up and away Posted 13 January, 2011 Share Posted 13 January, 2011 Tough game. Although after a 6-0 away win I think any game you're then expected to win will prove tough. I hope we haven't peaked, but you'd imagine your performance won't be as good. I think we might have to deal with going a goal down, maybe early on. Really hope they have it in them to win this one too and keep the run going. It's not easy to keep winning week after week but if we play our normal game we'll create plenty of chances again. Does help that we have many goalscorers. Just need the full backs and Schneiderlin to start chipping in with a couple! Morgan should be aiming for 5-10 goals at this level himself, it's fairly pathetic he has 1 in his career for someone who gets into a lot of shooting positions. I have been saying that for a while about Morgan, combine that with a half hearted petulant response to defending and I could see no value in him being in the side. But Since the Huddersfield game there has been the start of a turn around, two of those games I have witnessed, the others I have had to rely upon reports. But every indication at the moment is that he is performing the defensive job so well that he has to go down as a major part of our current renaissance. I don't give a damn if he is not getting the goals or the assists, this position has been our achilles heel since Pardew and before. Well done Morgan, welcome to the team! We are only as good as our midfield allows us to be, failure to secure the midfield and a Brentford will always be waiting to happen, defence exposed and lack of supply to the forwards. The two most important aspects to make this work is a defensive midfielder doing their job (either Morgan or Dean) and a forward who slots back into midfield and does the spade work until we get that area secured. Guly has been excellent in this regard and allows us to play with such an effective style that none of our other forwards allows. Chaplow being the other piece of the jigsaw with his constant harrying. We have such an attacking line up of form players that other teams can only partially dream of. An in form Lambert, Lallana, Oxo, Puncheon, Guly, Barnard, such that all we need to do is get some grip on midfield first and I can't see a team in this league not capitulating. The Oldham result came as no surprise, neither did the Brentford result. This attacking line up cannot be held at bay if you are getting a half decent supply to them. Get total control of the midfield and the Oldham result will start to look common. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Under Weststand Posted 13 January, 2011 Share Posted 13 January, 2011 If we match there endeavour then we should be OK 3-1 Saints keep the run going. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jam Posted 13 January, 2011 Share Posted 13 January, 2011 If Lallana is out of this game then it does highlight that we need another wide player. We do have Dickson and Puncheon who can play wide left... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 13 January, 2011 Share Posted 13 January, 2011 We do have Dickson and Puncheon who can play wide left... Rickie spends a lot of his time out there as well these days although he was often on the right as well against Oldham.So if AL is out I expect we'll see a kaleidoscopic front 4 of Guly,Barney,Ox and Rickie .Should be enough to confuse the Magpies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shurlock Posted 13 January, 2011 Share Posted 13 January, 2011 If Lallana is injured, we can play the same formation as we did against Blackpool and put Guly in the hole instead -arguably his best position- and play Lambert and Barnard up top. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supersonic Posted 13 January, 2011 Share Posted 13 January, 2011 If we win it'll be six wins in a row, which I think ties a club record. So we'll draw! It will be the first time in 30 years we've done it, the record is 7 (from 80/81 season) which if we win on sat, we can equal at Tranmere well, that's what it says here http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/8788371.Saints_aiming_for_six_more_of_the_best/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
up and away Posted 13 January, 2011 Share Posted 13 January, 2011 If Lallana is injured, we can play the same formation as we did against Blackpool and put Guly in the hole instead -arguably his best position- and play Lambert and Barnard up top. I don't feel that would be the best formation and I expect Notts to be better than that Blackpool side. Ince will play a 451 and try and throttle the midfield. Neither Lambert or Barnard has shown themselves suitable to go back into midfield, be that extra man and gain control, Guly has. I would start off with the 4411 we played at Oldham with Guly just in front of the midfield, we have a lot of possibilities for all the other positions and I expect we will be making subs based upon squad rotation, maybe even start with a few. Once we get control and are comfortable, then we can consider changes. I think the team we put out against Oldham is our strongest, but with the amount of games we have coming up I would not be surprised to see a couple of changes to the back four, Puncheon and