Saints V B'mouth match thread

[sadoldgit]

Get in, knew there must have been a goal after getting stuck for an age on a refresh!

 

Apart from the footy H R Giger is the man. The artwork to Brain Salad Surgery is awesome, as was his work on Alien. Sorry, where were we?

[dubai_phil]

So good interview

 

AP makes a careful but sensible point about us lot being nervy & negative

 

DM gets a dig in though

 

Hmm

 

AP's sentiments "the fans have to understand that every game at SMS is a cup final for the teams"

[doddisalegend]

Didn't listen to tonight's game and I like Harding a lot, but he was pants on Saturday.

 

According to the radio Dickson had a mare at LB first half (well the whole team had a mare really) Harding came on and seemed to shore up the left side quite well.

[Smirking_Saint]

I am guessing we can draw Pompey in the next round ?? That would be f*cking awesome, after they just managed to struggle through against stevenage.

[saint_stevo]

nonsense. he is at a championship club. he is easily worth 1 mill. and most of 5-8k per week.

 

He is not worth £1m. Ever. Or anything like £5-8k p/w!

[Johnny Shearer]

No, but we should be.

 

Is this how you envisaged this season starting ?

 

Ha ha, me love you long time!

 

Seriously though are you saying that at 0-0 Saints should be losing? So in your book thats alright but if Saints we're trailing 0-1 and people said we should be winning you'd be having none of it?

[Wes Tender]

Just back home from the match. It was a tough game and Bournemouth deserve credit for their efforts. However, we perhaps made it tougher on ourselves by playing some second string players like Seagoon, Wotton and Chamberlain, but it was an opportunity for them to get a game under their belts and to rest others. After the first 15 minutes or so, the match was pretty equal and by half time there wasn't a lot to choose between the two sides. Our defence seemed solid enough and looked in control, but then so did theirs. It took a quite magnificent curling shot beyond their keeper and into the top right corner from Lallana to break the deadlock.

Having taken the lead, Bournemouth had to chase the game and opportunities opened up for us. Harding was effective when he came on and got to the byeline to put over a couple of good crosses. He also made some great last ditch tackles and is back to Mr. Reliable after a less impressive game on Saturday. But a mighty roar lifted the crowd when a typically hard-working Barnard made way for Lambert. Almost immediately it seemed to count up front and caused a few jangling nerves in the Bournemouth defence after some desperate scrambles. Alex O-C had not been noticeably great in the match until he latched fast on to a long ball and caused their goallie to come for it. When the ball rebounded off the keeper, Alex O-C pounced and coolly and calmly placed the ball into the net. The sense of relief in the stadium was palpable, as it was potentially a banana skin game, but ended as quite a comfortable win.

 

So respect for Bournemouth's performance and to their fans for their support. With luck, when they next visit us in the league we will be fully fit and functioning on all cylinders with the strongest team fielded and make the win much more convincing.

[SO16_Saint]

Why would AP mention Antonio by name?

 

On his way here??

[SaintBobby]

Why would AP mention Antonio by name?

 

On his way here??

 

Hard to say, but it was an inference I drew.

[SO16_Saint]

Hard to say, but it was an inference I drew.

 

Antonio and or Koren and or Butt would be ****ing awesome

[doddisalegend]

Why would AP mention Antonio by name?

 

On his way here??

 

God I hope so I rate him we need his style of play to give us a way to change games.

[Saint Charlie]

What was Seaborne like? Jaidi looked poor on Sat so maybe Seaborne will play on Saturday?

[1976_Child]

He is not worth £1m. Ever. Or anything like £5-8k p/w!

 

Stevo - he knows the club, knows the team, is young, is at a championship club and he is a great little terrier. A player who bites his way through the defense. Maybe it might be overpaying but if that whats makes Reading let him go it will be worth it. And he is well liked by us Fans. Just remember the reception he got in the pre-season game. He is a cog in our wheel which we are missing right now. We need a terrier to get amongst the back line with pace and frighten them. That is what he does.

 

AP/NC/ML get Antonio here now!

