As good as yesterday's performance was....

[The Kraken]

...are we not guilty of going a little over the top with the merits of the game?

 

Firstly this is not an attack on the team; I was really surprised by how confident and comfortable we looked at times. Our two goals were well worked and well taken, and overall there was more to be pleased with than not.

 

However, I think we're kidding ourselves a bit that, on another day, Man City could have been well and truly out of sight before we clawed our way back into the game. They scored 3 goals in the game, missed a penalty, Silva was guilty of at least one miss of a virtual open goal, Clichy blazed over from 6 yards out, Balotelli somehow put it wide from a similar distance. 3 goals scored plus at least 4 where you'd put your money on a goal, and it could quite easily have been a very different scoreline and story.

 

Of course that's mitigated against the fact we were up against the champions, at their home ground, and we were expecting nothing more than a complete hammering. And I know that you need an element of luck to get anything from these games. But I'm hearing things like "this was our best performance in years" from some people and, well, and I think we're in danger of playing the plucky losers card too much.

 

IMO the Wigan game will tell us much more about our team than this game has. That's when the real pressure is on, and the level of expectation goes right up.

[Thedelldays]

I think we were brave. Which most would not be

 

When we play at this ground, old Trafford, Stamford bridge etc we will need huge luck. Which we got yesterday

 

But we were not scared to have a go.

Look at our break for the 2nd. Swarmed forward and left ourselves short at the back. And for a team with supposedly no pace, no CB and a crap keeper, that was pretty ballsy

 

Even all the subs were forward thinking. No bringing off fox for another LB

 

Just thought we gave them a good go considering it was our first game in the prem and many of these players were playing against Plymouth may last year

[Noodles34]

...are we not guilty of going a little over the top with the merits of the game?

 

Firstly this is not an attack on the team; I was really surprised by how confident and comfortable we looked at times. Our two goals were well worked and well taken, and overall there was more to be pleased with than not.

 

However, I think we're kidding ourselves a bit that, on another day, Man City could have been well and truly out of sight before we clawed our way back into the game. They scored 3 goals in the game, missed a penalty, Silva was guilty of at least one miss of a virtual open goal, Clichy blazed over from 6 yards out, Balotelli somehow put it wide from a similar distance. 3 goals scored plus at least 4 where you'd put your money on a goal, and it could quite easily have been a very different scoreline and story.

 

Of course that's mitigated against the fact we were up against the champions, at their home ground, and we were expecting nothing more than a complete hammering. And I know that you need an element of luck to get anything from these games. But I'm hearing things like "this was our best performance in years" from some people and, well, and I think we're in danger of playing the plucky losers card too much.

 

IMO the Wigan game will tell us much more about our team than this game has. That's when the real pressure is on, and the level of expectation goes right up.[/QUOTE]

 

I think this.

 

Man City was always going to be a game whereby we were either stuffed (and we could have been) and that would not have been good, or, we put in herotic display and clawed a point or lost dramitically etc. which is what happened. Either way, this game was not going to be about our season, too much on how well we played, and how we are going to be fine etc. if we play like that every week, but we won't though.

We'll know (or have a bit of an idea) at 5pm next Saturday how we are really going to fare in this league.

[Bishop]

Could have been a different story on another day if their goal was flagged for offside and we were given the pen.

[AussieDog]

Their first goal was offside and Fonte missed a sitter late on. you can pick up the positives and negatives from both sides. Football will always be a game of "ifs and buts" and that is one of the reasons why I love it!

[The9]

I can understand the wish to not go overboard, but that's as pleased as I've been with a defeat since the FA Cup Final. We can compete, and Adkins out-thought Mancini for massive swathes of the game.

 

My concern is that we played that match like a cup final and we need that level of performance every week to reach our maximum. And yeah, we did allow a lot of chances, but probably fewer than I anticipated.

[Matthew Le God]

Their first goal was offside and Fonte missed a sitter late on. you can pick up the positives and negatives from both sides. Football will always be a game of "ifs and buts" and that is one of the reasons why I love it!

 

I think that is harsh on Fonte. It was behind him, at an awkward height and had to be volleyed with his weaker left foot.

[St_Tel49]

...are we not guilty of going a little over the top with the merits of the game?

