Wigan 2-2 SAINTS /// Post-Match Reactions

[saintbob40]

We were outstanding today as we were for most of the game v Man U. Proud of the team and confident that we will push on, as the results will turn with performances like that. Those who were at those two games know the truth in this...........

[Wade Garrett]

Again, we played our best stuff when Davis and Lallana were on the pitch. Davis is very underrated. Got a bit of pace, good passer, and very good at winning the second ball.

They should both start next week.

Jay was excellent today.

[Wade Garrett]

We were outstanding today as we were for most of the game v Man U. Proud of the team and confident that we will push on, as the results will turn with performances like that. Those who were at those two games know the truth in this...........

 

Agreed, on our second half performance.

[FloridaMarlin]

Wigan's equaliser was mainly down to Shaw not pushing out. This is the best young left-back in the country, playing in the Premier League at 17 but he's still learning his trade. So why don't all the bed-wetters on here pin all the blame on him?

[Whitey Grandad]

Wigan's equaliser was mainly down to Shaw not pushing out. This is the best young left-back in the country, playing in the Premier League at 17 but he's still learning his trade. So why don't all the bed-wetters on here pin all the blame on him?

 

But also due to J-Rod not tracking Maloney.

[Hedgehog]

F me just realised we are below Reading!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Olallana]

F me just realised we are below Reading!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

really?

[Olallana]

from BBC?

They have added todays results twice in that league table.....

[Rut]

We were outstanding today as we were for most of the game v Man U. Proud of the team and confident that we will push on, as the results will turn with performances like that. Those who were at those two games know the truth in this...........

 

This.

[Saint_clark]

Not going to go into much depth -

Shaw was brilliant (equaliser aside), so much so that Wigan were kicking the sh*t out of him in the second half.

Davis and Lallana have to start next game, they turned it around. Davis in particular has looked f*cking fantastic recently.

Lambert is just...unreal. I think the way he turned to the fans after scoring is my favourite celebration now.

 

Clyne and Puncheon have looked poor in the last few games...since Adkins was sacked. Anything to be drawn from that? Who knows. But whilst the rest of the team has looked much better, these two have looked a lot worse.

[Kingsbridge Saint]

1 point from that game means so much more than losing the game. So not a total disaster. And we are looking a pretty good side right now. However, we need to get something from either Man City at home or Newcastle away or our confidence will be shot and we will be right back in the bottom three probably. Not holding on to that lead leaves the pressure on, no mistake. Disappointing having been winning going into the last minute. Would have been a massive win.

[Brizzie Saints]

F*ck me there's some wet f*nnies on this forum, and as always the usual bed-wetters.

So we only got a point so wot, disappointing yes, end of the world No! Some were talking about taking a point before the game, and now we got one there moaning. We have a new manager and things will take time to gel, our tempo has picked up no end, were playing better than we were and if we can improve in a couple of areas we will have a very good side.

As much as I didn't want to lose Adkins, I think Mo may be wot this team was crying out for, I've felt for a while we were starting to lose our way, these last 3 games although the end result was disappointing, there is light at the end of the tunnel, just need a bit of luck and maybe drop some of the poor performers.

 

This part of the season was always gonna be hard with the fixtures weve had, but weve lost very few games and given some top sides a tough game. Get behind the lads and bring on city. Key thing for us now is winning our home games, that's wot has let u down this season.

 

COYR

[Lord Duckhunter]

You have to take the emotion out of it and accept that in this league any points away from home is a pretty good result. Add to that the fact that only Reading gained any ground on us, and we should be pretty satisfied. Looks like we'll be out of the bottom 3 next week no matter what, with both manc club fixtures behind us. Throw into mix Chelsea, Arsenal, Everton,Liverpool away games gone and I'm feeling pretty confident. Only really spurs away looks like a "no chance" game and they've been known to wobble. Provided we avoid defeat to both qpr and reading we'll be fine. We have enough win able games left that avoiding defeat to those around us (as we did today) is a good result.

[saint_jas]

Well i was gutted about the result, should have won.

That said i was happy with point at start of match.

