Saints 1 Cardiff 1 Post Match Reactions

[Sour Mash]

No connolly was shocking. Should have been taken off. Id have guly and sharpe ahead of him. Lucky to be on the bench if he performs like that was v poor.

Agreed. Can't see Connolly even making the first 16 if everyone is fit. Martin had another excellent game.

[LGTL]

I though Lee was really exciting, can't see Hammond playing again and Guly's going to try some to get his place back.

 

Just one thing... what was the chant for Lee? Couldn't make it out...

 

Hammond will play on Saturday I expect....

[bender]

Just got home. First half was just like Leicester but with a bit of threat RL being back. Could have been 2 down at half time.

 

Second half was quality. Deservedly got the leveller and should have won it. Looked confident, good passing, good movement and seemed to win the ball back with ease. Bit dissapointed we didnt win it and could have easily done so at the end.

 

I think with Sharp coming in, we'll go from strength to strength and genuinly believe there arent 2 better teams than us in this league. Maybe Brum are so Saturday will be interesting.

[Latheal]

Am I the only one that thought we were the better team in the first half as well? Stone wall penalty on Lambert first half, ref had a shocker. Cardiff goal totally against the run of play. If anything, thought Spiderman and Cork weren't close enough first half but second half was best I had seen us play since opening day.

 

Special mention to Punch for running himself into the ground (anybody else see NA give him a hug when he came off?) and agree he was best player in the first half. Martin did well, Great to see Fonte back, Fox had a solid game, Lee and Adam showed nice touches but Connelly was nowhere near his best. Confident for rest of the season. Crowd were great as well, reminded me of MK Dons last season. Nobody got on the players back and total support.

 

Ref was awful though. Let's get behind the team and keep positive for the rest of the season.

[S-Clarke]

Am I the only one that thought we were the better team in the first half as well? Stone wall penalty on Lambert first half, ref had a shocker. Cardiff goal totally against the run of play. If anything, thought Spiderman and Cork weren't close enough first half but second half was best I had seen us play since opening day.

 

Special mention to Punch for running himself into the ground (anybody else see NA give him a hug when he came off?) and agree he was best player in the first half. Martin did well, Great to see Fonte back, Fox had a solid game, Lee and Adam showed nice touches but Connelly was nowhere near his best. Confident for rest of the season. Crowd were great as well, reminded me of MK Dons last season. Nobody got on the players back and total support.

 

Ref was awful though. Let's get behind the team and keep positive for the rest of the season.

 

I think the first half was pretty even, they had a fair % of the game and used the ball well through midfield - their goal was a foul before it was scored, IMO.

 

Once we changed our shape I think we clicked. Lallana was magic in the hole, and made everything happen. Puncheon was floating from side to side and driving forward too.

 

So up until we changed shape, it was pretty even. So credit to adkins for seeing that and making the change which changed the flow of the game.

[shurlock]

Am I the only one in thinking the 2nd half was OK but far from great? We were pretty predictable IMO. Main outlet was Richardson who swung balls into the box and we attempted to feed off the knock downs and headers back across the box. Apart from the save at the end, can't remember us really testing the keeper. Over the course of the game, Cardiff probably had the better of the chances, albeit many were on the break. Saying that all three penalty shouts were stonewall -if anything the one that was awarded was the softest.

 

Connolly was poor - we were so static first half; Puncheon looked good, especially after he moved to a more central position and Schneiderlin and Cork grew as the game went on, though I can't help feel there's a touch of the Hammond/Schneiderlin conservativeness about them. Lallana frustrated - looked lively but dwelt on the ball and I thought he ignored some decent runs made by Tadanari.

 

Still a point stops the rot at home - and I think Sharp for Connolly will make a massive difference. At times tonight, Lambert was being double marked - a more aggressive strike partner would have capitalised on that.

[Sour Mash]

Am I the only one in thinking the 2nd half was OK but far from great? We were pretty predictable IMO. Main outlet was Richardson who swung balls into the box and we attempted to feed off the knock downs and headers back across the box. Apart from the save at the end, can't remember us really testing the keeper. Over the course of the game, Cardiff probably had the better of the chances, albeit many were on the break. Saying that all three penalty shouts were stonewall -if anything the one that was awarded was the softest.