 

Firstly this is not an attack on the team; I was really surprised by how confident and comfortable we looked at times. Our two goals were well worked and well taken, and overall there was more to be pleased with than not.

 

However, I think we're kidding ourselves a bit that, on another day, Man City could have been well and truly out of sight before we clawed our way back into the game. They scored 3 goals in the game, missed a penalty, Silva was guilty of at least one miss of a virtual open goal, Clichy blazed over from 6 yards out, Balotelli somehow put it wide from a similar distance. 3 goals scored plus at least 4 where you'd put your money on a goal, and it could quite easily have been a very different scoreline and story.

 

Of course that's mitigated against the fact we were up against the champions, at their home ground, and we were expecting nothing more than a complete hammering. And I know that you need an element of luck to get anything from these games. But I'm hearing things like "this was our best performance in years" from some people and, well, and I think we're in danger of playing the plucky losers card too much.

 

IMO the Wigan game will tell us much more about our team than this game has. That's when the real pressure is on, and the level of expectation goes right up.

I don't think that anyone was really saying that it was our best performance ever - just that it was a performance the enjoyed a lot. I think that we were all apprehensive going into this and were pleasantly surprised at how well we did. The top half of the premiership has moved on since we were last here (I'm less convinced that the bottom half has) and we were not sure just how we would cope. The answer was - surprisingly well. But I agree - Wigan will be the real measure. They pass the ball about and did give Chelsea a hard game after conceding the two goals.

[Maggie May]

However, I think we're kidding ourselves a bit that, on another day, Man City could have been well and truly out of sight before we clawed our way back into the game. They scored 3 goals in the game, missed a penalty, Silva was guilty of at least one miss of a virtual open goal, Clichy blazed over from 6 yards out, Balotelli somehow put it wide from a similar distance. 3 goals scored plus at least 4 where you'd put your money on a goal, and it could quite easily have been a very different scoreline and story.

 

Of course that's mitigated against the fact we were up against the champions, at their home ground, and we were expecting nothing more than a complete hammering. And I know that you need an element of luck to get anything from these games. But I'm hearing things like "this was our best performance in years" from some people and, well, and I think we're in danger of playing the plucky losers card too much.

 

But that's football though. When has it ever been regimented with the same outcome? It's not always about tactics or which team has the better players. Luck plays a massive part.

[Bearsy]

I think a lot of it is relief cos we was expecting a bit of a hiding.

 

If we get outplayed like that in the Wigan game you'll see the exact opposite reaction on here!

[The Kraken]

I can understand the wish to not go overboard, but that's as pleased as I've been with a defeat since the FA Cup Final. We can compete, and Adkins out-thought Mancini for massive swathes of the game.

 

My concern is that we played that match like a cup final and we need that level of performance every week to reach our maximum. And yeah, we did allow a lot of chances, but probably fewer than I anticipated.

 

If I'd have been at the game I'm sure I'd have come away feeling absolutely elated. I watched on Sky and felt delighted afterwards.

 

It wasn't until watching the highlights later on BBC though that I actually realised just how many glaring opportunities we gave away to City. They're obviously a class above almost every team in this league, but to give away so many gilt-edged opportunities still really worries me. We'll score goals in this league, I'm pretty confident of that, but our propensity for being undone at the back is a definite concern.

[The9]

Their first goal was offside and Fonte missed a sitter late on. you can pick up the positives and negatives from both sides. Football will always be a game of "ifs and buts" and that is one of the reasons why I love it!

 

Their first goal was at best a borderline offside, Clyne was leaning and his left shoulder was probably nearer the goal than any part of Tevez. It was certainly close enough that the lino could be forgiven for not flagging.

[The9]

If I'd have been at the game I'm sure I'd have come away feeling absolutely elated. I watched on Sky and felt delighted afterwards.

 

It wasn't until watching the highlights later on BBC though that I actually realised just how many glaring opportunities we gave away to City. They're obviously a class above almost every team in this league, but to give away so many gilt-edged opportunities still really worries me. We'll score goals in this league, I'm pretty confident of that, but our propensity for being undone at the back is a definite concern.

