Saints v Bristol City Post Match Views

[rocknrollman no2]

Could not agree more..been supporting all my life and I am 52, this is the worse Southampton set up from top to bottom I can recall in my life time.

 

Totally agree.

Also we have our worse Chairman of all time in charge as well.

[saintjay77]

So true. Wooton is not good enough for this team / league, please do not persist with the total folly of playing this guy any more it's beyond rediculous !!!!!

 

I think Wooten adds some experience and is a good older head to have around but would do better giving encouragment to the kids in the changing room or along the touch line. I like the system and want it to work but if we dont choose the right players the system looks arse.

 

Seems to me that the decisive player in midfeild should be Morgan or surman who bring the ball out and play the wingers and forwards in. Euell or lallana in the whole combine with Mcgoldrick quite well and we have a good mix of kids that get down the wings well. our full backs also get forward well so going forwards with the right people in the team we can get on with doing what is told.

 

Tonight wooten pulled rank on surman I thought and tried to be the one that played everyone else in but all he did was give mcgoldrick too much to do and everyone else just followed suit.

 

JP played wooten for some reason though and given that euell was on the bench and our CB's were kids it was probably to add that bit of experience at the back. He just aint good enough in this system. He came here with a reputation of a free kick specialist but I havnt seen him take one yet.

[harvey]

We were poor, very poor. That's what you come to expect from Saints after a good result the previous week :butthead:

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

Too depressed to give any in depth match review or player ratings , suffice it to say the best team won and we hardly created anything of note . Answers on a post card please as to why Paul Wotton or Badly Wrong-Phillips ever get to play for this grand old club - and please for the love of God can we try that revolutionary 4-4-2 system at SMS every now and then :mad:

[egreog]

Its the same old story........Saints NEVER win 2 in a row.........watched on tv and thought "what a load of huffing and puffing with no end result"..........its just pathetic really!!..........very poor in the name of entertainment!!........Sky talked it up........ but even they lacked conviction!!

[St Marco]

I think Wooten adds some experience and is a good older head to have around but would do better giving encouragment to the kids in the changing room or along the touch line. I like the system and want it to work but if we dont choose the right players the system looks arse.

 

Seems to me that the decisive player in midfeild should be Morgan or surman who bring the ball out and play the wingers and forwards in. Euell or lallana in the whole combine with Mcgoldrick quite well and we have a good mix of kids that get down the wings well. our full backs also get forward well so going forwards with the right people in the team we can get on with doing what is told.

 

Tonight wooten pulled rank on surman I thought and tried to be the one that played everyone else in but all he did was give mcgoldrick too much to do and everyone else just followed suit.

 

JP played wooten for some reason though and given that euell was on the bench and our CB's were kids it was probably to add that bit of experience at the back. He just aint good enough in this system. He came here with a reputation of a free kick specialist but I havnt seen him take one yet.

 

Personally i felt we were better when Wotten went off and Surman started to ping it around a bit. I agree with what your saying about experience as that is vital. But in Wotten's case he is a division 1-2 player not a CCC player. He has not played much at this level. This is the reason Plymouth released him. Now im not against the guy, he tries and that is more then what some do. But i have to be honest he is a poor player in midfield and an even poorer defender. He has no pace and thus they just kick it over him. His 1st touch at times is criminal and his pass is up there with the least acurate i have seen. So in terms of teaching players he in my view is teaching them wrong. He is out of position so often and ball watches it drives me mad. But the one thing which ****es me off more then anything is that everytime we try and play the offside trap he just stops and puts his hand up. In the past that has cost us a lot. Lesson number 1 to defenders is play to the whistle!

In midfield you need the ability to pass especially a central midfielder. You need to be able to switch the play from left to right and vice versa to open up the defence to create chances. To me it seems everytime he gets the ball he passes it straight back to our opponents. I am being too critical of the guy and i don't mean to but if you don't have a midfielder able to do those things you struggle and that is what were doing. I would much rather have Euell there or even Gobern. Wotten can offer something to this club but his experience is of division 1 and i pray to god we don't go that way.

[saintjay77]

Personally i felt we were better when Wotten went off and Surman started to ping it around a bit. I agree with what your saying about experience as that is vital. But in Wotten's case he is a division 1-2 player not a CCC player. He has not played much at this level. This is the reason Plymouth released him. Now im not against the guy, he tries and that is more then what some do. But i have to be honest he is a poor player in midfield and an even poorer defender. He has no pace and thus they just kick it over him. His 1st touch at times is criminal and his pass is up there with the least acurate i have seen. So in terms of teaching players he in my view is teaching them wrong. He is out of position so often and ball watches it drives me mad. But the one thing which ****es me off more then anything is that everytime we try and play the offside trap he just stops and puts his hand up. In the past that has cost us a lot. Lesson number 1 to defenders is play to the whistle!