 

Connolly was poor - we were so static first half; Puncheon looked good, especially after he moved to a more central position and Schneiderlin and Cork grew as the game went on, though I can't help feel there's a touch of the Hammond/Schneiderlin conservativeness about them. Lallana frustrated - looked lively but dwelt on the ball and I thought he ignored some decent runs made by Tadanari.

 

Still a point stops the rot at home - and I think Sharp for Connolly will make a massive difference. At times tonight, Lambert was being double marked - a more aggressive strike partner would have capitalised on that.

Agree with all of that, spot on.

[corsacar saint]

The RL incident in the first half,was too far away to see properly,the trip on Al was as blatant a penalty as you are likely to see.The referee and his assistants were a total bunch of bottlers and tossers,to go with the many we have already seen at SMS this season.

[Lighthouse]

Just back, overall I'd say it was a pretty promising night with a lot of possitives. 1st half we were pretty forgettable can't remember us actually troubling their 'keeper although how Lambert didn't win a penalty for being wrestled to the ground I'll never know. Their goal looked like just sh*t defending from a corner. Looked to me like Kelvin had a flap at it, but I couldn't tell from the back of the Northam if he was fouled. Second half we were all over them and by far the better team, but f**k me we weren't half predictable at times. Our final delivery let us down, every time Richardson with the slow, high floating ball to the back stick. Sometimes Lambert got on the end of it, but then Cardiff won the second ball. Other times it just went straight over everyone for a throw in. Our corners (about 10 in the 2nd half I think) were sh*te too, Cardiff's were much better. We dominated possession at times, but Morgan needs to adjust his sights a bit. His crossfield passes were way off at times.

 

I felt defensively we were pretty solid. Kelvin didn't have his best game. Lambert was my MOTM, but the problem was nobody was close enough to him to feed off his good build up play. Thought Connolly was pretty crap again, although it was encouraging to see Lallana, Puncheon and Lee playing well.

 

Player ratings:

 

Kelvin - 6 Spilled a shot I think Bart would have been crucified for. Can't tell if he was fouled for the goal or not, couldn't see.

 

Richardson - 6 Good defensively, but his crosses were predictable and there was no variation.

 

Fonte - 7 Worked well with Martin. Kept Cardiff's strikers very quiet between them

 

Martin - 8 Looked very good in the air and a good composed performance

 

Fox - 6 Good defensive, but a few crossfield passes went astray. Looked a but tired if I'm honnest.

 

Puncheon - 7 Was everywhere first half, looked like he has a point to prove.

 

Cork - 8 Ran the midfield

 

Morgan - 6 His passing was off today

 

Lallana - 7 Looking more like the Lallana we all no and love. Thought he could have used the spaces better at times.

 

Lambert - 8 MOTM. We're just not the same team without him leading the line.

 

Connolly - 5 Didn't really effect the game for me. 6th choice striker now IMO.

 

Subs:

 

Lee - 7 Very promising debut. Has an odd running style, but it seems to work. Quick, a good touch, good possitioning and not afraid of a bit of argy bargy.

 

Hammond - Wasn't on long enough to make any judgement

 

 

Overall I'd have said our team looks pretty promising. On tonight's evidence I'd say Cardiff really aren't all that, and neither apparently are West Ham The Brum game on Saturday is going to be massive. If they win that and their game in hand, they go above us. I fear them more than Cardiff and Wham if I'm honnest.

[saintscottofthenortham]

The RL incident in the first half,was too far away to see properly,the trip on Al was as blatant a penalty as you are likely to see.The referee and his assistants were a total bunch of bottlers and tossers,to go with the many we have already seen at SMS this season.

 

RL incident as blatant a pen as you are likely to see. Two hands on him, a good push and down he went.

 

The ref is a c***. Even more so than D'Arśehole and I shall

Certainly be keeping an eye out for him in the future.