 

If it ends up being like last season I'd rather be us scoring and shipping than Reading scoring sod all and relying on others missing loads.

[Minty]

As I said in the post-match thread, yesterdays performance gave us a bit more belief, which I think is worth a lot just now. We know we'll have to improve our defence (and Adkins has said as much), and we know we need some more attacking options, and it seems that Phillips/Ramirez (or both) are on their way to help that, but I think there was some real trepidation and even fear about what might happen. The fact we gave them a good game and scored a couple has given us all a bit more belief that, with the above additions, and continuing work on the training ground, together with more actual game time, we can improve and really compete in this league.

 

There's a long way to go, but this gets us started in a much better frame of mind than I think most of us were ever expecting.

[Give it to Ron]

If I'd have been at the game I'm sure I'd have come away feeling absolutely elated. I watched on Sky and felt delighted afterwards.

 

It wasn't until watching the highlights later on BBC though that I actually realised just how many glaring opportunities we gave away to City. They're obviously a class above almost every team in this league, but to give away so many gilt-edged opportunities still really worries me. We'll score goals in this league, I'm pretty confident of that, but our propensity for being undone at the back is a definite concern.

 

But there is not a Saints fan alive that doesn't realise the defence is our achilles heel...Adkins knows it as well. Poor defending cost us and I cannot believe we will not recruit a defender before the window closes - I would of liked it weeks ago but hey our targets never came off or we wouldn't pay what was asked.

Great performance. very proud but disappointed with the goals conceded.

[david in sweden]

...

 

But I'm hearing things like "this was our best performance in years" from some people and, well, and I think we're in danger of playing the plucky losers card too much.

 

IMO the Wigan game will tell us much more about our team than this game has. That's when the real pressure is on, and the level of expectation goes right up.

 

 

I think you need to put that comment in context, too. Kraken.

 

If you consider, we haven't played at this level for 7 years, and the present Man.City side is probably much better than anyone who was around at that time (2005), then the comment is probably fair.

 

We have the basis of a team that was formed 3 seasons ago in L1, and as Nigel Adkins commented it was the highest class of attackers his defence had ever played against.

 

I thought our debutants; Clyne, Ward-Prowse and Steve Davis did well and was vastly impressed that we maintained our passing skills (when we were allowed to have the ball) and took our chances well , considering the number that City squandered. After having watched almost three seasons of us pounding the " cannon-fodder " in L1 and NPC ..we have come down to Earth, but I have seldom felt so proud of a Saints side - even in defeat, when many were expecting City to get a cricket score.

 

The one over-riding factor that I have worried about since last season is that despite our midfield skill,and striking ability we lost the game through poor defending and although I'm sure NA is searching for the right formula, our fate this season will be decided not by the goals we score, but the ones we concede.

 

I agree also, that Wigan who played their " Great Escape " card in the Spring again, are a good test of the potential strugglers in this League. The result against them will give us some indication of that.

Winning by a two goal margin will be good, although I wonder how many " clean sheets " we are likely to see THIS season.

Edited 20 August, 2012 by david in sweden

[Saint86]

If I'd have been at the game I'm sure I'd have come away feeling absolutely elated. I watched on Sky and felt delighted afterwards.

 

It wasn't until watching the highlights later on BBC though that I actually realised just how many glaring opportunities we gave away to City. They're obviously a class above almost every team in this league, but to give away so many gilt-edged opportunities still really worries me. We'll score goals in this league, I'm pretty confident of that, but our propensity for being undone at the back is a definite concern.

 

We gave them (or could not maintain) possession. At one point they were over 80%. When we attacked they couldn't get the ball that is what I noticed. Their fans on blue moon agree and thought we were deadly going forward. I also think the dfnse coped well considering the time and possession given to world class attackers. And in fairness I think the team were slightly awestruck at times, gave them a little to much respect and got pushed to deep. From their it was like watching chelsea bareclona.

 

Fair play to the lads however because the were able to rally and push on, get out of their box and attack well. Also the last 10min city couldn't get the ball. we also were not given a penalty, their goal was offside. And tevez frankly new what jos would do, looked for his leg and did a theatrical dive love it.

 

I also feel sorry for fox. Thought did well and was left exposed at times. Considering he chasing he was doing it was no wonder he got knackered and run ragged by city for their 3rd goal.

