Back from the game thread

[maysie]

Gutting to lose in the last minute. Didn't defend well enough today. Harding had a shocker.

 

Started the game awfully and Millwall controlled it with Guly woeful up front. Once Adkins changed it round and stuck De Ridder up top we controlled the game. I think the turning point was De Ridder having to come off for Barnard (he signalled for the bench and saw him holding his hamstring at one point). Once Barnard came on the ball just didn't stick, he is not good enough at this level.

 

I think Tadanari is going to be a good acquisition for us. Yes he missed a couple of chances but his movement looks really good and hopeful that he will improve with game time and adjusting to the country/tempo of football.

 

Form is not good at all (no denying that), but the second half against Cardiff and half of this game, convince me that the early season form can return. Our squad is now much stronger and key players are showing glimpses regaining that top form (Lallana was excellent at times today.

 

Oh and fu ck me it was cold.

[S-Clarke]

Nice to hear the views from someone from the match - glad to hear Lee looked decent, as I always think you need to read more into a player rather than his missed chances (which people on here seem to be doing).

 

I generally am starting to think Harding isn't quite good enough at the top end of this league, decent player, but is getting shown up quite a bit by decent players at this level. He's had quite a few shockers recently.

[maysie]

Nice to hear the views from someone from the match - glad to hear Lee looked decent, as I always think you need to read more into a player rather than his missed chances (which people on here seem to be doing).

 

I generally am starting to think Harding isn't quite good enough at the top end of this league, decent player, but is getting shown up quite a bit by decent players at this level. He's had quite a few shockers recently.

 

Problem is Fox has been off form recently too (his cross field Hollywood balls really get on my tits). Strange that one of the positions we have looked strongest is now suspect.

[S-Clarke]

Problem is Fox has been off form recently too (his cross field Hollywood balls really get on my tits). Strange that one of the positions we have looked strongest is now suspect.

 

I agree re: fox too. He's not a bad player, but he just seems to have less effect on a game as the weeks go by. The crossing from both sides has dipped and I hope they're working on that in training!

[Golden Balls]

Problem is Fox has been off form recently too (his cross field Hollywood balls really get on my tits). Strange that one of the positions we have looked strongest is now suspect.

 

Thank god I'm not the only one who gets hacked off with his Hollywood balls, especially when he has such a useful player like Lallana in front of him. I find it no coincidence that Lallana had a good game today with Harding behind him.

[Liquidshokk]

I agree re: fox too. He's not a bad player, but he just seems to have less effect on a game as the weeks go by. The crossing from both sides has dipped and I hope they're working on that in training!

 

You know who has an awesome cross dont ya. Butterfield. What happened to him?!

[S-Clarke]

You know who has an awesome cross dont ya. Butterfield. What happened to him?!

 

Injured as far as I know, has been carrying a frustrating niggle since Christmas. He may have got over that by now, really not sure - but I know Adkins has said he was injured not so long ago.

[Matthew Le God]

Injured as far as I know.

 

He played against Nottingham Forest.

[Rebel]

Barnard had 2 shots in the short time he was on and showed the aggression you need in the English game - which is more than Tandanari did to be honest.

 

Tandanari may have run around a lot but several times was just brushed off by Millwalls defence - he didn't see that much of the ball as most of the time he didn't see to want it!

 

People are kidding themselves if they think he's going to be our great hope. Sorry! Give me Barnard any day of the week.

[kpturner]

Tandanari

Who is that btw?

[S-Clarke]

Barnard had 2 shots in the short time he was on and showed the aggression you need in the English game - which is more than Tandanari did to be honest.

 

Tandanari may have run around a lot but several times was just brushed off by Millwalls defence - he didn't see that much of the ball as most of the time he didn't see to want it!

 

People are kidding themselves if they think he's going to be our great hope. Sorry! Give me Barnard any day of the week.

 

Still way too early to be coming to that conclusion, IMO. (either way too)

 

I'm sitting in the middle ground with him, I think he's got the ability but isn't a world beater as yet - and nor do I think he's useless. I'm prepared to give him a few months before making any rash judgements though.