[saintscottofthenortham]

Just back, overall I'd say it was a pretty promising night with a lot of possitives. 1st half we were pretty forgettable can't remember us actually troubling their 'keeper although how Lambert didn't win a penalty for being wrestled to the ground I'll never know. Their goal looked like just sh*t defending from a corner. Looked to me like Kelvin had a flap at it, but I couldn't tell from the back of the Northam if he was fouled. Second half we were all over them and by far the better team, but f**k me we weren't half predictable at times. Our final delivery let us down, every time Richardson with the slow, high floating ball to the back stick. Sometimes Lambert got on the end of it, but then Cardiff won the second ball. Other times it just went straight over everyone for a throw in. Our corners (about 10 in the 2nd half I think) were sh*te too, Cardiff's were much better. We dominated possession at times, but Morgan needs to adjust his sights a bit. His crossfield passes were way off at times.

 

I felt defensively we were pretty solid. Kelvin didn't have his best game. Lambert was my MOTM, but the problem was nobody was close enough to him to feed off his good build up play. Thought Connolly was pretty crap again, although it was encouraging to see Lallana, Puncheon and Lee playing well.

 

Player ratings:

 

Kelvin - 6 Spilled a shot I think Bart would have been crucified for. Can't tell if he was fouled for the goal or not, couldn't see.

 

Richardson - 6 Good defensively, but his crosses were predictable and there was no variation.

 

Fonte - 7 Worked well with Martin. Kept Cardiff's strikers very quiet between them

 

Martin - 8 Looked very good in the air and a good composed performance

 

Fox - 6 Good defensive, but a few crossfield passes went astray. Looked a but tired if I'm honnest.

 

Puncheon - 7 Was everywhere first half, looked like he has a point to prove.

 

Cork - 8 Ran the midfield

 

Morgan - 6 His passing was off today

 

Lallana - 7 Looking more like the Lallana we all no and love. Thought he could have used the spaces better at times.

 

Lambert - 8 MOTM. We're just not the same team without him leading the line.

 

Connolly - 5 Didn't really effect the game for me. 6th choice striker now IMO.

 

Subs:

 

Lee - 7 Very promising debut. Has an odd running style, but it seems to work. Quick, a good touch, good possitioning and not afraid of a bit of argy bargy.

 

Hammond - Wasn't on long enough to make any judgement

 

 

Overall I'd have said our team looks pretty promising. On tonight's evidence I'd say Cardiff really aren't all that, and neither apparently are West Ham The Brum game on Saturday is going to be massive. If they win that and their game in hand, they go above us. I fear them more than Cardiff and Wham if I'm honnest.

 

Connelly 5? Generous. Funny how you see Cork having ran the midfield. I agree Cork played well, but neither he or Morgan actually got hold of the midfield for me today and Cardiff certainly had the edge in the middle of the park. All about opinions though. Agree with your other ratings though.

[westofshannonsaint]

Brum on Saturday, it's a real make-or-break game if we want to get automatic.

 

don't be silly, if we loose on Saturday (and presuming Brum win their game in hand) we are still only 3 points away from a top 2 spot, that's 2 points + accounting for whatever the goal difference might be.

 

this is a tight league - 12 points separate the top half with 18 games remaining, anyone can beat anyone as ipswich proved tonight, and we remain in a good position.

 

back on topic, I listened to the Cardiff commentary of the second half tonight & they were happy with the draw.

[Kingsbridge Saint]

A game closer to the pointy end of the season and right in the mix. Happy with the point in the end.

[70's Mike]

more positives than negatives

[John B]

more positives than negatives

 

Yes probably right Martin who I was not sure of played really well as did Richardson in the second half

 

Need to be making more chances and the fans need to realise that every time there is an incident in the box we will be given a penalty.

[channonball]

The ref.....what a fecking joke!!!!! Great second half, gutted we didn't win it. Clear foul for their goal. You could see the guy had a chunk off Davies shirt and to confirm it it was untucked after the incident. 3 stonewall penalties and only one given. Cardiff had a few chances though.

 

I terms of performances, Ricky for me was head and shoulders the best player on the park. Shame we cannt have him centre back, centre mid and striker. Problem was his partner in Connolly was hopeless and based on that and recent performances I can't wait to see sharp replace Connolly!

[70's Mike]

Yes probably right Martin who I was not sure of played really well as did Richardson in the second half

 

Need to be making more chances and the fans need to realise that every time there is an incident in the box we will be given a penalty.

