Stepgar Posted 26 December, 2011 Share Posted 26 December, 2011 I have never been to a boxing day game with a great atmosphere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Fan CaM Posted 26 December, 2011 Share Posted 26 December, 2011 De Ridder was my MOTM - supplied first goal and his closing down today was first class. He deserves another start on Friday IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capitalsaint Posted 26 December, 2011 Share Posted 26 December, 2011 Did anybody else spot three of the Palace players leaving the stadium after the match with a Dominos pizza? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandwichsaint Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 I have never been to a boxing day game with a great atmosphere. Spuds 4 Saints 4 was pretty good .... 78/79 ish? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_lambden Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 A good performance really, in 2nd gear too. Palace were fairly content with trying for a point in the first half but we had to hold strong to keep them out for a bit at the start of the 2nd 45 mins. Pleased for Guly - right place, right time etc. De Ridder was great, as was Schneiderlin. Hooiveld my MOTM. What a buy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackanorySFC Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 This is how it got to be in the premier league. Often, we were outsung by the opposition fans - who'd bought tickets in the home end! That is complete ******** - seriously you've completely made that up, apart from a few man u or Liverpool fans ejected I've never seen an away fan even jump up at St Marys following a goal - let alone "out sing" us???? Please fell free to put me right but Im saying you made that up. Our home support in the Prem was genuinely very good, at the time I only felt west brom, spurs and maybe the Geordies had better home support and I went to pretty much every ground. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThreeSixty Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 Palace were so ****ing rubbish. One of the worst performances i've seen at any live sporting event. De Ridder looked good after some nervious opening touches. Morgan was excellent, looked like Xabi Alonso out there. Guly linked up well up top, got rewarded with 2 goals. Haven't seen anything since, but during the game at 1-0 up it look like they had a very decent penalty shout turned down, would have been soul crushing if they nicked a point off that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pingwing Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 Good game, nice to see we can get back to mixing up amazing possession with a bit of running with it on the break. Steve was clearly a big help with his pace but is still very rough round the edges (5 crosses and only 2 ones going in the right direction) but its nice to see some of the promise shine through. Morgan has to Man of the Match without a shadow of a doubt. We finally have his role sorted where he's there at EVERY tackle in our half, he gets forward to try and help bring people into moves (without shooting too much) and follows up every wayward ball from both sides. It was like having Chaplow, Cork and Hammond in one very energised player! Should have played him like that against Blackpool and Pomp as it was the energy and skill combined that made such a difference in the teams confidence (and the embarrassing performance of Palace). Guly should get a mention too as he wasn't doing that out and out forward thing that doesn't suit him and made a lot of good paces in the centre of the pitch and being on the end of the goals was sweet too All in all great game Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy_D Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 We're a set of fans that are awesome when the team needs us. We're at our loudest when we're losing. Today's match was so comfortable it was unbelieveable. Palace had a total of two shots on target, both of which might as well have been back passes. It's no wonder the crowd sat back, relaxed, and just enjoyed the match. Especially with it being Boxing Day and a lot of them being one match a year fans there because of a Christmas Present etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St Matty Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 There is no way guly was our best player. Two well taken goals which I thank him for but there were also quite a few of his usual traits like wasting possession, giving the ball away easily and looking like he is on a different wavelength to the other players. It's why he is the most frustrating player ever. One minute he will do something sublime and the next something atrocious. He is so unpredictable but I suppose when it falls into place it works really well. Well summed up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ashley Grute Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 I saw the Palace players with pizza- one of them was limping heavily (Gardner?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Professor Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 Very poor tactics by Palace. Defensive approach was a complement to Saints' home form but once they were 1-0 down they never had a chance. In Adkins' post-match interview he said he was satisfied with two good goals. That seemed fair enough against an 8 or 9 man defence especiqally as it could easily have been 3 or 4. Starting with de Ridder made a lot of sense as the team was far better balanced than it has been with too much in MF and without a winger. Be interesting to see if that continues as it could be the answer to the away form. The other big positive was to see Connolly come on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
70's Mike Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 This is how it got to be in the premier league. Often, we were outsung by the opposition fans - who'd bought tickets in the home end! rubbish Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
