dan17 Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 It wasn't a bad performance from us at all, but we were undone with criminal lapses of concentration - exactly the same as in the Pompey game. We need to sort that out, and fast. Fox was abysmal all night, his ball retention was non existent and he was at fault for the first goal, no question about that. He played a stupid square pass to no one, we were out of position and reading pounced. Nice one fox. The 2nd goal was pretty much another breakaway, we lost out in midfield through another sloppy bit of play (when we actually had the ball...) and they broke, skinned Fox and then it fell to Le Fondre. The 3rd goal was inevitable with the way we were pressing, and they just hit us. We dominated the game though to be honest. We just lacked that clinical finish and a consistent final pass, we had it once...but not enough. Unfortunately tonight was one of those nights where individual mistakes were punished, and if you give opportunities to players like Kebe and Roberts then you've got no chance. The title has gone now, which is devastating for me because i wanted to see us win a league, but with Reading playing 2 home bankers they have that wrapped up - no worries. We just need to keep our composure and do the business at posh, get a win there and we take it to the last day against Coventry. I'll be happy with that, but still bloody disappointed we didn't win the league. The message tonight though is - chin up, we were hit by 3 sucker punches today but can take alot of heart from the display. We're 3 games from the premier league. As always, pretty much bang on IMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 things even themselves out of the season the pompey equaliser goes against our equaliser against blackpool tonight, equalises our win against leeds or am i talking shyt? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 I think that's a little over-dramatic. We are still in a strong position and if anything, our away form is currently better. Now is the time for composure and belief. You mean those qualities we spectacularly failed to demonstrate tonight ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ulstersaint Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 Give credit to Reading for the fantastic run of results in recent weeks - and for soaking up pressure tonight and scoring from the few chances they had. By contrast we had more possession and more chances and didn't make the most of them. They have picked up 6 points from their last 2 away games and we have gained 1 point from our last 2 home games. It looks like Reading for the title and Saints runners-up. Am I disappointed that Saints will probably not win the title? Yes. Would I have settled last August for 2nd place with 3 to go? Definitely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St Chalet Posted 13 April, 2012 Author Share Posted 13 April, 2012 Wigan beat Man Utd 1-0 the other day. It doesn't make Utd a bad side, and this loss against Reading doesn't suddenly make us bad. Chin up folks. Very well put. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai_phil Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 I know that, you are the one clutching at straws saying things like "we were the better team, pwease agree with me or I'll cwy" No. I said we LOST because Jose Fonte had a nightmare. He showed he probably is NOT good enough to make the next step up. Danny Fox, who has PROBABLY been our most consistent player in the last 3 or 4 games stood off his man and allowed him to cross TWICE. Those were schoolboy errors. IMHO they were players who are feeling the strain of the games coming thick and fast. However, the POINT remains, that we made mistakes that led to stupid goals being conceded in a game that we had ENOUGH shots on target and chances to win, FFS even our TV commentator said AFTER 25 MINUTES that the Reading Keeper had already earnt MoM Criticise Sharp for being ineffective in the box - BUT IT WAS A CLEAR PENALTY 10 seconds before they scored their 3rd (TV words not mine). He was also bundled off the ball 2 or 3 times before that which could (on another day) also have been given. Reading won sh1t happens, but we still played them off the park, Congrats to them on their smash & grab raid and bring Martin or Harding in for Tuesday, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dubai_phil Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 things even themselves out of the season the pompey equaliser goes against our equaliser against blackpool tonight, equalises our win against leeds or am i talking shyt? Nope. We mentioned that many times in the pub - Leeds game in reverse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minty Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 You mean those qualities we spectacularly failed to demonstrate tonight ? I thought we were pretty composed on the ball tonight. And if anything I thought the crowd lacked belief as much as, if not more than, the team tonight. Anyway, I actually meant we need those things off the pitch, and amongst the fans, before Tuesdays game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 Saints played well. Reading showed why they have won 13 in the last 14. Both will get promoted. Shame Saints probably wont be champions but its minor in the greater scheme of things. Happy days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elmore Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 Christ it took nearly 50 posts before someone could say it. They have not won 14 out 16 or whatever it is for nothing. For all our possession they always looked confident on the ball and worked hard getting players back being the ball when we went forward, and opening up quickly when in possession. Face it the best team won. But i still think we'll be cool for automatic promotion. In terms of playing football Reading were sh*te - they are not a good footballing side. Would you want to watch that each week? Tactically however they were spot on. They play to their strengths and their gameplan is extremely effective. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badgerx16 Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 How quickly we forget winning at Dellhurst Park. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 things even themselves out of the season the pompey equaliser goes against our equaliser against blackpool tonight, equalises our win against leeds or am i talking shyt? Nope, it all evens out. That's why after 46 games the team at the top has earned the right to be described as "the best team" At 43 games its Reading, and with them having two easier home games and us having two tough games on the road, it seems at this time likely to continue being Reading. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obelisk Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 Apologies for repeating myself but how many more people are going to completely ignore Fonte's inability to get anywhere near the resulting cross for the first?! Yes, Fox should've prevented it, but there was still plenty to do.I had assumed that Fonte had been nudged under the ball. Hard to see in any of the camera angles but you have to say it was a clinical finish. If only Jos had been that clinical. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
No 2 to Maybush Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 Now I know how Leeds felt. We absolutely dominated them until their second went in. Then it just went flat. Fox was poor for their first and second. This. Fox was ****e at shutting down both their first two goals. Has he ever put his foot in this season in those positions? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Without a Halo Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 After having a good 10 to 12 games defensively we are now letting ourselves down at the back, we have conceded two 3s and a 2 in our last 4 games and 5 in our last two home games. This is the area that needs sorting fast! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 BBC Sport's Nabil Hassan at St Mary's Stadium: "Reading move a step closer to promotion with a vital victory but Saints will certainly join them if they play like they they did tonight. Saints were robbed, but that won't matter one bit to Brian McDermott and his side." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CanadaSaint Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 I'm still fairly confident about staying in the top two but, for all our possession, there some realities to face: We played against a team that made fewer big errors. We made three (four if we count two for Fox - one for the intercepted pass and another for letting Kebe get the cross in), and they resulted in three goals. Clinical. The one we made for their second goal was exactly the same as the one for Pompey's tying goal - not picking up the late-arriver, which is very troubling. We played against a team that gets the ball forward much quicker than us - it's not one of our strengths. We played against a team that is more willing to shoot from the edge of the box - we don't do it anywhere near enough. Nigel is great at working the positives but he's going to have to lift this squad back up again quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M271 Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 things even themselves out of the season the pompey equaliser goes against our equaliser against blackpool tonight, equalises our win against leeds or am i talking shyt? Those with blinkers will say that you are talking shyte but those that know about football know that there is a certain truth in what you say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
channonball Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 It would be an interesting stat to see fox's pass completion rate and the number of crosses he blocks during a game. Both would be pretty abysmal I would imagine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alpine_saint Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 How quickly we forget winning at Dellhurst Park. Nature of the beast. Get a result, shift focus to the next one. though we might find ourselves dwelling on having lost 3 points to Bristol City at SMS in a couple of weeks time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfc4prem Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 Just on train back to Cosham. No fecking way did we deserve to lose that. They took every fookin chance they had, their keeper had a stormer, and our finishing at times was poor. Draw would have been a fair result - we gifted them two goals today. Hammond, Fonte hang your heads for costing us those two second half goals. Oh and the ref was ****e Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dune Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 How quickly we forget winning at Dellhurst Park. And we were only treated to one post from alpine in the match reaction thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micky Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 Yep, this helps... Come on people. I think that you might find that some people have motives other than entering into the debate when posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank's cousin Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 Frank, your post is a little different though. You are admitting that our team has frailties. I am objecting to seeing people post sh*t like "Reading mugged us" when they didnt. They played a strong, intelligent game tonight (I wish we could do that sometimes) and ground out the result they needed. Fair point, they did a pro job and got the points. But although I dont go along with the mugged routine, afterall we did that to Leeds - that happens in football to even the best sides - My point is that whether the performance is good, bad, indifferent or not, whether we can blatently see what frailties there are or not, whether we blieve it was bad luck etc or whatever,. at this stage in the season it about hanging in there. Sure for those that enjoy deep analysis of each players performance etc, its a free country and balanced views without emotive ignorance is fair enough.... but I take issue with those that seem to gain some bizarre satisfaction form being able to have a go. We can do all that player analysis in closed season... now is the time for remaining positive, believing and acknowledging just how far the club has come and getting behind each and every one of them. I kno some will say its empty words or naive, but hey, we need to show our metal right now and do what it says on the supporter tin. We can do this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
