the saint in winchester Posted 24 March, 2012 Share Posted 24 March, 2012 Sign the baby! I hear Wenger has already signed him, and the image rights, so no baby photos allowed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Under Weststand Posted 24 March, 2012 Share Posted 24 March, 2012 Really glad to see Billy Sharpe get 2 today good header for the first. Another 3-pts in the bag good & to see West Hoof fall further behind! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingsbridge Saint Posted 24 March, 2012 Share Posted 24 March, 2012 A great professional job and really pleased for Billy Sharp. Still too early to be getting carried away, but we've had worse weeks. Just want to keep emotions in check for a few more weeks, but it's getting so close I can feel it.......... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shurlock Posted 24 March, 2012 Share Posted 24 March, 2012 Another down, seven to go. Was slightly nervous when Lambert went off as our bench looked quite lightweight; but it was good to see SMS stay patient and, in the end, we won comfortably. Thought SDR looked very dangerous down the middle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Boy Saint Posted 25 March, 2012 Share Posted 25 March, 2012 9 points in a week, what more can you ask for? (still not enough for some of the miserable gits sat around us). We are good, very good. We are very disciplined and patient in our play don't get flustered or jittery, we just work to a simple attractive system. Donny came for a draw and we bided our time then punished them. What a great corner from Fox, that Sharpe nodded in. Then Sharp showed his strength to snaffle the ball away and slot it in the net. Well done lads. Have a thought for the tiny nipper in the half-time relay, on the halfway line by the Kingsland. His team mate came down the line like a train, slammed on the brakes then fell on their backside Skittling the little chap in the process, fair play to him he recovered quickly & complete with limp made a good change over........... His team won in the end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St_Tel49 Posted 25 March, 2012 Share Posted 25 March, 2012 Good game, Doncaster played very well flooding midfield and had control of the football in first half. Second half started the same until Chaplow came on and from then on we had control of the football. Haven't seen Chappers name mentioned yet on here tonight but I really thought he looked back towards his best, made things happen and gave Donny much less time on the ball which until he came they had enjoyed. So, though other played well - for me Chappers made the big difference and the second goal. The stats at half time were 53% to us so Donnie were NOT controlling the football and I certainly did not have the impression that they did. Chaplow played well enough but I think that you are overrating his contribution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Professor Posted 25 March, 2012 Share Posted 25 March, 2012 Glorious afternoon in the Itchen, in the sunshine. Doncaster have some technically good players in their 'over-the-hill' ex stars but as they've gone downhill there's a tendency to try to compensatre by foul play and for Diouf particularly, to try unsuccessfully to bully the ref. When Donny did hold the ball for a few passes it was mostly in their own half. Very little goal threat from them and less as the game went on. Saints looking very good and in control. After Ricky went off, Billy assumed the mantle to lead the line very naturally. With Chaplow coming on for Rickie the side did look a bit unbalanced while SDR was then playing out of position so replacing SDR with Barnard was absolutely right but maybe the second substitution could have been closer to the first but the fact is the team controlled the game and it always looked like Saints would score, whereas there was hardly any goal threat from Donny with our defence playing very well. I'd disagree with the couple of critics on here who thought Butterfield was weak - I certainly didn't. He was solid at stopping anything down the Donny left wing, linked well with SDR and a couple of his crosses, especially one or two low, hard, crosses could easily have resulted in goals. I thought Morgan was very influential in midfield but overall I couldn't see any weak links. The Northam chant - "We're top of the league, We're top of the league, We are Southampton, We're top of the league" - even got taken up in the more cultured atmosphere of the Itchen. Bytheway, WHU v Reading is coming at an ideal time as the gap at the top has opened and surely the result doesn't matter to us at all. Either they drop 4 points between them, or one of them drops 3. I don't expect us to lose at Blackpool as the team is playing so well but even if we did, either WHU and RFC close by only 1 immaterial point, or one of them stays the same distance behind. IMHO promotion is certain simply because the team is too good not to continue with more wins than not and can still afford to drop a few points. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint lard Posted 25 March, 2012 Share Posted 25 March, 2012 Another pretty below par performance,however, it's gaining the points that matter at the moment. Picking up the points,yet not playing at our full potential can be seen as a sign of a good team,at some point our lacklustre displays have to be addressed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 25 March, 2012 Share Posted 25 March, 2012 Another pretty below par performance,however, it's gaining the points that matter at the moment. Picking up the points,yet not playing at our full potential can be seen as a sign of a good team,at some point our lacklustre displays have to be addressed. this is like a carbon copy of this time last season...win after win, people kept coming back saying we were lack luster as we never brushed the opponent aside.. we have clearly changed the way we play for the run-in...more direct, slightly more defensively.......which see us conceding a great deal less, but not free flowing. this part of the season, wins are all that matters...we have showed time and time again we can tap it around nicely..but teams have to tweak their