In midfield you need the ability to pass especially a central midfielder. You need to be able to switch the play from left to right and vice versa to open up the defence to create chances. To me it seems everytime he gets the ball he passes it straight back to our opponents. I am being too critical of the guy and i don't mean to but if you don't have a midfielder able to do those things you struggle and that is what were doing. I would much rather have Euell there or even Gobern. Wotten can offer something to this club but his experience is of division 1 and i pray to god we don't go that way.

 

Cant argue with any of that. I was just trying to think of a reason that JP put him in the team and having 2 kids at CB was my best guess. His use to the squad is due to his experience and if he can encourage the kids with a bit of leadership then all is good. I agree that he cant teach them much as his style and ability is all league 1 but he should be able to encourage them pretty well.

 

Bit of a risk playing Olly and pearce at the back with surman or morgan being the king pin in front of them as defensivly we would be very very week but if that is the key position then its very important that we get that position right week in week out.

 

I am quite excited at the thought that this squad will at some point feild the right mix of players and all will fall into place which will turn into us giving someone a royal spanking. the worry is that we will find this magical moment by pure fluke rather than the tactical genius within our club.

[teamsaint]

some nice football- but we are always likely to concede, and lack presence up front.

5 in midfield is hiding a bit of weakness there, and leaving DMG without the help he needs.

 

Our home form suggests relegation.8 games gone................

 

And, as other have said, we will sell our "stars" off for peanuts.

[saintjay77]

Did you prefer last seasons team?

 

Building from scratch is a slow process.

 

you have a point there. i would rather see this team learn and struggle than watch last seasons shower of sh1te under perform week in week out.

[John B]

Did you prefer last seasons team?

 

Building from scratch is a slow process.

 

 

Yes but getting in Pulis Smith Pekhart etc has not been successful

 

We need another strategy surely ie Physically Stronger Defensive Players

 

 

An a better formation at home one up is not going to win us much at home

[harvey]

The usual gobbledegook http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/articles/article.php?page_id=10879

[SuperMikey]

A very disappointing result this evening, we should've been looking to get at least a point (but shouldn't we always..?) and to come away with nothing is unacceptable.

 

Davis 8 - My MOTM for us. Class act in goal, made some fantastic saves, interceptions and challenges to keep us in the game, not to mention his penalty save.

Cork 7 - Looked a lot better at RB then in midfield I thought, he was good attacking up and down the right flank and provided some decent service.

Skacel 5 - A very poor game by his standards. Except for one decent free kick effort I was very disappointed by his performance. He was always getting skinned and didn't have the pace or tackling ability to cope with the wingers. Maybe he ought to be played in midfield next week with Surman dropping back to LB, as I still feel he has something that the team needs.

Pearce 6 - Looked decent enough from set pieces which is what we need but aside from that looked uncomfortable dealing with the physical presence of Adebola and gave away a needless penalty.

Lancashire 6 - Much like Pearce, looked vulnerable and uncomfortable at the best of times. I'd much prefer to see Perry play alongside Pearce when he regains fitness, as I don't think Lancashire is imposing enough in the defence, especially in a very physical league such as this.

Wotton 5 - A poor game. His passing was diabolical, he cannot play a short passing game and when he tries to play a long pass he cannot hit the target. Offload him in January.

Gobern 6 - Seemed to be tightly marked and always closed down, which he didn't really seem to like. Lost posession quite a lot and looks quite uncomfortable with a ball at his feet, but i'd like to give him another couple of games to prove himself in.

Surman 7 - Had a decent game, but always took one touch too many. His link up play was quite good and looks a lot better in the midfield, but i'd like to see him moved back to LB for the game against Wolves so he can attack from the back and provide some crossing options.

Lallana 6 - Sparkled in the first half but fizzled out by half time. Seemed to be tightly marked and was bullied a bit by the Bristol City defence. However, he linked up very nicely with McGoldrick and Surman and should definately be starting in the hole.

Thomson 6 - Non existant on the pitch. Not really involved in the play and drifted out on the right wing kind of unused. If we're going to use him on the wing then we need to a) pass the ball to him and b) make sure he has space to run into. When he did get the ball it was played into his feet and then he was closed down, maybe we ought to be pinging long balls out for him to run onto, as I know he's a fast lad.

McGoldrick 6 - Looked isolated up front. A distinct lack of support didn't help him at all, as he had to continually hold up the ball and wait for support to come, by which time we'd lost the ball. Looked better in the second half when Lallana and Wright-Phillips were pushed further forward and linked up nicely with the attacking midfielders. Ought to be played in a strike partnership in future.

 

Subs:

Wright-Phillips 6 - Like Surman, always took one touch too many. Always passed the ball back to the midfield during an attack when he had options like McGoldrick or Lallana ahead of him. I think he'd be better played out on the wing where he can drift inside.

