Saints 4 P'Boro 4 - Post Match Reaction

[ottery st mary]

When young ottery or any of my fellow posters give comment on Managing/coaching/subs/tactics etc..

 

OF COURSE we are better than Our Nigel.......Thats what we do best,,,,,,

 

Nigel could learn a lot from me and my fellow posters on this forum...

 

Most of us are the real deal..

 

Listen and learn Nigel..

 

For starters most of us would have controlled the force gale blowing...

 

Met Office..Easy innit..

 

WIFM...at least we can beat Carlisle....Hopefully..

[CanadaSaint]

You're with the otter again, aren't you?

[ottery st mary]

You're with the otter again, aren't you?

 

otter ale is good for all managers and footbal experts.....

 

More of my fellow posters should drink it...

[Mowgli]

I loved every minute of that game. Two team giving it their all. What more can you ask. For me, it beats at scrappy 1-0 win any day of the week. Put it down to one of those days and we'll crack on next week

[shurlock]

Back from the game - hard for those who watched on TV to grasp how windy it was and how difficult it made it for defenders to plant and position themselves. As we were kicking into the wind first half, I was confident that after having thrown a 2 goal lead we would take advantage of the wind in the 2nd half and push on.

 

The goals duly came (the play that led to the corner for our 4th was a good example) but I think we got too comfortable with the ball over top and hoping the conditions would keep them on the back foot; out went our normal game and the kind of possession football that closes games (not easy to be sure given conditions but an improvement on surrendering the ball cheaply). Just as strange were NA's personnel decisions: the long ball might have worked if we had more pace upfront but Lambert and Barnard weren't and aren't those players. As such, it is surprising that neither N'guessan nor Forte featured earlier, something NA can be criticised for.

 

Other than that, it was one of those one-off games where looking for lessons and pointers is ultimately futile. Yes Seabourne, Chambo had sub-par games; but its not worth dwelling on a game that's unlikely to repeat itself anytime soon.

 

Finally, ferguson is a horrible little c**t and the ref bottled it at the end. Like the (new) Cortese chant.

Edited 5 February, 2011 by shurlock

[Crab Lungs]

As fir seabourne, judging a defender on this conditions is nonsense. Up against one of the top strikers and he got done for pace. That's what happens. He's still been a good player for us, hardly his fault or Adkins that we don't have one of the lightening quick, composed defenders with great positioning lurking around the lower leagues!

 

Once again, I agree with your assessment of Ferguson/the game however (!)

 

Seabourne was terrible, truly terrible. Kept wandering out of position, got done for pace (a little toe before Mackail Smith got there would have been enough to put the through ball for the first goal in the stands), constantly on the wrong side of the player he was meant to be tracking and also was countlessly clumsy with distribution (though many were, tbf).

[Lighthouse]

Just back. P*ssed off. If we'd gone there and drawn 1-1 I'd have gone 'meh' and got on with my life. Throwing away a 2 goal lead. TWICE in injury time of both halves. That's unforgiveable, even if a point at Posh is a good result.

 

I don't personally think we played that well. 3 of the goals were set pieces and the other was scrappy to say the least. Other than that we struggled to create anything. We were terrible second half. After going 4-2 up we never seemed to string 2 passes together. Even without Jaidi in the equation, we looked very wobbly up against the pace of their forward line. Davis I thought was at fault for the first 2. Rooted to his line and beaten at the near post for the first.

 

Final thought. I don't think we'll make the top two. I know there's a long way to go, Lallana coming back, new signings to gel etc. but I just don't see us being consistent enough.

[Griffo]

After the game I was very ****ed off as I'm sure most were, but looking back a point isn't a particularly bad result. Still 2 points behind 2nd with a game in hand I believe?

 

Loved the terrace, loved the atmosphere and got a few decent new songs going. Enjoyed the day very much.

[lethallee]

Draw fair result and at halftime i would of taken that. First half i felt the formation meant we didn't close down wide areas quick enough resulting in our defence being exposed to the ball over the top far too often . I would of gone 4 4 2 at 2 up as boro were causing us problems despite scoreline .

