LostBoys Posted 5 March, 2011 Share Posted 5 March, 2011 I am going to slit my wrists - we only won 2 nil simply not good enough Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Who? Posted 5 March, 2011 Share Posted 5 March, 2011 Just back from the game, and I am one for staying positive and a win is a win I know, but the first half we were terrible and came out of the traps so slowly. A lot of posession but not in key areas and going backwards. Then the game changed with the goal and then a sending off within minutes. We still looked the most likely to conceed a goal before half time. Second half and the early goal settled us and for 10 minutes after the goal it looked like we might take them apart. They then got a foothold and to get to the last 10 minutes 0-2 up and against 10 men we really did look so nervous. So we won and probably had the better clear cut chances in the second half, and I cannot really re-call Kelvin having to make any saves but why so nervous? We also do not look like a team that are looking for promotion. We need to get Oxo and Lalana on the ball as much as we can. But 3 points it is and hopefully the form will return soon, and at last we beat Colchester...... what is it with the fog at that place? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Victor Posted 5 March, 2011 Share Posted 5 March, 2011 Ceteris paribus. Colcester have only lost at home in the league twice this season. It's a very good result. It's that kind of attitude (i.e. "we will walk this league") that leads to a) other teams thinking we're ****ers and b) leads to complacency in the team. There's no such thing as an easy win in League 1, today's result was a good one AWAY from home 'ceteris paribus'? Hardly - my point (NOT an arrogant one, but a realistic one) was partly that things are NOT equal. You have, in fact (albeit probably unwittingly), agreed with me; it was a 'good win, not a 'great' win. Actually I would probably think 'an OK win' was more appropriate and does at least keeps us in touch of a play-off place. And I was not being arrogant, I was simply lamenting the days when beating Arsenal or Manchester United away from home was considered a 'great win' (beating them at home would only have been 'great' if we put 6 past them). We are in the 3rd division and there are very few games these days that I expect us to win; I would hardly call that arrogant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sad Sam Posted 5 March, 2011 Share Posted 5 March, 2011 Pleased with the win, though it was a strange game to listen to on the radio never really sounded like Saints got going. Got to say I'm a bit bored with all the personal insults on here, especially tonight. Looks like over half this thread is name calling. Use the pm button for a change it's getting boring now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffo Posted 5 March, 2011 Share Posted 5 March, 2011 Just home from the game. Pleased with the result obviously. Looked a bit shaky at the beginning of the first half but the goal and sending off in the spare of two minutes killed the game off. After the second goal we looked comfortable, with Fonte and Jaidi playing well and keeping out most of the crosses and lumps into our box. We looked good on the break and it felt that we couple have smashed them in the second half if we had wanted to. Played the ball on the deck well in the second half, we should look to go and play like that from the off in every game. Good support numbers wise again, but we made **** all noise, yet again! Finally, I hope I never have to go to Colchester ever again. It really must be one of the worst away days in the Football League. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simonsaints1 Posted 5 March, 2011 Share Posted 5 March, 2011 Just got back-dire in the first 30 and they really looked up for it-we looked very dodgy in defence, but after we scored and they had a player sent off, we could have added a few more as the game went on. Functional, modern ground in the middle of no where-shame cos the town centre is very nice.Lots of history and nice pubs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SammyJ Posted 5 March, 2011 Share Posted 5 March, 2011 This result makes me even more annoyed about last Tuesday! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derry Posted 5 March, 2011 Share Posted 5 March, 2011 This was a big win as it pushed Colchester back, it is another away game out of the way and means we are two home games in hand on Bournemouth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai_phil Posted 5 March, 2011 Share Posted 5 March, 2011 Weird weekend. How was your big night out D_P? It was very weird, I went out and cooked a Chocolate Fondant. On stage with a TV Chef. The weirdest thing was that it rocked. And yet football is so pre-determined and calculated, we thrash Walsall 0-1 and don't turn up at Colchester and beat a playoff rival 2-0 Think I need a little lay down and probably think I need a stiff drink. About the only thing of the past few days that has been dull boring and repetitive have been our resident thread ruiners To answer Dr Who's question, perhaps the team were so nervous because they had seen & heard the fans over the top reaction to Tuesday and have become too scared to play football in case they make a mistake again. As I've been harping on ALL week. Football is a mind game at the top level our mind sets still aren't in the right place as players OR fans. