Leicester 3 - Saints 2 Post Match Fred

[alpine_saint]

This result has been coming since the Leeds match. We have flattered to decieve a little with our results. And last week against Millwall was the end of the line.

 

We have issues in defence, this is finally crystal clear. And we have less than a week to sort it out.

 

Time to stop p*ssing about, NC.

[RonManager]

3rd goal:

 

 

You can see quite clearly the problem there.

 

Davis glued to his line - again. He could quite easily have come for that - so frustrating as he is an excellent keeper otherwise.

[S-Clarke]

This result has been coming since the Leeds match. We have flattered to decieve a little with our results. And last week against Millwall was the end of the line.

 

We have issues in defence, this is finally crystal clear. And we have less than a week to sort it out.

 

Time to stop p*ssing about, NC.

 

errrrrrrrrrr?

[saintscottofthenortham]

This result has been coming since the Leeds match. We have flattered to decieve a little with our results. And last week against Millwall was the end of the line.

 

We have issues in defence, this is finally crystal clear. And we have less than a week to sort it out.

 

Time to stop p*ssing about, NC.

 

Welcome back.

[saintscottofthenortham]

You can see quite clearly the problem there.

 

Davis glued to his line - again. He could quite easily have come for that - so frustrating as he is an excellent keeper otherwise.

 

did you miss this -> ???????????

[alpine_saint]

errrrrrrrrrr?

 

We have consistently looked shaky in defence down the middle and given the opposition too much time on the ball.

[saintscottofthenortham]

We have consistently looked shaky in defence down the middle and given the opposition too much time on the ball.

 

Where do you get your info from? I would sack it off if I was you.

[alpine_saint]

Welcome back.

 

Dont get me wrong, I think our start to the season has been utterly superb. But there have been warning signs and today has been a wake-up call, if last week against Millwall didnt already serve as one.

[saintscottofthenortham]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEyq3UnAs14

[scotty]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEyq3UnAs14

 

Nice work, cheers for that.

[Saint_clark]

You can see quite clearly the problem there.

 

Davis glued to his line - again. He could quite easily have come for that - so frustrating as he is an excellent keeper otherwise.

 

Davis has been superb coming for the ball this season, much better than before.

[shurlock]

Don't think we were as bad in the first half as some people make out. A dodgy first 20 mins aside, thought we got the ball down well (if at times in front of them) -and the goal was just deserts. Also don't think Harding had a bad game, with most of the threat coming down Richardson's side.

 

Connolly and Lambert didn't quite click today. Lambert had his poorest game for a while (though his overall form this season has been very good and I've been a doubter). ALso felt for the first time in ages that we missed Barney's directness and aggression in the final third. It will be interesting to see who, if anyone, we bring because there's an argument for both bringing someone pacey and mobile and someone direct and powerful. Shame Barney's been injured and unable to show whether he can cut the mustard at this level. Having seen the quality of NPC defences this season, I bet he can.

 

People will talk about the centre backs but Seaborne didn't have a bad game by any stretch of the imagination (Fonte was probably at fault for the first, letting the cross come in which took a wicked deflection and flopped between two defenders into Vassell's path). We seemed much more vulnerable at setpieces and corners than to attacks in open playwhich possibly raises questions about the whole team's ability to defend in the air rather than the CBs per se. Still, we need to bring somebody in before the deadline.

 

Schneiderlin looked very composed in the second half, making you wonder if there's any way to accomodate Cork, Hammond and Schneiderlin, though the answer probably isn't by starting Cork at RB as we did for the 2nd half.

 

All the nonsense after Millwall about the players not being fit enough was also to bed. We really did play till the very final whistle, making them chase shadows and we still looked like we had plenty in the tank - how on earth Konchesky has played for England is just mind-boggling.

 

MOTM was Lallana - thought he had a quietish 1st half and his relative lack of pace was evident at times (Fernandes closed him down well) but he absolutely exploded in the second. Showed real strength that you don't typically associate with him. De Ridder looks like a chained animal itching to be unleashed - went on a great run with his first touch. Will start Tuesday and hopefully gets the nod for Forest which seems a no-brainer as its a home game.

