Saints 2 Oldham 1 Post Match Reaction

[Jimmy_D]

Alex OC is a special special talent.

 

Potential to be better than Walcott or Bale I reckon, and at moments today there was some of the same magic in his boots that you see in Messi's...

 

I wonder...

 

I actually came away from the game bouncing, and it wasn't because we'd just pulled off a close win, it was because of how good I think he can be

 

Of course, a bad performance from him on a cold rainy Tuesday night at some ground in the North and I'll probably change my mind again, but for now I'm hyped

[Doctoroncall]

can only remember Puncheon given offside once - which was right in front of me and not convinced it was right decision - someone sent a great ball through.

 

I thought it was two each with guly. It was the otherwise to me and the linesman did seem to be over zealous. Still it didn't detract from a poor performance.

[benjii]

Can't be arsed to read thread but are some idiots criticising Puncheon again? ****ing clueless D'inlos if they are.

[Kingsbridge Saint]

Important win enabling us to hang on to our hard fought mid table status after a truly shocking start to the season. Can we push on from here? Notts County have one of the best home records in this division. So whats it to be - pushing on up the table, or mid table mediocrity?

[SaintJackoInHurworth]

What?? You were at a different game than me. Fonte was the man at fault last week. The first free kick that lead to the goal came from a very silly Fonte raised foot, NOT Seabourne. Harding had a shocker as well.

First 15 mins today we were great. Next 30 absolute poo. The goal bailed us out. 2nd half loads better & when we went 2-1 up we were excellent. Very strange game.

 

Even if you put some of the blame for one of the goals on Fonte, it doesn't get away from the fact that Seabourne was shocking last week and not faultless as was being claimed! I'm not the only person who says that either. If you read last week's match thread there were a number of people who felt Seabourne was poor. In fact, there are even some for today's match who have said he wasn't great and that Martin would be a better option.

 

In terms of Fonte being to blame for that goal though, there were very clear signs that Fonte was not happy with the system and particularly with having to cover for the shortcomings of others - especially Seabourne.

 

As to this week though, I can't comment as I was not there!

[NickG]

Can't be arsed to read thread but are some idiots criticising Puncheon again? ****ing clueless D'inlos if they are.

 

will save me £5 next year though.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

a bit of shooting practice called for at Staplewood this week methinks - especially for Morgan!

[Depressed of Shirley]

Must be watching a different game to a lot of you lot. I thought Schneiderlin was fantastic, completely committed and ran the midfield.

Chaplow was poor in the first half but very good in the second, and Guly came to life in the last half an hour - played like he did V Tranmere again.

 

I'm sorry, but Morgan did very little yesterday, and he and Chaplow had no idea what the other was doing at any time. Also, his shooting is terrible.

[Professor]

Not convinced by a long way. don't get me wrong really happy with the win but we are far from the finished article and deservedly sit in 14th. I know we are only 4pts away from 2nd etc etc. But we really need to find some damaging football if we are to make a statement in this league. For me we are scraping these wins (which is usually a good sign) and not dictating the play as much as we should be. Especially at home which I think most fans find frustrating. Last year we free scoring, this year we seemed to dried up. Alas we miss Papa and Antonio?

Anyways, well done Saints, 3pts is 3pts and that is exactly what we need.

Lets hope for further improvement and dictation on the field of play which in turn could well lead to more chances converted.

 

Good and sensible post. Despite some positives, including 3 points, performance is still not convincing. We need a better ratio of chances being taken and less reliance on Kelvin to save games. There is still a long climb ahead and we need to string wins together to make progress.

 

People saying we are only 4 points off second place are getting excited too soon when you look at the number of clubs on similar points. Last week we were only 3 points above the relegation zone, so being 5 points above now is encouraging but the gap to the top is still big with Brighton having created a clear gap. As for our climb up the table, last week we were 15th and there were 7 teams within 3 points ahead of us, so you might expect a win to move us up significantly. In fact the win only moved us up one place to 14th. There are now 9 teams within 3 points ahead of us but if we do get an away win next week at Notts Co, not all of those 9 teams will lose and if Bournemouth win at home we'll still be 4 points off second. Realistically, another win could mean moving up as few as 2 places, well short of 9. But that is the way of it, a slow climb is entirely possible, but only if we keep getting the results.