Euell 6 - Didn't have much impact on the game. Chased the ball a lot which was encouraging to see, as nobody really seemed to be closing the City players down. When he regains fitness he ought to start in midfield, possibly alongside Lallana in an attacking midfield position.

Pekhart 5 - I don't think he's good enough to be playing at the club. I know that sounds like a joke, but he doesn't read the game well enough to be able to play as a striker. His passing is poor, his touch is poor and his shooting is poor also. For a big guy he wins his fair share of aerial challenges, but is often muscled off the ball when he gets it played into his feet. I will be glad to see him go in January tbh, so then we can get a decent loan/permanent striker in.

 

My team for Wolves (depending on fitness):

 

----------Davis-------------

Cork--Perry--Pearce--Surman

-------Mule--Morgan--------

-Gobern--Lallana--Skacel----

----------DMG--------------

 

Subs: Bart, James, Olly, BWP, Robertson

[saintjay77]

Yes but getting in Pulis Smith Pekhart etc has not been successful

 

We need another strategy surely ie Physically Stronger Defensive Players

 

 

An a better formation at home one up is not going to win us much at home

 

Not seen Pulis yet so bit unfair to judge him but in all honesty I dont expect him to make any difference especially in keeping with the style we are trying to play.

 

Pekhart has only had a few opertunities from the subs bench late in the game really so although not setting the world alight again its not that fair to judge him either.

 

Smith I think has dont OK when he has played and given a bit more time to settle he could do pretty good. Cant see him playing ahead of Holmes when fit though.

 

I would rather see the team play the right tactics based on the formation they play then see the formation change each week but the odd 4-4-2 wouldnt go a miss.

[ottery st mary]

I started to read this again and then thought he dictates the formation/pattern/system

but is blaming the players for then playing well by their own choice in a more attacking 4-4-2 for the last period. Surely he answers his own statement by getting them to play to a system that would give them more of a chance of winning...I sometimes wonder if he is actually coaching the side..Then again I have read him again and he still confuses me..Hopefully our young players have more understanding of him than me and will apply his coaching methods sooner or later, if not this year next year or the year after. Well that is what some have asked, at least three years to bring in the new system...as if he will have the same side at xmas.

 

Then again I am easily confused and probably not following the master plan...To be honest the Director of Football should sort this out...or even The Chairman of Football..

Or maybe they are confused as well.

[Saints67]

A very disappointing result this evening, we should've been looking to get at least a point (but shouldn't we always..?) and to come away with nothing is unacceptable.

 

Davis 8 - My MOTM for us. Class act in goal, made some fantastic saves, interceptions and challenges to keep us in the game, not to mention his penalty save.

Cork 7 - Looked a lot better at RB then in midfield I thought, he was good attacking up and down the right flank and provided some decent service.

Skacel 5 - A very poor game by his standards. Except for one decent free kick effort I was very disappointed by his performance. He was always getting skinned and didn't have the pace or tackling ability to cope with the wingers. Maybe he ought to be played in midfield next week with Surman dropping back to LB, as I still feel he has something that the team needs.

Pearce 6 - Looked decent enough from set pieces which is what we need but aside from that looked uncomfortable dealing with the physical presence of Adebola and gave away a needless penalty.

Lancashire 6 - Much like Pearce, looked vulnerable and uncomfortable at the best of times. I'd much prefer to see Perry play alongside Pearce when he regains fitness, as I don't think Lancashire is imposing enough in the defence, especially in a very physical league such as this.

Wotton 5 - A poor game. His passing was diabolical, he cannot play a short passing game and when he tries to play a long pass he cannot hit the target. Offload him in January.

Gobern 6 - Seemed to be tightly marked and always closed down, which he didn't really seem to like. Lost posession quite a lot and looks quite uncomfortable with a ball at his feet, but i'd like to give him another couple of games to prove himself in.

Surman 7 - Had a decent game, but always took one touch too many. His link up play was quite good and looks a lot better in the midfield, but i'd like to see him moved back to LB for the game against Wolves so he can attack from the back and provide some crossing options.

Lallana 6 - Sparkled in the first half but fizzled out by half time. Seemed to be tightly marked and was bullied a bit by the Bristol City defence. However, he linked up very nicely with McGoldrick and Surman and should definately be starting in the hole.

Thomson 6 - Non existant on the pitch. Not really involved in the play and drifted out on the right wing kind of unused. If we're going to use him on the wing then we need to a) pass the ball to him and b) make sure he has space to run into. When he did get the ball it was played into his feet and then he was closed down, maybe we ought to be pinging long balls out for him to run onto, as I know he's a fast lad.

McGoldrick 6 - Looked isolated up front. A distinct lack of support didn't help him at all, as he had to continually hold up the ball and wait for support to come, by which time we'd lost the ball. Looked better in the second half when Lallana and Wright-Phillips were pushed further forward and linked up nicely with the attacking midfielders. Ought to be played in a strike partnership in future.