 

If Leicester is the benchmark of what the NPC has to offer, we have nothing to be worried about. Perhaps today's result will kickstart their season but like all Sven's teams they flatter to deceive. They'll have their afternoons where they smash teams; but I can see them hitting many more bumps and dont think they'll be able to tough out a whole season. By contrast, today settled the fallacy that our season has been built on the sand of post-promotion momentum.

 

We have to bounce back after the international break (fortunately the fixture list couldn't be any kinder with two home fixtures). But I'm confident we will. With the exception of MK Dons (A) and Colchester(H) last season (NA's first games), we've never followed a defeat with anything less than a win in the league. This team doesn't like losing.

 

Tonight, despite the result, I'm much more of a believer that we are the real deal.

[Verbal Kint]

Don't think we were as bad in the first half as some people make out. A dodgy first 20 mins aside, thought we got the ball down well (if at times in front of them) -and the goal was just deserts. Also don't think Harding had a bad game, with most of the threat coming down Richardson's side.

 

Connolly and Lambert didn't quite click today. Lambert had his poorest game for a while (though his overall form this season has been very good and I've been a doubter). ALso felt for the first time in ages that we missed Barney's directness and aggression in the final third. It will be interesting to see who, if anyone, we bring because there's an argument for both bringing someone pacey and mobile and someone direct and powerful. Shame Barney's been injured and unable to show whether he can cut the mustard at this level. Having seen the quality of NPC defences this season, I bet he can.

 

People will talk about the centre backs but Seaborne didn't have a bad game by any stretch of the imagination (Fonte was probably at fault for the first, letting the cross come in which took a wicked deflection and flopped between two defenders into Vassell's path). We seemed much more vulnerable at setpieces and corners than to attacks in open playwhich possibly raises questions about the whole team's ability to defend in the air rather than the CBs per se. Still, we need to bring somebody in before the deadline.

 

Schneiderlin looked very composed in the second half, making you wonder if there's any way to accomodate Cork, Hammond and Schneiderlin, though the answer probably isn't by starting Cork at RB as we did for the 2nd half.

 

All the nonsense after Millwall about the players not being fit enough was also to bed. We really did play till the very final whistle, making them chase shadows and we still looked like we had plenty in the tank - how on earth Konchesky has played for England is just mind-boggling.

 

MOTM was Lallana - thought he had a quietish 1st half and his relative lack of pace was evident at times (Fernandes closed him down well) but he absolutely exploded in the second. Showed real strength that you don't typically associate with him. De Ridder looks like a chained animal itching to be unleashed - went on a great run with his first touch. Will start Tuesday and hopefully gets the nod for Forest which seems a no-brainer as its a home game.

 

If Leicester is the benchmark of what the NPC has to offer, we have nothing to be worried about. Perhaps today's result will kickstart their season but like all Sven's teams they flatter to deceive. They'll have their afternoons where they smash teams; but I can see them hitting many more bumps and dont think they'll be able to tough out a whole season. By contrast, today settled the fallacy that our season has been built on the sand of post-promotion momentum.

 

We have to bounce back after the international break (fortunately the fixture list couldn't be any kinder with two home fixtures). But I'm confident we will. With the exception of MK Dons (A) and Colchester(H) last season (NA's first games), we've never followed a defeat with anything less than a win in the league. This team doesn't like losing.

 

Tonight, despite the result, I'm much more of a believer that we are the real deal.

 

I think you've been quite lenient on Fonte and Seabourne (both were abysmal in the first half in my opinion, gettting dragged all over the place by their two front men) but apart from that i would echo your sentiments. I'm bizarrely more of a believer now then i was before the game. With a dominant centre half alongside Fonte and a pacy striker to give us another option up front, i really think we could be challenging at the top.

 

Lallana really is a joy to watch at the moment

[Thorpe-le-Saint]

Deserved the point, could have got all three really but we paid the price for a **** poor first half. I hope the ref sees that third goal and is ashamed. Everyone but him and the lino saw the foul!

[Thorpe-le-Saint]

This result has been coming since the Leeds match. We have flattered to decieve a little with our results. And last week against Millwall was the end of the line.

 

We have issues in defence, this is finally crystal clear. And we have less than a week to sort it out.

