Walsall 1 - 0 Saints - Post Match Reaction

[Window Cleaner]

Guly, Forte, Lallana or Connolly?

 

Why don't we use Connolly any more, last night might have been ideal suited to his clinical finishing when N'Guessan has to go off.

Dickson also might have been able to do something more than an injured Ox.

[OldNick]

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;

that was to appease the fans who want to keep the player, but IMO is not for the best to get us up this division. PS Pardew said Carrol would not be sold, he's at Liverpool now

[Saint_clark]

that was to appease the fans who want to keep the player, but IMO is not for the best to get us up this division. PS Pardew said Carrol would not be sold, he's at Liverpool now

 

Why are we debating this? Cortese and Adkins said Chamberlain wouldn't be sold in january, and he wasn't. That's 100% fact.

[S-Clarke]

Why don't we use Connolly any more, last night might have been ideal suited to his clinical finishing when N'Guessan has to go off.

Dickson also might have been able to do something more than an injured Ox.

 

Injured suprisingly. A real shame - when he first came here I thought he'd be a clever signing for us and put his injury troubles behind us, but he'll probably retire at the end of the season. He's totally finished.

[Saint_clark]

Well Connolly was very useful last season - but we should be looking for better now anyway.

[Kingsbridge Saint]

Not good enough, by a long way. Why can't we get a grip of games like this and put a few chances away early doors? Brighton would. Don't think the players want it enough. Cortese will be getting very trigger happy if it doesn't improve. Season not over by a long chalk, but the way its going it looks like the play offs, and that would be a major underachievement.

[doddisalegend]

Not good enough, by a long way. Why can't we get a grip of games like this and put a few chances away early doors? Brighton would. Don't think the players want it enough. Cortese will be getting very trigger happy if it doesn't improve. Season not over by a long chalk, but the way its going it looks like the play offs, and that would be a major underachievement.

 

Maybe they've looked on here and realised they'll be out of a job if we get promoted and be replaced by better players...............

Edited 2 March, 2011 by doddisalegend

[dune]

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

 

Talk about shooting the messenger

 

If only you were as joyful and enthusiastic in victory.

[saint1977]

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

 

I do agree with much of this and Lambert created plenty last night but it comes back to having a consistently good enough partner for him. Guly and Barnard have done it in patches but Barnard misses far too many chances when he starts and last night was a prime example. Walker was brilliant and Lancashire played with real courage but Barnard really should have buried at least two of those chances and taken luck out of the equation. The issue is composure and belief - only Lambert or Lallana actually look confident in their ability to put the ball away in those situations although I admit even being a fan of Lallana's that his conversion rate could be better.

 

Pity the club and MLT don't get on these days, he'd perfect on the training ground for building confidence in our front players but too much water under the bridge now. However, I'm afraid I don't share your confidence in getting 2nd place - I can't see us winning at Bournemouth or Brighton which we'd need to do or going unbeaten. Is the loan window still open? Definately need a striker if so, there are far too many games where we've blanked this season and it must be far more than our top 6 rivals.

[hughieslastminutegoal]

Really unlucky today - tried playing nice football in first half, lambert in particular with some great link up play - some half decent efforts on goal from schneiderlin, barny and lambert.

 

Went more direct in the second half to find success and created even more - denied by some heroic blocks and saves from walsall back 5.

 

Some real drama queens after game saying want a refund on season ticket etc - jeez... Just one if those days.

 

For people asking it was jaidi at fault for the goal - abysmal header back to Davis that put macken clean through.

 

Buck up, things must be improving if his efforts on goal are now half decent.

[hughieslastminutegoal]

Much of what you guys post is either an "I told you so" or preparation for one.

 

And I'm sorry but I don't believe you when you say you want to be wrong.

 

The constant, unremitting negativity is a clear sign that you actually want to be right - especially as you're harder to find around here after a good result.

 

It was a dire result and everyone is sickened by it, but having to read your predictable crap every time we underperform makes it even worse.

 

Sometimes silence speaks a lot louder.

I'm not sure you meant it to sound so frequent!

[Chap in the Chapel]

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.

