Saints 3 Liverpool 1 - Post Match Reactions

[Dr Who?]

Mr Rogers, has not got a clue what he is talking about!

[Dr Who?]

Battered Liverpool

[Dr Who?]

Jrod is so calm. Great player, and has been for a few months now. Morgan is a different player, attacking force!

[Lazlo78]

10 minutes of highlights - with french commentators

 

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xy94ji_s3-1l-www-fasthighlights-com_sport

 

That first goal is a thing of beauty. Cork keeps his cool under pressure (38 seconds into the video) and catches Liverpool off guard. Lambert, Ramirez and Rodriguez play their part and Schneiderlin's finish is very good too. We could have had a handful in that first half and I was wondering if we'd regret only being one up at half time. But even though we created less in the 2nd half we still didn't surrender, and Rodriguez' solo goal was a worthy finish to the game. Get in!

 

Boruc played yet another good game with some nice saves. Trolling Suarez should win him many friends all over the world. The defense looked fairly solid with Yoshida again being a central figure - I really hope Hooiveld is not seriously injured as he has upped his game considerably over the last months, and we need him for tactical reasons. Clyne is still raw but a hugely talented footballer with an immense workrate. Shaw just keeps impressing me. See 4:52 how he nicks the ball back from Johnson - Shaw is so thorough and concentrated in everything he does - it still amazes me to see from such a young player.

 

Schnork is just a match made in heaven. Let's just hang on to those guys for as long as possible...

 

The trio is now Lallana, Ramirez and Rodriguez and whatever people on here may think that's actually a very dynamic, creative and mobile trio that did very well today. Rodriguez keeps improving, Lallana looks more like his old self and Ramirez to me is also adding something valuable to our midfield and offense. There is still room for improvement from each of these players, but I see no reason to give up on them. Puncheon is disappearing fast and I assume he just doesn't fit well with Pochettino's tactics. Davis on the other hand is evolving into a handy alternative to Gaston when we need less flair and more metres covered in midfield.

 

Nice to look at the league table - especially if Wigan manage to lose tomorrow. QPR and Reading seem close to dead and Wigan need to pull a Wigan in order to get back in the hunt. Also, getting Sunderland involved can only be positive for us...

[pingwing]

Boruc exudes confidence. He looks like the world class goalkeeper that is his reputation.

 

Best thing written on the internet!

 

Best keeper we have and is probably the most composed player in the team.

[ericb]

I've thought for a few weeks now we're safe, in the same way i thought last season we were going up, todays result - and more importantly the performance - means i'm sure we will. Cracking game, great performances from most of the players but especially, Clyne, Rodriguez, Lallana and Schneiderlin.

 

Not quite the 4-1 under Nicholl but a fu.cking cracking game all the same.

[St_Tel49]

Outstanding performance and a result that was fully justified. I don't want to hear any nonsense from the media saying how poor Liverpool were - Saints completely dominated that game and taught them a football lesson. I cannot believe how many hoofing route one balls Liverpool tried to make - they just didn't come here with a game plan.

They probably did but just got crowded out of it.

[Chez]

Excellent display against an in form Liverpool. Yes they were poor in the first half, but we were good too. Lots of great passing moves, skills and free flowing football. 4-1 at half time would not have flattered us. Rodriguez really should have scored and Lambert must have been gutted not to do more when clean through. My only citicism was our slightly gung ho attitude at times. We leave ourselves wide open to the break from our own corners. We need to learn from that as we have been caught before. We have played well in a lot of games this season and not got the resukt we deserved. Swansea, ManU, Wigan and Norwich hould all have been beaten at our place. This is not a shock. We are not half bad. Happy days.

 

Boruc 8 one great save and some solid handling an decent kicking. A couple of time he played it short and put us under, but put a stop to that quickly

Cylne 9 pretty faultless display

Yoshida 7 got tight to Sturridge and made his life tricky. He has to do that more. Thought his assing was better today as well. I have to say though that cnetre back looked our weak point, but not surprising as the movement from the Liverpool strikers was sensational.

Jos 5 might have been a blessing as I thought he got caught napping a little. Hope the injury is nit too bad as he has been great in recent weeks.

Shaw 7 possibly his worst game for us. At times he went astray big style, but he still showed why he is regarded so highly. Great pace in both directions and powerful running to go with it. Just waiting for him to be a little mor egreedy and just run and runa nd then shoot rather than pass.