 

Chances were made but still a massive reluctance to shoot

[alpine_saint]

We need to avoid turning Connolly into the latest scapegoat...

[Frank's cousin]

We need to avoid turning Connolly into the latest scapegoat...

 

Very true, as Adkins would say , we win, draw or lose as a team. The best teams can compensate when a player is struggling for form or has a bad game. Its easy to forget Connolly's goals at the start of the season that helped get us off to a flyer, which may proove very decisve in the end. NOt all players will make a contribution consistently throughout the season. What's important is that the Team puts in a consistent shift. Think last night whilst dissapointing not to go on and win, will do teh confidence no end of good - with more to come from Lee, Sharp available for Brum and chapper to come back, coupled with the Adkins hitting the 'refresh' button, we are in good shape. If these players want it badly enough, can stay fit, there is no reason why we cant get one of the autos.

 

Brum look like being this year's Hudders, so we need to get something from Saturady - will be OK with a point, but a win would be brilliant.

 

COYRs we can do this!

[John B]

Chances were made but still a massive reluctance to shoot

 

Not sure I thought we were going score with any of those opportunities although Lambert I think it was should have scored with a header in the first half but as I was at the other end it maybe it was harder than I thought.

 

I was looking at the Stats at half time you were right of course no shots on target

[Ampersound]

No scapegoat for connelly alps. Just I think our team have pushed on a bit and he is starting to look his age. Great player still just wish he was 5 years younger

[saintscottofthenortham]

We need to avoid turning Connolly into the latest scapegoat...

 

Alpine, you need to learn that us who go week in week out will talk about who played bloody awful.

 

Connelly played bloody awful. I'm usually a big fan of his and quite often find myself standing up for him when people write him off as past it, but last night he was shocking. No excuses, no scapegoat, he was just shocking.

[Ken Tone]

No scapegoat for connelly alps. Just I think our team have pushed on a bit and he is starting to look his age. Great player still just wish he was 5 years younger

 

Quite. He wasn't rubbish IMO, just rather ineffectual. And in particular he did very little when he was moved to play in the hole when Lee came on. I thought Lee for Connolly should have been a straight swap personally, and when it was clear it wasn't working, Adkins should have brought Hammond on earlier. But, hey he's the manager, and I suppose it is just possible that he knows more about football than me!

 

Basically I think Sharp has been bought to be the player Connolly used to be.

[Dimond Geezer]

At half time I thought we'd be lucky to get a draw, but at the end I was disappointed we didn't win. teriffic second half, Puncheon played the best I've seen him play for a long time . From what I could see KD was held down when they scored & we should've had at least one other pen, when Lalanna (I think) went over in the 6 yard box & the ref gave a goal kick. Thought Lee looked promising, lt looks like he got a bit of pace about him.

[Raging Bull]

I don't know what Rickies got to do go get a foul his way (& it's not just last night it's all season, he gets nothing) at all let alone a stone wall pen. What is the point of a ref & especially a lino if they haven't got the balls to award something like that last night. At least 3 times last night I saw the fat fecker raise his hands and shrug his shoulders, IMO refs must meet a certain fitness and BMI level under say 28 cos last nights fat turd cos us & I'm fecked off about it!

[norwaysaint]

Odd, I rely on comments from people at the match to get a real idea. At the start of the season, a lot of people put our great beginning down to Connolly being back and clearly being a class apart when he's fit. He was often touted as being our only player in that class and it was a shame we couldn't rely on his fitness. Now he's come back and hasn't hit form in two games, he's being put on the scrapheap.

 

I've only seen him last week where he was obviously poor, but that's just from reading comments on here. One extreme to the other with no real middle ground.

[corky morris]

I dont think we have been getting the rub for some time now with ref's. Its as if someone has told them that 'Southampton are a bit good & running away with it, lets stop them & not give them any 50/50's.....'

They say it evens out over the season, we will see....................................

[Sour Mash]

Odd, I rely on comments from people at the match to get a real idea. At the start of the season, a lot of people put our great beginning down to Connolly being back and clearly being a class apart when he's fit. He was often touted as being our only player in that class and it was a shame we couldn't rely on his fitness. Now he's come back and hasn't hit form in two games, he's being put on the scrapheap.

