Rochdale 2 - 0 Southampton - Post Match Reaction

[LostBoys]

Very disappointed particularly for the guys makig the trip to Rochdale - they deserve better. Very worried about the chants from their supporters calling Davis 'dodgy keeper' were their goals that bad. We really needed a win - and even worse no prediction league points. We need to come back with a bang on Saturday.

[kwsaint]

Currently in Rome. Very unimpressed by the result it has to be said. Hopefully the colleseum will cheer me up.

[Tractor_Saint]

Hmm Interesting time to troll Twitter then, see who was right

 

Confirmed on twitter that it was him the photographer that arrived just 15 mins before the game. The team were already there. Shame they didn't turn up for the first half though!

[dellboypete]

Currently in Rome. Very unimpressed by the result it has to be said. Hopefully the colleseum will cheer me up.

 

Go on - throw yourself to the Lions - that will make you feel better!!!

[Andyb1]

One problem - Huddersfield and Peterborough are quite likely to win all of their remaining games - so we need to win all but one of ours now as well!

 

they are however much more likely NOT to win all their remaining games.

[OldNick]

 

all WE can do is turn out in big numbers on Sat and give the team huge support.

that is a concern for me, the JCL's will not have the patience the fans have had recently. The togetherness we have had may be diluted. it will be a nervy game and Rovers will be fighting for their lives. We need to be extra clinical to get a goal early to settle us.

[Super_Uwe]

A disappointing result but one which doesn't affect our position. Everything is still within our grasp and all we can do is hope that the players hold their nerves now.

 

Who'd have thought Rochdale would do the league double over us this season? Cripes!

[The9]

Just back. Bit of a frustrating game. Lots of passes went astray. Lots of little mistakes contributing to the overall failure.

 

Rochdale were not a great side. They had a plan to put bodies behind the ball and smack us on the counter. The number of blocked shots was pretty impressive. Their keeper also played well. On a different night, we might have come away with something more. Tonight, things didn't go so well.

 

The positives for Saints were that we still looked like a capable side despite the injury list. We had a lot of half-chances, most of those created from a bit of grit and effort.

 

The negatives? Team blend is a bit worrying, with Guly probably being the prime culprit. There was a five minute spell where it seemed every Saints touch resulted in a Rochdale interception. Fair play to Rochdale, they had a plan and they executed it well, but they weren't pretty and they definitely didn't play us off the park.

 

Probably not a bad thing to have a loss. We can just about spare it, and if the team can learn from the mistakes made tonight, we're still in good shape for automatic promotion.

 

Sounds like every other game in the last two months then.

 

I'm not slating the diamond, simply because injuries and previous experience have dictated that's the formation we have to play.

 

We established earlier in the season that we struggle to create anything in a wide 4-4-2 without Lallana (even when Chamberlain played) and we were getting exploited down the left all game long against Orient by Cox as well and yet still won.

 

On the bright side, it did sound like Forte did well out wide when we lost the narrowness, though Lambert was almost unheard on commentary, presumably due to Dawson dominating him in the air. But as I only heard commentary, I'm not going to be too critical of anyone or anything, because if you're not there, you just can't tell for sure.

[The9]

On the Solent commentary, Dave Merrington was pointing out the weakness being created by the midfield format and predicting that Rochdale would benefit from it well before they scored the first goal. After the same problem last week of lack of width and pressure on the FBs it is a shame that NA seems not to have learned the lesson. Its not as if we don't have wide players and the change was made, but by then it was too late.

 

Pretty sure it is. Lallana (dodgy groin), Chamberlain (injured), Holmes (out for season), after that you're looking at Guly (doesn't defend much anyway and has been more effective in the middle), Forte (not a wide midfielder) Chaplow (not a wide midfielder and poor form), Schneiderlin (injured) and N'Guessan (completely unproven at Saints) ?

 

Dickson did pretty well there on Saturday but was needed at left back to cover for Harding's injury.

[BARCELONASAINT]

Did not get home from Rochdale until almost 3 am and too tired to post my comments then.

This game was lost before we kicked off....well if the horrendous 7 hour car journey was anything to go by!!!

We just didnt turn up for the first half and this seems to be a bit of a regular occurrence with Saints. Our passing was woeful and we were void of any ideas.

Guly had one of those games, he produced about 3 fantastic crosses into the 6 yard box that deserved someone on the end off but the other 95% of his game he was dire.

Stephens was ok and was neat and tidy but he and Hammond are very similar sort of players and offered little support to Barny and Lambert.

Both the goals were avoidable and were a result of us losing possession in their half!

