Fulham 1 Saints 1 - Post Match Reactions & MotM

[Dr Who?]

If we struggled today, SRL is off form and GR doesn't like the rain then I predict we will be battered at Stoke. I so hope I am wrong but having seen the Sunderland performance and read what I have today stoke is not the place we wanna really go right now

 

Played Sunderland at just the wrong time, a reading seem to have given them confidence, they went on and beat us and then Man City today and a 3rd clean sheet out of the last 4 games for them.

 

Another team who seem to be tightening up, and building from the back.

[Dangermouth]

When the ball comes to the front players they're either usually too slow to get to it, conditions aside which makes it shift a bit more when it hits the deck, or they're facing back the way they've come and don't come short for balls from Ramirez which is mostly what he likes to play. RL and Saints' lack of pace shows when the through ball goes through and we can't get on the end of it. If/when we get the proper link-up play in between the forward(s) e.g. RL and support quickly we can be very good. But it seems we only do that for a few minutes per game. Fulham will struggle this season, Stoke will be murder on Saturday- I'd rest anyone who's lightweight/can play and just try to slug it out. Boruc up front?

[DT]

Decent point considering. Buy new keeper, finally, please.

[Ex Ringwood Saint]

Fulham will finish above us, and we have taken points of them this season...fair results... On to the next battle, still above the bottom three....the games that have left us hovering dangerously were the Norwich and Sunderland games...

[OldNick]

Decent point considering. Buy new keeper, finally, please.

at least you are consistent DT.

I do agree we need a keeper though. We also need to strengthen the whole team.

[Alright Dave]

Decent performance, last 3rd let us down

 

Off day for Gaston and Ricky

 

This! Same as last week to a certain extent! We control alot of the ball and play, defending better than earlier in the season, but Puncheon aside have lost our attacking mojo in the last two games!

[wessex saint]

SRL is unfortunately being found out at this level. Don't get me wrong - I love him to bits for what he's done but he's just not mobile and agile enough for this level.He also looks like he's worked this out as well - his body language is terrible.

 

Adkins got lucky..... he didn't make a change until 12 mins left despite the fact we went down with 8 mins gone and then looked utterly toothless! (Yes - I know he chnaged the formation prior to that but it didn't make a difference!)

Defender did not need to handball it - a very lucky pen which was almost saved.

Finally Ramirez. Hmmmmm you're allowed a 'luxury player' if he sometimes scores or assists. At the moment he seems like a real luxury.....

[derry]

I hope to god that they view a quality keeper as a high priority because that put us behind the eight-ball from the get-go.

 

And a quality CM is critical IMO because I get the serious willies whenever Davis is playing, and Schneiderlin works his butt off without injecting much real quality.

 

I think we play better from the back with Gazzaniga, even his kicking is better. I don't think we will be bringing in another keeper unless it's the likes of Friedel being released. Davis was all over the place several times today when crosses came in. S.Davis was almost anonymous, we showed more balance with Rodriguez on and Ramirez floating out to the right.

[Andy Durman]

Well done & good result. Berbatov should have been sent off. Cork, Davis & Schneiderlin in the middle were excellent as was Puncheon

[CanadaSaint]

Derry and WC above sum us up. Having a go at 2 of the clubs best servants in the past 3 years. If it wasn't for KD and RL we would still be CCC at best. Nothing like hiding back in the shadows and waiting to pick holes at the first chance.

I'm sure both players could do better but nobody is perfect.

 

Not much point having a post match thread if we're not going to talk about how people played today, is there?

[kpturner]

I don't think we will be bringing in another keeper unless it's the likes of Friedel being released.

Friedel has signed a new deal with Spurs - today I think.

[Glasgow_Saint]

This! Same as last week to a certain extent! We control alot of the ball and play, defending better than earlier in the season, but Puncheon aside have lost our attacking mojo in the last two games!

 

Suppose this was the danger, we had to get better defensively but we have done this at the expense of our attacking flair.

 

We have missed Lallana i think too

[Glasgow_Saint]

Friedel has signed a new deal with Spurs - today I think.

 

Robinson (Blackburn) or Given (AV)?

[Wade Garrett]

Happy with that, good point.

 

Gaston miles better in the hole. Need another winger to play left side, thats what is not helping!

 

I did say that before the game started. I'm amazed that Adkins started him on the left again.

[kpturner]

Robinson (Blackburn) or Given (AV)?

Given - yes, Robinson - not especially (for me at least).

[CanadaSaint]

Friedel has signed a new deal with Spurs - today I think.

 

I'm not surprised. I couldn't see Spurs letting him go.