 

Time to stop p*ssing about, NC.

 

I know you can't get to these games but you really are wide of mark here. Granted the first half was ****, but we dominated the game for the second half

[shurlock]

I think you've been quite lenient on Fonte and Seabourne (both were abysmal in the first half in my opinion, gettting dragged all over the place by their two front men) but apart from that i would echo your sentiments. I'm bizarrely more of a believer now then i was before the game. With a dominant centre half alongside Fonte and a pacy striker to give us another option up front, i really think we could be challenging at the top.

 

Lallana really is a joy to watch at the moment

 

Don't disagree with what you say about the CBs - we need to strengthen and, with the aborted Gorkss and Fontaine signings, we've shown we're committed to strengthening there. My point is that its far too easy to paint the situation in black and white, too convenient to pin our defensive frailties on Seaborne alone when, in fact, Jose, our no.1 CB, has sometimes contributed to problems.

[labibs]

Don't think we were as bad in the first half as some people make out. A dodgy first 20 mins aside, thought we got the ball down well (if at times in front of them) -and the goal was just deserts. Also don't think Harding had a bad game, with most of the threat coming down Richardson's side.

 

Connolly and Lambert didn't quite click today. Lambert had his poorest game for a while (though his overall form this season has been very good and I've been a doubter). ALso felt for the first time in ages that we missed Barney's directness and aggression in the final third. It will be interesting to see who, if anyone, we bring because there's an argument for both bringing someone pacey and mobile and someone direct and powerful. Shame Barney's been injured and unable to show whether he can cut the mustard at this level. Having seen the quality of NPC defences this season, I bet he can.

 

People will talk about the centre backs but Seaborne didn't have a bad game by any stretch of the imagination (Fonte was probably at fault for the first, letting the cross come in which took a wicked deflection and flopped between two defenders into Vassell's path). We seemed much more vulnerable at setpieces and corners than to attacks in open playwhich possibly raises questions about the whole team's ability to defend in the air rather than the CBs per se. Still, we need to bring somebody in before the deadline.

 

Schneiderlin looked very composed in the second half, making you wonder if there's any way to accomodate Cork, Hammond and Schneiderlin, though the answer probably isn't by starting Cork at RB as we did for the 2nd half.

 

All the nonsense after Millwall about the players not being fit enough was also to bed. We really did play till the very final whistle, making them chase shadows and we still looked like we had plenty in the tank - how on earth Konchesky has played for England is just mind-boggling.

 

MOTM was Lallana - thought he had a quietish 1st half and his relative lack of pace was evident at times (Fernandes closed him down well) but he absolutely exploded in the second. Showed real strength that you don't typically associate with him. De Ridder looks like a chained animal itching to be unleashed - went on a great run with his first touch. Will start Tuesday and hopefully gets the nod for Forest which seems a no-brainer as its a home game.

 

If Leicester is the benchmark of what the NPC has to offer, we have nothing to be worried about. Perhaps today's result will kickstart their season but like all Sven's teams they flatter to deceive. They'll have their afternoons where they smash teams; but I can see them hitting many more bumps and dont think they'll be able to tough out a whole season. By contrast, today settled the fallacy that our season has been built on the sand of post-promotion momentum.

 

We have to bounce back after the international break (fortunately the fixture list couldn't be any kinder with two home fixtures). But I'm confident we will. With the exception of MK Dons (A) and Colchester(H) last season (NA's first games), we've never followed a defeat with anything less than a win in the league. This team doesn't like losing.

 

Tonight, despite the result, I'm much more of a believer that we are the real deal.

 

Some good comments here. We were unbelievable second half, absolutely battered them. If Leicester are amongst the best the NPC has to offer, bring it on. A pacy striker would have changed the game, A new forward would be welcome.

 

Schmeichel made 3 class saves in the 2nd half, kept them in it. Leicester basically had 4-5 decent attacks and scored 3, Adkins needs to have a word. Seaborne acutally looked decent apart from goals, but I would still take a brute CB

 

Fox's delivery was great when he came on, he must start against Forest.

 

Was speaking to a Derby fan on the train home, he thinks they are garbage. After today, I really think this division is there for the takinf. I honestly think us and Brighton have what it takes to go up.

