Dr Who? Posted 3 December, 2011 Share Posted 3 December, 2011 I am one of the most positive of supports and we havbe had all the reason to be. The last few weeks we have not played well but still managed to win 2 of the 4 games. We 'seem' to be running out of steam and it is not even Christmas. Saying this many of the teams have had a wobble and then got things back together again, so heres hoping! It is a tough time of year with games coming thick and fast, and I fear that when we lose our home record it could have a huge impact on the side. The last time we lost at home was 11th December, my birthday, and I have a feeling we may fall a day short of making it one year unbeaten at home. Please please please let me be wrong, but we are not playing like a team top of the table....but nor are West Ham playing like a team that are second! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 3 December, 2011 Author Share Posted 3 December, 2011 It reminded me a bit of the premier league and what all you clowns chomping at the bit about us being the new Barcelona can look forward to. rubbish performance, losing without ever threatening to score, rubbish atmosphere But. Decent day out on the beer. The only difference was we lost to an incredibly bad team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wagon 84 Posted 3 December, 2011 Share Posted 3 December, 2011 Back in sholing now, geez its grim up north! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krissyboy31 Posted 3 December, 2011 Share Posted 3 December, 2011 Just got back. Guly was a lanky waste of space again. F/cking useless and anyone who thinks he'd be good enough for the Premiership is having a laugh.After today's performance I have to say I agree. apart from his long distance shot towards the end of the first half he was absolutely woeful. Today proved that we definitely need at least one more striker and it was a mistake not to go for one in the loan window. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krissyboy31 Posted 3 December, 2011 Share Posted 3 December, 2011 The missing of RL today is a complete red herring - he played at Bristol........... If we had had Rickie up front in the positions that Guly found himself, we would have won comfortably today and he would have been taking home another matchball. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpturner Posted 3 December, 2011 Share Posted 3 December, 2011 Back in sholing now, geez its grim up north!Sholing is much worse! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tamesaint Posted 3 December, 2011 Share Posted 3 December, 2011 OP in typical over the top reaction !! Remember Turkish how you made a complete t i t of yourself last season after we lost at Walsall. It seems that you have not learnt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 3 December, 2011 Share Posted 3 December, 2011 OP in typical over the top reaction !! Remember Turkish how you made a complete t i t of yourself last season after we lost at Walsall. It seems that you have not learnt There today were you? If you were you'd know that he's spot on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St Michael Posted 3 December, 2011 Share Posted 3 December, 2011 Live in Leeds so got back hours ago. The first time I've seen us 'live' this season (apart from on TV) and I've got to say that was really, really deflating. Doncaster were hopeless, lacking confidence and any cohesion *****il they scored) and the crowd were dreadfully quiet (again - until they scored), but somehow we've conspired to lose to them as they bury their one clear chance. It was a nothing game really - we totally dominated possession, but did very little with it apart from De Ridder's good chance near the end of the first half. Too often the tippy-tappy stuff ended with the simply atrocious Guly losing it haplessly - or, on one occasion, keeping the ball quite skilfully, then - dazzled by his own uncharacteristic competence - hoofing an abysmal 30-yard shot into row Z. My God, he was pitiful. A lone striker he is not. He reminded me of when we get a ringer in to play for our 5-a-side team - they usually want to try and show off some skill, but don't really give a toss about the result, so you end up with someone who over-elaborates, loses the ball, doesn't make much effort and is totally out of synch with the way the team plays. The absence of Rickie was embarrassingly obvious. We worked it quite well from back to front but it simply did not stick once the ball went anywhere near their goal. And how many corners did we have that we woefully over-hit or wasted in other innovate ways (that little chip to set up Lallana's botched overhead kick in the first half almost led to a Donny goal on the counter)? Obviously this performance has to be seen in the context of a fantastic year 2011 overall etc etc, but it was all a bit worrying for me. Maybe I'm a curse - the last game I went to was Rochdale last season, a performance which was only just shaded by today for ineptitude. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corky morris Posted 3 December, 2011 Share Posted 3 December, 2011 Well that was f*cking rubbish. 