[derry]

Derry and WC above sum us up. Having a go at 2 of the clubs best servants in the past 3 years. If it wasn't for KD and RL we would still be CCC at best. Nothing like hiding back in the shadows and waiting to pick holes at the first chance.

I'm sure both players could do better but nobody is perfect.

 

Davis is a sub standard goalkeeper and lucky to be even getting a game. I never criticised Lambert, the only thing I think is he doesn't get into the box enough. The goal should have been cut out by Davis but he misjudged it. When Gazzaniga made a mistake the whole bloody web went into melt down. If Davis stays in goal we will go down.

[Olallana]

Given - yes, Robinson - not especially (for me at least).

 

but Villa will never let Given go to us in this situation when we are fighting them in the bottom of the table....

[CanadaSaint]

Given - yes, Robinson - not especially (for me at least).

 

Robinson needs to shed about 20 pounds, but he's needed to do that for five years+ so I can't see us changing that too much.

 

I can't see Villa letting Given go to a relegation rival.

 

Back to the drawing board.

[kpturner]

but Villa will never let Given go to us in this situation when we are fighting them in the bottom of the table....

Probably not - just answering the question posed.

[Saint Charlie]

I did say that before the game started. I'm amazed that Adkins started him on the left again.

 

Yeah he needs to play behind the striker but who would offer anything from the left? Wide player who can play both sides is becoming a very key January addition.

[gingerone]

Ok. Summary. Waited too long to sit Ramirez in his natural position. I did say we needed to recover the points lost against fulham but will take the point. Looking from the outside in we now need to gamble on Rodrigues. Love Ricky to bits but he is too flat footed, slow and seems to be in a world of his own lately. Maybe a spell on the bench may refocus him. Good day out so far. Hard work getting here but massive credit to the droves that made the journey. Brilliant vocal support second half. Pint time :-)

[Glasgow_Saint]

Given - yes, Robinson - not especially (for me at least).

 

Ross Turnbull?

[gingerone]

Ok. Summary. Waited too long to sit Ramirez in his natural position. I did say we needed to recover the points lost against fulham but will take the point. Looking from the outside in we now need to gamble on Rodrigues. Love Ricky to bits but he is too flat footed, slow and seems to be in a world of his own lately. Maybe a spell on the bench may refocus him. Good day out so far. Hard work getting here but massive credit to the droves that made the journey. Brilliant vocal support second half. Pint time :-)

 

Sunderland sorry.

[Saint Charlie]

Ross Turnbull?

 

Heurelio Gomes?

[mitch01]

Have always said Boruc is the best out of the three if match fit. I doubt Nigel will make another change though. His position is being made increasingly difficult by the fact that none of the keepers are playing like they want to keep the shirt.

[derry]

Ok. Summary. Waited too long to sit Ramirez in his natural position. I did say we needed to recover the points lost against fulham but will take the point. Looking from the outside in we now need to gamble on Rodrigues. Love Ricky to bits but he is too flat footed, slow and seems to be in a world of his own lately. Maybe a spell on the bench may refocus him. Good day out so far. Hard work getting here but massive credit to the droves that made the journey. Brilliant vocal support second half. Pint time :-)

 

I wouldn't have wanted anyone else taking that penalty.

[CanadaSaint]

I know one thing. If NA and co. aren't telling Ramirez to shoot more, they deserve a kick in the groin. That's exactly what we thought we were getting when we bought him - the ability to cut in and split a defence with a pass - or rocket one at a top corner.

[Roger]

Decent performance, last 3rd let us down

 

Off day for Gaston and Ricky

 

Rubbish gaston was good I thought.

[CanadaSaint]

Heurelio Gomes?

 

With his history of clangers, this forum would be in permanent meltdown.

 

In fairness he's made some absolutely stunning saves as well, but he's much more a reaction keeper than a box dominator.

[Glasgow_Saint]

Rubbish gaston was good I thought.

 

Far enough, thought his touch was poor today.

 

Great shot towards the end though

[Dr Who?]

Keepers make mistakes all the time. It is when they make them every game it is a problem. Kelvins first mistake of note since his recall. Keep him in for the next game, he is doing a good job.

[gingerone]

I wouldn't have wanted anyone else taking that penalty.

 

Have you seen it yet? It was not his best but granted he is quality from the spot. Was really out of sorts today. Seriously dawn French can jump higher than our Ricky. Second pint time :-)

[Roger]

You can never tell from that miserable old 4-4-2 addict, we were good everywhere apart from Kelv,Rickie and Gaston.

 

U are really out of touch. Gaston played well second half. We're u there?

[S-Clarke]

Missed this game, but that to me looks like a cracking away point, at a tough ground such as craven cottage.