[maysie]

Barnard had 2 shots in the short time he was on and showed the aggression you need in the English game - which is more than Tandanari did to be honest.

 

Tandanari may have run around a lot but several times was just brushed off by Millwalls defence - he didn't see that much of the ball as most of the time he didn't see to want it!

 

People are kidding themselves if they think he's going to be our great hope. Sorry! Give me Barnard any day of the week.

 

Didn't watch the same game then for me! English fans like kick and run players. TBF Barnard hasn't had much chance at this level so I might be a bit premature. Just see someone as Lee as fitting into our pass and move game (once we start doing it again!).

[Rebel]

De Ridder also proved he can't play in a 442 - he's neither a winger nor a striker. He's a wide forward who comes from Dutch football and is used to playing in a 443. Too often he overran the strikers, then remembered he supposed to be crossing the football not taking the shot himself - then he ends up cutting the ball back behind the striker, running down a blind alley!

[Matthew Le God]

De Ridder is a wide forward who comes from Dutch football and is used to playing in a 443.

 

Well that is just cheating

[Saint Garrett]

De Ridder also proved he can't play in a 442 - he's neither a winger nor a striker. He's a wide forward who comes from Dutch football and is used to playing in a 443. Too often he overran the strikers, then remembered he supposed to be crossing the football not taking the shot himself - then he ends up cutting the ball back behind the striker, running down a blind alley!

Do they play with 12 players in Holland or no keeper?

[Guan 2.0]

It was cold, guly was bad, last goal looked offside from where I was sat, but will wait for replay. Once again richardson was off form, cutting in from the right flank today for the 3rd, as happened at home with Nugent (foxes) and the blackpool game. Reeves looked tidy, tanadarishowed flashes, and will get a goal or two when we stop lumping it at him.

[Roger]

Nice to hear the views from someone from the match - glad to hear Lee looked decent, as I always think you need to read more into a player rather than his missed chances (which people on here seem to be doing).

 

I generally am starting to think Harding isn't quite good enough at the top end of this league, decent player, but is getting shown up quite a bit by decent players at this level. He's had quite a few shockers recently.

 

Lee was awful, I have to say he was awful.

[S-Clarke]

Lee was awful, I have to say he was awful.

 

Reading the comments from others it's seems that his movement was top notch, it's just that our players werent' finding him or giving him the right sort of ball - so maybe that didn't make him stand out.

 

From the little glimpse I saw of him against Cardiff he looks like the sort of forward who plays on the shoulder and spins away in behind and down the channels, excellent movement - but if the balls aren't good enough then he will look pretty ineffective.

[kpturner]

Lee was awful, I have to say he was awful.

Incorrect. I have seen some awful players in my time, but he isn't one of them from what I have seen so far. HTH

[kpturner]

De Ridder also proved he can't play in a 442 - he's neither a winger nor a striker. He's a wide forward who comes from Dutch football and is used to playing in a 443.

Where does the goalie fit in to this Dutch 443 formation?

[ronnie radford's boots]

Just thawed out.

 

Awful start to the game. The ball was moved far too sloooowly and the movement was too linear. Chaplow looked like he'd been out of the game for a while and consequently, we lacked any great competitive edge in midfield. This resulted in their first goal which was like something you'd see on a training ground ....far too easy.

 

Thereafter, driven by primarily by the effort of Guly and Lalana, we started competing and to be honest, with better luck/finishing could have scored 4 or 5.

Negatives :

Both fullbacks were atrocious, especially Richardson, who looks unfit, couldn't cross without taking 1,2 or 3 touches first and invariably was robbed of the ball. Harding insists on turning back inside towards our own goal, thereby putting the centre halves and keeper under pressure. You're left footed !! Turn outside and use the line ! He was out of position for their second.