Hammond in in midfield. It's all about how the manager rates Notts and what is required to over come them. Going to be a very difficult balancing act as all the games come up, nigh on diabolical for other teams without our squad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shurlock Posted 13 January, 2011 Share Posted 13 January, 2011 (edited) I don't feel that would be the best formation and I expect Notts to be better than that Blackpool side. Ince will play a 451 and try and throttle the midfield. Neither Lambert or Barnard has shown themselves suitable to go back into midfield, be that extra man and gain control, Guly has. I would start off with the 4411 we played at Oldham with Guly just in front of the midfield, we have a lot of possibilities for all the other positions and I expect we will be making subs based upon squad rotation, maybe even start with a few. Once we get control and are comfortable, then we can consider changes. I think the team we put out against Oldham is our strongest, but with the amount of games we have coming up I would not be surprised to see a couple of changes to the back four, Puncheon and Hammond in in midfield. It's all about how the manager rates Notts and what is required to over come them. Going to be a very difficult balancing act as all the games come up, nigh on diabolical for other teams without our squad. I agree - in all likelihood, punch will just come in for lallana - and if punch is out, there's no reason why dickson can't play LM with harding at LB. One underestimated strength of our squad is its versatility - there are several players who can readily play in more than one position (lallana, dickson, butterfield, guly, punch) Given Guly has got something about him, I'm to see how he performs in his favourite position, in the hole with proper strikers running off him (yes oldham were burried and down and out but guly, barnard and lambert linked v.well on tues - consider the 6th goal). Would he be even more effective than he is right now? I have a sense that Guly is being played slightly out of position, though its no biggie - he's adjusting well to the requirement not to drop as deep to collect the ball and the shape and discipline of the team is all important, esp against better opponents; but i wonder what he could do in a freer role. Edited 13 January, 2011 by shurlock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 13 January, 2011 Share Posted 13 January, 2011 If Lallana is injured then we play Puncheon. I think people have to accept that it'll be hard if Lallana/Chamberlain/Lambert are out. This isn't about squad strength, it's about being lucky enough to have three players who are far better than this league. We couldn't just sign people of that quality, there aren't many out there and fewer than would come to L1. Lallana and Chamberlain especially, people of that talent wouldn't have signed for us if they weren't already here. So alternatives are one thing, but expecting us to have players just as good sat there as back up is just pure fantasy. Do Barcelona have backup to Messi? Well, I'm sure they have other options, but they're a lot weaker with him. Yes, we're not as good, but it's the same point. Totally agree...but some people don't see that. We need to have 2 lambos, 2 lallana's and 2 Oxo's apparentley to even stand a chance of promotion. This is kind of what happend to us at the start of the season - Lallana injured, Lambo totally unfit and injured and Chambo wasn't completley established at that point. Like you said - take Messi and Xavi out of Barca's team and they'll never be as good, it's the same with us and the same with most teams in the world. ...At least we're not a 1 man team though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Appy Posted 13 January, 2011 Share Posted 13 January, 2011 Totally agree...but some people don't see that. We need to have 2 lambos, 2 lallana's and 2 Oxo's apparentley to even stand a chance of promotion. This is kind of what happend to us at the start of the season - Lallana injured, Lambo totally unfit and injured and Chambo wasn't completley established at that point. Like you said - take Messi and Xavi out of Barca's team and they'll never be as good, it's the same with us and the same with most teams in the world. ...At least we're not a 1 man team though. The 5 or so games he missed earlier in the season gave us a grand total of 0 goals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Charlie Posted 13 January, 2011 Share Posted 13 January, 2011 Solent twitter: Hammond and Lallana will have precautionary scans on minor calf injuries Puncheon trained today and fit to face Notts Co Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWD Posted 13 January, 2011 Share Posted 13 January, 2011 If Lallana is out then Dickson will move into LM ahead of Puncheon IMO. Although I suppose Dickson has proved himself to be mightily effective off the bench Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Charlie Posted 13 January, 2011 Share Posted 13 January, 2011 If Lallana is out then Dickson will move into LM ahead of Puncheon IMO. Although I suppose Dickson has proved himself to be mightily effective off the bench He has been starting at LB the last few games though. I think Puncheon would surely come in. If not then really whats the point of having the guy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 13 January, 2011 Share Posted 13 January, 2011 if lallana is out...a great chance for puncheon to stake a claim for a spot.........hopefully Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Appy Posted 13 January, 2011 Share Posted 13 January, 2011 I'd like to think that Dickson and Richardson are now our first choice full backs so i can only see Puncheon replacing Lallana on the left. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 13 January, 2011 Author Share Posted 13 January, 2011 officialsaints: Nigel Adkins reaffirms Saints title ambitions, & talks about the mass of transfer speculation. Watch here -> http://bit.ly/e8kmvj #saintsfc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai_phil Posted 13 January, 2011 Share Posted 13 January, 2011 Looking bad for Saturday. Cannot see us continuing the fine run of form.... ericofarabia got his ticket today. We're doomed I tell ya' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shurlock Posted 13 January, 2011 Share Posted 13 January, 2011 Watching SaintsPlayer, who's the black fella right hand of the screen (1m 15s) and dribbling with the ball (1m 41s)? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 13 January, 2011 Share Posted 13 January, 2011 Guly. (not seen or heard it but apparently that doesn't matter when voicing opinions on here) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Charlie Posted 13 January, 2011 Share Posted 13 January, 2011 Adkins seemed shifty on Lallana's injury I thought.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Le God Posted 13 January, 2011 Share Posted 13 January, 2011 Adkins seemed shifty on Lallana's injury I thought.... He doesn't want to give any hint to Paul Ince. Notts County will have spent the 5 days before the game training for a match against Saints not knowing if they will be facing Lallana or not. Makes tactics harder for them and they will have wasted time either preparing to face Lallana when he won't play, or preparing not to face Lallana and he does play. Sensible approach for Saints to take. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatlesaint Posted 13 January, 2011 Share Posted 13 January, 2011 Adkins seemed shifty on Lallana's injury I thought.... You've seen something in his answer that I didnt then :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgeweahscousin Posted 13 January, 2011 Share Posted 13 January, 2011 Watching SaintsPlayer, who's the black fella right hand of the screen (1m 15s) and dribbling with the ball (1m 41s)? Callum McNish on the left, not sure who that is though.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_Mabes Posted 13 January, 2011 Share Posted 13 January, 2011 Kinda hope Punch plays on Saturday as looking forward to seeing how he performs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mouldy Coat Posted 13 January, 2011 Share Posted 13 January, 2011 looking forward to this, should be a decent crowd too I reckon. Should hit 24k plus based on the recent performances Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shurlock Posted 13 January, 2011 Share Posted 13 January, 2011 Callum McNish on the left, not sure who that is though.... cheers - always think saintsplayer is being mischievious when it focuses on a player as if to suggest we've got a mystery trialist or a player's made a return from a career-endng injury or a somebody who's been out in the wilderness is back in the building. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Le God Posted 13 January, 2011 Share Posted 13 January, 2011 cheers - always think saintsplayer is being mischievious when it focuses on a player as if to suggest we've got a mystery trialist or a player's made a return from a career-endng injury or a somebody who's been out in the wilderness is back in the building. Not really, you just need to know what the reserve players and youth team players look like. They also show quite a lot of Ben Reeves in todays videos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shurlock Posted 13 January, 2011 Share Posted 13 January, 2011 Not really, you just need to know what the reserve players and youth team players look like. They also show quite a lot of Ben Reeves in todays videos. Agree - so who's the player i asked about above? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offix Posted 13 January, 2011 Share Posted 13 January, 2011 Aftrer the way we have been scoring goals for fun, I reckon its a dead cert we will see 1 - 9 - 1 formation from Ince and loads of dirty niggling fouls to try and knock us out of our stride. COYS That is exactly what I expect. IF we can keep our cool and not react to the provocations we should squeeze a win by 1 goal out of this though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jinglesaints Posted 13 January, 2011 Share Posted 13 January, 2011 Agree - so who's the player i asked about above? I believe its Jordace Holder-Spooner! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ericofarabia Posted 13 January, 2011 Share Posted 13 January, 2011 Looking bad for Saturday. Cannot see us continuing the fine run of form.... ericofarabia got his ticket today. We're doomed I tell ya' Damn ... you've blown my cover. Nobody would have recognised me as I mingled in with the throng of people queueing for the Man U tickets, carefully disguised in my Jester Hat / Foam Finger Combo and Face Painted up to the max. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shurlock Posted 13 January, 2011 Share Posted 13 January, 2011 I believe its Jordace Holder-Spooner! cheers mate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