 

I've only seen him last week where he was obviously poor, but that's just from reading comments on here. One extreme to the other with no real middle ground.

I and most people I know would say he's been poor and getting poorer in all the games he's played since September.

[supersonic]

I actually forgot Connolly was on the pitch in the second half until he was subbed

 

We had enough pressure to go on and win the game, just had no real chances, mainly half chances. With Sharp we may well be better, we missed Guly tonight, his link up play is better than Connolly

[Wade Garrett]

Well done to Adkins for me. He changed our shape at half-time and we murdered them after that. Looked to be more of a 4-3-3. Lambert superb, Lee looked pretty good as well.

 

Definitely a foul on Davies for their goal. He was blatantly pushed. Ref was useless, and that's being generous to him.

[ALWAYS_SFC]

Foul on Rickie...stonewall pen.....

Foul on Adam...stone wall pen....

Foul on Kelvin for their goal....

Cardiff player holding Fonte off with a hand to the throat when ball kicked up field

Refereeing joke....absolute ****

 

None of the decisions he missed were difficult

 

That said, a decent performance,particularly 2nd half and unlucky not to win

 

Team looking strong again

 

Roll on Saturday

 

 

 

 

 

So annoyed at Adam`s not being given i went down stairs to toilet and kicked the waste paper pin up in the air

so missed the pen being given,heard the cheer and came back up

[S-Clarke]

Well done to Adkins for me. He changed our shape at half-time and we murdered them after that. Looked to be more of a 4-3-3. Lambert superb, Lee looked pretty good as well.

 

Definitely a foul on Davies for their goal. He was blatantly pushed. Ref was useless, and that's being generous to him.

 

Totally 100%

 

What happened was pretty much straight after the goal. Punch and Cork went in the middle, Morgan sat, and Lallana played at the tip - and from then on in he ran the show. First real good game I've seen him have playing in behind, he was tremendous.

[Toomer]

Cardiff came for a point and got a point, 2nd half the game was ours to win and we created enough chances to win it I think we are all a bit miffed we did not win.

[West End Saint]

Good game they looked a decent side Cardiff & Liecester are the best sides I have seen so far this season & I believe we are a better side than both of them, very happy to see us play well 2nd half that was our best performance recently.

 

Aaron Martin did very well, glad Fonte is back, I was impressed by Punch & Lallana played well we need Adam to get back to his early form, Lambo was immense what a player my mom.

 

What is going on with DC that is 2 poor performances by his standards very pleased we have signed Billy Sharp he will improve the team for sure & Lee looked exciting COYS

[sandwichsaint]

Biggest plus was the crowd! Best atmos at SMS for ages and the crowd stayed positive right through the game.

 

Bit of a nothing first half, both teams ‘busy’ but neither able to create many (any?) clear openings - bar the Lambert pen which was stonewall, I had full view of it and it was absolutely nailed on - couldn't believe it wasn't given and the ref IMHO bottled what would have been an early-ish red card for them.

Couldn’t really see their goal but a massive reaction from Saints players (which, rightfully, we don’t see very often at all – clearly something had gone on).

Second half Saints much more purposeful but oh so wasteful from the flanks. Fox continues to flatter, he doesn’t half give it away a lot with his long diagonals: Richardson also had his radar all wrong, time and again he was in positions to cross unopposed and either under-hit it or over-hit it, I reckon if he had 10 good crossing opportunities last night he didn’t put it in the right areas more than 2 or 3 times – disappointing and a big factor in us not making enough clear scoring opportunities.

Great to see Fonte slot straight back in – unless anyone can tell me different that was probably his best game of the season albeit he didn’t have over-much to do. Martin was also excellent (again). Puncheon was lively and will be a real assett if he can maintain this level of form, Morgan and Cork struggled first half but did much better second half, and AL looks to be getting his confidence and form together but would like to see him mix it up more; at least twice he could have played it early to Tandor but chose to find something more difficult and complicated, a couple of times in the second half I had nasty flashbacks of watching Fabrice Fernades running in ever decreasing circles.

