Just Back From The Game

[Gemmel]

Great Day Out.

 

Not really sure where to start and certainly couldn't pick a man of the match, which was far too closely run between, Lallana, Clyne and Morgan, with an honorable mention to Davis (Who has earnt and kept a starting place on merit).

 

Listened to Moyes interview on the way back and felt a bit hard done by. Of course it is not his job to praise Saints, but having had his shorts pulled down and his thighs slapped in his own back yard, I was expecting a bit more than "Utd should have won comfortably". I always hated Fergie, but if you tested or challenged his team, he was always gracious enough to acknowledge it. In the last three matches against them we have come away with one point. I don't think it is an exaggeration, to say the footballing gods owe us six points, but that's another story.

 

First impressions of the game were based of the officials decisions, which were at times, quite unbelievable and didn't get any better throughout the game. Whilst largely that was decisions against us,, it also includes some bizarre decisions in our favour. Are people seriously telling me that these are the best of the best? The booking criteria was dependent on what colour shirt you were wearing and I hope Mike Jones superiors batter him with a brick for that alone.

 

Anyway one thing that I do agree with Moyes is that the game had pockets of different possession- in a game that was fairly open, without quite being end to end. Ultimately utds opener was very lucky - A fantastic one on one save from Boruc that bounced out, wasn't cleared properly and with the line covered, the defender slid too soon, to see the ball go behind him into the net. That said I think Utd just about deserved the lead going into half time, but we were playing ok and holding our own, so the hope was there.

 

Second half was a case of "Cometh the hour, Cometh the man", but in this case "Men". Totally totally deserved the point and with the aid of a little red wine, would argue we should have got all three (Thought we were there when Lallana was through).

 

This is where it gets a little scary- and on two levels;

 

1) We out thought, out passed, out played and out battled the Premier league champions and one of the top European sides, quite convincingly

 

2) We are not firing on all cylinders

 

Quite what this team could achieve if point two was addressed, takes us into territory that I have consistently mocked and dismissed on here, since the first tittle tattle of Champions league and European places have been mentioned.

 

Without wanting to make this about two specific players, I actually think it will ultimately come down to them and that is Wanyama and Osvaldo.

 

Both were absolutely brilliant in the first half, but the second half saw Osvaldo tire, and Wanyama start giving the ball away again too cheaply. I hope fans remember that whilst Wanayma gave the ball away 5 times (Needlessly) he probably won it over 20 times and over the 90 minutes came out top over utd's midfield. Osvaldo was getting some stick from Saints fans but in reality if he is the sole striker, has three men on him and still gets the ball on target (Albeit with a very weak shot) I am not sure what else he can do- Although I hope he doesn't turn down any extra heading training.

 

Ultimately this is a day for Saints to savior. Forget the highlights you have seen on match of the day, forget Moyes interview and forget what you will read in the paper tomorrow. Go and look at the stats and understand that we bossed this match against a team that squad wise, should be killing us. I am not quite sure what is happening with Saints at the moment, but I do know I like it and will enjoy it for however long it lasts.

 

One final note to the Saints fans who were absolutely brilliant. We have learnt to celebrate a "Big" goal and to have my kids with me when Saints get a last minute equalizer at old Trafford, will be locked in the memory banks for many many years.

Edited 20 October, 2013 by Gemmel

[JB]

I enjoyed reading that. Well done :-)

[Gingeletiss]

Great Day Out.

 

Not really sure where to start and certainly couldn't pick a man of the match, which was far too closely run between, Lallana, Clyne and Morgan, with an honorable mention to Davis (Who has earnt and kept a starting place on merit).

 

Listened to Moyes interview on the way back and felt a bit hard done by. Of course it is not his job to praise Saints, but having had his shorts pulled down and his thighs slapped in his own back yard, I was expecting a bit more than "Utd should have won comfortably". I always hated Fergie, but if you tested or challenged his team, he was always gracious enough to acknowledge it. In the last three matches against them we have come away with one point. I don't think it is an exaggeration, to say the footballing gods owe us six points, but that's another story.