We played for about 20 minutes in the second half where we created several good chances and had one gone in i think we could have gone on to get something but a goal didnt go in and we just seemed to run out of ideas and resorted to hoof ball.

Rochdale simply wanted it more. Very disappointing overall.....oh and what a crap ground....please Saints dont screw promotion up i never want to visit Rochdale again!!

[SouthportSaint]

I have been looking forward to seeing Stephens play and was pleased to see him on the team sheet, but was disappointed with his performance. If the easy sideways pass was not available then he did not seem to have any ideas and often gave the ball away. He is also clearly not a ball winner. He comes with a good reputation so let's hope he will settle down. By contrast I thought Hammond was excellent.

 

Impressed with Forte (he really is quick) and I hope he gets more chances on the left. Even if half fit, Lallana looked in a different class to the other 21 players as soon as he came on. They all worked hard (or as Adkins would say "worked their socks into the ground") right to the end, so no complaints about effort.

[Nexstar]

The Good:

 

Forte looked decent again, let's just hope he starts Saturday

Lallana seems fit for Saturday

2nd place is still firmly in our hands

umm....

 

The Bad:

 

Guly is a donkey. I feel the Championship will be a great level for him, but at the minute he's just hopeless and has to be dropped for Rovers.

Kelvin is fast becoming a calamity. Yes he's made some great saves this season, but he has been caught napping at his near post FAR too many times in the last 2 months. Bart is a good young keeper and deserves to be in Kelvin's place if he carries on like this.

Harding got done badly in the first half, I guess hence why he came off.

Stephens looked like a fish out of water a bit, dodgy touches and poor passes.

Seaborne was very dodgy when he came on.

Jaidi got turned for pace several times during the game and we were lucky not to be punished further.

 

The Ugly:

 

The traffic. Having left at 1.30pm we didn't arrive at the ground until 7.35

[up and away]

On the Solent commentary, Dave Merrington was pointing out the weakness being created by the midfield format and predicting that Rochdale would benefit from it well before they scored the first goal. After the same problem last week of lack of width and pressure on the FBs it is a shame that NA seems not to have learned the lesson. Its not as if we don't have wide players and the change was made, but by then it was too late.

 

Dopeydave was also telling us what a great keeper Kelvin is, he has to be the worst commentators going. But the midfield is a problem, little doubt about that. The result came as no surprise as we really have not been on it for a while, although our results have been good enough.

 

After reading through all the reports back, there is nothing here that I have not seen many times over to one extent or another. Rochdale knew what was coming and switched from their normal diamond to a 442 to get at us down the flanks. And as with most other teams, it paid dividends, just when will we come out of this groundhog loop? Guly's performance in midfield comes as no shock, we have all seen that before. If I never had the team sheet available, I could well have missed that Ricky was even on the pitch. It's one thing working the channels, but where the fook is the striker to put the ball in to?

 

Adkins is not daft and in truth has got us results with playing this way when I don't feel fully deserved, but there is an obvious weakness here. Looking back to Burley's time and Rasiak, I always felt we needed that extra man forward to get the goals flowing. The same looks to be true of Lambert, both down to their lack of mobility but I would have expected Rasiak to have made more of this service. Guly, just like Waigo before him should not be playing in midfield, put him up front where defensive nous is not so vital.

 

To me Lambert is the problem and we are just bending the team out of shape to make allowances for that. My choice in these sort of games would be to play 451 or 4411, with Guly providing the link to the striker, something he is good at and does not weaken the midfield.

 

If we play near this level against Brentford, they will have us for breakfeast from what I saw at St Mary's. I wouldn't say automatic promotion is our only chance, but I really would not fancy our chances going into the play off's with the sort form that would bring that position about. This is no knee jerk reaction, but something I have felt coming for a while for any team prepared to take us on. Most of the problems against MK Dons were left behind in the excitement of that comeback out of nowhere. The cracks have been papered over by the results, but this result has added a touch of reality to what has been going on recently.

[JackFrost]

Dopeydave was also telling us what a great keeper Kelvin is, he has to be the worst commentators going. But the midfield is a problem, little doubt about that. The result came as no surprise as we really have not been on it for a while, although our results have been good enough.

 

After reading through all the reports back, there is nothing here that I have not seen many times over to one extent or another. Rochdale knew what was coming and switched from their normal diamond to a 442 to get at us down the flanks. And as with most other teams, it paid dividends, just when will we come out of this groundhog loop? Guly's performance in midfield comes as no shock, we have all seen that before. If I never had the team sheet available, I could well have missed that Ricky was even on the pitch. It's one thing working the channels, but where the fook is the striker to put the ball in to?