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shurlock Posted 5 March, 2011 Share Posted 5 March, 2011 (edited) Back from the game - good result and two points gained on Huddersfield. They, esp Odejayi and Henderson were a handful up till the goal and sending off (thought two should have gone since the foul on KD was horrendous). But we got over it and looked very comfortable defensively 2nd half despite all the hoofball. Oxo-Chamberlain was my MOTM - seems like the break on tuesday did him good. Also thought Butterfield and Harding had very good games. Something about Barnard (southend reject ) and Lambo still not quite working, so goals remain a concern. At least, there's more to come from Adam who's taking time to readjust but showing glimpses of his best again. Edited 5 March, 2011 by shurlock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beardy Posted 5 March, 2011 Share Posted 5 March, 2011 Brighton no Bournemouth yes, plus Huddersfield and Orient. Too many people are neglecting Orient, oh they won't win the league but they don't lose very often and are only on 31 matches.Can't remember the last time that the Os lost in the League. Champions 5-0 Leyton Orient Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted 5 March, 2011 Share Posted 5 March, 2011 Full expected a win at Walsall and a loss today! Delighted today as I was pizzed off on Tuesday. Same here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Who? Posted 5 March, 2011 Share Posted 5 March, 2011 I think come next Saturday will will be above Bournemouth on goal difference, with 2 games in hand! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai_phil Posted 5 March, 2011 Share Posted 5 March, 2011 I think come next Saturday will will be above Bournemouth on goal difference, with 2 games in hand! I've been blaming the Wild Mushrooms I brought back from a Polish Deli in Boscombe for my weird weekend, but have to say I'd love a pint of what you've been on. Oh and if you want to make a nice little side earner, bottle some up & send to the Eastern Med, Austria & that place in the fridge where the cooking fat is kept Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 5 March, 2011 Share Posted 5 March, 2011 no wonder other fans say we are completely arrogant Who cares what other fans think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LGTL Posted 5 March, 2011 Share Posted 5 March, 2011 Just got in from the game. People going on about beating 10 men, we would have beaten them if they had 15. We controlled the game from start to finish and scored while they still had 11. It was a bit of a slow start but I don't remember them threatening at all, with 10 or 11, and it was very comfortable in the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingsbridge Saint Posted 5 March, 2011 Share Posted 5 March, 2011 Comfortable win like it should have been Tuesday. Well done and all - but because of Tuesday we need to win the next one too just to get back to par before the 6 pointer down the road. Job one third done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 5 March, 2011 Share Posted 5 March, 2011 Good professional performance. The only time Col looked like they might score was from corners. We looked good in attack and created plenty of near misses. Chamberlain was quality. Chaplow had an excellent second half. Ref was awful but luckily it worked out ok for us. You could tell he would be awful before the match. Fat and old. Always important to create lots of near misses.................... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 5 March, 2011 Share Posted 5 March, 2011 Good 3pts, not that we can afford anything but 3pts every game the way all the teams round us are playing. We sounded very poor first 25 minutes, but the goal against the run of play and the sending off changed the game. Lallana sounded like he had a bit of an off day today (well marked or just a bit slack with his passing?) Jaidi sounded like a liability today, the guy is a rock in defence but his passing is so poor at times. Sounds like Martin really made the defence more solid when he came on. A bit worried that our midfield seemed to get given the run around by Lloyd James.......... Just wish some of the teams around us would f uck up bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cat Posted 5 March, 2011 