Saints 2 Reading 0 - Post Match Reactions

[Saint Without a Halo]

Good performance against a very poor side. No doubt there is something about this team which is fairly special. Turning that x factor they have developed under Pochettino into results which is pleasing.

 

Still not that comfortable in central defence from set plays, but in the open play both CB's are comfortable.

 

Great movement and interplay between JayRod, Lambert & Gaston. Gaston does frustrate a bit, but he is still effective and dangerous which will improve further under MP. For me its the vision he has to play passes which you dont even realise are there. He needs to only improve the decision making as currently too many times its the wrong choice. I would still rather have a player who can see those goal creating moments and takes risks than one who does not.

 

Whatever MP has done for JayRod is remarkable......what a player this guy is going to be. Lambert, understated class again.

 

Finally........ Boruc........Legend

 

A good day.

 

We can now add Jrod for England as well as Lambert he does at least have age on his side!

Edited 6 April, 2013 by Saint Without a Halo

[trousers]

Stan Collymore on Talksport: "It's looking like a genius move by the Southampton board bringing Pochettino in when they did"

[Saint Without a Halo]

would now be a god time to re start my 10th place finish?

 

Shhhh you may upset Turkish, anyway he would only say we are 11th not 10th! best to wait till next week when hopefully we will be 10th!

[Georgie]

To those at the game - Were Reading fans REALLY singing "Champion-es" at us today? If so, absolutely priceless.

 

Yes they were haha. Still there is little else they have to hold onto this season. I also do like it when opposition fans sing 'small town in Portsmouth' as if it offends us!

[Red]

What game did you watch? What 3 chances did they have in 30mins??? I can remember 1 which was flown over by Le Fondre.

 

Other than that they were pathetic. It was a doddle of an away game where we didn't even have to play that well.

 

OK whatever - just my opinion, but I know after 30 mins I was praying for a draw at least. Not saying it was a pen, but it could have been given (also there was a low save by AB which was close). Even the commentators, who I thought were really fair, thought Reading were much better for the first 30 mins. Over the whole game, yes agree with you, we were by far the better team. My only point was that it was not "sooooo easy" - many games we have been the better side and still lost. Had we been 1 or 2 (or even 3 down) by 30 mins, not sure we could have recovered.

 

In summary, good win and absolutely delighted, and let's learn from the first 30 min display to get even better - any problem with that?

[SuperMikey]

Just back from the game, f*cking great day! Game wasn't too good in terms of quality but we won despite not playing entirely at our best at times - something we've struggled with in the past for sure.

 

Maya was a rock at the back, Corky and Schneiderlin completely ran the midfield and Jay Rodriguez is looking every single bit the £7m player we signed. Always knew he'd come good, he's a highly talented player. Only negative for me was Gaston - I hate to be negative about our players but he was pretty sh!te today. Lacked awareness, passing a bit sloppy and he didn't link up as well as he usually does. Lallana coming on for him was a massive improvement and we looked much better with him on the pitch.

 

Don't want to write him off, but if a team outside of the Prem offered us our money back for Gaston in the summer, I would take it. £12m is money that could be spent very wisely in strengthening other areas of the team (cover at FB, pacy winger, #1 keeper if Boruc doesn't sign a new deal).

[Saint Without a Halo]

The Abu Dhabi arabic commentator said we are a pleasure to watch with a great cutting incisive passing style reminscent of Spain and Barcelona and theat Reading had no amswer to our style of play!

enough said!

We are Southampton we are famous worldwide!

[VectisSaint]

OK whatever - just my opinion, but I know after 30 mins I was praying for a draw at least. Not saying it was a pen, but it could have been given (also there was a low save by AB which was close). Even the commentators, who I thought were really fair, thought Reading were much better for the first 30 mins. Over the whole game, yes agree with you, we were by far the better team. My only point was that it was not "sooooo easy" - many games we have been the better side and still lost. Had we been 1 or 2 (or even 3 down) by 30 mins, not sure we could have recovered.

 

In summary, good win and absolutely delighted, and let's learn from the first 30 min display to get even better - any problem with that?

Red you are absolutely right, we were poor in the first 20 minutes or so, and were hanging on, our defence looked ropey, we were panicking, and we could not string 2 passes together. After that we seemed to gradually take control and they began to lose heart and in the end it became a matter of how many we could score. We were far from our best today, but did more than enough to win.