 

The big game next week is Peterborough v Brighton and I suppose the best result for us would be a draw, so they both drop 2 points but with top half teams playing each other every week, progress can only be gradual and to do that, our win ratio has got to be high.

[JustMike]

I'm sorry, but Morgan did very little yesterday, and he and Chaplow had no idea what the other was doing at any time. Also, his shooting is terrible.

 

again, must be watching a different game. Chaplow had a poor 1st half but stepped up 2nd half. Morgan played some nice passes and just kept it simple. Was a bit rash with his tackle which got him booked but he is still young.

[Professor]

I'm sorry, but Morgan did very little yesterday, and he and Chaplow had no idea what the other was doing at any time. Also, his shooting is terrible.

Agree that Morgan wasn't at his best but for me he is still our best MF option and there must be people who agree or he wouldn't be getting international call-ups. When Hammond is back from suspension, I think it will be Chaplow who gives way. I see him as having more problems than Morgan and a worrying temperament.

[Roger]

I just don't understand people saying Morgan didn't play well! He was in the game making good passes and tackles all the way through. Yes he was awful at shooting but at least that proves he was breaking forward and trying. For me he is a different class to chaplow.

[farawaysaint]

WAOOT! (We almost owned the other team.)

[Weston Saint]

Poor game but a win was more important and coming from 1-0 down for the first time this season will have a positive effect on the team.

 

I am going to focus on the negatives first:

 

Lambert is not worth his place in the team start at present. His work rate is lethargic and clearly out of form. However, he is not an impact player to bring off the bench so he will continue to start and I have no problem with that at present.

 

Schneiderlin is poor. For those who still rate him I suggest you focus on him for the whole game. As soon as he gets the ball he makes the simple pass sideways or back (with the very occasional decent long pass). He fails to move forward after passing, is lazy and has little impact. He is part of the reason our midfield engine fails to spark. At least 80 appearances and only 1 goal is not good enough. He does not contribute. For all Chaplow’s failings he contributes more positives to the game. This is an area we must address in the next transfer window. Chaplow is not the answer long term but he is ok at this level.

 

Back to our strikers – why are they not “hunting in pairs” More than once Lambert laid off a short ball but no one about to slot it in. They should not have to go to hunt the ball wide.

 

On the positives:

 

Puncheon worked hard, particularly in the first half and if he keeps this effort up he will find support.

 

Fonte scoring from a great free kick delivery.

 

Chamberlain’s impact on the game. One good goal and a fantastic run and shot that hit the post.

 

Overall I think we deserved the win but our play was, most of the time, mid table division with just the odd spark of class.

Edited 24 October, 2010 by Weston Saint

[Roger]

Weston, I don't think Morgan has Been at his best but yesterday he wasn't lazy far from it. To say chaplow was better is absolute garbage. As for lambert he was touch and go with a bad head and for me played pretty well so don't write his obituary judy yet.

[corky morris]

We must watch different games & look for different thhings in a football match.

Morgan is the best passer we have. He was caught in possession a couple of times. Interestingly the pass he received was from Puncheon on both occasions. He always wants the ball & is prepared to take it when others dont know what to do.

I do focus on his ability & performance all game. Maybe you should focus on that fact that if we have the ball the opposition cant score & he maintains possession better than any other player we have.

He reminds me of Oakley. Maybe you thought he wasnt very good either.

I also disagree with your view of Puncheon. He did indeed try harder, but failed to do what Oxo did on at least 3 or 4 occassions - which was to go past his man.

I am constantly surprised by people on here.............

[Hopkins]

Morgan so underrated its horrible.

 

Love the idea that bringing the ball down, taking a touch, creating some space, playing a short pass and essentially keeping the ball is easy to find in this league. We could have Wotton coming in and ****ting himself every time he gets the ball. Lets berate the one of the very few players in this league and in our team who actually looks composed and comfortable on the football and who knows when to play a simple pass and also knows when to switch it up and ping it to a winger.

 

Baffling. Composure is something that is hard to find in this league and he suits Hammond or Chaplow as a partner as they both want to hassle everything and do everything at such a high tempo. Morgan's brings a calmness to our play and without him or someone willing to play a simple pass we'd end up playing even more long balls and even more balls into the channels.