Share Posted 5 March, 2011 Solid if unspectacular performance. Kelvin only had one real save to make, most of their attacks were dealt with by the defence. I thought Butterfield covered well and made some vital tackles a few times when they beat the centre backs. Chamberlain was dangerous and despite a frustrating opening 15 minutes for him Lallana looked sharper than on Tuesday and caused problems when we worked him some space to run into. Boring ground to go to, but I enjoyed watching the home fans throw around paper aeroplanes made from the blue and white cards they held up when the teams came out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minsk Posted 5 March, 2011 Share Posted 5 March, 2011 The first of a 5 match winning streak. We will then slip up away to Plymouth (as usual) before going on another 5 match winning streak (taking us up to Brighton). Yes, I've been on the vodka, but I honestly think it is do-able. I also think Bompey may well slip up against Exeter on Tuesday; making next Saturday's game even more interesting! (Which we will win 2-1). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 5 March, 2011 Share Posted 5 March, 2011 Colchester's last home defeat was way back in November, so this result isn't too shabby at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dickyhale Posted 5 March, 2011 Share Posted 5 March, 2011 Just back (after stoping in Shirley for a quick pint) could off been much more today. Lallana had a good shot saved the second half. Benrard just had a shoot go wide after beating the goal keeper. After the game talk to a Colchester fan and he said the 26 was a pain in the backside all game and was glad to see hiim go of. Ask us who it was Alex Chamberlain. Good win 3 points. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shrek Posted 5 March, 2011 Share Posted 5 March, 2011 Good support numbers wise again, but we made **** all noise, yet again! Well you came across loud and clear on the radio! Unlike the home fans... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_Jonny Posted 5 March, 2011 Share Posted 5 March, 2011 Just back (after stoping in Shirley for a quick pint) could off been much more today. Lallana had a good shot saved the second half. Benrard just had a shoot go wide after beating the goal keeper. After the game talk to a Colchester fan and he said the 26 was a pain in the backside all game and was glad to see hiim go of. Ask us who it was Alex Chamberlain. Good win 3 points. Just the one pint was it?! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dickyhale Posted 5 March, 2011 Share Posted 5 March, 2011 Just the one pint was it?! Yes driving (got the taste now just starting on the cans) Had to drop the boy home or his mum starts and l cant handle her sh-t Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suewhistle Posted 5 March, 2011 Share Posted 5 March, 2011 Weelll, been out for drinkies after final check we'd won and not long back..a biiiit relaxed.. No game tomorrow due to snow on the pitch so gym training instead. This morning superb off-piste with light fluffy snow, earned a little bit this PM, and Saints won. Not bad in this part of the Alps!:-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjii Posted 5 March, 2011 Share Posted 5 March, 2011 Just back from the game, and I am one for staying positive and a win is a win I know, but the first half we were terrible and came out of the traps so slowly. A lot of posession but not in key areas and going backwards. Then the game changed with the goal and then a sending off within minutes. We still looked the most likely to conceed a goal before half time. Second half and the early goal settled us and for 10 minutes after the goal it looked like we might take them apart. They then got a foothold and to get to the last 10 minutes 0-2 up and against 10 men we really did look so nervous. So we won and probably had the better clear cut chances in the second half, and I cannot really re-call Kelvin having to make any saves but why so nervous? We also do not look like a team that are looking for promotion. We need to get Oxo and Lalana on the ball as much as we can. But 3 points it is and hopefully the form will return soon, and at last we beat Colchester...... what is it with the fog at that place? Rubbish. We weren't nervous and we weren't terrible. We were playing a team who get it into the box at every opportunity and a ref who was an accident waiting to happen. We were more than a match physically and in attitude and ultimately our players made their class tell. Any side would've looked less than champagne at times out there today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 5 March, 2011 Share Posted 5 March, 2011 Just back from the game, and I am one for staying positive and a win is a win I know, but the first half we were terrible and came out of the traps so slowly. A lot of posession but not in key