1 shot on target and never a threat. I'm sure some of you happy clappy find will spin it that it was an amazing performance and we were unlucky though. Rich, we must watch different games & think about football in completely different ways because Fox was f'ing **** today & Morgan was head & shoulders above Hammond & is the best passer we have in the side. Hammond is all huff & puff & will never be a PL player. Cork has a strong tenacious side & he would be best alongside Morgan. What are you Ottery looking at? Cause I cant see it..................... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corky morris Posted 3 December, 2011 Share Posted 3 December, 2011 There today were you? If you were you'd know that he's spot on. He aint spot on about Fox & Morgan................. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 3 December, 2011 Share Posted 3 December, 2011 He aint spot on about Fox & Morgan................. Fox was shi t and Morgan at the tip of the diamond? Nah, that was wrong, but his views about us being gash and not looking like scoring is spot on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raging Bull Posted 3 December, 2011 Share Posted 3 December, 2011 Fox was shi t and Morgan at the tip of the diamond? Nah, that was wrong, but his views about us being gash and not looking like scoring is spot on. Why on earth would Morgan be at the tip of the diamond with Lallana in the team? Didn't get to even listen today let alone go but I had us nailed on... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 3 December, 2011 Share Posted 3 December, 2011 Butterfield on the bench could have given us an emergency fix up front allowing Barnard to start or vice versa. (hat trick for Palace knocking Wolves out of FA Cup a couple of years ago) That sentence on it's own says why we need another striker in January! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 3 December, 2011 Share Posted 3 December, 2011 Why on earth would Morgan be at the tip of the diamond with Lallana in the team? Didn't get to even listen today let alone go but I had us nailed on... That was how we set up today. Morgan was playing just in behind Guly, Lallana on the left - de ridder on the right etc. From the commentary it sounded like it was a decent half, and we got in some good positions with those 2 moving it well between eachother - but listening to the view of those that have come back home, it doesn't sound like it did work! But it shows how limited in options we are, we really need a striker in January. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raging Bull Posted 3 December, 2011 Share Posted 3 December, 2011 Most defiantly do. Another attacking winger wouldn't go a miss either. Every team goes through a sticky patch though and this is clearly ours, we haven't played well in 5/6 matches now. I do however believe we will absolutely come good again when our complacency wears off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 3 December, 2011 Share Posted 3 December, 2011 Most defiantly do. Another attacking winger wouldn't go a miss either. Every team goes through a sticky patch though and this is clearly ours, we haven't played well in 5/6 matches now. I do however believe we will absolutely come good again when our complacency wears off. I don't think it's neccacarily complacency, more to do with the loss of key players such as Lambo and Chappers - and not having the likes of Conners to be able to call from the bench, or even start. I tell you what, I'd love to see us make a ''too good to refuse'' off to BC in January for Maynard and Adomah....that would set the tone... Davis Frazer - Fonte - Jos - Fox Adomah - Cork - Chappers - Lallana Maynard - Lambo Subs - Bart, Guly, Morgan, Dean, Martin... I'm probably dreaming, but that's close to a pretty much complete championship team... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rick1976.4.38 Posted 3 December, 2011 Share Posted 3 December, 2011 just got back.there is only one positive to come from today and its not from saints.its west ham losing.not one shot on target from us,we had so much possession but did f all with it.corners were a disaster.not one player can get praise for todays performance,shame really cos its a nice feeling being top of the league but any more shows like today and we wont be for much longer.to those looking forward to doing the skates,take a step back cos we will be battered if we dont up our game.apart from that great day out with my son and mates on the beer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fitzhugh Fella Posted 3 December, 2011 Share Posted 3 December, 2011 Live in Leeds so got back hours ago. The first time I've seen us 'live' this season (apart from on TV) and I've got to say that was really, really deflating. Doncaster were hopeless, lacking confidence and any cohesion *****il they scored) and the crowd were dreadfully quiet (again - until they scored), but somehow we've conspired to lose to them as they bury their one clear chance. It was a nothing game really - we totally dominated possession, but did very little with it apart from De Ridder's good chance near the end of the first half. Too often the tippy-tappy stuff ended with the simply atrocious Guly losing it haplessly - or, on one occasion, keeping the ball quite skilfully, then - dazzled by his own uncharacteristic competence - hoofing an abysmal 30-yard shot into row Z. My God, he was pitiful. A lone striker he is not. He reminded me of when we get a ringer in to play for our 5-a-side team - they usually want to try and show off some skill, but don't really give a toss about the result, so you end up with someone who over-elaborates, loses the ball, doesn't