Tranmere 2 Saints 1 Reaction Thread

[Gingeletiss]

Here is a photo of today's ref - taken during the game itself.

 

Look at him. I mean...just look at him!!!

 

Poncy little "I am in charge/I love me" bastid.

 

 

 

I wasn't there, mind you, some of the doom sayers weren't there either. My point, not mentioned yet, is that the fool above, is a first year Referee in the FL. After listening on the radio, I would suggest that he far from ready to be in charge of big boy games.

 

Those that want a win every game, might do better supporting Rangers or Manure/Chelski etc. The beauty for me, is the unpredictability of this game. I was on a TV debate show once, talking about football. The point I made, was that over 90 minutes, you can experience almost every emotion known to man, that for me is the buzz, the attraction.

[derry]

Ineffective positions? I thought he had two great chances to score today, but it was his finishing that let him down...

 

There is more to a football game than hanging about the cantre of the pitch then being unable to convert the good chances that fall. It's the rest and most important part of his game that is lacking.

 

I would like to see him replaced with a more orthodox wide player or an astute footballer like Connolly to see whether it solves our problem.

To be blunt I see Lallana as one of the problems not the solution.

 

As a wide midfielder he is more of a provider than a goalscorer and he isn't doing that job.

[Saint_clark]

There is more to a football game than hanging about the cantre of the pitch then being unable to convert the good chances that fall. It's the rest and most important part of his game that is lacking.

 

I would like to see him replaced with a more orthodox wide player or an astute footballer like Connolly to see whether it solves our problem.

To be blunt I see Lallana as one of the problems not the solution.

 

As a wide midfielder he is more of a provider than a goalscorer and he isn't doing that job.

 

He has 5 assists this season - 2 less than Snodgrass.

[JibMcdo]

Brilliant. Lose one game after going unbeaten for just over 2 months using 4-4-2 and all of a sudden we must play 4-5-1.

 

Well it's not as straight forward as that is it. We have failed to beat Exeter, Brentford, Wycombe and Tranmere away from home on rubbish pitches. Maybe 4-5-1 in those types of games would help us battle and try and dominate the ball a little more? I quite obviously wasn't referring to playing it all the time but Pardew used 4-5-1 effectively during our great run before christmas where we won those types of games.

[derry]

Isn't he 20? I can think of only a few people in the history of the game who were complete players by that age. And none of them were playing in the third tier of English football.

 

22 I believe. He is no longer a youth player that can be cut some slack. Where we are, it is either shape up or ship out.

[Saint_clark]

22 I believe. He is no longer a youth player that can be cut some slack. Where we are, it is either shape up or ship out.

 

Just checked, he's 21.

[corky morris]

IMHO the way we played at Exeter which was 4-5-1 ish was worse than today - loads worse. That day I will place a large proportion of the blame at AP's door. Today was completely different. Puncheon & Lallana did not really get going, but part of that was down to the numerous times they got played before the ball & the ref ignored it.

It was not AP's fauly today.

I have never written to the FL before, but if I were ever to do it about a referee it would be today. He was absolutely inept! Actually as NorthernSaint said earlier I think he was a cheat. It was his hand gesturing saying everything was an accident as they continued to go through the back of us. fair play to them - they got away with it.

[derry]

He has 5 assists this season - 2 less than Snodgrass.

 

For goodness sake wake up. 41 starts, 30 league games/11 cup games and he has 5 assists. Puncheon has played 4 games and has more than that already.

 

That lack of an end product in terms of creating chances for others is what I am talking about.

[AndyNorthernSaints]

There is more to a football game than hanging about the cantre of the pitch then being unable to convert the good chances that fall. It's the rest and most important part of his game that is lacking.

 

I would like to see him replaced with a more orthodox wide player or an astute footballer like Connolly to see whether it solves our problem.

To be blunt I see Lallana as one of the problems not the solution.

 

As a wide midfielder he is more of a provider than a goalscorer and he isn't doing that job.

 

He played well today and looked one of our most dangerous attacking players.

[AndyNorthernSaints]

For goodness sake wake up. 41 starts, 30 league games/11 cup games and he has 5 assists. Puncheon has played 4 games and has more than that already.

 

That lack of an end product in terms of creating chances for others is what I am talking about.

 

Puncheon had a poor game today. I take it you were not there?