 

Final word, Lallana was outrageous. He get's better every time I see him. If prem scouts were watching today, I would fear January

[Sour Mash]

Yes we were excellent 2nd half - but we were already 3-1 down at the point (albeit a shocking decision from the ref for their third). They had the pace and power that we lack and our defence really struggled, Richardson got skinned, Fonte struggled (think he has a bit all season personally and doesn't quite deserve all the plaudits he gets). I thought Harding had an excellent game and I'm not his biggest fan. We need a top class centre back, spend £2million plus if we need to.

 

2nd half we were excellent. Jack Cork managed to drive us on even from the right back position and thought Fox was very good as well, how many top draw crosses did he put in? Now to moan about 3 players who have been excellent for us. Lambert - definite off day, looked slow, offered little, generally struggled. Connolly - gave the ball away at key times too often. Lallana - yes Lallana. Love the lad and have been his biggest fan for years, but he seriously needs to learn to be more direct at times, especially around the 18 yard box. Does he need that extra touch? Beat that man again after doing him twice already? Play that clever flick instead of the simple ball. I love watching him play, but he could get even better by playing the first time cross/shot/pass whatever, we're slow enough at times as it is, without constantly cutting back and over-playing. I can see us being an "arsenal of the championship" - lauded for our fluent football, but not direct enough to top the table, whereas teams with possibly less outright footballing ability such as Leicester steam to top. Hope not and I hope Adkins learnt where needs tweaking.

 

Cracking support from ours today, good noise and numbers. Good to see Leicester's support is made up of the same old bell ends as normal, cringeworthy "poznan" and that "tune" with the drummer, thank f**k we never do that!

[labibs]

 

Cracking support from ours today, good noise and numbers. Good to see Leicester's support is made up of the same old bell ends as normal, cringeworthy "poznan" and that "tune" with the drummer, thank f**k we never do that!

 

The 'Poznan was f*cking cringeworthy. Agree support was brilliant today. You're right about RL, was well marshalled and ineffective today

[saintsmike25]

You are joking aren't you?

[saintsmike25]

That was aimed at Alpine's response about the defense and the result coming since the Leeds game.

[sfc4prem]

I am ****ed off to high heaven that the RL OG stood. Bamba pushed him down into the ball FFS! Clearest foul I'll ever see.

 

Claridge couldn't bring himself to say it was a blatant foul - skate c*nt.

[bpsaint]

Just seen the highlights,third goal was criminal, even a Sunday league ref would have given a freekick for the push.

 

Steve Cotterill really is one pikey looking ****. Talk about a match made in heaven.

[Sour Mash]

I am ****ed off to high heaven that the RL OG stood. Bamba pushed him down into the ball FFS! Clearest foul I'll ever see.

 

Claridge couldn't bring himself to say it was a blatant foul - skate c*nt.

 

I'm not one to have a go at refs, they get more than enough stick these days, but that was a shocking decision. I actually thought a free kick was being given, not a goal.

[doddisalegend]

I am ****ed off to high heaven that the RL OG stood. Bamba pushed him down into the ball FFS! Clearest foul I'll ever see.

 

Claridge couldn't bring himself to say it was a blatant foul - skate c*nt.

 

yes he did......he said if bambi had got the ball it might not have been a foul but as he didn't it was deffo a foul.

[Kingsbridge Saint]

Great effort by Saints and we were always going to lose one to a combination of small mistakes and gash refereeing. They were on the ropes like a punch drunk boxer at the end. Two week break now in the league. Time to reflect on a cracking start. Onwards and upwards. **** off you DFCSB's.

[georgeweahscousin]

I would love to hear an explanation from the ref about why their third goal was given. Not even a debatable one. 100% foul.

[SaintRobbie]

I guess we found our next goalkeeping target.

 

We certainly need our defence strengthening.

 

Controversial refereeing decision cost us a point and Lambert his pride. Pivotal point in the game.

 

Deserved at least a draw.

 

We was robbed…. but as 'Arry used to say, 'It balances out over a whole season'. And let's face it we were against a strong side and we were away from home. I am pretty upbeat.