Great atmosphere though today apart from the wigan drummer

[Suomi Saint]

My impressions: First half we ran around like headless chickens committing a lot of fouls. There was no intelligence or guile in our play - it was like watching a 3rd division team in a FA Cup 5th Round tie. All Wigan had to do was park the bus and hit us on the break. If it hadn't been for Boruc's brilliant save, we would have been 2-0 down at half time. Martinez did MP like a kipper in the first half in the tactical stakes. I don't think it was any coincidence that when Ramirez went off we improved. Same as at Man U. Second half we were great and should have won - but we still didn't create a lot of chances that our dominance warranted. For me, that is what is missing - the final ball and coolness in front of goal. Our defending was shocking for the 2 goals - we seem to have gone backwards in that department. I don't believe that the players can keep up this 100 mph stuff - it's too much. Teams will just hit us on the break. I think Man C will hammer us next week by doing just that. I also saw Saints players having words with each other - I hadn't noticed this under NA. I must admit that I'm not convinced by MP's tactics. They would probably work if we had players that could actually shoot. But we haven't. It's going to be touch and go to stay up.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

Having gone yesterday here are some thoughts.

Firstly a question, How come you can buy a really decent pint of bitter in a city centre real ale pub for £2:10?

 

Now on to more important matters – to sum up I will use a cross section of quotes heard from home fans by me when leaving the stadium (you will have to imagine the accent). “Bloody hell they truly battered us how did we get any with that”? “they mullered us”, “they were all over us”, “they hammered us in the 2nd half” “that was a blitz” “they played cracking football”.

 

None of these are made up and they were so right, after an indifferent first 45 we were different class to Wigan in the 2nd period and had we (and here is the crunch) a true goalscorer in the team we would have had the game out of sight before slack defending cost us a precious 2 points that were rightfully ours. Lambert (who had a great game I thought) is too often not the man the good chance falls too due to him setting up the chance and yesterday Ramirez, Puncheon and Rodrigues all missed gilt-edged opportunities (particularly Ramirez). How a player similar to Boyer would have had a field day. It is all very well having 21 shots at Old Trafford but the only stat that counts is the nos of goals scored (and conceded) and we just don’t take enough of our chances.

 

And now the elephant in the room. Ramirez. Truly awful. I have been patient but I think it has been a very costly mistake. It is no coincidence in our last two games once he has been hauled off we have improved massively. He was the wrong sort of buy when had we say used the £12 m to fund a Berbatov or proven goal scorer type of player, we surely would be higher up the league.

 

I also think Puncheon has gone off the boil. For me he is a bit of a “flash in the pan” player ie good one moment, average the next and I really do not think he is consistent enough or has enough football intelligence.

 

On the other hand and this cheered me, Rodriguez seems to be getting better every game – he really did well yesterday and the run that led to our second goal was sheer class. There was a rumour in the pub before the game that Norwich had come in for him before the window closed and on yesterday’s showing I am glad we decided to hold on to him. Now where can we find that poacher?

[trousers]

Having gone yesterday here are some thoughts.

Firstly a question, How come you can buy a really decent pint of bitter in a city centre real ale pub for £2:10?

 

Now on to more important matters – to sum up I will use a cross section of quotes heard from home fans by me when leaving the stadium (you will have to imagine the accent). “Bloody hell they truly battered us how did we get any with that”? “they mullered us”, “they were all over us”, “they hammered us in the 2nd half” “that was a blitz” “they played cracking football”.

 

None of these are made up and they were so right, after an indifferent first 45 we were different class to Wigan in the 2nd period and had we (and here is the crunch) a true goalscorer in the team we would have had the game out of sight before slack defending cost us a precious 2 points that were rightfully ours. Lambert (who had a great game I thought) is too often not the man the good chance falls too due to him setting up the chance and yesterday Ramirez, Puncheon and Rodrigues all missed gilt-edged opportunities (particularly Ramirez). How a player similar to Boyer would have had a field day. It is all very well having 21 shots at Old Trafford but the only stat that counts is the nos of goals scored (and conceded) and we just don’t take enough of our chances.

 

And now the elephant in the room. Ramirez. Truly awful. I have been patient but I think it has been a very costly mistake. It is no coincidence in our last two games once he has been hauled off we have improved massively. He was the wrong sort of buy when had we say used the £12 m to fund a Berbatov or proven goal scorer type of player, we surely would be higher up the league.