Lallana 9 outstanding game. My man of the match. Involved in everything good.

Morgan 8 another solid game

Cork 7 a little quiet compared to the last few games. Not bad, just not as great. Still pushing for player of the season for me.

Ramirez 7 Very good first half. Very tough to take him off, but bottled a tackle in front of the magare in a period when Liverpool were dominating. Thought he showed why we paid a fortune for him.

Lambert 8 lots of great stuff. Lead the line well and a greta out ball. So glad he got his goal. Should have scored when through.

Rodriguez 7 worked his socks off as usual. Thought he should have scored in the first half. Actually would have subbed him just before his goal as I thought he looked tired, but his straight running finally got its reward.

 

Font 7 decent display. Given a tough time by their strikers but did enough.

Davis right sub at right time. Tight control and passing just what was needed. Not sure why some don't like him. He's hardly had a ppor game all season.

[monosaint]

Went to the game with a good mate who is a Liverpool fan and he felt that Clyne was our best player. Had to deal with Suarez defensively and did that well. Also looked good going forward.

[CB Saint]

What a game. Best atmosphere this season, even the centre Kingsland were singing.

 

Thought we were going to have one of those days when shaw passed directly to their striker in the first minute

[dubai_phil]

What a game. Best atmosphere this season, even the centre Kingsland were singing.

 

Thought we were going to have one of those days when shaw passed directly to their striker in the first minute

 

And when Jos fell over all on his own to let Suarez in just before he went off injured.

 

We assume the Ref gave a free kick for an ankle tap by Suarez but the camera angles were inconclusive. If it was for offside it was an awful decision, and to us it just looked like Jos slipped.

 

Anyone have a comment/better view of it?

[farawaysaint]

And when Jos fell over all on his own to let Suarez in just before he went off injured.

 

We assume the Ref gave a free kick for an ankle tap by Suarez but the camera angles were inconclusive. If it was for offside it was an awful decision, and to us it just looked like Jos slipped.

 

Anyone have a comment/better view of it?

 

Look at big Jos' feet before he falls, there's only two possibilities here; Suarez either caught his ankle or Jos dived. Either way I'm fine with it because Suarez is a cheating barsteward.

[CB Saint]

And when Jos fell over all on his own to let Suarez in just before he went off injured.

 

We assume the Ref gave a free kick for an ankle tap by Suarez but the camera angles were inconclusive. If it was for offside it was an awful decision, and to us it just looked like Jos slipped.

 

Anyone have a comment/better view of it?

 

From where I was sat, it look like Suarez gave jos a shove

[Stud mark of doom]

The two of them were arguing about it for the next few minutes and from their expressions the discussion was "you dived" / "you tripped me and you know it". Why would jos have dived there? Would have been a great chance of the ref not spotting it.

[ottery st mary]

Caught his ankle.....took Jos out.

 

Suarez is an out and out cheat....Argued with the ref all game..Gerrard tried to ref the game throughout.

Suarez threw himself down at the drop of a hat. Ref was very poor as usual.....Almost afraid to upset Gerrard.

Edited 17 March, 2013 by ottery st mary
spellin

[Saint Charlie]

Jos tripped over his own feet. He has a penchant for clumsiness.

[ALWAYS_SFC]

Top performance...

Really enjoyed the that...

 

Mom was Clyne for me

 

And ever the ref was had a fairly decent game..

[dubai_phil]

Thanks for the replies gang - so, no consensus. Cannot see Jos diving, slipping yes, but not diving.

 

But yes, Suarez IS a lying diving cheat. TV showed that up brilliantly in the second half when he went down like a cheap hooker to win a FK against Clyne

 

Glad that (Cork I think) took him out after he showed his studs to Jose (who gave him a "gentle" pat on the head)

[hasper57saint]

I see Hodgson was at the game 'observing'. Were the Royal Navy also there on a recruiting drive for 'divers'? They could have got a top-drawer recruit with Suarez as he fell over even BEFORE he was touched.

It was really nice to drive back to Shropshire with a permanent grin on our faces. I said in the 'Build-up' we could just steal this one but we absolutely tonked them.With a little more luck we could have had five at half time.

PS. Artur blowing air kisses at Suarez was pure theatre. Anyone got a picture?

[VectisSaint]

 

 

Yoshida 7 got tight to Sturridge and made his life tricky. He has to do that more. Thought his assing was better today as well.

They didn't show that on MOTD, I didn't realise he wasn't very good at it before.