areas and going backwards. Then the game changed with the goal and then a sending off within minutes. We still looked the most likely to conceed a goal before half time. Second half and the early goal settled us and for 10 minutes after the goal it looked like we might take them apart. They then got a foothold and to get to the last 10 minutes 0-2 up and against 10 men we really did look so nervous. So we won and probably had the better clear cut chances in the second half, and I cannot really re-call Kelvin having to make any saves but why so nervous? We also do not look like a team that are looking for promotion. We need to get Oxo and Lalana on the ball as much as we can. But 3 points it is and hopefully the form will return soon, and at last we beat Colchester...... what is it with the fog at that place? Rubbish. We weren't nervous and we weren't terrible. We were playing a team who get it into the box at every opportunity and a ref who was an accident waiting to happen. We were more than a match physically and in attitude and ultimately our players made their class tell. Any side would've looked less than champagne at times out there today. I have to say Dave Merrington pretty much agreed with Dr Who's analysis of the game, Sloppy passing from saints putting us under pressure from a 10 man team. Sloppy passing has been a feature of our play all season. Can't really see how you can call DR whos opinion rubbish as it is just as valid as yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dangermouth Posted 5 March, 2011 Share Posted 5 March, 2011 Went to game and sat with the home lot. Stonewall pen for them not given and their goal that was disallowed for offside was very iffy. Thought Saints were crap first half and only when they decided to pass the ball around a bit in the last 20 did they look any good. Only 2 players that actually looked professional standard were Chaplow when he could be ar$d cause he really looked like he was coasting a lot of the time and O-C who plainly (on that performance) is head and shouders above the rest put together. Actually, Harding did some ok stuff as did Buttefield. Happy when Jaidi went off - he should pass only with his head. The home lot were far noisier than the Saints' fans for the most part although they were incredibly biased and probably thought less of the ref than the Saints' fans. As everyone's said, however, to win away there was an excellent result and Colchester will turn over most teams - there was more to their game than long ball, but once they'd gone down to 10, that really seemed their only option. I also had the misfortune to sit behind someone who really needed anger management therapy. After the lobotomy, that is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dark Munster Posted 5 March, 2011 Share Posted 5 March, 2011 Apologies for disappearing, but DIY beckoned... Great result very pleased. Team lifted themselves for a bogey/banana-skin fixture very well. Very optmisitic now, but still we need to do something about these mid-week away fixtures. We need to make the most of the games-in-hand. I think we can do it, but it will be tight, and there may be yet more ups and downs ahead. Also frustrated to see that Bournemouth won again (our match down there looks bigger with every round of games), and worried about Peterborough, and wondering why we cannot fight like Huddersfield and Brighton (what a match that sounded) Me too. I just hope not getting CMS doesn't turn out to be the difference between us getting promoted versus them going up at our expense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chez Posted 6 March, 2011 Share Posted 6 March, 2011 Me too. I just hope not getting CMS doesn't turn out to be the difference between us getting promoted versus them going up at our expense. got to get over the non signing of CMS. For all we know Peterborough wanted £3m plus for him and who knows what our budget is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 6 March, 2011 Author Share Posted 6 March, 2011 I have to say Dave Merrington pretty much agreed with Dr Who's analysis of the game, Sloppy passing from saints putting us under pressure from a 10 man team. Sloppy passing has been a feature of our play all season. Can't really see how you can call DR whos opinion rubbish as it is just as valid as yours. Merrington was picking up mainly on Jaidi, not sloppy passing as a team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Godfather Posted 6 March, 2011 Share Posted 6 March, 2011 Good result at the end of the day!! We were crap until we scored but for all their high balls Davis only had one save to make in the first half, Colchester haven't changed their style since boothroyd left. Results count at this stage of the season, not performances and colchester had a good home record, we just got make sure we have no more Walsall results! We could of won by more in the end