for_heaven's_Saint Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 In addition, we need to do something about KD passing out from the back I actually thought Davis' distribution was better yesterday, especially with the way Cork and Hammond dropped off to collect it from him. Also picked out Lambert with a lot of his long balls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotty Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 I actually thought Davis' distribution was better yesterday' date=' especially with the way Cork and Hammond dropped off to collect it from him. Also picked out Lambert with a lot of his long balls.[/quote'] I can remember at least four occasions when his short ball out to the defence resulted directly in a good chance for brum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chez Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 In addition, we need to do something about KD passing out from the back what do you propose? Every pass yesterday was to feet and to a man with time. His long balls were right to Lambert's head. You could not fault him in any way yesterday. Last week, well that's a different story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chez Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 I can remember at least four occasions when his short ball out to the defence resulted directly in a good chance for brum. not one of those chances was because of Davis. They were down to the full back or centre half making a poor choice not Davis. Fans are going to have to get used to this method. We have been doing it all season and it is working well. We dominate possession because we don't risk 50:50 hoofs down the field. That possession is what enables us to create chances and score goals and win games. At times we will get it wrong, but we could hoof it lose a header and immediately find ourselves on the defence anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shurlock Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 It was a great result and I have a lot of time for Chris Hughton, a decent and honest manager. Think his post-match comments were spot-on: while we deserved to win, the game turned on our finishing. Apart from our goals, I can't remember us creating that much, their keeper making too many saves or us really getting behind them with pace. I really like Connolly -I was calling for his return well before Barney's injury- but with him, Lallana and Guly, we do sometimes look a bit lightweight. We are also quite reliant on eye of the needle stuff which over the course of the game can become predictable as legs tire and we become more narrow. Crazy to say when we've knocked in 19 goals in 7 games but it would be nice to have a plan B, some pace and/or power to mix things up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatlesaint Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 I can remember at least four occasions when his short ball out to the defence resulted directly in a good chance for brum. If they want to do it a couple of times in a game then fair enough but if they keep doing it teams will wise up and we could be in the mire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Secret Site Agent Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 Well, they have to invent a new type of pink for the way I am tickled at the moment. I must confess that I have a little faith and understanding in what NA had done with his signings......But still would have liked a forward, but understand it has to be a certain someone of a certain type, not just anyone. Impressed with most of the team so far, AL has come on leaps and bounds, Rickie doing well, Old Man Conelly seems to have got a second wind, Kelv the super goalie, Danny Fox, Morgan, Hammond who has impressed. The whole team seems to have gone up a gear and has improved. The only one I am questioning at the mo is Hooiveld. As someone who listens to a lot of games as well as attending them, he seems to have been quite anonymous so far. Can't remember him getting a mention. Still, in NA we trust and i'm sure him and Steve De Ridder will only improve. Did I mention I am tickled pink? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rooney Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 No body had a poor game yesterday, absolutely fantastic. The build up to the goals was magnificent. Well done to all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raging Bull Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 Just looked at the stats on the BBC website and apparently we had 3 shots on target!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a1ex2001 Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 If they want to do it a couple of times in a game then fair enough but if they keep doing it teams will wise up and we could be in the mire. Are you seriously saying you would rather davis hoof 90% of the balls he recieves long down the pitch giving the oposition a 50/50 chance of getting the ball back? Good football sides don't play long ball we have defenders who are comfortable on the ball and a midfield packed with some of the best players in the division I'd hate to see us by passing this massive advantage and giving the oposition possesion. Back on topic, brilliant result amazing start to the season I can't believe how good it is to be a saints fan at the moment long may it continue! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjii Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 not one of those chances was because of Davis. They were down to the full back or centre half making a poor choice not Davis. Fans are going to have to get used to this method. We have been doing it all season and it is working well. We dominate possession because we don't risk 50:50 hoofs down the field. That possession is what enables us to create chances and score goals and win games. At times we will get it wrong, but we could hoof it lose a header and immediately find ourselves on the defence anyway. Correct. Amazing how clueless some people are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ant Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 Yep, fully agree with the above RE: goal kicks. Always better to keep hold of possession if at all possible. Think a special shout has to go to the Itchen North as they were in fine voice yesterday. Perhaps I simply don't notice them from my normal seat in Northam but from the Kingsland South they seemed to be piping up in a manner I've not heard for a good couple of years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Realist Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 Amazing to read people criticising Kelvin's distribution. Aside from Morgan I think he is the best passer of the ball in the team! He was outstanding yesterday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai_phil Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 Amazing to read people criticising Kelvin's distribution. Aside from Morgan I think he is the best passer of the ball in the team! He was outstanding yesterday. Can't comment on how it was done, but it's been clear to anyone without Engerlund or nuffink glasses on that the modern way of playing is building from the back. We watched it all through the World Cup last year from teams other than England, we saw it very early on in NA's reign with the CB's pulling wide to receive the ball. And yet I just KNOW that when I finally get up to SMS this season, some numpty dinosaur near by is going to be standing up red faced screaming at Davies to FFS just fecking kick the fecking ball or FFS stop fecking pansying about. Football is a simple game if you can keep hold of the football. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatlesaint Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 Are you seriously saying you would rather davis hoof 90% of the balls he recieves long down the pitch giving the oposition a 50/50 chance of getting the ball back? Good football sides don't play long ball we have defenders who are comfortable on the ball and a midfield packed with some of the best players in the division I'd hate to see us by passing this massive advantage and giving the oposition possesion. Back on topic, brilliant result amazing start to the season I can't believe how good it is to be a saints fan at the moment long may it continue! No I'm saying it doesn't hurt to mix it up a bit, play out to the full backs, kick it sometimes but the point is that yesterday most pass outs were directly down the middle and reliant on Cork or Hammond charging back from the centre circle to receive the ball. Plenty of margin for error from that one if done too often. Thats my point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alanh Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 If they want to do it a couple of times in a game then fair enough but if they keep doing it teams will wise up and we could be in the mire. Got to disagree. KD has obviously been instructed to kick short to our defence or midfield whenever possible. We are looking to retain possession as much as possible and a punt upfield is a 50/50 ball at best. Also, if the opposition come forward to mark our defence that stretches them out a bit and gives us more room to play in midfield. A big hoof is old school football and NA has got this team playing in a modern, fast flowing and creative way. Enjoy it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatlesaint Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 Got to disagree. KD has obviously been instructed to kick short to our defence or midfield whenever possible. We are looking to retain possession as much as possible and a punt upfield is a 50/50 ball at best. Also, if the opposition come forward to mark our defence that stretches them out a bit and gives us more room to play in midfield. A big hoof is old school football and NA has got this team playing in a modern, fast flowing and creative way. Enjoy it. Again, i havent said he should hoof it down the pitch everytime, or at all actually, just that one particular throw out down the middle of the pitch on a too regular basis could be trouble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatlesaint Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 Amazing to read people criticising Kelvin's distribution. Aside from Morgan I think he is the best passer of the ball in the team! He was outstanding yesterday. He isn't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sour Mash Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 It was a great result and I have a lot of time for Chris Hughton, a decent and honest manager. Think his post-match comments were spot-on: while we deserved to win, the game turned on our finishing. Apart from our goals, I can't remember us creating that much, their keeper making too many saves or us really getting behind them with pace. I really like Connolly -I was calling for his return well before Barney's injury- but with him, Lallana and Guly, we do sometimes look a bit lightweight. We are also quite reliant on eye of the needle stuff which over the course of the game can become predictable as legs tire and we become more narrow. Crazy to say when we've knocked in 19 goals in 7 games but it would be nice to have a plan B, some pace and/or power to mix things up. Agree on all those points. If Brum actually took their chances, it could have been a very different score-line. Think De Ridder could be the answer as a "Plan B", direct, quick and quite powerful, but he is going to need more than the 5 or 10 mins he's getting at the moment to get some momentum going. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilsmer Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 I was away for the last 7 months of last season so yesterday was the first time I have seen Saints since the Bournemouth game last October. I think that was Adkins 2nd or 3rd match and its great to see how far he has brought this team. The football was genuinely some of the best I've seen Saints play and I love the confidence we have playing in tight situations. The fact we dominated a recent Premiership team more than we did against Bournemouth last year is testiment to NA's hard work. My highlights were Kelvin's performance (those two saves from the free kicks in the first half were excellent) and the Marlon King song I've seen a few on here criticising our obsession with playing it from the back and I have to agree. Don't get me wrong, I admire what we're trying to do but I question the logic of doing it all the time even when it's not the right option. Cork coming back and receiving the ball on the edge of the D with his back to goal is not, in my opinion, safe football. The short ball should be played to someone who has time and space to turn. The only option Cork really has in that position is to give it back to Davis and a few times yesterday he had a Brum forward closing him down very quickly so he had to get away from them before distributing the ball. We will get caught out doing this at some point this season. Its a small gripe though. I'm used to spending the whole match in a state of nervousness when watching the Saints; it's good that its now down to a few short goal kicks. A top afternoon was made even better when I saw Le Tiss outside the ground after the match. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revolution saint Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 Apologies if this has been answered elsewhere but does anyone know when highlights will be available either on saints player or elsewhere? Ta. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Boy Saint Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 There have been times in recent months when I just sit watching us play when I can not believe its My Southampton team out there. Some of the play is sublime beyond belief. Goals from all over the pitch is a real asset too, and a bench that offers no respite to the opposing teams, Spiderman, Chaplow, De Ridder, neither of those 3 are going to take it easy on you in the latter stages of a game. We have been dished up some real rubbish in the past few years, how nice it is to see us working for a Michelin Star or 2. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint J 77 Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 Apologies if this has been answered elsewhere but does anyone know when highlights will be available either on saints player or elsewhere? Ta. They will probably be up on the BBC page tomorrow. So unless someone on here posts them up from SKY Sports news or they have some personal camera clips from the match we are going to have to wait I'm afraid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 Again, i havent said he should hoof it down the pitch everytime, or at all actually, just that one particular throw out down the middle of the pitch on a too regular basis could be trouble. It's lucky that he switches between throwing to the full backs, the centre-backs and the centre midfielders then isn't it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clifford Nelson Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 If you're kicking your goal kicks long the opposition will merely withdraw to their defensive third, so not only is there a 50/50 chance of losing possession, but the ball ends up in an area crowded by opposition players. If you play out from the back you will draw the opposition to a longer and less compact shape, which will create space for our creative players. That is the main reason we're doing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilchards Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 Do people not realise that having players coming for the ball creates space up the field for those that really matter. As an opposition manager I would not let us play it around so I would ask my players to push up or chase it down which results in tiredness eventually don't you think? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
for_heaven's_Saint Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 Do people not realise that having players coming for the ball creates space up the field for those that really matter. As an opposition manager I would not let us play it around so I would ask my players to push up or chase it down which results in tiredness eventually don't you think? Exactly. Cork or Hammond coming short dramatically increases our chances of keeping possession and creating a chance. As said, going direct and long gives you a 50/50 chance of winning the ball and even then in a difficult position to make any space. With the CMs dropping to get the ball, one of the opposition either has to follow them -in which case Cork or Hammond can pass it back to Davis or out to one of the CBs, who can then play it into the gap left. If the CM isn't tracked then they can turn and begin an attack. Worse case scenario, Hammond or Cork can pass it straight back to Davis who can then go long if no other option. Even then this is the better option as there is one less opposition player to contend for te long ball/ second ball. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sour Mash Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 Do people not realise that having players coming for the ball creates space up the field for those that really matter. As an opposition manager I would not let us play it around so I would ask my players to push up or chase it down which results in tiredness eventually don't you think? Exactly - it is the same tactic that Brighton used a lot at St Marys last year and is a key part of Adkins tactics - make the pitch as big as possible when we have the ball (so use as much of the pitch as possible to suck in opposing players and pull them out of position) and make the pitch as small as possible when we don't have the ball. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chez Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 I was away for the last 7 months of last season so yesterday was the first time I have seen Saints since the Bournemouth game last October. what a 7 months to be away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hopkins Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 Pretty sure some of our goals have come straight from Kelvin playing it out from the back. A great tactic in theory and at times in practice but we must make sure we don't get caught out like we caught out Brighton when they came to St Marys last season and tried similar stuff. They didn't have other options. We clearly have 4 options at goal kicks. 1) Centre backs pull wide and collect. 2) Centre back pull wide, Cork or Hammond come and collect. 