[SaintBobby]

Antonio and or Koren and or Butt would be ****ing awesome

 

 

 

Completely agree...squad would suddenly look strong, not a bit thin.

[Crab Lungs]

Biggest attendance in all of the cup games tonight by around 5,000... massive clubs such as Sheff Wed, Leeds, Leicester all fell massively short...

[Smirking_Saint]

Stevo - he knows the club, knows the team, is young, is at a championship club and he is a great little terrier. A player who bites his way through the defense. Maybe it might be overpaying but if that whats makes Reading let him go it will be worth it. And he is well liked by us Fans. Just remember the reception he got in the pre-season game. He is a cog in our wheel which we are missing right now. We need a terrier to get amongst the back line with pace and frighten them. That is what he does.

 

AP/NC/ML get Antonio here now!

 

I can see your point, and TBF my overall view on him has been changed a little, but honestly i don't think he is the saviour everyone thinks and for 1mil and 8k a week there is far far better out there, for a start you could get Matt Phillips for half of that.

 

Do i want him back ? yes but anything over 500k is mental.

[Liquidshokk]

Why would AP mention Antonio by name?

 

On his way here??

 

I'm sure I detected pardew nearly saying "yet" after saying "antonios not here"

[saint_stevo]

Stevo - he knows the club, knows the team, is young, is at a championship club and he is a great little terrier. A player who bites his way through the defense. Maybe it might be overpaying but if that whats makes Reading let him go it will be worth it. And he is well liked by us Fans. Just remember the reception he got in the pre-season game. He is a cog in our wheel which we are missing right now. We need a terrier to get amongst the back line with pace and frighten them. That is what he does.

 

AP/NC/ML get Antonio here now!

 

We shall agree to disagree

[SuperMikey]

I have a suspicious feeling that we'll announce a signing before Friday. I'd like to say I don't get caught up in the rumours, but Koren and Antonio would make brilliant signings, as would Butt (although only on a one year deal). Here's hoping!

[1976_Child]

I can see your point, and TBF my overall view on him has been changed a little, but honestly i don't think he is the saviour everyone thinks and for 1mil and 8k a week there is far far better out there, for a start you could get Matt Phillips for half of that.

 

Do i want him back ? yes but anything over 500k is mental.

 

Look, two seasons ago the board was doing utterly daft things with the cheque book and the wage bill. We all know that, and the rest as they say is history. But sometimes you have to go out on a limb and speculate to accumulate. It may not take 1 mill to get him here. maybe 800k, basic of 3k and bonus. Whatever the numbers, he has skills and position we need. No point having a Ferrari and giving it no oil. It will fail. Maybe our squad right now is a Ferrari... but needs the oil, and a scrappy wing-forward like Antonio who has pace may just be what we need.

[dubai_phil]

I am guessing we can draw Pompey in the next round ?? That would be f*cking awesome, after they just managed to struggle through against stevenage.

 

Karma

 

We all know it's going to happen as well

 

 

And after we avenge their cheating win, Chanrai pulls the plug

[RonManager]

10 points pour moi in the prediction league.

[Weston Saint]

Let us not get too excited. Saints were poor in the first half and only marginally better in the second until we scored. Great goal from Lallana.

 

Wotton offers nothing. Every time he got the ball all he wanted to do was get rid of it backwards as quickly as possible. If he is our midfield cover we are in trouble!

 

Dickson had a poor first half. Harding as his replacement was much better.

 

Davis just kicks the ball forward and rarely does a Saints player get first or second ball. He needs to distribute so we can build from the back. Bournemouth keeper was not much better.

 

Seaborne was ok. Fonte was his usual polished self.

 

Barnard had a poor game

 

Oxy-Chamberlain was poor and no where near ready for the first team. Good goal and I was pleased for him but watched his positioning, lack of movement etc. Still he is only 16 and time for him to improve.

 

2-0 was about right but we are far from being a promotion challenging side on this performance.

[Saints foreva]

what was seaborne like? jaidi looked poor on sat so maybe seaborne will play on saturday?