[eurosaint]

Cannot believe people on here are having a go at Ramirez, his link up play with Ricky and Jay was very good, he may not be scoring but was not playing badly. It what he does off the ball and his link up play that I think people are not seeing. Anyway a good 3 points that near as damn it puts us safe this season. 3 points against Wet Sham next week and we will not be caught.

Sure he was creative at times but he gave the ball away away on countless occasions when it was just as easy to play a simple ball ! If he could learn to eliminate this then his all round game would improve dramatically IMHO !

Personally I though we were much more effective when AL replaced him !

[Roger]

Sure he was creative at times but he gave the ball away away on countless occasions when it was just as easy to play a simple ball ! If he could learn to eliminate this then his all round game would improve dramatically IMHO !

Personally I though we were much more effective when AL replaced him !

 

I don't agree. Easier for Adam to come on. Gaston is losing the ball trying to be creative. Wilkins described his pass to j rod as world class. Why can't we just be happy.

[dubai_phil]

Think Boruc went from Holy Goalie to Legend today.

 

Need to get him signed up before he joins the NBA

[Joesaint]

Watched on TV on have to say, really impressed with both full back and Cork was my MOTM, great great player.

 

COYS

[ART]

So painful to watch for long periods yet eventually our quality showed through. On the positive side, Adlins gave Pochittino a lesson and showed what are our defensive weaknesses. If he didn't know alread,y today's game will have shown him what needs to be done in the coming months.

 

Rodriguez goes from strength to strength and his co-laboration with Ricky amazing. Ramirez is a waste of space, but Adam played much better with a cooler head and without the responsibility of being captain. Ricky excels in the role.

[Olallana]

So painful to watch for long periods yet eventually our quality showed through. On the positive side, Adlins gave Pochittino a lesson and showed what are our defensive weaknesses. If he didn't know alread,y today's game will have shown him what needs to be done in the coming months.

 

Rodriguez goes from strength to strength and his co-laboration with Ricky amazing. Ramirez is a waste of space, but Adam played much better with a cooler head and without the responsibility of being captain. Ricky excels in the role.

 

From Atkins to Adlins.....keep on fighting, soon enough you´ll get it right....

[Graffito]

Interested to see that Pochettino changed the tactics and had to laugh how he said there's no point in playing the pressing game against a team that just kicks the ball in the air.

[dubai_phil]

OK Match thoughts.

 

1) Dear God somebody PLEASE shoot Gary O'Reilly - he had a SHOCKER as pundit

 

2) NA set up Reading to press us from the start. While it worked VERY well and suffered an uncomfortable first 15 minutes it did two things - i) It made them chase shadows in a style they were not accustomed to, at a pace and tempo they have not trained for and it showed their limitations as a footballing team. It was so obvious that all we needed to do was to weather the storm. We did. Shakily at times (especially down our left - Luke got mullered for a while)

3) MP spoke with Davis, a tweak was made, game over. Think it was about blocking their space on the left, from then on it was all about WHEN SRL or Gaston would find the killer pass. Sure Gaston loses the ball BUT FFS at least he SEES the pass especially in the final third - (and at least 20 seconds before Puncheon's brain starts saying oh I have the ball what should I do now). I guess those slating him probably appeared on the JRod is a waste of money threads

4) What the hell has MP done to JRod? Steroids? Suddenly he is so hard to knock off the ball now.

5) Up until about 50 mins there was only MoTM candidate - Davis - I mentioned that and he faded away and became less effective

6) Boruc - I mean REALLY. Federici should hang his head in shame at his challenge on JROD and especially when Boruc took a whack when dived at the strikers feet. What presence of mind when going into the goal to throw the ball safe. And his NBA skills?? Brilliant

7) Look Nige, we loved you, but today showed why NC made the change, you gave it your best shot and MP countered it. Truly think you chose the wrong job. Good luck but it will take a whole new squad for Reading to play pass & move football.

Honestly? Once we weathered that storm? The result was never in doubt

 

Davis was my MoM as he brought us into the game after that pressure, then it was the JRod show - how does Wellbeck get in the England squad ahead of JRod?

[Saints boy in Leeds]

We're safe. Simple as that.

 

I'm with you, still 18 points to play for though.

[LGTL]

Easiest away win you'll ever likely to get in this league. It was embarrassing at times.

[manji]

Lambert Rodriguez and Gaston all linking up together is a joy to watch.

 

Gaston should have scored but apart from finishing he played some excellent stuff

Totally agree,Ramirez was superb. His first season in the EPL hes only going to get better with Mario at the helm.