Fonte. Stop hugging the opposition !!! Just how many unnecessary free kicks on the half way line are you going to give away by doing this ?Their 3rd came from this

Bart. I have never seen a keeper more inept at kicking a ball ! Future home matches ought to have the first 3 rows of the crowd in the Kingsland and Itchen kept clear as his clearances are going to hurt someone sat there soon

Positives .

Adam is showing signs of regaining his form

Lee. Not sure that he's the real deal or even any kind of deal, but his running off of the ball, industry and effort were impressive.

Rickie. 3 of the oppo around him every time he challenged for the ball and yet he still invariably won it. Now there's a player who's improved way beyond what he was when he joined us.

Reeves. His first 10 minutes were superb. A cultured left foot playing floated balls into spaces that forwards will love. Looks promising

Hot choc at half time . Ooooh yesss !

Gutted to lose ? Always as it happens but not now that I'm home. We're starting to play again and have a manager who is able to recognise the need to change and effect the right tactical changes during a match, with a squad that is as good, if not better than any other in the league.

Cup distraction over, bring on the league

[K,Billy's supersound]

Lee was awful, I have to say he was awful.

 

wrong just plain wrong. lee was always asking for the ball but our midfeild was to slow and not quick enough of thought to supply him, lee was making runs holding his line staying onside asking for the ball to be played in behind but our play was so slow the ball was never delivered behind thier defense for him instead lumped up to his genral direction. he was prepared to help defend. was unlikey not to atleast test the keeper. did more than guly barnard. imo he will be better with more game time 7 changes to the starting line up was it?adkins need to pick a 11 and stick with them now week in week out. how many striking partnerships have we had in last 6 games? pick a pair and let them form a understanding.

[stcappy]

The most frustrating thing about Lee at the moment is our players aren't seeing his runs. His movement is superb and different to anything else we have had so far. It was noticeable when reeves came on, that he immediately started picking him out, and we and Lee looked a lot more threatening. I know Barnard is rusty, and I would love to see him become a threat, but even in league 1 his first touch was suspect and that gets showed up more at this level. I hope he can prove me and several others wrong, but what he really needs is a run of games and to come back in when he is up to speed. I can't see him getting that with us at the moment. Disappointing to lose at the end, but not too upset to be out of the cup. Hopefully we have bigger fish to fry this year anyway.

[Glasgow_Saint]

How did chaplow play?

[Fitzhugh Fella]

Wasn't at the game so not qualified to give a verdict on Lee but I will say this. No point having a forward who makes great runs off the ball if we have no one in midfield to find him with a defence splitting ball.

IMO our big problem is midfield where all our players are much of a likeness. Very good at inter-passing on the half way line but put a goal in front of them and they freeze.

[wild-saint]

Wasn't at the game so not qualified to give a verdict on Lee but I will say this. No point having a forward who makes great runs off the ball if we have no one in midfield to find him with a defence splitting ball.

IMO our big problem is midfield where all our players are much of a likeness. Very good at inter-passing on the half way line but put a goal in front of them and they freeze.

absolutly, bring back pulis i say. its a bit like an average looking bird going into town with her fat minging mate. makes her look good

[for_heaven's_Saint]

The main positive for me was Ben Reeves- he looked class.

[Graffito]

Wasn't at the game so not qualified to give a verdict on Lee but I will say this. No point having a forward who makes great runs off the ball if we have no one in midfield to find him with a defence splitting ball.

IMO our big problem is midfield where all our players are much of a likeness. Very good at inter-passing on the half way line but put a goal in front of them and they freeze.

 

Except that Saints are the highest scorers in the Championship FF. Someone to pick out Lee's runs is required in midfield. I've been impressed with Reeves.

[Sour Mash]

Except that Saints are the highest scorers in the Championship FF. Someone to pick out Lee's runs is required in midfield. I've been impressed with Reeves.

But how relevant is that stat? We got a load of goals at the start of the season, but it really does mask the problems of the last few months. Hopefully Sharp will be the solution.

[iansums]

My God was it cold last night, five layers and I was still shivering throughout the second half.

 

Agree with stcappy, Lee was making lots of intelligent runs without ever receiving the ball until Reeves came on and played in a few lovely passes. Our full-backs were very poor last night and we're losing the battle in midfield time and time again. I'm not sure where we go from here, I honestly think we are a mid-table NPC team, that is our level. I just hope Billy Sharp gives us a spark, boy do we need it.

 

One other thing, Rickie Lambert, absolute class yet again.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

Except that Saints are the highest scorers in the Championship FF. Someone to pick out Lee's runs is required in midfield. I've been impressed with Reeves.

 

Great if Reeves fits the bill but imo Schneiderlin, Hammond and Cork don't. The midfield is the problem area for me.

[dronskisaint]

Just thawed out.

 

Awful start to the game. The ball was moved far too sloooowly and the movement was too linear. Chaplow looked like he'd been out of the game for a while and consequently, we lacked any great competitive edge in midfield. This resulted in their first goal which was like something you'd see on a training ground ....far too easy.

 

Thereafter, driven by primarily by the effort of Guly and Lalana, we started competing and to be honest, with better luck/finishing could have scored 4 or 5.

Negatives :

Both fullbacks were atrocious, especially Richardson, who looks unfit, couldn't cross without taking 1,2 or 3 touches first and invariably was robbed of the ball. Harding insists on turning back inside towards our own goal, thereby putting the centre halves and keeper under pressure. You're left footed !! Turn outside and use the line ! He was out of position for their second.

Fonte. Stop hugging the opposition !!! Just how many unnecessary free kicks on the half way line are you going to give away by doing this ?Their 3rd came from this

Bart. I have never seen a keeper more inept at kicking a ball ! Future home matches ought to have the first 3 rows of the crowd in the Kingsland and Itchen kept clear as his clearances are going to hurt someone sat there soon

Positives .

Adam is showing signs of regaining his form

Lee. Not sure that he's the real deal or even any kind of deal, but his running off of the ball, industry and effort were impressive.

Rickie. 3 of the oppo around him every time he challenged for the ball and yet he still invariably won it. Now there's a player who's improved way beyond what he was when he joined us.

Reeves. His first 10 minutes were superb. A cultured left foot playing floated balls into spaces that forwards will love. Looks promising

Hot choc at half time . Ooooh yesss !

Gutted to lose ? Always as it happens but not now that I'm home. We're starting to play again and have a manager who is able to recognise the need to change and effect the right tactical changes during a match, with a squad that is as good, if not better than any other in the league.

Cup distraction over, bring on the league

 

Sounds a balanced summary to someone who listened on Radio 5 - thank you.

 

Interesting in itself not hearing Derv tell us what we don't want to do! Got to say as an ex-Milwall skate that Claridge was very complimentary...not about last night but the season and club generally.

[West End Saint]

The main positive for me was Ben Reeves- he looked class.

Agreed he looked very good great passing but what a disapointing evening I was looking forward to seeing get our home form back on track 1st half we were not in the game a moment of pure class from lallana got us back in it.

 

2nd half much better so much possesion & chances when Lambo scored I thought we were home & dry so did the team & that was the problem

 

Lee works hard is quick & tricky he makes the runs but he is always looking to have the ball played quickly or over the top he cannot play with his back to the goal & hold the ball up the jury is still out on him but he seemed lightweight to me

 

Both full backs were pants Hammond looked like he was running in treacle the overall performance was not good enough why are we moving the ball so slowly if a team push up & get about us we are in trouble we have to up the tempo of our play early in the season we were passing short but at a much higher tempo.

 

Bart was gash if he never plays for Saints again I will be happy he did not complete a single kick everytime the ball was at his feet we were in trouble rubbish

[S-Clarke]

Great if Reeves fits the bill but imo Schneiderlin, Hammond and Cork don't. The midfield is the problem area for me.

 

3 good players, but as you said too similar. 3 very safe midfielders I'd say.

[Graffito]

But how relevant is that stat? We got a load of goals at the start of the season, but it really does mask the problems of the last few months. Hopefully Sharp will be the solution.

