Carlisle 3 - 2 Saints - post match reaction.

[Katalinic]

In such a tight promotion chase, the whole team has to perform, including Adkins, including Lambert.

 

We f**ked up big time today. Got ourselves a sniff of a promotion spot, then failed to turn up YET AGAIN.

 

We did it under Burley, we did it under Pardew.

 

Only teams that can perform week in, week out, get promoted. And we are looking like also rans who cannot cope with the competition - again.

 

I know what you mean - I always feel like we will win at home but away from home we always seem capable of a poor result.

[Ohio Saint]

Maybe not random, wrong word. But such a change in formation and players used was only going to end up one way imo. As soon as I heard Jaidi was in and Lambert was up on his own I new how it would go as per my first post of the day.

 

Agreed about Lambo. His continued inclusion in the starting 11 is somewhat strange IMO.

[AlfredKo]

Clearly Adkins doesnt think he made any mistakes, which is worrying. Granted there is more than 1 way to play football but when you make the wrong decision in terms of formation you have to admit it and reassure fans that you have learnt from it. Scared to Admit he's wrong incase or Cortese Backlash?

 

Perhaps his idea was right. Just the 451 formation didn't work out as planned.

[Katalinic]

Listening to Adkins trying to explain it away...simple as that.

 

Tactically naive but hopefully we know not to try it again...although Harding sounded dire I felt NA was blaming him over all others -simple as that.

 

Still...all there still to play for still......... simple as that

 

Harding has been poor for weeks - big mistake not dropping him. This team needs a shake up for next week.

[BUCKINGHAMSAINT]

NA has done well thus far and one defeat does not mean we are out of it. I think he got the tactics wrong today and I would like, probably like 99% of us, that we go away and have a go! The likes of Barny on the bench is a waste IMHO. Must do better against the better sides.

[aintforever]

I don't get changing tactics when we've been winning games for fun. Also Barnard and Guly have been superb recently - why drop them both in favour of an out of sorts Lambert?

 

It was always going to be a tough one though, Carlisle are not a bad side and would have been hungry for revenge after the Wembley drubbing.

[SFC Forever]

I would have subbed Harding at the latest by half-time and maybe Jaidi was next in line. Chaplow for me is better than Hammond and Schneiderlin so one of them has to make way in my opinion. Lambert has struggled all season and shows no obvious sign of a return to form so why has he still been getting selected.

[Nexstar]

Adkins blamed the defending, and loss of 50/50 balls. I guess the formation was a problem but without harding's own goal and if he managed to clear off the line, and if we were able to defend corners we would have won.

[Liquidshokk]

I don't get changing tactics when we've been winning games for fun. Also Barnard and Guly have been superb recently - why drop them both in favour of an out of sorts Lambert?

 

It was always going to be a tough one though, Carlisle are not a bad side and would have been hungry for revenge after the Wembley drubbing.

 

Im starting to think something is going on with the "Play Lambert every game thing"... surely any player that out of sorts would be dropped until fitness, head space etc is up there with others available.. Maybe we're scared of losing him if we dont play him every game. Dont think that would be such a disaster personally. Barnard, Guly and Connolly could make more of an impact this season than Lambert is clearly willing to.

[iansums]

Dickson in for Harding next week.

Jaidi, Morgan and Lambert are a big disappointment for me this season. Time to let them go in January.

Lambert is being picked on his reputation from last season.

[Window Cleaner]

I don't get changing tactics when we've been winning games for fun. Also Barnard and Guly have been superb recently - why drop them both in favour of an out of sorts Lambert?

 

It was always going to be a tough one though, Carlisle are not a bad side and would have been hungry for revenge after the Wembley drubbing.

 

I don't doubt for one minute that Lambert is an automatic choice for some reason or other,last week for some arbitrary cause or other José and Morgan were given the day off but Lambert was still on the bench and came on (I think).There is something which just isn't right with NAs handling of the players. Why drop Seaborne for the dinosaur Jaidi, because he marked the wrong zone (according to Patred anyway,didn't look like it to me) a few weeks back. Now NA is blaming one player for not doing his job (who that can be I couldn't say because Harding can't be guilty of bad marking from a corner cos he's usually on the post) blames Lallana and Chaplow for not scoring but not a word of reproach for Lambert. I thought NA was doing an OK job but today well I'm not so sure .

[Window Cleaner]

Dickson in for Harding next week.

Jaidi, Morgan and Lambert are a big disappointment for me this season. Time to let them go in January.