Lambert was awesome (again!), he is surely the most complete player in this division? Connolly was dire (again), I would have liked to have seen Lee up top for the entire second half. He looked very lively when he did come on and really up for it.

Pleased not to have lost because Cardiff looked comfortable at half-time; a strong second half comeback from Saints but if we are going to play ‘narrow’ then we need much more consistency and quality from the full backs. We would almost certainly have won if the ref hadn’t bottled the first pen and are still in a good position going forward. Brum is a hell of an ask looking at the teams respective form lines and beyond that game we really do need to get on a winning run. Too much propaganda football last night and not enough poke in the final third, consequently that was two points dropped for me (tho the ref did play a massive part in that!).

Well done the fans! Let’s stay positive home and away and see where it takes us.

[Liquidshokk]

Biggest plus was the crowd! Best atmos at SMS for ages and the crowd stayed positive right through the game.

 

Bit of a nothing first half, both teams ‘busy’ but neither able to create many (any?) clear openings - bar the Lambert pen which was stonewall, I had full view of it and it was absolutely nailed on - couldn't believe it wasn't given and the ref IMHO bottled what would have been an early-ish red card for them.

Couldn’t really see their goal but a massive reaction from Saints players (which, rightfully, we don’t see very often at all – clearly something had gone on).

Second half Saints much more purposeful but oh so wasteful from the flanks. Fox continues to flatter, he doesn’t half give it away a lot with his long diagonals: Richardson also had his radar all wrong, time and again he was in positions to cross unopposed and either under-hit it or over-hit it, I reckon if he had 10 good crossing opportunities last night he didn’t put it in the right areas more than 2 or 3 times – disappointing and a big factor in us not making enough clear scoring opportunities.

Great to see Fonte slot straight back in – unless anyone can tell me different that was probably his best game of the season albeit he didn’t have over-much to do. Martin was also excellent (again). Puncheon was lively and will be a real assett if he can maintain this level of form, Morgan and Cork struggled first half but did much better second half, and AL looks to be getting his confidence and form together but would like to see him mix it up more; at least twice he could have played it early to Tandor but chose to find something more difficult and complicated, a couple of times in the second half I had nasty flashbacks of watching Fabrice Fernades running in ever decreasing circles.

Lambert was awesome (again!), he is surely the most complete player in this division? Connolly was dire (again), I would have liked to have seen Lee up top for the entire second half. He looked very lively when he did come on and really up for it.

Pleased not to have lost because Cardiff looked comfortable at half-time; a strong second half comeback from Saints but if we are going to play ‘narrow’ then we need much more consistency and quality from the full backs. We would almost certainly have won if the ref hadn’t bottled the first pen and are still in a good position going forward. Brum is a hell of an ask looking at the teams respective form lines and beyond that game we really do need to get on a winning run. Too much propaganda football last night and not enough poke in the final third, consequently that was two points dropped for me (tho the ref did play a massive part in that!).

Well done the fans! Let’s stay positive home and away and see where it takes us.

 

Right from the off Cardiff were VERY loud and it felt a little embarassing again that we were being outsung. But second half everyone really turned it on and there was cheering and singing from all stands. Seemed to really get the players going and really felt like the second goal was coming.

[derry]

Am I the only one in thinking the 2nd half was OK but far from great? We were pretty predictable IMO. Main outlet was Richardson who swung balls into the box and we attempted to feed off the knock downs and headers back across the box. Apart from the save at the end, can't remember us really testing the keeper. Over the course of the game, Cardiff probably had the better of the chances, albeit many were on the break. Saying that all three penalty shouts were stonewall -if anything the one that was awarded was the softest.

 

Connolly was poor - we were so static first half; Puncheon looked good, especially after he moved to a more central position and Schneiderlin and Cork grew as the game went on, though I can't help feel there's a touch of the Hammond/Schneiderlin conservativeness about them. Lallana frustrated - looked lively but dwelt on the ball and I thought he ignored some decent runs made by Tadanari.

 

Still a point stops the rot at home - and I think Sharp for Connolly will make a massive difference. At times tonight, Lambert was being double marked - a more aggressive strike partner would have capitalised on that.