tactics as we became predictable Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 25 March, 2012 Share Posted 25 March, 2012 We are simply closing the season out in a professional and unfussy manner and that'll do me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david in sweden Posted 25 March, 2012 Share Posted 25 March, 2012 whilst football journalists wax lyrical and poetically describe Billy Sharp 2 goals as nails in the coffin condemning Donnie to L1 next season, many of them seem to have overlooked the fact that Doncaster (one of only 7 sides to have already beaten us in the League this season) had ..prior to yesterday lost 20 league games AND conceded 61 goals, before Billy knotched his pair yesterday. such is the nature of journalism, the truth is that Donnie have had a very poor season - having said that I'd like them to stay up even for Gillett's sake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtomicSaint Posted 25 March, 2012 Share Posted 25 March, 2012 For those bashing Butterfield yes I would agree that his crossing was not great but he was very good in defence and made a great tackle on Diouf retained the ball and lead to the second goal. I would have no problem playing him at right back for the rest of the season if required but then again I would start Guly on the right ahead of SDR as I believe he offers more including pace, but then it is all about individual opinions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNSUN Posted 25 March, 2012 Share Posted 25 March, 2012 Just realised, this game marked the last of our Saturday 3pm kick offs! Still, with 7 games to go, it gives us a good chance to get used to not having many in the Premiership! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eelpie Posted 25 March, 2012 Share Posted 25 March, 2012 Looking forward to WHam using up their game in hand midweek, whatever the result is. I just like to know where we stand when all things are equal. My Predictor exercise game earlier this year had next Tuesday 27th March as the day that WSham regained the lead at the top. How delightful it is that this cannot happen next week. Not even if we lost our next game and Sham win their next two. Which is unlikely the way we are playing (fingers crossed). But it would be better that the Londoners get at least a point against Reading who remain a threat to our top spot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dronskisaint Posted 25 March, 2012 Share Posted 25 March, 2012 Why would anyone want to take a young baby to a football match? Seems a bad idea to me? Brilliant idea....Saints heritage imbued from the womb and beyond :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dronskisaint Posted 25 March, 2012 Share Posted 25 March, 2012 It was really getting to him towards the end though! Diving mouthy pr!ck - how the ref didn't book him for dissent is ridiculous. He was in the ref's face every 2 minutes screaming at him. He did, didn't he? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CWD Posted 25 March, 2012 Share Posted 25 March, 2012 Just realised, this game marked the last of our Saturday 3pm kick offs! Still, with 7 games to go, it gives us a good chance to get used to not having many in the Premiership! Shame really, because out of our 9 home 3 o'clock kick offs this season, we've taken all 27 points. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crab Lungs Posted 25 March, 2012 Share Posted 25 March, 2012 Depends how people define lacklustre. Lacklustre without control of the game - a bad situation. Lacklustre, with control of the game - a great situation. We're probably seemingly lacklustre and lacking in champagne football for a reason. It's the business end of the season now and we're grinding results out to achieve our goals. It might not be pretty, but it's sure as hell effective. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALWAYS_SFC Posted 25 March, 2012 Share Posted 25 March, 2012 3 points taken....good,bad or average performance is immaterial...winning is all that matters and we did that in comfort Next game please Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VectisSaint Posted 25 March, 2012 Share Posted 25 March, 2012 If that IS the case, we should appeal the booking (if we can appeal a booking, probably can't). It was the case, happened just in front of me. Technically the referee had no choice, but sometimes these rules are completely stupid. Why would we appeal (I don't believe we can anyway)? A booking at this stage of the season is not really a problem, will be difficult to pick upanother 9 before end of season. It was only going to become an issue when Billy started to get tangled up with Chimbomba, and NA had to intervene to stop him getting a 2nd booking. Can't believe that Chimbomba was wearing gloves yesterday, they were not even off with his apparent good friend Sharp (according to Sharp himself). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legod Third Coming Posted 25 March, 2012 Share Posted 25 March, 2012 Shame really, because out of our 9 home 3 o'clock kick offs this season, we've taken all 27 points. Great stat! What a bugger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wade Garrett Posted 25 March, 2012 Share Posted 25 March, 2012 Their right-back has done well to carve himself a career in professional football so soon after My Name is Earl finished. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captainchris Posted 25 March, 2012 Share Posted 25 March, 2012 The stats at half time were 53% to us so Donnie were NOT controlling the football and I certainly did not have the impression that they did. Chaplow played well enough but I think that you are overrating his contribution. You are of course entitled to your opinion........