[ericofarabia]

Loved the fact that Saints Player were double quick on getting extended highlights up so that I could enjoy it so soon after the game whilst the euphoria still bubbling away.

 

Why oh Why do we end up with yet another blank weekend (especially one where I'm not working and could have seen a game for a change!!)

 

As per the Naaaarwiiiich game, many of of best moves involved Ramirez.

 

Jay Rod getting better with each game, but it would be churlish to pick out any one individual. That was an immense team effort from top to bottom including MP.

 

Oh And 10 points in the prediction league was a big bonus, but still not enough to get me in the Top 50 just yet!!

Pity there isn't a Ladbrokes out here!!

Edited 17 March, 2013 by ericofarabia

[Chez]

They didn't show that on MOTD, I didn't realise he wasn't very good at it before.

 

nice. The ref did keep indicating that players were bumming each other.

[Greenridge]

Great performances all over the pitch, shame we couldn't have bagged a few more to reflect our dominance. Ramirez was still below par even though a lovely ball for the first goal and again through to Jay which he clipped just wide. Morgan and Cork were hugely impressive as was the rest of the team for that matter and great to see Adam back on form.

[SnailOB]

i was worried about what Saints side would turn up. The last home game against QPR was pretty flat and we have not been putting our chances away. I really feared for a hammering yesterday as Liverpool had seemed to step up a gear recently.

 

That said, came away thinking that we really should have scored more. It was an outstanding performance from everyone. Very hard to pick out a MOM. Probably the stand out 4 for me were Lallana who showed all of his class yesterday, Clyne for a very assured defensive display (particularly the way he handled Suarez at times), Schneiderlin who has just breezed through the Premier League this year and Rodriguez.

 

For me JRod just pips it, think he offers the team something a little different when he plays with his direct running and willingness to shoot at goal. Now he has had a bit of a run in the side he is improving with every game and starting to settle very nicely.

[dubai_phil]

Loved the fact that Saints Player were double quick on getting extended highlights up so that I could enjoy it so soon after the game whilst the euphoria still bubbling away.

 

Why oh Why do we end up with yet another blank weekend (especially one where I'm not working and could have seen a game for a change!!)

 

As per the Naaaarwiiiich game, many of of best moves involved Ramirez.

 

Jay Rod getting better with each game, but it would be churlish to pick out any one individual. That was an immense team effort from top to bottom including MP.

 

Oh And 10 points in the prediction league was a big bonus, but still not enough to get me in the Top 50 just yet!!

Pity there isn't a Ladbrokes out here!!

 

10 points maybe, but Security at Barasti have now got your & SwaH's photos and you are both TOTALLY banned from watching any more games with us UNTIL we are Mathematically safe

[ART]

A lovely game to watch, especially the first half. My greatest fear is that the players are going to suffer from burn out and unlike under Adkins are not conserving energy between incredible these bursts of throttle. The players were superb and I don't accept it is due to "the players accepting my ideas" as Pochettino keeps spouting in interviews. Felt once again his substitution were all wrong and we really lucky Liverpool didn't turn up. Delighted with the result and the 3 points,

[ART]

Jos tripped over his own feet. He has a penchant for clumsiness.

Kind of like you tripping over your bottom lip where once you were eloquent and a delight to readl

[Whitey Grandad]

And when Jos fell over all on his own to let Suarez in just before he went off injured.

 

We assume the Ref gave a free kick for an ankle tap by Suarez but the camera angles were inconclusive. If it was for offside it was an awful decision, and to us it just looked like Jos slipped.

 

Anyone have a comment/better view of it?

 

It was a direct free kick and Suarez wasn't offside. It was a trip, whether it could be called deliberate is questionable but I seem to remember that the linesman gave it.

[david in sweden]

strange how " the media " have noticed that even top teams just have " a bad day at the office " whenever they come to SMS..coincidence ?

 

Seems to me that even in games where we've lost - we often play good football against good teams, whereas it's hard work against poor teams who concede lots of fouls and can't play " flowing football ".

 

the spate of " Jay Rod criticism " came early-season, when he started off playing wide on the left with Rickie up front. He didn't seem to fit in and hardly got in the game on many occasions.

 

Now, Rodriguez has looked increasingly impressive when he plays down the middle and Rickie plays out in the wide role. Those recent " ghost runs" he makes in the first few minutes have produced goals.