 

First impressions of the game were based of the officials decisions, which were at times, quite unbelievable and didn't get any better throughout the game. Whilst largely that was decisions against us,, it also includes some bizarre decisions in our favour. Are people seriously telling me that these are the best of the best? The booking criteria was dependent on what colour shirt you were wearing and I hope Mike Jones superiors batter him with a brick for that alone.

 

Anyway one thing that I do agree with Moyes is that the game had pockets of different possession- in a game that was fairly open, without quite being end to end. Ultimately utds opener was very lucky - A fantastic one on one save from Boruc that bounced out, wasn't cleared properly and with the line covered, the defender slid too soon, to see the ball go behind him into the net. That said I think Utd just about deserved the lead going into half time, but we were playing ok and holding our own, so the hope was there.

 

Second half was a case of "Cometh the hour, Cometh the man", but in this case "Men". Totally totally deserved the point and with the aid of a little red wine, would argue we should have got all three (Thought we were there when Lallana was through).

 

This is where it gets a little scary- and on two levels;

 

1) We out thought, out passed, out played and out battled the Premier league champions and one of the top European sides, quite convincingly

 

2) We are not firing on all cylinders

 

Quite what this team could achieve if point two was addressed, takes us into territory that I have consistently mocked and dismissed on here, since the first tittle tattle of Champions league and European places have been mentioned.

 

Without wanting to make this about two specific players, I actually think it will ultimately come down to them and that is Wanyama and Osvaldo.

 

Both were absolutely brilliant in the first half, but the second half saw Osvaldo tire, and Wanyama start giving the ball away again too cheaply. I hope fans remember that whilst Wanayma gave the ball away 5 times (Needlessly) he probably won it over 20 times and over the 90 minutes came out top over utd's midfield. Osvaldo was getting some stick from Saints fans but in reality if he is the sole striker, has three men on him and still gets the ball on target (Albeit with a very weak shot) I am not sure what else he can do- Although I hope he doesn't turn down any extra heading training.

 

Ultimately this is a day for Saints to savior. Forget the highlights you have seen on match of the day, forget Moyes interview and forget what you will read in the paper tomorrow. Go and look at the stats and understand that we bossed this match against a team that squad wise, should be killing us. I am not quite sure what is happening with Saints at the moment, but I do know I like it and will enjoy it for however long it lasts.

 

One final note to the Saints fans who were absolutely brilliant. We have learnt to celebrate a "Big" goal and to have my kids with me when Saints get a last minute equalizer at old Trafford, will be locked in the memory banks for many many years.

 

Top top post, we need a like button on here.

[John Boy Saint]

What a great read cheers Gemmel.

 

If the answer to point 2 can be found the world could well be our Oyster.

[egg]

Great Day Out.

 

Not really sure where to start and certainly couldn't pick a man of the match, which was far too closely run between, Lallana, Clyne and Morgan, with an honorable mention to Davis (Who has earnt and kept a starting place on merit).

 

Listened to Moyes interview on the way back and felt a bit hard done by. Of course it is not his job to praise Saints, but having had his shorts pulled down and his thighs slapped in his own back yard, I was expecting a bit more than "Utd should have won comfortably". I always hated Fergie, but if you tested or challenged his team, he was always gracious enough to acknowledge it. In the last three matches against them we have come away with one point. I don't think it is an exaggeration, to say the footballing gods owe us six points, but that's another story.

 

First impressions of the game were based of the officials decisions, which were at times, quite unbelievable and didn't get any better throughout the game. Whilst largely that was decisions against us,, it also includes some bizarre decisions in our favour. Are people seriously telling me that these are the best of the best? The booking criteria was dependent on what colour shirt you were wearing and I hope Mike Jones superiors batter him with a brick for that alone.

 

Anyway one thing that I do agree with Moyes is that the game had pockets of different possession- in a game that was fairly open, without quite being end to end. Ultimately utds opener was very lucky - A fantastic one on one save from Boruc that bounced out, wasn't cleared properly and with the line covered, the defender slid too soon, to see the ball go behind him into the net. That said I think Utd just about deserved the lead going into half time, but we were playing ok and holding our own, so the hope was there.

