Walsall 1 - 0 Saints - Post Match Reaction

[Saint Fan CaM]

Sorry to have to say that we'll struggle greatly to make 2nd now. Play-offs still within our grasp, but who would put money on this team having the bottle to go through?

 

If I didn't know better I would hazard a guess that Adkins has lost the dressing room and indeed the plot. And it's a little niggling doubt that has been with me for some weeks. Look back over the results of this season and the nature of the results - there's a consistency in these types of performances that is very worrying. I am really starting to have doubts about Adkins ability to command a presence. His interviews are bland and are now also seemingly stupid too. If we lose against Yeovil I think the crowd could turn against him and that could be the beginning of the end for him.

 

And lastly, I NEVER EVER want to read or hear another ******* defender interviewed on the OS prior to a mid-week away game. It's all a load of regurtitated bollacks that in essence means nothing - other than we will lose of course.

[CanadaSaint]

Just know that your opinion that I would rather saints failed is entirely wrong. I am a saints fan and to suggest otherwise makes you look pathetic. I am not questioning your credentials as a saints fan simply because I disagree with your opinion.

 

To be fair, if you check the thread that comment was aimed far more at lard than at you.

 

My issue with you is the negativity - critical of Cortese, critical of Adkins. I know what you're "against", I'm just not sure what you're "for".

 

We're in a damn dogfight here - potentially with a hell of a lot more than promotion at stake. That's why it makes it all the more frustrating to see these constant sniper attacks every time a result goes against us.

 

Sh*t result but we're still well placed. Reason for concern? Yes. Reason for bile and panic? No.

 

I'm off to help my daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter move house. Another time, another thread, hypo.

[hypochondriac]

To be fair, if you check the thread that comment was aimed far more at lard than at you.

 

My issue with you is the negativity - critical of Cortese, critical of Adkins. I know what you're "against", I'm just not sure what you're "for".

 

We're in a damn dogfight here - potentially with a hell of a lot more than promotion at stake. That's why it makes it all the more frustrating to see these constant sniper attacks every time a result goes against us.

 

Sh*t result but we're still well placed. Reason for concern? Yes. Reason for bile and panic? No.

 

I'm off to help my daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter move house. Another time, another thread, hypo.

 

I'm sorry but that is just a fallacy. It's untrue, you have no evidence for that. None.

[RedAndWhite91]

Some unbelievable posts on this thread. Mostly from Hypo.

[Micky]

Sorry I disagree. I am just back too. Yes we had more chances than them but they defended manfully and we were disjointed and never played as a team. With the likes of Lallana etc we should have clinically taken them apart but we played like a bunch of pumped up schoolboys. Do we need a calm head who can put their foot on the ball or what. Huff and puff and plenty of energy but no nous.

I am sorry but Adkins has not got this side organised yet and I'm not sure he really knows his best side. We lack composure, we are arrogant and we are not a coherent outfit. Play offs at best.

 

This bit worries me - we talk the talk, hype is meaningless, meanwhile the two 'lesser' south coast teams in this league continue to walk the walk...

[Nexstar]

Yes it was a VERY disappointing result.

 

We didn't deserve it one little bit though. 11 Shots on target and 9 off, it was, unfortunately, one of those nights.

 

We put some very nice link-up play together and created plenty of opportunities, but Wallsall defended like heroes - putting their bodies on the line infront of every single shot.

 

Morgan going off so early was disappointing (he perhaps should have scored within 2 minutes as well) and I felt Chaplow in particular resorted to hoofing it a bit too much.

 

The ref was just abysmal (again...) and missed a clear handball in the box with about 3 minutes left.

 

As I've said, it was one of those nights, win Saturday, win Tuesday and go marching down to Bournemouth and we'll be right back on track.

 

Good night.

[dubai_phil]

Basic reactions - Rage & Fury.

 

Both aimed at The result, This Forum and Saints Player. A triple whammy of utter bollooks all happening at once.

 

Hurts our push for promotion, want to get out this mickey mouse league NOW like everyone else.

 

But, I've been watching Saints since '67 and we like many other teams have criminally lost games we should have won, I hate it, but it happens.

 

In fact after I reflected on that one thought for a moment it occurred to me that unlike SOME on here I was happy to be playing complete dire rubbish and winning.

 

So it is noticeable that many who moaned about our performances got what they wanted last night - and we lost.

 

Cut the carp, we don't NEED Champagne football to get out this damned league we just need RESULTS.