 

Take any team in the world, well any decent team, and they have a deep lying player in the centre of midfield who is the simple, composed, effective midfielder. **** the lack of goals, he brings alot more to the team than that. Busquets for Barca, Mikel for Chelsea, Alonso and Sami Khedira for Madrid, Spain and Germany, the list is endless. It's probably the most underrated role in football today and yet probably one of the most important. Morgan is our League One version.

 

I point you to this article regarding deep lying centre midfielders. http://www.zonalmarking.net/2010/07/30/central-midfield-role/

[up and away]

Poor game but a win was more important and coming from 1-0 down for the first time this season will have a positive effect on the team.

 

I am going to focus on the negatives first:

 

Lambert is not worth his place in the team start at present. His work rate is lethargic and clearly out of form. However, he is not an impact player to bring off the bench so he will continue to start and I have no problem with that at present.

 

Schneiderlin is poor. For those who still rate him I suggest you focus on him for the whole game. As soon as he gets the ball he makes the simple pass sideways or back (with the very occasional decent long pass). He fails to move forward after passing, is lazy and has little impact. He is part of the reason our midfield engine fails to spark. At least 80 appearances and only 1 goal is not good enough. He does not contribute. For all Chaplow’s failings he contributes more positives to the game. This is an area we must address in the next transfer window. Chaplow is not the answer long term but he is ok at this level.

 

Back to our strikers – why are they not “hunting in pairs” More than once Lambert laid off a short ball but no one about to slot it in. They should not have to go to hunt the ball wide.

 

On the positives:

 

Puncheon worked hard, particularly in the first half and if he keeps this effort up he will find support.

 

Fonte scoring from a great free kick delivery.

 

Chamberlain’s impact on the game. One good goal and a fantastic run and shot that hit the post.

 

Overall I think we deserved the win but our play was, most of the time, mid table division with just the odd spark of class.

 

Very good analysis. I came to a similar decision with Schneiderlin a while back, he flatters to deceive, but I did think he was making progress under Adkins. Chaplow looked the worst of the two and some of his passing was dreadful, making Morgan look good. But these two just did not gel and there was no balance or effective drive from them as a unit, that was our biggest problem. Of the two I would agree that Chaplow compliments Hammond better, even allowing for his mistakes and are the better pairing, mainly because of his drive.

 

What I cannot understand is what is wrong with Ricky? injury, because I can't believe it's still fitness but have heard no details on any injury and he looks like a plodder far too much of the game. Whatever, his form last year is why we did so well and we desperately need him back on form or are going to have to look at getting someone else in. Ricky still does a useful job, just not near the level he was doing it at last season.

 

Something one other poster mentioned is regarding Fonte. Without doubt our best player consistently, but he does compromise his position by trying to do others work as well. In the long run he may well be correct and it was barely noticeable, but against Bournemouth it should have cost us a goal and against Rochdale it did. I would love to see Fonte as the defensive midfielder where he can add this cover without leaving any gaps and I can't see anyone better for someone to take the ball forward from midfield.

[NickG]

Poor game but a win was more important and coming from 1-0 down for the first time this season will have a positive effect on the team.

 

I am going to focus on the negatives first:

 

Lambert is not worth his place in the team start at present. His work rate is lethargic and clearly out of form. However, he is not an impact player to bring off the bench so he will continue to start and I have no problem with that at present.

 

Schneiderlin is poor. For those who still rate him I suggest you focus on him for the whole game. As soon as he gets the ball he makes the simple pass sideways or back (with the very occasional decent long pass). He fails to move forward after passing, is lazy and has little impact. He is part of the reason our midfield engine fails to spark. At least 80 appearances and only 1 goal is not good enough. He does not contribute. For all Chaplow’s failings he contributes more positives to the game. This is an area we must address in the next transfer window. Chaplow is not the answer long term but he is ok at this level.

 

Back to our strikers – why are they not “hunting in pairs” More than once Lambert laid off a short ball but no one about to slot it in. They should not have to go to hunt the ball wide.

 

On the positives:

 

Puncheon worked hard, particularly in the first half and if he keeps this effort up he will find support.

 

Fonte scoring from a great free kick delivery.