 

Subs:

Wright-Phillips 6 - Like Surman, always took one touch too many. Always passed the ball back to the midfield during an attack when he had options like McGoldrick or Lallana ahead of him. I think he'd be better played out on the wing where he can drift inside.

Euell 6 - Didn't have much impact on the game. Chased the ball a lot which was encouraging to see, as nobody really seemed to be closing the City players down. When he regains fitness he ought to start in midfield, possibly alongside Lallana in an attacking midfield position.

Pekhart 5 - I don't think he's good enough to be playing at the club. I know that sounds like a joke, but he doesn't read the game well enough to be able to play as a striker. His passing is poor, his touch is poor and his shooting is poor also. For a big guy he wins his fair share of aerial challenges, but is often muscled off the ball when he gets it played into his feet. I will be glad to see him go in January tbh, so then we can get a decent loan/permanent striker in.

 

My team for Wolves (depending on fitness):

 

----------Davis-------------

Cork--Perry--Pearce--Surman

-------Mule--Morgan--------

-Gobern--Lallana--Skacel----

----------DMG--------------

 

Subs: Bart, James, Olly, BWP, Robertson

 

My team for Wolves

 

----------Davis-------------

Cork--Perry--Pearce--Skacel

-------Euell--Morgan--------

-Lallana-----------Surman---

-----Robertson-----DMG----

 

Subs: Bart, Smith, Olly, BWP, White

[Nexstar]

Bah, we made chances today but just can't score.

 

Still think we'll be fine when holmes, svensson and perry are back.

[The Tango Man]

Did you prefer last seasons team?

 

Building from scratch is a slow process.

..

Both teams are as bad as each other..we are going nowhere with this lot..

[Saints67]

Bah, we made chances today but just can't score.

 

Still think we'll be fine when holmes, svensson and perry are back.

 

Oddly enough I think this fella will make all the difference when he rejoins the team. With Surman in the middle alongside Spiderman and Rudi at left back i believe we can be a real threat with Holmes on the left wing.

[saintjay77]

My team for Wolves

 

----------Davis-------------

Cork--Perry--Pearce--Skacel

-------Euell--Morgan--------

-Lallana-----------Surman---

-----Robertson-----DMG----

 

Subs: Bart, Smith, Olly, BWP, White

 

 

---------Davis------------

Cork--Olly--Pearce--Skacel

-------Gillett--Morgan-----

Thomson-----------Surman

-----------Lallana---------

----------Euell------------

 

would be my choice but if Morgan is not available I would put surman there and bring in gobern on the left wing.

[saintjay77]

Oddly enough I think this fella will make all the difference when he rejoins the team. With Surman in the middle alongside Spiderman and Rudi at left back i believe we can be a real threat with Holmes on the left wing.

 

can we do enough to stay afloat until then though?

[Saint Billy]

Bah, we made chances today but just can't score.

 

Still think we'll be fine when holmes, svensson and perry are back.

 

Yes I feel we have missed Holmes badly, but even so, it will take a lot more than his inclusion to sort this out.

 

Not convinced that Svensson will ever be fit enough to have an extended run which makes me angry because I feel the defence was overlooked at the start of the season because the powers that be depended too much on the miraculous return of Svensson.

 

This side is simply not good enough. Even the pretty total football is disappearing after witnessing saints aimlessly hoofing it upfield today.

 

We are extremely weak and vulnerable in defence and toothless up front with no creative play in midfield. How we managed to win at Preston last week I will never know.

[Arizona]

Here's how I saw it:

 

Davis - 7 Great save for the penalty in an an otherwise pretty boring evening.

Cork - 6 Reliable enough, but didn't really contribute creatively.

Lancashire - 4 Looked poor and p*ssed around a bit when he should have cleared it. Completely lost his man for the goal.

Pearce - 6 Generally good, appart from the handball for the penalty. Also a bit dodgy for the goal.

Skacel - 6 Reliable in defence, but I'd like to see him in midfield, giving the strikers something a bit better to work with.

Surman - 6 Typical Surman. Good passing, but a bit of a fairy when it came to getting stuck in.

Wotton - 4 Typical Wotton. Solid enough, but pretty forgettable.

Gobern - 3 Like a fish up a tree

Thomson - 4 A couple of decent runs, but didn't offer much creatively at all.

Lallana - 8 Only real good performance in there. Always running at defenders and created a few chances.

DMG - 5 Looked lively, but lacks that killer instinct. Never going to outscore an in-form Rasiak, John or Saganowski.

 

Subs:

BWP - 4 Ran around a lot, but Chamberlain signed peace treaties which were more effective than he was.

Euell - 6 Pretty reliable, without really influencing the game. Should have scored.

Pekhart - 3 Send him back.

[OldNick]

whoever picked the starting line up needs to be shot.