make much effort and is totally out of synch with the way the team plays. The absence of Rickie was embarrassingly obvious. We worked it quite well from back to front but it simply did not stick once the ball went anywhere near their goal. And how many corners did we have that we woefully over-hit or wasted in other innovate ways (that little chip to set up Lallana's botched overhead kick in the first half almost led to a Donny goal on the counter)? Obviously this performance has to be seen in the context of a fantastic year 2011 overall etc etc, but it was all a bit worrying for me. Maybe I'm a curse - the last game I went to was Rochdale last season, a performance which was only just shaded by today for ineptitude. These are the sort of posts I listen to Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saintmike666 Posted 3 December, 2011 Share Posted 3 December, 2011 Tactical disaster. Guly was awful but in fairness the final ball too him was rarely any good either. Lallana was pretty bad too! How many times did he start on a run only to stop and check his sprint, thus the whole attack entirely losing it's momentum. Don't get me wrong, I'm delighted with the how we've done this season. But away from home has to improve if we're gonna stay top, and I'm saying that having witnessed half of our away games this season. Only silver lining today is that I live in Stafford, so only had a 2 hour drive home! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dune Posted 3 December, 2011 Share Posted 3 December, 2011 Tactical disaster. Guly was awful but in fairness the final ball too him was rarely any good either. Half the time all he had to do was hold it up or play it away from goal, but every time he has to beat his man. It's like he thinks he's playing on the beach in Brazil. Today it was so frustrating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madruss Posted 3 December, 2011 Share Posted 3 December, 2011 Every team has a bad patch, last year, qpr only won one of their away games in the whole of December and January combined, but still won the league. The January transfer window will be crucial in remedying our away form, we know we've got the funds, so no need to panic yet. Sent from my HTC Wildfire using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dalek2003 Posted 3 December, 2011 Share Posted 3 December, 2011 Christ, we have constantly over performed, are top of the league, are mathematically 'safe' and still you lot aren't happy. What happened to looking on the positive side, if any of the players are reading this tripe please take no notice, fickle bunch of people! Agreed. We are top of the league and should have no problems achieving 17th. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintmatt Posted 3 December, 2011 Share Posted 3 December, 2011 Sorry and the positives are? We're top of the league, and we deserve to be there after 20 games having been promoted from a lower league last season. Ever tried looking at the bigger picture? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shurlock Posted 3 December, 2011 Share Posted 3 December, 2011 (edited) Back from the game. Knew we would struggle without Lambert but didn't realise how bad it would be. For all the talk about us being Brazil, people underestimate how reliant we are on the direct ball and today exposed this reliance. Without Chaplow or pace, we don't have the movement or dynamism in the team to cut through teams with the short-stuff - instead, its ponderous sideways passing orchestrated by Hammond which allows teams to get bodies behind the ball; and without Lambert, we don't have a player who can bring the likes of Lallana and Guly into play further up the pitch or a player who can capitalise on the delivery and threat coming from our fullbacks (arguably we had more crosses/corners than any other game this season, though Fox's corners in the 1st half esp were gash). After today, a target man is a no-brainer greater priority than a pacy forward - hopefully we square the circle by also bringing in a winger -an Adomah rather than a Maynard. But cover for Lambert is a must. On that note, Sharp was OK but we generally marshaled him well. Lukas caused our defence more problems. Guly had a hit-and-miss game - he was simultaneously responsible for our best openings but was error-prone. As the most advanced player, his runs weren't intelligent enough -understandable as he's much better picking out runners e.g. his lovely flick for Morgan. Still I generally felt sorry for him as he was thrown into the deep end and given the thankless brief of competing in the air -and which became more and more one-dimensional as we panicked and went pardewesque. He also had f**K all assistance from the officials having been manhandled all afternoon. The question is why Barney didn't start or come on earlier. IMO NA's decision to rest/leave him out was vindicated. There's alot of goodwill for Barney but again he offered very little. Agree it wasn't easy for him to enter the fray when we were chasing the game, especially when he's been out for so long. But we don't have the luxury of bedding him in and even then its not a given he will cut it at this level. I like him but I find it odd how many of our supporters see him as some kind of talisman. The difference between him and, say, Connolly is night and day. Today was the first time in a while that I missed what Connolly brings to the team. One