Saints 4 Swindon 1 - Post Match Chat

[Under Weststand]

Good win today good response to the equaliser, shame about Bournemouth winning late on again. Overall table looking not to bad tonight, just need to win the games in hand now. Only 1 point behind both Huddersfield & Posh with 2 games in hand. Going to be a few more ups & downs before this season is over, but sounds like Lambert is hitting top form at the right time & with Lallana back lets hope we can put another winning streak together at the right time & seal that promotion place. WIFM

[Toadhall Saint]

Positive.

[um pahars]

Have to say that I'm not as enamoured as some are on here with regards the actual performance, but 3 points and 3 goals on the on the goal difference has me satisfied. Bournemouth's late winner was a bug6er, but overall happy (although I do think we're still not firing on all cylinders).

 

Started off strongly, with Lallana just oozing class and should have been at least two up at half time. Very poor start to the second half that let Swindon back in to the game and all of a sudden we didn't look convincing. Two quick goals killed the game off and Swindon then retreated in to themselves. Have to say they were very, very poor and there for the taking, but we struggled at times to take hold of the game and stamp our authority on it.

 

Davis - 6 - Looked OK, But was he too easily beaten for their goal??

 

Butterfield - 5 - Just not convinced. Good at times, sloppy at others

 

Fonte - 6 - Decent performance and was sinffing for a goal (although no need to go down like he's been shot claiming a penalty)

 

Jaidi - 7.5 - Immense. Strong at the back and impressive at set pieces

 

Harding - 6 - Good at times, but caught out a bit. At fault for their goal???

 

Lallana - 8 - Different class. Brilliant first half, but in and out of the game in the second half.

 

Chamberlain - 7 - Impressed at times, but still a bit raw and took the wrong option a few times

 

Chaplow - 6 - Not one of his better games. Struggling for a bit of form??

 

Hammond - 6 - OK, but not stellar

 

Guly - 5 - I like him, but very poor today. Showed glimpses in the first half, but off the pace.

 

Lambert - 6 - Getting back in that act and showing some confidence

 

Subs:

 

Schneiderlin - 6 - Brought some composure to the game, but needs to push on

 

Barnard - 6 - Looked a bit of a handful and has given Adkins a selection dilemna with Guly being off form. Well taken goal froma tight angle.

 

Gobern - 5 - Not on that long, but dropped a shoulder for the 4th.

 

 

Looked like a right old kerfuffle in the corporates after they equalised (mind you they should never have let him in with jeans on!!!!!). Would have liked a slightly bigger crowd with Swindon bringing down what looked to be about 1,500.

Edited 26 February, 2011 by um pahars

[ant]

I eagerly anticipate apologies from the loons on the match thread slating him at 1-1. (We all know it won't happen though.)

 

Not to mention the usual d*ckheads in the Northam that jumped straight on the team's back the second Swindon got a bit of possession. Are we really getting that arrogant that we don't think teams are capable of having a bit of a run at us? It was only for 10 minutes either side of half-time, we controlled all of the rest comfortably.

 

Makes you start to wonder whether some people actually support the team at all - Adkins has already picked up on the negativity of sections of our fans. People don't seem to have got it into their heads that sometimes you have to dig deep. The crowd does make a difference and as soon as the jeering and so on started we got pegged back. I felt to be embarassed stood in the middle of it, truth told.

 

I'm very happy with the way we reacted to their equaliser and the way the game was seen out' date=' which is professional of the Manager and players.[/quote']

 

Absolutely, a neat summary.

 

Put it this way - we scored 4, had 1 disallowed for offside, hit the post twice (how Oxo's didn't go in I'll never know) and caused 3 or 4 top, top saves from their keeper. Sure, it shouldn't take the opposition scoring to wake us up but sometimes that's how it goes. The 2nd and 3rd goals coming in such quick succession was pretty stunning.

 

Anyone with their head screwed on went home happy this evening.

[Roger]

Have to say that I'm not as enamoured as some are on here with regards the actual performance, but 3 points and 3 goals on the on the goal difference has me satisfied. Bournemouth's late winner was a bug6er, but overall happy (although I do think we're still not firing on all cylinders).