up and away Posted 13 January, 2011 Share Posted 13 January, 2011 I agree - in all likelihood, punch will just come in for lallana - and if punch is out, there's no reason why dickson can't play LM with harding at LB. One underestimated strength of our squad is its versatility - there are several players who can readily play in more than one position (lallana, dickson, butterfield, guly, punch) Given Guly has got something about him, I'm to see how he performs in his favourite position, in the hole with proper strikers running off him (yes oldham were burried and down and out but guly, barnard and lambert linked v.well on tues - consider the 6th goal). Would he be even more effective than he is right now? I have a sense that Guly is being played slightly out of position, though its no biggie - he's adjusting well to the requirement not to drop as deep to collect the ball and the shape and discipline of the team is all important, esp against better opponents; but i wonder what he could do in a freer role. You could well be correct and I feel we have only scratched the surface with Guly. I must sound paranoid about the midfield but it is the one weakness over the last couple of seasons that has halted us. With Guly operating as he does, the risk diminishes considerably and I can't see the logic in taking any risks. What we don't know is what the players have in the tank and what injuries they are now carrying. Although I feel the Oldham team is our strongest starting 11, it would not surprise me to only have Fonte and Davis nailed on for the defence, Hammond and Puncheon coming into the midfield, subbing Oxo and Guly when the job is done. One thing that has been exceptional is Adkins ability to figure out the opposition, rotate the squad and come up with a successful set of tactics for the resources he uses. Going to be looking at interest at who and how we play on Saturday. Firmly believe Puncheon will be giving Lallana a rest, too big a cog to over play at this stage of the season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bald Headed Jesus Posted 13 January, 2011 Share Posted 13 January, 2011 So Soithampton Central shut on Saturday, anyone know what time the shuttle runs from Parkway to St Marys? Ta. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfc4prem Posted 13 January, 2011 Share Posted 13 January, 2011 Got a feeling that we're gonna lose this 3-1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
westofshannonsaint Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 http://boards.footymad.net/forum.php?tno=402&fid=17&sty=2&act=1&mid=2118847281 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingsbridge Saint Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 With no Lallana and Notts County on a roll I fear a 0-0 approaching - especially after both sides last performances. Wouldn't be a disaster for us. Losing would be a huge setback though. We have to want it more than them - over to you Nigel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 14 January, 2011 Author Share Posted 14 January, 2011 Match preview on OS http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/PreviewDetail/0,,10280~2265403,00.html Saints will check on Dean Hammond and Adam Lallana's fitness after the midfield duo picked up knocks during the week. However, Jason Puncheon should return after illness. There are no other concerns for Nigel Adkins ahead of the match against fellow form side Notts County. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgeweahscousin Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 Hopefully Lallana plays. Otherwise I guess Puncheon will come in at left midfield. It will be interesting to see how he does, I have been told by a Milwall fan that he is desperate to sign for them permanently and is prepared to take a substantial paycut to go there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derry Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 Hopefully Lallana plays. Otherwise I guess Puncheon will come in at left midfield. It will be interesting to see how he does, I have been told by a Milwall fan that he is desperate to sign for them permanently and is prepared to take a substantial paycut to go there. It's January, fees are inflated and Millwall can hardly expect us to give them a 20 goal (potentially) multi position player if we can't bring in decent price replacements. £1m isn't inflated and Millwall can't afford him. Have they even signed McQuoid yet who isn't scoring regularly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffo Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 Notts County fans don't half spout a load of **** on there. Some are saying an attendance of around 15,000 and seem very optimistic. We're second, have the best team in the league and have just won 6-0 away from home. They also criticised our support when there was well in excess of 2,000 of us at Meadow Lane. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