 

Margins can be extremely fine in football and I don't really think that one defeat in six and being fifth in the league with enough games in hand to take us second suggests that we're lacking composure, organisation and are incoherent, although we do now need to start another unbeaten run in some tricky fixtures. The number of times we created chances through team passing, headers back across goal, through-balls etc is not indicative of a team that is attacking disjointedly, and our defending restricted them to two efforts worthy of the name, so I think that there's not too much wrong at that end of the field either. I think we had a calm head who can put his foot on the ball, but he got injured and had to go off after two minutes. It is not a time for panic, as we're not conceding soft goals every game while creating nothing. Last night was one of those where nothing went for us and we've got to respond, starting on Saturday. These things happen. Perhaps one or two fans (not you Duncan) should display similar composure after the first league defeat in six - after all, it doesn't take much thought to predict the worst continually and then proclaim oneself a prophet when things go wrong.

[tpbury]

I'm just gonna kill myself. Fnkin Walsall. It's like losing to Totton. That bad. Oh god, I feel bad about this bastard league, we have to win everytime to get up. I preferred it when we lost most of the time but didn't get relegated. So stressful with expectations on their shoulders!

[keithd]

jesus 7 pages now!

[OldNick]

Margins can be extremely fine in football and I don't really think that one defeat in six and being fifth in the league with enough games in hand to take us second suggests that we're lacking composure, organisation and are incoherent, although we do now need to start another unbeaten run in some tricky fixtures. The number of times we created chances through team passing, headers back across goal, through-balls etc is not indicative of a team that is attacking disjointedly, and our defending restricted them to two efforts worthy of the name, so I think that there's not too much wrong at that end of the field either. I think we had a calm head who can put his foot on the ball, but he got injured and had to go off after two minutes. It is not a time for panic, as we're not conceding soft goals every game while creating nothing. Last night was one of those where nothing went for us and we've got to respond, starting on Saturday. These things happen. Perhaps one or two fans (not you Duncan) should display similar composure after the first league defeat in six - after all, it doesn't take much thought to predict the worst continually and then proclaim oneself a prophet when things go wrong.

but ic think it is not because we have lost, but that we have been playing so poorly for weeks now. I suffered our display at Exeter that we won and a few since and we have been fortunate to get results.

It is concerning that we just dont look head and shoulders above any of the teams we play. I had hoped we would do a Norwich and be the real thing not the bunch of underachievers we are at present

[CanadaSaint]

I'm not sure you meant it to sound so frequent!

 

I think I did because we see this junk from the same people with every bad result. Even after a night's sleep I'm still frustrated about it.

 

Margins can be extremely fine in football and I don't really think that one defeat in six and being fifth in the league with enough games in hand to take us second suggests that we're lacking composure, organisation and are incoherent, although we do now need to start another unbeaten run in some tricky fixtures. The number of times we created chances through team passing, headers back across goal, through-balls etc is not indicative of a team that is attacking disjointedly, and our defending restricted them to two efforts worthy of the name, so I think that there's not too much wrong at that end of the field either. I think we had a calm head who can put his foot on the ball, but he got injured and had to go off after two minutes. It is not a time for panic, as we're not conceding soft goals every game while creating nothing. Last night was one of those where nothing went for us and we've got to respond, starting on Saturday. These things happen. Perhaps one or two fans (not you Duncan) should display similar composure after the first league defeat in six - after all, it doesn't take much thought to predict the worst continually and then proclaim oneself a prophet when things go wrong.

 

That's an excellent post IMO. I especially agree with the last sentence although I think the "one or two" understates it.

 

For me, now, it's not a case of that hideous loss but of how we respond to it. By all accounts we played well enough to win and Adkins deserves some credit for that. If we don't respond to the loss with extra effort at the weekend my relatively mild concerns about Adkins will increase.

 

But as I've said before, I think our squad is much better suited to the Championship than to away nights at Division One grounds. Adkins' big challenge (just as it was Pardew's) is to get these guys "up" for this kind of challenge or else we'll still be here next year - and he, along with some key players, won't.

 

And, for what it's worth, I think we need to finish in the top two because I'm not convinced we're strong enough psychologically to make it through the playoffs.

[hypochondriac]

Even after a nights sleep you are still wrong about me constantly sniping after every result. Who the f*ck are you to question my support. You don't even live here.

[hypochondriac]

I'm not sure you meant it to sound so frequent!