 

Started off strongly, with Lallana just oozing class and should have been at least two up at half time. Very poor start to the second half that let Swindon back in to the game and all of a sudden we didn't look convincing. Two quick goals killed the game off and Swindon then retreated in to themselves. Have to say they were very, very poor and there for the taking, but we struggled at times to take hold of the game and stamp our authority on it.

 

Davis - 6 - Looked OK, But was he too easily beaten for their goal??

 

Butterfield - 5 - Just not convinced. Good at times, sloppy at others

 

Fonte - 6 - Decent performance and was sinffing for a goal (although no need to go down like he's been shot claiming a penalty)

 

Jaidi - 7 - Immense. Strong at the back and impressive at set pieces

 

Harding - 6 - Good at times, but caught out a bit. At fault for their goal???

 

Lallana - 8 - Different class. Brilliant first half, but in and out of the game in the second half.

 

Chamberlain - 7 - Impressed at times, but still a bit raw and took the wrong option a few times

 

Chaplow - 6 - Not one of his better games. Struggling for a bit of form??

 

Hammond - 6 - OK, but not stellar

 

Guly - 5 - I like him, but very poor today. Showed glimpses in the first half, but off the pace.

 

Lambert - 6 - Getting back in that act and showing some confidence

 

Subs:

 

Schneiderlin - 6 - Brought some composure to the game, but needs to push on

 

Barnard - 6 - Looked a bit of a handful and has given Adkins a selection dilemna with Guly being off form. Well taken goal froma tight angle.

 

Gobern - 5 - Not on that long, but dropped a shoulder for the 4th.

 

 

Looked like a right old kerfuffle in the corporates after they equalised (mind you they should never have let him in with jeans on!!!!!). Would have liked a slightly bigger crowd with Swindon bringing down what looked to be about 1,500.

 

Steve, I usually agree with you on everything but have to take issue with those marks. Jaidi 7? The guy was immense and even scored aswell.

Lambert 6-He vreated so many openings today and his shooting was awesome.

Morgan 6-The guy changed the game. He is class. Cut above the other 2.

[Saints foreva]

Played quite poor but the Swindon goal woke us up a bit and we played better from there.

 

Davis - At fault for the goal, shouldn't have been beat like that. Thankfully it didn't cost us though, his catching appeared to be much better today as well. 6/10.

 

Butterfield - Started off very poorly in the first half, kept hoofing it and didn't give Oxo enough support when we were attacking. Looked much better in the 2nd half I though though. 6/10.

Fonte - Wasn't up to his usual standards but done a good job. 7/10.

Jaidi - Good performance from Jaidi, stopped Akindi from having a clear shot at goal and it was a good header for goal number 3. 7/10.

Harding - Caught out a couple of times but was solid enough. 6/10.

 

Chamberlain - Looked good going forward, unlucky not to score in the first half after a great run, shame about his run for his disallowed goal considering he looked like he had a fair amount of time. 8/10.

Hammond - Didn't control the game very well until the 2nd half, kept losing it and placing poor passes. 6/10.

Chaplow - Battled well and made some nice runs. 6/10.

Lallana - He done well attacking but the problem for me is that he tends to drift into the centre of the pitch too often, this leaves only Harding on the left side restricting his attacking options, but then again his goal came from the middle so maybe I'm being a bit harsh. 7/10.

 

Lambert - Some nice flick-ons, unlucky not to have more than one goal today and won some vital headers. 8/10.

Guly - Not sure what to make of his performance, missed two sitters and kept getting pushed off the ball. He's unpredictable, nice pass for the first goal but that was about the only good thing he done all game - 5/10.

 

Barnard - Kept running and battled well. Got a deserved goal. Start him vs Walsall please! 7/10.

Morgan - Kept the ball well, really wished he had shot when he assisted Oxo's disallowed goal though. 7/10.

[PokingFun]

Good win, bogey team dispatched to oblivion.

 

Still, I dont like how we lose control of a game so easily.

 

We hit the post twice and scored in the first half, we didnt lose control of the game for anything more than a few minutes and then wrestled it back emphatically! Every team will have a spell and they had theirs and scored but overall defensively we were sound and we are always a threat offensively. Not the best performance but we are winning while not playing brilliantly which is always a good sign.