 

Arrogant team? Bullsheet, Arrogant fans more like

[rooney]

Let us hope this is the last of our "bad" spell. We cannot afford any more slip ups now as we risk not even being in the play offs. With the set up, players,training facilities, support and back up staff we really should not be losing to these lower league teams who have nothing like our facilities. From the stats and reports, it does look as though this was "one of those games". But Team Saints, no more please!

[St Matty]

Play offs - another day at Wembley - not all bad.

[Teddy Nutkins]

You could of written the script for this game. After having watched Saints for many years i should be used to the let down for all the fans, when we get into a position of strength and invariably -uck it up, why??

 

Why can't we for once take advantage of games in hand, why can't we for once beat these struggling teams that are fighting for their lives, why can't we impose ourselves on these teams, if ,what everyone tells me, we are the strongest squad in the league...why?

 

I feel so sorry for those fans that supported the team so well last night, it must have been a long journey home, but for what it is worth well done, it was really loud support i could hear on the radio.......that is until Radio Solent decided to -uck up as well.I feel really happy this morning.....not....thanks once again Saints.

[doddisalegend]

Basic reactions - Rage & Fury.

 

Both aimed at The result, This Forum and Saints Player. A triple whammy of utter bollooks all happening at once.

 

Hurts our push for promotion, want to get out this mickey mouse league NOW like everyone else.

 

But, I've been watching Saints since '67 and we like many other teams have criminally lost games we should have won, I hate it, but it happens.

 

In fact after I reflected on that one thought for a moment it occurred to me that unlike SOME on here I was happy to be playing complete dire rubbish and winning.

 

So it is noticeable that many who moaned about our performances got what they wanted last night - and we lost.

 

Cut the carp, we don't NEED Champagne football to get out this damned league we just need RESULTS.

 

Arrogant team? Bullsheet, Arrogant fans more like

 

Who said they wanted us to play well and lose? some people really do make stuff up to try and prove a point don't they....................

[dune]

We lost. Big deal.

 

We might win next week.

 

Get grip the tw4ts who are thinking the end is nigh.

[um pahars]

In fact after I reflected on that one thought for a moment it occurred to me that unlike SOME on here I was happy to be playing complete dire rubbish and winning.

 

So it is noticeable that many who moaned about our performances got what they wanted last night - and we lost.......

 

.......Cut the carp, we don't NEED Champagne football to get out this damned league we just need RESULTS.

 

 

I don't think anyone has any problem with playing badly, but still winning.

 

I don't think anyone is suggesting that we the only valid promotion is one achieved by champagne football, in fact I would venture that the overwhelming majority don't care how we get out of this league, as long as we get out of it!!!!!

 

IMHO highlighting that we have underperformed in recent weeks and suggesting we aren't firing on all cylinders is just an honest review of our recent performances and also a warning that eventually we do have to step up a gear as we're not going to always play poorly and get the result. You can carry those performances over the short term, but eventually you have to start upping them or else be found out.

 

The defeat at Wallsall hasn't ended our season, but when combined with recent performances (and results), their lowly status, our inability to score, the fact it was a game in hand etc etc etc, then i think it is justified to be somewhat concerned. Throw in 4 tough away games this month and we could be in a very sticky situation that we need to address PDQ.

[trousers]

Play offs - another day at Wembley - not all bad.

 

Old Trafford

[Saint in Paradise]

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/saints/news/8882947.Butterfield__Title_race_is_not_over/

 

It appears that Danny Butterfield thinks Saints can still win the league, I would really like

some of whatever he had before saying that.

[lordswoodsaints]

Don't deserve to go up I'm afraid.

We were terribly bad in patches on Saturday but we got a result,it didn't sound to clever last night and we got punished.

NC must be sharpening the knives.

[EastleighSoulBoy]

Sorry to have to say that we'll struggle greatly to make 2nd now. Play-offs still within our grasp, but who would put money on this team having the bottle to go through?

 

If I didn't know better I would hazard a guess that Adkins has lost the dressing room and indeed the plot. And it's a little niggling doubt that has been with me for some weeks. Look back over the results of this season and the nature of the results - there's a consistency in these types of performances that is very worrying. I am really starting to have doubts about Adkins ability to command a presence. His interviews are bland and are now also seemingly stupid too. If we lose against Yeovil I think the crowd could turn against him and that could be the beginning of the end for him.