 

also how good I'd Lambert look when he came on. Changed the game and looked class. No worries about him this season. As I have said all along 10-15th with ease. Just as I said automatic last season. Trust the team, trust NA, trust NC and imagine what it will be like with the armoured future signings.

 

Also to the negative mongs on here (mostly in hiding after yesterday) cut it out and support he saints. U only exist on here and are an embarrassing minority.

[saintjay77]

I thought some of the positivity in the first half was due to some seriously rose tinted glasses. We looked like a league 1 team against the prem champions at times and I thought we could do better. Never for 1 minute did I think we could beat Man City or play like Barcalona. But I knew we could play better than we were and I was frustrated with what I was seeing.

 

JRod was lost out of position and Guly is no target man as he cant hold onto the ball on his own when up against such class defence. The changes produced a performance that far exceeded what I thought we were capable of against such a good squad. We showed the type of football we are capable of and scored 2 goals against the prems best that made themselves look lost at times.

 

Rickie caused trouble as the target man and that brought Guly into the game, Davis in the middle gave a bit of bite that Ward-Prowse is yet to learn and the whole team lost some of the sloppyness in the passing from the first half. Fox will be kicking himself for his header and I doubt he will be making the same mistake any time soon and I doubt we will be on the wrong side of too many wrong off side decissions but both of those show the small margins we now have to deal with. In the Championship you could maybe have 3 or 4 mistakes and get punished for 1. In the prem 1 mistake is enough to get punished. can our defence learn that lesson quickly? Or will we be adding some real quality to the back line? Man U pinching the LB we were after shows the level of quality we are trying to get so on a whole I am really pleased with where we are going.

 

Plenty of mixed feelings yesterday but I can see a really bright future without possible targets, so if we manage to bring in one or two players that we are after then I think we can do fantasticly well compared to what most of us probably expect.

 

If we can learn from that and take the positives into the following games then I fancy us to give most teams a run for thier money.

[alpine_saint]

We can only judge on what we've seen so far, and I am happy/releived/impressed.

 

The spirit and effort is there, we are just lacking a bit of quality. Amalagamating my own opinion, that on here, and the evidence of the first game, we need a GK, a LB, at least one CB and some pace on the wing. 4 to 5 new players.

 

Then we should be sitting pretty.

[Foxstone]

As I said in the post-match thread, yesterdays performance gave us a bit more belief, which I think is worth a lot just now. We know we'll have to improve our defence (and Adkins has said as much), and we know we need some more attacking options, and it seems that Phillips/Ramirez (or both) are on their way to help that, but I think there was some real trepidation and even fear about what might happen. The fact we gave them a good game and scored a couple has given us all a bit more belief that, with the above additions, and continuing work on the training ground, together with more actual game time, we can improve and really compete in this league.

 

There's a long way to go, but this gets us started in a much better frame of mind than I think most of us were ever expecting.

 

Exactly how I view it too..

 

It does not matter that Man City could have scored more - That was our toughest away fixture this season ( as it will be for all the other teams), and we competed and competed well.

A great boost to our confidence and belief as we go forward.

[The Kraken]

We can only judge on what we've seen so far, and I am happy/releived/impressed.

 

The spirit and effort is there, we are just lacking a bit of quality. Amalagamating my own opinion, that on here, and the evidence of the first game, we need a GK, a LB, at least one CB and some pace on the wing. 4 to 5 new players.

 

Then we should be sitting pretty.

 

So we need half a new team then?!

 

I don't necessarily disagree, but that kind of puts it in perspective.

[dubai_phil]

If I'd have been at the game I'm sure I'd have come away feeling absolutely elated. I watched on Sky and felt delighted afterwards.

 

It wasn't until watching the highlights later on BBC though that I actually realised just how many glaring opportunities we gave away to City. They're obviously a class above almost every team in this league, but to give away so many gilt-edged opportunities still really worries me. We'll score goals in this league, I'm pretty confident of that, but our propensity for being undone at the back is a definite concern.