 

Adkins is not daft and in truth has got us results with playing this way when I don't feel fully deserved, but there is an obvious weakness here. Looking back to Burley's time and Rasiak, I always felt we needed that extra man forward to get the goals flowing. The same looks to be true of Lambert, both down to their lack of mobility but I would have expected Rasiak to have made more of this service. Guly, just like Waigo before him should not be playing in midfield, put him up front where defensive nous is not so vital.

 

To me Lambert is the problem and we are just bending the team out of shape to make allowances for that. My choice in these sort of games would be to play 451 or 4411, with Guly providing the link to the striker, something he is good at and does not weaken the midfield.

 

If we play near this level against Brentford, they will have us for breakfeast from what I saw at St Mary's. I wouldn't say automatic promotion is our only chance, but I really would not fancy our chances going into the play off's with the sort form that would bring that position about. This is no knee jerk reaction, but something I have felt coming for a while for any team prepared to take us on. Most of the problems against MK Dons were left behind in the excitement of that comeback out of nowhere. The cracks have been papered over by the results, but this result has added a touch of reality to what has been going on recently.

 

Most important thing now is we bounce back and get 3 points on saturday. We also are going to be playing an already promoted Brighton, but as they've already publicly stated their targeting 100 points this season I don't they will have any let up

[Ashby Saint]

TBF I think 3 points from two difficult away games is a good result.

 

Rochdale seem to have our number. Bit worrying if we end up facing them in the play-offs.

[hughieslastminutegoal]

As I said below...

 

Pressure doesn't make diamonds, idiots do. Stop it Nigel.

 

So you can make me a necklace for the missus?

[dune]

Disapointed. We were not at the races from the off and lost the game because of that. Lallana should have played from the start and Adkins made a mistake there. Also one of their goals was created after a very poor refereeing decision - ref really bad. In the second half we got going and we did deserve at least a consolation goal.

 

If we don't go up this season I regretably think that NA's approach will have to change or he'll be under serious pressure. Stockport were a better footballing team that us - they were better coached. They got their lead through one touch football - it's glaringly obvious we aren't good enough in this department and that is not acceptable. With the players we have got they should have been coached to play properly.

 

Moan Over.

[hughieslastminutegoal]

Was always going to be a big ask to expect the team to travel all that way on a Tuesday and get a win considering the run of games we've had lately. Still its not all doom and gloom,it remains in our own hands and while i'm disappointed not to have at least a point from tonight a win Saturday would set things right again.

 

In some ways losing might not be that bad a thing, its reminds everyone, players, staff and fans alike, that the promotion race isn't over following the win at Orient, and we shouldn't rest on our laurels, theres still a lot of hard work to do between now and May 7th.

 

But a win or draw would have been better!

All you can say is "if the loss doesn't affect confidence, and we win the next few games, losing this game might not cost us".

[hughieslastminutegoal]

couldn't see much wrong with the tactics from here

Was 'here' Rochdale's ground, or behind the sofa?

[saintsdan]

A disappointing result but one which doesn't affect our position. Everything is still within our grasp and all we can do is hope that the players hold their nerves now.

 

Who'd have thought Rochdale would do the league double over us this season? Cripes!

 

Who thought Rochdale would be sixth in the league?

 

I wish people would stop just looking at the name of the team we're playing against and making assumptions about thier current team based on preconcieved views of that club (It's one of the things that makes us sound arrogant).

 

Rochdale are a good side who are sixth on merit.

 

Huddersfield were thumped 3-0 at Spotland, Bournemouth drew there, Brighton drew there (they also got a point at Withdean) and Peterborough have still got to go there.

 

Last night was disappointing and we may well have been quite poor (wasn't there so can't say) but its not the end of the world. With Brighton likely to be crowned champions before we go there the toughest game in our run in is now out of the way. I think wins in our home games and at Plymouth will be enough with anything from either Brighton or Brentford a bonus.

[Weston Saint]

Dopeydave was also telling us what a great keeper Kelvin is, he has to be the worst commentators going. But the midfield is a problem, little doubt about that. The result came as no surprise as we really have not been on it for a while, although our results have been good enough.

 

After reading through all the reports back, there is nothing here that I have not seen many times over to one extent or another. Rochdale knew what was coming and switched from their normal diamond to a 442 to get at us down the flanks. And as with most other teams, it paid dividends, just when will we come out of this groundhog loop? Guly's performance in midfield comes as no shock, we have all seen that before. If I never had the team sheet available, I could well have missed that Ricky was even on the pitch. It's one thing working the channels, but where the fook is the striker to put the ball in to?