 

What he has said flies in the face of all available evidence and yet still he continues. He is a joke.

[CanadaSaint]

Even after a nights sleep you are still wrong about me constantly sniping after every result. Who the f*ck are you to question my support. You don't even live here.

 

LOL. You seriously need to grow up and practice your reading skills. Like your balanced judgment skills, they really go down the sh*tter after a loss.

 

As I said last night, you have a problem with Cortese, you have a problem with Adkins and you have a problems with many of the players. I know what you're "against" but I'm very unclear about what you're "for".

 

I'm not going to start up with you again, hypo. Most people have moved on from last night. Have a nice day.

[hypochondriac]

LOL. You seriously need to grow up and practice your reading skills. Like your balanced judgment skills, they really go down the sh*tter after a loss.

 

As I said last night, you have a problem with Cortese, you have a problem with Adkins and you have a problems with many of the players. I know what you're "against" but I'm very unclear about what you're "for".

 

I'm not going to start up with you again, hypo. Most people have moved on from last night. Have a nice day.

Pathetic. Thankfully I will never have to see you at games.

[hypochondriac]

And for the record, I am for the team playing to their potential consistently. I am for bringing players in which add to the team and helps them progress. I am for the manager making meaningful changes which help to change the tide of the game. I am for performances like Oldham and even poorer performances which help is grind out a good result. I am for results like Brighton at home where we fought to gain a tough point, so don't try and presume you know what I am for and against why regards to saints.

[dune]

Are people still bothered about 1 defeat?

 

I'd got over 5 minutes after fulltime.

 

Get a grip.

[Lallana's Left Peg]

Are people still bothered about 1 defeat?

 

I'd got over 5 minutes after fulltime.

 

Get a grip.

 

I think too many people believe we need to play really well in order to go up. We don't. We just need to do enough and I don't see how promotion isn't attainable or realistic after last night.

 

I can understand people being frustrated with the level of consistency shown by the team, but lets face it - we have some talented players, if they were consistent as well they would not be plying their trade with us at this level.

 

I can also understand the anxiety some people show but I guarantee that those who let it manifest into negativity aren't doing themselves a favour. Adkins needs to remain positive and is. The players need to remain positive and they are. Lets hope our fans are and get behind the team instead of moaning. Last night was not the end of the world. We are still in the thick of this and sometimes I get the feeling some people would be disappointed to see us go up!

[Mr X]

I think too many people believe we need to play really well in order to go up. We don't. We just need to do enough and I don't see how promotion isn't attainable or realistic after last night.

 

I can understand people being frustrated with the level of consistency shown by the team, but lets face it - we have some talented players, if they were consistent as well they would not be plying their trade with us at this level.

 

I can also understand the anxiety some people show but I guarantee that those who let it manifest into negativity aren't doing themselves a favour. Adkins needs to remain positive and is. The players need to remain positive and they are. Lets hope our fans are and get behind the team instead of moaning. Last night was not the end of the world. We are still in the thick of this and sometimes I get the feeling some people would be disappointed to see us go up!

 

Totally agree. Yes I am very frustrated at a loss especially to a side considered one of the lesser teams, but why cant some fans put things into perspective we are going to lose games and one loss does not equal the end of our season!, some people really do need to get a grip we are still in there! that said I understand fans frustrations

[derry]

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.

 

Also played in the same Saints team as Mick Channon and way out of your league.

[simo]

Totally flabberghasted

[derry]

LOL. You seriously need to grow up and practice your reading skills. Like your balanced judgment skills, they really go down the sh*tter after a loss.

 

As I said last night, you have a problem with Cortese, you have a problem with Adkins and you have a problems with many of the players. I know what you're "against" but I'm very unclear about what you're "for".

 

I'm not going to start up with you again, hypo. Most people have moved on from last night. Have a nice day.

 

Nice to see them getting reamed out they are far too quick to dish it out. Remember how we used to say "Pressure doesn't win matches" after a difficult game we had turned somebody over. I think it was a clear case of that last night. After the match on Saturday I said to Ron that the result was better than the game. Lambert is a clever footballer and scores regularly but lacks the pace to be incisive, what we need is a rapier rather than a broadsword and a lot more leadership in the middle of the field.