 

No you are not. The central midfield was poor, low tempo, sideways and backwards, never first to breaking balls. How Schneiderlin thinks he can pressure, strolling about, ten yards from an opponent is beyond me. I was impressed by Puncheon and now would like to see us play a midfield of Lallana, Puncheon, Hammond/Cork, from Chaplow/Guly/DeRidder.

Hammond/Schneiderlin/Cork do not provide an attacking threat when together and are slow to build often ending promising moves by turning backwards ending up with the keeper punting.

 

Where has the fast pass and move gone, there is a lack of movement off the ball, but Puncheon when he moved infield was a revelation creating movement and momentum. Connolly had for him a poorish game, the fullbacks had plenty of the ball but the delivery was poor. Defensively and bearing in mind he was on his poor side Martin had a solid game. Now I've seen the goal on tv, Davis just flapped the ball out, he didn't look under great pressure as there was only one Cardiff player close and he was tight marked. Lallana was lively but I thought he seemed to look for the penalty and went down easily, I was closer to the Lambert incident and the defender was all over him. Fonte had a decent game, Lee will be useful as he settles in. I was surprised Falque was on the bench after his poor debut.

[Bucks Saint]

I was surprised Falque was on the bench after his poor debut.

 

FFS He had just arrived, was part of an overall totally forgetable team performance that night, and you want to dump him into the wilderness already? Spurs signed him for a reason I assume, and Nige grabbed him on loan for a reason too. That'll do me

[Wade Garrett]

Derry, I've seen their goal on telly and it was a blatant foul on the keeper.

[LGTL]

Does anyone else notice Danny Fox just before the second half kick off of every single game?. He always sticks his fingers down his throat and proceeds to vomit everywhere. Wierd.

[Saint_clark]

Does anyone else notice Danny Fox just before the second half kick off of every single game?. He always sticks his fingers down his throat and proceeds to vomit everywhere. Wierd.

 

Lolwut?

[Papa Shango]

Player ratings/report: http://www.thesaintshub.com/saints1-1cardiff.html

 

Much improved performance, leaves me very confident for the upcoming months. We win this league.

[Window Cleaner]

Player ratings/report: http://www.thesaintshub.com/saints1-1cardiff.html

 

Much improved performance, leaves me very confident for the upcoming months. We win this league.

 

nice report, good to see someone not moaning about the midfield,someone who realises they have specific roles to perform instead of all charging gung-ho into the opponents box all of the time.

[Macey_J2]

I thought Puncheon was our most direct and threatening player and shouldn't have come off that early! He was able to see and make the passes that the other players dont. Judging from the movement Tadanari made when he came on, they could have linked up well together. So annoyed we couldn't capitalise on W.H getting spanked.

[Greenridge]

FFS He had just arrived, was part of an overall totally forgetable team performance that night, and you want to dump him into the wilderness already? Spurs signed him for a reason I assume, and Nige grabbed him on loan for a reason too. That'll do me

 

Couldn't agree more. He may or may not turn out to be a good player but the guy needs a chance. Derry is an expert though, he read the book Football 101.

[Charlie Wayman]

Bloody Frozen, what sadistic berk invented Tuesday late-night football. I'm still shivering today.

 

Better than expected from Saints and we did deserve the win but our lot seem to think putting the ball in the net was not part of the passing game - maybe if should stand somebody in the goal behind the line so they can pass to him. That way we get a goal and they won't know. Not so many positives from this one Adders, another 2 points dropped so that's only 12 from the last 11 league matches. H'mmh relegation form?

 

I feel happier about Brum on Saturday now, still think it'll be incredibly difficult as Houghton has cleared out all the crappie old has-beens and got some fresh young talent playing the ball around, a bit like us. They're whacking everyone in sight at the moment so we really do have to watch out for that 5-0 thrashing that might end our season. I guess we must hope for another 1-1

[Charlie Wayman]

FFS He had just arrived, was part of an overall totally forgetable team performance that night, and you want to dump him into the wilderness already? Spurs signed him for a reason I assume, and Nige grabbed him on loan for a reason too. That'll do me

 

If we can win this league without using him that's by far the best strategy as he will go back to Spurs in the summer whatever he achieves for us here. Fully integrated and starring in our side might be the worst outcome for Saints. We should use him only when the proverbial hits the big twisted blade but it's good to have him on the bench. My guess is he won't be on the bench when Chaplow is fully straining on the leash.

