Saints 3 Forest 2 - Reaction

[Saint Stimp]

Shame we didn't nip in before Forest and sign Miller, looks like the kind of forward who'd do well for us.

[thorpie the sinner]

On yet another note, I thought we were superb for the 5 mins injury time, it really was like watching Brazil at times!! But where the dickens did 5 mins come from??

[trousers]

On the train home. Great game. We just about deserved the win IMO. Not overly impressed by Forest. A few jitters in our defence but nothing to be overly concerned about.

[alpine_saint]

Yep, we're in a right mess. Totally doomed. Everyone out.

 

Pathetic sarcasm about something you know to be a valid point.

 

Its that sort of post that drags this site down. Knowing someone has said something valid, but knocking it anyway.

[trousers]

We have major defensive problems to sort out. Worrying.

 

No we don't. HTH

[saints-cris]

We have major defensive problems to sort out. Worrying.

 

Leicester and Forest have bloody good attacking players.. and today we had a new backline. Cant win every game 2 or 3-0. We'll be fine

[alpine_saint]

No we don't. HTH

 

So, changing 3/4 of your defensive line in one go is normal, is it ?

[trousers]

So, changing 3/4 of your defensive line in one go is normal, is it ?

 

No, but I don't think we have "major problems". Just a different opinion. That's all.

[saints-cris]

So, changing 3/4 of your defensive line in one go is normal, is it ?

 

2 were injuries to be fair.

[buctootim]

So, changing 3/4 of your defensive line in one go is normal, is it ?

 

Clearly Adkins should have psychically planned for Seabourne being in hospital with Butterfield, Richardson and Harding injured.

[S-Clarke]

Pathetic sarcasm about something you know to be a valid point.

 

Its that sort of post that drags this site down. Knowing someone has said something valid, but knocking it anyway.

 

It's posts like yours which drag this site down because they're a massive knee-jerk, they're based on no real foundation as you weren't there to see the full picture. I was, and whilst we did look a bit jittery, it was nothing major to worry about. The full backs were a little shaky, but that will be addressed when we get Richardson/Butters back from injury - then we can put Cork back in his best position.

 

And by the way, my point about us just being promoted is valid and is not an excuse. Why people expect us to be beating teams like forest easily, whilst not letting them score is beyond me.

 

If anything today showed the versatility and depth of the squad.

[Julian H. Cope]

Thought Miller and Moussi were very good for Forest today. Thanks for taking them off Schteve.

[alpine_saint]

2 were injuries to be fair.

 

Were they ?

 

I am surprised about Harding, think he is doing OK, but Richardson was necessary and only NA knows if he would have played Seaborne or Hooiveld today if Seaborne wasnt beaten up.

[Saint_Jonny]

What a game! My voice is totally gone after that one!

 

We started brightly but conceded a sloppy goal, for the next half an hour Saints looked back to their best with some quality passing and moving, when we went 2-1 up I was wondering how many we'd score...

 

Unfortunately Saints switched off and conceded before the break, it was coming really as for the last ten minutes of the first half we looked slow and barely bothered.

 

After the break it was more of the same, Saints starting slowly and only staying in it thanks to a world class save from Davis from a free kick. Forest really kicked on and looked a real threat going forward, should have scored one of their chances. A draw would have smiled kindly on us but up cropped Lambert to head in the third, and for the last ten minutes we looked comfortable again, such a topsy turvy game!

 

Fantastic game to be my last home game til' I'm back down here at xmas.

[Colinjb]

One hell of a game that. An absolute rollercoaster, thank heavens we came out the right end of it, no need to analyse right now, just savour the feeling of a win v a very able Forest side, Schteve will see them right.

[JackFrost]

So, changing 3/4 of your defensive line in one go is normal, is it ?

 

When 2 are injuries, yes.

 

Playing the youth team under Lowe was a major problem, this isn't.

 

There is an issue that needs to be addressed and the defence needs improving and I'm confident Adkins will sort it. You really shouldn't be so worried about it.

[alpine_saint]

It's posts like yours which drag this site down because they're a massive knee-jerk, they're based on no real foundation as you weren't there to see the full picture. I was, and whilst we did look a bit jittery, it was nothing major to worry about. The full backs were a little shaky, but that will be addressed when we get Richardson/Butters back from injury - then we can put Cork back in his best position.

 

And by the way, my point about us just being promoted is valid and is not an excuse. Why people expect us to be beating teams like forest easily, whilst not letting them score is beyond me.

 

If anything today showed the versatility and depth of the squad.

 

Because we've spent a f**king kings ransom comapred to some of the teams, thats why.

 

And my post is not "knee jerk". Our defense is getting progressively worse as teams work out how to play us.

[gaz]

Rickie is now joint-top goalscorer in the NPC.