 

But iff you watch again, on at least 3 occassions, Lallana needed an extra touch - once would have been a shooting oppty, the other two were where he could have put players through. In that first 10 minutes Citeh could hardly get the ball. With just a BIT more belief (and quality) we could actually have hurt them in that whirlwind opening.

 

After that yes they had "half chances and a couple of should have got shots on target, BUT the defensive shape was there and it was never "Leeds Away on TV" type defending.

 

Our reactions? We knew we had the rump of an L1 team on the pitch against the best team in England. We (and the media) but especially Citeh expected a gentle "pre-season" warm up for bigger games to come.

 

We are elated and so were the players. We from "Shock", the players from finally believing.

 

The reaction is right. We can do a job in this league, that is the reaction. We also know we WILL have to play every game like a cup final and that is why we will have a larger squad and why rotation will happen more and more now

[bender]

Wigan were on the telly not an hour before us. I'm confident.

[mikee]

I think we all know that this side needs re-inforcements to be able to compete in the Premier League, but somehow yesterday we managed to without them.

 

I think that is why it feels more like a victory than a defeat.

 

It is also quite obvious that we are likely to have better players available to us for the Wigan game so there is even more reason to be optimistic about that one.

 

for now, we all deserve the opportunity to bask in the glory of yesterday's result - lets worry about Wigan later in the week, by which time we may have Ramirez, Phillips and a CB to boost our confidence.

[supersonic]

We played well, and we did much better than most people expected us to. however...

 

We are still making silly mistakes at the back, our marking needs to be improved as does our decision making. We may have been able to get a way with some of those mistakes last year, but we won't this year. If we don't sort the defence out we'll be going straight back down.

 

But I was pleased with how "The fat bloke who is no better than league 1 standard" smashed one in past England (and one of the top 3 keepers in the world) Joe Hart. JWP was superb and already looks better than Hammond

[View From The Top]

We need a CB but with Cork & Lee to comeback we have genuine options. Would love Matt Philips as well.

 

I reckon most of us travelled hoping not to get a dicking.

 

What gave me real hope was that we weren't overawed, tried to play our game & with the pace that Lee & hopefully Philips will bring we will kill some teams.

 

Yes we rode our luck at times but we played away at the champions who have only dropped points twice at home in their 30 previous games.

[Frank's cousin]

Agree with Kracken to some extent - ultimately its about points as well and I was pleased that NIGE was obviously disspointed - if we are TOO 'happy' with defeat to anyone even the best clubs then we will remain small time/relegation zone candidates. We were outclased in many areas, but passion, graft and our own qualities allowed us to make a game of it.... as a foundation for the season, a good game... it shows how far we have come in teh last 3 yaers, but also how far we have got to go if NC is serious about being a top 6 side in the next 3-5 years.

 

If we rate it on different categories:

 

Confidence - good boost and players will know they can gve anyone a game

Passion/committment - 10/10 one reason why we have so much prasie for the lads

Quality of play - for our goals and the 10 minutes or so when we were 'equals' has to be 8/10, but given we gave away so much pocession and chance to teh oposition, its clear we still have work to do defensively - 4/10

Enjoyment 8/10 - exciting, relieved and surprized in some respects, but must hope that players did not see this as a 'cup final' and raised their game - need this week in week out if we are to stay up.

 

Also felt many enjoyed the fact that we did not get trounced as many expected which tends to cloud our view, BUT also the fact that its clear that with one or two additions we will have the basis of a side that should compete well and take the next step.

 

Step in teh right direction.

[KelvinsRightGlove]

I think the way we play we are going to come unstuck sometimes, and quite possibly get a few unpleasant hammerings.

 

But, I do also think we created some good chances, and had some decent spells of possession. If we can do that @ City, I see no reason why we can't create chances against anyone.

[lordswoodsaints]

I think nobody would disagree with this,we were good,a lot better than what most people expected but the real point is we didn't get hammered by a 5,6 or 7 nil scoreline which would have really messed with the players heads and demoralised them for a few weeks if not months.

We held our own under extreme pressure at times and tbh although we lost we have come out of it pretty much unscathed and the doubters and doom merchants on here and in the press are now singing our praises.

Like many I predicted we would get thumped 4 or 5 nil,but to score 2 and come away with our helds held high sends out a message to the other teams in the league that we are just not going to roll over and let them beat us.