[Sheaf Saint]

As a referee myself, I'm really looking forward to seeing these decisions on replay. I know all to well about fan over-reaction and bias so I'm trying not to "jump to conclusions".

 

However I see myself as a good referee who tries blaady hard every game, and have a wee ambition to maybe referee in the FL one day. So maybe if they're crap, i've a better chance of getting in!!?!

 

Trust me, they were shocking. Kept giving free kicks against us just for 50-50s, yet books one of our players for diving when he clearly had his legs hacked. He was an utter, utter joke.

 

I'm still at a loss to understand how he came to the conclusion that their player was fouled when he went for an overhead kick and fluffed it completely falling on his arse in the process. Apparently nowadays that deserves a penalty. Maybe I missed an important rule change or something.

[CanadaSaint]

He played well today and looked one of our most dangerous attacking players.

 

But he missed two clear-cut chances at vital moments, didn't he?

 

That's a new kind of dangerous.

[Wirral saint]

Read most of the posts on here and there are a lot saying that we cannot blame the ref for our loss.

Wrong. The referee was ****ing **** today. He was stopping the game all over the park and awarding free kicks for fair shoulder charges and when it was inside the box he bottled it. Stonewall penalty for us that he did'nt give.

1500 Saints appealed at the same time for the penalty (the first instance before they were awarded one and not the "appeal" for the one after thiers when we "went looking for it").

Dire game and summed up by the Saints fans singing "2 - 1 to the referee"

[AndyNorthernSaints]

But he missed two clear-cut chances at vital moments, didn't he?

 

That's a new kind of dangerous.

 

He created more chances than any other midfield player. Only recall one missed chance when he tried to side foot a cross in. Not a reason to want him dropped IMO he's one of our best players.

[Saint Malc]

For the record guys; apart from the 6 yard box the pitch looked perfectly playable for a footballing side today so don't use that as an excuse please.

 

Andy :-(. Lallana, no. He just had an off day as we all do. He will be better next time imo.

[maxi_sopez]

f uck the bbc updating thing for telling me Papa had scored in the 85th min to put us 2-1 up, and then to find we had lost 2-1 talk about a massive high then low!

[derry]

I saw him against Walsall and Huddersfield, in the Walsall game he wasn't too bad against Huddersfield he was ineffective. My judgement is based on 24 games this season not two missed chances at Tranmere.

 

I think we would be better balanced and create more in the difficult games with a more orthodox player at wide midfield and would like to see Lallana left out to see if that works especially away. Eventually he will either go or be left out unless he delivers a consistent end product and the nearer the managers head gets to the meat grinder the sooner it will happen.

[Saint_clark]

For goodness sake wake up. 41 starts, 30 league games/11 cup games and he has 5 assists. Puncheon has played 4 games and has more than that already.

 

That lack of an end product in terms of creating chances for others is what I am talking about.

 

The assists for Puncheon listed include the ones he got for Dons as well.

[derry]

But he missed two clear-cut chances at vital moments, didn't he?

 

That's a new kind of dangerous.

 

He regularly misses vital chances in the games we don't win easily, furthermore he just isn't creating chances for others either. Apart from the goal which came I believe off one of his shots being blocked, and a couple of half chances his were the only good chances.

 

How often have we drawn or lost games when he has missed vital chances before the opponents score. Many times.

[Thedelldays]

The assists for Puncheon listed include the ones he got for Dons as well.

I think punchoen has more than 5 assists for saints whilst playing for us..??????

[doddisalegend]

I saw him against Walsall and Huddersfield, in the Walsall game he wasn't too bad against Huddersfield he was ineffective. My judgement is based on 24 games this season not two missed chances at Tranmere.

 

I think we would be better balanced and create more in the difficult games with a more orthodox player at wide midfield and would like to see Lallana left out to see if that works especially away. Eventually he will either go or be left out unless he delivers a consistent end product and the nearer the managers head gets to the meat grinder the sooner it will happen.

 

Hey it's all opinions but he has looked good when I've seen him. If I recall after the pompey match the chief sports writer of the NOTW claimed Lallana was a class above the rest of our team. Other pundits seem to rate him to, Merrington ****ing loves him. Of course they could all be wrong

[derry]

The assists for Puncheon listed include the ones he got for Dons as well.