Lambert is being picked on his reputation from last season.

 

Morgan has been replaced in the starting line up by Chaplow, this is his first start for a good while, he's been dropped by the French U21s no doubt because he's not getting a game for us. What do you expect from him when he's been ****ed about ever since Adkins

got here.The only game he's started of late was when Deano was suspended.

[Thedelldays]

Fek me... I thought I could be negative

 

We lost... We will lose again this season... We will probably lose again at home...

 

We are 4 points from 2nd and ten from the top and it's novemeber

 

Christ on a bike

[smithy]

Bad result but maybe the kick up the ass we need at a good time with 2 hard games next. I think we'll be ok.

[lethallee]

Some might think Schneiderlin is a cultured footballer but he offers nothing to a league 1 team. I am not Hammonds biggest fan but his performances have improved under NA. Chaplow and Hammond is the way forward until January at least. Barnard should be starting I feel more confident in getting result when he plays from start. Perhaps an opportunity now to give Dickson a go at LB.

[Window Cleaner]

Fek me... I thought I could be negative

 

We lost... We will lose again this season... We will probably lose again at home...

 

We are 4 points from 2nd and ten from the top and it's novemeber

 

Christ on a bike

 

NA was very negative as well, very hard faced interview, don't know if you heard it,says we should have won 2-0,very stringent on certain players.

[simo]

When fit starting connolly is a must he is arguably our best striker ! WE CANNOT DEFEND SET PIECES !

[Window Cleaner]

Some might think Schneiderlin is a cultured footballer but he offers nothing to a league 1 team. I am not Hammonds biggest fan but his performances have improved under NA. Chaplow and Hammond is the way forward until January at least. Barnard should be starting I feel more confident in getting result when he plays from start. Perhaps an opportunity now to give Dickson a go at LB.

 

Seemed to manage alright last season mostly though. With him it's about movement in front of him and creating time and space.

AP improved him quite a bit in certain ways and he has no doubt felt the change more than most. Plus the circumstances of his dropping would p*ss off more than one player, you go away to play for your country, do well,play 2 good games, score a decent goal and come back to find you've been dropped. As 've said before I wouldn't doubt that he has already asked to leave because of this.

[hypochondriac]

When fit starting connolly is a must he is arguably our best striker ! WE CANNOT DEFEND SET PIECES !

 

No doubt that is the case but he is always on the treatment table.

[Jackie@home]

Anybody actually at the match can tells us some facts, i.e. who were the players making basic defensive errors? Too many people slagging Adkins off on here who can't have seen the match. LIke he said, you can play any formation you like but if we miss good chances in front of goal and concede sloppy goals, it doesn't matter what formation you play. This assumption that players always do what the manager says so it must be his fault is crazy. Anybody who manages staff knows that they often don't do what you tell them.

[lethallee]

Seemed to manage alright last season mostly though. With him it's about movement in front of him and creating time and space.

AP improved him quite a bit in certain ways and he has no doubt felt the change more than most. Plus the circumstances of his dropping would p*ss off more than one player, you go away to play for your country, do well,play 2 good games, score a decent goal and come back to find you've been dropped. As 've said before I wouldn't doubt that he has already asked to leave because of this.

 

I think he would be better suited to higher level football. He would benefit from playing with more intelligent and gifted players. As you say he relies on good movement from others.

[Andy_Porter]

Any reason why Seaborne didn't start?

 

Been one of our best players under Adkins imo.

[Andy_Porter]

We got our noses up along side the leaders and the chasing pack, and choked - yet again. Its as simple as that.

 

We lost a game... did you really expect us to win or draw every game from now until May?

 

You're either on the wind up or a complete clown.

[NickG]

http://www.football-league.co.uk/page/CurrentForm/0,,10794~201025,00.html

 

up to date current form showing our recent choking.

 

I like Dickson and think its shame he hasn't had a run as first choice - maybe its his turn.

 

Likewise been more impressed with Seaborne and Martin than Jaidi.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

Let's be honest while we have been picking up results we have not played well recently.

Everyone says that is a sign of a good team and it is....until you start losing.

 

Something is not right up there and I'm damned if I can put my finger on it.

[NickG]

We have too many players who are a class above others in this league - but not week in, week out. Star one week, poor the next sometimes doesn't get the results of average players doing a job every week.

[Badger]

http://www.football-league.co.uk/page/CurrentForm/0,,10794~201025,00.html

 

up to date current form showing our recent choking.

 

I like Dickson and think its shame he hasn't had a run as first choice - maybe its his turn.