 

And lastly, I NEVER EVER want to read or hear another ******* defender interviewed on the OS prior to a mid-week away game. It's all a load of regurtitated bollacks that in essence means nothing - other than we will lose of course.

 

This bit worries me - we talk the talk, hype is meaningless, meanwhile the two 'lesser' south coast teams in this league continue to walk the walk...

 

During our lean spell in the Swindon match my colleague next to me commented that he thinks the job is too big for Adkins.

 

I never got him to explain his logic.

 

I think I'm actually seeing his point now.

 

Worried? Meh, it's just football.

 

Concerned for the team I love and the ramifications of missing promotion? You bet I am!

[thefunkygibbons]

Not happy

 

Games in hand are not the same as points on the board

[LGTL]

One point from 2 away games just isnt good enough. I normally leave these threads well alone but i'm still fuming about it this morning. My god we are making hard work of this, i'll still be going to Colchester Saturday full of blind hope though, and I haven't seen us lose away this season yet....

 

Saying all that, I still think we will go up in 2nd, just about.

[Kingsland Red]

Too many players with answers, Danny Butterfield being the latest, ref the Echo link above.

Lads , it's time to stop the talking and JUST DO IT.

'Die for the club' attitude from now on please.

[JustMike]

our performances have been poor since Oldham, it is almost as if they all expect to win without too much effort. Why did we sign N'guessan?? awful!!

[alpine_saint]

Right. A view now from someone at the game. Tonight was one of the biggest muggings I've ever seen. An utter travesty, in fact. We totally dominated, creating loads of chances and made one mistake at the back that cost the game. They had two shots worthy of the name and Kelvin was blameless. Their keeper had a blinder, making six great saves, and we had a couple of shots cleared off the line. We managed all this despite abysmal refereeing - he gave us nothing all night including an obvious handball when the ball rolled up Richards' arm! Football's unfairness was on show tonight in a big way

 

The usual pot-pourri of excuses. But hey, I would be trying to find the silver lining in this particularly black cloud if I had spent a bucket load of money go to watch the beginning of the end of our promotion hopes too.

Edited 2 March, 2011 by alpine_saint

[alpine_saint]

You can tell when we won't score. At half time I thought it'd finish 0-0, which isn't much better. Couldn't see any chance of a goal though. Saturday I could see four, five, six plus. It's all mentality and this squad is psychologically weak. It amazes me when people question quality when we always mess it up against far lower teams. That's purely about bottle. Pretty tired of it.

 

Still, 1-0 alpine I guess. He must be dancing. Wonder if his Colchester win thread stands? I still think we'll get second, but only because others will mess up too. Still don't think it's much of an achievement given all the money thrown at it. Sick of being embarrassed in front of 4000 people. What's worse than losing to Walsall? Losing to walsall and people not being surprised or even really noticing.

 

This place will implode no doubt. Server crashing after new levels of negativity never seen before, seeming to originate in Austria?

 

Maybe I'll come back when we're promoted to avoid typing the same logic at the same morons forever. I'll run off into the sunset with Amy now.

 

Alpine, you are the lowest, most tedious and simplistic negative waste of bandwidth I'm the history of Internet ******s. I'm constantly amazed by how vocal people like you can be despite the fact they actually have no opinion. No opinion, or every opinion? They're probably the same thing overall. Consistency, logic and thinking aren't your strong points. If only the ignore function worked, but when there's a tedious khunt trying to make every thread his own you can't escape it ad everyone responds to it. I'll just take to smacking my head on a wall instead. A thick, ignorant, inconsistent cock of a wall.

 

Night night.

 

Xx

 

Deary me. I hope using me as a punchbag is therapeutic for you.

 

Talk about shooting the messenger

[alpine_saint]

Why do people get so upset with people getting upset with saints losing? is it not natural to get upset your about football club losing a game of football?

 

This. I find it bizarre that the happy-clappys try to tell us what we should think and how we should react.

[S-Clarke]

The usual pot-pourri of excuses. But hey, I would be trying to find the silver lining in this particularly black cloud if I had spent a bucket load of money go to watch the beginning of the end of our promotion hopes too.

 

He went to the game, his post tallies up with the radio commentary. It's not excuses, it's an honest assessments from someone at the game.

 

It's still a **** result, but that post isn't full of excuses. It just annoys me when people that haven't gone to games believe they have a stronger opinion over the ones that attended the match.

