little thing in football called form?

Righto.

 

StC trolling again! tut tut

[OldNick]

I remember some ropey player we had, MLT or something, didn't track back, couldn't tackle and had no pace but somehow he scratched a living at the top level. Kelvin's goal record is poor as well. You can't have every single attribute but you can use what you have to the best of your ability and still be an outstanding player. I'll leave this debate there.

Please do not compare AL with MLT, it is unfair on AL to be burdened with that and also unfair to compare his with MLT's mercurial skills. At 22 MLT was head and shoulders above where AL is now (no shame in that)

As for criticising KD for goals, with our lacklustre defence over the past few seasons it is only KD's briliance that has kept the scores down. Even last night he made a save that kept the game from changing its course.

[SNSUN]

This is the first time I've had internet access since before last night's game, and I've been so itching to get on here!

 

What a night. The players were brilliant, the pitch was brilliant and the atmosphere was brilliant. The Northam were in fine voice. In my spot in the Kingsland, it was fairly subdued, I felt very self concious about singing when no one else was (hence after the Hartlepool game I'm going to relocate to the Itchin North most likely who were also brilliant last night) but by the end of the game, everyone was getting onvolved.

 

And WHAT a performance. Flawless. We made a very good side look poor, though, not to take anything away from Huddersfield, who had chances and possession, we didn't allow them to play. We were on every ball, we were winning every tackle, and everything just clicked. All XI players, and the three subs should give themselves a pat on the back BUT, and this is key, not get complacent and expect this to happen in every game.

 

It was the first time I've had the chance to see Puncheon and Semi play, and Oh My God were they good. Puncheon especially is sheer quality. Some of his touches to keep possession were Premiership quality, and he really is two footed. His link up play with Semi on the right was good too. Semi, who I've never seen play before had a very competent game. He's very quick, and was always willing to go forward. In the abscence (perhaps permanently) of Murty, it's good to see a right back play at right back. Semi wasn't flawless, he did make one or two errors, but atoned for them swiftly.

 

Choosing a MOTM is nearly impossible, as every player was brilliant. I'm not giving them ratings, because everyone was a ten, but if I did have to pick a MOTM at gunpoint, then I would pick Barnard. Punch seems the obvious choice, but I though Barnard was superb, fighting for every ball, he didn't stop running, showed some excellent touches and his finish was not what you would expect of a short bloke.

 

Words cannot express how elated I felt after the game. Perform like this all season and there's no reason we can't attempt the play-offs. My head says they're out of reach, but my heart is looking up in earnest.

[Nineteen Canteen]

You notice the critics of Papa, like Nineteen C, have been quiet since he's done well with usual positive influence of goals & assists! He's got great awareness & ability to pick players out with passes straight to the feet.

 

...when he manages to get the ball from out under his own feet which he just managed tonight. Making ar5es out of defenders at the end of the game when you are 4up is not so diffcult as when you are trying to break down stubborn teams on poor pitches in the first 45mins.

 

Sign Waigo on a free as a super sub but still wouldn't make my starting 11 and hardly the catalyst for change that some may be making him out to be. This is more about seeing the fruits of Pardew's labour / vision than anything else and i woudl be surprised if Waigo privately sits high on his must retain list.

[OldNick]

...when he manages to get the ball from out under his own feet which he just managed tonight. Making ar5es out of defenders at the end of the game when you are 4up is not so diffcult as when you are trying to break down stubborn teams on poor pitches in the first 45mins.

 

Sign Waigo on a free as a super sub but still wouldn't make my starting 11 and hardly the catalyst for change that some may be making him out to be. This is more about seeing the fruits of Pardew's labour / vision than anything else and i woudl be surprised if Waigo privately sits high on his must retain list.

I agree that Waigo is not better than the front 2 on show last night, but he is one of those players who keep you on the edge of your seat. One minute despair the next celebrating a goal from nothing. He works for the team and was the first to go over to the lad who missed his chance and give him some encouragement. A top person and a great player to scare the oppostion in the last 20 minutes.

I would sign him

[up and away]

There's a point where opposition teams have to take responsibility for their own defeats, and there comes a point where they are simply blown away by a better team. I think this was the latter. Huddersfield Town are no mugs, and after this mauling they are still no mugs, as will probably be proved against Gillingham on Saturday. Where Saints go from here, in terms of standard of performance, is almost entirely upto them. With the current players, from this point on, I feel that it will be what particular mood they are in which will determine what result they achieve.

 

I don't think any Saints fan would say this was in anyway down to the opposition, we were just simply superb. When you consider the relative merits of both Walsall and Huddersfield, then apply a similar performance to Walsall, it is no surprise it affected their performance. You only had to look on the faces of the Huddersfield players at the end of the game to see they could not quite figure out what had happened to them. Where the Huddersfield manager could not bring himself to giving Saints the praise they deserved, Walsall had no problems in that respect.

 

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/paulfletc...league_on.html

As much as I would like to see us get that play off spot, just take the average points those other play off hopefuls have already gathered and extend that to the end of the season, truly mission impossible for us. We will need at least 2 teams to implode and no one else to up their game. Just a marginal improvement in their averages over the closing games will effectively put it out of reach for us, even with a faultless response. That's with us maintaining this high tempo game for the rest of the season, avoiding vital absences due to bookings or injury. One hope there is, being that we severely traumatise these teams such they get no where near their previous form. And if it comes down to goal difference, no point in them even looking.