 

Second half was a case of "Cometh the hour, Cometh the man", but in this case "Men". Totally totally deserved the point and with the aid of a little red wine, would argue we should have got all three (Thought we were there when Lallana was through).

 

This is where it gets a little scary- and on two levels;

 

1) We out thought, out passed, out played and out battled the Premier league champions and one of the top European sides, quite convincingly

 

2) We are not firing on all cylinders

 

Quite what this team could achieve if point two was addressed, takes us into territory that I have consistently mocked and dismissed on here, since the first tittle tattle of Champions league and European places have been mentioned.

 

Without wanting to make this about two specific players, I actually think it will ultimately come down to them and that is Wanyama and Osvaldo.

 

Both were absolutely brilliant in the first half, but the second half saw Osvaldo tire, and Wanyama start giving the ball away again too cheaply. I hope fans remember that whilst Wanayma gave the ball away 5 times (Needlessly) he probably won it over 20 times and over the 90 minutes came out top over utd's midfield. Osvaldo was getting some stick from Saints fans but in reality if he is the sole striker, has three men on him and still gets the ball on target (Albeit with a very weak shot) I am not sure what else he can do- Although I hope he doesn't turn down any extra heading training.

 

Ultimately this is a day for Saints to savior. Forget the highlights you have seen on match of the day, forget Moyes interview and forget what you will read in the paper tomorrow. Go and look at the stats and understand that we bossed this match against a team that squad wise, should be killing us. I am not quite sure what is happening with Saints at the moment, but I do know I like it and will enjoy it for however long it lasts.

 

One final note to the Saints fans who were absolutely brilliant. We have learnt to celebrate a "Big" goal and to have my kids with me when Saints get a last minute equalizer at old Trafford, will be locked in the memory banks for many many years.

Top post. Cheers.

[The9]

Interesting contrast with some of the Osvaldo battering on here earlier. I wonder how many of those people just took their cue from radio commentary, that still seems responsible for most cases of "hive mindset" on here, a bunch of people reworking Dave Merrington's thoughts. You'd think streams would have overtaken this by now.

[Norm]

Worth reading, thanks for your post.

[Suffolk Saint]

I had tickets in the opposite corner to the saints fans. After our goal all you could here was OWTS. The fans sounded great and the MU guys I was with were full of praise. Pity the MotD highlights suggested we hardly touched the ball. This was a great team performance. Do have my concerns about Osvaldo but given time I'm sure he'll start knocking them in for us.

[ottery st mary]

Gemmel

 

Excellent post and enjoyable read....thank you.

 

I watched the whole game on screen and agree with your match report.

 

I am astonished at the stick some of our players get from some of our fellow posters.

 

In particular Osvaldo......who worked so hard as the loan striker and did tire second half....

 

He did not quite get hold of that shot and on another day will start scoring plenty of goals.

 

His class is there for all to see.....MP decision on formation and subs etc...Posters entitled to their opinions....BUT:mcinnes:

 

Well done to our away support and to the mighty Saints:)

[david in sweden]

Just the sort of post that comes all too rarely. Nice to read.

 

Sadly I wasn't at the game Gemmel, but I had the benefit of watching the replays on TV...and Yes Rooney should have been flagged off side before the goal situation, but then again it was MU playing at home wasn't it...and even a blind man would have agreed with the other decisions that were given.

 

Osvaldo has to play one man up and was often covered by two or more defenders, whereas in their " goal moment " RVP was close by Rooney, whereas we seldom had to chance to play two men so high up.

 

Given who we were playing and where, I think we can be very proud of the performance, and with better luck might have got all three points, as we certainly won the "stats. battle".

[Roger]

Interesting contrast with some of the Osvaldo battering on here earlier. I wonder how many of those people just took their cue from radio commentary, that still seems responsible for most cases of "hive mindset" on here, a bunch of people reworking Dave Merrington's thoughts. You'd think streams would have overtaken this by now.

 

Watched the whole game he was v poor.

[Avenue Saint]

Great Day Out.

 

Not really sure where to start and certainly couldn't pick a man of the match, which was far too closely run between, Lallana, Clyne and Morgan, with an honorable mention to Davis (Who has earnt and kept a starting place on merit).