[doggface]

I am a gaston fan, the kid has great ability. He did play some great balls today but also gave away possession badly at times. For example a wild slice on the edge of the 18 & got out of jail. I was relieved when he came off though as he wasn't at his best as usual away from home.

 

He should have buried his chance as should have guly. I hope he stays and with a good preseason will show us the player he can really become.

[Mr X]

Great result though we were **** poor for the fast half hour in which reading pegged us back a bit. We're lucky with the penalty and where boruc nearly took the ball into his own net I've seen those given and it could have changed the whole game. We got better as the game went on

[70's Mike]

Great result though we were **** poor for the fast half hour in which reading pegged us back a bit. We're lucky with the penalty and where boruc nearly took the ball into his own net I've seen those given and it could have changed the whole game. We got better as the game went on

 

How can it be lucky when it was clearly not a penalty.

Also sign of a class side to improve as game goes on, how many times in the past have we dominate a game only to lose a goal after about 30 mins and then another with 15 to go.

Great result, professional performance

[St_Tel49]

OK Match thoughts.

 

1) Dear God somebody PLEASE shoot Gary O'Reilly - he had a SHOCKER as pundit

 

2) NA set up Reading to press us from the start. While it worked VERY well and suffered an uncomfortable first 15 minutes it did two things - i) It made them chase shadows in a style they were not accustomed to, at a pace and tempo they have not trained for and it showed their limitations as a footballing team. It was so obvious that all we needed to do was to weather the storm. We did. Shakily at times (especially down our left - Luke got mullered for a while)

3) MP spoke with Davis, a tweak was made, game over. Think it was about blocking their space on the left, from then on it was all about WHEN SRL or Gaston would find the killer pass. Sure Gaston loses the ball BUT FFS at least he SEES the pass especially in the final third - (and at least 20 seconds before Puncheon's brain starts saying oh I have the ball what should I do now). I guess those slating him probably appeared on the JRod is a waste of money threads

4) What the hell has MP done to JRod? Steroids? Suddenly he is so hard to knock off the ball now.

5) Up until about 50 mins there was only MoTM candidate - Davis - I mentioned that and he faded away and became less effective

6) Boruc - I mean REALLY. Federici should hang his head in shame at his challenge on JROD and especially when Boruc took a whack when dived at the strikers feet. What presence of mind when going into the goal to throw the ball safe. And his NBA skills?? Brilliant

7) Look Nige, we loved you, but today showed why NC made the change, you gave it your best shot and MP countered it. Truly think you chose the wrong job. Good luck but it will take a whole new squad for Reading to play pass & move football.

Honestly? Once we weathered that storm? The result was never in doubt

 

Davis was my MoM as he brought us into the game after that pressure, then it was the JRod show - how does Wellbeck get in the England squad ahead of JRod?

TBF Adkins did all he could to get a result but the players that he has are quite simply not as good as the players he had.

[supersonic]

Easiest away win you'll ever likely to get in this league. It was embarrassing at times.

 

This.

[Bearsy]

there's no point in playing the pressing game against a team that just kicks the ball in the air.

 

making plans for west ham yo

[captainchris]

OK Match thoughts.

 

1) Dear God somebody PLEASE shoot Gary O'Reilly - he had a SHOCKER as pundit

 

2) NA set up Reading to press us from the start. While it worked VERY well and suffered an uncomfortable first 15 minutes it did two things - i) It made them chase shadows in a style they were not accustomed to, at a pace and tempo they have not trained for and it showed their limitations as a footballing team. It was so obvious that all we needed to do was to weather the storm. We did. Shakily at times (especially down our left - Luke got mullered for a while)

3) MP spoke with Davis, a tweak was made, game over. Think it was about blocking their space on the left, from then on it was all about WHEN SRL or Gaston would find the killer pass. Sure Gaston loses the ball BUT FFS at least he SEES the pass especially in the final third - (and at least 20 seconds before Puncheon's brain starts saying oh I have the ball what should I do now). I guess those slating him probably appeared on the JRod is a waste of money threads

4) What the hell has MP done to JRod? Steroids? Suddenly he is so hard to knock off the ball now.

5) Up until about 50 mins there was only MoTM candidate - Davis - I mentioned that and he faded away and became less effective

6) Boruc - I mean REALLY. Federici should hang his head in shame at his challenge on JROD and especially when Boruc took a whack when dived at the strikers feet. What presence of mind when going into the goal to throw the ball safe. And his NBA skills?? Brilliant

7) Look Nige, we loved you, but today showed why NC made the change, you gave it your best shot and MP countered it. Truly think you chose the wrong job. Good luck but it will take a whole new squad for Reading to play pass & move football.