 

I also think Puncheon has gone off the boil. For me he is a bit of a “flash in the pan” player ie good one moment, average the next and I really do not think he is consistent enough or has enough football intelligence.

 

On the other hand and this cheered me, Rodriguez seems to be getting better every game – he really did well yesterday and the run that led to our second goal was sheer class. There was a rumour in the pub before the game that Norwich had come in for him before the window closed and on yesterday’s showing I am glad we decided to hold on to him. Now where can we find that poacher?

 

Billy Sharp....?

[Toomer]

Two defensive errors from set plays cost us two points today, we have picked up two points out of the last nine with better defending and finishing it should have been seven.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

Billy Sharp....?

 

Yes I thought of him a couple of times yesterday but in all honesty a fox in the box has got to have other basics like touch and pace and our Billy has neither

[Shroppie]

Having gone yesterday here are some thoughts.

Now where can we find that poacher?

 

At the risk of repeating myself, at Forest.

[pingwing]

The morning after feeling, MOTM Scheiderlin for me, tackles all over the park, got better when we only played one DM and pushed everyone forward (and Cork to RB) that opened up Wigans tighter than a nun formation right up. No idea who the curly haired guy was fro them but the ref should have been coming down on him like a ton of bricks for ploughing through Shaw at every moment in the first half, nasty little player.

 

Also had they never heard of foul throws yesterday? Wigan got loads and no one seemed to care.

 

We look a lot better with Steven Davis pressing forwards with Lallana, Rodriguez and Lambert feeding off him. Punch wasn't there and should have come off a lot sooner as was poor again. A lack of focus on wing play seems to have hurt punch/clynes games a bit for now.

 

Just need to win in the next few weeks really

[Jack]

Quality over quantity.....

 

[Mr X]

Having gone yesterday here are some thoughts.

Firstly a question, How come you can buy a really decent pint of bitter in a city centre real ale pub for £2:10?

 

Now on to more important matters – to sum up I will use a cross section of quotes heard from home fans by me when leaving the stadium (you will have to imagine the accent). “Bloody hell they truly battered us how did we get any with that”? “they mullered us”, “they were all over us”, “they hammered us in the 2nd half” “that was a blitz” “they played cracking football”.

 

None of these are made up and they were so right, after an indifferent first 45 we were different class to Wigan in the 2nd period and had we (and here is the crunch) a true goalscorer in the team we would have had the game out of sight before slack defending cost us a precious 2 points that were rightfully ours. Lambert (who had a great game I thought) is too often not the man the good chance falls too due to him setting up the chance and yesterday Ramirez, Puncheon and Rodrigues all missed gilt-edged opportunities (particularly Ramirez). How a player similar to Boyer would have had a field day. It is all very well having 21 shots at Old Trafford but the only stat that counts is the nos of goals scored (and conceded) and we just don’t take enough of our chances.

 

And now the elephant in the room. Ramirez. Truly awful. I have been patient but I think it has been a very costly mistake. It is no coincidence in our last two games once he has been hauled off we have improved massively. He was the wrong sort of buy when had we say used the £12 m to fund a Berbatov or proven goal scorer type of player, we surely would be higher up the league.

 

I also think Puncheon has gone off the boil. For me he is a bit of a “flash in the pan” player ie good one moment, average the next and I really do not think he is consistent enough or has enough football intelligence.

 

On the other hand and this cheered me, Rodriguez seems to be getting better every game – he really did well yesterday and the run that led to our second goal was sheer class. There was a rumour in the pub before the game that Norwich had come in for him before the window closed and on yesterday’s showing I am glad we decided to hold on to him. Now where can we find that poacher?

 

You have to ask the question who identified ramirez as a saints target? was it the scouting team? or was it merely one of corteses wild gambles like pochitino, adkins made it clear it wasnt his signing and their are rumours that the signing caused tentions between them adkins new he was on borrowed time

[Wade Garrett]

Having gone yesterday here are some thoughts.

Firstly a question, How come you can buy a really decent pint of bitter in a city centre real ale pub for £2:10?