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorkie Posted 25 March, 2012 Share Posted 25 March, 2012 I know after being at the game yesterday - the atmosphere generated by the crowd was fantastic! There was a unique feel about SMS I have not experienced for long time - if ever. The noise was immense within The Northam/Kingsland corner. I only heard a couple of groans when the odd pass went astray - but top backing from the crowd. I was particularly pleased to see the Itchen Corner open again (Blocks 1,2 & 3) bathed in sunshine. Why did "Pompey fan..." get an airing - it is the most inane stupid song ever sung only by MONGS! The whole ground seems to have united to become the real 12th man again! I guess the fact no one could have a good moan at Guly during the game helped - but some fans just need to get a grip. Guly adds a different dimension to our game...in fact I think him up front with Lambert playing off him works really well when deployed. So the next home game is Pompey...hatred and vitriol, spitting venom at our biggest rivals is sure to have the stadium buzzzing. We will be up against a bigger away presence who will get right behind their team. Saints fans will need to be at the top of their game regardless of their pending plight and relegation. They will be well up for it as the saying goes...we must ensure they do not generate a real vocal threat. The same approach as against Donnie today...constant noise from the off and intimidate them. A bit ahead of myself we have the small issue of Blackpool next Saturday on BBC 2 for those (like me) who are making trips to Peterborough and Middlesbrough. The facts are simple...stop all the worrying about what West Ham and Reading do...all we have to do is keep winning, something we can do against Blackpool next weekend. We are thoroughly professional if not as sparkling and fluent as earlier in the season. You just know we will give them chances to score, you know they will probably score one (well Kevin Philips!) but we have the resolve to go on and score more than one. Not only do I believe, the whole squad have an air about them. Not arrogance or cockiness but determination and drive towards the promise land. If I had a choice I would want West Ham to take 6-points between now and next Saturdays game, such a result would keep us in check and not take things for granted. Whatever the results Nigel will have them all completely focussed after a clear week of training with no mid week game. It is a really exciting time, I noticed a real buzz around the City. People spending money, lots of smiling faces and so many red and white shirts. I still don't get the Chelsea and Spurs shirts seen around town - I guess they are all really glory hunters. After 40+ years of following Saints, this feels so much better than even 1978. The away games at Luton and Orient were fantastic - I just feel Peterborough and Middlesborough will be right up there in the greatest days. On warm spring days like this you wonder where this could have ended up without NC persuading ML to buy our club. We have been truly blessed. OK so the beer and pies aren't up to much, and I can't comment on the catering in corporate - all I know is where it matters (on the pitch) we have been fantastic this season. Yesterday just brings it all home...the sun, a full noisey stadium, and the right result. I'm going to well up in a minute... WE are Southampton WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE! Whatever happens between now and the end of the season - we have had a great season, let's go on and make it a memorable season! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperMikey Posted 25 March, 2012 Share Posted 25 March, 2012 He did, didn't he? I thought he got booked for a tackle, but I don't really remember tbh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dark Munster Posted 25 March, 2012 Share Posted 25 March, 2012 whilst football journalists wax lyrical and poetically describe Billy Sharp 2 goals as nails in the coffin condemning Donnie to L1 next season, many of them seem to have overlooked the fact that Doncaster (one of only 7 sides to have already beaten us in the League this season) had ..prior to yesterday lost 20 league games AND conceded 61 goals, before Billy knotched his pair yesterday. such is the nature of journalism, the truth is that Donnie have had a very poor season - having said that I'd like them to stay up even for Gillett's sake. Me too. It would mean that the Cheats would almost certainly go down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
InvictaSaint Posted 25 March, 2012 Share Posted 25 March, 2012 I thought he got booked for a tackle, but I don't really remember tbh. He was booked for intimating that the assistant ref needed glasses (he 'made' glasses with his hands and put them to his eyes) and for contesting, at the same time, the decision for the Saints free kick (second half). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitch01 Posted 25 March, 2012 Share Posted 25 March, 2012 Someone tell me this wasn't really in the programme! http://yfrog.com/ob2c5apj Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_lambden Posted 25 March, 2012 Share Posted 25 March, 2012 Someone tell me this wasn't really in the programme! http://yfrog.com/ob2c5apj Well that's a very old programme so no. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitch01 Posted 25 March, 2012 Share Posted 25 March, 2012 Well that's a very old programme so no. Ah yes, I see now - 2007. I have been duped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxi_sopez Posted 25 March, 2012 Share Posted 25 March, 2012 irrelevant what year from...! still f*cking hilarious! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fowllyd Posted 25 March, 2012 Share Posted 25 March, 2012 irrelevant what year from...! still f*cking hilarious! A friend of mine posted it on Facebook earlier this evening, and I'm still chortling now. I think the sub-header really makes it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suewhistle Posted 25 March, 2012 Share Posted 25 March, 2012 Highlights now on Saints player. Off to watch and finish this glass. It's a half full glass.:-)) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St_Tel49 Posted 26 March, 2012 Share Posted 26 March, 2012 You are of course entitled to your opinion........ As, of course, are you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leicestersaint Posted 26 March, 2012 Share Posted 26 March, 2012 Win after win even when we're not playing that well - this surpasses all hopes and expectations! It was a lovely afternoon in the Itchen stand (Row L). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now