 

This year, there are 8-10 teams capable of Auto or Playoffs, Forest are one of them. I'll take a narrow win over them as we're one point off top.

[JackFrost]

Because we've spent a f**king kings ransom comapred to some of the teams, thats why.

 

And my post is not "knee jerk". Our defense is getting progressively worse as teams work out how to play us.

 

And do you think Adkins is aware of that or not?

[alpine_saint]

And do you think Adkins is aware of that or not?

 

Of course he is. But nevertheless the club ponced around about strengthening the defence over the last month.

[Toomer]

If Forest had been a bit more clinical in front of goal when they were on top for a period in the second half they could have had five, we did well to force the win. I was not that impressed with Fox or Hoover, but at the end of the day we got 3 points thats all that matters and would have liked De-Ridder to have got a bit more time IMO he should have been brought on and given about 20 mins.

[Rebel]

Cork is a lot better in the middle than at right back. Abd We still need a young pacey striker with power to lead the line. The whole team switched before half time but the substitions in the second half allowed us to play out the game for a win. We were great going forward at times but not great defensively - particularly down the flanks. Boobies looked good - but didn't look like he was used to dealing with so many high balls - his distribution was great though.

[JackFrost]

Of course he is. But nevertheless the club ponced around about strengthening the defence over the last month.

 

But we strengthened it.

 

So once Hooiveld has played a few games alongside Fonte, let's see how well the defence is doing then. Besides a few reports from the match stated that our defensive issues were more to do with our midfielders lack of tracking back and leaving Cork/Fox exposed.

 

If we're not doing the best defensively and we're still 2nd in the league that's more of a positive to me. Think what we would be like if Adkins can get our defence rock solid.

[Nexstar]

Very good result and one we probably didn't really deserve. First half we dominated most of the play and scored 2 decent goals, but I put their goals down to poor communication at the back. They were both identical and I have to question the switching of Richardson and Cork, something which I feel led to our lack of dominance in the center of the park.

 

Second half we were all over the show to begin with and not until the third went in did we actually start to control the play. Forest were big threats when going forward and we somehow kept out 2/3 goal bound efforts from within the penalty box. Kelvin made a cracking save from a free-kick, followed by some idiotic play which saw him tangling with Matt Derybshire to get the ball back. I don't understand him sometimes.

 

Overall, beating Forest is excellent as they will be up there again at the end of the season, however, Cork should return to his roll of dominating the middle of the pitch and the defence need to work on their organisation. I thought at times Danny Fox did very well to regain possession or intercept play, but on several occasions he just went AWOL and was nowhere near tight enough to the player running down the left flank.

 

Lambert was great, Guly ran his socks off and we've got yet another 3 points. Up the Saints!

[hypochondriac]

I do think the defence is a worry. Whilst we continue to win it doesn't matter but it was the amount of chances that the likes of forest Leicester and even Ipswich created which shows the weakness in our team.

 

Ok you can say we were just promoted but we should still be looking to improve and not be afraid to criticise.

[jampot]

Harding did his knee in training yesterday...

[Saint Thomas]

game of opinions but both Guly and Lallana have defensive duties to which imo they neglected to day, hence Guly was taken off, because both full backs were left totally exposed.

 

Still we won so who cares, i just do not like defenders being blamed for everything

 

Agree with lallana I suppose, but guly chased back more than ever today - was back with cork almost every time there was trouble. His skill lead to our first two goals too, thought it was one of his best games for us.

 

Also thought Connolly was really poor today, not sure if that was just me - control, shooting and running all just slightly off compared to his usual.

[Andyb1]

Really lucky win in all honesty, how they didn't score a couple more is beyond me.

 

But we dug in and showed the grit and drive which is bred from winning games every week. A winning mentality can make all the difference. So pleased for Lambo, he's shown he can play at this level with no issues at all. 7 goals for him now I think - I reckon he could hit 20 again. If Holt can, then surley Lambo can...

 

The two flanks got ripped apart most of the game, I'd prefer Corky in midfield but it was forced today unfortunately.

 

Fox is exactly what Burnley fans said he was, great attacking, fantastic delivery, but always out of position defensively - which is what we saw today. Hopefully Adkins and co can coach a little more defensive nous into him. I'd feel much more comfortable with Harding and Richardson in the full back slots based on today.

 

Credit to Adkins, I think the tactical switch on the hour put us back in control. Bringing Chaplow in and playing a diamond allowed us to get hold of the ball a bit more, but some of Forest's substitutes beggared belief. Nice to see McGoldrick is still as useless.

 

Really pleased though, we just don't know how to drop points at home. 12 wins in a row, amazing!!

 

Let's make it 13....