 

Adkins is not daft and in truth has got us results with playing this way when I don't feel fully deserved, but there is an obvious weakness here. Looking back to Burley's time and Rasiak, I always felt we needed that extra man forward to get the goals flowing. The same looks to be true of Lambert, both down to their lack of mobility but I would have expected Rasiak to have made more of this service. Guly, just like Waigo before him should not be playing in midfield, put him up front where defensive nous is not so vital.

 

To me Lambert is the problem and we are just bending the team out of shape to make allowances for that. My choice in these sort of games would be to play 451 or 4411, with Guly providing the link to the striker, something he is good at and does not weaken the midfield.

 

If we play near this level against Brentford, they will have us for breakfeast from what I saw at St Mary's. I wouldn't say automatic promotion is our only chance, but I really would not fancy our chances going into the play off's with the sort form that would bring that position about. This is no knee jerk reaction, but something I have felt coming for a while for any team prepared to take us on. Most of the problems against MK Dons were left behind in the excitement of that comeback out of nowhere. The cracks have been papered over by the results, but this result has added a touch of reality to what has been going on recently.

I agree with everything said in this post. Sums up my views and I think, many of our supporters.

[Saints67]

Who thought Rochdale would be sixth in the league?

 

I wish people would stop just looking at the name of the team we're playing against and making assumptions about thier current team based on preconcieved views of that club (It's one of the things that makes us sound arrogant).

 

Rochdale are a good side who are sixth on merit.

 

Huddersfield were thumped 3-0 at Spotland, Bournemouth drew there, Brighton drew there (they also got a point at Withdean) and Peterborough have still got to go there.

 

Last night was disappointing and we may well have been quite poor (wasn't there so can't say) but its not the end of the world. With Brighton likely to be crowned champions before we go there the toughest game in our run in is now out of the way. I think wins in our home games and at Plymouth will be enough with anything from either Brighton or Brentford a bonus.

 

I sit next to a Rochdale fan at work and he said Huddersfield battered Rochdale and somehow managed to lose 3-0!

He also said he was nervous in the second half last night when we threw everything at them but once Lallana hit the post he knew it was gonna be their night. I knew it was going to be Rochdales night when the ref took no action to the blatant forearm smash Barnard received in the build up to their first goal.

[Kingsbridge Saint]

Was going to pass comment, but will pass wind instead. It's all the result deserves. Will follow through if we don't beat Rovers Saturday. And they will definitely be parking the bus.

[Tamesaint]

If we don't go up this season I regretably think that NA's approach will have to change or he'll be under serious pressure. Stockport were a better footballing team that us .

 

I am beginning to think that you will need to change your approach to football. WE played Rochdale last night.

[Clifford Nelson]

Dopeydave was also telling us what a great keeper Kelvin is, he has to be the worst commentators going. But the midfield is a problem, little doubt about that. The result came as no surprise as we really have not been on it for a while, although our results have been good enough.

 

After reading through all the reports back, there is nothing here that I have not seen many times over to one extent or another. Rochdale knew what was coming and switched from their normal diamond to a 442 to get at us down the flanks. And as with most other teams, it paid dividends, just when will we come out of this groundhog loop? Guly's performance in midfield comes as no shock, we have all seen that before. If I never had the team sheet available, I could well have missed that Ricky was even on the pitch. It's one thing working the channels, but where the fook is the striker to put the ball in to?

 

Adkins is not daft and in truth has got us results with playing this way when I don't feel fully deserved, but there is an obvious weakness here. Looking back to Burley's time and Rasiak, I always felt we needed that extra man forward to get the goals flowing. The same looks to be true of Lambert, both down to their lack of mobility but I would have expected Rasiak to have made more of this service. Guly, just like Waigo before him should not be playing in midfield, put him up front where defensive nous is not so vital.

 

To me Lambert is the problem and we are just bending the team out of shape to make allowances for that. My choice in these sort of games would be to play 451 or 4411, with Guly providing the link to the striker, something he is good at and does not weaken the midfield.

 

If we play near this level against Brentford, they will have us for breakfeast from what I saw at St Mary's. I wouldn't say automatic promotion is our only chance, but I really would not fancy our chances going into the play off's with the sort form that would bring that position about. This is no knee jerk reaction, but something I have felt coming for a while for any team prepared to take us on. Most of the problems against MK Dons were left behind in the excitement of that comeback out of nowhere. The cracks have been papered over by the results, but this result has added a touch of reality to what has been going on recently.