[Weston Saint]

Have to say that I'm not as enamoured as some are on here with regards the actual performance, but 3 points and 3 goals on the on the goal difference has me satisfied. Bournemouth's late winner was a bug6er, but overall happy (although I do think we're still not firing on all cylinders).

 

Started off strongly, with Lallana just oozing class and should have been at least two up at half time. Very poor start to the second half that let Swindon back in to the game and all of a sudden we didn't look convincing. Two quick goals killed the game off and Swindon then retreated in to themselves. Have to say they were very, very poor and there for the taking, but we struggled at times to take hold of the game and stamp our authority on it.

 

Davis - 6 - Looked OK, But was he too easily beaten for their goal??

 

Butterfield - 5 - Just not convinced. Good at times, sloppy at others

 

Fonte - 6 - Decent performance and was sinffing for a goal (although no need to go down like he's been shot claiming a penalty)

 

Jaidi - 7 - Immense. Strong at the back and impressive at set pieces

 

Harding - 6 - Good at times, but caught out a bit. At fault for their goal???

 

Lallana - 8 - Different class. Brilliant first half, but in and out of the game in the second half.

 

Chamberlain - 7 - Impressed at times, but still a bit raw and took the wrong option a few times

 

Chaplow - 6 - Not one of his better games. Struggling for a bit of form??

 

Hammond - 6 - OK, but not stellar

 

Guly - 5 - I like him, but very poor today. Showed glimpses in the first half, but off the pace.

 

Lambert - 6 - Getting back in that act and showing some confidence

 

Subs:

 

Schneiderlin - 6 - Brought some composure to the game, but needs to push on

 

Barnard - 6 - Looked a bit of a handful and has given Adkins a selection dilemna with Guly being off form. Well taken goal froma tight angle.

 

Gobern - 5 - Not on that long, but dropped a shoulder for the 4th.

 

 

Looked like a right old kerfuffle in the corporates after they equalised (mind you they should never have let him in with jeans on!!!!!). Would have liked a slightly bigger crowd with Swindon bringing down what looked to be about 1,500.

 

I agree with this post. As we were leaving "Derry" said to me,"the result was better than the game" Cannot argue with that although we did sparkle late on as Swindon became deflated.

[um pahars]

Steve, I usually agree with you on everything but have to take issue with those marks. Jaidi 7? The guy was immense and even scored aswell.

 

Had him clearly down as our 2nd best player, but if I gave him 8, then I don't think Lallana was worth 9 (at least that's my logic!!!). I'll change him to 7.5!!!!! or Lallana up to 8.5!!!!

[Roger]

Had him clearly down as our 2nd best player, but if I gave him 8, then I don't think Lallana was worth 9 (at least that's my logic!!!). I'll change him to 7.5!!!!! or Lallana up to 8.5!!!!

Fair enough. Lambert is playing like a poor mans le tiss. A bit lazy but he is doing some really important things in the game and scoring.

[PokingFun]

It's all in our hands - 6-points off 2nd place, 3-games in hand and a game against the team in 2nd place...surely we won't bottle it...will we?

 

Great change when pegged back...well done Nigel Adkins.

 

Walsall and Colchester next - let's hope for 6 more points on the board!

 

Interesting thing was that NA was in the process of making that change when they actually scored their goal which suggests he was ahead of the game. I'd like to see Schniederlin play more often.

[ant]

Great result today, shame the ref & his assistant missed the foul on Lambert just before Swindon scored when the defender climbed all over him.

 

I missed this comment before, but you're right - he was using Lambert like a ladder! Thought the linesman on that side had a fairly bad game, seemed to miss a few things against both teams.

[Windmill Arm 2]

Fair comment. But to be fair we dont do it that often.

Always looking for the negative, does your wife hate you?

[Avenue Saint]

Funny game.

 

Started well, scored and then sat back! Play got very rugged and performances especially in the middle was lethargic. Their goal and the subs changed game. Chappers had off day and well, Hammond has had better games. Morgan came on and immediately the team started to link and play whereas up til then it was all a bit disjointed.

 

Jaidi was a rock and Barnard was more effective than Guly, who looked off today.

 

Morgan and Jaidi have to play over seaborne and dare I say it.. Hammond

 

At the end, great performance

 

COYS

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

Chuffed with the win. Good control of most the game, didn't panic when Swindon scored. Of course they'd have a spell of attacking in the game. You'd think some on this forum had never seen a match before, except they seem to write off the game every week.