 

I don't need to read statistics I can see for myself. At least 3 against Walsall and Huddersfield for example. Lallana provides little in the way of laying on goals for others. His play might look attractive but that is all it is, what we need is effective and I would like to see somebody else at wide midfield.

[St Landrew]

Reality check for those who were in cloud cuckoo land and thought we would still make it to the play-offs. We blew it at Exeter, not today. Still hurts to lose, long time since we did (apart form the Skates which didn't really matter)

 

I'm not one for must-win matches. All matches are must-wins, from day one, if you intend to succeed. That mentailty allows for the odd slip-up, like against Tranmere. In a sense, we blew it after the first run of 10 games. That sequence alone, plus the -10, made the playoffs an almighty uphill battle. A task, all too familar for a mercurial, if ever-so-slightly inconsistent Saints side. But then, Saints sides are consistently inconsistent. It isn't over, until it's over. But it almost certainly is.

[Legod Third Coming]

But then doesn't that make a mockery of the league table. If all the top teams are losing to the bottom teams why aren't the bottom teams at the top and the top teams at the bottom (that sounds awful but I hope you get the idea)

 

I don't care about the other clubs so excuse the bubble - I do see it as a problem and if we are to have another go at this division next year we have to do better. Even AP himself has stated the same with regards to our performances on 'lesser' pitches at the so-called 'lesser' teams.

 

I'll just have to accept that i'm bonkers to see otherwise - enjoy your drink !

 

No, the reason we are 20 points off the top teams is we went 9/10/11 games only winning ONE of them.

 

We all know why.

 

And yet here we are, with now PROMOTION form, questioning what's wrong...

 

The answer now is nothing NOW!!

 

We let the top teams gain a massive headstart on us. Those top teams do no better at most of these grounds than we do.

 

The point is they won more while we were winning nothing in the first two months of the season.

 

Yes we could win more games. Only Norwich have won considerably more games than us. Leeds have won 19 games - that's 5 more than us, that's all.

 

That's the difference between success and failure, wafer thin margins which do not allow you to give any team a ten game headstart.

 

This is simple stuff.

 

A crap game at Tranmere will not cost us promotion. Not winning during August and September is what will cost us promotion - if it does!

[Legod Third Coming]

I don't need to read statistics I can see for myself. At least 3 against Walsall and Huddersfield for example. Lallana provides little in the way of laying on goals for others. His play might look attractive but that is all it is, what we need is effective and I would like to see somebody else at wide midfield.

 

Name the players in the league you would prefer to see there, given that with 11 goals Lallana is about the top scoring midfielder in the league...

[derry]

Hey it's all opinions but he has looked good when I've seen him. If I recall after the pompey match the chief sports writer of the NOTW claimed Lallana was a class above the rest of our team. Other pundits seem to rate him to, Merrington ****ing loves him. Of course they could all be wrong

 

And who missed the chances that would have put us out of sight by half time in a game we eventually lost 4-1.

 

Lallana is a cult hero to many as they like his fancy tricks and ball control.

 

As far as I am concerned I would like to see a more effective orthodox wide midfielder and dispense with the luxury cameos.

[St Landrew]

No, the reason we are 20 points off the top teams is we went 9/10/11 games only winning ONE of them.

 

We all know why.

 

And yet here we are, with now PROMOTION form, questioning what's wrong...

 

The answer now is nothing NOW!!

 

We let the top teams gain a massive headstart on us. Those top teams do no better at most of these grounds than we do.

 

The point is they won more while we were winning nothing in the first two months of the season.

 

Yes we could win more games. Only Norwich have won considerably more games than us. Leeds have won 19 games - that's 5 more than us, that's all.

 

That's the difference between success and failure, wafer thin margins which do not allow you to give any team a ten game headstart.

 

This is simple stuff.

 

A crap game at Tranmere will not cost us promotion. Not winning during August and September is what will cost us promotion - if it does!

 

Exactly as I understand it, but you put it better.

[Thedelldays]

leeds won 5 more than us..that is all

 

that is 15 points ffs

[Legod Third Coming]

leeds won 5 more than us..that is all

 

that is 15 points ffs

 

Seriously, when did they make it 3 points a game???

 

Feck me, I should pay more attention to football...

[Thedelldays]

Seriously, when did they make it 3 points a game???