70's Mike Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 Glad Guly made up for his poor perfomance last week, all is forgotten now. Great result if we win fri, we would be in great position and promotion will be ours if we sign the 2/3 missing players we need for the final push and spine for our premership team. sorry but worry will be there that he will disappear in next really big game Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHAPEL END CHARLIE Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 I've often said on here what good technical players Lallana, Cork and Schneiderlin are, not only do I stand by that opinion but I also say they may well be the best midfield in this division. But you have to say for all that talent on display there was a hell of a lot of backwards/sideways passing going on yesterday, and excellent ball retention or not, we didn't actually create that many chances. Retaining possession of the ball is a splendid habit I'm sure we can all agree - but it's not everything in the game. The reason why we're top of the league today is because (at our best) we were pinging the ball around beautifully and manufacturing numerous shooting opportunities. All we need to do to find that form again is to keep the fullbacks attacking, better movement form our forward players, and perhaps a little more directness from midfield. It's so easy to sit on your arse in the Chapel and ask for 'more' like some sort of well fed south coast version of Oliver Twist. I know I'm demanding a lot from a super bunch of players who are working their socks off for us - but rediscover that missing 'cutting edge' and there's precious little in this division to stop us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
70's Mike Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 I've often said on here what good technical players Lallana, Cork and Schneiderlin are, not only do I stand by that opinion but I also say they may well be the best midfield in this division. But you have to say for all that talent on display there was a hell of a lot of backwards/sideways passing going on yesterday, and excellent ball retention or not, we didn't actually create that many chances. Retaining possession of the ball is a splendid habit I'm sure we can all agree - but it's not everything in the game. The reason why we're top of the league today is because (at our best) we were pinging the ball around beautifully and manufacturing numerous shooting opportunities. All we need to do to find that form again is to keep the fullbacks attacking, better movement form our forward players, and perhaps a little more directness from midfield. It's so easy to sit on your arse in the Chapel and ask for 'more' like some sort of well fed south coast version of Oliver Twist. I know I'm demanding a lot from a super bunch of players who are working their socks off for us - but rediscover that missing 'cutting edge' and there's precious little in this division to stop us. sort of agree but biggest difference is the opposition give us more respect, and come to shut up shop which did not happen in early games, many of our goals in the early games came when we hit teams on the break which is more difficult when they stick 11 behind the ball Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHAPEL END CHARLIE Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 sort of agree but biggest difference is the opposition give us more respect' date=' and come to shut up shop which did not happen in early games, many of our goals in the early games came when we hit teams on the break which is more difficult when they stick 11 behind the ball[/quote'] Oh for sure - Palace came yesterday and obviously set themselves up to try and nick a point. The acid test of a really good team is that you have to find a way of continuously overcoming that approach I suppose. I see some room for improvement, but looking at the table I think it's fair to say we're not doing too badly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fitzhugh Fella Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 I've often said on here what good technical players Lallana, Cork and Schneiderlin are, not only do I stand by that opinion but I also say they may well be the best midfield in this division. But you have to say for all that talent on display there was a hell of a lot of backwards/sideways passing going on yesterday, and excellent ball retention or not, we didn't actually create that many chances. Retaining possession of the ball is a splendid habit I'm sure we can all agree - but it's not everything in the game. The reason why we're top of the league today is because (at our best) we were pinging the ball around beautifully and manufacturing numerous shooting opportunities. All we need to do to find that form again is to keep the fullbacks attacking, better movement form our forward players, and perhaps a little more directness from midfield. It's so easy to sit on your arse in the Chapel and ask for 'more' like some sort of well fed south coast version of Oliver Twist. I know I'm demanding a lot from a super bunch of players who are working their socks off for us - but rediscover that missing 'cutting edge' and there's precious little in this division to stop us. Sums my thoughts up perfectly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 Oh for sure - Palace came yesterday and obviously set themselves up to try and nick a point. The acid test of a really good team is that you have to find a way of continuously overcoming that approach I suppose. I see some room for improvement, but looking at the table I think it's fair to say we're not doing too badly. there was a few times when we did break and we were crying out for sheer pace up front....which we never had Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 sort of agree but biggest difference is the opposition give us more respect' date=' and come to shut up shop which did not happen in early games, many of our goals in the early games came when we hit teams on the break which is more difficult when they stick 11 behind the ball[/quote'] Agree with this. Part of the reason we had such a rampant 'cutting edge' during the first third of the season is because Championship sides were coming to St Mary's with an expectation of getting a result from the newly promoted League One side. As such, the games then were much more open than they are now. It took the rest of the