theory is that Lallana's dip in form is not just attributable to his injury but also Connolly's absence. He is the one player who clearly thinks on the same wavelength as our playmakers who end up trying to do everything -and usually coming out second-best. As such, dont blame NA's team selection - he picked the best 11 players we have at the moment -and obviously thinks this is more important than formations or positions. I can't argue with that -and to anyone who says he got it wrong, I would just ask who would you have played? Holmes (not everyone's cuppa and crossing to who)? Barnard (see above?). The real issue is a very thin squad rather than poor selection by NA. Its a more fundamental problem but also outside NA's control till January. TBH, didnt think Schneiderlin made a bad go at playing CF (he was more than an advanced midfielder today!). It wasn't ideal, though I thought he struck his one real chance well -and if there's one positive today, its that he's got much more in his locker than just being a competent holding player, a flashback to when he first arrived in 2008. The one negative is that he wasn't in midfield to ping balls out SDR who was wasted on the flanks in the first half. Wonder if this will be SDR's last start for a while? The frustrating thing is that Donny made it easier than other teams - they didn't press us with a high line which would highlighted other weaknesses in the team. All in all, it was a woeful Donny team lacking confidence and cohesion -apart from their shot that hit the post and the goal they created nothing and relied on kick and rush, often from our corners. We should have taken them to the cleaners (I stuck a few quid on them being relegated after the game). Still, I think with a fit Lambert, we can just about hobble to the transfer window with our run in tact; but beyond that, we have no chance IMO without reinforcements and being more aggressive in the transfer market. Its not 'lapses of concentration' or whatever ******* euphemism Nige wants to use that will count against us when we have to travel to WHU, Boro, Leeds, Hull, Brum, Blackpool etc in the new year. Edited 4 December, 2011 by shurlock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denzil Posted 3 December, 2011 Share Posted 3 December, 2011 Complete and utter guff. We need another striker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Appy Posted 3 December, 2011 Share Posted 3 December, 2011 Just got back to Andover. Inept performance, Adkins needs to stop trying so hard to keep all of our midfield happy, Hammond and Schneiderlin were woeful. Lallana seems to lack confidence for some odd reason, everytime he got into a decent running position he checked back and the whole attack stopped. We can only play with width as it leaves our full backs exposed, the 3 goals we conceded in the 2 defeats were down to our full back being isolated. Fox's set pieces were woeful, Lallana's and Morgan's were not any better. Today showed how good Lambert and Chaplow are. If we play like that at Fratton we will be pasted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxi_sopez Posted 4 December, 2011 Share Posted 4 December, 2011 2nd post now back in the dry. It was weird watching with no one really having a clue what formation we were playing, players included. Guly cant play on his own, and we cant play three central midfielders. I blame the loss today on Adkins today cos it was tactically all wrong. Play like that and we will loose at fratton! but still top of the league, so all ok! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sour Mash Posted 4 December, 2011 Share Posted 4 December, 2011 We're a mid table squad who has over-achieved so far this season, so we're always going to have off games. The most accurante and concise post on this forum for many a week. Adkins has done a cracking job keeping our momentum going or the last few months. That's worn out. We've done great to be where we are and have a great load of points on the board so we'll be play offs at minimum. At leat NC didn't "break the bank" in the summer, so we shouldn't moan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sour Mash Posted 4 December, 2011 Share Posted 4 December, 2011 Just got back to Andover. Inept performance, Adkins needs to stop trying so hard to keep all of our midfield happy, Hammond and Schneiderlin were woeful. Lallana seems to lack confidence for some odd reason, everytime he got into a decent running position he checked back and the whole attack stopped. We can only play with width as it leaves our full backs exposed, the 3 goals we conceded in the 2 defeats were down to our full back being isolated. Fox's set pieces were woeful, Lallana's and Morgan's were not any better. Today showed how good Lambert and Chaplow are. If we play like that at Fratton we will be pasted. Fox is a brilliant left back? Cut out the negativity. And Chaplow is an amazing player You're the bloke employed by sky? Do you know anything about football apart from current form? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Appy Posted 4 December, 2011 Share Posted 4 December, 2011 Fox is a brilliant left back? Cut out the negativity. And Chaplow is an amazing player You're the bloke employed by sky? Do you know anything about football apart from current form? What on earth are you on about with Chaplow? I got it wrong today and i admit Fox was poor, that doesn't mean to say Harding would of done any better. We all get things wrong you tool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 4 December, 2011 Share Posted 4 December, 2011 Fox is a brilliant left back? Cut out the negativity. And Chaplow is an amazing player You're the bloke employed by sky? Do you know anything about football apart from current form? Has someone hacked your account or something? I can't believe half the drivel you're spouting at the mo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 4 December, 2011 Share Posted 4 December, 2011 Tactical disaster. Guly was awful but in fairness the final ball too him was rarely any good either. Lallana was pretty bad too! How many times did he start on a run only to stop and check his sprint, thus the whole attack entirely losing it's momentum. Don't get me wrong, I'm delighted with the how we've done this season. But away from home has to improve if we're gonna stay top, and I'm saying that having witnessed half of our away games this season. Only silver lining today is that I live in Stafford, so only had a 2 hour drive home! Whereabouts in Stafford? I live on the Weston Rd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spd Posted 4 December, 2011 Share Posted 4 December, 2011 Now's it the morning had time to digest it all - what is of real concern is that we have just played two of the bottom three away, failed to score against both and in the second halfs when you thing we are going to push on have failed to test their keeper once!! We look very leggy, ponderous and lack a spark but having said all that and keeping things in perspective Adkins has done a superb job in 2011 with the players we have, the test being in the January window which we show what ambition we have to kick on to the next level and keep the momentum going!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whelk Posted 4 December, 2011 Share Posted 4 December, 2011 Well that was f*cking rubbish. 1 shot on target and never a threat. I'm sure some of you happy clappy find will spin it that it was an amazing performance and we were unlucky though. The one positive might be it will stop ***t5 posting threads asking are we the best Saints team in living memory, is NA the greatest manager of all time and other such nonsense. We have only beaten Barnsley(and probably wouldn't now as they are flying), Ipswich and Coventry away from home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 4 December, 2011 Author Share Posted 4 December, 2011 (edited) OP in typical over the top reaction !! Remember Turkish how you made a complete t i t of yourself last season after we lost at Walsall. It seems that you have not learnt Its easy to sit there behind your computer and sneer isn't it fella. After Wallsall last season we went on the best run this club has ever had, 13 wins out of 14. Did anyone see that coming at the time? How is saying yesterday's performance and result was rubish and overreaction? It was. As has 3 crap performances in our last 4 games. You want to try going to games fella and forming a view yourself rather than sitting behind your keyboard digging people out for comments made 9 months ago. Edited 4 December, 2011 by Turkish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dalek2003 Posted 4 December, 2011 Share Posted 4 December, 2011 The most accurante and concise post on this forum for many a week. Adkins has done a cracking job keeping our momentum going or the last few months. That's worn out. We've done great to be where we are and have a great load of points on the board so we'll be play offs at minimum. At leat NC didn't "break the bank" in the summer, so we shouldn't moan. Agree with this and I have been consistent in sticking to this unpopular scenario since the summer. I have been pleasantly surprised by our tremendous start and we need to be heartened by this. The players have worked their guts out and deserve our support as does NA. The simple matter of the fact is that our key players are exhausted and are now picking up inevitable injuries. We didn't show enough intent in the summer transfer market, this was obvious by July, and will cost us promotion. Having said that, this season was always about consolidation and building for the future while sticking to a reasonable budget. We have not done a WHAM or Leicester and I think our way will be better in the long term even if it does bring short term disappointment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cabrone Posted 4 December, 2011 Share Posted 4 December, 2011 Using 3 defensive CMs and Guly up front on his own is always going to be seriously deficient in firepower. Not surprised we didn't look close to scoring. Guly is not an effective lone striker even with decent support let alone with an all defensive midfield. Not saying he's bad, far from it but he needs another CF to play off. If available Chaplow and Lambert would always be in my first 11 but being as they were out maybe a better formation than yesterday would have been a 4 man midfield(2 from Cork\Hammond\Scneiderlin) with Barnard up front and Guly sitting in the MLT position just behind. Need to beef up our scoring prowess for the next away game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sydney_saint Posted 4 December, 2011 Share Posted 4 December, 2011 Shut up you stupid bint. I know it means nothing to anyone, but i'm going to join about the dozen or so others in the last week or so and say **** it, I'm off this site. What a horrible, vulgar, negative this site has become. After 6 years lurking on the various forms of this forum, it is time to say goodbye. Be amusing when the site goes down to around 20 posters, although not too far off anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