 

We are genuinely now very competitive in this league.

[suewhistle]

The BBC report said: "Rickie Lambert's late spot-kick secured a deserved point for Southampton against Fulham at Craven Cottage. [snip] It was all Southampton from then on, though, with Jason Puncheon and Rickie Lambert both close to equalising. [snip] Sidwell came close in the dying minutes, as did Hangeland, but the Saints went home with a worthy draw. "

 

Could be worse, I suppose...

[derry]

Have you seen it yet? It was not his best but granted he is quality from the spot. Was really out of sorts today. Seriously dawn French can jump higher than our Ricky. Second pint time :-)

 

Unusually for him not in the corner but rising and really thumped.

[doggface]

Not a great performance, A for effort in 2nd half, D- for quality which has been poor the last 2 games. Why are we so hoofy at the moment.

mentions to yosh, fonte again.

adkins selections and tactics have been so random recently. Big point however

[Glasgow_Saint]

The BBC report said: "Rickie Lambert's late spot-kick secured a deserved point for Southampton against Fulham at Craven Cottage. [snip] It was all Southampton from then on, though, with Jason Puncheon and Rickie Lambert both close to equalising. [snip] Sidwell came close in the dying minutes, as did Hangeland, but the Saints went home with a worthy draw. "

 

Could be worse, I suppose...

 

Just about sums it up

[Roger]

Thought we played well after first 20 mins. Excellent support. Thought cork(after goal error) and puncheon were very good. Ramirez did some very good things. Rickie didn't play well but didn't get any support from Davis at all. Think Adkins should have taken davis off earlier. Another goal keeper error. Cost us six points goalies now.good result and good support.

[CaneNero]

Good result. Another goalkeeping error has cost us points that should have been ours!... I wonder if Adkins will go for ANOTHER goalkeeper in the transfer window. Our defence has transformed itself from the start of the season, never thought that would happen. We're missing Adam as usual. Target a point at Stoke then see what happens in this transfer window.

[Olallana]

Not a great performance, A for effort in 2nd half, D- for quality which has been poor the last 2 games. Why are we so hoofy at the moment.

mentions to yosh, fonte again.

adkins selections and tactics have been so random recently. Big point however

 

Probably because the weather conditions has been a bit....wet?

[S-Clarke]

Not a great performance, A for effort in 2nd half, D- for quality which has been poor the last 2 games. Why are we so hoofy at the moment.

mentions to yosh, fonte again.

adkins selections and tactics have been so random recently. Big point however

 

It's probably an adjustment we've had to make. We could have continued to play open, attacking football, and be picked off constantly - or we could try a be a bit more competitive and have other options to launch the ball. It's helped, because we're so much more solid now.

[SuperSAINT]

Great point for us. Home fans boo'd at full-time which is always a good sign.

[Roger]

It's probably an adjustment we've had to make. We could have continued to play open, attacking football, and be picked off constantly - or we could try a be a bit more competitive and have other options to launch the ball. It's helped, because we're so much more solid now.

 

Thought in punch and Ramirez we had a fair bit of quality tbf.

[Thedelldays]

A decent point away. Need another win and a couple of draws needed away

[Faz]

We were playing hoofball and he was isolated.

Adkins got lucky again today.

Ramirez playing left then right,he should be in the hole from the off.

way to late to get Rodriguez on.

he seems to be using a 'pick and mix' team selection process...a lucky dip method if you like.

just like the goalkeeping situation.

 

Predictable.......and tiresome.

[Window Cleaner]

Derry and WC above sum us up. Having a go at 2 of the clubs best servants in the past 3 years. If it wasn't for KD and RL we would still be CCC at best. Nothing like hiding back in the shadows and waiting to pick holes at the first chance.

I'm sure both players could do better but nobody is perfect.

 

I don't live in the past, if having given great service was a selection criteria then I'd guess we'd still be playing MLT, Channon and Paine. These 2 players are our weak links at present, they need replacing.

[70's Mike]

Stayed at Home with Missus but 2 lads went, my eldest is a bl**dy moaner but have heard from him happy with a point,he felt we battled and were not out fought. Believe is with the players shame a few of the internet warriors were a bit more positive although i note some of the main moaners missing at moment because we got a point

[Glasgow_Saint]

Stayed at Home with Missus but 2 lads went' date=' my eldest is a bl**dy moaner but have heard from him happy with a point,he felt we battled and were not out fought. Believe is with the players shame a few of the internet warriors were a bit more positive although i note some of the main moaners missing at moment because we got a point[/quote']

 

Match thread was generally positive today imho

Edited 26 December, 2012 by Glasgow_Saint