How can we start a game with 2 inexperienced kids on the wings against a passing side, while leaving BWP and Euell on the bench. Madness.

The midfield never coped with the 5 BC had.

Thompson never supported DMG when the ball was on the opposite flank and so if he won a flick on or the ball went over him their was nobody to pick up the pieces. It was crying out for JE or BWP to be there or there abouts.

Lancashire was not strong enough to cope with their forwards and johnson made Surman to chase shadows most of the game.

Non of the normal passing was evident and only after they scored did we ever look threatening.

I normally am supportive but today the team selection was dire and the constant multi team changes is getting annoying.Last season I could see fair reason but this I cant.

[Delmary]

From the Times:

 

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/football_league/article5115459.ece:

 

Southampton might be considered the most attractive team to watch in the Championship but it is not particularly effective.

 

In a nutshell!

[saint63]

Did you prefer last seasons team?

 

Building from scratch is a slow process.

 

Yes, I did. We were on the way back until this lot took control back and gave us a Championship team made up of our Youth squad.

Building up slowly means dropping to League 1, I suppose? No thanks. In 45 years of watching Saints I've never seen them in that division, but I'm more convinced than ever that's where we'll be if we don't stop this ludicrous experiment quickly.

 

Somebody - come in and save us from this debacle.

If I want to see a youth team play I can go and watch one near where I live and save a 260 mile return journey.

I'd like us to put out experienced Championship players and integrate two or three youngsters - just like Lawrie Mac would have done.

[OldNick]

Yes, I did. We were on the way back until this lot took control back and gave us a Championship team made up of our Youth squad.

Building up slowly means dropping to League 1, I suppose? No thanks. In 45 years of watching Saints I've never seen them in that division, but I'm more convinced than ever that's where we'll be if we don't stop this ludicrous experiment quickly.

 

Somebody - come in and save us from this debacle.

If I want to see a youth team play I can go and watch one near where I live and save a 260 mile return journey.

I'd like us to put out experienced Championship players and integrate two or three youngsters - just like Lawrie Mac would have done.

I understand your thoughts ,and am pretty down tonight but I cant see how we have other choices with the club so far up to its neck. Never in LM's time were we in this predicament

[Delmary]

Yes, I did. We were on the way back until this lot took control back and gave us a Championship team made up of our Youth squad.

Building up slowly means dropping to League 1, I suppose? No thanks. In 45 years of watching Saints I've never seen them in that division, but I'm more convinced than ever that's where we'll be if we don't stop this ludicrous experiment quickly.

 

Somebody - come in and save us from this debacle.

If I want to see a youth team play I can go and watch one near where I live and save a 260 mile return journey.

I'd like us to put out experienced Championship players and integrate two or three youngsters - just like Lawrie Mac would have done.

We need leadership that will unite this club but I fear it's too late. The damage has been done and our club is heading fast towards administration and football wilderness. Thanks for nothing Mr Lowe & Mr Wilde:(

[saintjay77]

Yes, I did. We were on the way back until this lot took control back and gave us a Championship team made up of our Youth squad. Not sure what season your thinking about but last season probably caused more jumpers off the itchen than the relegation season

Building up slowly means dropping to League 1, I suppose? dont think anyone in or out of the club want that to happenNo thanks. In 45 years of watching Saints I've never seen them in that division, but I'm more convinced than ever that's where we'll be if we don't stop this ludicrous experiment quickly.and resort to another change mid season with what resources?

 

Somebody - come in and save us from this debacle. in our dreams

If I want to see a youth team play I can go and watch one near where I live and save a 260 mile return journey.

I'd like us to put out experienced Championship players and integrate two or three youngsters - just like Lawrie Mac would have done.I would like us to put out a team of Champions league players made up from the Brazil national squad and this is just as likly as your wish list with the financial support we have at the moment.

 

in bold

[St Marco]

I understand your thoughts ,and am pretty down tonight but I cant see how we have other choices with the club so far up to its neck. Never in LM's time were we in this predicament

 

Exactly. I think this is what people have to understand and accept it. This club is in the worst state it has ever been. Going down the kids route at this time was the worst thing we could of done. We needed to keep 1 or 2 of the players we let go get the manager to make better judgements on those coming in. We have signed poor players and that is what is hurting us. Add to that a manager who doesn't seem to actually speak football sense. It is not difficult to understand why we are where we are in my view.

[Delmary]

Exactly. I think this is what people have to understand and accept it. This club is in the worst state it has ever been. Going down the kids route at this time was the worst thing we could of done. We needed to keep 1 or 2 of the players we let go get the manager to make better judgements on those coming in. We have signed poor players and that is what is hurting us. Add to that a manager who doesn't seem to actually speak football sense. It is not difficult to understand why we are where we are in my view.

 

We need to get a new manager in quick, someone like Dowie and pray we can find some money before January to strengthen the team for the end of season relegation battle.