[for_heaven's_Saint]

Woken up this morning and I'm still not quite sure how we didn't score a third. Their keeper did make some good saves but there were times when our players seemed reluctant to pull the trigger. Nevertheless, we played well second half and I'm sure there will be games where we don't deserve a point but get one.

[alpine_saint]

Very concerned about the comments about Richardson on here, especially considering what I saw last week against Millwall, where he was skinned and outpaced by the attacking player every time.

[Turkish]

Yes we were excellent 2nd half - but we were already 3-1 down at the point (albeit a shocking decision from the ref for their third). They had the pace and power that we lack and our defence really struggled, Richardson got skinned, Fonte struggled (think he has a bit all season personally and doesn't quite deserve all the plaudits he gets). I thought Harding had an excellent game and I'm not his biggest fan. We need a top class centre back, spend £2million plus if we need to.

 

2nd half we were excellent. Jack Cork managed to drive us on even from the right back position and thought Fox was very good as well, how many top draw crosses did he put in? Now to moan about 3 players who have been excellent for us. Lambert - definite off day, looked slow, offered little, generally struggled. Connolly - gave the ball away at key times too often. Lallana - yes Lallana. Love the lad and have been his biggest fan for years, but he seriously needs to learn to be more direct at times, especially around the 18 yard box. Does he need that extra touch? Beat that man again after doing him twice already? Play that clever flick instead of the simple ball. I love watching him play, but he could get even better by playing the first time cross/shot/pass whatever, we're slow enough at times as it is, without constantly cutting back and over-playing. I can see us being an "arsenal of the championship" - lauded for our fluent football, but not direct enough to top the table, whereas teams with possibly less outright footballing ability such as Leicester steam to top. Hope not and I hope Adkins learnt where needs tweaking.

 

Cracking support from ours today, good noise and numbers. Good to see Leicester's support is made up of the same old bell ends as normal, cringeworthy "poznan" and that "tune" with the drummer, thank f**k we never do that!

 

Spot on with all that mate.

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

I have just seen the highlights and to be honest it looked like we were desperately unlucky. The crucial 3rd goal just before halftime was clearly a foul on Lambert (The referees union has obviously decided to give him nothing this season) and we created more than enough chances in the 2nd half to (at the very least) draw the game.

 

Reduce the number of defensive the errors, and we're going to gain a hell of a lot more points than we lose this season.

[Sour Mash]

Very concerned about the comments about Richardson on here, especially considering what I saw last week against Millwall, where he was skinned and outpaced by the attacking player every time.

 

You get a lot of stick on here, but I make you right. Two games on the trot he's been skinned. Not sure if Butterfield is the answer either

[alpine_saint]

You get a lot of stick on here, but I make you right. Two games on the trot he's been skinned. Not sure if Butterfield is the answer either

 

Problem is, even I could instruct an NPC team how to play against us.

 

1. Get in Lallanas face, close him down, even kick him.

 

2. Long balls down the flanks and out-pace the RB and LB and get crosses in.

 

Everyone is going on about we only need a CB (not yet addressed). Maybe we need to look at RB too. We surely have enough options at LB now.

[for_heaven's_Saint]

Problem is, even I could instruct an NPC team how to play against us.

 

1. Get in Lallanas face, close him down, even kick him.

 

2. Long balls down the flanks and out-pace the RB and LB and get crosses in.

 

Everyone is going on about we only need a CB (not yet addressed). Maybe we need to look at RB too. We surely have enough options at LB now.

 

Well no one has managed to do that with any degree of success so far. I do agree we look weak at Right Back though. Would have liked to have seen us go for Clyne from Palace.

[alpine_saint]

Well no one has managed to do that with any degree of success so far. I do agree we look weak at Right Back though. Would have liked to have seen us go for Clyne from Palace.

 

I would argue that Millwall managed.

[for_heaven's_Saint]

I would argue that Millwall managed.

 

Fair enough, couldn't get to that game so can't argue with that, but in the games I've seen he's been unplayable.

[oldsarum]

Very concerned about the comments about Richardson on here, especially considering what I saw last week against Millwall, where he was skinned and outpaced by the attacking player every time.