 

Chamberlain’s impact on the game. One good goal and a fantastic run and shot that hit the post.

 

Overall I think we deserved the win but our play was, most of the time, mid table division with just the odd spark of class.

 

agree with most of that but you are wrong about Morgan, he is a good player. Keeps the ball much better than Chaplow he is all about huff and puff

[Window Cleaner]

agree with most of that but you are wrong about Morgan, he is a good player. Keeps the ball much better than Chaplow he is all about huff and puff

 

it's about appreciation of the style of football, many want gung ho always forward football,but modern football isn't played that way any more, the object is ball possession and players are groomed nowadays not to give the ball away with rash forward passes that won't maintain possession. If you watch many top continental sides the ball goes round and round and forward and back but having it is all that matters, the chessmen move forward slowly until someone is in space and can burst forward. It strikes me that many posters wouldn't enjoy watching Milan or even Real very much at all.I noticed this when i was watching Liverpool the other day, they've gone from Benitez's successful round and round the garden style to hoicking it forward all the time, they of course lose the ball and keep getting beaten.

[benjii]

Morgan and Chaplow completely controlled the midfield during the second half.

 

Morgan is very frustrating due to:

i) questionable temperament;

ii) lack of assists and goals;

 

but in spite of this he has still performed well this season and is improving IMO. He is quicker into the tackle now and has learnt to control games. He should start every week if fit, with one of the other two. The two criticisms highlighted above probably amount to the same thing - ie they are mental rather than down to ability. We need to persevere with him.

[up and away]

Morgan so underrated its horrible.

 

Love the idea that bringing the ball down, taking a touch, creating some space, playing a short pass and essentially keeping the ball is easy to find in this league. We could have Wotton coming in and ****ting himself every time he gets the ball. Lets berate the one of the very few players in this league and in our team who actually looks composed and comfortable on the football and who knows when to play a simple pass and also knows when to switch it up and ping it to a winger.

 

Baffling. Composure is something that is hard to find in this league and he suits Hammond or Chaplow as a partner as they both want to hassle everything and do everything at such a high tempo. Morgan's brings a calmness to our play and without him or someone willing to play a simple pass we'd end up playing even more long balls and even more balls into the channels.

 

Take any team in the world, well any decent team, and they have a deep lying player in the centre of midfield who is the simple, composed, effective midfielder. **** the lack of goals, he brings alot more to the team than that. Busquets for Barca, Mikel for Chelsea, Alonso and Sami Khedira for Madrid, Spain and Germany, the list is endless. It's probably the most underrated role in football today and yet probably one of the most important. Morgan is our League One version.

 

I point you to this article regarding deep lying centre midfielders. http://www.zonalmarking.net/2010/07/30/central-midfield-role/

 

I could have been saying the same thing not long back, but after so long you cannot over look the facts forever. There is little doubt in my mind now under Adkins that Hammond is the defensive midfielder, that leaves one position for an attacking, more creative midfielder. Just look at Morgans goals / assists and you are wandering into Claus / Benali territory here. Adkins has definitely had an impact on Morgan, but it needs to develop for him to retain his place. What Morgan needs to understand is those, control, small alteral balls take drive and momentum out of the team. I thought he was getting past this under Adkins but this was a backward step. When we played 451 under Pardew, I thought Morgan was at his best in a 5 man midfield, a far more effective player.

 

I don't believe anyone is arguing that Morgan looks a class act with his skills, it's more a question of the effectiveness of the player. We all know the value of these types of player and the French have been particularly gifted in this area, but as world class as Didier Deschamps was, I can't see any manager putting him in the team to play infront of Claude Makelele.

[Doctoroncall]

Poor game but a win was more important and coming from 1-0 down for the first time this season will have a positive effect on the team.

 

I am going to focus on the negatives first:

 

Schneiderlin is poor. For those who still rate him I suggest you focus on him for the whole game. As soon as he gets the ball he makes the simple pass sideways or back (with the very occasional decent long pass). He fails to move forward after passing, is lazy and has little impact. He is part of the reason our midfield engine fails to spark. At least 80 appearances and only 1 goal is not good enough. He does not contribute. For all Chaplow’s failings he contributes more positives to the game. This is an area we must address in the next transfer window. Chaplow is not the answer long term but he is ok at this level.