 

Feck me, I should pay more attention to football...

you make it sound like that is not much...

[John B]

No, the reason we are 20 points off the top teams is we went 9/10/11 games only winning ONE of them.

 

We all know why.

 

And yet here we are, with now PROMOTION form, questioning what's wrong...

 

The answer now is nothing NOW!!

 

We let the top teams gain a massive headstart on us. Those top teams do no better at most of these grounds than we do.

 

The point is they won more while we were winning nothing in the first two months of the season.

 

Yes we could win more games. Only Norwich have won considerably more games than us. Leeds have won 19 games - that's 5 more than us, that's all.

 

That's the difference between success and failure, wafer thin margins which do not allow you to give any team a ten game headstart.

 

This is simple stuff.

 

A crap game at Tranmere will not cost us promotion. Not winning during August and September is what will cost us promotion - if it does!

 

Yes the problem was August/September when I think we should have done better but we did not .

 

Thats in the past now we are playing reasonably and have every chance of promotion next season in the likely event that we fail this season

[alpine_saint]

And who missed the chances that would have put us out of sight by half time in a game we eventually lost 4-1.

 

Lallana is a cult hero to many as they like his fancy tricks and ball control.

 

As far as I am concerned I would like to see a more effective orthodox wide midfielder and dispense with the luxury cameos.

 

Been saying for a long time, we cannot afford to play both Lallana and Schneiderlin.

[Channon's Sideburns]

And who missed the chances that would have put us out of sight by half time in a game we eventually lost 4-1.

 

Lallana is a cult hero to many as they like his fancy tricks and ball control.

 

As far as I am concerned I would like to see a more effective orthodox wide midfielder and dispense with the luxury cameos.

 

+1.

[Legod Third Coming]

Been saying for a long time, we cannot afford to play both Lallana and Schneiderlin.

 

 

Earlier in the season you were forced to 'confess you were wrong about both of them'.

 

And guess what, you are again.

 

Congratulations.

 

(PS how did they both do against Norwich, Walsall and Huddersfield...)

 

They are both in our best 11. Live with it.

[derry]

Name the players in the league you would prefer to see there, given that with 11 goals Lallana is about the top scoring midfielder in the league...

 

I'm not getting into another long winded dialogue with you. I would prefer either Waigo, Connolly or Antonio to be given a go instead of Lallana. He has 11 goals in two bursts and apart from No 5 against Walsall isn't converting chances and certainly isn't creating them.

 

We have plenty of firepower now and he is missing a lot of clear cut chances. It also appears that we rely on Puncheon to create along with the odd cross from Hammond and Otsemobor along with the ball into Lambert from deep.

 

As for other teams players it's irrelevant as we have to play what we have, it is what I would like to see happen as I think his idiosyncratic play reduces our efficiency as a team. I know he isn't going to get dropped but unless we are a lot more convincing in the last 5 away games I wouldn't give a brass razzoo for the managers chances of starting next season.

[Legod Third Coming]

you make it sound like that is not much...

 

The point is, we let them win five games between August and September when we won none or maybe one.

 

That's what is costing us, not the occasional crap result at Tranmere. That's just life.

[Thedelldays]

The point is, we let them win five games between August and September when we won none or maybe one.

 

That's what is costing us, not the occasional crap result at Tranmere. That's just life.

all defeats costs us...not just the ones when you say they do

[Legod Third Coming]

I'm not getting into another long winded dialogue with you. I would prefer either Waigo, Connolly or Antonio to be given a go instead of Lallana. He has 11 goals in two bursts and apart from No 5 against Walsall isn't converting chances and certainly isn't creating them.

 

We have plenty of firepower now and he is missing a lot of clear cut chances. It also appears that we rely on Puncheon to create along with the odd cross from Hammond and Otsemobor along with the ball into Lambert from deep.

 

As for other teams players it's irrelevant as we have to play what we have, it is what I would like to see happen as I think his idiosyncratic play reduces our efficiency as a team. I know he isn't going to get dropped but unless we are a lot more convincing in the last 5 away games I wouldn't give a brass razzoo for the managers chances of starting next season.

 

Antonio - that goal scoring machine eh...

[Legod Third Coming]

all defeats costs us...not just the ones when you say they do

 

Correct. But today's is being blown out of proportion by the usual suspects.