 

Now on to more important matters – to sum up I will use a cross section of quotes heard from home fans by me when leaving the stadium (you will have to imagine the accent). “Bloody hell they truly battered us how did we get any with that”? “they mullered us”, “they were all over us”, “they hammered us in the 2nd half” “that was a blitz” “they played cracking football”.

 

None of these are made up and they were so right, after an indifferent first 45 we were different class to Wigan in the 2nd period and had we (and here is the crunch) a true goalscorer in the team we would have had the game out of sight before slack defending cost us a precious 2 points that were rightfully ours. Lambert (who had a great game I thought) is too often not the man the good chance falls too due to him setting up the chance and yesterday Ramirez, Puncheon and Rodrigues all missed gilt-edged opportunities (particularly Ramirez). How a player similar to Boyer would have had a field day. It is all very well having 21 shots at Old Trafford but the only stat that counts is the nos of goals scored (and conceded) and we just don’t take enough of our chances.

 

And now the elephant in the room. Ramirez. Truly awful. I have been patient but I think it has been a very costly mistake. It is no coincidence in our last two games once he has been hauled off we have improved massively. He was the wrong sort of buy when had we say used the £12 m to fund a Berbatov or proven goal scorer type of player, we surely would be higher up the league.

 

I also think Puncheon has gone off the boil. For me he is a bit of a “flash in the pan” player ie good one moment, average the next and I really do not think he is consistent enough or has enough football intelligence.

 

On the other hand and this cheered me, Rodriguez seems to be getting better every game – he really did well yesterday and the run that led to our second goal was sheer class. There was a rumour in the pub before the game that Norwich had come in for him before the window closed and on yesterday’s showing I am glad we decided to hold on to him. Now where can we find that poacher?

 

Puncheon really frustrated me yesterday. When he played on the left, he always chose to come inside with the ball, instead of attacking behind the full-back in the space outside and behind. I was glad to see him switched to the left, but couldn't believe my eyes when I saw him cutting inside on that side as well.

Ramirez didn't have his best game yesterday, but he is a player who finds space for himself, and always looks to slip balls behind defenders into space. To do this he needs players around him to be on his wavelength, giving him the ball and making clever runs. Lallana is great at this, and I reckon Gaston will play better with Lallana in the side.

But, as I've said before, Davis deserves a start next week for his excellent performances in the last 2 games. Lallana will almost certainly start next game as well, so on current form it will have to be Puncheon and Ramirez to give way.

[SaintBobby]

This.

 

On the upside, we're in a much better position now than you were anticipating before the game.

 

Clearly a 2-2 against relegation rivals is an awful lot better than a 3-0 defeat. So, whatever the % chance you thought that we'd be relegated pre-kick off, it's obviously a measurably lower % now.

 

You must be punching the air - getting a 2-2 in a game you expect to lose 3-0 is just fantastic.

[Lets B Avenue]

Special last mention for the referee........................what a ****!!!!! If Maloney fell over - free kick. If we get kicked - nothing. Complete tosser. A woman behind me said that we had never won when he was reffereeing us. Is that true???

 

He did the Bournemouth away game 2 years ago which we won 3-1. He had to send Gobern off at the end for that ridiculous "kung-fu" tackle. I'm pretty sure that was the last time Ricky scored with a free-kick.

[KelvinsRightGlove]

On the upside, we're in a much better position now than you were anticipating before the game.

 

Clearly a 2-2 against relegation rivals is an awful lot better than a 3-0 defeat. So, whatever the % chance you thought that we'd be relegated pre-kick off, it's obviously a measurably lower % now.

 

You must be punching the air - getting a 2-2 in a game you expect to lose 3-0 is just fantastic.

 

Nope, it is a disaster!!!

 

WE ARE SCREWED!!!!

[ericofarabia]

Feels like a loss but it's another point towards safety.

 

We really do need to make the amount of possession we have count though. I just feel our breaks are played at such a pedestrian speed it gives the opposition plenty of time to mark up, and also th frontline movement was virtually non existant until Lallana came on and made alot of space behind the defence to give more options for a decent pass to be made.

 

If only everybody else could cross as well as Lambo, pity he can't be on the end of his own crosses!! The run by JRod for the 2nd was sheer class - more please!

