Saintru Posted 7 October, 2013 Share Posted 7 October, 2013 Really pleased how well we have started, great defence, fair play to the boys. Watching yesterday it did strike me again how we have a one paced team, although Shaw and Clyne do have pace. This meant that Swansea were able to squeeze up, deny us space and pushed us into long balls, knowing we were not going to hurt them with balls over the top. This also helped Canas and Shelvey dominate the centre midfield area, plus Dyer gave us a problem. The Dani/Ricky combo is not really working and I think J Rod has to play due to the fact he does have some pace and it is probably a better combination. I don't want this to be a moaning post, because we have done really well so far, it is just a concern, which seems to be shared by other Saints fans I have spoken to...in fact many season ticketholders feel we are yet to click this season. So if we do, then it could be even happier days! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 7 October, 2013 Share Posted 7 October, 2013 It's clear to see that we've sacrificed some of our attacking ''verve'' and ''swagger'' for more defensive stability, something which I agree with. In my opinion that's being interpreted incorrectly as people seem to think we're playing badly as we're not as potent going forward, but this is us now in my opinion. We're a very solid, well drilled team. We won't thrash teams and we'll get a fair few 1-0's over the course of the season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dig Dig Posted 7 October, 2013 Share Posted 7 October, 2013 Lack of pace debate is interesting but it's been a gripe for a while now and it hasn't impacted our progress to date. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
70's Mike Posted 7 October, 2013 Share Posted 7 October, 2013 Two things Not sure what you mean by click, we are playing differently with games more likely to be one nil than 4-3, so i feel we have clicked. J Rod instead of who, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Duckhunter Posted 7 October, 2013 Share Posted 7 October, 2013 With lambert up top I'm sure they would have pushed and pushed and eventually got an equaliser, we just couldn't get out and move them up the pitch. Jay Rod had energy and pace that gave us an outlet and gave them something to think about. It's a difficult one, because RL and Osvaldo are clearly better players than Jay Rod, I guess it's just a question of horses for courses. If we're controlling the ball and playing our game, then I'd go with the established 2. Hopefully Jay Rod will develop his game and become a real alternative to Rickie. He won a couple of headers yesterday and generally made a nuisance of his self, so the signs are good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glasgow_Saint Posted 7 October, 2013 Share Posted 7 October, 2013 A bid for the Swansea winger in Jan anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graffito Posted 7 October, 2013 Share Posted 7 October, 2013 Really pleased how well we have started, great defence, fair play to the boys. Watching yesterday it did strike me again how we have a one paced team, although Shaw and Clyne do have pace. This meant that Swansea were able to squeeze up, deny us space and pushed us into long balls, knowing we were not going to hurt them with balls over the top. This also helped Canas and Shelvey dominate the centre midfield area, plus Dyer gave us a problem. The Dani/Ricky combo is not really working and I think J Rod has to play due to the fact he does have some pace and it is probably a better combination. I don't want this to be a moaning post, because we have done really well so far, it is just a concern, which seems to be shared by other Saints fans I have spoken to...in fact many season ticketholders feel we are yet to click this season. So if we do, then it could be even happier days! Shelvey was on the ball constantly. I thought he was very good for them. We just didn't close him down. I think he was able to run things for them mainly because their pace pushed us back and created space for him. That and the fact that they seemed to have an extra body in midfield until JWP came on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kwsaint Posted 7 October, 2013 Share Posted 7 October, 2013 Really pleased how well we have started, great defence, fair play to the boys. Watching yesterday it did strike me again how we have a one paced team, although Shaw and Clyne do have pace. This meant that Swansea were able to squeeze up, deny us space and pushed us into long balls, knowing we were not going to hurt them with balls over the top. This also helped Canas and Shelvey dominate the centre midfield area, plus Dyer gave us a problem. The Dani/Ricky combo is not really working and I think J Rod has to play due to the fact he does have some pace and it is probably a better combination. I don't want this to be a moaning post, because we have done really well so far, it is just a concern, which seems to be shared by other Saints fans I have spoken to...in fact many season ticketholders feel we are yet to click this season. So if we do, then it could be even happier days! I got the feeling clyne was otherwise preoccupied in covering our defence. We seemed to be playing a 3-4-2 formation (yes I can do maths). I've made my views on Fox clear but his lack of confidence had an effect on our defence and caused them to be squeezed in. I agree the J Rod should play as I for one am really impressed by him at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHAPEL END CHARLIE Posted 7 October, 2013 Share Posted 7 October, 2013 You can't argue with either our results or our (lofty) league position. But I must say I too think we can actually improve as an attacking force - funnily enough Morgan Schneiderlin says much the same thing in todays Echo. The trick is of course to find a way of becoming more effective going forward and maintaining our superb defensive solidity. Not a easy task I should imagine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saintru Posted 7 October, 2013 Author Share Posted 7 October, 2013 When I say click, I mean play a match where a substantial period of the game we are 'on fire'. We did this last season mainly against some of the bigger teams at home. J Rod for Ricky or Dani. I agree with one of the respondents that he is not as technically good, but it is about playing the right team to fit the system. I also agree with the view that we have sacrificed a little in order to keep it tight at the back. Anyway we are 4th, so happy days! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grey Crab Posted 7 October, 2013 Share Posted 7 October, 2013 You lost at the phrase "one paced team". I assumed that the rest was just going to be the ramblings of an idiot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted 7 October, 2013 Share Posted 7 October, 2013 Shelvey was on the ball constantly. I thought he was very good for them. We just didn't close him down. I think he was able to run things for them mainly because their pace pushed us back and created space for him. That and the fact that they seemed to have an extra body in midfield until JWP came on. I really didn't think he was that good yesterday. Couldn't handle the pressure at set pieces and was as wayward as Victor with his passing when pressed. Don't think he was that comfortable on the ball and I could see why Liverpool got rid. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNSUN Posted 7 October, 2013 Share Posted 7 October, 2013 A bid for the Swansea winger in Jan anyone? Do we have a sell on clause, or did we sell that for dosh too?!? :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperSAINT Posted 7 October, 2013 Share Posted 7 October, 2013 On a somewhat related note, I saw we got casually name dropped as having an interest in Zaha on loan in January. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graffito Posted 7 October, 2013 Share Posted 7 October, 2013 I really didn't think he was that good yesterday. Couldn't handle the pressure at set pieces and was as wayward as Victor with his passing when pressed. Don't think he was that comfortable on the ball and I could see why Liverpool got rid. Well it's all about opinions. Needless to say I saw it very differently. I don't see much of Swansea but when I have seen them they play through Brittan who is a neat player or as on Sunday through Shelvey who mixes it up with long as well as short balls. He's not Steven Gerrard but he stood out for me and I tend to be myopic when watching Saints. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pugwash Posted 7 October, 2013 Share Posted 7 October, 2013 Well it's all about opinions. Needless to say I saw it very differently. I don't see much of Swansea but when I have seen them they play through Brittan who is a neat player or as on Sunday through Shelvey who mixes it up with long as well as short balls. He's not Steven Gerrard but he stood out for me and I tend to be myopic when watching Saints. Fair enough. Wouldn't have him over any of our midfielders though. Can he play left back? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintBobby Posted 8 October, 2013 Share Posted 8 October, 2013 Not so worried about lack of pace in the starting XI. They have done a great job. Am slightly worried we can't inject pace from the bench, basically "playing our joker" - de Ridder, Puncheon, Tandari Lee all gone. I'd have it in the options.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thornhill_saints Posted 8 October, 2013 Share Posted 8 October, 2013 Tandari Lee is still at the club? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DuncanRG Posted 8 October, 2013 Share Posted 8 October, 2013 Our quickest attacker around the starting XI, Rodriguez, has also been our least effective by far. Pace doesn't guarantee anything and you don't change a winning team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dellman Posted 8 October, 2013 Share Posted 8 October, 2013 anyone would think we had lost the match and were in danger of relegation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 8 October, 2013 Share Posted 8 October, 2013 anyone would think we had lost the match and were in danger of relegation In fact Swansea had plenty of pace and we even gave them a hand up in using it by playing Foxy, they still lost 2-0 though. Pace isn't everything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint 76er Posted 8 October, 2013 Share Posted 8 October, 2013 A bid for the Swansea winger in Jan anyone? Nah, just steal 'im while no ones looking ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ex Lion Tamer Posted 12 October, 2013 Share Posted 12 October, 2013 Sorry to dredge this up, but I thought it was very striking last night how Andros Townsend's pace was able to open up the defence of a team that was parking the bus. We could definitely improve our goal threat if we get someone with pace in Jan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
orchardsaint Posted 12 October, 2013 Share Posted 12 October, 2013 Sorry to dredge this up, but I thought it was very striking last night how Andros Townsend's pace was able to open up the defence of a team that was parking the bus. We could definitely improve our goal threat if we get someone with pace in Jan. and ability. no good just being fast when your final ball is pants Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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