Thedelldays Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 apparently Villa have sold out of their allocation now, should make it a decent atmosphere. Yeah.. Can be a loud following. They will not doubt be expecting a win. What was the score the last time we played them at SMS... Yeah, we owe them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colinjb Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 What was the score the last time we played them at SMS... Don't, just.... don't...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 apparently Villa have sold out of their allocation now, should make it a decent atmosphere. Around 1700 Saints tickets remaining as of just now, so we're getting fairly close. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dig Dig Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 Around 1700 Saints tickets remaining as of just now, so we're getting fairly close. Build it, Build it, Build it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 Build it, Build it, Build it! We were never going to sell this one out in advance with the boat show on at the same time........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 Minor error in my calcs, its actually 1650 tickets still available. Northam has sold out apart from literally 1 or 2 singles. Kingland is fairly full, about 50 or 60 tickets throughout. Chapel is the most available, blocks 10 to 19 have 1,450 tickets still available. And still around 50 tickets in blocks 1-4 (with no huge blocks unsold down the front so hopefully that's been sorted out). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dig Dig Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 We were never going to sell this one out in advance with the boat show on at the same time........ The weather is looking a bit overcast and breezy..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Charlie Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 I bet there will end up being about 50 unsold seats - located right behind the goal - making it seem like the ground is half full on TV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 I bet there will end up being about 50 unsold seats - located right behind the goal - making it seem like the ground is half full on TV. The seating plan says not; but then that's exactly what it said before. Even for the Man Utd game, which sold out nearly 2 weeks in advance and yet there were still at least 200 empty seats in plain view. I did have a look at the seating plan as soon as Villa tickets went on sale; and it seemed like those previously empty blocks of seats were actually on sale this time round. So hopefully the club have sorted it out, either by reducing the amount of comps that weren't taken up or by moving those seats higher up in the stands and out of immediate camera view. For some reason it always bugs me that the segregation of fans is often directly behind the goal, it looks a bit ridiculous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JRM Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 The seating plan says not; but then that's exactly what it said before. Even for the Man Utd game, which sold out nearly 2 weeks in advance and yet there were still at least 200 empty seats in plain view. I did have a look at the seating plan as soon as Villa tickets went on sale; and it seemed like those previously empty blocks of seats were actually on sale this time round. So hopefully the club have sorted it out, either by reducing the amount of comps that weren't taken up or by moving those seats higher up in the stands and out of immediate camera view. For some reason it always bugs me that the segregation of fans is often directly behind the goal, it looks a bit ridiculous. well we know that they club allowed for the dilution of atmosphere in block 3 by allocating comps to that area, plenty of room down the other end of the Itchen if they wanted but they choose there. will depend on how many of them turn up. plenty of room to spread out for the chapel enders then, it will be just like the old days of league one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 well we know that they club allowed for the dilution of atmosphere in block 3 by allocating comps to that area, plenty of room down the other end of the Itchen if they wanted but they choose there. will depend on how many of them turn up. plenty of room to spread out for the chapel enders then, it will be just like the old days of league one! This game will sell out no worries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint86 Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 Yep - this is much more likely I would imagine, but with GR and Lallana swapped. FFS, GRam is not a right winger. What the hell is wrong withe people. He is going to play central mid behind the front 3 or left wing with the lallana in the midfield role. We have Puncheon and Mayuka as the right wingets and lallana and Guly can both play there. We are not paying a £12m for this lad to stick him out on the right Surely. I am like wtf everytime I read this. Nothing