 

hoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooof

[SW11_Saint]

To "knees up mother brown". - Oxlade-Chamberlain, Oxlade- Chamberlain ...

Oxlade-Chamberlain

Oxlade-Chamberlain

Daddy used to be a skate

But bought you up to be a Saint

 

When we see you scoring

For the boys in red & white

**** you P*mpey, **** you P*mpey

We'll know he was right!

[PokingFun]

Just back from the game and following is my assessment:

 

Davis - Solid as usual not really much to do overall

Butterfield - Solid and effective

Dickson - Nightmare, concerns me at LB and prefer Harding for now on balance - may need time but we dont have that available

Fonte - Usual calm and assured self

Seaborne - Hoofs it far too much and distribution is poor - Jaidi definitely better in my opinion

Lallana - didnt see much ball 1st half, great goal and always a danger

Wotton - Solid, didn't see much from him

Hammond - Seemed to struggle a bit, poor touch at times

Chamberlain - poor distribution first half but kept going, will improve with experience and took his goal well enough, has a lot of pace

Puncheon - frustrating, but showed some good skill and touches in second half although passing poor at times

Barnard - worked really hard, no joy from referee at all, I think he should play up top with Lambert

Harding - much more effective at both ends of the pitch than Dickson, should start Saturday

Lambert - Hit the target with his first touch and seems to give the team a lift with his presence

Holmes - merely a cameo for Lallana

 

Saints were fairly dominant in possession but there is a worrying lack of chances at times. I'm sure it will improve when at full strength. All in all a reasonable performance in the end but a little nervy at times.

[SO16_Saint]

Goals on SSN in next 30 mins

[Kingsbridge Saint]

Meh. 2-0 home win against Bournemouth in the 'nobody cares, play the ressies' cup. I really don't care. Good news was no injuries. Saturday is far more important. We need to win games in the League (though a draw Saturday would be a step in the right direction) or we all might as well pack it in.

[saint_stevo]

Who's the new slut on ssn?

[doddisalegend]

Let us not get too excited. Saints were poor in the first half and only marginally better in the second until we scored. Great goal from Lallana.

 

Wotton offers nothing. Every time he got the ball all he wanted to do was get rid of it backwards as quickly as possible. If he is our midfield cover we are in trouble!

 

Dickson had a poor first half. Harding as his replacement was much better.

 

Davis just kicks the ball forward and rarely does a Saints player get first or second ball. He needs to distribute so we can build from the back. Bournemouth keeper was not much better.

 

Seaborne was ok. Fonte was his usual polished self.

 

Barnard had a poor game

 

Oxy-Chamberlain was poor and no where near ready for the first team. Good goal and I was pleased for him but watched his positioning, lack of movement etc. Still he is only 16 and time for him to improve.

 

2-0 was about right but we are far from being a promotion challenging side on this performance.

 

Can't people just enjoy the win without being told we're still crap?

[1976_Child]

Oxy-Chamberlain was poor and no where near ready for the first team. Good goal and I was pleased for him but watched his positioning, lack of movement etc. Still he is only 16 and time for him to improve.

 

That is a contradiction. He did score a goal. He is young. Would you rather he was not included? So how do we bring nippers through the ranks to 'grown up' football?

 

Tonight was his first start in first-team professional football. And he scored. I would say that he is ready for the first team. Bench for the big games in first half of the season, yes. But he needs to be given some turf time too. If we have an academy, we need to give the scholars a way into the team and there are five positions on the bench for each game. One of those should almost always be for a keen nipper who wants to shine.

 

Chamberlain is going to shine this season, he will need nurturing but I am sure there are enough wise heads in the team to mentor him; Kelvin, Barnard, Connolly ie.

[Liquidshokk]

I was tearing my hair out regarding puncheon most of the game. His passes were either off target or he left it too late to pass that he gave it away. Did have some moments of magic though and usually always still comes out looking a decent player.

 

Barnard has worked really hard the last two games, yet never gets to the final product. With the skill he clearly has he should be firing them in (like last season), question is... why isn't he as he hasn't really come close?