 

Its interesting listening to peoples views as I wasnt at the game. The Forest commentators said that saints deserved it and passed it better than Forest.

[Brussels Saint]

I do think the defence is a worry. Whilst we continue to win it doesn't matter but it was the amount of chances that the likes of forest Leicester and even Ipswich created which shows the weakness in our team.

 

Ok you can say we were just promoted but we should still be looking to improve and not be afraid to criticise.

 

This is a fair reasoned post. We are having some difficulties defensively at the moment, but today surely that was more down to having 3 new heads across the back 4 rather than a critical situation?

[corsacar saint]

We will not play many better sides all season,a draw would probably have been a fair result. For all their second half pressure we had some great chances too.

Delighted with the 3 points and equally delighted for Rickie,all in all a great day.[i can see Forest finishing in the top 6]

[KK the 2nd]

Its interesting listening to peoples views as I wasnt at the game. The Forest commentators said that saints deserved it and passed it better than Forest.

Saints dominated the first half, Forest the second. I think we deserved it though. Not convinced by Hoover and the makeshift full backs.

[um pahars]

Not sure we deserved that win, but look at the table and we have three more points, that's all that matters about today.

 

Good game for the neutral, but a draw would have been fair (a high scoring game mind, as both defences were pretty poor). 4-4 would have been a truer reflection on the balance of play, chances etc.

 

Was really looking forward to todays game and predicted 2-1 in a scrappy game, so was close to guessing the score but the game wasn't really scrappy, just a little naive defensively from both teams.

 

Was a bit concerned with having 3 "new faces" in the back 4 and there was worries were borne out as the game progressed. Came out and started strong and looked good going forward, but when Forest hit us on the counter attack we looked all over the show (Fonte admirably trying to hold it together).

 

First game came when Spiderman surrendered possession and then Forest exposed Cork. Not sure who should have picked up their scorer but it wasn't clever. A good response from the crowd and the team saw us straight back in it with a well worked goal (even if it was in on the rebound). Another good goal and we were on top only to be undone again just before the break.

 

Second half was not very good at all. Lack of shape and confidence meant Forest had the upper hand. Did we look a little bit tired as well????? After scoring our third we never got any jitters and despite 5 minutes of injury time, we never looked in trouble (although McGoldrick coming on helped us no end).

 

We were exposed down the flanks, with a combination of little support form the midfield and the full backs being caught out of position. A real mixed bag overall.

 

Davis - 7 - A couple of good saves plus some mad distribution inviting pressure on us.

 

Cork - 2 & 8 - 2 defensively and 8 going forward. Got caught too far up the pitch, but when in possession looked quality

 

Fonte - 8 - Worked hard in marshalling the chaos of the back line at times.

 

Hooiveld - 5 - Good presence, but caught out of position too often. Distribution not that good

 

Fox - 5 - Real mixed bag. Showed he could be good, but was cuaght out of position too much. Both flanks were poor defensively

 

Guly - 6 - FLashes of brilliance (great through ball for first goal), seemed to chase back more than I have seen him before, but then disappeared

 

Spiderman - 5 - Game passed him by at times.

 

Hammond - 7 - Worked hard, with little support.

 

Lallana - 7 - Not one of his best games, but still quality.

 

Lambert - 9 - Hat trick is all that matters (but did seem a bit knackered towards the end)

 

Connoly - 8 - What a great little player, playing with confidence and appetite.

 

Subs

 

Chaplow - 6 - Helped us to be more solid in the middle of the park (good substitution)

 

De Ridder - 6 - Not in the game for long, but gave us an outlet for the last few minutes

[sammysaint]

Great result didnt go, but im happy cant wait for next midweek game.

[70's Mike]

So, changing 3/4 of your defensive line in one go is normal, is it ?

 

i would rather have our defensive problems than Forest's

[sperm_john]

that ish miller sounded a nightmare player, future signing?

 

let's face it in football sometimes you need a bit of luck, united have had it for years, we are just getting the rub of the green at the minute and its effing fantastic!

[Leicestersaint]

Great result. Great start to the season.

[David Strover]

Massive problems defensively is surely losing 5-1 at home with the visiting goalie scoring (anyone name that game?) or conceding 93 goals in 42 league games and escaping relegation with two games to go (name that season).

 

Winning five of your first six games and conceding eight goals (as many as Arsenal in one game) is not a massive problem no matter what way you spin it.

 

Unless of course you like to look for the negative aspects of every situation.....

[sperm_john]

Massive problems defensively is surely losing 5-1 at home with the visiting goalie scoring (anyone name that game?) or conceding 93 goals in 42 league games and escaping relegation with two games to go (name that season).

 

Winning five of your first six games and conceding eight goals (as many as Arsenal in one game) is not a massive problem no matter what way you spin it.