[Papa Shango]

Just got back, totally gutted. Feels like a defeat. One of the most ridiculous games I've ever been to in my life. Will post more detailed thoughts tomorrow when I'm less tired and angry. All I will say is 4 points from two away games isn't a disaster and we're still in a great position.

 

Credit to the Saints fans today though, cracking support on the terrace. Loudest the away support has been all season. Great to hear fans singing Cortese's name at last. Like the 'Saints will tear you apart' song too.

[doddisalegend]

I loved every minute of that game. Two team giving it their all. What more can you ask. For me, it beats at scrappy 1-0 win any day of the week. Put it down to one of those days and we'll crack on next week

 

Us to win..................

[Griffo]

Just got back, totally gutted. Feels like a defeat. One of the most ridiculous games I've ever been to in my life. Will post more detailed thoughts tomorrow when I'm less tired and angry. All I will say is 4 points from two away games isn't a disaster and we're still in a great position.

 

Credit to the Saints fans today though, cracking support on the terrace. Loudest the away support has been all season. Great to hear fans singing Cortese's name at last. Like the 'Saints will tear you apart' song too.

 

I take full credit for the 'Saints will tear you apart.'

[Frank's cousin]

Well, Morgan was missing today and I think we missed him (let alone Lallana). If we were after Mac-Smiffy it's obvious why now! Very disappointed we didn't hold on to the lead, but I'm not going to hang around here too long just for now as some of the posters depress me even more. In the context of 'boro's previous results it's not so surprising. I prefer to be positive about what a great advert that was for 3rd tier English football, but no doubt I'll be regarded as far too positive for some here...

 

+1 Great to watch, edge of seat stuff, 19 to go , and down to the wire - dont we want excitement? Why the doom and gloom from some I dont know...... we went away from home against an inform side who are promotion rivals and get a decent draw - without Lallana and Morgan and sure there were mistakes but these things happen. Peterboro go away to Charlton next and Huddersfield v Oldham so we win against Carlise and a things will look a little different... still a lot of wierd results to come for all involved in the promotion push

[Lighthouse]

I take full credit for the 'Saints will tear you apart.'

 

I liked that chant. I was stood there (joining in) and thinking 'I've been to a couple of dosen away games over the years and never heard that chant, is it new or am I a mong?' If you did indeed create it, I tip my hat to you sir.

 

Whilst we're on the subject, liked the Cortese chant. We could also sing his name to the Conga (i.e. Jhon Viafara) tune. Was there also a "swing low" for Chaplow?

 

Chaplow

Richard Chaplow

He's got nothing on his head.

 

Something like that.

[Chicken With A Banjo]

Weird game because of the wind. Impossible to judge the team on this performance.

[trousers]

Exactly.

 

If Seaborne was badly exposed, which he was, I think Jaidi would have been humiliated.

 

Why put him on the bench in the first place if that's the case...?

[Lighthouse]

Weird game because of the wind. Impossible to judge the team on this performance.

 

You have the funniest username on this forum.

[Rational Rich]

I take full credit for the 'Saints will tear you apart.'

 

To be fair I think United fans have been singing that about Giggs for at least 10 years. Also painful memories of being at OT 6-1 down and them singing it about Phil Neville of all people. Salt in the wounds doesn't come close.

[Leslie Charteris]

Peterborough have scored more goals than anyone else in the league, including 45 at home.

They have a fast and agile attack that exposed the limitations of our defence.

Our midfield was missing its two best players.

The weather and the pitch weren't great.

The ref had a bad day.

We didn't lose away to a team with the second best home record in the league.

All in all a draw is a fair result and it was a cracking game to watch.

All those Colonel Blimps who pompously spout things like "this is totally unacceptatable" or "we should be beating teams like this" without ever seeing a moments live football should get out more and get a life.

57 points to play for and 80 odd should see automatic promotion.

Onwards and upwards to the beating of Carlisle next weekend.

[sydney_saint]

The first game I've been able to get to in 4 years, and what a treat. Ok of course I am devastated with the late equaliser, but this thread is just silly. How can anyone conclude that we won't go up based on this performance?? Yes there were a few weak links in our side, notably Seaborne and Harding, but it was a wonderful open game of football and a point was probably the fairest of results, although gutting nonetheless. I think it is time Bart is given a go though, Only then will we know whether he is truly good enough. But I wanted to thank the team for providing a wonderful evening of entertainment. I've really missed been unable to get to matches, and whilst frustrating and gutting, it was a tremendous match. This team will get promoted. 4 points to away to posh and exeter is a good return, providing we pick up 3 points next week.