 

Overall I think we deserved the win but our play was, most of the time, mid table division with just the odd spark of class.

 

Just picking up on this point. I could see glimpses of a good footballer in Schneiderlin - picking up the ball and passing out wide and breaking up Oldham attacks as well as good ball control and touch, so he certainly is capable of more, however as you say he seemed to check his run forward and the partnership with Chaplow didn't work.

[.comsaint]

I am more than happy with the win, but . . .

 

I'm still somewhat alarmed at the lack of goals from our non-productive midfield.

[Weston Saint]

I think part of the overall problem and perhaps impacting on Schneiderlin's influence on the game is that we lack movement when we have the ball in midfield severely limiting options. Schneiderlin is just as guilty. He plays too much in a comfort zone. There is no doubt he has class but he needs to up his game it he is going to be effective for us.

[Vegas]

Anyone have a link to videa of the goals?

 

Cheers.

[Window Cleaner]

I think part of the overall problem and perhaps impacting on Schneiderlin's influence on the game is that we lack movement when we have the ball in midfield severely limiting options. Schneiderlin is just as guilty. He plays too much in a comfort zone. There is no doubt he has class but he needs to up his game it he is going to be effective for us.

 

Nope he just needs to leave,it's as simple as that, the FFF no doubt tell him this every time he is at Clairefontaine.

[OldNick]

The love in with Morgan surprises much the same as the slating of Puncheon on yesterdays performance. Morgan is a tidy midfielder playing in L1. He rarely makes a defence splitting pass and gets booked quite often. Yes he does add aggression but I can't see why he is so lauded about. Lambert is not right at present but I dont think dropping him is the right thing to do.He will come good and the club relying on his goals was always a folly. Why not pick on LB if you want to talk about lack of goals. Yes LB runs for us but again he cannot outrun a defence and does not have a good repore with RL. When AL and RL are close together they both perk up and have an instant pairing.Yesterday AL was put wide and could not get into the game, that made us ineffective.

Adkins subs proved me wrong but I was amazed when he took Punch and Lambert off, and when he put on PW wel!!!!!This is from a manager who talks passing the ball Lol.Guly should have stayed on as he was running the show and Oldham were on the back foot,as soon as he went off they could come forward.

Chamberlain looked great but I hope that he is not rushed too soon.Although his pace is just what wew need.

Kelvin saved us 2 points by the way, for all those who knock him.

[Weston Saint]

The love in with Morgan surprises much the same as the slating of Puncheon on yesterdays performance. Morgan is a tidy midfielder playing in L1. He rarely makes a defence splitting pass and gets booked quite often. Yes he does add aggression but I can't see why he is so lauded about. Lambert is not right at present but I dont think dropping him is the right thing to do.He will come good and the club relying on his goals was always a folly. Why not pick on LB if you want to talk about lack of goals. Yes LB runs for us but again he cannot outrun a defence and does not have a good repore with RL. When AL and RL are close together they both perk up and have an instant pairing.Yesterday AL was put wide and could not get into the game, that made us ineffective.

Adkins subs proved me wrong but I was amazed when he took Punch and Lambert off, and when he put on PW wel!!!!!This is from a manager who talks passing the ball Lol.Guly should have stayed on as he was running the show and Oldham were on the back foot,as soon as he went off they could come forward.

Chamberlain looked great but I hope that he is not rushed too soon.Although his pace is just what wew need.

Kelvin saved us 2 points by the way, for all those who knock him.

Most are not doubting his shot stopping abilities but there is more to a goalkeeper than that, like commanding his area, coming for crosses regularly, making the right decisions when to come for the ball, when to throw and when to kick etc.

[benjii]

We won't get a better 'keeper than Kelvin in the third division FFS.