 

Alpine wrote off the season again so that was nice. Great Brighton lost. I'd rather they lost than Bournemouth as personally I think 2nd is ours with an outside chance of top. I still want to win it. Wed have to go to Brighton and win but who knows.

 

Onwards to Walsall, hopefully another 3 points and and minimal ignorant garbage on the match thread.

 

For those that didn't read it, did you know Adkins was being proved to be out of his death at 1-1? Despite matching brightons form and having got out of this division before, he's out of his depth. Bewildering stupidity.

 

Brilliant to see saints, wolves and Bradford all win for deano today.

 

I love you and your positivity. Come live with me in Weybridge.

[dune]

Great win. Was particularly pleasing to score two quick goals to make it 3-1 just as alpine saint was getting into his stride.

[Deppo]

Always looking for the negative, does your wife hate you?

 

He doesn't speak German and she doesn't speak English. She loves him dearly.

[Chez]

Davis 7 came and caught well today. Distribution good. Beaten near post, but poor defending in front of him

Butterfield 8 hardly out a foot wrong. Very composed on the ball.

Jaidi 9 one misplaced pass all game, everything else spot on

Fonte 8 strong as usual

Harding 7 decent game, especially in the first half, but gave Richie far too much room for his goal

Lallana 8 Usual top stuff and showed exactly what we have missed, faded towards the end a little and should have been subbed.

Chaplow 5 game bypassed him and can't complain about being subbed

Hammond 6 competed hard

Chamberlain 4 poor game for him. Started brilliantly, but overall his touch was not up to scratch when under pressure, and made lots of poor choices going up blind alleys. Its almost impossible to take him off because you7 know he can carve the opposition up0, but today Adkins must have considered it long before he did take him off. High standards not met today.

Lambert 9 Outstanding game. Link up play top class and dominated in the air. Not seen him play better all season.

Gully 5 some good touches then some poor. Didn't get close enough to Lambert for my liking and little threat

 

Morgan 7 looked right on his game, delightful pass to put Chamberlain in, looked strong

Barnard 7 good control and workrate, usual stuff from him

Gobern wonderful volley, no time for much else

[70's Mike]

For years we used to walk home saying we lost BUT played well

I am enjoying this we played poorly BUT won

Long may it continue

Good subs by NA today

[Saf...]

Lol. Score a couple of set pieces and concede and people think we're great. Play out a simple one nil and people think we're crap.

 

People happier to win by 3 goals than 1 goal shocker!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tractor_Saint]

I'm going to just forget the minutes between 25 and 50 today. That's where I was concerned with our performance. We can easily beat any team in the league if we're consistently chasing down the ball. We didnt' do that for 25 minutes today and it showed. However, overall very happy with the result, Harding's free kick was fantastic for the second. 55 minutes out of 90 we showed that we should go up.

 

Was going to post the vids of where we hit the woodwork but the language on the vids reflected the frustration! So, just Lallana's goal (ish) :

 

http://bit.ly/gBjWmU

[Saint Charlie]

Not sure how Chamberlain could be poor when he setup the Lambert goal by being taken out on a good run, hit the post after a great run, crossed brilliantly for Jaidi's goal and had a goal ruled out for offside?? I thought he was a good outlet and always a threat!

[K,Billy's supersound]

good win. roll on tuesday all aboard the bus to collect another 3pts. undefeated in february with 11 points from 15, roll on march gonna be exciting.

[SoccerMom]

I missed this comment before, but you're right - he was using Lambert like a ladder! Thought the linesman on that side had a fairly bad game, seemed to miss a few things against both teams.

 

Well, yes, but Fonte did exactly the same thing in the first half and if the ref had given it, it would have been a penalty. The main point was that precious seconds were wasted appealing for a foul that wasn't going to be given, and Swindon took full advantage.

 

Glad to see Schneiderlin back. Made a real difference.

 

Loved the training ground moves that made Jaidi's goal. Was too busy celebrating to see if there was an acknowledgement of that in the technical area.

 

Butterfield did my head in - he was the only one who consistently hoofed, and at one point Deano very clearly signalled to him to keep it on the ground. The message got eventually through, but it took way too long...