[Saint Billy]

Just got back from the game and what an incredible match. Frantic, fast end to end stuff in a heck of gale. It is ridiculous of anyone to blame the team or individuals for squandering a two goal league, because the wind made playing really, really difficult. But both teams threw themselves at each other with no quarter drawn. It was a skillful match and in truth a draw was a fair result, frustrating as it was. In the goalmouth melees at the far end it was difficult to see if the penalties were fair, and sight-lines at Posh's ground are poor. Make no mistake. Peterborough are VERY fast, direct and skillful, particularly Craig Mackail Smth, and if we don't go up, Our failure to buy him at any price will have much to do with it. He and the wind determined the outcome.

 

Thats how saw it on TV. Fantastic game, we did not lose away, conditions bad, the penalty for handball was plop, Craig Mackail Smith, why oh why did we not buy him? Fair result in my eyes.

[CanadaSaint]

Why put him on the bench in the first place if that's the case...?

 

That's a very good question, especially as Peterborough are know to be pacey up front with a lot of positional interchanging. Hardly Jaidi's cup of tea, is it?

 

Unless I'm completely missing something, which is distinctly possible from this far away, the guy I'd be sitting on the bench - as part of his development - is Martin.

 

Gradually increased exposure, especially in situations like today, would tell us whether he's "the real deal". West Ham seem to think so.

[Alain Perrin]

I have concluded one thing from that game. A lot of our fans are reactionary ****s.

 

Good result all things told. Very windy and Mackail-Smith is a handful.

 

Onwards and upwards.

[rick1976.4.38]

great game,thought we sat back too much in the second half,we should have gone for the jugluar.wind played a major part in this game.they play a very direct game very well,thought we should have played on the deck more.would have taken a draw but have to say it does feel like a defeat,looking forward to seeing if their second penalty was or just that poxy ref making sure we didnt get the win.if we had cms we would walk this league,pace and skill and goals.coys

[austsaint]

Not the back five perhaps but himself........ We were out numbered and outplayed in midfield - Diamond my arese.....It ok where it fits but not every bloody game. They ran riot down the planks most of the game - there was little protection for the back four all the game. I'm an Adkins fan but his tactical decisions are becoming very suspect. We are hoofing it more and more - were fortunate at Exeter and very fortunate at Peterborough!

 

This was my observation too - we were lucky in the end to get a point. Our main attack seemed to rely on hoofing high to Lambert; no width or speed on the right which made us vulnerable to their attacking runs on the flank. It seemed as if we set up and played for a draw; N'guessan looked so sharp and dangerous last week with his pace out wide - this week apart from an early surge or two from Oxo we were narrow and lacked pace and cutting edge up front.

[dickyhale]

Just back home starting on the largers(bit peed off) but you could see at half time their was lots of goals in this game still another one of the 92

 

(Lambert's second goal)

[Griffo]

Just back home starting on the largers( bit peed off) but you could see at half time their was lots of goals in this game still another one of the 92

 

Did you get a picture of our lot on the terrace?

[dickyhale]

Did you get a picture of our lot on the terrace?

No sorry I was seat 207 (last seat, could not see fans)

[Wes Tender]

Darren Ferguson is a chip off the old block, isn't he? He has no good grace about him at all and is a bit of a fantasist if he thinks that they deserved to win. It was one of the all-time great penalty games and Ferguson reckons that we shouldn't have had one for the Chaplow incident, but naturally the one they got against Chamberlain was nailed on. Well, with the benefit of slow motion replay, the Chaplow penalty looked soft. But at normal speed it seemed to me that Chaplow was running so fast into the box that it didn't take much contact to cause him to fall and of course, the referee didn't see the incident in slow-motion and called it how he saw it. But had the cameras shown the Chamberlain incident with the technology available for slow-motion and close-ups, then it would have been equally clear that the ball struck him under the armpit. So at the worst, the two cancelled each other out Mr. Ferguson.