 

Listened to Moyes interview on the way back and felt a bit hard done by. Of course it is not his job to praise Saints, but having had his shorts pulled down and his thighs slapped in his own back yard, I was expecting a bit more than "Utd should have won comfortably". I always hated Fergie, but if you tested or challenged his team, he was always gracious enough to acknowledge it. In the last three matches against them we have come away with one point. I don't think it is an exaggeration, to say the footballing gods owe us six points, but that's another story.

 

First impressions of the game were based of the officials decisions, which were at times, quite unbelievable and didn't get any better throughout the game. Whilst largely that was decisions against us,, it also includes some bizarre decisions in our favour. Are people seriously telling me that these are the best of the best? The booking criteria was dependent on what colour shirt you were wearing and I hope Mike Jones superiors batter him with a brick for that alone.

 

Anyway one thing that I do agree with Moyes is that the game had pockets of different possession- in a game that was fairly open, without quite being end to end. Ultimately utds opener was very lucky - A fantastic one on one save from Boruc that bounced out, wasn't cleared properly and with the line covered, the defender slid too soon, to see the ball go behind him into the net. That said I think Utd just about deserved the lead going into half time, but we were playing ok and holding our own, so the hope was there.

 

Second half was a case of "Cometh the hour, Cometh the man", but in this case "Men". Totally totally deserved the point and with the aid of a little red wine, would argue we should have got all three (Thought we were there when Lallana was through).

 

This is where it gets a little scary- and on two levels;

 

1) We out thought, out passed, out played and out battled the Premier league champions and one of the top European sides, quite convincingly

 

2) We are not firing on all cylinders

 

Quite what this team could achieve if point two was addressed, takes us into territory that I have consistently mocked and dismissed on here, since the first tittle tattle of Champions league and European places have been mentioned.

 

Without wanting to make this about two specific players, I actually think it will ultimately come down to them and that is Wanyama and Osvaldo.

 

Both were absolutely brilliant in the first half, but the second half saw Osvaldo tire, and Wanyama start giving the ball away again too cheaply. I hope fans remember that whilst Wanayma gave the ball away 5 times (Needlessly) he probably won it over 20 times and over the 90 minutes came out top over utd's midfield. Osvaldo was getting some stick from Saints fans but in reality if he is the sole striker, has three men on him and still gets the ball on target (Albeit with a very weak shot) I am not sure what else he can do- Although I hope he doesn't turn down any extra heading training.

 

Ultimately this is a day for Saints to savior. Forget the highlights you have seen on match of the day, forget Moyes interview and forget what you will read in the paper tomorrow. Go and look at the stats and understand that we bossed this match against a team that squad wise, should be killing us. I am not quite sure what is happening with Saints at the moment, but I do know I like it and will enjoy it for however long it lasts.

 

One final note to the Saints fans who were absolutely brilliant. We have learnt to celebrate a "Big" goal and to have my kids with me when Saints get a last minute equalizer at old Trafford, will be locked in the memory banks for many many years.

 

Great post!

 

This forum could do with a few more of these well thought out, balanced posts.

 

Keep it up

[ottery st mary]

Watched the whole game he was v poor.

 

Roger

 

You have now posted this about 20 times since the game:mcinnes:

 

You have more than made your point:rolleyes:

 

Move on to other aspects of this wonderful team effort at Old Trafford.

 

 

Pleeeeeese:p

[manji]

Watched the whole game he was v poor.

You're one of those "fans" whos never happy unless they have a scapegoat. A sign of insecurity I would suggest.

[Milton]

Top post Gemmel

[ladysaint]

Good read and nice to catch up with you yesterday.

[saintstr1]

Great Post Gemmel , Really enjoyed that. I watched Sky yesterday afternoon and Charlie Nicholas was generous in his praise for us and when they showed the Stats at the end of the game i felt that we maybe should have won it, but was happy with the point. Then watched it on match of the day last night and could not believe how those few minutes highlights made it look as if Man U completely overwhelmed us, no question where the BBC bias leans towards.