[Wes Tender]

I think that at the start of the match there was the residue of a hangover from the Huddersfield match. We had dominated Tranmere with such style that being dominated by Huddersfield when attempting to play the same style must have given the team a reality check that affected their nerves. OK, we came out of the blocks playing some good stuff for the first 15 minutes, but then Oldham got our measure and pegged us back and it seemed probable that sitting back like that could allow them to score. At the time of their goal, we were playing like a Pardew team, all of the players bunched up into one half of the pitch again, absolutely no width to stretch the midfield and allow us to play the passing game that had been such a breath of fresh air at Tranmere. Thankfully, Fonte's goal from the set-piece calmed the nerves somewhat and Adkins must have sorted them out at half time, as at least we played with some width in the second half. But a lot of that half was dross until the substitutions were made, bringing on Chamberlain and Barnard for Puncheon and Lambert. Pucheon had had a good enough game up until then and had probably tired himself, but the fresh pair of legs, especially with the speed that Chamberlain commands, was great tactics that put the pressure firmly on Oldham. Barnard also added extra drive and menace in the box, compared with a Lambert still out of sorts, although the shot from Lambert's earlier free kick would have been a goal had their keeper not produced a superb save at the foot of the post.

 

Lallana had a great game, their defence being outwitted by his trickery with the ball time and time again. Often he left them chasing shadows and often they fouled him because they couldn't play the ball. I wonder whether he might have a more devastating effect on our game if he were played in the hole behind the striker/s, because he would cause consternation playing like that in the box, where defenders would be extremely nervous of giving away the penalty. Chamberlain caused that sort of problem, running at their defence. With Pucheon, Lallana and Chamberlain, we have players with the skill to cause problems running into the box and I wonder why we don't make more of that asset.

 

The other points that stood out for me:

Davis made a great save around the 11th minute mark and also the most incredible save a few minutes from the end and undoubtedly earned us an extra two points. I had gone down towards the exit after extra time was announced and was right behind the Northam goal when the shot was made. I was incredulous that he managed to tip it round the post, it was a World class save, one of the best I've ever seen him make. On the other hand, he nearly gifted them a goal earlier with his short pass out to Fonte.

 

The referee, D'Urso, showed why he wasn't good enough to referee at the top level, as he certainly wasn't good enough at this level. And the linesmen also made a couple of bad calls for offside as far as I could see.

 

Oldham's no 17 should be given a good talking to about fairness and the spirit of the game. When one of our players was down, we had continued play and were breaking up field towards the half way line. When play was stopped to give attention to our player, D'Urso decided that play should continue with a dropped ball much closer to our box than where we last had possession. Instead of allowing us to win it, Oldham's number 17 contested it and produced a goal threat that would have sparked a riot had they scored from it.

 

I was reasonably confident that we would win, but there were one or two heart in mouth moments. However, there were plenty of signs that we are making progress and provided that we play with width and continue to pass rather than hoof, then the players will have had a boost to their confidence and can maybe go on a run of wins on the back of it.

[Thedelldays]

I am stunned at people saying Morgan was poor

 

Like a few of our players we "don't rate" he would walk into teams far better than us

[The Kraken]

I am stunned at people saying Morgan was poor

 

I don't think he was poor; but particularly in the first half he was fairly quiet.

 

Considering he and Chaplow haven't played together before I think they did ok, second half being better than the first. I'd still obviously like to see more goal threat from central midfield though, against Tranmere we started to see it but not too much evidence of it yesterday (unless you count Morgan andd Paul Wotton thrashing one into row z).

[Saint_clark]

I thought Morgan was fantastic tbh, he was absolutely everywhere running the midfield - one memorable moment was when he dodged tackles by three players, stumbled and then tried to head the ball away from another player - whilst it was on the floor.

[jinglesaints]

Well not the best we have played this season but glad we got the victory. Like Alan Hansen said on MOTD last night describing Chelsea, a sign of good team is winning when they are not at their best, and we certainly weren't yesterday. Credit must go to Oldham who started like Huddersfield in pressing high up in the pitch meaning we could not get our passing game going, resulting in hoofing and losing the ball several times in the first half. However Oldham tired second half and with the introduction of the "Impact players" we utilised the space they gave much better.

 

Davis 7 - Two excellent saves, one in the first half and one right at the end. Would have got an 8 if he had not made that silly pass to Fonte that nearly got us in trouble.

Butterfield 7 - Solid, had no real problems with there left winger but did not get as forward as much in recent games at home.

Fonte 8 - Had to deal with two big strikers but was a rock at the back and capped it off with his first goal at St Marys.

Seaborne 7 - Same as Fonte, dealt well with the two big strikers, seemed to be winning more headers than usual.