[trousers]

Why wasn't the reaction after the Oldham away game the same as the reaction to this one? On t' radio, it sounded like a very similar type of game - number of chances,etc - the 'only' difference being that this time we were up against a team defending as if their lives depended on it rather than not giving a toss a la Oldham.

 

Even the Walsall commentators were saying the only thing keeping them in the game was some miracle defending. Ollie Lancashire played his best game for them, for example (their verdict).

 

Btw, the Walsall commentator also highlighted Barnard's attitude towards the end saying that if he had spent as much energy on his game as he did moaning at the referee then he might have been more productive....

[Bailey]

A very disappointing result, especially when the majority of the teams around us picked up points.

 

Sounds as though Walsall's goal lived a charmed life, how we didn't score is beyond me. Still, if you don't take your chances then you set yourself up for a defeat. Credit to the hosts, they took their chance and defended for their lives, fully deserve to haul themselves out the drop zone after some fine form in recent weeks.

 

As for us, I'm extremely concerned, but I refuse to panic just yet. If, and it's a big if, we beat Colchester and Yeovil, we'll be right back on track as we go into the Bournemouth game. All is not lost, but this is a major setback, and we can't afford too many more, that's f'sure.

 

One more worrying thing, is that our squad is looking a little depleted. With Guly, Forte, Schneiderlin, Seaborne, Chamberlain and Connolly all struggling with injuries, it'll be interesting to see how we line up on Saturday!

[keithd]

very disappointed.

 

i'll get over it.

 

oh look. i have already.

[corky morris]

On reflection I may have been a bit harsh, but we have become a hoof ball team. I completely disagree with Adkins we did not play any decent football. We play the long diagonal for Lamberts head. We passed the ball better under Pardew, kept possession better under Pardew & looked more of a threat IMHO.

Bottom line is that it is a poor result. Too many defensive errors this season IMHO. Lambert spends far too much time in midfield or on the wing when we need him in the box.

And lastly I want Adkins to take some responsibility. He has been manager when we have had some very very poor displays. Huddersfield away, Brentford, Caving in at Posh, Tranmere etc etc. Its a results business & we may have games in hand, but we are miserably failing to take advantage............

[dubai_phil]

I don't think anyone has any problem with playing badly, but still winning.

 

I don't think anyone is suggesting that we the only valid promotion is one achieved by champagne football, in fact I would venture that the overwhelming majority don't care how we get out of this league, as long as we get out of it!!!!!

 

IMHO highlighting that we have underperformed in recent weeks and suggesting we aren't firing on all cylinders is just an honest review of our recent performances and also a warning that eventually we do have to step up a gear as we're not going to always play poorly and get the result. You can carry those performances over the short term, but eventually you have to start upping them or else be found out.

 

The defeat at Wallsall hasn't ended our season, but when combined with recent performances (and results), their lowly status, our inability to score, the fact it was a game in hand etc etc etc, then i think it is justified to be somewhat concerned. Throw in 4 tough away games this month and we could be in a very sticky situation that we need to address PDQ.

 

Agree on the last bit, but even Deppo picked up on the "Perfromance is more important than the result" trend from a FEW of late.

 

Obviously the TREND is that we aren't playing well enough to go up and performances are a key indicator of that, but in amongst the anger (including mine) were a few posts that were far too simplistic.

 

So more to the point, we have lost an edge since Oldham away. Again, the simplistic NA is not up to it response is trotted out, and may well be true, but football is as much a mental & attitude game as a skill game, and so I just wonder what it is that has happened to take the edge of our TEAM performances.

 

It could be NA

It could be Arrogance, complacency, unrest,

What caused it? Was it the fact that we DIDN'T strengthen properly in January? Did the new players have an impact on the team dynamic? Have they worked out NA is a soft touch?

Was it Adkins fault? NC's fault or did we simply not have enough spare cash?

 

Lambert & Barnard were the majority of the fans choice to start the match. What caused THEM to shoot at the keeper or fail to be ice cold and clinical in front of goal?

 

The fact is that we lost a game we SHOULD have won. It has happened throughout the entire history of football and it is bitterly disappointing.

 

The evidence is that we have lost an edge to our game since Oldham

 

Whatever HAS happened to make us go off the boil, it needs to be cured in the next 48 hours because the Colchester game is now critical in terms of the League, but also in terms of Fans Morale and I would guess Player Morale.

 

And the answer sure as sh1t isn't going to be found in a one liner from us on here.

