Danish Saint Posted 31 March, 2013 Posted 31 March, 2013 Was watching the game yesterday and something weird hit me, as we were defending our lead in the second half. I didn't get the usual "Oh-please-please-please-just-hang-in-there-for-life"-reaction, I've been used to for the last 18 years, supporting Saints. Cool and composed at the back. Clyne and Shaw working brilliantly and just no real sense of imminent danger.
Window Cleaner Posted 31 March, 2013 Posted 31 March, 2013 Was watching the game yesterday and something weird hit me, as we were defending our lead in the second half. I didn't get the usual "Oh-please-please-please-just-hang-in-there-for-life"-reaction, I've been used to for the last 18 years, supporting Saints. Cool and composed at the back. Clyne and Shaw working brilliantly and just no real sense of imminent danger. I thought in the last 20/25 minutes yesterday that we had at last mastered the art of winning ugly. Not to say that we weren't brilliant in the first half but when some well concealed nastiness was required the lads had it in their locker. MP was like that at PSG.
farawaysaint Posted 31 March, 2013 Posted 31 March, 2013 Really? I was ****ting myself, when Lampard had that free-kick at the end I thought "oh, here we go again."
Tamesaint Posted 31 March, 2013 Posted 31 March, 2013 I agree with the OP. The last few minutes did not seem as nerve stretching as when we were 2-1 up against Liverpool. Maybe I am now expecting us to be able to hold onto a lead.
niceandfriendly Posted 31 March, 2013 Posted 31 March, 2013 I was more comfortable than I have been in previous years or perhaps earlier in the season, the whole defence has improved, but I was still concerned when one of Chelsea's class players got on the ball as they are capable of beating any defenders in the World. But they couldn't beat ours for a second time!
Didcot Saint Posted 31 March, 2013 Posted 31 March, 2013 I was completely bricking it the whole second half!
The Kraken Posted 31 March, 2013 Posted 31 March, 2013 I was completely bricking it the whole second half! Likewise. I thought taking off Puncheon and Davis replacing Boruc meant that we lost our ability to play through midfield and hold the ball up without going long. We had 60% posession in the first half and the stats finished almost even, so it tells a tale of how we declined in the second half. One thing that struck me with 5 or 10 minutes to go was the lack of urgency in the Chelsea team; they weren't rushing to take free kicks and goal kicks, they just seemed a bit deflated. Lampard in particular looked very much a beaten man.
Miltonroader07 Posted 31 March, 2013 Posted 31 March, 2013 Likewise. I thought taking off Puncheon and Davis replacing Boruc meant that we lost our ability to play through midfield and hold the ball up without going long. We had 60% posession in the first half and the stats finished almost even, so it tells a tale of how we declined in the second half. One thing that struck me with 5 or 10 minutes to go was the lack of urgency in the Chelsea team; they weren't rushing to take free kicks and goal kicks, they just seemed a bit deflated. Lampard in particular looked very much a beaten man. I usually disagree with The Kraken but this is a good shout from my olde mate
dubai_phil Posted 31 March, 2013 Posted 31 March, 2013 Was watching the game yesterday and something weird hit me, as we were defending our lead in the second half. I didn't get the usual "Oh-please-please-please-just-hang-in-there-for-life"-reaction, I've been used to for the last 18 years, supporting Saints. Cool and composed at the back. Clyne and Shaw working brilliantly and just no real sense of imminent danger. Lol. As we saw KD on the touchline before the start of the 2nd half we all had the oh noes moment, then there was a moment midway through the 2nd half when on Telly at least it seemed to all of us that Moses had a clear shout for a penalty right on the 6 yard box when Maya barged him off the ball (our debate was more those are ALWAYS given against us and FOR big teams)... It was really from that moment onwards that as you say, the nerves kind of disappeared. In fact it was really funny, the table full of Spuds next to us had started to watch OUR game and in the last 10 minutes THEY were screaming at US to GET THE BALL IN THE CORNER. STAY DOWN.... Their noises attracted the Gooners and they joined in - FOX you idiot HOLD THE BALL we even joked about it with them, THEY were the nervous wrecks I thought we'd have been. Maybe seeing them so wound up tight calmed us down, maybe suddenly realising that OTHER team's fans are starting to watch us with more interest (was AMAZED they knew who Fox was tbh! maybe they are after him at WHL in the summer ) But as a Manc supporting pal said when he called to congratulate us after the game "You ran them ragged, they had nothing left in the tank at the end of the game - brilliant job lads thanks, beers are on me Monday night" Perhaps we could see that they weren't up for it and did not believe they could do it. Or maybe they just felt Rafa had let them down?
Tamesaint Posted 31 March, 2013 Posted 31 March, 2013 One thing that struck me with 5 or 10 minutes to go was the lack of urgency in the Chelsea team; they weren't rushing to take free kicks and goal kicks, they just seemed a bit deflated. Lampard in particular looked very much a beaten man. I agree entirely- the same thought struck me. The way that Cech took the goal kicks, you would have thought they were 3 -0 up and were strolling.
Kingsland Red Posted 31 March, 2013 Posted 31 March, 2013 If you can live through Sheffield United with ten men , or survive watching the relegation scraps of the pre Strachan years, you are a man my friend and will be able to withstand any post 80th minute battering.
Hatch Posted 31 March, 2013 Posted 31 March, 2013 maybe it was due to the fact they had Torres up front, who is one of the worst players I have ever seen at St Marys/The Dell.
CaneNero Posted 31 March, 2013 Posted 31 March, 2013 I would say we still have a way to go with this, but yes, improving every game I think. Always thought this would come with games under belts in the PL.
tpbury Posted 1 April, 2013 Posted 1 April, 2013 I had to switch off and 'watch it on ceefax'in the last five minutes - I knew we weren't playing badly, but I just couldn't deal with the inevitable equaliser I thought was bound to come!
ericofarabia Posted 1 April, 2013 Posted 1 April, 2013 I had to switch off and 'watch it on ceefax'in the last five minutes - I knew we weren't playing badly, but I just couldn't deal with the inevitable equaliser I thought was bound to come! Are you mad? F5 ing the Teletext / ceefax type thing is the most painfully frustrating thing ever, especially the last 5 mins when it seems to stop on 90 mins for about 10 mins before showing Final Whistle!!
Coastal Saint Posted 1 April, 2013 Posted 1 April, 2013 Must admit, I was was sure Chelsea would score. However, how great is it to have such quick fullbacks. Time and again they got back to cover raids down the wing. This gave us the chance to push up the field without fear. Don't think we have had this option for many years.
The9 Posted 1 April, 2013 Posted 1 April, 2013 Was watching the game yesterday and something weird hit me, as we were defending our lead in the second half. I didn't get the usual "Oh-please-please-please-just-hang-in-there-for-life"-reaction, I've been used to for the last 18 years, supporting Saints. Cool and composed at the back. Clyne and Shaw working brilliantly and just no real sense of imminent danger. This stopped for me in our League One near-miss play-off season. Came back around September for a couple of weeks but went away again when we played QPR at theirs.
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now