[saintjay77]

Exactly. I think this is what people have to understand and accept it. This club is in the worst state it has ever been. Going down the kids route at this time was the worst thing we could of done. We needed to keep 1 or 2 of the players we let go get the manager to make better judgements on those coming in. We have signed poor players and that is what is hurting us. Add to that a manager who doesn't seem to actually speak football sense. It is not difficult to understand why we are where we are in my view.

 

If we didnt have a good youth set up then I think we wouldnt have gone down this route. We would have just gone for administration and sold off any saleable assets and have a look at where we end up then try to build.

 

This route might work or it might not but what we need to do compared to what the bank will let us do are 2 different things so we seem to be pretty stuck.

 

If it doesnt work out then at least we tried everything to avoid administration. If it does work then we could do very well out of it. Im still for giving it a shot.

 

Not all of the players signed have been poor but unfortunatly the good ones are unjured at the mo. not all of the players we let go could help us in this system that is being used. Not all decissions the manager makes will be the right decissions but I can see him being cut more slack than he should based on not enough funds to replace him. I like some of the things he has done but others I think he needs a wake up call. Just hope that calls comes sooner rather than later.

[saintjay77]

We need to get a new manager in quick, someone like Dowie and pray we can find some money before January to strengthen the team for the end of season relegation battle.

 

LOL gotta laugh.

 

Where is the money going to come from to get rid of JP?

 

Where is the money going to come from to get in Dowie?

 

Would getting Dowie mean we would have to get rid of the entire bacroom staff and start again?

 

Would Dowie do any better with the current squad?

 

If we found some money by January would that not go straight to the bank or would they be happy that we are spending more money that we dont have?

 

Dont get me wrong as I would love to have known staff at the club and players that I know can do a job at the highest level and also would love to see us back in the top flight. But im looking at our club and just cant see it happening so I try to look for how we can improve what we have rather than complain that are club is not doing the impossible.

[Delmary]

LOL gotta laugh.

 

Where is the money going to come from to get rid of JP?

 

Where is the money going to come from to get in Dowie?

 

Would getting Dowie mean we would have to get rid of the entire bacroom staff and start again?

 

Would Dowie do any better with the current squad?

 

If we found some money by January would that not go straight to the bank or would they be happy that we are spending more money that we dont have?

 

Dont get me wrong as I would love to have known staff at the club and players that I know can do a job at the highest level and also would love to see us back in the top flight. But im looking at our club and just cant see it happening so I try to look for how we can improve what we have rather than complain that are club is not doing the impossible.

lol. I know it's pie in the sky stuff but we're heading to Div 1 with JP. Desperate times.

[saintjay77]

lol. I know it's pie in the sky stuff but we're heading to Div 1 with JP. Desperate times.

 

Seems that way at the mo although I dont think we will be 1 of the 3 worst teams this season but like i said in another post, if we didnt have some promising kids at the club we wouldnt have gone for this youth "experiment" and would have opted for Administration a while ago. At least this way we are trying to avoid relegation. Can you imagine trying to do it with a 10 - 15 point deduction and all our better players sold?

[Fan The Flames]

Seems that way at the mo although I dont think we will be 1 of the 3 worst teams this season but like i said in another post, if we didnt have some promising kids at the club we wouldnt have gone for this youth "experiment" and would have opted for Administration a while ago. At least this way we are trying to avoid relegation. Can you imagine trying to do it with a 10 - 15 point deduction and all our better players sold?

 

I really don't understand what you mean about opting for administration a while ago.

 

Are you saying that the level of ability of our kids so much better than other teams that it lead to RL to think that this was a doable option and without this superior pool of young talent he would have taken the club into administration with out first trying to cobble together a side of cheap players and freebees or carrying on with the team we had.

 

I don’t get any comfort from the fact that just because we are playing the reserve team means they were ready to be used. But I appreciate they are working hard and we had limited choices but this would have been the RL's plan no matter how good they were.

Edited 9 November, 2008 by Fan The Flames

[Jonnyboy]

Who was taking all the free kicks and corners cos most of them seemed pretty dire?

 

Id be more than happy if we just stay up this season...

[Kingsbridge Saint]

Same old same old. Too many of our passes were just a little short, or a little long. The sun rises, the world turns, Saints lose on Sky. Some lovely football at times, but the move where we set up Euell to spanner it into the stands sums up our season so far.

 

On the bright side, Cork looked good and so did Kelvin, and we're not yet adrift in the bottom 3.

[dubai_phil]

Despite what some say, was surprised especially in 1st half that we always seemed to have 4+ players puching on into the last 3rd.

We actually played OK, but again just a combination of naivety and nous when we get anywhere near the box - time and again the last ball or the choice to try and beat one more man/shoot was poor

Lancashire showed inexperience being hustled off the ball too often, was lucky not to give a penalty before they scored (and get a red).