division 10 - 15 games for it to sink in just how good we can be and from then on teams have approached games with us with a 'shut up shop' attitude, both home and away. Even the mighty Pompey adopted this approach on their own patch. It's a back handed compliment that we're not getting as much clear cut goal chances now as we were earlier in the season. It's much more difficult for us to carve open chances now than it was earlier in the season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shurlock Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 (edited) I've often said on here what good technical players Lallana, Cork and Schneiderlin are, not only do I stand by that opinion but I also say they may well be the best midfield in this division. But you have to say for all that talent on display there was a hell of a lot of backwards/sideways passing going on yesterday, and excellent ball retention or not, we didn't actually create that many chances. Retaining possession of the ball is a splendid habit I'm sure we can all agree - but it's not everything in the game. The reason why we're top of the league today is because (at our best) we were pinging the ball around beautifully and manufacturing numerous shooting opportunities. All we need to do to find that form again is to keep the fullbacks attacking, better movement form our forward players, and perhaps a little more directness from midfield. It's so easy to sit on your arse in the Chapel and ask for 'more' like some sort of well fed south coast version of Oliver Twist. I know I'm demanding a lot from a super bunch of players who are working their socks off for us - but rediscover that missing 'cutting edge' and there's precious little in this division to stop us. Can see where you're coming from - I do think we've lost a bit of edge which could reflect a number of things: Guly doesn't provides the same movement upfront as Connolly who is excellent at pulling defenders out of position; Fox doesn't provide the same runs and width down the left as Harding which partly limits Lallana's threat; and our central midfielders seem happy to sit deeper than at the start of the season - Cork was so refreshing because he used to drive with the ball from the middle. And of course, whether now or before, we lack the kind of pace to break on teams, though that's a bigger problem away from home. No doubt, teams are coming to SMS for a point and are crowding the middle of the park - the P'boro game after the sending off was a massive lesson on the need to move the ball quickly from one side to the other. Its one reason why Schneiderlin who can genuinely able spread play albeit from deep will probably start most home games. Edited 27 December, 2011 by shurlock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Boy Saint Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 It was great to see us playing flowing football in both halves again. People seem to be moaning about how quiet the ground is during the game, but I don't know about some of you but yesterday in particular our play was mesmerising to the point of hypnotic. Mrs JBS often says that I sit there in a state of automatic trance when we are playing well, so the quietness is no doubt due to vast numbers of the crowd being in the same world as me. We seemed to have a nice balance yesterday across the pitch, Kelvin Jos & Jose solid at the base, Morgan setting the tempo, Jack doing the dirty work and Rickie and Guly prowling around like Predators. Then you have pure speed up the right and a bit of intelligence on the left. Richardsons crossing 9 times out of 10 is pretty lethal. Men of the match for me were Morgan and Steve, that track back tackle from Steve in the first half was immense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chez Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 Can see where you're coming from - I do think we've lost a bit of edge which could reflect a number of things: Guly doesn't provides the same movement upfront as Connolly who is excellent at pulling defenders out of position; Fox doesn't provide the same runs and width down the left as Harding which partly limits Lallana's threat; and our central midfielders seem happy to sit deeper than at the start of the season - Cork was so refreshing because he used to drive with the ball from the middle. And of course, whether now or before, we lack the kind of pace to break on teams, though that's a bigger problem away from home. No doubt, teams are coming to SMS for a point and are crowding the middle of the park - the P'boro game after the sending off was a massive lesson on the need to move the ball quickly from one side to the other. Its one reason why Schneiderlin who can genuinely able spread play albeit from deep will probably start most home games.I agree with all of this and would add that Chaplows driving runs drain opponents' fitness opening up space later on in games. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Give it to Ron Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 I agree with all of this and would add that Chaplows driving runs drain opponents' fitness opening up space later on in games. I think thats bang on and he also gives us what none of the other midfielders do and thats get beyond the strikers. Although Cork did it once today which was just as well as Lambert and Guly both went wide. Chappers drive and energy is being missed recently and a shame he looks to be out for another long period. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 Sums my thoughts up perfectly I don't think you can pick on Morgan yesterday mate. He was superb. I've noticed u seem to have it in for him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chez Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 has Morgan signed a new contract yet? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ottery st mary Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 (edited) Having had idiots on this forum, hitting me with their handbags, because of my alleged favouring of Hammond over Spiderman. More often than not Morgan flattered to deceive and has owed us big time for a long time...Now maybe he will show this high level that we deserve from such a talent.. In other words, I have always said the lad has talent but failed to show it in many games.... Hammond and Cork play very well together as did Cork and Morgan yesterday.....Hurrah! Hurah!...... Common denominator for me everytime is Mr CORK....... But we all know now, more often than not that the three Musketeeeeers in the middle together does not quite work.... Another major factor against Palace, was the width , determination and unpredictability that De Ridder , with his speed, gave us and kept the left side of the Palace defence on their toes....Still think ..Steeeve will be a star:) So before you, Roger, Avenue Saint, window cleaner and a few others start hitting fellow fans with your handbags:rolleyes: Remember Saints fans all want the same end product.....Nigel picking a winning side...Which sometimes will be a combination of 2 from 3 in the midfield.....Whatever Avenue Saint says about my love affair with Hammond.... Cork is my true love for the middle of the park...followed by either Hammond or Morgan... Come on Girlzzzz let us all pull together.. WIFM PS My daughters are still picking Morgan for his good looks...... Edited 27 December, 2011 by ottery st mary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 has Morgan signed a new contract yet? Yeah, signed a new contract until 2014. At the same time when all of our key players resigned. http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~2426115,00.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rooney Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 It was such a treat to watch Morgan and Jack Cork yersterday. What quality players they are! Some of Morgan's long across field passes, were just unbelievable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
up and away Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 Originally Posted by Fitzhugh Fella Sums my thoughts up perfectly I don't think you can pick on Morgan yesterday mate. He was superb. I've noticed u seem to have it in for him. That sums up my thoughts pretty much as well. The game yesterday was set up for Schneiderlin when we decided to play with two wingers and the midfields job was to get someone out to the byline and get the crosses in. I would favour Schneiderlin most of the time for that role over Hammond. But when it comes to driving that midfield down through the middle, I will take a fit Hammond over Schneiderlin every time. Something I expect Adkins also believes in. Originally Posted by Chez I agree with all of this and would add that Chaplows driving runs drain opponents' fitness opening up space later on in games. Chaplow to me, is that ingredient which sends the opposition into overload. A lot tend to underestimate Chaplows attacking potential, mainly because of consistency but he really can be a match winner. There's enough going on without putting Chaplow into the mix, but when you do it is just too much for any side in the Championship to manage. Most importantly, all done without weakening the midfield. Form comes into it but I believe that still applies with our current level, though there are limits as demonstrated against Reading. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr Saints Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 I'm a big fan of Hammond but yesterday proved Morgan must play central. He's wasted on the right flank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 I've often said on here what good technical players Lallana, Cork and Schneiderlin are, not only do I stand by that opinion but I also say they may well be the best midfield in this division. But you have to say for all that talent on display there was a hell of a lot of backwards/sideways passing going on yesterday, and excellent ball retention or not, we didn't actually create that many chances. Retaining possession of the ball is a splendid habit I'm sure we can all agree - but it's not everything in the game. The reason why we're top of the league today is because (at our best) we were pinging the ball around beautifully and manufacturing numerous shooting opportunities. All we need to do to find that form again is to keep the fullbacks attacking, better movement form our forward players, and perhaps a little more directness from midfield. It's so easy to sit on your arse in the Chapel and ask for 'more' like some sort of well fed south coast version of Oliver Twist. I know I'm demanding a lot from a super bunch of players who are working their socks off for us - but rediscover that missing 'cutting edge' and there's precious little in this division to stop us. Arghh, the non-understanders of modern football.Did you not listen to Morgan yesterday? He tells you exactly how it is with modern day Saints, they have to turn the ball around and around until they see the right pass and then make it instantly,sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't.You probably need 2 goals to win most games,what you don't need is giving the ball to the opposition all of the time with speculative punts up the field.Possession is what modern day football is all about not gung ho route 1 1960's ale house tactics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farawaysaint Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 Arghh, the non-understanders of modern football.Did you not listen to Morgan yesterday? He tells you exactly how it is with modern day Saints, they have to turn the ball around and around until they see the right pass and then make it instantly,sometimes it works sometimes it doesn't.You probably need 2 goals to win most games,what you don't need is giving the ball to the opposition all of the time with speculative punts up the field.Possession is what modern day football is all about not gung ho route 1 1960's ale house tactics. Sam's West-Ham breathing down our neck might disagree as well as Pardew's Newcastle doing so well. Not saying I agree with the style but to claim it's not used in modern football succesfully is far far off the mark It is bloody boring to watch though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 (edited) Sam's West-Ham breathing down our neck might disagree as well as Pardew's Newcastle doing so well. Not saying I agree with the style but to claim it's not used in modern football succesfully is far far off