 

Yesterday was one of his best performances, and he deserved more than just one goal, but his solo effort reminded me of the Anders Svensson solo in the famous FA Cup win v. Spurs (4-0).

[Tokyo-Saint]

Imagine how good we'd be if he got the subs right!

[Whitey Grandad]

Imagine how good we'd be if he got the subs right!

 

I thought they were ok yesterday.

[david in sweden]

A lovely game to watch, especially the first half. My greatest fear is that the players are going to suffer from burn out and unlike under Adkins are not conserving energy between incredible these bursts of throttle. The players were superb and I don't accept it is due to "the players accepting my ideas" as Pochettino keeps spouting in interviews. Felt once again his substitution were all wrong and we really lucky Liverpool didn't turn up. Delighted with the result and the 3 points,

 

 

I agree with your positive comments ART, but we surely have to admit that the more direct all-out attacking " Pochettino-style " - whilst using the same players - IS more direct than the push and pass / hold the ball tactics we had used so successfully last season.

 

Can't agree with your sustitution criticism though. The first (Hooiveld) was enforced and Fonte was the natural replacement. Surely no-one could have considered putting Forran on- in the middle of a game.

Ramirez worked hard but still doesn't seem to have adjusted to the " English game " - well not for 90 mins anyway....and Steven Davis nullified the introduction of Lucas who bossed the game at Anfield.

 

Lallana (took a knock in the game) had run himself into the ground by 80 mins. and Guly seemed a better bet (to me anyway) - than JWP or Puncheon - who.s better when he starts games (than as sub.)

[Wes Tender]

A match where there were 9s and 10s from our players all over the pitch and this is reflected in the spread of votes from us for Man of the Match and having two players in the team of the week. Quite the best football I've seen from us at home all season and doubly enjoyable because of the calibre of the opposition. The ground was packed to the rafters and the joint was rocking, helped by an early goal of class from Schneiderlin. A bit of fortune for the second from Lambert's deflected free kick and the atmosphere turned to euphoria and a deathly hush descended over the Liverpool fans, who had imagined that they only needed to turn up to gain an easy three points from poor old relegation strugglers Southampton. It seems that they and Rogers had badly underestimated us.

 

Rogers should have known that Pochettino would play his high pressing game, closing down their flair players like Suarez and Gerrard to deny them the space to influence the match and yet you only have to read the Liverpool fans' forums to see the criticism of his team selection and tactics. At least many of them were prepared to give us credit for being the better team on the day, whereas Rogers dismisses that possibility and excuses them for having a bad day at the office.

 

I confess to harbouring doubts at the team selection initially, with Puncheon again left out of the starting line-up making it being difficult on paper to fathom whether we were playing a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-4-2 and either way it looked as if there was an imbalance on the right wing. But the evidence of the actual play indicated that in any event it was very effective.

 

In each area of the pitch we have decent partnerships forming. The back four is solid providing that it is Shaw at LB, Clyne at RB and whichever pairing of Hooiveld, Yoshida and Fonte, they have forged an understanding together. In midfield, Cork and Schneiderlin are immense for us. Just ahead of them, Lallana, Ramirez, Davies and Puncheon are all good options with Rodriguez increasingly looking to be the perfect foil to Lambert up front.

 

Providing that we have this core of players available, we can be effective and not only survive this season, but maybe climb a place or two. If we suffer from injuries or suspensions to them, then I worry that their replacements will make us quite a bit less of a force to be reckoned with.

 

Other relegation candidates will have looked at our matches against Liverpool and Chelsea and harboured expections of them being able to catch up a few points on us. Their disappointment not only on our win, but the style of it, must be a grave disappointment to them and a massive psychological boost to us. We can approach the Chelsea match now more confident of a result against them, knowing also that we were the team who came back to earn a draw away from a 2 goal deficit, something that others had failed to achieve for some considerable time.

 

It is still too early to predict how the remainder of the season will pan out and whether we will avoid relegation. If we continue to play like that, we should be OK, provided that we don't revert to type and beat the top teams, only to surrender meekly to the lower teams, which ironically is exactly what some of the Liverpool fans accuse their team of, having lost to us.

[NickG]

A lovely game to watch, especially the first half. My greatest fear is that the players are going to suffer from burn out and unlike under Adkins are not conserving energy between incredible these bursts of throttle. The players were superb and I don't accept it is due to "the players accepting my ideas" as Pochettino keeps spouting in interviews. Felt once again his substitution were all wrong and we really lucky Liverpool didn't turn up. Delighted with the result and the 3 points,

 

I enjoy reading other teams message boards after we beat them.