[derry]

Couldn't agree more. He may or may not turn out to be a good player but the guy needs a chance. Derry is an expert though, he read the book Football 101.

 

Always an idiot with a sarcastic meaningless remark.

[Chez]

My two cents. Terrific game and that sense of injustice brought on by two missed penalty decision really got the crowd worked up into a frenzy and that helped contribute to a decent atmosphere. I thought we played pretty well first half and were the better side. Cardiff played right into our hands by only playing one up front, kicking long and allowing us to play out from the back at times. Admittedly Miller had the best chance and they of course scored, but by then we could have had a pen and Lambert had a decent chance from a Lallana cross. I thought we controlled things and looked much the more dangerous side.

 

In the second half we took total charge, pressing them high up the pitch and quite literally charging at the man in possession. They weren't good enough to pass through us and we ran them ragged. How many corners? How many attacks. Their two centre halves and our terrible crossing kept them in it. Cardiff did create two half decent chances, but unlike them we went for the win not the draw and if we had got to the byeline and put in a decent cross or two we would have taken the points.

 

Davis 5 flapped at the goal and one other corner. Cardiff were a serious threat from set pieces. Kicking and choices were good.

Richardson 7 decent game, but crossing woeful

Fonte 7 solid game, although put Richardson in all sorts of trouble in the first half that led to the great Miller chance

Martin 7 very nervous start and his lack of a left foot was exposed with a wild swipe at one clearance. Didn't get tight enough to Miller early on but improved quickly.

Fox 5 one neat bit of skill got him out of a tight hole in the first half, that's his forte, but his passing was very poor in the fist half, although he did play it short a lot more than normal when playing in front of NA. Funny that. Never got tight and didn't forward nearly enough. I'm less impressed every game to be honest

Lallana 7 One neat bit of skill and cross in the first half, but boy did he look tired - not showing for Fox at all on several occasions - so I thought his first half display wasn't great. He got his second wind though, and when moved to the front of a diamond and not having to track back he came alive causing havoc.

Cork 8 he's better when he has to do more running. At one point we seemed to be a 4-2-4 and he actually looks a far better player having to cover more ground, make desperate tackles. He was everywhere and that allowed us to gamble.

Morgan 7 Some poor long passes in the first half, but improved quickly and with Cork worked ever so hard. It was 2 v 3 throughout the game and yet we never seemed to be outgunned in the middle, which is credit to he two central midfielders (and Puncheon when he came inside)took a yellow for the team again.

Puncheon 7 Pretty much the same sort of display he put in when the fans were on his back. A couple of decent tackles got the crowd onside and as usual his first touch was sublime. there was some of the bad - the indicisiveness in front of goal and if I'm honest the less than whole hearted combative stuff early on. But I thought he had a decent game and we look tidier with him in the side. Did well when pushed in side. Strange tactical decision that. Slightly surprised how much effort the fans made to make him feel welcome. he responded well.

Connelly 6 not bad, but he is just too slow and some of his control from throw ins etc just ends up with him dribbling back 30 yards. I'm all for keeping the ball at all costs, but he has become Barnard-like in that respect. Much tighter control and hold up play means you don't go backwards quite so far. Thought he should have gone off rather than Puncheon.

Lambert 9 forget his amazing penalty taking, I thought he was top notch. He won far more in the air than I thought he would. He had Gerrard in his pocket to be honest, but his work rate was high, and he caused problems and linked the play as he does so well. Massive difference with him in the side, because we actually hoof it long quite a bit.

 

Lee 7 great impact, full of running, some nice movement. He runs away rather than to. That changes our dynamic completely. Looked to be strong, willing to tackle held the ball up well and with a half decent touch. Can he get on the end of a few things and show class in front of goal. If he can he is going to be great.

Hammond should have come on earlier IMO

Edited 1 February, 2012 by Chez

[trousers]

Tom Coull @TomCoull

Extended Highlights of last night's draw v Cardiff - with all the big talking points - now on Saints Player: saintsfc.co.uk/articles/20120… #saintsfc