 

Pleased to see two really great training ground routines from our free-kicks, one of which led to Hammond's goal.

 

Shame that we lost 2 points against some other leading rivals, but the difference these past few matches has been the absence of Lallana. When he's back, we will really start motoring, especially as Lambert is beginning to gain form and confidence.

[NickG]

Back from the game - hard for those who watched on TV to grasp how windy it was and how difficult it made it for defenders to plant and position themselves. As we were kicking into the wind first half, I was confident that after having thrown a 2 goal lead we would take advantage of the wind in the 2nd half and push on.

 

The goals duly came (the play that led to the corner for our 4th was a good example) but I think we got too comfortable with the ball over top and hoping the conditions would keep them on the back foot; out went our normal game and the kind of possession football that closes games (not easy to be sure given conditions but an improvement on surrendering the ball cheaply). Just as strange were NA's personnel decisions: the long ball might have worked if we had more pace upfront but Lambert and Barnard weren't and aren't those players. As such, it is surprising that neither N'guessan nor Forte featured earlier, something NA can be criticised for.

 

Other than that, it was one of those one-off games where looking for lessons and pointers is ultimately futile. Yes Seabourne, Chambo had sub-par games; but its not worth dwelling on a game that's unlikely to repeat itself anytime soon.

 

Finally, ferguson is a horrible little c**t and the ref bottled it at the end. Like the (new) Cortese chant.

 

what was it?

[Whitey Grandad]

Just seen the extended highlights. Their third goal looked even less like a penalty than it did at the time. Seaborne just stands still and doesn't raise a foot, even though the ref indicated that he did. Even my missus called it correctly. She said 'he just runs past him and pretends to trip over his leg. He wasn't tripped'.

[Kingsbridge Saint]

Would have taken a point before the game,and although I enjoyed watching the game on TV out here in Oz I felt flat at the end. Surrendering a two goal lead with late goals in each half doesn't do a lot for feelings of goodwill towards the team, or confidence. Seabourne looked like a pub footballer up against Mackail Smith. No idea of where to put his body or whether to stick or twist. Next game can't come quick enough. Boy do we need a win - losing touch gradually.

Edited 6 February, 2011 by Kingsbridge Saint

[SaintNeil90]

Can I just clear up the fact that automatic promotion is NOT currently in our hands. Yes we have two games in hand on Bournemouth but Huddersfield also have a game in hand on them and they are now 4 points ahead of us. If we both win our games in hand, Huddersfield would be 2nd, 1 point ahead of us in 3rd.

 

Another point people seem to be over looking is how well Adkins and Crosby utilise set pieces. Against Man Utd we took a corner which was very different to the norm and Harding nearly scored. Today Chamberlain passes it to Hammond who smashes it in. Superb.

[st alex]

Darren Ferguson is a chip off the old block, isn't he? He has no good grace about him at all and is a bit of a fantasist if he thinks that they deserved to win. It was one of the all-time great penalty games and Ferguson reckons that we shouldn't have had one for the Chaplow incident, but naturally the one they got against Chamberlain was nailed on. Well, with the benefit of slow motion replay, the Chaplow penalty looked soft. But at normal speed it seemed to me that Chaplow was running so fast into the box that it didn't take much contact to cause him to fall and of course, the referee didn't see the incident in slow-motion and called it how he saw it. But had the cameras shown the Chamberlain incident with the technology available for slow-motion and close-ups, then it would have been equally clear that the ball struck him under the armpit. So at the worst, the two cancelled each other out Mr. Ferguson.

 

Pleased to see two really great training ground routines from our free-kicks, one of which led to Hammond's goal.

 

Shame that we lost 2 points against some other leading rivals, but the difference these past few matches has been the absence of Lallana. When he's back, we will really start motoring, especially as Lambert is beginning to gain form and confidence.

 

I watched it on telly but missed a lot of the first half, but for the penalty decisions though Chaplow's was a clear dive, as was their first on the corner of the 18 yard box, and then obviously oxo's handball was anythhing but, seemed to be a ref who was dead keen on giving penalties.

[Smirking_Saint]

Played ok, we went at the match with decent attacking football.

 

Hammond is a weak link, many times he couldn't find a player, was actually quite weak in defence and added little in attack (apart from an excellent goal TBF)

 

Seaborne had a decent game but failed to nullify CMS effectively.