up and away Posted 4 December, 2011 Share Posted 4 December, 2011 Back from the game. Knew we would struggle without Lambert but didn't realise how bad it would be. For all the talk about us being Brazil, people underestimate how reliant we are on the direct ball and today exposed this reliance. Without Chaplow or pace, we don't have the movement or dynamism in the team to cut through teams with the short-stuff - instead, its ponderous sideways passing orchestrated by Hammond which allows teams to get bodies behind the ball; and without Lambert, we don't have a player who can bring the likes of Lallana and Guly into play further up the pitch or a player who can capitalise on the delivery and threat coming from our fullbacks (arguably we had more crosses/corners than any other game this season, though Fox's corners in the 1st half esp were gash). After today, a target man is a no-brainer greater priority than a pacy forward - hopefully we square the circle by also bringing in a winger -an Adomah rather than a Maynard. But cover for Lambert is a must. On that note, Sharp was OK but we generally marshaled him well. Lukas caused our defence more problems. Guly had a hit-and-miss game - he was simultaneously responsible for our best openings but was error-prone. As the most advanced player, his runs weren't intelligent enough -understandable as he's much better picking out runners e.g. his lovely flick for Morgan. Still I generally felt sorry for him as he was thrown into the deep end and given the thankless brief of competing in the air -and which became more and more one-dimensional as we panicked and went pardewesque. He also had f**K all assistance from the officials having been manhandled all afternoon. The question is why Barney didn't start or come on earlier. IMO NA's decision to rest/leave him out was vindicated. There's alot of goodwill for Barney but again he offered very little. Agree it wasn't easy for him to enter the fray when we were chasing the game, especially when he's been out for so long. But we don't have the luxury of bedding him in and even then its not a given he will cut it at this level. I like him but I find it odd how many of our supporters see him as some kind of talisman. The difference between him and, say, Connolly is night and day. Today was the first time in a while that I missed what Connolly brings to the team. One theory is that Lallana's dip in form is not just attributable to his injury but also Connolly's absence. He is the one player who clearly thinks on the same wavelength as our playmakers who end up trying to do everything -and usually coming out second-best. As such, dont blame NA's team selection - he picked the best 11 players we have at the moment -and obviously thinks this is more important than formations or positions. I can't argue with that -and to anyone who says he got it wrong, I would just ask who would you have played? Holmes (not everyone's cuppa and crossing to who)? Barnard (see above?). The real issue is a very thin squad rather than poor selection by NA. Its a more fundamental problem but also outside NA's control till January. TBH, didnt think Schneiderlin made a bad go at playing CF (he was more than an advanced midfielder today!). It wasn't ideal, though I thought he struck his one real chance well -and if there's one positive today, its that he's got much more in his locker than just being a competent holding player, a flashback to when he first arrived in 2008. The one negative is that he wasn't in midfield to ping balls out SDR who was wasted on the flanks in the first half. Wonder if this will be SDR's last start for a while? The frustrating thing is that Donny made it easier than other teams - they didn't press us with a high line which would highlighted other weaknesses in the team. All in all, it was a woeful Donny team lacking confidence and cohesion -apart from their shot that hit the post and the goal they created nothing and relied on kick and rush, often from our corners. We should have taken them to the cleaners (I stuck a few quid on them being relegated after the game). Still, I think with a fit Lambert, we can just about hobble to the transfer window with our run in tact; but beyond that, we have no chance IMO without reinforcements and being more aggressive in the transfer market. Its not 'lapses of concentration' or whatever ******* euphemism Nige wants to use that will count against us when we have to travel to WHU, Boro, Leeds, Hull, Brum, Blackpool etc in the new year. What an excellent in depth report, thanks for that effort. Anyone who saw Barney's last appearance should not be shocked at him not being started and as you say, he still had the chance to prove us wrong. When Connolly came into the side regularly last season, he was the difference that enabled us to get that automatic spot. He just stood out as being what we had lacked and put us onto a different level. After his form slipped away this season with some mediocre performances, I over looked this impact. Our failure to act in the window for a striker is costing us, I just hope the total bill is not too great and we remain within touching