i have seen on him has been at right mid/wing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Garrett Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 FFS, GRam is not a right winger. What the hell is wrong withe people. He is going to play central mid behind the front 3 or left wing with the lallana in the midfield role. We have Puncheon and Mayuka as the right wingets and lallana and Guly can both play there. We are not paying a £12m for this lad to stick him out on the right Surely. I am like wtf everytime I read this. Nothing i have seen on him has been at right mid/wing. He played as an 'inside right' for Bolgona. HTH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Kraken Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 This game will sell out no worries. You still think the corporate areas will sell out completely? Interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 You still think the corporate areas will sell out completely? Interesting. It really isn't interesting about the prawn sarnie section.. IMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 The whole set up points towards having Mayuka or Rodriguez as our central forward instead of Lambert. Just think we might be trying to change too much too quickly with the way we play. I think I'd rather we changed the lot in one hit and got on with it, rather than dragging out a gradual change which isn't quite what we need. We're already learning as we go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_preacherman Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 Seems to be a lot of doubt that our new acquisitions (Ramirez, Mayuka) can't play on the wing and if we played them, particularly Mayuka, anywhere other than in the middle then we'd have square pegs in round holes and would have wasted so much cash. Someone also recently lamented Chung being played 'out of position' at Stevenage, wasted on 'the wing'. But, looking at Arsenal tonight in the Champions League, their front three involved three out and out central strikers, two of whom (Gervinho, Podolski) kept taking wide positions then, with clever play, followed their runs into the box to be on the ends of movements they had started. I think it's dated to assume that we have to have 'wingers' - what's needed is clever forwards who take bright positions. I'm convinced that Nigel is thinking beyond something so rigid as 4-3-3 or 4-4-2. The fulcram is the midfield - protecting the defence, releasing the attack. Once the men in the middle get their heads around this role, it won't matter where our three forwards play - they'll all be swapping positions as the match goes on. However, eventually, I fear, Sir Rickie Lambert may simply not be able to keep up with such a system. Oh well, as Monsieur Wenger might opine, 'plus ca change.' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 Seems to be a lot of doubt that our new acquisitions (Ramirez, Mayuka) can't play on the wing and if we played them, particularly Mayuka, anywhere other than in the middle then we'd have square pegs in round holes and would have wasted so much cash. Someone also recently lamented Chung being played 'out of position' at Stevenage, wasted on 'the wing'. But, looking at Arsenal tonight in the Champions League, their front three involved three out and out central strikers, two of whom (Gervinho, Podolski) kept taking wide positions then, with clever play, followed their runs into the box to be on the ends of movements they had started. I think it's dated to assume that we have to have 'wingers' - what's needed is clever forwards who take bright positions. I'm convinced that Nigel is thinking beyond something so rigid as 4-3-3 or 4-4-2. The fulcram is the midfield - protecting the defence, releasing the attack. Once the men in the middle get their heads around this role, it won't matter where our three forwards play - they'll all be swapping positions as the match goes on. However, eventually, I fear, Sir Rickie Lambert may simply not be able to keep up with such a system. Oh well, as Monsieur Wenger might opine, 'plus ca change.' Stop talking rubbish about lambert please. If anything it's Lallana that needs to be dropped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandwichsaint Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 Stop talking rubbish about lambert please. If anything it's Lallana that needs to be dropped. In the days of the 25 man squad, international breaks, player rotation etc isn't it rather quaint to keep using the pejorative term 'dropped'? Whatever happened to 'together as one', something that's served us pretty well the last couple of seasons. We probably have a hard core of at least 15-16 players who are good enough to start and could easily justify their place in the starting line-up depending on the team selected for each individual fixture. (I'm hoping to see a bit of Tandanari Lee sometime soon but not sure where/when he's actually going to get a game). Simple maths tells me that 4 or 5 players will be justifiably disappointed every game they are not picked, and experience tells me that the team will fluctuate both in the short and medium term. I do fully agree though that we need to shuffle the pack and if that involves positive changes to strengthen the team then I'm all for it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the saint in winchester Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 So, game 5 and its a MUST WIN game. Crazy to call the fifth game of the season a 'must win' but I fear we must win this one to instil confidence into the team, the fans, the TV pundits et al. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Fan CaM Posted 18 September, 2012 Share Posted 18 September, 2012 FFS, GRam is not a right winger. What the hell is wrong withe people. He is going to play central mid behind the front 3 or left wing with the lallana in the midfield role. We have Puncheon and Mayuka as the right wingets and lallana and Guly can both play there. We are not paying a £12m for this lad to stick him out on the right Surely. I am like wtf everytime I read this. Nothing i have seen on him has been at right mid/wing. FFS, we don't play with wingers - what the hell is wrong with you? Have you missed the entire summer activity and all the games through that period? The formation is 4-3-3 meaning there are two outside strikers who drop back into midfield to defend. Again - we don't play wingers anymore! HTH. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mowgli Posted 19 September, 2012 Share Posted 19 September, 2012 FFS, we don't play with wingers - what the hell is wrong with you? Have you missed the entire summer activity and all the games through that period? The formation is 4-3-3 meaning there are two outside strikers who drop back into midfield to defend. Again - we don't play wingers anymore! HTH. Its a good point and the preacherman explained how it (should) works very well. My concern I suppose is that whilst some fans don't get it. some players are struggling to as well. But we have to persevere and it will come good eventually. One slight variation on what you say is that the full backs - now wing backs - probably play for like wingers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Garrett Posted 19 September, 2012 Share Posted 19 September, 2012 We didn't play with wingers last year either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tajjuk Posted 19 September, 2012 Share Posted 19 September, 2012 We didn't play with wingers last year either. Nope, none of Chaplow, Guly, Morgan or Lallana (who all played 'wide' at some point last season) could be considered wingers. The only 'winger' we have in the traditional sense is De Ridder, in fact there aren't a huge amount of traditional 4-4-2 type wingers about these days, Aaron Lennon is one, Etherington, Bale? Most clubs play what I would call 'inside forwards' in a flexible front three system. For example Daniel Sturridge is an example of a strike being played in this role. Cristiano Ronaldo is probably the perfect example of this position. Lallana plays this role for us and even did last year even in a 4-4-2. Most of our crosses last year came form our full backs. Ramirez certainly can play there, where he started for Bologna but it looks like he going to play the number 10 role and act as a playmaker. Mayuka certainly looks like he is suited to play as an inside forward, quick, like to dribble, good with either foot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Garrett Posted 19 September, 2012 Share Posted 19 September, 2012 Where Ramirez will play is probably down the the system we play. We have been playing Morgan just in front of the back 4 with the other 2 CM a little higher but hardly a 'no 10' role. If we play with 2 DM's and then have one CM floating like Man City play with Silva generally, I think this would probably be his best role for us. However I've got to say that Ramirez is probably the ideal AM to have a quick player up top getting in behind. -----Morgan-----Davis------ Mayuka--Ramirez--Lallana -----------Lambert---------- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 19 September, 2012 Share Posted 19 September, 2012 Stop talking rubbish about lambert please. If anything it's Lallana that needs to be dropped. But he's a local hero ! The fans love him ! Etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucks Saint Posted 19 September, 2012 Share Posted 19 September, 2012 (edited) If anything it's Lallana that needs to be dropped. Because he did not play too well at Arsenal?? FFS we will struggle to put a team out on Saturday if thats the case. Edited 19 September, 2012 by Bucks Saint Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Garrett Posted 19 September, 2012 Share Posted 19 September, 2012 Lallana is probably our best player. He is our captain (rightly or wrongly). He has recently had an England call up and was very good in our first 3 games. Noone played partcularly well on Sat. HTH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derry Posted 19 September, 2012 Share Posted 19 September, 2012 I think we need to be much more sophisticated in the way