Sunderland 2 Saints 1 - Match & Reactions

[KelvinsRightGlove]

Well that has a achieved one thing. Its given our bedwetters something to moan about.

 

Pretty much. Must have been hard for them lately.

 

There sure are some soggy pampers around here tonight.

 

Yes, it's a poor result and it is disappointing. But, it really isn't the end of the world.

 

Least some of the kids got some game time.

[S-Clarke]

Going by some of the, what I'd call seriously OTT reactions, it seems that some people have been waiting for us to fail so they can rant about our so called issues.

 

I'm disappointed as I wanted to win this, thought it was a decent chance. But in the grand scheme of things, we've got a league game against Hull which we can win to potentially go 2nd. Long may that league form continue.

 

I hope this isn't the start of a slump though.

[hackedoff]

MP will have learnt a bit tonight about which players he will want to keep for next season. Can't see Ramirez, Lee, Fox being around. Not sure Kelvin will either.

 

Hopefully that was the final game for Saints for that lot tonight. Kelvin, been great for us these last few years but your time has come. Ramirez, Fox and Lee a waste of time and money.

[Glasgow_Saint]

You had a flutter tonight?

 

Chelsea, Barcelona, Napoli, A.Madrid and Rangers

 

Hoping you jumped in on my bet mate?

[St Chalet]

The game wasn't lost tonight on the pitch, as many had flagged it was lost when we decided who would make the trip. Whilst we appear to have a very strong XI and 3-4 ample replacements we haven't got anywhere near the 2nd or 3rd team that the top 6 can boast.

 

I think long-term injuries to Boruc, Lovren or Shaw and we are deep in the brown stuff - but again nothing new.

 

If we had put out a full strength team tonight and lost against Hull on Saturday I can just imagine the meltdown on here.

[suewhistle]

I think I made the right decision not to view the match thread based on the last page and a half.. All the old favourites were there, along with the bah humbug, we're rubbish, so-and-so is rubbish attitudes. When Fox made that succesfull covering tackle just before their second goal I knew he'd get stick, even if the covering was necessary. I thought Cork showed some rustiness, but played well, Lee is not a first-teamer but moved well and was quite sharp in the first half. It was good to see Reed get a full 90 minutes and to blood Gallagher - neither looked out of their depth, particularly Reed. We didn't penetrate but some of the passing was quite good, and the pressing also, even if not up to first 11 standard. Ramirez _was_ disappointing: a combination of over-ambitiousness and silly mistakes - but some team is reallly going to benefit from him even it it's probably not going to be us.

 

You can probably tell I'm a teacher as I try to be positive: it's so easy to be destructive. But I just hope that some of you aren't football coaches because you could really ruin the morale of a team.

[Legod Third Coming]

Quite. I remember saying when we got promoted that he want good enough and got a torrent of abuse. Some said he was going to be a massive player for us and one of the funniest things I've ever seen was someone say that he was class and that his running and movement are brilliant, we just don't have the players good enough to pick him out, although this was only topped by Vectis Saint saying I didn't like him because he is Japanese and I must be racist! Simple fact is he his a million miles away from a premier league player and that has been blindingly obvious to anyone who knows even the tiniest bit about football.

 

Doesn't matter. If he sold a couple of hundred thousand shirts and got us some coverage.

That is the ONLY reason EPL clubs buy Asian players...

[timayes]

Just the dozen?

 

quote / point of the day.

[Olallana]

Winning the league cup dont get you into Europa League though...

[SaintSteve]

Why is beating Hull more important?

 

What ******** - who do you think we're Chelsea or something?

 

Well... I would suggest MP thinks that way given tonites squad.. or are you blind.

 

I seriously wonder about posters who would think otherwise.. we want to be the highest in the EPL as possible... and perhaps consider the FA Cup more of a priority.

[Graffito]

Gus has made an immediate impact. Some classic Poyet time wasting in there.

 

We've put out weaker sides in the LC for a while now and we've done nothing in the cups since the JPT. It's not Pochettino.