Honestly? Once we weathered that storm? The result was never in doubt

 

Davis was my MoM as he brought us into the game after that pressure, then it was the JRod show - how does Wellbeck get in the England squad ahead of JRod?

 

Agree NA has made a mistake going to Reading. They haven't got one player that is decent - not one...! All average championship players at best. That squad needs a complete overhaul and Reading will not invest enough to make that a decent passing team. They need about 15 new players by my count.

Sorry Nige but that looks like one hell of a challenge, even with pots of money and without - well - just cannot see it....You are down and coming back up looks a long long way off......

[Chez]

Davis my norm. He had his best game and linked the play so well.

[St_Tel49]

I see what you are saying, but what you are saying is utter bullocks.

This - we had turned a corner under Adkins before he got sacked. Any assertions as to where we might be had he stayed is just pointless, unsupported speculation. As it is I am happy with how we are going under Pochettino but I still think that NA was doing a good job and there is no particular reason to suppose that he wouldn't have continued to do so - but that is mere speculation.

[OldNick]

This - we had turned a corner under Adkins before he got sacked. Any assertions as to where we might be had he stayed is just pointless, unsupported speculation. As it is I am happy with how we are going under Pochettino but I still think that NA was doing a good job and there is no particular reason to suppose that he wouldn't have continued to do so - but that is mere speculation.

IMO you are wrong whilst I agree NA may have got a better result against QPR I do not believe he would have overseen positive results against Man C Chelsea home and Liverpool.as for getting anything today in a pressure game I doubt that as well. It is all opinion of course but the poignant fact is that without those wins against the big teams we would be right in the mire now Edited 6 April, 2013 by OldNick

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

This - we had turned a corner under Adkins before he got sacked. Any assertions as to where we might be had he stayed is just pointless, unsupported speculation. As it is I am happy with how we are going under Pochettino but I still think that NA was doing a good job and there is no particular reason to suppose that he wouldn't have continued to do so - but that is mere speculation.

 

Take my advice - you need to work on making your sense of loyalty a more easily transferable aspect of your personality my friend. This is very much a Stalinist style forum now where as soon as anyone falls out of favour with the Don they are airbrushed out of history at the earliest opportunity. I quite expect the entire NA reign to be expunged from the record before very long as if it never happened.

 

So if you're not careful you too can expect a midnight knock on the door as the forum sends its heavies round to sort you out.

 

Sent from my old laptop en route to the Gulag.

[OldNick]

Take my advice - you need to work on making your sense of loyalty a more easily transferable aspect of your personality my friend. This is very much a Stalinist style forum now where as soon as anyone falls out of favour with the Don they are airbrushed out of history at the earliest opportunity. I quite expect the entire NA reign to be expunged from the record before very long as if it never happened.

 

So if you're not careful you too can expect a midnight knock on the door as the forum sends its heavies round to sort you out.

 

Sent from my old laptop en route to the Gulag.

Nobody is airbrushing NA out of history but as time goes on the penny drops that his achievements were good but not great. We should have won at least 1trophy under him. We have moved to a better level of performance already, Iam hopeful we will do even better when he has 'his' squad next season

[dubai_phil]

Take my advice - you need to work on making your sense of loyalty a more easily transferable aspect of your personality my friend. This is very much a Stalinist style forum now where as soon as anyone falls out of favour with the Don they are airbrushed out of history at the earliest opportunity. I quite expect the entire NA reign to be expunged from the record before very long as if it never happened.

 

So if you're not careful you too can expect a midnight knock on the door as the forum sends its heavies round to sort you out.

 

Sent from my old laptop en route to the Gulag.

 

Nah. He won't get any heavies delivered. He'll just get Golfing Stories in reply to every post he makes

[dubai_phil]

Nobody is airbrushing NA out of history but as time goes on the penny drops that his achievements were good but not great. We should have won at least 1trophy under him. We have moved to a better level of performance already, Iam hopeful we will do even better when he has 'his' squad next season

 

Thus speaks a man who has even seen some of the Golfing Photos as well as listened to the Stories.

 

Good work Comrade.

 

ps u sure you can't make it to the wedding?

[Bensfcno1]

EIEIEIO up the premierleague we go..... when we finish second we go up and win the fight, while brighton and reading fail to keep up!