Think we'll just hang on in the league, but it is not going to be anything other than two downs and an occassional submission followed by the odd moments of surprise.

The neurtal with us was surprised at the improvement from Coventry, thought we played well and deserved a draw but even they were slapping their forehead with frustration in the 2nd half when we at times seemed to get in each others' way on the edge of the box.

Euell was badly off the pace and did I see JP ordering us to play 2 up front when Peckhart came on?

[Andy_Porter]

So glad I had an extra two hours in the pub yesterday, such a **** game.

[tommi]

Dramatic over reaction as usual then?

 

Yeah we didn't play particularly well but if we took the 3 or 4 decent chances in the 20 or so second half minutes we dominated everyone would be talking about the play offs again....

 

We are still creating, the lads are looking more organised and with a bit of consistency and a little bit of luck we'll be fine.

[EFM]

A very disappointing result this evening, we should've been looking to get at least a point (but shouldn't we always..?) and to come away with nothing is unacceptable.

 

Davis 8 - My MOTM for us. Class act in goal, made some fantastic saves, interceptions and challenges to keep us in the game, not to mention his penalty save.

Cork 7 - Looked a lot better at RB then in midfield I thought, he was good attacking up and down the right flank and provided some decent service.

Skacel 5 - A very poor game by his standards. Except for one decent free kick effort I was very disappointed by his performance. He was always getting skinned and didn't have the pace or tackling ability to cope with the wingers. Maybe he ought to be played in midfield next week with Surman dropping back to LB, as I still feel he has something that the team needs.

Pearce 6 - Looked decent enough from set pieces which is what we need but aside from that looked uncomfortable dealing with the physical presence of Adebola and gave away a needless penalty.

Lancashire 6 - Much like Pearce, looked vulnerable and uncomfortable at the best of times. I'd much prefer to see Perry play alongside Pearce when he regains fitness, as I don't think Lancashire is imposing enough in the defence, especially in a very physical league such as this.

Wotton 5 - A poor game. His passing was diabolical, he cannot play a short passing game and when he tries to play a long pass he cannot hit the target. Offload him in January.

Gobern 6 - Seemed to be tightly marked and always closed down, which he didn't really seem to like. Lost posession quite a lot and looks quite uncomfortable with a ball at his feet, but i'd like to give him another couple of games to prove himself in.

Surman 7 - Had a decent game, but always took one touch too many. His link up play was quite good and looks a lot better in the midfield, but i'd like to see him moved back to LB for the game against Wolves so he can attack from the back and provide some crossing options.

Lallana 6 - Sparkled in the first half but fizzled out by half time. Seemed to be tightly marked and was bullied a bit by the Bristol City defence. However, he linked up very nicely with McGoldrick and Surman and should definately be starting in the hole.

Thomson 6 - Non existant on the pitch. Not really involved in the play and drifted out on the right wing kind of unused. If we're going to use him on the wing then we need to a) pass the ball to him and b) make sure he has space to run into. When he did get the ball it was played into his feet and then he was closed down, maybe we ought to be pinging long balls out for him to run onto, as I know he's a fast lad.

McGoldrick 6 - Looked isolated up front. A distinct lack of support didn't help him at all, as he had to continually hold up the ball and wait for support to come, by which time we'd lost the ball. Looked better in the second half when Lallana and Wright-Phillips were pushed further forward and linked up nicely with the attacking midfielders. Ought to be played in a strike partnership in future.

 

Subs:

Wright-Phillips 6 - Like Surman, always took one touch too many. Always passed the ball back to the midfield during an attack when he had options like McGoldrick or Lallana ahead of him. I think he'd be better played out on the wing where he can drift inside.

Euell 6 - Didn't have much impact on the game. Chased the ball a lot which was encouraging to see, as nobody really seemed to be closing the City players down. When he regains fitness he ought to start in midfield, possibly alongside Lallana in an attacking midfield position.

Pekhart 5 - I don't think he's good enough to be playing at the club. I know that sounds like a joke, but he doesn't read the game well enough to be able to play as a striker. His passing is poor, his touch is poor and his shooting is poor also. For a big guy he wins his fair share of aerial challenges, but is often muscled off the ball when he gets it played into his feet. I will be glad to see him go in January tbh, so then we can get a decent loan/permanent striker in.

 

My team for Wolves (depending on fitness):

 

----------Davis-------------

Cork--Perry--Pearce--Surman

-------Mule--Morgan--------

-Gobern--Lallana--Skacel----

----------DMG--------------

 

Subs: Bart, James, Olly, BWP, Robertson

 

Thanks for that, none of us had seen the game live or on telly. Glad to see you've picked the team for Wolves too.

[Long Shot]

Did you prefer last seasons team?

 

Building from scratch is a slow process.

 

 

So the corner has yet to be turned?

 

No point building from scratch with loan players who will return and others who will be sold - thats not building.