 

Something happened. What was it. Solve it. Start playing football again.

[Saint Fan CaM]

This one result isn't the issue in my eyes - it's the nature of the result that is concerning. This team have given shown an almost complete lack of guile and spirit when it comes to winning against this type of team. There is a trend and for my money that responsibility lies with Adkins and his coaching team. Give them an attacking side that plays football on a bowling green pitch and we'll win 6-0. For whatever reason, Adkins appears to be out of his depth in being able to find a solution to winning these types of games and it's going to cost us an automatic place. If the league was any stronger this season we would be struggling to hold on to a play-off place.

[saint1977]

The lack of a second striker to Lambert has been evident all season - yet neither Pardew or Adkins did anything about it. I went last night - and boy am I tired today - and the finishing was as unprofessional as Walsall's defending was heroic and brave. Barnard was a disgrace and the Walsall commentary had it spot on. The less said about N'Guessan the better and even Lallana and Chaplow were off colour. Plenty of effort and running around and Walker made some smart stops for them but with a little bit of composure we could have won 3-1 last night. I think the pressure and the expectation has got to the players and manager and it might be worth bringing someone in - an experienced older head or even a sports psychologist - that can somehow ease the fear and desperation we witnessed last night.

[broncoboy]

Its the same old story we blow hot and cold.

 

Dany and Guly are not good enough. Guly has some lovely touches but bottles loads of tackles.

 

We dont have the look of a team that is going to win promotion.

 

We really do under perform with the resources and players we have

 

It was Walsall for goodness way down the league.

 

Cant stand the crap they put on the website

 

They all really need a kick up the arse

[trousers]

Lambert & Barnard were the majority of the fans choice to start the match. What caused THEM to shoot at the keeper or fail to be ice cold and clinical in front of goal?

 

But, do we know how many of the 11 (eleven) shots we had on target were "poor shots that were never going to go in" vs "superb shots that were only kept out by superb defensive action"?

 

If Lambert, Barnard, et al, are putting the ball in the right spot and at the right pace then the result becomes largely out of our control.

 

If the shots we had on target were poor, then fine, that's what probably differentiates this result from the Oldham away result.

 

So, the $64,000 question: how many of last night's 11 shots on target were worthy of a goal? If the answer is "2 or above", then we were unfortunate. If the answer is "none" then we were poor.

Edited 2 March, 2011 by trousers

[S-Clarke]

Its the same old story we blow hot and cold.

 

Dany and Guly are not good enough. Guly has some lovely touches but bottles loads of tackles.

 

We dont have the look of a team that is going to win promotion.

 

We really do under perform with the resources and players we have

 

It was Walsall for goodness way down the league.

 

Cant stand the crap they put on the website

 

They all really need a kick up the arse

 

Bit hash to include Guly seeing as he didn't play last night. I'd also be inclined to give Dany a few more games yet before jumping in the crap camp.

[GenevaSaint]

The lack of a second striker to Lambert has been evident all season - yet neither Pardew or Adkins did anything about it. I went last night - and boy am I tired today - and the finishing was as unprofessional as Walsall's defending was heroic and brave. Barnard was a disgrace and the Walsall commentary had it spot on. The less said about N'Guessan the better and even Lallana and Chaplow were off colour. Plenty of effort and running around and Walker made some smart stops for them but with a little bit of composure we could have won 3-1 last night. I think the pressure and the expectation has got to the players and manager and it might be worth bringing someone in - an experienced older head or even a sports psychologist - that can somehow ease the fear and desperation we witnessed last night.

 

Must admit suprised we didn't try a bit harder with Craig Mackail-Smith. Barny is great, holds the ball up well, brings other players into play, runs for England but crucially his finishing is not clinical enough.

[dubai_phil]

But, do we know how many of the 11 (eleven) shots we had on target were "poor shots that were never going to go in" vs "superb shots that were only kept out by superb defensive action"?

 

If Lambert, Barnard, et al, are putting the ball in the right spot and at the right pace then the result becomes largely out of our control.

 

If the shots we had on target were poor, then fine, that's what probably differentiates this result from the Oldham away result.

 

So, the $64,000 question: how many of last night's 11 shots on target were worthy of a goal? If the answer is "2 or above", then we were unfortunate. If the answer is "none" then we were poor.

 

Which is actually the most sensible post on a match related forum thread in a while.