[Frank's cousin]

I think the way we play we are going to come unstuck sometimes, and quite possibly get a few unpleasant hammerings.

 

But, I do also think we created some good chances, and had some decent spells of possession. If we can do that @ City, I see no reason why we can't create chances against anyone.

 

True - we will always create chances - but yesterday we had 2 and scored 2... we even saw last yaer we can have 17 and score none - way it goes so we need to tighten things up at the back

 

NO downer on the side - they did all that could have been asked of them. Proud yes, pleased with the foundation, yes, but we must not fall into the 'pleased with a defeat' trap - zero points is zero points, whether against bottom half or top half teams.

[Saint Charlie]

Could argue City were lucky - the second and third goals the ball fell so kindly for them...

 

Just enjoy that Saints performance against the second or third best squad in the world.

[SaintRichmond]

Not many would have forecast a 2-3 scoreline

 

On paper, a good performance against the current Champions

 

But, take the rosy tinted glasses off and think :-

 

City had enough chances for at least seven

 

Two at least of City;s goals were down tp sloppy defending

 

Yes, I am a Saints Fan

 

Yes, I am a STH

 

Yes, I am a Realist

[The Kraken]

Could argue City were lucky - the second and third goals the ball fell so kindly for them...

 

Just enjoy that Saints performance against the second or third best squad in the world.

I don't think for one minute I would suggest that City were lucky.

[The9]

True - we will always create chances - but yesterday we had 2 and scored 2... we even saw last yaer we can have 17 and score none - way it goes so we need to tighten things up at the back

 

NO downer on the side - they did all that could have been asked of them. Proud yes, pleased with the foundation, yes, but we must not fall into the 'pleased with a defeat' trap - zero points is zero points, whether against bottom half or top half teams.

 

We created more than 2 chances, but due to a couple of dithery moments in the box (Puncheon late on being the most obvious) had a couple blocked at source and only had 2 shots reach the keeper. Puncheon was 1 on 1 with the last defender in the area with 2 in support, there's no way that wasn't a "chance", but the shot was blocked.

[St_Tel49]

Not many would have forecast a 2-3 scoreline

 

On paper, a good performance against the current Champions

 

But, take the rosy tinted glasses off and think :-

 

City had enough chances for at least seven

 

Two at least of City;s goals were down tp sloppy defending

 

Yes, I am a Saints Fan

 

Yes, I am a STH

 

Yes, I am a Realist

Substitute Southampton for City in your list of statements and last year you could have been talking about us versus some lower teams. That is the way that football is. Not all opportunities are converted and luck plays its part in all results. "IF this, that or the other had happened" is just speculation

[Saint Charlie]

I don't think for one minute I would suggest that City were lucky.

 

Just saying that from their point of view those goals had elements of fortune in, as much as obviously they were the best team and deserved their win.

 

You need that to win games sometimes, or as we showed, to come close to getting a result when the odds are stacked against you. Look at Chelsea in the CL final. No team will ever get a good result at City (even if good is a 3-2 defeat) without getting a bit of luck at some point.

[JPTCount]

there we're moments we could have stolen the win, and i still feel we were unlucky not to get a point.

 

but i am happy with the performance, we we're expected to make up the numbers, and it was the best game of the weekend for a neutral, david vs goliath etc.. & the restart at 2-2 was like watching fifa

 

there's not really much to be negative about imo, football is about on the day performance, not wot happened in the last 32 meetings, or endless lists of whats, ifs and buts. 'on another day' tevez would have been given offside and we might have gone 2-0 up....

 

but ultimately, we almost got 3 points from a team that has only dropped 4 in two years at home, whose whole team, subs used included, consisted of top internationals, and in the exact same fixture last year Swansea lost 4-0. before the game i was happy just to see us score, regardless of result.

 

obviously the wigan result carries more weight, but i can't believe ur ****ing on the fire this soon. just enjoy the moment, the world has seen southampton, and we have arrived!

[tpbury]

Agree with OP - rare event. I'm sure other football teams and Pompey will have a laugh at our bright eyed enthusiasm about getting beaten. However, logic suggests we could beat Wigan, then we'll be chuffed.