Gemmel you have redressed the true balance for me ,Thanks

[radders82]

Here's a little video of us singing after the final whistle. Great day out and great support from us

 

Apologies about the quality looks like its been filmed with a potato

 

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

[Saint_clark]

Interesting contrast with some of the Osvaldo battering on here earlier. I wonder how many of those people just took their cue from radio commentary, that still seems responsible for most cases of "hive mindset" on here, a bunch of people reworking Dave Merrington's thoughts. You'd think streams would have overtaken this by now.

 

I was at the game and he was not with it at all, i think he was a bit tired from his international exertions.

[red&white56]

Great post Gemmel!

 

I've always enjoyed reading the "back from the game" posts on SWF, especially when I haven't been able to get to the game. I especially liked your point about Osvaldo, being the lone striker is a difficult role to play well for 90 mins. There have been many games where SRL has played that role and also been lambasted on here for not being "good enough", it's easy to forget that we were playing away from home, at OT, and against the PL Champions - any lone striker is not going to hit 5 goals. We should be more tolerant.

[Dalek2003]

Informative and well thought out post.

 

I think Osvaldo will do some serious damage to teams over the next three games.

[davefizzy14]

Informative and well thought out post.

 

I think Osvaldo will do some serious damage to teams over the next three games.

 

Agreed

[ericofarabia]

Here's a little video of us singing after the final whistle. Great day out and great support from us

 

Apologies about the quality looks like its been filmed with a potato

 

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

 

Who is this Portchino we seem to have acquired?

[Lord Duckhunter]

I had tickets in the opposite corner to the saints fans. After our goal all you could here was OWTS. The fans sounded great and the MU guys I was with were full of praise. Pity the MotD highlights suggested we hardly touched the ball. This was a great team performance. Do have my concerns about Osvaldo but given time I'm sure he'll start knocking them in for us.

 

I got home about 12.30 and settled down to watch taped MoTD. Couldn't believe it, it looked like they were all over us. Showed some of our better possession when Shearer went through it afterwards. Had that been Utd, they would have shown Adams shot at the end during the main highlights. Joke coverage.

 

Saw a Utd season ticket holder on the train and he said he was impressed with our support.

 

Funny moments at Euston where a lot of Man C supporters were coming home from West Ham and started giving all the Utd day trippers stick. Train was full of London Utd supporters all with their mega store bags and cameras.

[Berkhamsted Saint]

When we brought Guly on as sub (who did okay when he came on) there were 3 complete bell ends who as he was coming on started slagging him off and walked out of the ground (block E232). Fing Guly this and he is sh!t etc before he touched the ball.. Total embarrassment. They made a big thing about walking out so all the fans around knew why they were walking out. The funny thing was Guly did well and the three bell ends missed the best 10 minutes of the game.

[markr27]

When we brought Guly on as sub (who did okay when he came on) there were 3 complete bell ends who as he was coming on started slagging him off and walked out of the ground (block E232). Fing Guly this and he is sh!t etc before he touched the ball.. Total embarrassment. They made a big thing about walking out so all the fans around knew why they were walking out. The funny thing was Guly did well and the three bell ends missed the best 10 minutes of the game.

 

 

"You are all f***** c**** that know f*** all about football. C****!"

 

The third chap, to be fair, looked very sheepish and embarrassed at the tirade as he walked out.

Edited 20 October, 2013 by markr27

[RedAndWhite91]

Great OP.

 

Top day yesterday, we definitely deserved something out of that game. Thought our support was very good too, a random United fan told me he thought our support was class.

[Saints foreva]

When we brought Guly on as sub (who did okay when he came on) there were 3 complete bell ends who as he was coming on started slagging him off and walked out of the ground (block E232). Fing Guly this and he is sh!t etc before he touched the ball.. Total embarrassment. They made a big thing about walking out so all the fans around knew why they were walking out. The funny thing was Guly did well and the three bell ends missed the best 10 minutes of the game.

 

 

What a bunch of ****s.

[Huffton]

Why the f*** would you spend all that money then leave just because you don't agree with a sub? Morons, utter morons. Must admit I liked the 'if Guly scores were on the pitch' song and the slightly worried look on the stewards faces.

[DaveyR]

Top day and the goal celebration was worth the ticket price alone. Even though I ached like hell from football earlier in the day

[Wiseone]

Ok, not to Steven Spielberg's standards but captured everything MOTD didn't..brilliant. I was there prob 15 foot to the left( bald one with glasses..!!)

Here's a little video of us singing after the final whistle. Great day out and great support from us

 

Apologies about the quality looks like its been filmed with a potato

 

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

[Saint_clark]

Why the f*** would you spend all that money then leave just because you don't agree with a sub? Morons, utter morons. Must admit I liked the 'if Guly scores were on the pitch' song and the slightly worried look on the stewards faces.

 

Yeah, the copper next to me at the back certainly perked up when that chant went up.

[niceandfriendly]

All I could hear all game on the stream was the Saints fans. Excellent!

 

Also loved the "If Guly scores we're on the pitch" chant

[ladysaint]

Why the f*** would you spend all that money then leave just because you don't agree with a sub? Morons, utter morons. Must admit I liked the 'if Guly scores were on the pitch' song and the slightly worried look on the stewards faces.

Must admit, and I am not one to praise Stewards, but the stewards around where I was at Man U were very good, let us stand throughout the match, joined in with banter with our fans and generally very pleasant and complimentary about our team.

[Giordano]

Nice read Gemmel. Thank you. Summed up everything and made sense of a lot of conflicting reports - especially regarding the two players. Thought the player celebrations were top notch in the corner as well. Not sure hi many and who was on the bottom but it was a pyramid of at least 5 or 6 i think , maybe more!

[Patrick Bateman]

Must admit, and I am not one to praise Stewards, but the stewards around where I was at Man U were very good, let us stand throughout the match, joined in with banter with our fans and generally very pleasant and complimentary about our team.

 

Agreed, they were fairly tolerant!

 

The Guly chant did make me chuckle.

[The9]

Has no-one heard that Guly chant before then? People are reacting like it's new.

 

The Northam's been singing it every time he gets on the pitch for around a year now. Trying to remember what prompted it, it definitely started as sarcasm but now the whole Guly thing seems to veer massively between genuine affection and enormously tongue-in-cheek criticism being passed off as affection. And of course he did score pre-season in Spain and there was a (minor) pitch invasion.

 

It's the chant equivalent of hipsters not even knowing whether they were actually being sarcastic any more.

[swannymere]

Was flicking through the sports channels on SKY just prior to KO and stumbled upon the MUTV channel and their free pre-match programme, it was about 2.50pm and the female presenter and Gordon McQueen were being drowned out by the Saints fans singing OWTS very, very loudly, they looked a little awkward, priceless.

[Bourne Valley Saint]

The highlight of the day off the pitch came when those complete knobs stormed out because Guly came on. I really wish they wouldn't follow Southampton. They were an embarrassment to the majority of Saints fans and the stewards looked gobsmacked that supporters could behave in such a way. A more satisfying conclusion you could not wish to see (unless of course Guly had scored the winner!) Remember, Guly was one of five Saints players who played in League One who were on the pitch when we equalised. With Kelvin on the bench (making 6) plus Shaw, Ward-Prowse and Chambers from the academy, it shows that keeping a squad together and blending in the youngsters is a far better way to achieve stability and success than the panic buying of footballing mercenaries that some other clubs choose!

[JustinR]

The highlight of the day off the pitch came when those complete knobs stormed out because Guly came on. I really wish they wouldn't follow Southampton. They were an embarrassment to the majority of Saints fans and the stewards looked gobsmacked that supporters could behave in such a way. A more satisfying conclusion you could not wish to see (unless of course Guly had scored the winner!) Remember, Guly was one of five Saints players who played in League One who were on the pitch when we equalised. With Kelvin on the bench (making 6) plus Shaw, Ward-Prowse and Chambers from the academy, it shows that keeping a squad together and blending in the youngsters is a far better way to achieve stability and success than the panic buying of footballing mercenaries that some other clubs choose!

 

You always get a few wallies. In fairness most were singing "if Guly scores we're on the pitch"