 

I think you're mainly right. However, it looks to me that both teams made tactical adjustments, us believing that Dale was to play with a diamond again, and they believing we were playing with wingers. It went wrong on the night, but just as you point out, the problem for us being really flexible is that both Lambert and Barnard are both playing every game, so that we can never be flexible enough to play 4-4-1-1 for example, as the obvious choice for the first "1" is Guly. The idea that 4-4-2 is the snake oil remedy to cure all ills is at best uninformed and at worst plain stupid.

[FalkirkSaint]

Just back from the game. Wow, that was grim. I don't manage to get to many games so are we always this bad? Every game I have been to we have lost!! The ball was in the air more than it was on the park and we were diabolical until Adam came on and we started to play a bit.

 

Kelvin - 6 - OK. Should have done better with the 2nd but made a great save with his legs to keep the score at 0-0 in the first half.

Frazer - 4 - Terrible. He is a more attacking RB than Butterfield yet I thought last night he offered nothing going forward, especially first half. Defending was fairly decent.

Jaidi - 8 - Won every header again and dealt with their fast attackers running at pace very well. Had one blip when he and Fonte allowed O'Grady? (I think it was) through on goal.

Fonte - 7 - Much the same as Jaidi but didn't stand out as much.

Harding - 5 - Meh. He couldn't even get past his man and I'd rather Dickson in this position.

 

Guly - 3 - Oh dear god. The guy scores a fair amount of goals but he is very inconsistent and doesn't give much to the team. I heard myself growling and getting impatient at him on many an occasion. Very frustrating player.

Hammond - 7 - Passing was good, kept good control of the ball. One of my favourite Saints players. Will be important for us next year whatever league we find ourselves in.

Stephens - 4 - Not impressed, I'm afraid. He either lost possession or passed the ball backwards. Go back to Oldham, please.

Dickson - 6 - He looked eager but his skill didn't prevail. When he moved to LB, I was a bit more impressed with his performance.

 

Lambert - 6 - Nice free-kick which almost found its way into the bottom corner and won nearly every header. However, his lay-offs never found its target.

Barney - 6 - Fantastic work effort but there wasn't much of a partnership between the front two with Lee running nowhere near where Lambert was laying the ball off.

 

Forte - 7 - Impressed. What a pace this guy has! I thought he could have went on a bit further before shooting when through on goal but it was his pace and power alone that got him that opportunity. He even defended well at times too.

Seaborne - 3 - Very shaky last 15 minutes. I think he came on because Radhi was tired? Not sure. Could have gave away a goal with his dilly-dallying on the ball.

Lallana - 7 - Would have gave him higher had he been on for longer. Totally changed the game. What would we do without him?

[70's Mike]

LAST 6 words on the previous post sums it up for me

[Windmill Arm 2]

Let's not start using that as an excuse,well not yet anyway,that will be saved for later i'm sure.

 

You have very little credibility Lard, you talk absolute gibberish and I can only thank god you are not Southamptons manager because if that was the case, we would be in a relegation battle. Grow a pair your moron.

[LostBoys]

I have just seen the goals we conceded on Sky Sports News. I am not blaming our Kelv for the entire dreadful performance and some of you reported that he saved a one on one but the ones he let in could have been saved by a parks keepe. We just cannot afford this level of mistake.

[Wes Tender]

Crazy isn't it. We not only downplay our chances, but we make out our rivals will win all their games. of course they won't! go to a bookies and ask for the odds on huddersfield and pboro both winning all their remaining games - you won't find it 'quite likely'!!

 

Peterborough play Rochdale on 30th. Rochdale also managed to gain a draw against Brighton recently too, so I for one wouldn't expect a Peterborough win as a formality. Huddersfield have matches to come against Brighton, MK Dons and Charlton. I wouldn't expect wins for them in all of those matches to be a formality either.

[Wes Tender]

You have very little credibility Lard, you talk absolute gibberish and I can only thank god you are not Southamptons manager because if that was the case, we would be in a relegation battle. Grow a pair your moron.

 

Saint Lard comes across as one of the most ready to find things wrong with the current set-up at the club. Definitely some sort of agenda there IMO, so I take everything he says with a giant pinch of salt.

[dronskisaint]

Mix of doom & gloom and sense on here...my perspective after driving down today with a few hours reflection.

 

Rochdale are 6th because they're hard working, quick and effective. They were well up for it against us and, on the night, had the run of the ball, a very, very capable keeper, the desire to throw themselves in to and after anything. We had a day when the quality of passing was strange at times...the number of times we, under no pressure, gave the ball away was a long way away from the standards we've set this season.

 

That being said on another night we'd have won...we had the near misses, the well-saved shots, the corners, the blocks they put in are in the stats...I don't think we'd have scored if we'd played until midnight...it was just one of those and it's gone now.