 

Harding was caught out of position again and again, a constant problem in his game.

 

Davis, that 1st goal to his near post, most decent keepers should have had that covered.

 

Chamberlain, ok, harsh penalty but i don't see him as a CM no matter how many so called experts think so. The boy is a winger, that is so clear to see it is unreal, he puts his effort in but just lacks something in the middle of the park.

 

lambert is still lacking. He was at fault for the third goal.

 

Other than that we had a decent game, Barnard played well, Fonte had a solid game and i think we showed we are a decent team. IMO we should have played 4-4-2 but thats just me.

 

What was wrong with MS ?? Would rather him then the poor hammond any day of the week.

Edited 6 February, 2011 by Smirking_Saint
For Kpturner taking lead penant from the clutches of MLG

[kpturner]

Week or weak?

Edited 6 February, 2011 by kpturner

[Smirking_Saint]

Week or weak?

 

 

Behave

[Liquidshokk]

Played ok, we went at the match with decent attacking football.

 

Hammond is a week link, many times he couldn't find a player, was actually quite week in defence and added little in attack (apart from an excellent goal TBF)

 

Seaborne had a decent game but failed to nullify CMS effectively.

 

Harding was caught out of position again and again, a constant problem in his game.

 

Davis, that 1st goal to his near post, most decent keepers should have had that covered.

 

Chamberlain, ok, harsh penalty but i don't see him as a CM no matter how many so called experts think so. The boy is a winger, that is so clear to see it is unreal, he puts his effort in but just lacks something in the middle of the park.

 

lambert is still lacking. He was at fault for the third goal.

 

Other than that we had a decent game, Barnard played well, Fonte had a solid game and i think we showed we are a decent team. IMO we should have played 4-4-2 but thats just me.

 

What was wrong with MS ?? Would rather him then the poor hammond any day of the week.

 

Thought we were 4-4-2?

 

Still numb from that game. Dont know how we repeatedly threw it away....

[Smirking_Saint]

No, Sky thought we were but if you watched it never was.

 

We set up pretty much the same way we played Man Utd.

 

Guly dropped deeper and at times it was more of a diamond but in reality it was more of a fluid 442/433 formation, both teams set up in an attacking way.

 

Davis

 

Butterfield Fonte Seaborne Harding

 

Chaplow Hammond Chamberlain

 

Lambert Guly Barnard

 

It was always going to be a high scoring game, such is the way against posh, i was very very impressed with CMS, almost as much as the commentator !!!

But i am dissapointed with the way we defended, i am dissapointed we didn't get a new keeper in january and also that Harding was constantly out of position. hammond also had a poor game attempting to hold in the middle. He just has no pace, nor no technique.

 

I am dissapointed we threw it away twice, but before the game i would have taken a draw TBH.

[kpturner]

AStill 2 points behind 2nd with a game in hand I believe?

We are four points adrift of Huddersfield and they are 3rd. HTH

[dubai_phil]

Great game to listen to.

 

Good result away to Peterborough. Even though we were winning we could easily have lost it towards the end.

 

Would have been a very different forum reaction if Rickie hadn't "run out of steam" when he had the "clean through" chance towards the end.

 

Losing would have allowed Posh into the playoff spots.

 

Should have won, got a point. OK so it now means we need to beat Carlisle on Saturday to maintain a 2 point average in February

 

I assume Wenger & SAF got fired last night, one for not re-arranging his tactics when down to 10 men (we never concede 4 when we go down to 10 these days so he must be to blame) & SAF? what utter rubbish losing to a bottom 3 team. He has to go, the team clearly aren't playing for him as last week's performance at SMS shows

 

The real criticism of yesterday? We needed to add some legs and steel in midfield and only had Gobern on the bench with the newbies. Oh how we needed Paul Wotton yesterday.

[JustMike]

Have left my reaction until the morning to calm down and i am still not calm!

 

Guly...why was he on for so long? Did nothing, wanted too much time on the ball and just looked lazy and uninterested.

Seabourne...if he ever plays for us again it will be too soon

 

throwing away a 2 goal lead twice is unforgiveable, i hope NA kept them locked in the dressing room for a bollocking. we must improve!