 

Likewise been more impressed with Seaborne and Martin than Jaidi.

 

I'd go with you on those selections.

 

The other dilemnas are midfield, where I rate Schneiderlin, but ahead of whom ? Chamberlain at 17 cannot be relied upon to produce the goods week in week out but we know Puncheon to be persistantly below par.

 

Up front, the big puzzle is Lambert and how to reignite his season.

[Seaford Saint]

Let's be honest while we have been picking up results we have not played well recently.

Everyone says that is a sign of a good team and it is....until you start losing.

 

Something is not right up there and I'm damned if I can put my finger on it.

 

Its obvious Fitz, we need a new manager.

[NickG]

for me..

 

Guly / Barnard

 

Lallana (any two of, but prob first two at mo) Chaplow/Hammond/Morgan Puncheon

 

Dickson Seaborn Fonte Richardson

[beatlesaint]

Let's be honest while we have been picking up results we have not played well recently.

Everyone says that is a sign of a good team and it is....until you start losing.

 

Something is not right up there and I'm damned if I can put my finger on it.

 

I can. The players think they are better than they actually are IMHO.

There is a difference between believing you can win every game and thinking you will win every game.

[Smirking_Saint]

Its obvious Fitz, we need a new manager.

 

????? Really ?

[Saint J 77]

A most Heinous result!!!

[corsacar saint]

Scoring 2 goals away from home should mean 3 points.We should not be losing to the likes of Carlisle if we want automatic promotion.

Dickson needs to play next week.

[Singeon Sears]

The players are not as good as we'd like to think.

 

Who is really "better than everyone else in league one", from what i've seen Fonte is, Lallana is on occassions, Lambert was and probably will be again, and Guly is but can't get a run of games to settle in. And thats it for me - the rest are no better than what the other top league one sides contain.

[buctootim]

Its obvious Fitz, we need a new manager.

 

I hope you just forgot to put in the smiley winky thing.

[NickG]

disagree. Think more than that but lacking consistency

[corky morris]

Just back. For the first 20 minutes we were the better side. I turned to VFTT & said we need to score. We lost the ball & they scored. After that we were total plop. Quite why Adkins played 4-5-1 is beyond me, but even if you like the formation why you would want Morgan at the front of it when he is our best passer is honestly very stupid. Harding was shocking. Not for the own goal. He was just not on the same planet as anyone else. Not sure why he dropped Seabourne either. I think he needs to become a more brave manager. Everyone could see it was not working, but he carried on regardless. When we went 2-0 down he needed to bring on another striker. Take off Hammond who even though he scored was terrible.

 

Davis 4 A couple of decent saves

Frazer 4 Tried hard & got past Oxo, but the winger was worrying him

Harding 2 Shockingly bad

Fonte 4 I thhink he would be better in the PL than div 3. A big lump of a striker causes him all sorts of problems

Jaidi 4 Madine beat him in the air too easily

Oxo 6 At least he tried to run at people

Adam 5 Again tried hard, but did not see enough of the ball

Morgan 3 Played in the wrong position & it showed

Hammond 3 Terrible. Would have been 2 if it were not for his goal

Chaplow 6 Always busy & chasing, but misplaced too many passes & was through 1 on 1 & missed the target

Lambert 5 Won some stuff in the air, but got no support

Adkins 2 Wrong formation, played Morgan in the wrong place, needs to be braver

 

Dont know who was marking for their 3rd goal, but he needs shooting. Why is it we cant defend a corner yet we have about 20 against Shrews & 5 or 6 today & not one of our players can even win a header??????

 

Very poor & very disapointed!!!!!

[Dalek2003]

When fit starting connolly is a must he is arguably our best striker ! WE CANNOT DEFEND SET PIECES !

 

Without a doubt Connolly is one of our best players,

Trouble is, that he spends too much time in the treatment room.

[Singeon Sears]

disagree. Think more than that but lacking consistency

 

who else then?

[NickG]

Puncheon, easily.

Richardson / Butter possibly.

Barnard

Morgan.,

[Singeon Sears]

Puncheon, easily.

Richardson / Butter possibly.

Barnard

Morgan.,

 

Puncheon - I do defend him and think he does ok, but while his work rate and ability to go round people is good his shooting and delivery is poor

Richardson - I'll concede he should be and will be, but the reality is it will take him a while to get back to his best after his injury, so not yet

Barnard - The other top sides appear to have forwards as capable as Lee at this level

Morgan - This guy has one good game in about every five if that - potentially he is very good but its not developing

[rocknrollman no2]

For our next game,drop Lambert,Harding and Jaidi.

