The on the way back from the game thread

[Sour Mash]

Why do fans still think that having loads of possession automatically means we dominated a game? Teams are oftern more than happy for us to slowly tap it back and forth around our midfield with little threat of creating anything.

 

Adkins team selection in the last 3 games has been very poor, don't see any reason why he souldn't take a bit of stick for that, in the same way he should take credit when we do things well.

[for_heaven's_Saint]

I think the win against Hull papered over a few cracks that have started to appear in the team. For all the talk of Adkins having a plan B or C to use the subs and change the game when things aren't going our way, it seems we're struggling to implement a Plan A without a fully fit squad. Lambert was always going to be a big miss but I think it's the loss of Chaplow that we're really struggling to cope with. It's not necessarily because he's the best player in the team, but that he fits the best into the system we play. Yesterday we looked a team full of square pegs in round holes. We certainly need to change something for the Blackpool game.

 

Is there any news on Lambert's injury?

 

At least there was one good thing for me yesterday; I managed to wangle my way into a corporate box with free beer.

[Appy]

I think the win against Hull papered over a few cracks that have started to appear in the team. For all the talk of Adkins having a plan B or C to use the subs and change the game when things aren't going our way, it seems we're struggling to implement a Plan A without a fully fit squad. Lambert was always going to be a big miss but I think it's the loss of Chaplow that we're really struggling to cope with. It's not necessarily because he's the best player in the team, but that he fits the best into the system we play. Yesterday we looked a team full of square pegs in round holes. We certainly need to change something for the Blackpool game.

 

Is there any news on Lambert's injury?

 

At least there was one good thing for me yesterday; I managed to wangle my way into a corporate box with free beer.

 

Back for next week according to Adkins.

[ericofarabia]

[acersaint]

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.

 

Great post. Wholeheartily agree.

[Turkish]

Great post. Wholeheartily agree.

 

Please explain how one save for their keeper in 90 minutes and being even worse in the second half is a team full of ideas an purpose.

[syd_barrett_saint]

I actually thought Guly (along with Fonte and perhaps Jos) was one of the few players that came out of the game with any credit yesterday. He was basically on his own upfront, with a load of crap behind him, and still managed to create some chances and space on his own. Granted he made (and always makes) mistakes, but he also was far more of a threat than anyone else in the team, and that was playing in an alien, isolated role for him. Plus he put the work in, which a lot of others didn't seem to.

 

Cork, Hammond and especially Fox are the ones that should be singled out for criticism... I can't understand how Guly is the fall guy again in this thread.

[Chez]

just back and that's three poor displays in a row for me. It feels just like how it used to feel watching Saints, powerderpuff away from home and a total lack of a cutting edge. FFS get to the byline!!!!

 

Sadly without Chaplow our midfield looks lacklustre and we don't win the ball back not nearly enough and without Lambert we don't have a player capable if winning any of our countless long balls and crosses from deep, hold the ball up or bring others into the game.

 

That said if you don't make the most of what you have, then you don't deserve to get anything out of the game. Adkins has now got it wrong in three games in a row. Why on earth our we starting Morgan off the one front man against the bottom of the table side? Why is Barnard sitting on the bench for so long? Why take Cork off? Why bother with Holmes? Why then play him right wing? Why allow Fox to continue taking set pieces? Why not get full back overlapping, why is Lallana allowed to float aimlessly?

 

Adkins has done a terrific job, but he must take a share of the blame for this defeat. He's played players out of position and when it has not worked he has not learnt from it. Didn't every fan expect 4-4-2, de ridder out wide, Cork and Morgan (or Hammond) and Lallana on the left, Barnard and Guly up front, Simple. Get a grip. Is you lose two of your best players and Lallana is half fit then we must get everything lse right and we got almost everything else wrong.

 

Davis 7 made all the right choices with his kick outs. I've not see the goal, but live I thought he might have done better. Little else to do.

Richardson 6 poor distribution throughout, never once tried to get to the byline. Mind you with little cover in front I'm not sure I can blame him.

Fonte 9 Another very good game. Back to his best after three very good games in a row.

Jos 6 some poor headed clearances, but overall OK

Fox 4 absolutely woeful set pieces. Corners were terrible. Either miles too long or straight in keepers hands. Crap. Let someone else have a go. Why can he not pass it 5 yards forward to Lallana. He is the guy we want on the ball. Stop the hollywood cross field balls to a guy in the same position as Lallana only on the other side of the pitch. Pointless.

Lallana 6 tidy on the ball as usual, but created little really. Offered zero cover again for the fullback, drifted into the middle and ten left Fox with two on one. If he is not fit he needs to rest as he causes us problems defensively. He leaves huge gaps when he wonders. Either that or play him off the striker as he won't need to track back.

Cork 6 ok first half, no idea why he is taken off rather than Hammond

Hammond 5 looked liked he was running in treacle, lost possession a few times because he was too slow. He and Cork didn't offer themselves enough and we played long because of little options.

Morgan 6 decent game overall. but he is not the right player to play off the striker. Lallana should be playing this role. Much more comfortable when moved into the centre

de Ridder 5 busy, but not overly effective, never got to the byline. He was then was moved into the middle when IMO Barnard should have been brought on. Why not bring Barnard on and them leave de Ridder out wide?

Guly 6 some good, any dangerous stuff came through him, but plenty of bad touches and lacklustre jumps for headers. Didn't deserve the stick he got from some fans as it was much more to do with the poor service than any genuine lack of effort. Very little space to work in. He worked much harder than Tuesday, but it just didn't go his way. Not helped by having no partner and Barnard is not a good partner for Guly. Different wavelengths.

 

Barnard - fans called for him to come on but when he did he offered little threat. With space at a premium he is not good enough. Ran around a lot as you'd expect, but also fell over a lot. Should have started with him to tire opponents out then bring on a touch player perhaps.

Holmes - totally ineffective, tidy first touch as always, but then every time he gets the ball he ends up going backwards. The one time he came inside he found row Z with his shot. Crap. I've never rated him and as an impact sub he offers little IMO.

Edited 4 December, 2011 by Chez

[LGTL]

Just got back from a good weekend ruined by the 90 minutes. We wouldn't have scored if we were still playing now. 1st half was ok and I always feel if we score first we'll win the game, but without Lambert we looked pretty toothless.

[Chez]

you mean completely toothless

[Tamesaint]

Sorry to hear about Mrs Thamesaint hope she is okay.

 

Cheers mate. It is appreciated.

[Stubby]

I actually thought Guly (along with Fonte and perhaps Jos) was one of the few players that came out of the game with any credit yesterday. He was basically on his own upfront, with a load of crap behind him, and still managed to create some chances and space on his own. Granted he made (and always makes) mistakes, but he also was far more of a threat than anyone else in the team, and that was playing in an alien, isolated role for him. Plus he put the work in, which a lot of others didn't seem to.

 

Cork, Hammond and especially Fox are the ones that should be singled out for criticism... I can't understand how Guly is the fall guy again in this thread.

 

Ah, Syd Barrett. Remembering him is the first good thing to come out of this game.

[Window Cleaner]

Ah, Syd Barrett. Remembering him is the first good thing to come out of this game.

 

Nutjob though, don't really know if the Floyd would have progressed with him.