[silversaint]

Oxlade-Chamberlain

Oxlade-Chamberlain

Daddy used to be a skate

But bought you up to be a Saint

 

When we see you scoring

For the boys in red & white

**** you P*mpey, **** you P*mpey

We'll know he was right!

 

How about "Feed the Ox and he will score?"

[toofarnorth]

What was Seaborne like? Jaidi looked poor on Sat so maybe Seaborne will play on Saturday?

 

I thought he was solid. Few too many hoofs but didn't do much wrong.

[doddisalegend]

I was tearing my hair out regarding puncheon most of the game. His passes were either off target or he left it too late to pass that he gave it away. Did have some moments of magic though and usually always still comes out looking a decent player.

 

Barnard has worked really hard the last two games, yet never gets to the final product. With the skill he clearly has he should be firing them in (like last season), question is... why isn't he as he hasn't really come close?

 

In fairness the season is only two matches old he scored 24(?) last season so thats about what one every two games. I imagine he will get more chances playing off Lambert poaching the second ball than being up front with another short arse. I think if we can get a constant Barnard /lambert pairing (assuming we're playing4-4-2) they'll bang the goals in for us this season.

[moon monkey]

Totally disagree with some peoples assessment of Barnard. He collects and holds the ball superbly and his work rate is outstanding. Playing Paul Wotton is like giving the opposition an extra player. He is slow, he only passes sideways or back and his timing for tackling is suicide. He knows he is poor and thinks he can get away with things by showing a lot of shouting to make up for it.

 

Finally, agree with Pardew on the pathetic and impatient negativity of most of people so called 'supporters.' Bournemouth fans gave us a lesson in showing support.

[Miffy]

I'm sure I detected pardew nearly saying "yet" after saying "antonios not here"

 

I thought the same

[chrisobee]

That is a contradiction. He did score a goal. He is young. Would you rather he was not included? So how do we bring nippers through the ranks to 'grown up' football?

 

Tonight was his first start in first-team professional football. And he scored. I would say that he is ready for the first team. Bench for the big games in first half of the season, yes. But he needs to be given some turf time too. If we have an academy, we need to give the scholars a way into the team and there are five positions on the bench for each game. One of those should almost always be for a keen nipper who wants to shine.

 

Chamberlain is going to shine this season, he will need nurturing but I am sure there are enough wise heads in the team to mentor him; Kelvin, Barnard, Connolly ie.

 

Of course we need to bring players like Chamberlain and Martin through, tonight was the perfect game to play him and the fact he is only 17 ( in 5 days anyway) only indicates what a great prospect he is and to say he was poor and nowhere near ready for the 1st team is quite frankly nonsense. No wonder I no longer post on here when I have to read such drivel, a flying visit and I'm gone though not without mentioning Wotton once again had the kind of steady game you want from your back up players unless you are Man City and can afford 2 quality players in every position. Even Man Utd realise that's the way to financial suicide, a lesson we surely must have learnt by now.

[Clifford Nelson]

It wasn't a surprise that Lallana scored, he is the only one in todays team which has got the edge. With him and Lambert in the side it probably takes the pressure of the likes of Barnard, but tonight he again didn't look like scoring, and he didn't.

 

Dickson was amazingly poor, misread every intention, gave away passes and defended poorly. With Harding on at half-time things improved and it told us something else as well. He and Lallana knows how to find each other, and it is difficult to see how Dickson can improved on that understanding.

 

Seabourne must be told that long cross balls is lower league stuff for CBs who can't think of what else to do, and if he wants to improve he must cut it out and start to use the ball better. He is much more agile than Jaidi, though, but that probably goes for most CBs at the moment. The first 15 minutes were great, so why did we give up on it? Did the players think that they had to come up with something else, just because we hadn't score? After that it was really anybody's game, and we were the lucky ones.

 

Twice we have now shown that we have plenty of skill, but 15-30 minutes per game isn't enough.

 

AP in the aftermatch interview very clearly said that A O-C would get competition on the right wing soon, so somebody is on their way in. I wish we could get that alternative CM as well.