2) If that doesn't work the Centre backs come in side allowing Richardson or Fox to drop and collect and if that fails 4) Hit long to Rickie. Bar a couple of times at the end of the game yesterday we used it perfectly for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 Exactly - it is the same tactic that Brighton used a lot at St Marys last year and is a key part of Adkins tactics - make the pitch as big as possible when we have the ball (so use as much of the pitch as possible to suck in opposing players and pull them out of position) and make the pitch as small as possible when we don't have the ball. Thank God someone else understands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingsbridge Saint Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 Thank you Nigel. Well done lads. What a start. Totally amazing stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Cat Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 Finally people are understanding the game we are trying to play. Just look how frustrated Wood was getting in the second half when Davis delayed taking the goal kick because Fonte and Hooiveld were marked on the edge of our area by their strikers, only for him to side foot it straight down the middle of the pitch to an unmarked Cork or Hammond dropping back. This then gives us space and time with the ball near the halfway line, something you rarely get when just whacking the ball to Lambert and hoping it sticks or is layed off while he's getting tightly marked by one or 2 players. I was most heartened that at one point in the first half the crowd clapped when we passed the ball BACKWARDS to the defence to keep possession. Also yesterday I noticed that Davis was much more accurate with his kicks. I could be wrong but he seemed to have changed his technique to more of a chip than a straightforward wallop in an attempt to put the ball into the area it's needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Duckhunter Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 I think it's great the way we play the ball out now,and as others have said it creates more space further up the field and also tires the opposition out.Occasionally we're going to give the ball away and concede but in the long run this type of football will reap benefits. What I can't stand is sides (and the England national side is always doing it) is keeping possession for the sake of it, going backwards, sideways but never acheiving anything. For years foregin teams have been going backwards, sideways and keeping the ball with the purpose of moving the opposition around and dragging players out of position.Sides at our level tend to be comfortable defending in lines, we are pulling them about, with Lambert and DC turning up on a wing and Guly and AL popping up all over the park. The easy way out is to bang it forward to Lambert to battle for the ball, that's easier to defend against. It's a shame Lawrie has fallen out with the establishment because he would love the way Nigel sets his team out to play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
for_heaven's_Saint Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 Highlights on Birmingham Player now, for those of you with saintsplayer log ins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohio Saint Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 (edited) Highlights on Birmingham Player now' date=' for those of you with saintsplayer log ins.[/quote'] Thanks for the heads up! I looked about an hour ago and it wasn't there. PS. Gave me a chuckle how their "Player" is marked as new as if it's a great new feature.....No, Player is what you get for relegation! Edited 19 September, 2011 by Ohio Saint Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
for_heaven's_Saint Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 Thanks for the heads up! I looked about an hour ago and it wasn't there. PS. Gave me a chuckle how their "Player" is marked as new as if it's a great new feature.....No, Player is what you get for relegation! Haha no worries, it's just gone up. Lol at the way he says Guly Do Prado when he scores! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ohio Saint Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 (edited) Lol at the way he says Guly Do Prado when he scores! I was about to post the same thing, but you beat me to it. Instead, I'll have to say that I was disappointed to see that Conolly's disallowed goal really was offside. I had wanted something to whinge about. 5-1 would have awesomer! Edited 19 September, 2011 by Ohio Saint Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 Highlights on Birmingham Player now' date=' for those of you with saintsplayer log ins.[/quote'] The Saintsplayer highlights are now up too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheaf Saint Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 Just looked at the stats on the BBC website and apparently we had 3 shots on target!! They never actually count penalties as a shot on target for some bizarre reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 Just seen the highlights, wondering how Carr didnt get sent off. Lallana was incredible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperMikey Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 Connolly's goal was onside. Mind you, we won 4-1 so not much to complain about! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilsmer Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 what a 7 months to be away. I know! I'll try and make up for it this season though and hopefully we'll emulate last season's achievements. Luckily I'm up north this weekend so can see my second game in a week at Burnley. Same again please. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 It looked like the Birmingham keeper only made a half hearted attempt to stop Connolly's 'goal' having heard the offside whistle. There's more chance the keeper would have saved it had the offside not been flagged IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcjwills Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 Just looked at the stats on the BBC website and apparently we had 3 shots on target!! As penalties do not count, 3 shots on target converted to 3 goals is a fair exchange rate in my opinion Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilchards Posted 19 September, 2011 Share Posted 19 September, 2011 What concerns me is that Adkins believe the season finishes in January. Question: 'So Saints are top of the league Nigel'. 'January is when it matters'. huh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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