the mark It is bloody boring to watch though. West Ham are crap,they got a point yesterday because some Brum spanish defender gifted them a goal.Didn't look much like a Route 1 game to me either.Of all the teams in contention for automatic promotion West Ham worry me the least,if you'd seen Reading take them apart you'd know why. Newcastle?? with virtually an entire French midfield it would surprise me greatly if they play kick and rush. Edited 27 December, 2011 by Window Cleaner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crowds Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 Usually a Critic of Morgan, but I agree he was superb. What i do prefer about Hammond is his willingness to drive the team forward and push us forward having a shot or two. Morgan needs to add goals to his game ala Frank Lampard imo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingsbridge Saint Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 Back from Australia to see Saints for the first time in 4 years, so probably a better sense of perspective than most. From where I sat I thought we looked great, particularly first half. Full house and great singing from where I was sat (Northam End of Kingsland Stand). 2-0 win and I don't get why people bag Guly. Two goals, he defended well, and he takes a risk or two. He is so much better than the sea of ****e I saw in midfield before I left for Oz 4 years ago. Chin up people. We are Southampton, we're top of the League. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Garrett Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 Morgan is more of a 'Carrick' than a 'Lampard'.....and Cork reminded me of Scott Parker yesterday. Just getting stuck in and playing the easy ball....superb to watch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 Usually a Critic of Morgan, but I agree he was superb. What i do prefer about Hammond is his willingness to drive the team forward and push us forward having a shot or two. Morgan needs to add goals to his game ala Frank Lampard imo. No he isn't a box to box midfielder. He is a carrick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatlesaint Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 Morgan and Cork are for me our best midfield partnership. Its a shame it has taken NA so long to trust De Ridder so that he could move Morgan back into the middle. I hope he sticks with Steve against Bristol City. I did notice yesterday that both Guly and Rickie spent an awful lot of time out wide and that there was nobody in the middle.....presumably this will be rectified when we sign Maynard/Sharpe/Juke/J Rod/Whoever and they can feed off Lambert's excellent work out wide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 I noticed that Morgan has abandonned the yellow boots again,well at least for yesterday anway. Perhaps those were his shooting boots for playing up front. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fitzhugh Fella Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 I don't think you can pick on Morgan yesterday mate. He was superb. I've noticed u seem to have it in for him. IMO he had his best game of the season for us but I remain unconvinced Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SFC Forever Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 My only regret so far this season has been the noticeable lack of goal attempts by Lambert from distance. The fact as I see it is that it keeps defenders guessing when they know we can shoot from afar and score at times as well. Draw the defences out and it makes more room in behind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJ_TOAST Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 My only regret so far this season has been the noticeable lack of goal attempts by Lambert from distance. The fact as I see it is that it keeps defenders guessing when they know we can shoot from afar and score at times as well. Draw the defences out and it makes more room in behind. I was saying to a friend yesterday we don't seem to have anyone who can score from outside the box which is a shame (or anyone the balls to have a dig). Lambert used to be able to but gone off the boil with distance shots now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickG Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 IMO he had his best game of the season for us but I remain unconvinced seems a strange approach to me, not happy with winning as you feel it is going to end, not appreciating a classy midfielders performance controlling the game against a decent in form side as you are not convinced. Not sure what performances you would be happy with? Each to their own, we are all different and have different opinions but personally feel this is one of the most exciting periods with saints since the early 80's era with the exception of the one man show of MLT for a few years. Morgan was easily MOM for me yesterday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legod Third Coming Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 I was saying to a friend yesterday we don't seem to have anyone who can score from outside the box which is a shame (or anyone the balls to have a dig). Lambert used to be able to but gone off the boil with distance shots now. This is my biggest concern, not scoring goals from outside the box for the extra points... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eelpie Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 CHAPEL END CHARLIE quote:'But you have to say for all that talent on display there was a hell of a lot of backwards/sideways passing going on yesterday' Can see where you're coming from - I do think we've lost a bit of edge which could reflect a number of things: Guly doesn't provides the same movement upfront as Connolly who is excellent at pulling defenders out of position; Fox doesn't provide the same runs and width down the left as Harding which partly limits Lallana's threat; and our central midfielders seem happy to sit deeper than at the start of the season - Cork was so refreshing because he used to drive with the ball from the middle. And of course, whether now or before, we lack the kind of pace to break on teams, though that's a bigger problem away from home. No doubt, teams are coming to SMS for a point and are crowding the middle of the park - the P'boro game after the sending off was a massive lesson on the need to move the ball quickly from one side to the other. Its one reason why Schneiderlin who can genuinely able spread play albeit from deep will probably start most home games. The boss said that the team needed to draw Palace out, and so possibly the sideways passing was intended to do just that. Tactically it seemed to work since Guly found space and Rickie had chances (though unlucky to have his efforts saved). It's difficult to criticise Guly on his home performances since he's only one goal short of being second best goalscorer in the league. But I agree that we need strengthening up front with a proven striker with the speed that will give us other options. That would terrify the effing daylights out of oppositions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pressingon Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 My only regret so far this season has been the noticeable lack of goal attempts by Lambert from distance For Lambert read the whole team. I had a thread on this last season We have scored 47 so far and I can only remember 2 from outside the penalty area, our 1st goal of the season Hammond against Leeds and Holmes against Watford. This is not a criticism just an observation I know a top corner screamer is worth the same as a scruffy mis hit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St Michael Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 Agree with the overall positive reaction, but can't find m/any mentions of that fact Palace really should have had a penalty at 1-0. Had a perfect view of it from level with the goalline in the Itchen and it was an utterly blatant handball. We were lucky the ref was behind the back of Fonte (pretty sure he was the perpatrator) and that the linesman bottled out of contradicting the ref's decision. That shouldn't detract from a thoroughly professional performance. While we didn't exactly thrash them and create a glut of chances, we were never in danger of losing (apart from the pen!). Hooiveld man of the match for me. Utterly impeccable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 Agree with the overall positive reaction, but can't find m/any mentions of that fact Palace really should have had a penalty at 1-0. Had a perfect view of it from level with the goalline in the Itchen and it was an utterly blatant handball. We were lucky the ref was behind the back of Fonte (pretty sure he was the perpatrator) and that the linesman bottled out of contradicting the ref's decision. That shouldn't detract from a thoroughly professional performance. While we didn't exactly thrash them and create a glut of chances, we were never in danger of losing (apart from the pen!). Hooiveld man of the match for me. Utterly impeccable. If you analyse each game with a slow motion video most of them would have about 15 penalties for each side,the vast majority for shirt pulling and holding in the box.But if the ref doesn't give them, well they ain't penalties. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avenue Saint Posted 27 December, 2011 Share Posted 27 December, 2011 Having had idiots on this forum, hitting me with their handbags, because of my alleged favouring of Hammond over Spiderman. More often than not Morgan flattered to deceive and has owed us big time for a long time...Now maybe he will show this high level that we deserve from such a talent.. In other words, I have always said the lad has talent but failed to show it in many games.... Hammond and Cork play very well together as did Cork and Morgan yesterday.....Hurrah! Hurah!...... Common denominator for me everytime is Mr CORK....... But we all know now, more often than not that the three Musketeeeeers in the middle together does not quite work.... Another major factor against Palace, was the width , determination and unpredictability that De Ridder , with his speed, gave us and kept the left side of the Palace defence on their toes....Still think ..Steeeve will be a star:) So before you, Roger, Avenue Saint, window cleaner and a few others start hitting fellow fans with your handbags:rolleyes: Remember Saints fans all want the same end product.....Nigel picking a winning side...Which sometimes will be a combination of 2 from 3 in the midfield.....Whatever Avenue Saint says about my love affair with Hammond.... Cork is my true love for the middle of the park...followed by either Hammond or Morgan... Come on Girlzzzz let us all pull together.. WIFM PS My daughters are still picking Morgan for his good looks...... You Ottery, are a bit of a prize clown. You ask fellow fans not to “hit you with handbags” but you call them "idiots" just before that! Your irrational obsession, yes note I say obsession and no longer love affair with Hammond, is evident from following your posts and routine failure in being objective. You said prior to yesterday’s game that Schneiderlin should just be a squad player and in your opinion you implied Hammond should always start. To give you another example even in the overwhelming support and recognition of Morgan's man of the match display yesterday, you still can’t bring yourself to accept his performance, you’d still give it to someone else! In somewhat of a back handed compliment, you say he will be a star "ONE DAY" lol... You imply that the only reason he played as well as you are willing to give him credit for is down to playing next to Cork- the "common denominator" So as default you imply whoever partners Cork, will play well... Lol I doubt playing Jermaine Wright alongside Cork will draw out a similar performance to Morgan’s yesterday... Surely, be it Morgan, Hammond or whoever, ability has something to do with it no? Give it up now old chap. Don’t be afraid to call it as you see it! Yes we all want Saints to prosper but don’t advocate something which is detrimental or will prohibit us from being at OUR best. Alternatively of course, carry on with your stupid posts and I’ll console myself with the knowledge that the world is a big place and there will always be people like you. Up the Saints!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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