[stanthemanfairoak]

So the corner has yet to be turned?

 

No point building from scratch with loan players who will return and others who will be sold - thats not building its not going to get any better till someone comes in and pays lowe off FACT!

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

Dramatic over reaction as usual then?

 

Yeah we didn't play particularly well but if we took the 3 or 4 decent chances in the 20 or so second half minutes we dominated everyone would be talking about the play offs again....

 

We are still creating, the lads are looking more organised and with a bit of consistency and a little bit of luck we'll be fine.

 

It's perfectly normal for fans to be disappointed when their team losses but the sense of unease goes much deeper than that - and with good reason . Yes we created 3 or 4 half chances yesterday but that's a pretty poor return for a home side playing against a nothing special opposition is it not ? May I remind you we've won only one home game this season and should Watford get anything at Swansea today we'll be back in the bottom three again , some might say we're in grave danger of staying there .

 

So a 'dramatic over reaction' - or are you being complacent ?

[Thedelldays]

tommi

 

what i can imagine ****sses people off is that all week we have been told that there is a Buzz around the place and that the lads were dying to crack on etc...to me it shows that the preston game was a fluke for 45 mins.....we still had to score 3 to win and we had an off day and actually did that...

[OldNick]

This morning I still dont feel much better about the game. I stilll think had we started with BWP and JE we would have been physically stronger and better placed to get a result. It still amaazes me we played with 2 very young wingers

[sidthesquid]

Sad man that I am, I looked up our home results since we beat Hull City 4-0 last season - and it ain't pretty. Played 20 W 5 D5 L 10.

You could see it in the players today - nervous, edgy, playing it safe for fear of being the one to give it away, always wanting the extra touch. When we went a goal down we suddenly seemed liberated and started to play some football and I thought, at the time, why couldn't they have put that much effort in earlier? But it wasn't a lack of effort but fear, and once we were a goal down it was 'what the hell, we're going to get beat anyway so let's give it a go' and they did. I don't know what we do about it, though. It wasn't that the fans were on their backs, either, just a collective sense of anxiety that got through to the players. No wonder we do better away. A scrappy 1-0 with a last minute winner against Wolves would be my prescription.

[ulstersaint]

One up front again (McG) - a bad tactic for a home game - and it is clearly not working.

 

The problem is that McG (who had much better first touch and ball control v Bristol) likes to drift out wide and when he does that there is is no-one up front at all. If JP is determined to persist with McG he would be better playing him as the second striker alongside/behind a big striker who can play with his back to the goal and hold the ball up.

[OldNick]

One up front again (McG) - a bad tactic for a home game - and it is clearly not working.

 

The problem is that McG (who had much better first touch and ball control v Bristol) likes to drift out wide and when he does that there is is no-one up front at all. If JP is determined to persist with McG he would be better playing him as the second striker alongside/behind a big striker who can play with his back to the goal and hold the ball up.

but TYhompson should have joined him when the attacks were coming up our left, but for some reason he was still on the half way line.

[Wes Tender]

I have deliberately slept on it (again), so that I can try and get some perspective on yesterdays match. But regrettably my first instincts directly after the game remain the same now.

 

My first thought was that whereas I have been to every home match regardless of whether I could have watched it for free on Sky, I now think that it is just not worth £48 for me and my son to watch that dross when I could watch it for nothing in the comfort of my own home. As for the other home matches not on the telly, I am seriously wondering whether it is worth forking out £48 to watch last season's youth team get beaten by all and sundry in this division either.

 

With every home defeat, I am drawn inextricably to the feeling that Poortvliet needs to get the bullet, as he is just way out of his depth in this country and indeed even in this division. Even with the limited range of players available to him, he just doesn't seem to have any idea what his best team is and when eventually he does find that out, we will be relegated first.

 

As for the people who run the club, I also feel more and more inclined to bring the possibility of relegation closer by reducing the club's income by £48 every fortnight. I suspect that on that one, I would be joining an increasing number of others. Looking at the longer term prospects anyway, it seems to me a choice of administration now when there is the possibility of changes enabling us still a remote chance of avoiding relegation or at least starting in the old third division with a clean sheet, or getting relegated anyway and beginning in the old third division with -10 points.

 

Of course, the other possible way to bring about Lowe and Wilde's departures is a mass boycott of one match to begin with. Perhaps we have seen enough of how bad the situation has become to decide that things aren't going to improve and ought to start planning for it now.

 

I was imagining what the reaction was going to be if players like Lallana and Surman were sold in January and Schneiderlin and Cork went too.Nearly all of any income from them would go straight into the paying off debt and we would be searching the Tyro league for replacements.

 

What is so depressing is that even if the team was begininnig to make any progress there might be some reason for optimism, but as it is, there is only the bleakest outlook at the moment and for the rest of the season. Relegation and therefore administration looms large.