[Saint_clark]

We didn't lose control of the game at all. For all the possession they had between the 25th and the 60th minute they didn't create any real chances and scored from a speculative shot outside the box that personally I thought Davis could have saved - it looked fairly central to me.

Besides, as has already been said, there was the most blatant foul on Lambert just before their goal you'll ever see.

[simo]

Good 3 points ! Beat bompey and Brighton and we will win this league I can feel it in me bones !

[dune]

People happier to win by 3 goals than 1 goal shocker!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

we dont need to win 6-0 every week, because then we turn into cokky, lazy complacent sh*ts, if the Oldham game is anything to go by. 3-0 will do nicely.

 

4-1 it would seem isn't good enough.

[dubai_phil]

Tried out new tactics today, being hungover and grumpy in the first half, seemed to work as the impact of the Bloody Mary worked and we regained control.

 

Also left out the important details of what was for dinner so sat down with my Steak Egg & Chips to hear 3 goals going in before rushing off to watch the Egg Chasers down the pub.

 

Not sure I can take many games like that though, how the hell some people can keep up a grumpy persona for more than 45 minutes is way beyond my experience and knowledge of Human behaviour.

 

Am liking the table now, turn the wannabees over at Dean Court and life will be good.

 

I assume all the Brighton fans are calling for Poyet to be sacked, hammering him for being one dimensional etc etc etc

[ant]

Well, yes, but Fonte did exactly the same thing in the first half and if the ref had given it, it would have been a penalty. The main point was that precious seconds were wasted appealing for a foul that wasn't going to be given, and Swindon took full advantage.

 

Completely agree and that was sort of implied in what I originally said - incidents were missed that affected both teams. Of course that's neither here nor there really - you're taught as a nipper to play to the whistle and we'd have done well to remember that bit of advice

[doddisalegend]

Swindon Are 4th top away scorers. They are always going to cause a few problems with that stat behind them.

 

It sounded like we completely out played them for at least 75-80 mins ANS could have had a couple more

 

Might have sounded like it but we didn't, first 15min they couldn't cope with us we scored and then we just took our foot of the gas. Either side of half time we were awful after our 2nd -3rd goals it was champange stuff from saints. To day really showed the best and worst of saints in one match, in two spellls we looked unplayable in the other we could barely put to passes together. Still we won with some good goals. Nigel got his subs spot on today. All in all a good day at the office.

[doddisalegend]

Good subs from Adkins, Morgan especially changed the game. Chaplow gets forward well but we missed Morgan's passing range and composure.

 

Barnard made great runs when he came on and both he and Morgan should start vs Walsall IMO.

 

Lambert links so well with Lallana, who is a real threat when he moves inside. Chamberlain's best game for ages and for once the ref was quite good and let the game flow.

 

Not today he was poor (and I say that as big fan of chaplow) the game just seemed to pass him by for long long periods. Morgan coming on (with barney) changed the whole game Morgan was fantastic.

[beatlesaint]

Davis 7 came and caught well today. Distribution good. Beaten near post, but poor defending in front of him

Butterfield 8 hardly out a foot wrong. Very composed on the ball.

Jaidi 9 one misplaced pass all game, everything else spot on

Fonte 8 strong as usual

Harding 7 decent game, especially in the first half, but gave Richie far too much room for his goal

Lallana 8 Usual top stuff and showed exactly what we have missed, faded towards the end a little and should have been subbed.

Chaplow 5 game bypassed him and can't complain about being subbed

Hammond 6 competed hard

Chamberlain 4 poor game for him. Started brilliantly, but overall his touch was not up to scratch when under pressure, and made lots of poor choices going up blind alleys. Its almost impossible to take him off because you7 know he can carve the opposition up0, but today Adkins must have considered it long before he did take him off. High standards not met today.

Lambert 9 Outstanding game. Link up play top class and dominated in the air. Not seen him play better all season.

Gully 5 some good touches then some poor. Didn't get close enough to Lambert for my liking and little threat

 

Morgan 7 looked right on his game, delightful pass to put Chamberlain in, looked strong

Barnard 7 good control and workrate, usual stuff from him

Gobern wonderful volley, no time for much else

 

Totally agree. Someone said they thought it was Alex's best game in ages. He was much much better against Carlisle than he was today.