[S-Clarke]

Winning the league cup dont get you into Europa League though...

 

Eh? It does the last time I looked...

[Glasgow_Saint]

The game wasn't lost tonight on the pitch, as many had flagged it was lost when we decided who would make the trip. Whilst we appear to have a very strong XI and 3-4 ample replacements we haven't got anywhere near the 2nd or 3rd team that the top 6 can boast.

 

I think long-term injuries to Boruc, Lovren or Shaw and we are deep in the brown stuff - but again nothing new.

 

If we had put out a full strength team tonight and lost against Hull on Saturday I can just imagine the meltdown on here.

 

I genuinely think most would have accepted a few blips in the league in exchange for a good cup run?

[Whitey Grandad]

Disappointed but not surprised.

[Turkish]

I think I made the right decision not to view the match thread based on the last page and a half.. All the old favourites were there, along with the bah humbug, we're rubbish, so-and-so is rubbish attitudes. When Fox made that succesfull covering tackle just before their second goal I knew he'd get stick, even if the covering was necessary. I thought Cork showed some rustiness, but played well, Lee is not a first-teamer but moved well and was quite sharp in the first half. It was good to see Reed get a full 90 minutes and to blood Gallagher - neither looked out of their depth, particularly Reed. We didn't penetrate but some of the passing was quite good, and the pressing also, even if not up to first 11 standard. Ramirez _was_ disappointing: a combination of over-ambitiousness and silly mistakes - but some team is reallly going to benefit from him even it it's probably not going to be us.

 

You can probably tell I'm a teacher as I try to be positive: it's so easy to be destructive. But I just hope that some of you aren't football coaches because you could really ruin the morale of a team.

 

You really do have a huge sense of self importance don't you. Such a superiority complex.

[Glasgow_Saint]

Winning the league cup dont get you into Europa League though...

 

Ehh?

[Saint Charlie]

More posts on a reaction thread for a reserve team loss than a first team win at Anfield!

[ottery st mary]

I think I made the right decision not to view the match thread based on the last page and a half.. All the old favourites were there, along with the bah humbug, we're rubbish, so-and-so is rubbish attitudes. When Fox made that succesfull covering tackle just before their second goal I knew he'd get stick, even if the covering was necessary. I thought Cork showed some rustiness, but played well, Lee is not a first-teamer but moved well and was quite sharp in the first half. It was good to see Reed get a full 90 minutes and to blood Gallagher - neither looked out of their depth, particularly Reed. We didn't penetrate but some of the passing was quite good, and the pressing also, even if not up to first 11 standard. Ramirez _was_ disappointing: a combination of over-ambitiousness and silly mistakes - but some team is reallly going to benefit from him even it it's probably not going to be us.

 

You can probably tell I'm a teacher as I try to be positive: it's so easy to be destructive. But I just hope that some of you aren't football coaches because you could really ruin the morale of a team.

 

Well said and thank you:)

[Turkish]

quote / point of the day.

 

Well I've be proven right (again) haven't i.

[Olallana]

Eh? It does the last time I looked...

 

Nope, gets you into qualification rounds. 4 extra games in August if you want to qualify for Europa League competition.

[Legod Third Coming]

I genuinely think most would have accepted a few blips in the league in exchange for a good cup run?

 

Speak for yourself! I want a trip to the fecking NOU CAMP not north London...

[Scoobysaint]

I don't get this "I'm not disappointed bull****?" Did you watch the stream thinking oh t's ok we'll be second after beating Hull etc?

 

Give me strength our best chance of winning something, qualifying for Europe was this competition - anyway that's me done got it off my chest.............

 

I am not disappointed and I did watch the whole streaming game. I was mainly thinking:

a) None of our important key players can get injured

b) Look how far we've come from the days of Jos, Cork, Lee, Fox, Yoshi, Kelvin D

c) The club doesn't feel that this is the primary focus for this season, I'll trust them.

d) It would have been difficult to win the cup with Chelsea in the next round and Man City, Man Utd still in the draw.

e) We've got a lot of attention seeking drama queens on this forum!