Then play 4-4-2.

Not rocket science is it?

[harvey]

We lost a game... did you really expect us to win or draw every game from now until May?

 

You're either on the wind up or a complete clown.

 

It was avoidable that's the point, the formation clearly wasn't working but Adkins chose not to do anything about it until far too late.......poor tactics.

[LostBoys]

Sounded really poor on the radio like the first hour against Notts County. Another weak away performance has caused us to drop out of the playoffs and lose position to much weaker sides.

[Legod Third Coming]

Bad result but maybe the kick up the ass we need at a good time with 2 hard games next. I think we'll be ok.

 

Ah yes, that reason we need to lose games....

[leftback]

Puncheon, easily.

Richardson / Butter possibly.

Barnard

Morgan.,

puncheon and cosby at loggerheads,dont expect too much input from him untill situation resolves itself ....one way or another!!!

Dont know if we are applying the much abused "zone marking" system,looked to me like morgan made no attempt to challenge his man from a corner and allowed a free header from 6/7yds out.

Did nt fancy the line up yesterday ,too negative with those 3 in mf,hammond cant pass,chaplow incredibly average,and morgan passes east and west to much and never threatens the opposition goal.

gotta win ,gotta keep winning, 2 strikers and 2 wide men required from here on in.

Man up nige and start looking to beat teams, not contain teams.

Any news on the guly front?

if he cant get in a 3 man midfield, he must not be impressing on a daily basis in training.

few of the lads rolling their eyes at change of tactics and personel for this game!!!!

Woe of woes wilkins been taking more of a hand in training for the last 10 days.

PUT THE SUITS BACK!!!!

[torsaint]

Would love to know what Cortese thought. Anyone know if he was there? Adkins showing a touch of caution (fear) may be down to the pressure he is under. Probably never knew it at S****horpe so his cliche-ridden responses may be a defence mechanism. Suspect he spends the morning after games talking Cortese through his tactics. Rather him, than me.

[Ivan Katalinic's 'tache]

Missed opportunity to cement our place in the play offs. Despite the fact that those that went are reporting that it was such a poor performance, I can't help thinking it always happens to us when you have to travel such a long distance for 90 minutes work (look what happened to Brighton at Hartlepool too).

 

I could honestly see this happening today, regardless of form or recent performances. What I still think we'll regret more, if things don't go our way by the end of the season, is the home performance against Rochdale, which should always be a win.

[sandwichsaint]

Let me see, the manager has a squad of 14-16 potential 'starters' and three 'vital' games in 10 days.

We are on a good run but not playing particularly well; tricky away game to a top-6 side.

Manager changes a couple of players (Jaidi/AOC) and the formation to 4-5-1 (following poor performance at Notts and a formation the same players did well with on a number of times last year), and enables him to include fans' favourite MS (the 'best midfielder in Lge 1').

Saints have 54% of the game and create more chances and have more shots on target than the home team.

Has the manager done very much wrong up to this point?

Saints concede three carp goals, score two and coulda/shoulda had more (Chaplow 1 on 1) ..... the 'players' or the 'manager' ... ?

I wouldn't be averse to giving Bart the next 6 games in goal ... I love KD to bits but Bart did v well in his mini-spell last year.

Harding: his head hasn't been right since the completely pointless signing and subsequent non-playing of Dickson ... give Dickson next 6 games at LB.

Don't mess with the CH pairing ... Fonte and Seaborne every game they are available.

There are no obvious answers up front (hence RL playing ever game), people rave about LB (I like him) but he doesn't score lots of goals.

Is Gully any good? I haven't seen him, 50% of people on here rate him as the best thing in a Saints shirt in the last 5 years, 50% would be happy if he never played again.

Possiility of Holmes (or Puncheon) on the left and Lallana, our most consistent finisher, in the 'number 10' position?

Anyway, onwards and upwards: I haven't yet wet my bed and I'm not calling for a new manager tonight. Six points from Carlisle a, P'boro h, Brighton h, will be a good return!

COYRS!

[torsaint]

Just read Adkins comments after the game. His verbiage is so full of solecisms, repetitions, unattached participles, split infinitives and cliches that I find it hard to believe he has any real grasp of language. Chris Nicholl had the same problem but at least he had played the game at the highest level so could be forgiven. Think Adkins is probably out of his depth and should restrict his comments to a paragraph at the most.