 

The only thing I dont agree with is poor defending being given as a reason for Davis conceeding at his near post AGAIN ! He should have had that post covered.

[doddisalegend]

Lol. Score a couple of set pieces and concede and people think we're great. Play out a simple one nil and people think we're crap.

 

 

????????????????????????

[beatlesaint]

We didn't lose control of the game at all.

 

Oh yes we did, admittedly it was only for about 10 minutes around the time they scored, but we certainly lost control at that point.

[Give it to Ron]

Might have sounded like it but we didn't, first 15min they couldn't cope with us we scored and then we just took our foot of the gas. Either side of half time we were awful after our 2nd -3rd goals it was champange stuff from saints. To day really showed the best and worst of saints in one match, in two spellls we looked unplayable in the other we could barely put to passes together. Still we won with some good goals. Nigel got his subs spot on today. All in all a good day at the office.

 

I agree with this - will add Jaidi was awesome - keep reading people say how he will be beaten by pace - yet who timed his run and tackle to perfection when Fonte got left for dead?

Lambert had his best game in ages, Barnard coming on gave us the movement we were lacking between the 25-50th minutes.

Harding and Davis could of both done better for their goal.

3 points was vital today - still worried about our performance as doesn't look automatic form yet and a better team than Swindon may have punished us.

[doddisalegend]

Didn't think we lost control of the game at all really. They had a 5 minute spell after the goal where they had their tails up and we defended well and rode the storm to get control again. Think obviously Morgan helped with that. His pass won the free kick that led to the first goal. Barnard was good when he came on but I'm not sure I agree Guly didn't play well. Thought his touch and link up play was good, he's missed a couple of chances but that will happen. He seemed to pick up an injury which helped lead to the sub.

 

Barney was good when he came on. Chased down everything and unlike Guly he stretched the game by looking to run beyond the defenders. Which was ideal at the time because they were obviously looking to attack, so the goals and subs were perfect timing really.

 

Chambo was poor imo. He got better 2nd half, but first his touch was poor as was his decision making. He got better when the game opened up slightly in the 2nd half.

 

All in all though, fully in control, passed it nice and quickly at times, good reaction to a good goal by Swindon, 3 points gained on Brighton and still in full control of our own destiny.

 

After we scored the first we didn't look very in control IMO passes started to go astray and we looked well on the back foot to me. The crowd at SMS could sense it too you the atmosphere became quite negative. After we scored the two quick set pieces then we looked very in control and it was all one way.

[Tac-tics]

did Matt Ritchie celebrate like a cvnt?

[St Marco]

Good win, needed win and very much an expected win.

 

Made some ground on 2 of the teams ahead of us which is also a huge plus.

 

Same result again on tues please!

[suewhistle]

I was on the match thread here and then went for a snooze in the second half and woke up after full time. I saw the result and then, just for fun, went for a quick browse of the second half thread. Perhaps some posters should be banned from posting until the end of games, although the end of the season might be preferable... As me dad used to say, "no names, no pack drill", but really, the comments from some posters were so predictable when swindon had the gall to have a spell of possession and Saints had a period slightly less than fully in control. So thanks to those who posted who were actually at the match and had a more reasonable view, or perhaps realise a bit more the realities of footie.

[OVER THE HILL]

did Matt Ritchie celebrate like a cvnt?

 

Not really,he ran towards the Swindon fans and celebrated.I thought he looked a decent player and am surprised the skates let him go.

[Professor]

Can we please start with Schneiderlin and Barnard now please ?!?

Exactly. I was certain NA would not start them today and it wasn't until they came on that the poor second half was turned round. No disrespect to Chaplow, who I would play ahead of Hammond, but Guly, once again is good in parts but too unreliable.

 

Today also showed once again that you can't rely on other teams dropping points. This was as much a 'must win game' as they come and its relief to have it in the bag.

[corky morris]

Just in. Some very good goals. Cant believe some people were giving Hammond a 6. I thought he was a 4 at best until Morgan came on & then maybe a 5. We have to start with Morgan & Barnard on Tuesday, leave out Hammond & Guly. I thought our passing first half was terrible.

Other thing that made me laugh is all the people on here going on about Butterfields distribution. He must have given the ball away at least half a dozen times first half.

Good win. Need another Tuesday.

[SaintBobby]

Just back from St Marys.