[Berkshire Saint]

It's all very we'll concentrating on the league, but let's be real, we ain't going to win it, it will be a miracle if we finish higher than 7th, and we have Hull at home on Saturday .

FFS, we want to win things, as fans, trips to finals are few and far between, and this was a definite chance, and we did not go for it. Why? So Lambert is not tired on Saturday, do me a favour!

Our first team would have won here tonight, just don't buy this second string cup team, it's ****** and we will end up in 8th or 9th (which is not bad) and people will say "well done Southampton......"

But that is all we will have to show for it, can't wait for the commemorative T Shirt, Merse and Lawro being patronisingly kind about us. Can tell my grand kids about how we finishe 8th one year

 

Sums up my thoughts perfectly. Very disappointing team selection tonight.

[Minsk]

What a bunch of tarts we have on here.

 

We were never going to play our first team tonight, just as Sunderland did't play their first 11 either. The high pressing game we play takes it out of players. They need good recovery and preparation time. The younger, fitter, ones such as JRod, JW and Al all played a part tonight. SRL is vital to our team on Saturday and so was never going to travel up, especially with a doubt over Osvaldo.

 

As for the bed-wetting, wrist-slitting over the 11 who did start - what did anyone expect? It is a SQUAD game. SQUAD players NEED game time. Let's look at the 11 individually:

 

K Davis - Our 2nd choice 'keeper. Needs match time or will be too rusy if called upon should something happen to Artur

Chambers - Started the season as first choice RB

Yoshida - Japanese international. Was widely expected to be Lovren's partner in the first team this season. Only isn't because not fit at start of season and Jose has played so well.

Jos - Understudy to Lovren and usually plays well in midweek matches

Fox - No1 hate figure on here (just behind Guly and Gaston) but our backup LB. Shaw is young and not yet strong enough (hence his string of niggling injuries) so wise not to risk him today.

Cork - Runner-up for PoS last season. Needs game time as will definitely be called upon for the first team when Morgan or Vic get a knock or suspension.

Reed - Excellent prospect. Had a good game today.

S Davis N Ireland captain. First team player.

Gaston - Uruguay international. Great ability. Needs game time.

JRod - First team player. Only one to play a part in every competitive Saints match so far this season

Lee - Japanese international. Just back into the fold. Needs game time. Pro only there today due to Osvaldo's injury

 

All in all we were not shown up or completely outplayed. We didn't just roll over and not bother competing. We were just found a bit lacking in the final third and got aught out by one scrappy goal and a good strike on the break.

 

We lost. It's a shame. But we were highly unlikely to win the cup anyway, seeing as we would likely have had to beat 3 of Chelsea. Man Utd, Man City or Spurs to do so.

 

Get over it you tarts.

[S-Clarke]

Nope, gets you into qualification rounds. 4 extra games in August if you want to qualify for Europa League competition.

 

It's still the Europa league though.

[St Chalet]

More posts on a reaction thread for a reserve team loss than a first team win at Anfield!

 

Combined Match and Reaction thread TBF.

[derry]

This cup was useful in that it gave match time to players not in the first team. Match fitness in the absence of a proper reserve league is necessary. It picked out four types of players. Not good enough even to be reserves = Davis and Fox, youngsters on the fringe - Chambers and Reed, reserves - Yoshida, Hooiveld, Cork, Lee, and first teamers - Rodriguez, Davis and Ramirez. Gallagher looked useful and a first team would have deprived three useful youngsters of the experience at a higher level. Some will say Ramirez is a waste of space but he needs to play matches to get him up to match fitness. He has ability and we may well need him and the others if we get injuries. I think the club has got it right.

[wild-saint]

regardless of the result i still felt 100% confident that the side selected was good enough to win against a shyte sundeland side.

 

Personally our current first team side is the best 11 i have seen for many a year. id kind of like them to get the opportunity to see how good they are over a whole season without the risk of losing a major player to injury for a relatively pointless game in what most fans consider as a reserve team cup.