[Appy]

Remember when we were scrapping with Huddersfield,Brighton and Bournemouth?

 

LAWL.

[Leicestersaint]

We all enjoyed our day out at Reading - Saints got a comfortable win although we werenothign liek as good as we were against Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City. There wins in a row - and hopefully a fourth against West Ham. Boruc was outstanding and amde some great saves to keep a clean sheet. We can now finish in the top half.

[Carlos Fandango]

Nobody is airbrushing NA out of history but as time goes on the penny drops that his achievements were good but not great. We should have won at least 1trophy under him. We have moved to a better level of performance already, Iam hopeful we will do even better when he has 'his' squad next season

 

Nigel did a fantastic job for us, he got us to where we are now. He was sacked because we are now stepping up to the next level and we needed a step up in manager to achieve this. It's about having the right man for the right job.

[mulletsaint]

Another one of my predictions wrong !!!!

 

Do those four exclamation marks mean you're still surprised at this? Keep it up I think you may be luckier for us than a skimpily dressed nun.

[positivepete]

Only caught bits on the radio today, but Martin Keown was summarising and was extremely complimentary about our play. When asked about Shaw he said that he saw him when he was 15 and it took him 30 seconds to decide he would become a premiership player.

[miserableoldgit]

We all enjoyed our day out at Reading - Saints got a comfortable win although we werenothign liek as good as we were against Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City. There wins in a row - and hopefully a fourth against West Ham. Boruc was outstanding and amde some great saves to keep a clean sheet. We can now finish in the top half.

Blimey! Been on the sauce tonight?

[acersaint]

I have been supporting the Saints for over 50 years. I have always expected the wheels to come off I am used to a one half good performance but suddenly things are changing. Adkins appointment was so right to get us to the premiership but pottechino appointment is so right for us to go forward. I now know that we are a TRUE premiership team and I really believe that the way the administration of our club is going that we can challenge a top six position. There will be team changes in the close season and next season will be nothing short of amazing. Believe it guys because its goiog to happen!!

[John Cool]

Nigel gets nil, Pinocchio two

Saints staying up, Royals in poo

[dubai_phil]

I have been supporting the Saints for over 50 years. I have always expected the wheels to come off I am used to a one half good performance but suddenly things are changing. Adkins appointment was so right to get us to the premiership but pottechino appointment is so right for us to go forward. I now know that we are a TRUE premiership team and I really believe that the way the administration of our club is going that we can challenge a top six position. There will be team changes in the close season and next season will be nothing short of amazing. Believe it guys because its goiog to happen!!

 

I'll take a pint of whatever you're drinking to celebrate this evening;)

 

I won't join you in the "Could this REALLY be happening" camp just yet.

 

BUT if we keep the bulk of our players in the Summer and really do add (even more) quality....

 

I may just order a case of it.

[dubai_phil]

I just want to go on record and point out.....

 

3 games, 3 wins...

 

Absolutely Sod all to do with MP, tactics or JRod.

 

TOTALLY due to the fact that Eric has NOT been watching in the Pub with us due to work for those (and the Citeh) games

[sandwichsaint]

Nobody is airbrushing NA out of history but as time goes on the penny drops that his achievements were good but not great. We should have won at least 1trophy under him. We have moved to a better level of performance already, Iam hopeful we will do even better when he has 'his' squad next season

 

Don't be a c/u/n/t.

[dubai_phil]

Rodney Marsh ‏@RodneyMarsh10 7h Reading are just sh1t

 

Retweeted by SaintsFC FanZone

 

 

(I inserted the 1 in case of swear filter)

[SaintBobby]

When did we last win 3 Premier League games in a row?

[S-Clarke]

When did we last win 3 Premier League games in a row?

 

2003!

 

a decade ago...!

[Horton Heath Saint]

Steve Davis brilliant today.

New he was better as a footballer than snooker player!

Jay was superb.

Gaston was crap....again.

[St_Tel49]

Take my advice - you need to work on making your sense of loyalty a more easily transferable aspect of your personality my friend. This is very much a Stalinist style forum now where as soon as anyone falls out of favour with the Don they are airbrushed out of history at the earliest opportunity. I quite expect the entire NA reign to be expunged from the record before very long as if it never happened.

 

So if you're not careful you too can expect a midnight knock on the door as the forum sends its heavies round to sort you out.

 

Sent from my old laptop en route to the Gulag.

O'er