we play. Put Lambert, Rodriguez, Mayuka and Lee up front and go for the up and under option. Then we don't need a midfield, play six at the back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danbert Posted 19 September, 2012 Share Posted 19 September, 2012 Punch played well in the Utd/City games, but in the Wigan/Arsenal games he was f*cking crap - especially on Saturday. Marking was appalling, found space but ran into dead-ends and lost the ball far too easily. He was at fault several times for letting Gibbs peel off and put in crosses as he was caught ball-watching. Play Mayuka, Lee, Lallana, Ramirez, Chaplow, De Ridder or Guly out wide instead. We're not exactly short of options... This - he was sooo poor against Arsenal. As soon as he got the ball our attacks broke down because all he ever did was put his head down and run into a dead end. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 19 September, 2012 Share Posted 19 September, 2012 This - he was sooo poor against Arsenal. As soon as he got the ball our attacks broke down because all he ever did was put his head down and run into a dead end. I thought his major failing was the lack of support for Clyne in monitoring Gibbs - funnily enough his "head down running" was hugely successful the week before against Man Utd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The9 Posted 19 September, 2012 Share Posted 19 September, 2012 I think we need to be much more sophisticated in the way we play. Put Lambert, Rodriguez, Mayuka and Lee up front and go for the up and under option. Then we don't need a midfield, play six at the back. Arsenal had an interesting perspective on it, at one point they had the bloke with the ball in midfield, and 5 people in attacking positions in the "line" between our midfield 5 and defensive 4, it was like W formation at times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 19 September, 2012 Share Posted 19 September, 2012 This - he was sooo poor against Arsenal. As soon as he got the ball our attacks broke down because all he ever did was put his head down and run into a dead end. What is it with Puncheon? Cant think of any other player whose performances vary so much - and I dont think its down to disaffection at the moment, he seems to be trying hard. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 19 September, 2012 Share Posted 19 September, 2012 What is it with Puncheon? Cant think of any other player whose performances vary so much - and I dont think its down to disaffection at the moment, he seems to be trying hard. . I don't know about Puncheon in particular but having now watched the game in full it strikes me that we were all at sea from the off. Don't see Lallana losing 2 balls so simply within a few minutes of the kick off like that very often. I blame the IB myself, but then that's probably because I hate them and we're usually dire straight afterwards. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 19 September, 2012 Share Posted 19 September, 2012 What is it with Puncheon? Cant think of any other player whose performances vary so much - and I dont think its down to disaffection at the moment, he seems to be trying hard. . Maybe that's the problem trying to hard to force things and make something spectacular happen rather than just do the simple stuff well? He was like that before it all went wrong last time trying to take on to many players or taking spectacular shots (that then went spectacularly wrong). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shurlock Posted 19 September, 2012 Share Posted 19 September, 2012 I think we need to be much more sophisticated in the way we play. Put Lambert, Rodriguez, Mayuka and Lee up front and go for the up and under option. Then we don't need a midfield, play six at the back. Sophisticated? Long ball? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tokyo-Saint Posted 19 September, 2012 Share Posted 19 September, 2012 Sophisticated? Long ball? I think that long ball just went wooooosh over your head. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doddisalegend Posted 19 September, 2012 Share Posted 19 September, 2012 Sophisticated? Long ball? No a sophisticated long ball is called a defense splitting pass..... I'm guessing Derry was being sarky ....at least I hope he was:? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shurlock Posted 19 September, 2012 Share Posted 19 September, 2012 I think that long ball just went wooooosh over your head. It must have done though its not like Derry has a lot of time for tippy tappy niceties in the middle of the park...FACT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tokyo-Saint Posted 19 September, 2012 Share Posted 19 September, 2012 It must have done though its not like Derry has a lot of time for tippy tappy niceties in the middle of the park...FACT Cleeeeeeaaaaaar it! AWAY! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