 

It's relevant to the extent that it's fact. Things haven't gone so well of late but the goals haven't dried up. My point was in response to an argument that our midfield freezes in front of goal. I suggest the midfield is there primarily to help create goals. The forwards will deliver if the supply is there.

[Ashley Grute]

Reeves played some lovely balls and looked really composed at times. I don't think Richardson was as bad as some are making out on here, but Harding had a shocker. A lot of fans giving Guly stick again but at times he ran his socks off, had a great header saved and got back well to defend- just his touch let him down at times. Lee's movement is good, looked a little lightweight at times but certainly a good prospect once he adapts to our game. One half positive was Bart- although his kicking was terrible, he made a few great saves! Chaplow looked a bit nervous about going in hard with tackles until he got clattered and then he seemed to realise his knee had held up fine and then got stuck in a bit more. De Ridder looked good on the ball, but can't cross consistently. Lallana looked like he is getting back to his normal self and his goal was a moment of class!

[Give it to Ron]

Just thawed out.

 

Awful start to the game. The ball was moved far too sloooowly and the movement was too linear. Chaplow looked like he'd been out of the game for a while and consequently, we lacked any great competitive edge in midfield. This resulted in their first goal which was like something you'd see on a training ground ....far too easy.

 

Thereafter, driven by primarily by the effort of Guly and Lalana, we started competing and to be honest, with better luck/finishing could have scored 4 or 5.

Negatives :

Both fullbacks were atrocious, especially Richardson, who looks unfit, couldn't cross without taking 1,2 or 3 touches first and invariably was robbed of the ball. Harding insists on turning back inside towards our own goal, thereby putting the centre halves and keeper under pressure. You're left footed !! Turn outside and use the line ! He was out of position for their second.

Fonte. Stop hugging the opposition !!! Just how many unnecessary free kicks on the half way line are you going to give away by doing this ?Their 3rd came from this

Bart. I have never seen a keeper more inept at kicking a ball ! Future home matches ought to have the first 3 rows of the crowd in the Kingsland and Itchen kept clear as his clearances are going to hurt someone sat there soon

Positives .

Adam is showing signs of regaining his form

Lee. Not sure that he's the real deal or even any kind of deal, but his running off of the ball, industry and effort were impressive.

Rickie. 3 of the oppo around him every time he challenged for the ball and yet he still invariably won it. Now there's a player who's improved way beyond what he was when he joined us.

Reeves. His first 10 minutes were superb. A cultured left foot playing floated balls into spaces that forwards will love. Looks promising

Hot choc at half time . Ooooh yesss !

Gutted to lose ? Always as it happens but not now that I'm home. We're starting to play again and have a manager who is able to recognise the need to change and effect the right tactical changes during a match, with a squad that is as good, if not better than any other in the league.

Cup distraction over, bring on the league

 

Exactly what I was going to say....also the difference between us and Millwall last night....they had players who pick out players when they cross the ball...we don't. Aimless hoof across - both full backs can't cross the road at the moment.

[Bourne Valley Saint]

What a disappointment. Fair play to everyone who went - it was as cold as i can ever remember watching Saints at home. A home tie against Premiership opposition waiting - a great chance to test ourselves in readiness for next season (hopefully) - totally wasted. At 2-1 up we should have finished them off. I cant believe that in the above posts no-one has mentioned Reeves's disallowed goal with about 5 minutes left (unless I've missed it). He was a good yard onside when he received the ball - our other player (Lambert/Lee?) was in an offside position but did not touch the ball. A dreadful decision and one that potentially cost us the game. However, I thought that Millwall were the better passing team last night and scored three great goals. As for our players, Bart did at least three fantastic saves to keep us in the game but his kicking was woeful. The full backs were exposed for two of Millwall's goals and when going forward hardly delivered a decent cross. De Ridder did some great runs but the final ball was, as ever, wasted. Lalanna was excellent as was Reeves when he came on. Lee looked lively and when he did get the ball showed good control. Hammond always seems to me to struggle to play the right ball when looking to pass but worked hard in breaking up play. Chaplow was a bit off the pace but good to see him back. Guly looked a bit lost but had one header that produced a super save from their keeper. Lambert looked class but seemed to be playing behind the front two at the end. Barnard did ok but is short of matches - should have done better with his shot at the end.