 

My ratings

 

KD - 5 - A great stop kept us in it but he was beaten again at his near post and had a really worrying dash out without calling Richardson then, almost petulantly, seemed to wander slowly back to his line whilst the ball was still dangerous.

 

Harding - 6 - Got shown up for pace by a very pacey winger...think it was tactical to get Dickson's speed to left back to keep up with him

Jaidi -7 - Solid...experience put him in the right place most times...he'd never have caught their forwards for sure!

Fonte - 8 - Just immense...put himself every where and was constantly geeing up everyone

Richardson - 6 - Mix of good and bad...a bit exposed by his winger who (I think) got motm but was better going forward and was often available well forward on the touchline

Deano - 7 - Wished he'd shot a couple of times when well placed but boy did he put in a shift...real Captain's performance.

Stephens - 5 - Disappointed, was looking forward to seeing him start and still think he'll be a good foil for Lallana...looked very lightweight and gave the ball away a bit but think he'll be one who does the simple linking well, seemed to have speed and a tackle...jury is out still.

Guly - 6 - What he did well he did superbly i.e. running at them scared them sh*tless but too often misplaced the easy passes. We know what he can do but the formation didn't suit him last night

Barny -7 - Worked his nuts off, was unlucky a few times but never stopped running and fighting. Got some rough treatment and their second goal came after he'd been slung to the ground - HTF was that not a foul?

Ricky - 7 - Worked hard, nearly in a few times and won a fair share of the ball in the air...looked classy.

 

Subs

Forte...looking forward to seeing more, 'kin quick and was a little unlucky to find their keeper in such good form

Seaborne - looked a little uncertain but gave a bit more pace at the back as Rhadi was looking f*kt!

Lallana - What can you say? Came on and looked a class above anyone else...nearly turned it round but, on the positive side, looked as if he wasn't carrying any injury.

 

Ref -4...sadly about the standard for this league...pretty shyte for both sides in fairness.

 

Couple of observations on my first ever visit there...their crowd were good and made good noise from both ends. I'd read that the pies were special so didn't visit the chippie across the road. Pie was good but the choice was meat & potato or ...another meat and potato. Not in the Wigan class I have to say. Parking 150 yards away on the road...really easy. Stewards were fine. I never want to go there again...get us out of this league!

 

In summary - We didn't play that badly but lost goals early to a couple of errors but even with those errors our performance would usually have been enough to get points. I can't fault the team for effort...they really wanted it but it didn't happen - one of those nights, playing ok - move on & up.

[Smirking_Saint]

Dopeydave was also telling us what a great keeper Kelvin is, he has to be the worst commentators going. But the midfield is a problem, little doubt about that. The result came as no surprise as we really have not been on it for a while, although our results have been good enough.

 

After reading through all the reports back, there is nothing here that I have not seen many times over to one extent or another. Rochdale knew what was coming and switched from their normal diamond to a 442 to get at us down the flanks. And as with most other teams, it paid dividends, just when will we come out of this groundhog loop? Guly's performance in midfield comes as no shock, we have all seen that before. If I never had the team sheet available, I could well have missed that Ricky was even on the pitch. It's one thing working the channels, but where the fook is the striker to put the ball in to?

 

Adkins is not daft and in truth has got us results with playing this way when I don't feel fully deserved, but there is an obvious weakness here. Looking back to Burley's time and Rasiak, I always felt we needed that extra man forward to get the goals flowing. The same looks to be true of Lambert, both down to their lack of mobility but I would have expected Rasiak to have made more of this service. Guly, just like Waigo before him should not be playing in midfield, put him up front where defensive nous is not so vital.

 

To me Lambert is the problem and we are just bending the team out of shape to make allowances for that. My choice in these sort of games would be to play 451 or 4411, with Guly providing the link to the striker, something he is good at and does not weaken the midfield.

 

If we play near this level against Brentford, they will have us for breakfeast from what I saw at St Mary's. I wouldn't say automatic promotion is our only chance, but I really would not fancy our chances going into the play off's with the sort form that would bring that position about. This is no knee jerk reaction, but something I have felt coming for a while for any team prepared to take us on. Most of the problems against MK Dons were left behind in the excitement of that comeback out of nowhere. The cracks have been papered over by the results, but this result has added a touch of reality to what has been going on recently.

 

I do agree with everything you say.

 

However it is not as easy as just saying we should have played 4 or 5 in the middle of the park as we don't have 4 or 5 players to play there at the moment.

 

Lallana/Spiderman/Chambo/Holmes/N'Guessan injured.