[scotty]

We went into that game as a team fresh from back to back promotions, and a team containing a fair few that were competing in L1 a couple of seasons ago. Playing the prem champions, at home, who last season played 19 home games, won 18, drew one, and conceded 12 goals.

 

We scored two, went ahead, and looked unlucky not to walk away with at least a point.

 

A defeat's a defeat, but most people were only wondering how many we'd lose by. There are so many positives for us to take from that game, and the negatives are addressable. COYR

[Cabrone]

Before the game I thought we'd get a hiding but afterwards I'm dissapointed not to have picked up a point which could be vital come May.

 

We should have gone for their throats at 2-1 but I think we were surprised to be in that position and went deep.

 

However, the performance will have given the team + fans confidence that we can challenge in this league.

 

They now know that if we play like that most weeks we can steer clear of the bottom 3 and that is a huge psychological boost.

[Matthew Le God]

I don't think for one minute I would suggest that City were lucky.

 

They were lucky they didn't have a player sent off and a penalty against them for a lunging two footed tackle on Rodriguez early in the first half. That was a potential game changing moment.

[The Kraken]

They were lucky they didn't have a player sent off and a penalty against them for a lunging two footed tackle on Rodriguez early in the first half. That was a potential game changing moment.

That wasn't a sending off challenge.

[alpine_saint]

I cant believe some of the comments on this thread.

 

Seems some of our fans would have preferred a 5-0 butt-f**king.

 

We just scared the living sh*t out of Premier League Champions, a team that didnt lose at home last season.

 

There is stuff we need to work on, but Jesus, what a base to work from...

[The9]

That wasn't a sending off challenge.

 

To use a throwaway line "I've seen them given". Didn't think anything of it at the match, but it was at the other end and I was in the 3rd row. Looked at least reckless, potentially dangerous and in the box when I watched MotD2 when I got home. Might have got it if it was at the other end.

[View From The Top]

To use a throwaway line "I've seen them given". Didn't think anything of it at the match, but it was at the other end and I was in the 3rd row. Looked at least reckless, potentially dangerous and in the box when I watched MotD2 when I got home. Might have got it if it was at the other end.

 

Yep. definitely a "seen them given".

[Matthew Le God]

That wasn't a sending off challenge.

 

Two footed, reckless, in the air and didn't get the ball cleanly. You see red cards all the time for that! Plus was in the penalty area.

 

Do you think it should have been a penalty?

[View From The Top]

Two footed, reckless, in the air and didn't get the ball cleanly. You see red cards all the time for that! Plus was in the penalty area.

 

Do you think it should have been a penalty?

 

It wasn't given. No one in the Saints end shouted for a penalty & until I'd seen MOTD2 I'd no idea there & been a penalty shout so get over it & move on.

 

We didn't win but showed we could play & that'll do me.

[John Boy Saint]

Bottom line was we did not get spanked, yes they could have been out of sight but failed to convert the chances they were presented with, you could see we were cautious but grew in confidence when we realised they were not as invincible as on paper would say. So on that score being billed as cannon fodder the fact we made a game of it is a positive, zero points for all that effort is a negative without doubt.Football is a game of ifs and buts, if the Lino was standing in line not 8ft beyond our back line, Tevez probably would have been flagged offside. If Webb had followed the letter of the law from previous seasons, we would have had a penalty (just look at Skrtel the day before) not only that Lescott should probably have been off too as that was a 2 footed studs up tackle on JRod, and we have seen many a player walk for just a little of that.Do what we know we can and we will be alright. As for stamina I would say as a team we are fitter now than we were under WGS which makes coping with the challenge each week so much easier. Man City at 3-2 thought we were put to bed but we kept at them.Nigel may have been positive in the post match interview, but as he said himself it counted for nothing: that is feet squarely on the ground with work to be done.

[KelvinsRightGlove]

I cant believe some of the comments on this thread.

 

Seems some of our fans would have preferred a 5-0 butt-f**king.

 

We just scared the living sh*t out of Premier League Champions, a team that didnt lose at home last season.

 

There is stuff we need to work on, but Jesus, what a base to work from...

 

Well said that man.

[Noodles34]

Well said that man.

 

do me a favour, he's just angling