 

All in all, a bitter disappoinment but it was that cold, somehow it was a relief not to have to sit in that freezing stadium for at least another 30 minutes!

[JRM]

Overall I thought it was a very disappointing night last night, terrible small crowd, on a cold night, with overpriced tickets, poor performance for much of the game, Guly and Lee did not click at all as a forward pair, Guly didn’t run, Lee didn’t stop running but in my opinion a lot of it was headless chicken rather than intelligent movement, the full backs were dreadful, Harding made interceptions a couple of times when we could have hit them on the brake but he just leathered it off the pitch, he was beaten far far too easily for their 2nd goal, Bart looked very shaky with terrible kicking. The crowd not only was small but also very poor, surrounded by moaners in the kingsland who only made a noise when criticising the players but not getting behind the team, the Northam singing “I’m forever blowing bubbles” FFS that has to be most cringeworthy song for ages.

 

Fair play to Millwall, they did the job well and were also without their strongest team missing top scorer Henderson.

 

Let’s hope for better on Saturday for Burnley, get back to full strength team and an early goal is what we need, hopefully for Sharp to get him started. I think we’ll be waiting a while for a Lee goal to be honest.

[ALWAYS_SFC]

Thanks to all for the reports...

no hysteria...

[Chez]

How did chaplow play?

poorly. To be honest we carried him and I'd put the Millwall domination in the first 30 a lot down to him. He pretty much left Hammond to do all the work defensively. They ran rings round us in the middle. We never got close enough to them and Chaplow's lack of shaprness and speed across the ground were a big part of that. The first goal came from our midfield not covering in front of the two centre backs. Chaplow did not work hard enough to get himself in the right position to follow Trotter (good player and one we should look at). He got his second wind and improved slightly towards the end of the half, but not much. Everything good about Chaplow stems from his energy, drive, and pacey straight line running. He didn't offer any of that, so offered nothing really. Yes he'll improve, but personally I didn't like paying £18 to watch him jog around the pitch to improve his fitness.

[spyinthesky]

Good report

some added comments

 

just thawed out.

 

Took me a bit longer!!

 

Awful start to the game. The ball was moved far too sloooowly and the movement was too linear. Chaplow looked like he'd been out of the game for a while and consequently, we lacked any great competitive edge in midfield. This resulted in their first goal which was like something you'd see on a training ground ....far too easy.

 

Thereafter, driven by primarily by the effort of guly and lalana, we started competing and to be honest, with better luck/finishing could have scored 4 or 5.

I thought the game was fairly even.both keepers made good saves so plenty of gaolmouth action

negatives :

Both fullbacks were atrocious, especially richardson, who looks unfit, couldn't cross without taking 1,2 or 3 touches first and invariably was robbed of the ball. Harding insists on turning back inside towards our own goal, thereby putting the centre halves and keeper under pressure. You're left footed !! Turn outside and use the line ! He was out of position for their second.

More disappointed with harding than richardson but neither shone

to be fair it appeared that harding got more tracking back assistance from lallana than richardson did on the other wing

fonte. Stop hugging the opposition !!! Just how many unnecessary free kicks on the half way line are you going to give away by doing this ?their 3rd came from this

none of the back four looked comfortable on the ball primarily because the midfield were not offering up the normal options for a pass to feet

bart. I have never seen a keeper more inept at kicking a ball ! Future home matches ought to have the first 3 rows of the crowd in the kingsland and itchen kept clear as his clearances are going to hurt someone sat there soon

agree.shocking

positives .

Adam is showing signs of regaining his form

agree

lee. Not sure that he's the real deal or even any kind of deal, but his running off of the ball, industry and effort were impressive.