Chaplow off form

 

Its not really a case of not having any replacements, as we have, so thats not a criticism, its just p*ss poor luck at the worst time.

[70's Mike]

Peterborough play Rochdale on 30th. Rochdale also managed to gain a draw against Brighton recently too, so I for one wouldn't expect a Peterborough win as a formality. Huddersfield have matches to come against Brighton, MK Dons and Charlton. I wouldn't expect wins for them in all of those matches to be a formality either.

 

I normally agree with most of what you say Wes but whilst they will not be a formality i expect Huddersfield to win all those games and firmly believe we will need to win 5 out of 6

[pingwing]

Overall the game showed our complete and utter under estimation of Rochdale's ability to scout and watch how we play. Its been 2 years (if not more) of Kelvin getting beaten at the near post, by now every striker in league one should know this and it is costing us badly. The quicker he ups his game or (more likely) we give him a nice coaching job and get some one better and proven the better.

 

Jaidi shouldn't have started, he was done for pace and fitness, its annoying we wont give Martins a go out as Seaborn is the single worst player in a saints shirt. He can not do anything right, its been like this for months and the quicker Nigel sorts it out and gets rid of him the better.

 

Richardson was terrible as well, such a poor buy over the summer, defending was uninspired, going forward was embarrassing and it is so unfortunate Butterfield cant handle so many games in a row.

 

The positives are Lallana hopefully will come back and we stop playing a formation that doesnt suit all our players, its annoying to see Guly get caught out when technically he a great player, but we seem adamant to ignore this some times and force him to do roles he does not suit. When he plays well we dont have to rely on Lallana to create goals for our strikers and we have not been giving him the opportunity to fill that role.

 

Summary, its not over till an over weight lady sings, we have a game in hand and a point over the next few teams but we can not afford more TERRIBLE slip ups like this (oh and the ground wasn't all that bad, served an alright pint too which for £3 I cant complain at)

[Window Cleaner]

Overall the game showed our complete and utter under estimation of Rochdale's ability to scout and watch how we play. Its been 2 years (if not more) of Kelvin getting beaten at the near post, by now every striker in league one should know this and it is costing us badly. The quicker he ups his game or (more likely) we give him a nice coaching job and get some one better and proven the better.

 

Jaidi shouldn't have started, he was done for pace and fitness, its annoying we wont give Martins a go out as Seaborn is the single worst player in a saints shirt. He can not do anything right, its been like this for months and the quicker Nigel sorts it out and gets rid of him the better.

 

Richardson was terrible as well, such a poor buy over the summer, defending was uninspired, going forward was embarrassing and it is so unfortunate Butterfield cant handle so many games in a row.

 

The positives are Lallana hopefully will come back and we stop playing a formation that doesnt suit all our players, its annoying to see Guly get caught out when technically he a great player, but we seem adamant to ignore this some times and force him to do roles he does not suit. When he plays well we dont have to rely on Lallana to create goals for our strikers and we have not been giving him the opportunity to fill that role.

 

Summary, its not over till an over weight lady sings, we have a game in hand and a point over the next few teams but we can not afford more TERRIBLE slip ups like this (oh and the ground wasn't all that bad, served an alright pint too which for £3 I cant complain at)

 

£3 for a pint??? I'd complain out of principle. Used to be able to get a nice pint of mild and 20 Number 6 for less than 4 bob.:smug:

[up and away]

I do agree with everything you say.

 

However it is not as easy as just saying we should have played 4 or 5 in the middle of the park as we don't have 4 or 5 players to play there at the moment.

 

Lallana/Spiderman/Chambo/Holmes/N'Guessan injured.

Chaplow off form

 

Its not really a case of not having any replacements, as we have, so thats not a criticism, its just p*ss poor luck at the worst time.

 

I still believe we have enough a quality of squad to have got something out of this game. Every team we have come up against recently have exposed us down the flanks. There was absolutely no reason why this game would not be the same and we were ill prepared. If you were to pick 4 from 5 out of Gobern, Stephens, Hammond, Butterfield, Dickson, that would give you a solid base, put Guly in front of that 4 and just tell him to chase down the ball when we don't have it, support the lone striker otherwise. I thought Adkins had learnt his lesson with playing Guly in such a fashion previously when he admitted he got it wrong, only to see the same thing here.

 

If you start off this way, you should be able to contain Rochdale and you always have the option of changing things round with a substitution. Starting off as we did the only option if we hit any problems was to throw caution to the wind. Knowing that our playing form was not the greatest at the moment, we made it very easy for Rochdale. That comeback and pressure we applied in the second half would still have been an option, but more than likely without the 2 goal cushion they had built up.