 

A game of three thirds really.

 

We were good for the first 30 mins

We were poor, verging on dire, for the next 30 mins

We were really excellent for the last 30 mins

 

Can we start with Barnard from now on please? He terrorises defenders superbly. Credit to Schneiderlin too - technical quality and the ability to boss midfield.

 

Huge kudos to Adkins for making the right substitutions at the right time.

 

The bookmakers have League One as effectively a two horse race now - Brighton at around 4/7 and Saints at around 2/1. Odds on anyone else wining the division are at least 14/1 and drifting rapidly.

 

For promotion by any means, Brighton are about 1/5 and Saints about 1/2. But our odds are tightening fast, with some major bookies having suspended them this evening and some others (Skybet) reopening at 1/4. All other teams are 2/1 or longer to be promoted.

[Guan 2.0]

good win. roll on tuesday all aboard the bus to collect another 3pts. undefeated in february with 11 points from 15, roll on march gonna be exciting.

 

Hear, Hear! Did you go today, or listen to the whisper and the lisper?

[yorkie]

Is the bus big enough though?

[ST Randy]

I was on the match thread here and then went for a snooze in the second half and woke up after full time. I saw the result and then, just for fun, went for a quick browse of the second half thread. Perhaps some posters should be banned from posting until the end of games, although the end of the season might be preferable... As me dad used to say, "no names, no pack drill", but really, the comments from some posters were so predictable when swindon had the gall to have a spell of possession and Saints had a period slightly less than fully in control. So thanks to those who posted who were actually at the match and had a more reasonable view, or perhaps realise a bit more the realities of footie.

 

I agree entirely with your views on the bed wetters. They really seem to glorify whenever things are not going entirely our way. Why should they not be banned during matches from posting??

 

Forget this no names - no pack drill.Saint Lard managed 4 posts on the match chat thread in the 5 minutes between their equaliser and our second. Their tone was all negative. His last post today was at 4.57. He clearly could not post if there is only good news. There is clearly little point in staying on the board and celebrating a victory if you live in a negative world. I wonder if he would have stayed on the board if we had lost??

[alpine_saint]

I was on the match thread here and then went for a snooze in the second half and woke up after full time. I saw the result and then, just for fun, went for a quick browse of the second half thread. Perhaps some posters should be banned from posting until the end of games, although the end of the season might be preferable... As me dad used to say, "no names, no pack drill", but really, the comments from some posters were so predictable when swindon had the gall to have a spell of possession and Saints had a period slightly less than fully in control. So thanks to those who posted who were actually at the match and had a more reasonable view, or perhaps realise a bit more the realities of footie.

 

And your solution to this is to ban people who you dont agree with ?

 

Outstanding. Maybe you should think on how tw*tty that post of yours was.

[SaintBobby]

Have just read the 2nd half thread on here.

 

And have picked myself off the floor and fear my sides have split....LOL.

 

Amongst a string of classics was "Adkins being found out" (he probably had his best tactical game since becoming Saints manager) and "No way can we get automatic promotion or wint eh play-offs now".

 

If you don't think we'll be promoted, you can treble your money by placing a bet now.

 

Also, don't agree that we need to beat Bournemouth. Assuming a defeat at Dean Court, we'd be a hypothetical 9 points behind them having played 3 less games. Not ideal by any means - but there are plenty of scenarios in which we lose to them but still get promoted automatically.

 

However, if we do beat Bournemouth, we're a hypothetical 3 points behind them with 3 games in hand - that would make us something like 1/5 or 1/6 to get promoted. A win at their place and - in statistical terms - promotion starts to get close to "nailed on". A defeat and it's obviously tougher, but still open.

 

The odds on us winning the division (a general 2/1) are - I'm guessing - about the same as the odds of us beating Brighton away. There's a reason for that - if we beat Brighton, we'll probably win the league. If we don't, we'll most likely end up second.

 

My present percentage predictions are:

 

Saints to be champions 30%

Saints to be runners-up 40%

Saints to win play-offs 7%

Saints to lose in play-offs 12%

Saints to fail to make top 6 1%

 

If anyone disagrees wildly with these figures (for example, someone who claims there is "no way we will get automatic promotion or win the play-offs"), I'd be delighted to arrange a private wager.