[St BATman]

Just back. Thought we started strongly but after the first 10-15 mins they came right back into it to the extent of being the dominant side towards the end of the half. Second half started relatively evenly but by after we scored it was comfortable enough and I was pretty confident that if there was a second goal it would be us to score. Lallana looked really good and O-C deserved his goal for not bottling the challenge with the keeper (in general he looke dlike he grew in to the game but he was in and out of the action). Dickson didn't play well. Seaborne was good in the air but dreadful on the deck, Barnard worked hard as ever. Puncheon tried too hard again with too much not coming off, but was involved in several of our good moments. Butterfield was shakier than Saturday, but that may have been to do with their number 7 (Pugh) looking like a real live-wire. Fonte was calm as ever and Wotton played far above his usual standard. Hammond improved from the weekend and it was nice to see Lambert get 10 mins, made the long balls look much more thought out!

[itchen_dan]

I thought he was solid. Few too many hoofs but didn't do much wrong.

 

Agree. Very impressed tonight. Won the majority of balls in the air and had good positioning. At least when Seaborne hoofs it, it's a controlled hoof and usually ends up at one of our players. When Jaidi hoofs it, it goes nowhere near the player and 9 times out of 10 it will go out of play.

 

Would much rather have a Fonte and Seaborne centre back pairing.

[Freemantle Saint]

Gutless

Toothless

Passionless

Clueless

 

Predictable

Agenda Driven

Stay at home moaner

Internet uberfan ™

 

I actually feel embaressed for you for the total crap you have spouted merely 2 games in.

 

Thank **** i wont ever bump into you at st marys....

[doddisalegend]

It wasn't a surprise that Lallana scored, he is the only one in todays team which has got the edge. With him and Lambert in the side it probably takes the pressure of the likes of Barnard, but tonight he again didn't look like scoring, and he didn't.

 

Dickson was amazingly poor, misread every intention, gave away passes and defended poorly. With Harding on at half-time things improved and it told us something else as well. He and Lallana knows how to find each other, and it is difficult to see how Dickson can improved on that understanding.

Seabourne must be told that long cross balls is lower league stuff for CBs who can't think of what else to do, and if he wants to improve he must cut it out and start to use the ball better. He is much more agile than Jaidi, though, but that probably goes for most CBs at the moment. The first 15 minutes were great, so why did we give up on it? Did the players think that they had to come up with something else, just because we hadn't score? After that it was really anybody's game, and we were the lucky ones.

 

Twice we have now shown that we have plenty of skill, but 15-30 minutes per game isn't enough.

 

AP in the aftermatch interview very clearly said that A O-C would get competition on the right wing soon, so somebody is on their way in. I wish we could get that alternative CM as well.

 

That was really noticable against Plymouth the number of times Harding made a run for the overlap in the first half only for Dickson to head in field and ignore Harding was incredible. Harding was doing his nut.

[CitySaint]

Rubbish 1st half, decent 2nd.

Thought the 15 minutes or so 'Oh When the Saints' was inspiring for the players too.

Overall assessment, it was a much improved 2nd half. Lallana and Fonte stood above the rest. Dickson was poor (don't think we will need to worry about those additional tribunal payments) and if Harding doesn't start on Saturday, then I'd be amazed.

Puncheon is an enigma to me, just don't think he creates anything, so frustrating. Want to stick up for Seaborne, although first half his distribution was poor, he won everything in the air and gave the Bournemouth strikers no chances. Looked a better, more mobile option than Jaidi based on his performance on Saturday.

Let's keep it going on Saturday, with the added addition of a certain Mr Lambert.

[OWTS]

Totally disagree with some peoples assessment of Barnard. He collects and holds the ball superbly and his work rate is outstanding. Playing Paul Wotton is like giving the opposition an extra player. He is slow, he only passes sideways or back and his timing for tackling is suicide. He knows he is poor and thinks he can get away with things by showing a lot of shouting to make up for it.

 

Finally, agree with Pardew on the pathetic and impatient negativity of most of people so called 'supporters.' Bournemouth fans gave us a lesson in showing support.