[sammysaint]

Alex was one of the worse players on the pitch along with seabourne guly and maybe davis, I would of taken a draw before the game but throwing 2 0 and 4 2 is annoying.

 

Am I the only one who wonders if Alex is losing form believing his own hype.

 

The postive was Hammond and chaplow looked good.

[doddisalegend]

Alex was one of the worse players on the pitch along with seabourne guly and maybe davis, I would of taken a draw before the game but throwing 2 0 and 4 2 is annoying.

 

Am I the only one who wonders if Alex is losing form believing his own hype.

 

The postive was Hammond and chaplow looked good.

 

I don't think Oxo was bad was better first half than second and very unlucky on the penalty as it never hit his arm. Kelvin made some good saves too not sure bart would have done any better with the goals. Seabourne and Guly I agree were both very poor however in fairness to Seabourne Jaidi would never have coped with the pace of the posh attack either.

[Professor]

Can't agree with Smirking Saint that Seaborne had a 'decent game'. Watched on Sky and not only was Seaborne at fault for two of their goals he just didn't adapt to the speed of their forwards. Jaidi would have done no better against fast strikers and Martin's inexperience makes him too much of a risk against a strong side but it does look as if a new CB is needed and its now too late with the wndow closed. I don't blame Adkins as Seaborne hasn't failed this badly before but it didn't look like one bad game, rather that he's just not the grade for a promotion winning team.

[monkadill]

Posh always looked like they were going to score and we rode our luck with there constant pressure. Thought Posh out sung us in the end as well : ( Was never a hand ball !

[Legod Third Coming]

That's the sort of game we would have won last season.

[corky morris]

I have left it until this morning to make my comments as it was very late when we got in last night.

Interesting some of the comments about drama queens, but it feels like a loss not a draw. Ultimately in my opinion Adkins takes the rap for tonight. At 4-2 all he needed to do was switch to a regualar 4-4-2. Take Guly off as he was very poor today. Put Oxo on the right & NGueson on the left. He said in his interview he put Richardson on to shore things up......well that didnt work. Harding had to be taken off as he was going to get sent off. Same for Guly. When he put Oxo in the middle he looked totally lost. He made 1 good run all night & we got a penalty. Its as if someone has told him not to run with the ball any more.

Forte added nothing, but is a bit harsh on a chap who has 10 minutes.

Kelv made an outstanding save at 0-0 then was beaten at his near post for the 1st.

Seabourne was worse last night than Harding was at Carlisle. CMS did him for the first. That came straight from our crap corner by the way. We should have done the cross for the 2nd, but then Seabourne & Harding fluff it. Seabourne for the pen. Looked like one from the opposite end, but have not seen the TV replay. He has to be left out now for a while just like Harding was. Martin needs to be moved above him in the pecking order.

Where was Morgan?

Pitch was poo.

Ref was shocking.

On the whole very very disapointed.............

[sidthesquid]

On the plus side - Everythingontv was the best I've found yet for watching on the computer. Hammond's goal was beautiful & Rickie knows how to score a pen. And we would probably have taken a draw at the start.

On the down side - I still don't think we look that great. I think AOC is nullified in the diamond (hopefully on Adam's return we will revert to 442). Seaborne had a bit of a mare & Harding lost the plot. Guly looked all at sea, too. We always looked vulnerable in defence (as, indeed, did they - hence the score!). And Kelvin, despite a couple of great saves looked seriously shaky for their first two. I have said it a million times - any cross into the six-yard box HAS to be the keepers, because as happened last night, if they get a half-decent contact in that position there is no possibility of saving it.

Overall it was a fair result - one needless pen each and one dodgy one - plenty of attacking ambition by both sides, but we really should be capable of holding onto a two goal lead & not letting a goal in the last minute of each half. Not a total disaster, but definitely an opportunity squandered.

[raucebysaint]

Never been to a game like it, it was totally surreal. It seemed every time we sang "up the football league we go" we conceded a goal. Sometimes we are too cocky for our own good ! Peterborough are a good side so drawing away was a good result, if we keep plugging away we will get automatic promotion..

 

When we go up please buy Craig M-Smith, he was awesome - speed / strength and most of all desire !