 

The ref was a complete **** as mentioned above. Powderpuff wigan players tripping over their hair or just colapsing like a sack of sh!te whenever they were challenged were rewarded with a free kick every time. That drummer - how on earth somebody (home or away fan)hasn't stuck it where the sun don't shine is a mystery to me.

 

Easy game next week then. play crap and sneak in a 1-0!!

[Saint J 77]

Just like the Stoke match, this feels like we lost right now. Just as the Chelsea match felt like a victory. I just hope these games don't end up costing us come the end of the season.

[captainchris]

You have to ask the question who identified ramirez as a saints target? was it the scouting team? or was it merely one of corteses wild gambles like pochitino, adkins made it clear it wasnt his signing and their are rumours that the signing caused tentions between them adkins new he was on borrowed time

 

I would take the question of Rimirez one step further - given his performance at OT and our huge improvement there when he was replaced how did he get an automatic place in the next game and why I am now concerned he will be picked yet again against City next game? He is just not cutting it - not contributing enough and it's now obvious over a long period. If he is picked next game I would have concerns about the selection criteria...

[RedAndWhite91]

The ref was a complete **** as mentioned above. Powderpuff wigan players tripping over their hair or just colapsing like a sack of sh!te whenever they were challenged were rewarded with a free kick every time.

 

I was genuinely astounded at some of the decisions yesterday. The linesmen need a mention too, incompetent to the extreme. How these people are allowed to officiate a game in the Premier League is beyond me.

[Gis]

The first half was disappointing, but the second half was great to watch yesterday. Saints just had wave after wave of attack and even when the ball was lost or went out of play Wigan were not given a moment to settle. To those that didn't make the trip the second half was as good as I have seen Saints play this season.

 

Standouts for me were

 

Boruc - not much to do, but the save in the first half was actually so much better than it looked on TV. From behind the goal he not only did very well to get to the ball at all, but then knew exactly where he was parrying it down to

 

Shaw - some brilliant runs, sensibly made when there is little risk of exposing our defense if it all went wrong. For a youngster he is built like a 24/25 year old, strong in the air and very assured when Wigan started to try and frighten him out off the game in the second half

 

Schneiderlin and Cork - Best midfield pair we have had for years. And what a run Morgan for his goal, I didn't notice this at the match as all I was watching was JRod running down the line, but thought it was really highlighted well on TV. Schneiderlin needs be signed up long term and made team captain

 

Lallana - Great to have him available again especially as the the Clyne/Puncheon has gone off the boil

 

Lambert - Brave goal, always a threat. Personally I like it when he drifts out to the wing at times during the games. Seems to thrive in these pressure matches

 

JRod - Think he has started believing in himself again. Great runs, very fast with the ball and more skilful than I had realized before. Jay really impressed me yesterday!

Edited 3 February, 2013 by Gis

[dobbo]

Why all the negative thoughts?

 

1) We played well

2) could it be we made Wigan look poor (or is it some just want to moan)

3) It was always a must not lose than a must win.

4) Fate is still in our own hands and if we continue like this we will be safe,

[Chez]

Just back after a long drive home. I'm still smiling at the way we played yesterday. I honestly don't feel down at the dropped points. The style of football we served up more than make sup for it. It's exaxctly the kind of football I want to see. Quite frankly I'd rather us lose and draw games playing like that then see us win the odd game playing like West Ham and Stoke. I imagine many will disagree, but when you drive 500 miles, spend you weekend and a small fortune doing it, you want to see your side play passing attacking football, creating chances, diminating games...and that's exactly what we are doing. Loving it.

[SuperMikey]

Couldn't see us getting anything out of the game at HT, we were much better in the second half. When we went 2-1 up I was just waiting for them to score, and lo and behold!

 

Still, a point is a point.

[Thedelldays]

edit

[Saint_clark]

Away from the football, I actually thought Wigan was quite a nice place. The concourse was brilliant as well.

[pingwing]

Away from the football, I actually thought Wigan was quite a nice place. The concourse was brilliant as well.

 

Yeah the ground was pretty good, a realistic version of the Richo Arena really, nice and steep to get a good view with a well run concourse.