but 2-0 away from home will do any time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Burnsie Posted 6 March, 2011 Share Posted 6 March, 2011 Havent read any of he foregoing so apologies if these point have been done to death, but a few points from today's match: - this was a lucky win - we got mullered in the opening period; the goal was against the run of play. Didn't really see the red card incident but it looked soft. Even against ten men colchester had plenty of the play and some good chances. - chaplow is the star of this team, he's a class apart. My mate who came to the game (a neutral) said he couldn't believe he was playing in league one - lambert still looks out of sorts - barnard puts in a terrific shift up front , I think we'd really miss that graft if he were left out. Reminds me a lot of Kevin Doyle. - jaidi should, to the greatest extent possible, leave kicking the ball to others - not sure Nguessan has anything to offer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 6 March, 2011 Share Posted 6 March, 2011 Merrington was picking up mainly on Jaidi, not sloppy passing as a team. and Butterfield, Lallana (I know but still), Chaplow and Harding were all mentioned. I'll agree Jaidi was the worse offender which is why he came off I assume. The point still stands I've been to plenty of matches this season were our passing has been poor, we give away the ball very cheaply at times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legod Third Coming Posted 6 March, 2011 Share Posted 6 March, 2011 and Butterfield, Lallana (I know but still), Chaplow and Harding were all mentioned. I'll agree Jaidi was the worse offender which is why he came off I assume. The point still stands I've been to plenty of matches this season were our passing has been poor, we give away the ball very cheaply at times. I don't see it like that at all. We're very good at retaining possession in all the games I have seen. The problem is that we do not play the killer ball often enough. The perfect example of this was Swindon. We held onto the ball and moved it around, but often only sideways, ending up going back to Kelvin or Fonte to lump it nowhere through lack of options because noone was moving, Swindon were closing us down very well and the wingers/midfield were not going wide or creating space to receive the ball. Morgan came on, looked up, hit a ball 30 yards to Chamberlain running at the defence. Foul. Free kick, Goal... Our problem is not possesion or passing, in my view. It's more about having a little better creative nous from back to front - using the midfield to link up play and shift the ball faster to the front. To me we still look unfit and we lack pace - even chamberlain is not that quick. Often coming forward, Lambert is labouring so even if Chamberlain or Lallana can get the ball and look to use it, there is noone in the middle to hit. It's not quite right. And it's why I really liked Pardew playing 4-5-1 - because we were able to control the game much better and play to our players' strengths. It's noticeable that when Barnard arrived and Pardew felt the need to accommodate him we started to stop scoring so many goals.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 6 March, 2011 Author Share Posted 6 March, 2011 I don't see it like that at all. We're very good at retaining possession in all the games I have seen. The problem is that we do not play the killer ball often enough. The perfect example of this was Swindon. We held onto the ball and moved it around, but often only sideways, ending up going back to Kelvin or Fonte to lump it nowhere through lack of options because noone was moving, Swindon were closing us down very well and the wingers/midfield were not going wide or creating space to receive the ball. Morgan came on, looked up, hit a ball 30 yards to Chamberlain running at the defence. Foul. Free kick, Goal... Our problem is not possesion or passing, in my view. It's more about having a little better creative nous from back to front - using the midfield to link up play and shift the ball faster to the front. To me we still look unfit and we lack pace - even chamberlain is not that quick. Often coming forward, Lambert is labouring so even if Chamberlain or Lallana can get the ball and look to use it, there is noone in the middle to hit. It's not quite right. And it's why I really liked Pardew playing 4-5-1 - because we were able to control the game much better and play to our players' strengths. It's noticeable that when Barnard arrived and Pardew felt the need to accommodate him we started to stop scoring so many goals.... Not true, our biggest results came playing 4-4-2 (Hudders, Walsall and Rovers away). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjii Posted 6 March, 2011 Share Posted 6 March, 2011 I have to say Dave Merrington pretty much agreed with Dr Who's analysis of the game, Sloppy passing from saints putting us under pressure from a 10 man team. Sloppy passing has been a feature of our play all season. Can't really see how you can call DR whos opinion rubbish as it is just as valid as yours. Well, I'm correct, therefore I think the contrary view is rubbish although I probably should have used a less emphatic word for the sake of pleasantness so I would hereby like to apologise to Dr Who and ask him to read "rubbish" as "piffle". The win was comfortable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjii Posted 6 March, 2011 Share Posted 6 March, 2011 - this was a lucky win - we got mullered in the opening period; the goal was against the run of play. Didn't really see the red card incident but it looked soft. Even against ten men colchester had plenty of the play and some good chances. - chaplow is the star of this team, he's a class apart. My mate who came to the game (a neutral) said he couldn't believe he was playing in league one - lambert still looks out of sorts - barnard puts in a terrific shift up front , I think we'd really miss that graft if he were left out. Reminds me a lot of Kevin Doyle. - jaidi should, to the greatest extent possible, leave kicking the ball to others - not sure Nguessan has anything to offer LOL. A whole list of nonsense points (apart from the Barnard one). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 6 March, 2011 Share Posted 6 March, 2011 LOL. A whole list of nonsense points (apart from the Barnard one). FFS, its his opinion, and he was at the game. Have a bit more respect you arrogant berk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjii Posted 6 March, 2011 Share Posted 6 March, 2011 Can I also take a moment to point out to the "Schneiderlin is the only person in the team who can pass" brigade to point that a carbon copy of the build up to the second goal at Swindon occured yesterday. I can't remember who it was but someone picked the ball up in the left hand third of the pitch and pinged a great long ball right on to Chamberlain's foot. He took it past the defender first time and ended up running into the box. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjii Posted 6 March, 2011 Share Posted 6 March, 2011 FFS, its his opinion, and he was at the game. Have a bit more respect you arrogant berk. I was at the game and I think he is wrong with nearly everything he says. I think we can all agree that both his and my opinions are more worth listening to than yours, at least. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legod Third Coming Posted 6 March, 2011 Share Posted 6 March, 2011 Not true, our biggest results came playing 4-4-2 (Hudders, Walsall and Rovers away). You missed my point... Barnard arrived in January. In January we scored 8 goals. October - 17 November -14 December - 11 February - 11 March -17 It was almost like it took a while for Pardew to work out how to accommodate Barnard and make it work... that's what I meant with started to stop scoring so many goals. Or this might be total coincidence but for some reason in Decmber, January and February we just didn't score as many goals. In my mind this is linked to a change in formation but maybe there's another explanation?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 6 March, 2011 Share Posted 6 March, 2011 I was at the game and I think he is wrong with nearly everything he says. I think we can all agree that both his and my opinions are more worth listening to than yours, at least. Yeah, you really showed your respect for his opinion.. Btw, thanks for showing more-than-adequately that attendance or not has nothing to do with the respect accorded to opinions round these parts... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjii Posted 6 March, 2011 Share Posted 6 March, 2011 Yeah, you really showed your respect for his opinion.. I disagree with it. lol@youbeingsanctimonious Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 6 March, 2011 Share Posted 6 March, 2011 I disagree with it. lol@youbeingsanctimonious You called it "nonsense". Bit stronger than disagreeing. lol@youbacktracking.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjii Posted 6 March, 2011 Share Posted 6 March, 2011 You called it "nonsense". Bit stronger than disagreeing. lol@youbacktracking.com I'm not backtracking - it was nonsense, mostly. As for your other point: of course going to the matches makes your opinion more interesting and worthy of being listened to. That's obvious. It's a first hand opinion (this is not a controversial concept). Your opinion is based on selecting various parts of third party reports, twisting them into a funny misanthropic charicature and then spunking them liberally about the place in an emphatic, dogmatic, laughably portentous and highly entertaining manner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dronskisaint Posted 6 March, 2011 Share Posted 6 March, 2011 Was out last night so writing up