 

If those who disagree wildly won't place a private wager on outcomes that they portray as the sort of racing certainty that any sensible person would be willing to put their house on, can they please, please, please just shut the f**k up for a while?

 

Here ends the lesson.

[up and away]

Just back from St Marys.

 

A game of three thirds really.

 

We were good for the first 30 mins

We were poor, verging on dire, for the next 30 mins

We were really excellent for the last 30 mins

 

Can we start with Barnard from now on please? He terrorises defenders superbly. Credit to Schneiderlin too - technical quality and the ability to boss midfield.

 

Huge kudos to Adkins for making the right substitutions at the right time.

 

The bookmakers have League One as effectively a two horse race now - Brighton at around 4/7 and Saints at around 2/1. Odds on anyone else wining the division are at least 14/1 and drifting rapidly.

 

For promotion by any means, Brighton are about 1/5 and Saints about 1/2. But our odds are tightening fast, with some major bookies having suspended them this evening and some others (Skybet) reopening at 1/4. All other teams are 2/1 or longer to be promoted.

 

 

I'll go along with most of that. Morgan and Lee did well when they came on, but to go on a run we need players to step up to the plate consistently. I have lost count of either Morgan, Hammond or Chaplow being the difference in midfield, only to go off the boil and wait for one of the others to pick up the challenge. Not knocking Lee, but when was the last time he went on a decent run?

 

One thing that Adkins keeps forgetting or the players keep letting him down, is that teams get too much possession in the midfield when they put an extra man in there. Guly did not help a great deal here today, but having two out and out wingers in Lallana and Oxo is part of this problem. A couple of very pleasing and important factors, Ricky scored and goals were very well worked. That alone can be a very important over the next couple of weeks if we keep it up.

 

I did not rate Swindon very highly and I am not anywhere near sure our form is up to the next batch of away games. After these games we will have an idea if we are good enough for the automatic spot. Our results are good enough, it's just some of the times you are wondering if the same performances will keep yeilding those results.

[alpine_saint]

Have just read the 2nd half thread on here.

 

And have picked myself off the floor and fear my sides have split....LOL.

 

Amongst a string of classics was "Adkins being found out" (he probably had his best tactical game since becoming Saints manager) and "No way can we get automatic promotion or wint eh play-offs now".

 

If you don't think we'll be promoted, you can treble your money by placing a bet now.

 

Also, don't agree that we need to beat Bournemouth. Assuming a defeat at Dean Court, we'd be a hypothetical 9 points behind them having played 3 less games. Not ideal by any means - but there are plenty of scenarios in which we lose to them but still get promoted automatically.

 

However, if we do beat Bournemouth, we're a hypothetical 3 points behind them with 3 games in hand - that would make us something like 1/5 or 1/6 to get promoted. A win at their place and - in statistical terms - promotion starts to get close to "nailed on". A defeat and it's obviously tougher, but still open.

 

The odds on us winning the division (a general 2/1) are - I'm guessing - about the same as the odds of us beating Brighton away. There's a reason for that - if we beat Brighton, we'll probably win the league. If we don't, we'll most likely end up second.

 

My present percentage predictions are:

 

Saints to be champions 30%

Saints to be runners-up 40%

Saints to win play-offs 7%

Saints to lose in play-offs 12%

Saints to fail to make top 6 1%

 

If anyone disagrees wildly with these figures (for example, someone who claims there is "no way we will get automatic promotion or win the play-offs"), I'd be delighted to arrange a private wager.

 

If those who disagree wildly won't place a private wager on outcomes that they portray as the sort of racing certainty that any sensible person would be willing to put their house on, can they please, please, please just shut the f**k up for a while?

 

Here ends the lesson.

 

The hubris and conceit in this post is simply outstanding...Especially that last line

 

We have a helluva lot of work to do to win 2nd place. We've got to make those games-in-hand count for a start. Brighton are 7pts ahead of us with the same number of games played, unless they fall apart we are not going to make that up. There is now quite a gap between 6th and 7th, so we are probably on the verge of winning a play-off place already, but the playoffs are a f**king lottery.

 

My predictions :

 

 

Saints to be champions 10%

Saints to be runners-up 30%

Saints to win play-offs 15%

Saints to lose in play-offs 44%

Saints to fail to make top 6 1%