 

for me the football season is the league and the fa cup. tonight was a great opportunity for the fringe players to prove they are worthyk of a first team place and our much lauded youth academy players an opportunity to demonstrate thier future potential.

[Minsk]

I am not disappointed and I did watch the whole streaming game. I was mainly thinking:

a) None of our important key players can get injured

b) Look how far we've come from the days of Jos, Cork, Lee, Fox, Yoshi, Kelvin D

c) The club doesn't feel that this is the primary focus for this season, I'll trust them.

d) It would have been difficult to win the cup with Chelsea in the next round and Man City, Man Utd still in the draw.

e) We've got a lot of attention seeking drama queens on this forum!

 

Well said.

 

Especially points D and E.

[Graffito]

Previous seasons we have been trying to get promoted or to stay up.

 

This season we're trying to get into Europe (I know the LC is a route to Europe...but there has to be more than one way to develop the youngsters and bring them through without compromising the first team and the manager needs to give the senior squad players game time).

[KelvinsRightGlove]

What a bunch of tarts we have on here.

 

We were never going to play our first team tonight, just as Sunderland did't play their first 11 either. The high pressing game we play takes it out of players. They need good recovery and preparation time. The younger, fitter, ones such as JRod, JW and Al all played a part tonight. SRL is vital to our team on Saturday and so was never going to travel up, especially with a doubt over Osvaldo.

 

As for the bed-wetting, wrist-slitting over the 11 who did start - what did anyone expect? It is a SQUAD game. SQUAD players NEED game time. Let's look at the 11 individually:

 

K Davis - Our 2nd choice 'keeper. Needs match time or will be too rusy if called upon should something happen to Artur

Chambers - Started the season as first choice RB

Yoshida - Japanese international. Was widely expected to be Lovren's partner in the first team this season. Only isn't because not fit at start of season and Jose has played so well.

Jos - Understudy to Lovren and usually plays well in midweek matches

Fox - No1 hate figure on here (just behind Guly and Gaston) but our backup LB. Shaw is young and not yet strong enough (hence his string of niggling injuries) so wise not to risk him today.

Cork - Runner-up for PoS last season. Needs game time as will definitely be called upon for the first team when Morgan or Vic get a knock or suspension.

Reed - Excellent prospect. Had a good game today.

S Davis N Ireland captain. First team player.

Gaston - Uruguay international. Great ability. Needs game time.

JRod - First team player. Only one to play a part in every competitive Saints match so far this season

Lee - Japanese international. Just back into the fold. Needs game time. Pro only there today due to Osvaldo's injury

 

All in all we were not shown up or completely outplayed. We didn't just roll over and not bother competing. We were just found a bit lacking in the final third and got aught out by one scrappy goal and a good strike on the break.

 

We lost. It's a shame. But we were highly unlikely to win the cup anyway, seeing as we would likely have had to beat 3 of Chelsea. Man Utd, Man City or Spurs to do so.

 

Get over it you tarts.

 

Far too sensible for this place.

[Huffton]

Its fairly obvious MP is using the cup to show up where he needs to strengthen in January. CB LB and up front are fairly obvious, as on that showing if any of our first teamers from those areas get injured we are in trouble. I'm also starting to change my mind about Ramirez, I don't think he's going to fit our style of play. Its a shame as the lads got a shed load of talent, but there you go, sometimes a player just doesn't fit in, end of. Sell him on in January and re-invest.

[LGTL]

Lovren wished we had taken it more seriously too judging by twitter.

[Minsk]

Far too sensible for this place.

 

Thank you.

 

I keep thinking this too. But sill keep coming back. Just don't post much nowadays, as don't like feeding the trolls.

[.comsaint]

What a bunch of tarts we have on here.

 

We were never going to play our first team tonight, just as Sunderland did't play their first 11 either. The high pressing game we play takes it out of players. They need good recovery and preparation time. The younger, fitter, ones such as JRod, JW and Al all played a part tonight. SRL is vital to our team on Saturday and so was never going to travel up, especially with a doubt over Osvaldo.