holepuncture Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 looking forward to the game. I was interested to see the new Ince playing, but I hear he is injured. I hope every one gives Lee Hughes some grief, I dispise him and the fact he has a place in the game after his murderous actions of past. I will be most distressed if he scores and does that stupid dance - you killed someone by dangerous driving and fled the ****ing scene you bald bastard - you dont deserve to take money out of the game and have a nice lifestyle. it really ****es me off and I will be booing him if he is on our pitch. Otherwise, come on Saints! Were doing so well at the moment, lets hope we can keep the momentum going! COYR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ohwhenthesaints Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 Looking forward to this as I have missed the last 4 games due to being out of the country. Knowing my luck Saints will be dog**** now that I have returned! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Appy Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 looking forward to the game. I was interested to see the new Ince playing, but I hear he is injured. I hope every one gives Lee Hughes some grief, I dispise him and the fact he has a place in the game after his murderous actions of past. I will be most distressed if he scores and does that stupid dance - you killed someone by dangerous driving and fled the ****ing scene you bald bastard - you dont deserve to take money out of the game and have a nice lifestyle. it really ****es me off and I will be booing him if he is on our pitch. Otherwise, come on Saints! Were doing so well at the moment, lets hope we can keep the momentum going! COYR Absolutely, Cowards like him are absolute scum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRM Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 Lee Hughes is a sickening C, but to be honest, I don't see much difference between him and many other footballers or celebrities caught, or not caught, drink or drug driving. The only difference is he killed someone, whereas luckily the others didn't. Once they step over that line then they're risking it, whereas most of us wouldn't risk other people's lives. I just hope Saints don't sign anyone like that. It was bad enoug having thieving little chavs like Dyer and BWP. to be fair, he has served his sentence so he deserves a chance to get on with his life now. Hopefully it a more modest way using his position as a footballer to give something back to society either financially or giving his time to youth football projects etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint1977 Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 Hope Lee Hughes cops it from the Northam - vile that him and Marlon King carry on earning big wages after what they did. I'd rest Lallana - don't want him to tear his calf and be out for longer as he is such a key player for us. Puncheon on the left it sounds like and Dickson can come on later and run at County when they are tired. 2-1 to Saints, Chaplow and Guly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saints-cris Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 They seem confident of getting something and I suppose if they have every reason to, they have been in really good form recently. I don't think this will be an easy game for us at all, but if we play like we have been I can see a 3-1 for us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithd Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 Stupidly im not confident. How can i not be confident after our recent run...? probably cos im a Saints fan, have been for 42 years and I know whats coming... i'll take a draw! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bailey Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 Notts County fans don't half spout a load of **** on there. Some are saying an attendance of around 15,000 and seem very optimistic. We're second, have the best team in the league and have just won 6-0 away from home. They also criticised our support when there was well in excess of 2,000 of us at Meadow Lane. They also have every reason to be optimistic. They're looking to make it 8 games unbeaten in all competitions, and are fresh off the back of an away win at Premier League Sunderland. Why wouldn't they be hopeful of getting something tomorrow? I'm hopeful we'll come out on top however, although we cannot afford to be complacent. If Lallana misses out, we'll certainly feel his absence. Assuming Puncheon deputises, then fingers crossed he can deliver for us. This won't be an easy game by any stretch of the imagination, but I'll cautiously predict a 2-1 home win. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNSUN Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 Toughest test since Huddersfield. They're on form but we're on fire. If we are Champions-elect, or even just promotion candidates, we should be beating everyone. We will on Saturday, 3-1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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