[pingwing]

£3 for a pint??? I'd complain out of principle. Used to be able to get a nice pint of mild and 20 Number 6 for less than 4 bob.:smug:

 

Its the modern world now the larger was nicer than the rotten bottle's at home games... (im clutching at straws to avoid getting more wound up on Seaborn and now Davis)

[Jonnyboy]

So you can make me a necklace for the missus?

 

I can do her a pearl necklace if you like?

[Sour Mash]

Just back now after staying up in Manc on the p**s.

 

First half they caned us. I know there is a lot of discussion on here about formations, tactics and player positions,but to my uneducated eye, Rochdale simply look hungrier, fitter and more determined to steam through us and take those 3 points. We looked tired, which is not surprising considering how hard we had fought at Orient (unlike those who thought that win was "easy", it was a really tight struggle).

 

In my eyes Lallana didn't look fit enough to play. Forte was the only real bright spark. Decent pies in the ground.

 

And our support was really quiet and subdued. It's the same old argument, but why travel all that way and then just sit there half awake.

[Griffo]

Just back now after staying up in Manc on the p**s.

 

First half they caned us. I know there is a lot of discussion on here about formations, tactics and player positions,but to my uneducated eye, Rochdale simply look hungrier, fitter and more determined to steam through us and take those 3 points. We looked tired, which is not surprising considering how hard we had fought at Orient (unlike those who thought that win was "easy", it was a really tight struggle).

 

In my eyes Lallana didn't look fit enough to play. Forte was the only real bright spark. Decent pies in the ground.

 

And our support was really quiet and subdued. It's the same old argument, but why travel all that way and then just sit there half awake.

 

I'm going to have to agree with you about the pies and about our support.

[Appy]

I'm going to have to agree with you about the pies and about our support.

 

Same here, can't comment on the pies though.

 

Stand up and get behind the team, don't sit there moaning, i refuse to sit down at a game where i have been sat down for 6 hours on the way up in ****ing traffic.

[hackedoff]

TBF I think 3 points from two difficult away games is a good result.

 

Rochdale seem to have our number. Bit worrying if we end up facing them in the play-offs.

 

Plymouth at Home park also have our number but , oddly everyone assumes we will win there.

[John McGrath's Jockstrap]

Very simple. Rochdale wanted it more , had done their homework on us, and did a good job on the night. Agree with the comments re Davis near post defending. At the risk of being repetitive I stand by the opinion that Richardson is very average when compared to Butterfield's reading of game and interceptions. Jury is out for me on Adkins signings.....Forte will be exposed next league up and Dale Stephens is nowhere near Spiderman. Golden rule on signing players is to always find better than you have......Forte?, D.Stephens?, N'Guessian (even on loan)?. A very long (and expensive) journey.........

[Dr Who?]

One problem - Huddersfield and Peterborough are quite likely to win all of their remaining games - so we need to win all but one of ours now as well!

 

I bet they do not!!

[Dr Who?]

I'm going to have to agree with you about the pies and about our support.

 

I have been to Carlisle, Huddersfield and now Rochdale away and we have lost all 3, and even though we have had good numbers at these games it has been a bit quiet. Not sure what it is about northern away games, as we also lost to Oldham and Tranmere, but we seem to be really good down south. I think when Saints fans travel north of London they are very tired at games... bless them!

[Dr Who?]

I really do think that you could see 2nd, 3rd and 4th spot all lose next weekend. Now that would be a turn up for the books.

[Saint_Jonny]

I have been to Carlisle, Huddersfield and now Rochdale away and we have lost all 3, and even though we have had good numbers at these games it has been a bit quiet. Not sure what it is about northern away games, as we also lost to Oldham and Tranmere, but we seem to be really good down south. I think when Saints fans travel north of London they are very tired at games... bless them!

 

Ive noticed that the average age of people at the northen away games goes up by a bout 30 years. I was surrounded by old codgers the other night. Dont ask me why this might be the case cos I couldnt tell you why!

[Whitey Grandad]

I've just seen the goals on the BBC player. We need a new keeper.

[Berkshire Saint]

Ive noticed that the average age of people at the northen away games goes up by a bout 30 years. I was surrounded by old codgers the other night. Dont ask me why this might be the case cos I couldnt tell you why!

 

Yeah, that's definitely the case. Always seem to be a load of middle aged couples at away games! I didn't think the atmosphere was too bad yesterday. I was so knackered after the drive I was quite happy not to be standing up to be honest and usually need a couple of beers in me to be singing all game. Thought the Rochdale fans were some of the best home fans I've come across recently.