sotonjoe Posted 11 March, 2012 Share Posted 11 March, 2012 I thought much of the 1st Half was very nervy. Barnsley were keen to get the ball on the ground and play football and, to be honest, it seemed as though the Saints players and fans were a little taken aback by that. There certainly seemed to be a lot of anxiety coming from the stands and it was quite strongly expressed at times. One old codger behind me was moaning thick and fast throughout the 1st Half with two notable highlights. Number one was "Get the bloody lot of them off!" and "That's the problem with playing Hammond in field. We've got no bite!" I'll be honest and say that I think the way the first goal came about was lucky. I was moaning about the hoof ball when it was initially played, although the finish was good. Lee's contribution for the second goal was excellent. I thought he'd let the ball get away from him at one point, but the way he cut inside and held the ball for a long, long time whilst looking for the pass showed a really impressive level of composure. As ever Guly seemed to divide fans. I've never been his biggest fan and have done my fair amount of criticising him, but I must say that some fans have lost the plot a little with regards to how little they are prepared to criticise him for. We all have an interest in him raising his game so it makes sense not to lambast him for every tiny little detail of his game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 11 March, 2012 Share Posted 11 March, 2012 As far as getting the result, it was great. As for the performance,like many of late,we were pretty **** poor. We weren't that bad at all. We're winning whilst not playing amazing, not a bad combo. So in my books, and most peoples, there is nothing at all to moan about with this saints team and management setup. It's the best we've had in a long time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Fen Posted 11 March, 2012 Share Posted 11 March, 2012 First half wasn't the best. Thought Barnsley looked good and kept the ball fairly well. Didn't deserve to be one up. Second half thought we were oustanding, some of the footy was really good constantly moving the ball. Morgan was superb through out the game and needs to play with Cork not Hammond, as Morgan and Hammond both tend to sit deep. Guly was really good second half and rarely gave the ball away. We seemed to go to a diamond which worked better in the second half. Lee's ball for Lallana's goal was superb, great run and never panicked when he had so much time to cut it back. Connolly was good when he came on. Fox is so much better than Harding, especially his distributiom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint lard Posted 11 March, 2012 Share Posted 11 March, 2012 We weren't that bad at all. We're winning whilst not playing amazing, not a bad combo. So in my books, and most peoples, there is nothing at all to moan about with this saints team and management setup. It's the best we've had in a long time. Never insinuated such in my post. It is the best for a considerable time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintbob40 Posted 11 March, 2012 Share Posted 11 March, 2012 Hammond is too slow to pass the ball and doesn't suit our style. The change when Cork came on was striking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St Lej Posted 11 March, 2012 Share Posted 11 March, 2012 Never insinuated such in my post. It is the best for a considerable time. Not in this particular post you didn't, granted. But even you know have probably realised you'd look a complete fool to carry on with your bizarre negative attitude towards Adkins. Since he's been here we literally couldn't have expected it to have gone any better. Still, I'm sure we will lose at least 1 more game before the end of season, so I look forward to you surfacing on here again when that happens to tell us that Adkins is running out of steam just like he did at scunny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itchen_dan Posted 11 March, 2012 Share Posted 11 March, 2012 Spot on. Cork gave us some impetus. He looked to move the ball forward at every opportunity whereas Hammond is happy to retain his 100% pass completion rate by doing his brilliant crab impression. He slows us down but is great to bring on if we are losing control of the game and need someone in there who can get a grip and retain possession. Cork made us tick and improved the overall tempo of the game. Want to definitely see him back in the starting XI sooner rather than later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shurlock Posted 11 March, 2012 Share Posted 11 March, 2012 Spot on. Cork gave us some impetus. He looked to move the ball forward at every opportunity whereas Hammond is happy to retain his 100% pass completion rate by doing his brilliant crab impression. He slows us down but is great to bring on if we are losing control of the game and need someone in there who can get a grip and retain possession. Cork made us tick and improved the overall tempo of the game. Want to definitely see him back in the starting XI sooner rather than later. TBH, the central pairing of Hammond/Schneiderlin stayed the same. Cork moved to the right of the diamond, so anything changed, it was the Guly's role and our impact down the right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitey Grandad Posted 11 March, 2012 Share Posted 11 March, 2012 And what was the score when Cork came on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 11 March, 2012 Share Posted 11 March, 2012 Spot on. Cork gave us some impetus. He looked to move the ball forward at every opportunity whereas Hammond is happy to retain his 100% pass completion rate by doing his brilliant crab impression. He slows us down but is great to bring on if we are losing control of the game and need someone in there who can get a grip and retain possession. Cork made us tick and improved the overall tempo of the game. Want to definitely see him back in the starting XI sooner rather than later. this is why culture in England needs to