 

At least Pardew has given us a good indication what we can expect next season, something no one will have any issue with. It's now just a question of being able to hang onto those players to avoid taking a backward step.

[The9]

I'm looking forward to the "return leg" version of this :

 

http://www.htfc-world.com/reports/Southampton/southampton150809.htm

 

:smt041

[Tractor_Saint]

GOALS

 

 

Hopefully not stepping on your toes Bender - you were first to get the goals up, but have put one up from this morning with a little better sound (IMO!)

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TliHwRfHLKU

 

WAH FTW

[Greenridge]

Please do not compare AL with MLT, it is unfair on AL to be burdened with that and also unfair to compare his with MLT's mercurial skills. At 22 MLT was head and shoulders above where AL is now (no shame in that)

As for criticising KD for goals, with our lacklustre defence over the past few seasons it is only KD's briliance that has kept the scores down. Even last night he made a save that kept the game from changing its course.

 

As always you miss the point completely. I was not comparing him in terms of ability to MLT but more that he lacks in areas just as some other players in our history have. And the tongue in cheek reference to KD was in terms of scoring goals - again to highlight no one is the complete package.

[OldNick]

I'm looking forward to the "return leg" version of this :

 

http://www.htfc-world.com/reports/Southampton/southampton150809.htm

 

:smt041

Interesting to look at the squad compared to now.

[OldNick]

As always you miss the point completely. I was not comparing him in terms of ability to MLT but more that he lacks in areas just as some other players in our history have. And the tongue in cheek reference to KD was in terms of scoring goals - again to highlight no one is the complete package.

Sadly I took it that you emant it and would have those beliefs, my mistake.

We are in L1 and I agree a player with all attributes would not be playing at that level.We are fortunate to have many who now I beleive are getting to a level that is above where they are playing now. is it down to them or the manager I can't say. All I know is that Iam enjoying going to watch the team again and frankly couldnt care if it is L1 or PL the entertainment and value for money is there.

[Greenridge]

Sadly I took it that you emant it and would have those beliefs, my mistake.

We are in L1 and I agree a player with all attributes would not be playing at that level.We are fortunate to have many who now I beleive are getting to a level that is above where they are playing now. is it down to them or the manager I can't say. All I know is that Iam enjoying going to watch the team again and frankly couldnt care if it is L1 or PL the entertainment and value for money is there.[/QUOTE]

 

Couldn't agree more. I don't get to see as many games as I would like but have been fortunate to attend both Saturday's and last night's and it was a real pleasure to be there. Probably two of the best / most enjoyable games I've seen since the Prem days. Generally we've got a young squad and if we can keep them then as a group with some additions they can go all the way. I just hope they can be patient for a couple of seasons or so and not go elsewhere when the inevitable approach's arrive.

[The9]

Interesting to look at the squad compared to now.

 

So interesting I'd already posted the two Saints teams on here. If that's as far as you've got you're missing a lot of funny stuff...

[Jez]

I'm looking forward to the "return leg" version of this :

 

http://www.htfc-world.com/reports/Southampton/southampton150809.htm

 

:smt041

 

He's not fat, he's just big boned

 

Loving Pardew's end comment (regardless of whether its real or not!)

 

Great result last night, turned onto sky sports news just in time to see the 5th goal go in.

Happy to feel that we might make the play-offs, but can be very few slip ups, and I wouldn't have thought we'd be there at the end of the season, but I still want to hope!!

[Goalie66]

Sid you are me........I only relaxed when we were 5-0 up in the 87th minute!!!!

 

Yep as I said to the guy next to me with three minutes to go....Even Saints can't concede six now surely!!

[hypochondriac]

My brother-in-law won £550 last night on a 5-0 win.

 

Bastard.

 

I was stood next to him! A fiver at 100/1. Him and his mates went downstairs 4 the last few minutes and were going mental at the final whistle

[RedAndWhite91]

Saints helped me enjoy my birthday a lot more with that.. Before the game I thought we'd draw or edge it by one goal. I could even see us losing to be honest. But that display was a class above and it seems we are finally showing our potential.

 

A team like Huddersfield, who haven't been beaten since something like December 18th was not going to be an easy test, and I'm delighted with the way we played to absolutely demolish a team like them.

 

Great to see/hear all the praise for Pardew as well, he obviously appreciated it.

 

What more can I say, 5-0, ten goals in two games, absolutely ****ing brilliant.

[Clifford Nelson]

No complaints here, I'll take us scoring five every week without problems. It was another organised performance, where Schneiderlin did the distribution from deep, wingers and fullbacks kept themselves wide and the striking partnership looked like it was going somewhere. I'm also pleased to see Papa Waigo getting at least a walk on part up front. It does pay off.

[mcjwills]

i think many people including my self see reaching the play offs as getting automatic with out thinking we actually have to beat other teams.

If we reach there we will on such a run of form I think we will batter who ever we play because if we do get there we will have won nearly every match between now and the end of the season.