Harding 7 - Same as Butters, solid and had no real problems with there right winger.

Puncheon 6 - Was one of better players in the first half, especially the first 15 minutes with his chance that hit the post, but was then poor and rightly subsituted.

Chaplow 6 - Awful first half, good second half. Kept giving the ball away in the first half and his first touch was poor but broke up a lot of Oldham's play second half.

Schneiderlin 6 - Same as Chaplow. Was guilty of losing the ball whilst in possession first half but was good second half. Must work on shooting this week Nigel!

Lallana 8 - For the first 40 mins he hardly touched the ball. Then was our best player in the second half. Created the free kick for the first goal and you just know something will happen when he has the ball.

Guly 7 - A couple of half chances in the first half and should have done better with his chance in the second half. Some excellent touches and linked up well with Barnard when he came on.

Lambert 6 - Just does not look at the races at the moment. Good free kick first half that he nearly scored with but apart from that was marked excellent by the Oldham captain and rightly subsituted.

 

Chambo 8 - Changed the game with his pace and skill. Excellent goal and good have had an even better second.

Barnard 7 - Did much more than Lambert when he came on and would start with Guly at Notts County next Saturday.

Wotton 5 - Awful shot when he should have kept the ball. Could see Nigel and Crosby's reaction when that happened and they were not happy.

[Dr Who?]

Can't be arsed to read thread but are some idiots criticising Puncheon again? ****ing clueless D'inlos if they are.

 

Agreed, Puncheon said he had a point to prove and I think he went a long way towards doing this. Still a little bit hot and cold, but that is like most the team at the moment. Need to get Lalana on the ball as often as possible, but out wide where there is a little more space rather than the congested middle of the field!

[Give it to Ron]

I am stunned at people saying Morgan was poor

 

Like a few of our players we "don't rate" he would walk into teams far better than us

 

Why...some people have different opinions on performances....yes he does have quality and in other games he has been very good.

Yesterday he was disappointing and created very little....the reason was possibly that we lacked pace and movement for him to pick out anyone and resorted far too often to sideways and backwards.

Compared to the last 2 home games we didn't pass the ball well at all and hoofed it.

Why does it always have to be taken to the extremes on here....he normally is decent for me yesterday he didn't play that well as he offered very little creativity wise and isn't that his job?

[Window Cleaner]

but all this is of no avail as he doesn't spend 3/4 of the game hanging about on the opponents penalty spot....or if you listen to some anyway. Morgan is a Number 6, a millieu recuperateur if you like, it is not his role to score goals or go on dazzling runs from byeline to byeline, that's Lallana,Puncheon,Guly and Lambert's job, if they don't do it well it's not up to the defensive midfield to sort it out.You just can't have everybody piling forward all the time, that's called gung ho football and you usually end up losing.

[Dr Who?]

again, must be watching a different game. Chaplow had a poor 1st half but stepped up 2nd half. Morgan played some nice passes and just kept it simple. Was a bit rash with his tackle which got him booked but he is still young.

 

He is a bit like Oakley, but without the ability to shoot. You need someone to keep it simple and the game ticking over.

[The Kraken]

He is a bit like Oakley, but without the ability to shoot. You need someone to keep it simple and the game ticking over.

 

That's true. But with Hammond / Chaplow and Morgan we appear to have two such players in central midfield who do that. IMO we don't see the CMs getting beyond the front two (in the style of a Frank Lampard) often enough.

[Dr Who?]

That's true. But with Hammond / Chaplow and Morgan we appear to have two such players in central midfield who do that. IMO we don't see the CMs getting beyond the front two (in the style of a Frank Lampard) often enough.

 

I thought he was going to be the player to get forward and score a few along with lalana to support the front 2. This does not seem to be happening, but out of the ones mentioned he has the best shooting ability... or did have.

[Window Cleaner]

That's true. But with Hammond / Chaplow and Morgan we appear to have two such players in central midfield who do that. IMO we don't see the CMs getting beyond the front two (in the style of a Frank Lampard) often enough.

 

it's down to understanding the new fangled game, in the 2 CM roles you have a milieu recuperateur and a milieu relayeur, in front of them you have 2 milieu offensifs. If your milieu recuperateur is charging forward all the time you will be exposed at the back,if your milieuu relayeur isn't where he's supposed to be you have to pass long when going forward. The two roles are oft interchangeable within a game but at all times they have to be there as 2 distinct elements.