 

Aginast Leeds Riuchardson was immense and he had the dangerous Gradel in his pocket for most of the game

[shurlock]

Aginast Leeds Riuchardson was immense and he had the dangerous Gradel in his pocket for most of the game

 

Agree- looked v.good against Leeds, Barnsley and Ipswich, less good against Millwall and Leicester. Nothing to do with the quality of opposition either: Gradel is one of the most dangerous wingers in the division.

[Leicestersaint]

We deserved at least a point - Schmeichel was outstanding - a very good buy by Leicester.

 

The Lambert goal was obviosuly a foul and only a dimwit referee would ahve allowed it.

 

I was disappointed in Richardson who looked out of his depth and too slow and what a difference Schneiderlin made when he came on. I was also a bit disappoitned in Hammond. However we played very well in the second half. Lots to learn from this and much to be encouraged by.

[Appy]

Funny how Alpine goes to one game and all of a sudden thinks his word is gospel.

[saintscottofthenortham]

Funny how Alpine goes to one game and all of a sudden thinks his word is gospel.

 

Exactly. I haven't seen him comment on other games and now we lose it's the end of the world. Funny how everyone else was rather happy and somewhat encouraged by what we saw apart from alpine. Pleb.

[Thedelldays]

3rd goal:

 

 

fuking joke...his left elbow is dug into the back of rickies neck

[View From The Top]

You get a lot of stick on here, but I make you right. Two games on the trot he's been skinned. Not sure if Butterfield is the answer either

 

I thought him the weak link last season and the same this. L1 average is his standard.

 

It was no accident that the Leicester tactics were to isolate and exploit Richardson, and it worked. This also pulled the CBs too far apart giving space for their midfield to charge into.

[alpine_saint]

Funny how Alpine goes to one game and all of a sudden thinks his word is gospel.

 

WHAT ?

 

I have seen two games this season, and am entitled to expresss how I see it as much as anyone else.

 

Funny how when I go to a game the abuse changes from "Alpine never goes to games" to "one game and he thinks his word is gospel".

 

Some people are simply too childish to accept opinions at variance to their own....

[Wade Garrett]

Problem is, even I could instruct an NPC team how to play against us.

 

1. Get in Lallanas face, close him down, even kick him.

 

2. Long balls down the flanks and out-pace the RB and LB and get crosses in.

 

Everyone is going on about we only need a CB (not yet addressed). Maybe we need to look at RB too. We surely have enough options at LB now.

 

You are a prize pr*ck. F*ck off.

[alpine_saint]

You are a prize pr*ck. F*ck off.

 

Inspired.....

[Turkish]

Problem is, even I could instruct an NPC team how to play against us.

 

1. Get in Lallanas face, close him down, even kick him.

 

2. Long balls down the flanks and out-pace the RB and LB and get crosses in.

 

Everyone is going on about we only need a CB (not yet addressed). Maybe we need to look at RB too. We surely have enough options at LB now.

 

I agree with this. We have all known we need a centre back all summer, clearly so does Nige as he's tried to sign three which have all f*cked up for some reason. It's clear that neither of our RB's are up to it at this level.

 

On the left Fox looked good and is obviously the prefered choice there long term. The problem is, you feel Nige is waiting for Harding to have a bad game so he can drop him which might be costly. if he is his prefered choice, which he must be to have spent almost £2m on him, then just stick him in now.

[Legod Third Coming]

Problem is, even I could instruct an NPC team how to play against us.

 

1. Get in Lallanas face, close him down, even kick him.

 

2. Long balls down the flanks and out-pace the RB and LB and get crosses in.

 

Everyone is going on about we only need a CB (not yet addressed). Maybe we need to look at RB too. We surely have enough options at LB now.

 

Four league managers are asking for your number. They are the four who couldn't despite all the evidence beat us...

 

One league manager is grateful that he couldn't achieve your advice either.

 

Goal 1 - slip by right back, poor marking.

Goal 2 - thumped in from centre of pitch, no tracking back

Goal 3 - FOUL.

 

Now, I happen to agree with you that a new CB wouldn't hurt.

But after winning eleven straight games and losing one, it's a bit fecking rich even for you to assert we are easy to beat...

[dune]

You are a prize pr*ck. F*ck off.

 

Get over yourself. Alpine makes some valid points.