with a few hours refelection. On the game overall - Colchester are a hard working side who play to their strengths...these being they are good on set pieces...they have a L1 Delap style throw in expert and are pretty direct. We took a while (an uncomfortable while) to get our heads round this but whilst it was uncomfortable I still don't recall Kelvin doing much more than catch crosses. Their directness made it difficult for us to put a foot on the ball and though we had short spells of posession for the first half hour it was in no way fluent and the little flicked passes just weren't coming off. The goal and subsequent sending off changed the pattern...I was watching what had happened to Kelvin so didn't see the push, my lad said it wasn't particularly hard but arms raised aggressively so he had to go. I did think the original transgressor should have been booked too but the ref was generally crap for both sides and credit Adkins (I read this bit!) for pointing out that he was likely to try and even things out so we played with commendable self discipline in the second half which was better in terms of the football played. It's sometimes difficult to play against ten...certainly the way Colchester play they were still a threat and we should have, in my view, played posession football to have them chasing and stretched but give them credit for making us play their game. That being said we could easily have had more...Lallana's touches that didn't quite happen bode well for future games...Ricky is still spending too much time outside the box for my liking but is feeding some beautifully paced passes through and though we could never sit back, we were in control after the second goal. Our defence does worry me though...Fonte is class but he does do a fair bit of rescuing situations of his own creation...Jaidi...hmm. I've rated the players below which will probably say more Kelvin - 6 -Wasn't actually bothered other than routine shots and crosses but still worried us with his clearances Harding - 8 - A real shift put in..his winger was pretty active but he played him well and still attacked well - if only he had a right foot as well! Jaidi -4 - For his clearance in the air or under pressure I'd give far more but his passing to day was abysmal Fonte -6 - Always gave the impression he could step up a gear and needed to more than once Butters - 6 - Solid, supported well and was generally tidy. I think FR is the more creative of our RB options but hard to drop Butterfield the way he's playing Hammond -7 - Captain's performance and good goal...was there for all his mates in the tight situations Chappers - 7 - Got better as the game went on..broke well a couple of times and showed more of the potential scorer that's in his game AOC -8- Keep thinking that he'll burn out but he terrorised their defence...in the right place and took his goal well, could have had another but for good saves. Lallana -7 - Only this score because today the final pass didn't quite make it...still the classiest player on the pitch Ricky -6- Didn't do much wrong, won a lot in the air despite the manhandling and was unlucky not to score - still playing a little deep for my liking Barny -7 -Got a battering from the Colchester defence yet still looked likely to score...put in a tremendous amount of energy...more goals to come for sure Subs N'Guessan - 4 - Still not looking the part, I want him to do well but his first touch and indecision was not good Richardson - 5 - Looked composed and good breaking forward - not really on for long enough to judge Overall not a great game but we got a clean sheet (given the marks I gave the defenders it shows that Colchester's end product wasn't really there either), three points and Lloyd James (who had more shots in this game than I can remember hin having in all his time at St Mary's) didn't score. Your ground's too big for you was the accurate chant of the day...felt we, despite being a bit sporadic, outsung them fairly easily. Ref was awful...but for both teams and at the end of the day we won and didn't lose ground against all the others. Surely Bompey and the Bummers have got to have a bad spell soon? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dronskisaint Posted 6 March, 2011 Share Posted 6 March, 2011 I'm not backtracking - it was nonsense, mostly. As for your other point: of course going to the matches makes your opinion more interesting and worthy of being listened to. That's obvious. It's a first hand opinion (this is not a controversial concept). Your opinion is based on selecting various parts of third party reports, twisting them into a funny misanthropic charicature and then spunking them liberally about the place in an emphatic, dogmatic, laughably portentous and highly entertaining manner. Beautifully (& accurately) put! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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