change and change fast thankfully, the style of football at club level is....nowadays, it is far more about skill and possession than "getting it forward" it is plain to see that teams like barnsley (and most last season) come very organised and defend and at this level defend rather well...we have to keep the ball, move the ball...at times at the back to bring them on to us..and yes, we are not arsenal, barca so we will make mistakes...but it is the right thing to do...as we are in fact, top of the league Hammond had a very good game yesterday...rarely gives the ball away, defends well and filled at the back ANY time one of the defenders ran forward..and during the game at times...all 4 did in their own right Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ottery st mary Posted 11 March, 2012 Share Posted 11 March, 2012 After Hammond ran his heart out and played a very good game ...you ungrateful posters take the pizzz with your absolute drivel...... By the time the others came on the game was won and not a lot more was achieved... Remember by about the 30th minute Barnsley were a spent force and had given everything on one big gamble.... Yes, Hammond and Morgan were too deep first 20 mins but this was mainly due to Barnsley.. Morgan is a talent..maybe Hammond is not one for the long term...but yesterday..Morgan gave more Wilkins type nothing square passes and no incisive balls for Lee who ran all the lines/angles but Morgan and others either not on the same wavelength/too slow or NOT looking up.....Maybe the two factors will come together over the next few games.... Support the whole team.......There is a reason NA made Hammond the Captain and why together with his coaching staff feel that Hammond does and will continue to make a big contribution.... Some of you do not know/understand football and what Barnsley set out to do and why we subsequently took hold of the game...later in the game.. Some of your comments suggest some of you do not even attend football ,leave the bar or the nursery even if in attendance on match day... Well done Saints and well done on 3 points even if not a great performance.. WIFM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ottery st mary Posted 11 March, 2012 Share Posted 11 March, 2012 this is why culture in England needs to change and change fast thankfully, the style of football at club level is....nowadays, it is far more about skill and possession than "getting it forward" it is plain to see that teams like barnsley (and most last season) come very organised and defend and at this level defend rather well...we have to keep the ball, move the ball...at times at the back to bring them on to us..and yes, we are not arsenal, barca so we will make mistakes...but it is the right thing to do...as we are in fact, top of the league Hammond had a very good game yesterday...rarely gives the ball away, defends well and filled at the back ANY time one of the defenders ran forward..and during the game at times...all 4 did in their own right Thank you mate..spot on:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
itchen_dan Posted 11 March, 2012 Share Posted 11 March, 2012 this is why culture in England needs to change and change fast thankfully, the style of football at club level is....nowadays, it is far more about skill and possession than "getting it forward" it is plain to see that teams like barnsley (and most last season) come very organised and defend and at this level defend rather well...we have to keep the ball, move the ball...at times at the back to bring them on to us..and yes, we are not arsenal, barca so we will make mistakes...but it is the right thing to do...as we are in fact, top of the league Hammond had a very good game yesterday...rarely gives the ball away, defends well and filled at the back ANY time one of the defenders ran forward..and during the game at times...all 4 did in their own right I'm more than happy with Hammond retaining the possesion as long as once in a while he looks to pass and go forward and break like Leeds on the opening day. This is when he can be a great asset to the team. However, when you have Hammond and Schneiderlin in the middle, they both have the tendancy to sit and not get forward quite enough. They are both too defensively minded IMO. Cork is prepared to do the 1-2's and break forward and link up the play and this is our greatest asset in my opinion. Too many times yesterday, i felt that Lee and Lambert were too isolated up top and were forced to having to bring it down and pass back to the half way line where Hammond and Schneiderlin were sitting or try and ping a ball wide where it was extremely difficult to do so, meaning the final 1/3rd of the pitch is breaking down. Cork will push into the holes more and just seems that little bit more aware and switched on when it comes to moving forward. I just feel that after seeing us in the last few games with Cork and Schneiderlin in the middle, we have been a lot more creative and the link up play has been brilliant. They just seem to compliment each other much better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 11 March, 2012 Share Posted 11 March, 2012 I'm more than happy with Hammond retaining the possesion as long as once in a while he looks to pass and go forward and break like Leeds on the opening day. This is when he can be a great asset to the team. However, when you have Hammond and Schneiderlin in the middle, they both have the tendancy to sit and not get forward quite enough. They are both too defensively minded IMO. Cork is prepared to do the 1-2's and break forward and link up the play and this is our greatest asset in my opinion. Too many times yesterday, i felt that Lee and Lambert were too isolated up top and were forced to having to bring it down and pass back to the half way line where Hammond and Schneiderlin were sitting or try and ping a ball wide where it was extremely difficult to do so, meaning the final 1/3rd of the pitch is breaking down. Cork will push into the holes more and just seems that little bit more aware and switched