Edited 2 March, 2011 by derry

[Chap in the Chapel]

but ic think it is not because we have lost, but that we have been playing so poorly for weeks now. I suffered our display at Exeter that we won and a few since and we have been fortunate to get results.

It is concerning that we just dont look head and shoulders above any of the teams we play. I had hoped we would do a Norwich and be the real thing not the bunch of underachievers we are at present

 

We sometimes look head and shoulders above teams that we play - were you at the Dagenham & Redbridge home game? However, we don't look like that all the time because we aren't head and shoulders above every team in this league - it's very close and competitive and it varies from game to game how good teams look. True, we've not been in the sort of form that we were through October and at the beginning of November and around the turn of the year, but we've been good enough to be firmly in the play-off zone despite a perceived dip in standards. If and when we return to the top of our game, we'll finish in the league where we deserve to finish. On 7 May we'll know where that is - like everyone else, I want that to be in the top two.

[Toadhall Saint]

Very frustrating but not the end of the world.

[kpturner]

At least we can rely on England in the cricket world cup......oh!

[LGTL]

What an absolutely SH*T couple of days.

[um pahars]

I can understand people being frustrated with the level of consistency shown by the team' date=' but lets face it - we have some talented players, if they were consistent as well they would not be plying their trade with us at this level.[/quote']

 

I would argue that we do indeed have players who are, or at least should be, consistent enough to play at a higher level. We have a number of "higher calibre" players either due to our prior legacy of "higher tier" status, or due to them dropping a division after being sold our ambitious plans and/or being offered decent wonga.

 

My worry, as others have mentioned, would be that if we don't go up this season then quite a few could indeed jump ship. Given this, I don't think it is unreasonable to suggest we are underperforming this season and most definitely underperforming over the last month or so.

[70's Mike]

I would argue that we do indeed have players who are, or at least should be, consistent enough to play at a higher level. We have a number of "higher calibre" players either due to our prior legacy of "higher tier" status, or due to them dropping a division after being sold our ambitious plans and/or being offered decent wonga.

 

My worry, as others have mentioned, would be that if we don't go up this season then quite a few could indeed jump ship. Given this, I don't think it is unreasonable to suggest we are underperforming this season and most definitely underperforming over the last month or so.

 

think the words" at least should be" are key

[Window Cleaner]

At least we can rely on England in the cricket world cup......oh!

 

What they lost to Ireland ? How shamemaking would that be.

[Rory]

Hypochondriac, when have Saints EVER been consistent? I assume you're in your early to mid-20s like me, so can you recall a season in your years of supporting the club that we've been consistent? We were never consistently good in the 90s, we were consistently sh*t for most of it. Even in our best season in recent years - 2002/03 - we only just scraped a top-table finish following a mid-term blip. We weren't consistent under Burley in the play-off year and we weren't consistent under Pardew last year. I just don't know why you're throwing the "not consistent enough" remark around when it's pretty much a fact that this is something the Saints have never been.

[up and away]

Originally Posted by Ian the Red

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

 

I do agree with much of this and Lambert created plenty last night but it comes back to having a consistently good enough partner for him. Guly and Barnard have done it in patches but Barnard misses far too many chances when he starts and last night was a prime example. Walker was brilliant and Lancashire played with real courage but Barnard really should have buried at least two of those chances and taken luck out of the equation. The issue is composure and belief - only Lambert or Lallana actually look confident in their ability to put the ball away in those situations although I admit even being a fan of Lallana's that his conversion rate could be better.

 

Just what Is Ricky on that pitch for? I am not interested in those nice little flicks from the wing or midfield, I want some selfish, myopic barstard who will drag his knob through broken glass to get that ball in the net. Our main requirement is a striker and as you can't be in two places at the same time and that has to be Ricky. Just when was the last time Barnard went on a good run and he has had far more opportunities this season than deserved. I am not interested in Lambert the provider, unless we have someone who can take advantage.

[Window Cleaner]

Just what Is Ricky on that pitch for? I am not interested in those nice little flicks from the wing or midfield, I want some selfish, myopic barstard who will drag his knob through broken glass to get that ball in the net. Our main requirement is a striker and as you can't be in two places at the same time and that has to be Ricky. Just when was the last time Barnard went on a good run and he has had far more opportunities this season than deserved. I am not interested in Lambert the provider, unless we have someone who can take advantage.