distance to turn things sround with some good buys in January.I can see your point regarding an Adomah type player and a target man. I would still go with the Maynard type, because of all those games you have listed where I don't want to see us compressed into our own half. Pace on the wings will cause them thought, but nothing like pace up through the middle to make them change their minds. The most disappointing aspect of all of this, being Doncaster are as bad / even worse for their current position. Adkins as much admits that he gambled 1 point for 3 and I really don't have a problem with those odds, but it is still dire. The question is how long before we come out the other side? And I certainly would not have picked Blackpool as our next home game in our current form. After such a brilliant start it's hard not to be disappointed with results such as these. But the reality is, it allows us to take a heavy hit for a while and still be in the hunt when we come out the other side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tamesaint Posted 4 December, 2011 Share Posted 4 December, 2011 Its easy to sit there behind your computer and sneer isn't it fella. After Wallsall last season we went on the best run this club has ever had, 13 wins out of 14. Did anyone see that coming at the time? How is saying yesterday's performance and result was rubish and overreaction? It was. As has 3 crap performances in our last 4 games. You want to try going to games fella and forming a view yourself rather than sitting behind your keyboard digging people out for comments made 9 months ago. You don't know what you are talking about .Yesterday was the first match that I have missed in over 2 months - and that is with my wife in hospital with a life threatening illness. Your reactions to negative events are way over the top. You went over the top last season at Walsall (and yes if it suits your uber fan ego, I was at that game). You went over the top last night. Hopefully you can see things better this morning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicestersaint Posted 4 December, 2011 Share Posted 4 December, 2011 I was there - a good day out with five friends- but we were generally very poor. The team needs frechening up - our midfield was woeful. Did we beat any Doncaster players going forward? Cork, Hammond, SDR, Richardson, Fox etc - generally very ordinary and ineffective. Guly did much better than some are saying on here - he headed a certain goal off our line and forced a cracking save at the end of the first half. However we are really missing Chaplow and Lambert and need to bring in some fresh faces. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 4 December, 2011 Author Share Posted 4 December, 2011 You don't know what you are talking about .Yesterday was the first match that I have missed in over 2 months - and that is with my wife in hospital with a life threatening illness. Your reactions to negative events are way over the top. You went over the top last season at Walsall (and yes if it suits your uber fan ego, I was at that game). You went over the top last night. Hopefully you can see things better this morning. Sorry to hear about Mrs Thamesaint hope she is okay. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LA77 Posted 4 December, 2011 Share Posted 4 December, 2011 As much as we missed Lambert, I think it also shows how much we miss Connolly! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicestersaint Posted 4 December, 2011 Share Posted 4 December, 2011 Back from the game. Knew we would struggle without Lambert but didn't realise how bad it would be. For all the talk about us being Brazil, people underestimate how reliant we are on the direct ball and today exposed this reliance. Without Chaplow or pace, we don't have the movement or dynamism in the team to cut through teams with the short-stuff - instead, its ponderous sideways passing orchestrated by Hammond which allows teams to get bodies behind the ball; and without Lambert, we don't have a player who can bring the likes of Lallana and Guly into play further up the pitch or a player who can capitalise on the delivery and threat coming from our fullbacks (arguably we had more crosses/corners than any other game this season, though Fox's corners in the 1st half esp were gash). After today, a target man is a no-brainer greater priority than a pacy forward - hopefully we square the circle by also bringing in a winger -an Adomah rather than a Maynard. But cover for Lambert is a must. On that note, Sharp was OK but we generally marshaled him well. Lukas caused our defence more problems. Guly had a hit-and-miss game - he was simultaneously responsible for our best openings but was error-prone. As the most advanced player, his runs weren't intelligent enough -understandable as he's much better picking out runners e.g. his lovely flick for Morgan. Still I generally felt sorry for him as he was thrown into the deep end and given the thankless brief of competing in the air -and which became more and more one-dimensional as we panicked and went pardewesque. He also had f**K all assistance from the officials having been manhandled all afternoon. The question is why Barney didn't start or come on earlier. IMO NA's decision to rest/leave him out was vindicated. There's alot of goodwill for Barney but again he offered very little. Agree it wasn't easy for him to enter the fray when we were chasing the