[krissyboy31]

Interesting points from "Goals on Sunday" about the two goals conceded. If we had had a man on the near post for the first corner, he'd have cleared it. If we hadn't had a man on the near post for the second Maloney would have been caught off-side. Maybe sometimes you can't win as a coach?

 

Mind you if Ramirez and Rodriguez had not missed sitters and Puncheon swung his right leg at that cross rather than attempting a ridiculous left footed scissor kick, the defending would have been irrelevant.

Edited 3 February, 2013 by krissyboy31

[red&white56]

Just read through the comments and would like to add mine.

 

We were poor if the first half and Wigan were well worth their lead. As another poster said they almost went in 2-0, Di Santo should have scored..

 

Saints played much, much better in the second half but Wigan put a lot of bodies in the way to frustrate our shots and although our build up and passing was exciting, we dithered a bit in the box - giving them time to get in the way, to adjust to our attack.

 

Second goal was amazing, even more so when Morgan ran over to the touchline right in front of my son and I - we had a real close up of the team celebrating and you could see what it meant to them..

 

After that Wigan pushed at us and we gave way - it was disappointing to give away the goal but just as Martinez said that Wigan wanted the game to end after their first goal, we looked the same after we scored our second.

 

Very impressed with Morgan, Ricky, J-Rod, Luke, Boruc in particular and then Davis and Adam when they came on.

 

Wigan fans were very complimentary about us after the game, also very friendly but boy did Scharner look like a hero arriving to their rescue - a good loan...

[krissyboy31]

We were poor if the first half and Wigan were well worth their lead.

 

I didn't think we were great in the first half but I still thought we were the better team.

[GAS]

Just back after a long drive home. I'm still smiling at the way we played yesterday. I honestly don't feel down at the dropped points. The style of football we served up more than make sup for it. It's exaxctly the kind of football I want to see. Quite frankly I'd rather us lose and draw games playing like that then see us win the odd game playing like West Ham and Stoke. I imagine many will disagree, but when you drive 500 miles, spend you weekend and a small fortune doing it, you want to see your side play passing attacking football, creating chances, diminating games...and that's exactly what we are doing. Loving it.

I agree with this, absolutely.

[Chez]

I didn't think we were great in the first half but I still thought we were the better team.

I thought we were quite good, we really pressed them right from the off and caused them to give up posession time after time. Unfortunatelty we had very little cutting edge in the final third, didn't get people in the box, didn't shoot or really press home our advantage. Wigan had little ball but were sharp on the break. Davis again changed the game. He was so sharp and busy and the team followed his lead.

[S-Clarke]

I thought we were quite good, we really pressed them right from the off and caused them to give up posession time after time. Unfortunatelty we had very little cutting edge in the final third, didn't get people in the box, didn't shoot or really press home our advantage. Wigan had little ball but were sharp on the break. Davis again changed the game. He was so sharp and busy and the team followed his lead.

 

I've been impressed with Davis in the last couple of games, this alteration in style really seems to suit his game - as he's the sort of CM who enjoys getting up and at you and winning the ball back. Technically, he's very good as well.

 

I do like how we play, it's genuinely exciting - and you'd hope that continuing to play like this will eventually equal a decent return in points. Still very frustrated by our inability to hold out yesterday though, we were so close to breaking away into the mid-table pack.

[Charlie Wayman]

Plus the distraction caused by the buying of Ramirez in the summer when we should have been shoring up the defence and GK.

I am afraid we will be relegated by a a margin small enough to make the decisions the difference.

 

Regrettably you are right, the standards in this league are improving on a monthly basis and our failures in transfer policy last summer and in January will come back to haunt us. It's true we play far more attractive and flowing football than any other club in the bottom half of the table probably including Swansea and yes lots of people are saying nice things about our style but we are not getting points and we are not winning matches and that spells disaster. Does it remind you of another team who play really attractive flowing footballing but who end up winning nothing?

 

Maybe what's good for the eye doesn't suit this league who knows but looking at the fixtures left and taking account of our history this season it's gong to be difficult to get more than 3 more wins and 5 more draws which will leave us close but not close enough to survival.

[redder freak]

My mate at work who's a Wigan fan says he's given up hope and we're going down after that performance.

 

Wigan, that is.