 

Loads of posts by Liverpool fans about how MP completely beat BR in tactical battle, specifically how as they came back into it we made a substitution changing shape of midfield and they were out of game again.

[Wes Tender]

I enjoy reading other teams message boards after we beat them.

 

Loads of posts by Liverpool fans about how MP completely beat BR in tactical battle, specifically how as they came back into it we made a substitution changing shape of midfield and they were out of game again.

 

Davis coming on for Ramirez was particularly effective and a sound tactical change to counter Rogers bringing on Lucas. Ramirez had been good up until then, but we tightened up the midfield from then onwards.

 

That second half, for all the talk from Rogers about how they played better than they had in the first, frankly I was amazed at how we pinned them into their half for large periods of the game. Every time they ventured forward, they risked losing the ball to us and having us surge forward again. I think that after a while in that second half, they just ran out of ideas on how to break us down.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

I enjoy reading other teams message boards after we beat them.

 

Loads of posts by Liverpool fans about how MP completely beat BR in tactical battle, specifically how as they came back into it we made a substitution changing shape of midfield and they were out of game again.

 

I found the Liverpool comments much more rational than most other fans forums. They know their football

[S-Clarke]

I found the Liverpool comments much more rational than most other fans forums. They know their football

 

They do, but boy don't they live in the past! That's what bugs me about them.

[Sour Mash]

Excellent display against an in form Liverpool. Yes they were poor in the first half, but we were good too. Lots of great passing moves, skills and free flowing football. 4-1 at half time would not have flattered us. Rodriguez really should have scored and Lambert must have been gutted not to do more when clean through. My only citicism was our slightly gung ho attitude at times. We leave ourselves wide open to the break from our own corners. We need to learn from that as we have been caught before. We have played well in a lot of games this season and not got the resukt we deserved. Swansea, ManU, Wigan and Norwich hould all have been beaten at our place. This is not a shock. We are not half bad. Happy days.

 

Boruc 8 one great save and some solid handling an decent kicking. A couple of time he played it short and put us under, but put a stop to that quickly

Cylne 9 pretty faultless display

Yoshida 7 got tight to Sturridge and made his life tricky. He has to do that more. Thought his assing was better today as well. I have to say though that cnetre back looked our weak point, but not surprising as the movement from the Liverpool strikers was sensational.

Jos 5 might have been a blessing as I thought he got caught napping a little. Hope the injury is nit too bad as he has been great in recent weeks.

Shaw 7 possibly his worst game for us. At times he went astray big style, but he still showed why he is regarded so highly. Great pace in both directions and powerful running to go with it. Just waiting for him to be a little mor egreedy and just run and runa nd then shoot rather than pass.

Lallana 9 outstanding game. My man of the match. Involved in everything good.

Morgan 8 another solid game

Cork 7 a little quiet compared to the last few games. Not bad, just not as great. Still pushing for player of the season for me.

Ramirez 7 Very good first half. Very tough to take him off, but bottled a tackle in front of the magare in a period when Liverpool were dominating. Thought he showed why we paid a fortune for him.

Lambert 8 lots of great stuff. Lead the line well and a greta out ball. So glad he got his goal. Should have scored when through.

Rodriguez 7 worked his socks off as usual. Thought he should have scored in the first half. Actually would have subbed him just before his goal as I thought he looked tired, but his straight running finally got its reward.

 

Font 7 decent display. Given a tough time by their strikers but did enough.

Davis right sub at right time. Tight control and passing just what was needed. Not sure why some don't like him. He's hardly had a ppor game all season.

I thought Shaw was knackered in the 2nd half, part of the reason he was caught out of position a couple of times. As much as I enjoyed his bursting runs in the first half, I felt he was maybe doing too much and it would take it out of him. Conversely my only criticism of Clyne is that there were quite a few opportunities for him to bomb on both with and without the ball, but he chose to sit back - he was outstanding defensively though.

[Sheaf Saint]

A lovely game to watch, especially the first half. My greatest fear is that the players are going to suffer from burn out and unlike under Adkins are not conserving energy between incredible these bursts of throttle. The players were superb and I don't accept it is due to "the players accepting my ideas" as Pochettino keeps spouting in interviews. Felt once again his substitution were all wrong and we really lucky Liverpool didn't turn up. Delighted with the result and the 3 points,

 

I disagree. Hooiveld was injured so Fonte was the obvious replacement. Davis for Ramirez was the right sub at the right time as Liverpool looked like getting more of a grip of the game in midfield. The only one I will grant you is Do Prado coming on for Lallala, who had to go off because he was knackered. The only contributions I saw from Guly were to stand by and let a Liverpool player drift past him into our penalty area with ease, and to fall over and give the ball away when we had an excellent opportunity to break following a Liverpool attack.