 

Tell me when did we last lose a league game?

[alpine_saint]

Earlier in the season you were forced to 'confess you were wrong about both of them'.

 

And guess what, you are again.

 

Congratulations.

 

(PS how did they both do against Norwich, Walsall and Huddersfield...)

 

They are both in our best 11. Live with it.

 

I am slowly warming to Schneiderlin. I didnt like how he disappears in games sometimes, and his unwillingness to get stuck in, but I understand he has addressed both as the season has gone on. But Lallana seems to waste so many golden opportunities, and there is no sign of this improving. I still think him a headless chicken.

[Legod Third Coming]

I am slowly warming to Schneiderlin. I didnt like how he disappears in games sometimes, and his unwillingness to get stuck in, but I understand he has addressed both as the season has gone on. But Lallana seems to waste so many golden opportunities, and there is no sign of this improving. I still think him a headless chicken.

 

Lallana gets into the places to have shots. Some miss.

 

With eleven goals in the league he is already one of the top scoring midfielders. He is also still learning.

 

Against Portsmouth he outclassed a Premiership side and was denied by a brilliant save from David James (of course in the mind of some, he 'fluffed it' although I'm not sure there's a neutral in the land with that view).

 

He isn't consistent, not many players his age are. Those that are, play Premiership and international football.

[derry]

We have to have a team that will start next season able to go away and get wins at the lower sides and not lose many away against the better sides whilst at the same time not drop many points at home.

 

We also have to be able to get wins on poor pitches. If Alan Pardew doesn't provide that pattern in the remaining games then I think Cortese will be tempted to change.

 

Statistics are all very well but taking 3 points from 4 games against the bottom sides doesn't do it.

Edited 6 March, 2010 by derry

[John B]

I am slowly warming to Schneiderlin. I didnt like how he disappears in games sometimes, and his unwillingness to get stuck in, but I understand he has addressed both as the season has gone on. But Lallana seems to waste so many golden opportunities, and there is no sign of this improving. I still think him a headless chicken.

 

I agree with you Lallana never seems to do the simple things often trying to look good instead of playing for the team.

 

His shooting also seems inconsistent obviously he has talent but what will happen to him I am not sure

[Legod Third Coming]

We have to have a team that will start next season able to go away and get wins at the lower sides and not lose many away against the better sides whilst at the same time not drop many points at home.

 

We also have to be able to get wins on poor pitches. If Alan Pardew doesn't provide that pattern in the remaining games then I think Cortese will be tempted to change.

 

Statistics are all very well but taking 3 points from 4 games against the bottom sides doesnt't do it.

 

Crikey, first we weren't beating enough of the top six, now we are, it's the bottom four that are the problem. Tell me, is there anything we can do right?

[derry]

Antonio - that goal scoring machine eh...

 

There is little point in discussing things with you. Antonio was the third alternative and wouldn't be my choice but Pardew for some reason rates him, that is why he is listed. I would just like to see the team without Lallana, we have tried everything else.

[Thedelldays]

Correct. But today's is being blown out of proportion by the usual suspects.

 

Tell me when did we last lose a league game?

what is more worrying...losing with the team and set up in august..or losing with the team and set up today..?

[Legod Third Coming]

There is little point in discussing things with you. Antonio was the third alternative and wouldn't be my choice but Pardew for some reason rates him, that is why he is listed. I would just like to see the team without Lallana, we have tried everything else.

 

Why is Lallana a problem when we beat Norwich, Walsall and Huddersfield with him? Why was today his fault?

[Legod Third Coming]

what is more worrying...losing with the team and set up in august..or losing with the team and set up today..?

 

We lost. S H I T happens. Why is one loss in 2010 a worry for you?

 

If we lose the next three games, worry.

 

If we don't refer to line 1.

[alpine_saint]

Crikey, first we weren't beating enough of the top six, now we are, it's the bottom four that are the problem. Tell me, is there anything we can do right?

 

Can you not simply accept that there is a weakness in our play, and that it needs to be addressed otherwise promotion next season aint going to happen ?

[alpine_saint]

Why is Lallana a problem when we beat Norwich, Walsall and Huddersfield with him? Why was today his fault?

 

Not entirely, not even largely, but he blew a couple of very good chances.