Agree again. He makes decent runs but has yet to deliver anything. He mised one and a half dcecent chances last night and half a chance against cardiff. Just hope he did indeed come on a free but hopefully not on the reported £15k a week

rickie. 3 of the oppo around him every time he challenged for the ball and yet he still invariably won it. Now there's a player who's improved way beyond what he was when he joined us.

Always had reservations about his lack of pace but rl is a focal point for our forward line and he made a difference we he came on quite apart from his goal

reeves. His first 10 minutes were superb. A cultured left foot playing floated balls into spaces that forwards will love. Looks promising

agree. For an ex left back he uses the ball like a well established midfielder

hot choc at half time . Ooooh yesss !

Queues too long. Had to make do with a crappy pasty!!

Gutted to lose ? Always as it happens but not now that i'm home. We're starting to play again and have a manager who is able to recognise the need to change and effect the right tactical changes during a match, with a squad that is as good, if not better than any other in the league.

Worringly on paper our much vaunted squad was much stronger than their depleted lineup

however there were a number of poor individual performances last night and our midfield seemed too unbalanced to overcome theirs

i thought hammond put in a creditable performance but he lacks creativity and ben reeves looked the best bet in this dept and only made a cameo appearance and is just out of the youth team

cup distraction over, bring on the league

[st alex]

Thought Bart had a decent enough game (looked much more confident), pulled off some very good saves. His distribution was poor though. We seem to have really struggled recently with getting the ball out when the keeper has possession, can't remember what we were doing at the start of the season, presumably we were given more space, and the full backs would run the ball forward.

 

Reeves looked very promising and Lee looked like he could be good, just a shame that we were playing at about 5mph and Lee was playing at the 30mph that Millwall were also playing at. Passes & movement were generally far too slow especially from Hammond who continued to take 5 mins to pick out the simplest (and often) backwards pass. As said before our full backs were gash. Barnard looked much better than Guly for me, came much closer to scoring and actually put a shift in.

[mulletsaint]

TBH I'm not sure either of the formations we play truly suit the way we play. We've not defended well all season, it's just at the beginning of the season we were outscoring teams. It seemed to me on the occasions that I watched us that this season that this was largely down to the fact that we attacked with everyone bar the CB's and the goalie. We relied on defending from the front to stop teams scoring. As a result teams that pierced our midfield could attack our exposed CB's and exploit the space down the flanks. Our three CM's are as has been mentioned, all similar. In effect we have three box to box CM's. IMHO we need to play with one or two defensive mids who can also act as quarterbacks and protect the flanks. We have enough attacking prowess elsewhere on the field to need all of the CM's joining in the attacking play.

[Glasgow_Saint]

poorly. To be honest we carried him and I'd put the Millwall domination in the first 30 a lot down to him. He pretty much left Hammond to do all the work defensively. They ran rings round us in the middle. We never got close enough to them and Chaplow's lack of shaprness and speed across the ground were a big part of that. The first goal came from our midfield not covering in front of the two centre backs. Chaplow did not work hard enough to get himself in the right position to follow Trotter (good player and one we should look at). He got his second wind and improved slightly towards the end of the half, but not much. Everything good about Chaplow stems from his energy, drive, and pacey straight line running. He didn't offer any of that, so offered nothing really. Yes he'll improve, but personally I didn't like paying £18 to watch him jog around the pitch to improve his fitness.

 

7.5 out of 10 then?

[LostBoys]

Problem is Fox has been off form recently too (his cross field Hollywood balls really get on my tits). Strange that one of the positions we have looked strongest is now suspect.

 

Bit unfair on our Dennis that comment

[Elmore]

It was cold, guly was bad, last goal looked offside from where I was sat, but will wait for replay. Once again richardson was off form, cutting in from the right flank today for the 3rd, as happened at home with Nugent (foxes) and the blackpool game. Reeves looked tidy, tanadarishowed flashes, and will get a goal or two when we stop lumping it at him.

 

Richardson was on the bench when Nugent scored. Harding was playing at right-back.