St Chalet Posted 13 April, 2012 Author Share Posted 13 April, 2012 We might not get to parade a trophy through the streets, but I still think we will go up. At the start of the season almost all of us would have given our right nut to go up via a scrappy goal in the play offs after finishing 6th. This season we have been treated to some Champagne football and a team who has continued to put pride back into a club that was all but decimated 3 years ago. As disappointing as tonight is, it is just that - tonight. We have a club, a bright future and more importantly, Peterborough on Tuesday night! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 We might not get to parade a trophy through the streets, but I still think we will go up. At the start of the season almost all of us would have given our right nut to go up via a scrappy goal in the p,any offs after finishing 6th. This season we have been treated to some Champagne football and a team who has continued to put pride back into a club that was all but decimated 3 years ago. As disappointing as tonight is, it is just that - tonight. We have a club, a bright future and more importantly, Peterborough on Tuesyda night! This!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warsash saint Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 One day Alpine will get this excited when Saints win ...... hmmmmm maybe not !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
channonball Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 Why was chaplow subbed? That cost us the game! If it was tactical it was a big mistake. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toomer Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 We were in control of the game in places but they took the three chances they had, we created a good number of chances which we did not take end of lets move on and learn from it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 Why was chaplow subbed? That cost us the game! If it was tactical it was a big mistake. he was on the verge of being sent off Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elmore Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 things even themselves out of the season the pompey equaliser goes against our equaliser against blackpool tonight, equalises our win against leeds or am i talking shyt? Although, don't think were were lucky against Blackpool - they scored a freak goal against us, against run of play if you remember. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 Why was chaplow subbed? That cost us the game! If it was tactical it was a big mistake. Not sure, I think we lacked a bit of control when he went off...but I didn't think he was playing particularly well if I'm honest. He had a few moments where he was sloppy with the ball and gave it away cheaply (And free kicks, yellow already) and that was enough for Adkins. I think he wanted us to be a bit more direct and have a bit more pace, and we did to a degree although he still lacked any real final product. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 Although, don't think were were lucky against Blackpool - they scored a freak goal against us, against run of play if you remember. no...was not in the country Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dune Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 Why was chaplow subbed? That cost us the game! If it was tactical it was a big mistake. I wouldn't have subbed him. Thought he was getting into some great positions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badgerx16 Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 Why was chaplow subbed? That cost us the game! If it was tactical it was a big mistake. Que ?????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warsash saint Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 Why was chaplow subbed? That cost us the game! If it was tactical it was a big mistake. Really ???? Nice one Tommy !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
offix Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 This is one of the very few times this season I was able to see the game (in the local Pub). I felt that the most efficient team won. Their defence was awesome and hard to break down, whereas ours definitely looked vulnerable at times. Fonte especially was disappointing. I have for months now seen all the moaning about Gully on this board, and I always thought "he scored some really important goals for us, so how bad can he be?". Well, now I know. For as long as he was on the pitch I do not remember him giving ANY forward pass or making any threatening move. All he did was pass backwards , lateral or lose the ball. But the bottom line is that if we do not strengthen the defence we will have a hard time in the Prem, assuming we get there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lazlo78 Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 Wide, perhaps. He he, I assume you're right. Just trying to cause a bit of drama here, but perhaps that's unnecessary tonight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shrek Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 Bit wasteful tonight Saints! In fact a lot wasteful. We need to be far more clinical in the final third and stop fannying about with it around the box...just hit the damn thing!!! Anyway, we're still in a good position and we're still playing some great footy. Bring on Posh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaltashSaint Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 The fact is that for all the pretty football we play we do not (Lambert aside) possess any real attacking threat. Possession does not win football matches, goals do. Tonight was the perfect example of that. Crap concentration, poor marking, individual errors and woeful finishing cost us big style. We must win at Peterborough on Tuesday and to do that we have to improve all round as a team. We must not blow it now (please!). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micky Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 We might not get to parade a trophy through the streets, but I still think we will go up. At the start of the season almost all of us would have given our right nut to go up via a scrappy goal in the play offs after finishing 6th. This season we have been treated to some Champagne football and a team who has continued to put pride back into a club that was all but decimated 3 years ago. As disappointing as tonight is, it is just that - tonight. We have a club, a bright future and more importantly, Peterborough on Tuesday night! Well said that man. Totally agree. Perspective. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genk Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 I wouldn't have subbed him. Thought he was getting into some great positions. One or two more fouls and Dean would have given him a second yellow. Yes he was getting into some great positions, but its a shame he doesn't do anything with it. He hasn't been himself since coming back from injury. I thought De Ridder looked bright when he came on. Fonte played poorly and I have been saying for weeks that if we go up then we need somebody to partner Jos at the back. Just can't see Fonte cutting it (if we make it). Thought we played well, Reading always looked dangerous on the break and fair play to them. Three shots is all you need if you score them all. We lack that cutting edge other than Lambert, who I thought was superb. Le Fondre is a fantastic little player and best of luck to them, they will win the league now. Pick ourselves up now and play like that against both Boro's and get four points minimum, we will be fine. In the mean time, lets home Brighton can knick something tomorrow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John McGrath's Jockstrap Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 Chaplow was subbed because he was on a yellow and given his foul ratio in 1st half he would not have lasted the whole of the 2nd. De Ridder came on and did well but we really gave up our centre mid from about 65 mins. Cork looked lightweight and we really missed Spiderman. Fox's distribution was poor tonight but Fonte and Hammond frankly looked completely out on their legs in second half. Reading were clinical up front and punished the lack of concentration by our CB's caused by that tiredness. This is not the end of the world - but Adkins is going to have to pull them up by their bootstraps for next week. I think there will be more twists and turns yet. Over to WHU to see if they can take the opportunity. Something tells me that they won't.....keep the razor blades in the cupboard for now...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saints foreva Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 Very disappointing. Our own mistakes made the three Reading goals. Unsure what to expect with Peterborough and Boro but I honestly wouldn't be surprised to see us drop points in both. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OttawaSaint Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 I've been supporting Saints long enough to know that even if they don't go up to the prem then I'll get over it and be willing them on next year. Years ago I'd have been whining about this and annoying my loved ones with my bad mood, but in the end, wherever we are I am a Saints fan and Saints will be Saints doing it the Saints way (i.e. not the easy way). My Brother is a Man U fan and even with all the winning they have had, he's still ranting and raving at this and that and miserable. Call me a loser or whatnot but in the end, why obcess about something I don't have an ounce of control over, it'd be like having a tantrum over the weather or something. Peace out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rasiak-9- Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 You're in your f/cking element now aren't you. Why was chaplow subbed? That cost us the game! If it was tactical it was a big mistake. Bloody idiot. The guy was having a stinker and couldn't get the ball under control at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 Why was chaplow subbed? That cost us the game! If it was tactical it was a big mistake. Absolute garbage. Chaplow was rubbish. Wasted loads if good positions in first half and stupid tackle to get booked. We didn't want him sent off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 @joshooiveld20: Played well, werent as good in the finishing as Reading tonight! Heads up, we're going again on tuesday! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DT Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 Missed a LOT of very good chances tonight. They didn't. Defence looked shaky. Theirs didn't. simples. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 13 April, 2012 Share Posted 13 April, 2012 Absolute garbage. Chaplow was rubbish. Wasted loads if good positions in first half and stupid tackle to get booked. We didn't want him sent off. yep, they showed him kicking the ball away when we scored and the ref had a word with nigel apparently...hence why he came off Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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