game, especially when he's been out for so long. But we don't have the luxury of bedding him in and even then its not a given he will cut it at this level. I like him but I find it odd how many of our supporters see him as some kind of talisman. The difference between him and, say, Connolly is night and day. Today was the first time in a while that I missed what Connolly brings to the team. One theory is that Lallana's dip in form is not just attributable to his injury but also Connolly's absence. He is the one player who clearly thinks on the same wavelength as our playmakers who end up trying to do everything -and usually coming out second-best. As such, dont blame NA's team selection - he picked the best 11 players we have at the moment -and obviously thinks this is more important than formations or positions. I can't argue with that -and to anyone who says he got it wrong, I would just ask who would you have played? Holmes (not everyone's cuppa and crossing to who)? Barnard (see above?). The real issue is a very thin squad rather than poor selection by NA. Its a more fundamental problem but also outside NA's control till January. TBH, didnt think Schneiderlin made a bad go at playing CF (he was more than an advanced midfielder today!). It wasn't ideal, though I thought he struck his one real chance well -and if there's one positive today, its that he's got much more in his locker than just being a competent holding player, a flashback to when he first arrived in 2008. The one negative is that he wasn't in midfield to ping balls out SDR who was wasted on the flanks in the first half. Wonder if this will be SDR's last start for a while? The frustrating thing is that Donny made it easier than other teams - they didn't press us with a high line which would highlighted other weaknesses in the team. All in all, it was a woeful Donny team lacking confidence and cohesion -apart from their shot that hit the post and the goal they created nothing and relied on kick and rush, often from our corners. We should have taken them to the cleaners (I stuck a few quid on them being relegated after the game). Still, I think with a fit Lambert, we can just about hobble to the transfer window with our run in tact; but beyond that, we have no chance IMO without reinforcements and being more aggressive in the transfer market. Its not 'lapses of concentration' or whatever ******* euphemism Nige wants to use that will count against us when we have to travel to WHU, Boro, Leeds, Hull, Brum, Blackpool etc in the new year. I agree with most fo this. Barnard does not look good or fit enough - and SDR runs around liek a headless chicken most of the time. We need to sort out the midfield. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dronskisaint Posted 4 December, 2011 Share Posted 4 December, 2011 The overreactions in here are silly. It hurts to lose that game as we had the lions share of possession, did decent work with the ball but lacked a cutting edge and a real goal threat. Guly operates on his own wavelength but the criticism he gets is unfair - as long as he tries there should be no complaints, and he always tries. De Ridder is used to playing with the ball into space and not to feet and it will continue to take time for him to bed in with how we play. Barnard is coming back from injury and deserves a chance. We missed Lambert today who has been outstanding this season and the focal point of our attack. Had we been played off the park, lacked ideas or purpose then we can be unhappy. But today was one of those days. We're still top of the league, have some clear things to work on (away form being one of them in addition to being hit on the counter), but don't lose sight of the bigger picture. The Manager has acknowledged things, isn't pretending the problems don't exist, and will continue to get the most out of what we have got. Does my head in when the crowd groan when moves break down like we should be tearing teams apart all the time. It is approaching arrogance from some fans who are forgetting how far we've come in such a short time. This is a hard league and there will be ups and downs. But to see people lose perspective because we've had an outstanding 4 months is pathetic. This - don't feel qualified to comment on the game as I wasn't there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turkish Posted 4 December, 2011 Author Share Posted 4 December, 2011 This - don't feel qualified to comment on the game as I wasn't there. Don't worry about it, most don't. Just repeat the standard lines, we're still top, it's only one game, in Nige we trust, etc etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Wayman Posted 4 December, 2011 Share Posted 4 December, 2011 Been saying it since August, glad you agee. Can I persuade you that Hoddle should have been appointed in 2004 and can we agree that the failure to do so set of the events leading to our relegation ? You have and so have I and we are constantly derided. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparkySaint Posted 4 December, 2011 Share Posted 4 December, 2011 I don't tend to think about games like this after we lose. I blame the rain and the colour of Guly's boots Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Griffo Posted 4 December, 2011 Share Posted 4 December, 2011 All I have to say is that was sh*t. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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