on when it comes to moving forward. I just feel that after seeing us in the last few games with Cork and Schneiderlin in the middle, we have been a lot more creative and the link up play has been brilliant. They just seem to compliment each other much better. that is the problem......in this country it is all about "going forward and breaking he lines)....at times players need to hold their position...he is (or was yesterday) good at providing defensive cover when the full back bombed on..and when the CB both bombed on....Adkins repeatedly called him back to fill in. yesterday, he gave the ball away less than anyone else on the pitch...tough in the tackle.....yes, he does not have a killer forward pass and he is not lightening quick...but he does a great job breaking up play and retaining possession Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWD Posted 11 March, 2012 Share Posted 11 March, 2012 After Hammond ran his heart out and played a very good game ...you ungrateful posters take the pizzz with your absolute drivel...... By the time the others came on the game was won and not a lot more was achieved... Remember by about the 30th minute Barnsley were a spent force and had given everything on one big gamble.... Yes, Hammond and Morgan were too deep first 20 mins but this was mainly due to Barnsley.. Morgan is a talent..maybe Hammond is not one for the long term...but yesterday..Morgan gave more Wilkins type nothing square passes and no incisive balls for Lee who ran all the lines/angles but Morgan and others either not on the same wavelength/too slow or NOT looking up.....Maybe the two factors will come together over the next few games.... Support the whole team.......There is a reason NA made Hammond the Captain and why together with his coaching staff feel that Hammond does and will continue to make a big contribution.... Some of you do not know/understand football and what Barnsley set out to do and why we subsequently took hold of the game...later in the game.. Some of your comments suggest some of you do not even attend football ,leave the bar or the nursery even if in attendance on match day... Well done Saints and well done on 3 points even if not a great performance.. WIFM Ever seen Brian Connolly's character that was a mickey take of Mystic Meg? For some reason, whenever I read your posts, the voice in my head is that of Sceptic Peg! (agree with you about Hammond btw) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ottery st mary Posted 11 March, 2012 Share Posted 11 March, 2012 Ever seen Brian Connolly's character that was a mickey take of Mystic Meg? For some reason, whenever I read your posts, the voice in my head is that of Sceptic Peg! (agree with you about Hammond btw) I was known to help Peg with most of the good material:p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 11 March, 2012 Share Posted 11 March, 2012 that is the problem......in this country it is all about "going forward and breaking he lines)....at times players need to hold their position...he is (or was yesterday) good at providing defensive cover when the full back bombed on..and when the CB both bombed on....Adkins repeatedly called him back to fill in. yesterday, he gave the ball away less than anyone else on the pitch...tough in the tackle.....yes, he does not have a killer forward pass and he is not lightening quick...but he does a great job breaking up play and retaining possession TBF in the first half we seemed determined to by pass the midfield with long punts forward, in attempt to hit Lambert or down the channels for Lee, so the midfield weren't getting much of a look in or chance to retain possession. When we took off Lambert and Lee we started playing to feet and looked much better for it and started to retain the ball. On the other hand we scored two while punting it forward and none when we started playing really good football:? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 11 March, 2012 Share Posted 11 March, 2012 TBF in the first half we seemed determined to by pass the midfield with long punts forward, in attempt to hit Lambert or down the channels for Lee, so the midfield weren't getting much of a look in or chance to retain possession. When we took off Lambert and Lee we started playing to feet and looked much better for it and started to retain the ball. On the other hand we scored two while punting it forward and none when we started playing really good football:? our first was by design.....find lambert with a long kick and someone picking up the flick on...the 2nd was more through industry.....if you get me.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tamesaint Posted 11 March, 2012 Share Posted 11 March, 2012 I got 16-1 on Saints being champions back in August. I got 14/1 after the Leeds game. My stake came from getting the Leeds 3-1 scoreline correct ...so I am playing with their money - not mine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nexstar Posted 11 March, 2012 Share Posted 11 March, 2012 I got 14/1 after the Leeds game. My stake came from getting the Leeds 3-1 scoreline correct ...so I am playing with their money - not mine! I also got it at 14/1. 2nd place is NOT an option Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicestersaint Posted 12 March, 2012 Share Posted 12 March, 2012 My assessment - we were poor for the first half hour - the midfield was pretty awful with the exception of one Adam Lallana. We gave the ball away far too often throughout the match. We improved after the first goal and looked Ok in the second half. Eventually it was quite a comfortable win but not really that impressive. Hopefully we will be better away at Millwall and Hull. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 12 March, 2012 Share Posted 12 March, 2012 "All angles" highlights now up... http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/articles/20120312/all-angles-covered-saints-2-0-barnsley_2264122_2655581/0,,10280~2655581~1,00.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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