 

Agree on all counts, Barnard is a clever player and brings more to the team than people realise. Wotton is useless.

 

Bournemouth fans were superb tbh until we scored. For such a meaningless game (ok it meant more for them) they were singing their hearts out and we were just moaning.

[edprice1984]

After getting back to Gloucester very late (or should that be early) I decided to leave it to today before I gave my two-penneth about the game.

 

First half:

After a bright start, we didn't look great. Too much long ball, lazy passing and too many mistakes. Lallana wasn't given the ball enough and Barnard was isolated up front (Puncheon kept going out wide rather than play in the central role we needed him). Seabourne and Davis were too often just lumping the ball forward, Wotton was too deep and this led to Bournemouth having quite alot of possession. I didn't feel that Saints were ever in any real danger from open play, set-pieces always worry me and Pitman was unlucky with his freekick. Oxo and Puncheon looked the more likely to score for Saints - we seemed to be very dangerous when we took some time and played the ball on the floor. Patient build up and we created chances. The booing at the end of the half was pathetic and the people concerned aren't true supporters in my books. It is easy to clap and cheer when you are winning - it is when the team are struggling that supporters need to be heard and be supportive.

 

Half-time: Just a little note for all those numpties saying that Cortese has banned Le Tiss etc from the ground, well the stewards aren't doing their job properly because when me and my friend stood up at half-time, he was sat 8 rows behind us in the Itchen!

 

Dickson substitution: I like Dickson and I think he will add alot to the side. I agree that the communication with Lallana was poor, but that will improve with games and training. The other problem is that Wotton doesn't and didn't offer anything on the inside so Dickson was having to check and make sure that if the move did break down he could cover. However losing the ball in one on one situations is unforgivable, but that can happen to anyone in any game - no need to write him off just yet!

 

Second Half:

Straight away Harding made a difference, over-lapping runs and supporting Lallana, gave space to Barnard, Hammond and Puncheon in the centre. We kept the ball very well for a good 10-15 minutes and as the pressure increased the players and the support (Northam -You were brilliant second half!) gradually gained in confidence. When Lallana stepped on to his right foot It was a goal...Can't wait to see that on the League Cup highlights tonight.

Felt that we lost a little control after Bournemouth changed their shape and went for it, but it did mean they left spaces at the back. With some more composure from Puncheon and Barnard we could have had a couple more, Lambert showed when he came on he is a class act (although as my friend noted, he did look like he has gained a pound or two).

 

Overall satisfied with performance and looking forward to getting either Pompey or a Premier League team in the next round.

[Andy_Porter]

Any highlights about? wouldn't mind seeing Oxo-Chamberlains goal again.

[Tractor_Saint]

Not great coverage so far on SSN but I spose something is better than nothing (specially with our current relationship with the press!)

 

[ohwhenthesaints]

Lallana is so ****ing good. Can't believe some people were writing him off at the start of last season.

[CWD]

First chance I've had to post since getting back from the game.

 

First half we were AWFUL, but we know that and to the team and Pardew's credit they sorted themselves out in the 2nd 45.

 

Dickson was terrible, but it seemed to be more of a bad day at the office rather than him not being good enough, so don't write him off just yet.

 

Wotton and Hammond were solid, but without Morgan there's no real creation there. Wotton has still yet to pass a ball forward during his time at saints, but it was better than the constant, pointless, long balls to Punch, Barny and Oxo.

 

Barnard can't really play up front on his own.

 

Puncheon, i thought, was terrible. Constantly ****ing up good opportunities and refusing to pass. However I spoke to a couple of Bournemouth fans on the way back to the train station who thought he was brilliant, a constant thorn in their side and, quote 'too good for league 1'. I guess the reason he seemed to mess up a lot was coz he was on the ball a lot so I guess he did ok.

 

Lallana is quality, unplayable at times.

 

Lambert is crucial, instant impact.

 

We were poor, but top teams have to win when they are playing poorly and we did that with a weakened team. I wanted to slit my wrists at half time, but now i feel a lot more positive.

 

COYsashes