 

As for the bed-wetting, wrist-slitting over the 11 who did start - what did anyone expect? It is a SQUAD game. SQUAD players NEED game time. Let's look at the 11 individually:

 

K Davis - Our 2nd choice 'keeper. Needs match time or will be too rusy if called upon should something happen to Artur

Chambers - Started the season as first choice RB

Yoshida - Japanese international. Was widely expected to be Lovren's partner in the first team this season. Only isn't because not fit at start of season and Jose has played so well.

Jos - Understudy to Lovren and usually plays well in midweek matches

Fox - No1 hate figure on here (just behind Guly and Gaston) but our backup LB. Shaw is young and not yet strong enough (hence his string of niggling injuries) so wise not to risk him today.

Cork - Runner-up for PoS last season. Needs game time as will definitely be called upon for the first team when Morgan or Vic get a knock or suspension.

Reed - Excellent prospect. Had a good game today.

S Davis N Ireland captain. First team player.

Gaston - Uruguay international. Great ability. Needs game time.

JRod - First team player. Only one to play a part in every competitive Saints match so far this season

Lee - Japanese international. Just back into the fold. Needs game time. Pro only there today due to Osvaldo's injury

 

All in all we were not shown up or completely outplayed. We didn't just roll over and not bother competing. We were just found a bit lacking in the final third and got aught out by one scrappy goal and a good strike on the break.

 

We lost. It's a shame. But we were highly unlikely to win the cup anyway, seeing as we would likely have had to beat 3 of Chelsea. Man Utd, Man City or Spurs to do so.

 

Get over it you tarts.

 

Agree with that... except "Gaston - Uruguay international. Great ability. Needs game time."

 

He doesn't need game time. He needs a transfer back to the European mainland asap.

[CB Fry]

We lost. It's a shame. But we were highly unlikely to win the cup anyway, seeing as we would likely have had to beat 3 of Chelsea. Man Utd, Man City or Spurs to do so.

 

Get over it you tarts.

 

In other news, we are definitely going to finish fourth, as we only have to surpass at least one of the likes of Chelsea, Man Utd and Spurs over a 38 game league season.

[Dalek2003]

Sensible move, quietly slipping out of the 'League Cup' back door with the minimum of fuss.

 

We need to concentrate on securing our premiership future for another season and a vital 3 points against Hull will be much more important in moving us towards the 40plus point mark. The earlier we do this the more we can push for a top 10 finish.

[OttawaSaint]

Well I've be proven right (again) haven't i.

 

Phew! That's the main thing though eh?

[rallyboy]

I've got over it already.

 

Fair play to those that travelled.

[lordswoodsaints]

Who gives a rats arse about the ****ty cup? If they can't be bothered to put out a decent team then they obviously can't be bothered about it either so why should we?

For the record I'm glad that we don't take the cup seriously , it's w@nk .

[Jai27]

Some pretty conflicting opinions on here tonight about the players and their performances...

 

I honestly thought Lee looked like one of the better players on the pitch and was a little confused when he was subbed off.

 

Reed looked out of his depth and seemed a second late with every decision he made.

 

Chambers played well along with Yoshida. Would feel fairly comfortable if either of them started in a league game.

 

Jos, Fox and K Davis were their usual selves.

 

Cork looked half the player he was last season.

 

Gaston f*****g Ramirez... Truly terrible. I've been on the fence about him for going on a year now but tonight has made my mind up. This generations Delgado.

[Legod Third Coming]

In other news, we are definitely going to finish fourth, as we only have to surpass at least one of the likes of Chelsea, Man Utd and Spurs over a 38 game league season.

 

The problem with you unbelievers is that every time Cortese delivers what he promised you go looking for more proof the earth is still flat.

 

We're on the up old boy. Enjoy it!

[CB Fry]

The problem with you unbelievers is that every time Cortese delivers what he promised you go looking for more proof the earth is still flat.