[The Kraken]

it's down to understanding the new fangled game, in the 2 CM roles you have a milieu recuperateur and a milieu relayeur, in front of them you have 2 milieu offensifs. If your milieu recuperateur is charging forward all the time you will be exposed at the back,if your milieuu relayeur isn't where he's supposed to be you have to pass long when going forward. The two roles are oft interchangeable within a game but at all times they have to be there as 2 distinct elements.

 

Call it what you like, but I disagree. I'm not asking for a CM to "charge forward all the time". That's certainly not how I see how Frank Lampard plays; he does his defensive share of work but is excellent at judging when to make his forward runs where he just seems to glide into space beyond the strikers. Our CMs either don't seem to have the desire or the ability to attempt it.

[Give it to Ron]

it's down to understanding the new fangled game, in the 2 CM roles you have a milieu recuperateur and a milieu relayeur, in front of them you have 2 milieu offensifs. If your milieu recuperateur is charging forward all the time you will be exposed at the back,if your milieuu relayeur isn't where he's supposed to be you have to pass long when going forward. The two roles are oft interchangeable within a game but at all times they have to be there as 2 distinct elements.

 

 

Yep agree with that....except in some games when the opposition are playing 4-6-0 or a very poor Tranmere 4-5-1 you dont need that role played so statically.

Classic example was England last week....why play 4 defenders and a holding when they had one up?

There were many occasions yesterday Chaplow was behind Morgan and not getting beyond the forwards like he did so well against Tranmere.

[Window Cleaner]

Yep agree with that....except in some games when the opposition are playing 4-6-0 or a very poor Tranmere 4-5-1 you dont need that role played so statically.

Classic example was England last week....why play 4 defenders and a holding when they had one up?

There were many occasions yesterday Chaplow was behind Morgan and not getting beyond the forwards like he did so well against Tranmere.

 

That's because Chaplow isn't a milieu recuperateur in the strict sense of the word, he should be getting forward but as I don't personally happen to think he's particularly good I could see that he got shut down by Oldham.We should have got that old bugger Kishishev instead of Brighton,he could do the job that Morgan is doing and let him get forward as he does for the bleuets, he really is quite good at it you know,but he needs someone more solid that Chaplow behind him at that stage, like Hammond.

[mcjwills]

 

Oldham's no 17 should be given a good talking to about fairness and the spirit of the game. When one of our players was down, we had continued play and were breaking up field towards the half way line. When play was stopped to give attention to our player, D'Urso decided that play should continue with a dropped ball much closer to our box than where we last had possession. Instead of allowing us to win it, Oldham's number 17 contested it and produced a goal threat that would have sparked a riot had they scored from it.

 

Before the freekick was taken the No17 was pointing up in the air claiming the ball was in play when the ref stopped the game, and in his opinion that made it a fifty-fifty ball, cheating sod

[Window Cleaner]

Before the freekick was taken the No17 was pointing up in the air claiming the ball was in play when the ref stopped the game, and in his opinion that made it a fifty-fifty ball, cheating sod

 

what do you expect it's Oldham run by Dickov.

[Thedelldays]

Why...some people have different opinions on performances....yes he does have quality and in other games he has been very good.

Yesterday he was disappointing and created very little....the reason was possibly that we lacked pace and movement for him to pick out anyone and resorted far too often to sideways and backwards.

Compared to the last 2 home games we didn't pass the ball well at all and hoofed it.

Why does it always have to be taken to the extremes on here....he normally is decent for me yesterday he didn't play that well as he offered very little creativity wise and isn't that his job?

 

Created little?? Every single attack that never went via a hoof went through Morgan...

[Give it to Ron]

There you go with your extremes..every attack went through Morgan....hahahah so Oxo's run went through him, Lallanas run for the goal, Puncheons shot that hit the post.

[Thedelldays]

There you go with your extremes..every attack went through Morgan....hahahah so Oxo's run went through him, Lallanas run for the goal, Puncheons shot that hit the post.

 

Pretty much..you watch the defence

IF they don't hoof it.. They give it to Morgan.. Or he comes to collect it..