 

Rickie seems to fancy himself as some sort of advanced midfielder these days it would seem.If you read TUI he got regally slagged off for his performance last night.

[Window Cleaner]

A last passing thought on last night....it's a pity Crosby p*ssed off Jason Puncheon isn't it.Puncheon or N'Guessan ...you decide.

Can we recall Puncheon?? I guess not.

[hypochondriac]

Also played in the same Saints team as Mick Channon and way out of your league.

 

WTF are you on about?

[hypochondriac]

Hypochondriac, when have Saints EVER been consistent? I assume you're in your early to mid-20s like me, so can you recall a season in your years of supporting the club that we've been consistent? We were never consistently good in the 90s, we were consistently sh*t for most of it. Even in our best season in recent years - 2002/03 - we only just scraped a top-table finish following a mid-term blip. We weren't consistent under Burley in the play-off year and we weren't consistent under Pardew last year. I just don't know why you're throwing the "not consistent enough" remark around when it's pretty much a fact that this is something the Saints have never been.

 

Just because it is something we have never been does not make it better or any easier to accept this season. Especially with the finance and money spent. Last season we had excuses, this year there are none.

[Thedelldays]

brighton and bournemouth are the only two consistant teams in the league..

[Draino76]

A bit unlucky against a plucky West Midlands team. The commentary in saints player was top notch as ever; even from the learned fellows from Walsall. The commitment and focus of the squad was unquestionable.

 

Only kidding.

 

I will not spend £1 towards the Southampton cause, until this absolute ****ing dog**** is sorted out.

[scotty]

Just what Is Ricky on that pitch for? I am not interested in those nice little flicks from the wing or midfield, I want some selfish, myopic barstard who will drag his knob through broken glass to get that ball in the net. Our main requirement is a striker and as you can't be in two places at the same time and that has to be Ricky. Just when was the last time Barnard went on a good run and he has had far more opportunities this season than deserved. I am not interested in Lambert the provider, unless we have someone who can take advantage.

 

agree with this. What game was it that Rickie was taking all the free kicks that werent direct-shot opportunities, and the only one he didnt take himself he scored from with a header?

[theyin]

Just when is this "Bournemouth are going to mess up" theory going to come about? I've been hearing it since November.

 

Is it the money about our place that halts the team's ability to gel like our 'lesser' south coast neighbours?

[brmbrm]

WTF are you on about?

 

I think he is calling you a nob.

 

HTH

 

On another note, i think half or so of the posters above actually prefer it when we lose: chance for a good moan, kick the cat, slap the mis... oh

[David Strover]

I hate it when we lose - especially to teams in the relegation zone. I always have and always win.

 

It does not make me happy.

 

I'm still ****ed off and angry now - goodness knows what people who went to the game must feel like.

[Jonnyboy]

I hate it when we lose - especially to teams in the relegation zone. I always have and always win.

 

It does not make me happy.

 

I'm still ****ed off and angry now - goodness knows what people who went to the game must feel like.

 

You're a confident young go-getter!

[Nexstar]

I hate it when we lose - especially to teams in the relegation zone. I always have and always win.

 

It does not make me happy.

 

I'm still ****ed off and angry now - goodness knows what people who went to the game must feel like.

 

Pretty upbeat, I feel the only difference between yesterday and Oldham away was that fact we managed to get the ball over that white line.

 

And upbeat knowing we'll put it right Saturday. Stop being such a drama queen.

[goodymatt]

Having watched the highlights on SaintsPlayer the Jaidi header was so unfortunate! Bet he couldn't do that again if he tried... reminds me of when Leon Best sliced it backwards into his own goal in the play-offs. Tbf we're making too many mistakes, gifting goals. How we didn't score last night I don't know, felt like the ball was cleared off their line too many times. I still believe we will finish second. It's not like bmuff and hudds will win every game till the end of the season. Hudds are as inconsistant as us and bmuff, we gotta beat them for a psychological blow when we play them. We've beat them twice already, just depends which Saints turns up!

[trousers]

it's a pity Crosby p*ssed off Jason Puncheon isn't it.

 

Source?