 

It's OK to rant about the result. I call it the "Something Must Be Done" syndrome that blights the UK these days (It all started with Edwina Curry & The Salmonella Eggs)

 

But to actually work out WHAT must be done is the key.

 

Is it Sports Psychology? Is it fear? Is it incompetence? Was it really just dumb luck?

 

So if we WERE poor what do we do about it?

If it WAS bad luck can we find a White Witch? (oh no not again)

[sandwichsaint]

But, do we know how many of the 11 (eleven) shots we had on target were "poor shots that were never going to go in" vs "superb shots that were only kept out by superb defensive action"?

 

If Lambert, Barnard, et al, are putting the ball in the right spot and at the right pace then the result becomes largely out of our control.

 

If the shots we had on target were poor, then fine, that's what probably differentiates this result from the Oldham away result.

 

So, the $64,000 question: how many of last night's 11 shots on target were worthy of a goal? If the answer is "2 or above", then we were unfortunate. If the answer is "none" then we were poor.

 

On another night we would probably have had at least three goals, we had at least 8 genuine goal bound efforts, their keeper pulled off one wonder stop, and several very smart saves, and two blocked on the line, and a flying horizonal block from a defender about 8 yards out.

 

No comparison with the 7 shots at Hartlepool ... I was surprised after the game to see 11 shots on target as the number given ... we had at least 5 on target in the first half ... and it felt like 15 in the second!

[SaintRichmond]

Play offs - another day at Wembley - not all bad.

 

Yeh, really great

 

Against Bournemouth

 

And we would LOSE

 

Earlier posters ARE correct

 

The Players seem to think it's a matter of just turning up and the opposition will fall down.

 

Complete and utter ARROGANCE

 

If Adkins cannot see that, then, yes, he should leave

[keithd]

Yeh, really great

 

Against Bournemouth

 

And we would LOSE

 

Earlier posters ARE correct

 

The Players seem to think it's a matter of just turning up and the opposition will fall down.

 

Complete and utter ARROGANCE

 

If Adkins cannot see that, then, yes, he should leave

 

oh my god! what an awful post.

 

but freedom of speech and all that....

[Window Cleaner]

Must admit suprised we didn't try a bit harder with Craig Mackail-Smith. Barny is great, holds the ball up well, brings other players into play, runs for England but crucially his finishing is not clinical enough.

 

Although I thought one of the comments by the Brummie,who incidentally sounded just like the one from Auf Wierdesein Pet,extremely pertinent. He said that Barnard would be more useful if he concentrated on his own game and stopped moaning at the ref and officials.

 

Anyway not a great night, Morgan injured,**** result,the spectre of Forecast hanging over us, Chaplow and Hammond racking up the cards like there's no tomorrow(Hammond is now on 9) ..nope nothing on the plus side there.

[Ian the Red]

I went to the game last night. Hugely dissappointing result. Having read most of this thread it is increditable.... do we have the most negative, depressed, wrist slitting fans in the country????

 

We did play reasonably well; we created so many chances; it really was a one sided match, we simply could not score. Their keeper made a couple of very good saves, they cleared off the line twice or was it 3 times, and we had numerous shots that were on target, hitting players backsides or any part of their body and the ball bouncing away from the goal.

 

We have 15 games remaining, the margin for error is disminishing but we will still make the second spot. 10 wins, a couple of draws will see us around 84/85 points. We do need to string together a decent run of straight wins to put pressure on the other teams and I expect nothing less than three wins next week. It is not all doom and gloom; it was simply one of those games when we were not going to score; if we had comntinue playing until midnight I doubt we would have scored. Seen it before, played in matches like that before and will no doubt see Saints games like this again.

 

Very dissapointing result, but it is not over yet. Many on here doubted whether we would even reach the play offs after the first 6 or so games, here we are 5th in the league with games in hand that, once we have won, will take us to 2nd in the league. We do have a decent squad.

 

I cannot understand why many criticise Ricky Lambert; he lead the line well last night, as he does in most games, set up numerous chances for others and had two goal bound shots blocked by defenders with the keeper beaten. Harding was not so good, Hammond left a little to be desired and Chaplow was a little inconsistent; Barnard had two gilt edge chances in the first half, both on target both saved by the keeper and resulted in corners. In the 2nd half Barnard's header was cleared off the line. We did lump the ball forward too often instead of playing the ball to feet. This result should be the kick up the arse the players need. Onwards and upwards, automatioc promotion..... no worries!!!!!