 

We're on the up old boy. Enjoy it!

 

I'm querying why our team on the up is suddenly incapable of beating Chelsea, Man United and Spurs.

 

You want to go to the NOU CAMP, that's kinda the thing we'll have to do.

[Junior Mullet]

Glad we are out and without picking up any injuries to first team players.

 

Did not fancy us playing Chelsea or their reserves during a busy December schedule.

 

Let's now focus on the two competitions that really matter.

[aintforever]

What a bunch of tarts we have on here.

 

We were never going to play our first team tonight, just as Sunderland did't play their first 11 either. The high pressing game we play takes it out of players. They need good recovery and preparation time. The younger, fitter, ones such as JRod, JW and Al all played a part tonight. SRL is vital to our team on Saturday and so was never going to travel up, especially with a doubt over Osvaldo.

 

As for the bed-wetting, wrist-slitting over the 11 who did start - what did anyone expect? It is a SQUAD game. SQUAD players NEED game time. Let's look at the 11 individually:

 

K Davis - Our 2nd choice 'keeper. Needs match time or will be too rusy if called upon should something happen to Artur

Chambers - Started the season as first choice RB

Yoshida - Japanese international. Was widely expected to be Lovren's partner in the first team this season. Only isn't because not fit at start of season and Jose has played so well.

Jos - Understudy to Lovren and usually plays well in midweek matches

Fox - No1 hate figure on here (just behind Guly and Gaston) but our backup LB. Shaw is young and not yet strong enough (hence his string of niggling injuries) so wise not to risk him today.

Cork - Runner-up for PoS last season. Needs game time as will definitely be called upon for the first team when Morgan or Vic get a knock or suspension.

Reed - Excellent prospect. Had a good game today.

S Davis N Ireland captain. First team player.

Gaston - Uruguay international. Great ability. Needs game time.

JRod - First team player. Only one to play a part in every competitive Saints match so far this season

Lee - Japanese international. Just back into the fold. Needs game time. Pro only there today due to Osvaldo's injury

 

All in all we were not shown up or completely outplayed. We didn't just roll over and not bother competing. We were just found a bit lacking in the final third and got aught out by one scrappy goal and a good strike on the break.

 

We lost. It's a shame. But we were highly unlikely to win the cup anyway, seeing as we would likely have had to beat 3 of Chelsea. Man Utd, Man City or Spurs to do so.

 

Get over it you tarts.

 

Great, our squad gets 'game time' in our quest for a 7th place finish, meanwhile our trophy cabinet remains a complete embarrassment.

 

Sunderland were poor tonight, we could have rested a few key players and got a result. Instead we think were f*cking Man Utd and put out our reserves because the League Cup is so beneath us.

 

It was a wasted opportunity tonight, I don't remember Saints putting out a reserve team away to a Premier League side, one game away from the quarter finals before.

[Glasgow_Saint]

For the record I'm glad that we don't take the cup seriously , it's w@nk .

 

Agreed mate

 

[Barry Sanchez]

I seriously question whether some supposed fans think that finishing a few places up a League is better than winning a Cup are in fact fans at all.

[Legod Third Coming]

I'm querying why our team on the up is suddenly incapable of beating Chelsea, Man United and Spurs.

 

You want to go to the NOU CAMP, that's kinda the thing we'll have to do.

 

We can beat them and will. I don't hold any truck with that argument postulated about it being tough to win the Cup. Truth is we're putting CL qualification as an objective higher than some tin pot trophy.

 

Who won the Capital One Cup last year? Exactly...

[St Chalet]

I seriously question whether some supposed fans think that finishing a few places up a League is better than winning a Cup are in fact fans at all.

 

They are entitled to their view Barry, please don't start the 'better fan' debate.

[Olallana]

I seriously question whether some supposed fans think that finishing a few places up a League is better than winning a Cup are in fact fans at all.

 

So people on here who think we might finish 4th-6th due to our great start are basically arrogant but thinking we will win the cup if we only play our best team is not arrogant...??