 

Unless of course you like to look for the negative aspects of every situation.....

 

you sir have just instantly became a legend in my eyes for this post

[LostBoys]

Great in parts but missed some chances by kicking straight at the keeper but very wobbly defensively and two poor goals. At least we dont have our chairman allegedly ****ed berating his own fans and of course Pompey were robbed by the referee - again.

 

Sorry allegedly drunk not the word I used

[TopGun]

Phew. Onwards and upwards.

[warsash saint]

2 debuts, 1 makeshift rightback - is it any wonder the defence looked a bit nervous having never played as a unit before. Jeez I wish some of you guys would cut the team some slack, with injuries forcing Adkins hand, I thought they stood upvery well to a physical Forest team.

[Saint Malc]

Losing 1-5 at home with the GK scoring has to be Leicester in the late sixties with Shilton scoring for Leicester.

[OVER THE HILL]

Gordon Strachan was there today,the next Forest manager if Shteve gets the boot?

[hypochondriac]

This is a fair reasoned post. We are having some difficulties defensively at the moment, but today surely that was more down to having 3 new heads across the back 4 rather than a critical situation?

 

I think partially but if I'm honest, I'm not entirely sure how important it was to buy someone like Fox who does look suspect defensively (the main job of a defender.) Jos looked a bit suspect and if he ends up costing us some points, I think we will regret strengthening at LB and possibly neglecting to spend some dosh at CB. Can't believe I am saying this but I think we missed Richardson today. OK he isn't great but he is all we have at the moment and we really missed Cork in the centre. Morgan was pretty anonymous and a bit disappointed in him today.

[hypochondriac]

2 debuts, 1 makeshift rightback - is it any wonder the defence looked a bit nervous having never played as a unit before. Jeez I wish some of you guys would cut the team some slack, with injuries forcing Adkins hand, I thought they stood upvery well to a physical Forest team.

 

I don't understand your comment there tbh. No one is not cutting the team some slack, simply calling it as they saw it. And I disagree, I really don't think we stood up that well to the Forest team. Going forward we were decent and took our chances well, but there is no denying that in quite a few games this season we have given other teams a hell of a lot of chances.

[70's Mike]

Losing 1-5 at home with the GK scoring has to be Leicester in the late sixties with Shilton scoring for Leicester.

 

and it was raining

[Tractor_Saint]

Couple of Vids - All I can say about the first one is that I thought Lallana had missed so was about to put the camera down when Rickie popped it in

 

Rickies first goal http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvFbK-iXEws

 

And then his second http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMQIQG4LREM

 

Had 3-2 bet as well with Forrest to score first. Sadly chose the wrong player to score but Skybet for some reason still paid 28/1 - result

 

It was only two weeks but how I've missed seeing Saints play. It also seems that the Police may have mixed their fixtures up because their prescence today would have been better served for the last home game. How many police dogs?!?

Edited 10 September, 2011 by Tractor_Saint

[Dimond Geezer]

I really enjoyed that game, although a little concerned about the defence (not massively like some). I didn't realise Butters & Harding were injured & wondered what Adkins was up to, but all has become clear & I think once we have fit full backs things will be a lot different. I thing Hooiveld generally did ok & once he settles into the team will be fine, although I thought both he & fox were culpable for both goals.

 

Well done Lambo, fully deserved tha match ball.

[70's Mike]

23000 went home throughly entertained, not sure how Forest's 1700 felt.

[sfc4prem]

I think some people are going OTT. The defensive issues, in my view, came from Fox being far too central. He needed to push out onto the wing to ensure they didn't have as much space. The amount of space they were getting on his wing was incredibly disappointing. This can be said about Cork's side too, but he's not a RB by trade. Hooiveld was very composed and I can see him fitting in with Nigel's style well. Some of his headers went a bit askew, some not far enough and put us under pressure at times. The other defensive issue was general loss of concentration and bad marking. We let them slide the ball through so so easily on several occasions. Dissapointing.

 

Lallana was quality considering how quickly he was closed down. Guly was great as well, gave the ball away a few times but his workrate is top notch.

 

Lambert obviously gets praise for his hattrick and winning us the game, but for me he seemed a bit slow to get into the area. We need him in there getting on the end of crosses more. Still, he played well and will become a Southampton great when he retires under Nigel's guidance.

 

Davis pulled off some WORLD CLASS saves to keep us in it. Thank god for super Kelv.

 

Connolly was rusty and a bit off the pace, which is weird considering his previous form.

 

Only reason we came under pressure/ looked like conceding was lack of pressure on their players, something we have been generally good at. This coupled with poor fullback positioning led to some very nervy periods.

 

BUT WE HELD ON AND GOT THE THREE POINTS AFTER GOING A GOAL DOWN.

 

COYS