 

We'll see

Edited 2 March, 2011 by Ian the Red

[The Cat]

There's some ridiculous comments on this thread.

 

Some of you need to man up and go and watch these games before passing judgement from your armchair. You may notice that the people who actually put in the effort of travelling up and down the country to obscure towns week in week out don't come on here throwing inane and unsubstantiated comments about in post match reaction threads when they miss the odd game. Funny that.

 

And the play off final is at Old Trafford.

[SaintRichmond]

oh my god! what an awful post.

 

but freedom of speech and all that....

 

 

What an awful reply

 

Any comment re whether you agree or not

 

Cannot YOU see the pitfalls, or have you Rose coloured glasses ALL the time

 

Reality check needed, we have (allegedly) the BEST Squad, yet we are struggling to hold on to FIFTH

 

THAT is the bit that is awful IMHO

[Window Cleaner]

Just back from the game. Bad night all round.

 

THE worst home support I've ever seen.

We were poor, but I still can't believe we didn't score at least 1. It's beyond me how a goalkeeper that short and fat can be that good. We had so many chances and should have won comfortably, despite playing so badly. Not sure about NA's tactics tonight, we lost the midfield battle despite starting with Morgan, Chappers and DH, and resorted to hoofing from fairly early on.

I think Lambert needs a talking to. He won his headers but didn't look dangerous, or even interested, and spent loads of time sulking and moaning to the ref. Ref was shocking, but surely a pro footballer should know to play to the whistle.

 

No promotion with displays and results like that...

 

Perhaps we lost the midfield battle because Morgan was injured after a minute and 45 seconds and we had to replace him with a player who's not a right sided CM. Anyway when we have just the suddenly out of form Chaplow and Hammond in CM we're going to hoof.Plus no Guly either, Barney may be a fair old finisher on his day (which obviously wasn't yesterday) but he's never going to create like Guly can.

[doddisalegend]

There's some ridiculous comments on this thread.

 

Some of you need to man up and go and watch these games before passing judgement from your armchair. You may notice that the people who actually put in the effort of travelling up and down the country to obscure towns week in week out don't come on here throwing inane and unsubstantiated comments about in post match reaction threads when they miss the odd game. Funny that.

 

And the play off final is at Old Trafford.

 

They don't need go to the game to see the league table, it's doesn't matter how great we played we came with 0pts against a side in the bottom four and wasted one of games in hand thats the issue not if we played well.

[Leicestersaint]

It is simply not good enough - and i am amazed at thsoe who cannot see this!

[OldNick]

the folly of not selling Oxlade and using the money to buy Antonio and CMS becomes more blatant by the day. Oxlade will not be here in the long term and if as some say we would get above 5m for him ,then balking paying just over a £1m for a forward who has already scored 24 goals in this league this season is laughable.

Holding onto Ox was a vanity not proper sense in getting us up the leagues. Please do not tell me that the club have plenty of money, as the window showed to me we are working to a budget. Last season we bought Fonte and Barnard for real money, this season?????

Forget not also come May LB may not even be availible so who then to play alongside RL...

[Window Cleaner]

the folly of not selling Oxlade and using the money to buy Antonio and CMS becomes more blatant by the day. Oxlade will not be here in the long term and if as some say we would get above 5m for him ,then balking paying just over a £1m for a forward who has already scored 24 goals in this league this season is laughable.

Holding onto Ox was a vanity not proper sense in getting us up the leagues. Please do not tell me that the club have plenty of money as the window showed to me we are working to a budget. Last season we bought Fonte and Barnard for real money this season?????

Forget not also come May LB may not even be availible so who then to play alongside RL...

 

NC said Ox wouldn't be sold,NA said Ox wouldn't be leaving, perhaps the offers weren't all that great. We have no idea what was offered, press speculation is worth nothing;

[ohwhenthesaints]

the folly of not selling Oxlade and using the money to buy Antonio and CMS becomes more blatant by the day. Oxlade will not be here in the long term and if as some say we would get above 5m for him ,then balking paying just over a £1m for a forward who has already scored 24 goals in this league this season is laughable.

Holding onto Ox was a vanity not proper sense in getting us up the leagues. Please do not tell me that the club have plenty of money, as the window showed to me we are working to a budget. Last season we bought Fonte and Barnard for real money, this season?????

Forget not also come May LB may not even be availible so who then to play alongside RL...

 

Guly, Forte, Lallana or Connolly?