 

Two out of three ain't bad.

[for_heaven's_Saint]

Personally don't think Lallana can be given a 9 as he must must must start taking his chances! I admit he had a decent game though.

[Saint Garrett]

Personally don't think Lallana can be given a 9 as he must must must start taking his chances! I admit he had a decent game though.

 

This.

 

To give Lallana a 9, and J-Rod a 7 is a bit strange IMO.

[Sour Mash]

On another note, Boruc was outstanding today. So solid. My MOTM by far.

I thought it was Boruc's best game for us - not because he had to make loads of great saves, but constant excellent handling of difficult crosses under pressure, in tough conditions - a lesser keeper could easily have given the opposition a couple of chances when Liverpool were piling on the pressure in the 2nd half - he was completely solid. My only criticism would be his tendency to start time-wasting so early.

[ottery st mary]

I gave all the players 10 / 10....and I am never wrong.

[Greenridge]

I thought it was Boruc's best game for us - not because he had to make loads of great saves, but constant excellent handling of difficult crosses under pressure, in tough conditions - a lesser keeper could easily have given the opposition a couple of chances when Liverpool were piling on the pressure in the 2nd half - he was completely solid. My only criticism would be his tendency to start time-wasting so early.

 

Agree, his handling was spot on in difficult circumstances and didn't give the opposition any encouragement with a spill, fumblel or rebound. Very impressed.

[Whitey Grandad]

Guly was a bit hit and miss but there was a crunching block from him over in the Itchen/Chapel corner in extra time.

[Chez]

Agree, his handling was spot on in difficult circumstances and didn't give the opposition any encouragement with a spill, fumblel or rebound. Very impressed.

likewise. His decision making when kicking has also been impresive. When it needs clearing he gets rid, when he has time he uses it. I also like the fact he gives it a good welly as that turns defence into attack at times.

[Greenridge]

likewise. His decision making when kicking has also been impresive. When it needs clearing he gets rid, when he has time he uses it. I also like the fact he gives it a good welly as that turns defence into attack at times.

 

And when it comes to kicking he's pretty useful with both feet as well.

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

Some observations from a very good afternoon:

 

> Lambert v Skrtel was a proper old battle - call it a score draw

> Schneiderlin, Cork, and Lallana, are as outstanding a midfield line-up as this club has fielded in my memory.

> Both Clyne and Shaw coming along very nicely - I didn't realise just how quick Shaw can be, but Clyne was my MOTM.

> It was v funny to see the Liverpool wall come apart like a cheap suite for Lambert's goal.

> J Rod unlucky not to have scored more than the one (great) goal. He may well go on to become a big star next season.

> Why do our players continue to lose their footing so quite frequently?

> Lallana made those calling him a 'lower league player' look like the mugs they undoutably are.

> It was written in the stars that Coutinho would score.

> Had we had a keeper of Boruc's quality available from the start of the season, then we'd be probably be safe already methinks.

 

Last, but by no means least, we are today just 2 or 3 decent results away from securing Premier League football for next season.

[Greenridge]

 

> Why do our players continue to lose their footing so quite frequently?

 

 

 

I think they overdid the watering of the central area of the pitch. Seemed a bit excessive yesterday, not helped with the hailstorm but it seemed the first half where we were losing our footing the most. Maybe some of the players changed their footwear at half-time?

[Chewy]

strange how " the media " have noticed that even top teams just have " a bad day at the office " whenever they come to SMS..coincidence ?

 

Seems to me that even in games where we've lost - we often play good football against good teams, whereas it's hard work against poor teams who concede lots of fouls and can't play " flowing football ".

 

Been thinking about this and it's not quite so black and white as that - we actually struggle most against the middling teams. Splitting the league in 3 we've got 9 of our 31 points against the top 7, 13 against the 6 other than us in the bottom 7, but only 7 v the mid-table sides.

 

Obviously can't be judged fully until we've played them all twice, but a strange pattern given the notion of struggling against the poor sides. Where's that mini-league from earlier in the season ...?