norwaysaint Posted 19 September, 2012 Share Posted 19 September, 2012 Is Mayuka a winger then? I thought he was a striker for some reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derry Posted 19 September, 2012 Share Posted 19 September, 2012 Arsenal had an interesting perspective on it, at one point they had the bloke with the ball in midfield, and 5 people in attacking positions in the "line" between our midfield 5 and defensive 4, it was like W formation at times. It was tongue in cheek but teams are looking beyond the traditional formations and playing how it suits the players. The better teams seem to continually change shape depending on circumstances. I think it was self defeating to pick a new formation/s that we had never played before when joining the 'best' league in the world, furthermore playing the best three teams in the first month and also trying to get some players to fill slots even though it was obviously not natural for them. I think we need to pick the best blend that works and if that means leaving out established starters so be it. I'm not saying I have the answers because I don't, I've seen too little of Ramirez, Mayuka, Yoshida, Rodriguez, Lee, Davis and JWP to be able to pass an opinion. I don't believe that Lallana is at his best unless he occupies the left midfield or that Lambert is mobile enough to play on his own and be a threat up front. It seems to me that we need to be able to accommodate Lee and Mayuka for their pace and movement. If Ramirez is going to be the central playmaker then the midfield is an area that needs sorting. Unless Schneiderlin can break forward like he did against MU on a regular basis I can't see how he can hold his place with Ramirez doing the playmaking. I feel we have to play two mobile strikers up front with Lambert linking plus support from midfield. Just a thought, if Hoiveldt and Yoshida are the centre backs with the full backs not being that secure Fonte could be a front sweeper which then would only leave Ramirez + 1 (Lallana ?) It would give us a strong player in front of the back four and free up the full backs. I'd like to see DeRidder on the bench, after all there are 7 options. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buctootim Posted 19 September, 2012 Share Posted 19 September, 2012 We were never going to sell this one out in advance with the boat show on at the same time Fair point. Many saints fans will be out looking for a new Sunseeker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derry Posted 19 September, 2012 Share Posted 19 September, 2012 I think that long ball just went wooooosh over your head. No a sophisticated long ball is called a defense splitting pass..... I'm guessing Derry was being sarky ....at least I hope he was:? Quite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derry Posted 19 September, 2012 Share Posted 19 September, 2012 It must have done though its not like Derry has a lot of time for tippy tappy niceties in the middle of the park...FACT Sadly not with 40% possession, But I loved the way Johnny Giles used to sometimes lift the ball and loft it very high coming down almost vertically onto the centre backs. We did one in the first half v MU and Ferdinand and Vidic were all at sea being bullied by Lambert and we nearly created something. Variation is the secret I suppose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shurlock Posted 19 September, 2012 Share Posted 19 September, 2012 Quite. So who would you start? It seems you would quite like to see Ramirez, Mayuka, Lee, Lambert, Lallana all starting.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derry Posted 19 September, 2012 Share Posted 19 September, 2012 So who would you start? It seems you would quite like to see Ramirez, Mayuka, Lee, Lambert, Lallana all starting.... Gazzaniga, Clyne, Yoshida, Hoiveldt, Fox; Fonte; Ramirez + (1 from Lallana, Schneiderlin, Davis, JWP etc); Mayuka, Lambert (Rodriguez), Lee. I would like to see how they would play in a 4123 set up. Like I said above it is difficult to predict how the new players will perform but we have lacked mobility and pace up front and defensive solidity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Garrett Posted 19 September, 2012 Share Posted 19 September, 2012 Gazzaniga, Clyne, Yoshida, Hoiveldt, Fox; Fonte; Ramirez + (1 from Lallana, Schneiderlin, Davis, JWP etc); Mayuka, Lambert (Rodriguez), Lee. I would like to see how they would play in a 4123 set up. Like I said above it is difficult to predict how the new players will perform but we have lacked mobility and pace up front and defensive solidity. LOL......We would get DESTROYED with that team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthew Le God Posted 19 September, 2012 Share Posted 19 September, 2012 Hoiveldt You say Hoiveldt, everyone else says Hooiveld, lets call the whole thing off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derry Posted 19 September, 2012 Share Posted 19 September, 2012 LOL......We would get DESTROYED with that team. Like we got destroyed on Saturday and lost four in a row. How would you know, as this team has never played and probably never will. I'd just like to see whether it would work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts