Spurs 3 Saints 2 match reaction

[Milton]

I think some people on this forum need to get a grip! We are a young, still improving team, full of English youngsters who, (certainly in the first half) gave a side who are chasing Champions League football and cost millions a right good game. Sure we bottled in the second half but I would take this team and the Manager over most outside the top four at the moment.

[Wilko]

We'll almost certainly finish ninth, which is pretty good. We've brought through some excellent young players, which is even better.

 

It's time to stop watching the results and concentrate on something else until the beginning of August. The season was over the moment we lost in the cup.

[LostBoys]

Blame the referee for not giving soft fouls in Fonte and Lovren but the defending was dreadful all game with only Shaw excused. Totally amateurish with fluffed clearances weak header and a market reluctance to put it into Row Z when required. So disappointed I will have to have a lot more to drink.

[SaintSteve]

I think some people on this forum need to get a grip! We are a young, still improving team, full of English youngsters who, (certainly in the first half) gave a side who are chasing Champions League football and cost millions a right good game. Sure we bottled in the second half but I would take this team and the Manager over most outside the top four at the moment.

 

Whilst I agree with that sentiment, having seen us totally dominate the first 30 minutes, MP needs to find out why we seem to capitulate once the opposition responds... of course, there's no excuse for basic individual errors like today.

[supersonic]

20 minutes of brilliance but 60 minutes of utter garbage - was almost like watching two completely separate teams out there. If we go in at Half-time 2-0 up its a different game. Some major investment is needed into the defence (GK and CB especially). You always have that feeling that we have a mistake in ourselves.

 

Lack of concentration is preventing us from going to the next level. how many weeks are we going to swtich off and get punished at this level. Players may think they have nothing to play for, but there's several out there who need a bloody good kick up the backside as they think they are invincible

[VectisSaint]

How you can pick out fonte not lovren is beyond me. Lovren was awful.

Absolutely spot on. Fonte saved Lovren's back yet again today on several occasions. Lovren was just plain awful, and its not the first time this season this has been the case but some here seem to think he can do no wrong. He should have gone off after Corky caught him, we had Yoshida as backup who would have been better today. I can forgive him being not fully fit, but his playing for fouls that aren't is just plain daft. Lovren and no-one else caused that collapse today, played like a plank and knocked all the confidence out of the team (I know Clyne made a schoolboy error for the first but the ball should never have been crossed). Sorry, but I'm fuming today at Lovren, I hate losing to Spuds, and twice in a season is hard to take, but when one of our more experienced players plays like that it is ****ing frustrating.

[bugenhagen]

Right now I hate my passion for this club... Woke up today and couldn't wait until the game started. First half kept thinking how I love to just watch this team play. Now I wish the game had never happened - and keep thinking I wont bother watching another game this season...

 

Next weekend the same cycle starts all over again... Just love the fact that I know this, and at the same time allow myself to be so emotional about it...

[bristolsaint29]

Right now I hate my passion for this club... Woke up today and couldn't wait until the game started. First half kept thinking how I love to just watch this team play. Now I wish the game had never happened - and keep thinking I wont bother watching another game this season...

 

Next weekend the same cycle starts all over again... Just love the fact that I know this, and at the same time allow myself to be so emotional about it...

 

Don't be such a grumpy pants. We have nothing to play for we are safe. Enjoy the ride.

[ALWAYS_SFC]

No opinions of your own then?

 

Cheap and easy to knock others but at least they have passion and care about our team?

 

If you have nothing to add then sod off!

 

Likewise to The Emirates..

 

For the record i want including you but after that my view has somewhat changed...goon...................er

[HertsSaint]

Probably no consolation but I was on a train full of Spurs fans and they were miserable. They all seemed to want to offload the rubbish they'd brought with the Bale money and replace them with our youngsters.

 

JWP may have had a poor game out of position and not shown his full potential but at least if he doesn't come good we didn't waste £30mil on him like they did with Soldado.

[bugenhagen]

Don't be such a grumpy pants. We have nothing to play for we are safe. Enjoy the ride.

 

Thanks mate, I agree with you - I love the Southampton ride (just get grumpy when losing like this)

[Smirking_Saint]

Probably no consolation but I was on a train full of Spurs fans and they were miserable. They all seemed to want to offload the rubbish they'd brought with the Bale money and replace them with our youngsters.

 

JWP may have had a poor game out of position and not shown his full potential but at least if he doesn't come good we didn't waste £30mil on him like they did with Soldado.

 

He will come good, was very very good today

[Window Cleaner]

He will come good, was very very good today

 

 

I presume you mean Soldado there. So was Ericssen, wish we had him, so if they want to swap him for JWP I'd not protest.

[bristolsaint29]

Thanks mate, I agree with you - I love the Southampton ride (just get grumpy when losing like this)

 

Apologies hard to be grumpy when spent the afternoon being spoilt in corporate returning the favour to my old man who I have to thank for introducing me to saints 30 years ago.

[Saint Charlie]

Plus side: we still have to go to Villa Park.

[OldNick]

I presume you mean Soldado there. So was Ericssen, wish we had him, so if they want to swap him for JWP I'd not protest.

but Ericsen and Soldado were not that good, we frigging gave Ericsson the 2goals by mistakes, he did little apart from that

[trousers]

@LukeShaw3: Devastated with the result today Thankyou to the travelling fans for your support! @DejanLovren05 don't worry bigman everyone makes mistakes

[Smirking_Saint]

I presume you mean Soldado there. So was Ericssen, wish we had him, so if they want to swap him for JWP I'd not protest.

 

Yes, ericsson always was quality, underutilised IMO, wonderful little player. Whilst I agree, JWP cost us nothing and is a good player played out of position, ericsson wouldnt have looked much better in DM today

[Leicestersaint]

That was a terrible second half - we completely lost our way. Our squad is simply not strong enough yet. Lovren is not the player he was before his injury but Fonte makes mistakes every week too (eg Norwich). I was shocked at how poor Clyne looked. In midfield we gave the ball away far too often in the second half and even Cork went to pieces. We should not have lost to Spurs at SMS or today - and yet they took all six points. Terrible.

[Smirking_Saint]

but Ericsen and Soldado were not that good, we frigging gave Ericsson the 2goals by mistakes, he did little apart from that

 

You dont think they played well regardless of our mistakes ?

[Roger]

Mopo said Clyne was injured. I don't think Clyne was bad just made a terrible error. I make that the first he's made for us so don't overdo it guys.

[Crazy Diamond]

I'm guessing I'm not the only one that thought a draw or loss was an inevitability when we went two up? Terribly predictable.

[Smirking_Saint]

That was a terrible second half - we completely lost our way. Our squad is simply not strong enough yet. Lovren is not the player he was before his injury but Fonte makes mistakes every week too (eg Norwich). I was shocked at how poor Clyne looked. In midfield we gave the ball away far too often in the second half and even Cork went to pieces. We should not have lost to Spurs at SMS or today - and yet they took all six points. Terrible.

 

They pressed us very well second half and Lambert ran out of steam, we didnt have the two or three options we are used to playing with. Dissapointingly nothing was changed and our midfield wasnt desructive enough.

Clyne was very poor, lovren just lost his head completely I think.

[Lighthouse]

I called it at 2-0 up. It's like watching Murray going 2 sets up against Nadal in a grand slam final and you're just sat there thinking, 'Nadal in the 5th'.

 

Spurs were crap and we handed it to them on a plate with some sloppy defensive errors. It's strange, I can't remember seeing a team which defends so well, then just does something ridiculous to give away a pointless goal. Lovren fell over cheaply for both goals and Clyne I swear makes more howlers than Jos. The second goal especially, the ball was never going to run out. Lovren had to do something and he just froze. Have got to get it sorted for next season. If we ever want to achieve anything higher than 9th, we can't go throwing away 2 goal leads against the teams around us.

[Smirking_Saint]

Mopo said Clyne was injured. I don't think Clyne was bad just made a terrible error. I make that the first he's made for us so don't overdo it guys.

 

He has made a couple, he was poor today as much as I rate him, though how mopo only saw clynes poor game and not lovrens I dont know

[DuncanRG]

Not far behind Spurs at all IMO. Just need more belief that we are a great team and can win these big games.

 

We're full of that belief...until we concede. We need to get over the loss of clean sheets much quicker, because it seems to affect everybody.

 

 

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[Roger]

He has made a couple, he was poor today as much as I rate him, though how mopo only saw clynes poor game and not lovrens I dont know

 

I haven't seen him make another.

[Smirking_Saint]

I haven't seen him make another.

 

He makes a few, that was the worst for a while but he is probe to a mistake. Regardless he was very poor today. Him and Chambers are neck and neck for me right now

[corky morris]

Quick positive point - Our starting 11 cost just over £20m which is less than a lot of Spurs individual players. Im annoyed at the way we lost, but it does show how our expectations have changed!!

[Window Cleaner]

He makes a few, that was the worst for a while but he is probe to a mistake. Regardless he was very poor today. Him and Chambers are neck and neck for me right now

 

 

I didn't take note that Clyne was particulary poor today until his error, what was in front of him was poor.

[Bearsy]

at least if he doesn't come good we didn't waste £30mil on him like they did with Soldado.

 

Soldado cost more than our starting XI

[Wrensup]

I'm guessing I'm not the only one that thought a draw or loss was an inevitability when we went two up? Terribly predictable.

 

At 2-1 for me.

[Smirking_Saint]

I didn't take note that Clyne was particulary poor today until his error, what was in front of him was poor.

 

Still wasnt really that good going forward at a time where we had plenty of space to operate in Spurs half.

[shurlock]

Fuming with the result as they're a distinctly average side. For all their pressure in the 2nd half, they never really tested Boruc. Indeed, I thought we had the ridden out the worst of it and could have quite easily nicked it in the last 15mins.

 

The enforced changes in midfield and Lovren's erratic performance didn't help but IMO Jrod's injury knocked the stuffing out of us. The number of times we could have sprung them with a simple ball over the top and a better timed run was incredible. At other times, Shaw was all alone and could have been found with a diagonal. We missed Morgan as much for his passing range as his defensive quality. Without pace off the bench, Spurs were able to push up and strangle our creaking CM and CBs.

 

Lambert had a decent first half -apart from one opportunity where he should have taken the shot rather than wait for support. He seemed to slow in the 2nd and got caught in possession too many times. Would have brought Gallagher on much earlier.

 

JWP is neither a DM nor has he shown any qualities as an AM - maybe Davis is a decent player to model himself on; still a decision has to be made about his ideal position because he has to come out of the shadows or risk becoming another nice but inoffensive Andrew Surman. By contrast, Cork had a good game and did his best to shore things up. Ramirez did some poor things but also looked like a genuine matchwinner.

 

Thought Danny Rose did very well for them and Soldado was much more physical than I had imagined. Otherwise didn't think much of them. They've spent a lot of money, blindly hoping the pieces click together as they are inherited by different managers with different ideas. Was epitomised by some comment on the way back to the train about how Siggurdson who has otherwise been a massive disappointment ONLY cost £11m. Only £11m ffs. The top sides can afford to be blasé with money in a way we can't -and along with it secure the occasional cameo or flash of match winning brilliance. My only hope is that they have a day of reckoning like Villa did under Lerner a few years ago and they too have to retrench a bit.

Edited 23 March, 2014 by shurlock

[Window Cleaner]

Still wasnt really that good going forward at a time where we had plenty of space to operate in Spurs half.

 

 

Why would he need to go forward when we were leading 2-0 ? We really need to get over this obsession that our full backs need to "get forward". We were in a 442 pattern at the start today, we had all we needed going forward in RL JR SD and AL.

I would much rather we had full backs who defend and leave the attacking to those who are there to do that,especially when we're 2-0 up away from home at a top 6 side. If Shaw hadn't been marauding forward somewhere Lovren probably wouldn't have got caught out by Soldado.

[Smirking_Saint]

Why would he need to go forward when we were leading 2-0 ? We really need to get over this obsession that our full backs need to "get forward". We were in a 442 pattern at the start today, we had all we needed going forward in RL JR SD and AL.

I would much rather we had full backs who defend and leave the attacking to those who are there to do that,especially when we're 2-0 up away from home at a top 6 side. If Shaw hadn't been marauding forward somewhere Lovren probably wouldn't have got caught out by Soldado.

 

We do it to overload and create options for passing opportunities, unfortunately without someone of VW's physical prescence and MS' pure athleticism we are vunerable on the counter. Our all out possession play causes problems too when teams start pressing higher and we fail to find space in behind.

[Berkshire Saint]

Strange game, not helped by the fact that I'm ill so had a rare sober away day. Thought the atmosphere from our fans was poor (not that I was much help) and Spurs were silent apart from their goals. Not too much to add about the game that hasn't been said already. Very good first half and poor second but the frustrating thing was that by the time they got the winner we had ridden most of their pressure and actually created some half-chances ourselves towards the end. We don't react at all well to conceding. Whenever we do we seem to have horrible five minute periods where the team seem to lose their heads and panic. Defence just hasn't been the same ever since Boruc's moment against Arsenal at the end of November and Lovren hasn't been at his best since returning from injury.

[OldNick]

For their last goal why did Lovren? Head the ball from inside our penalty area when the ball was just going to Boruc?

[Smirking_Saint]

For their last goal why did Lovren? Head the ball from inside our penalty area when the ball was just going to Boruc?

 

It was fonte, lovren vaulted over the shot

[OldNick]

It was fonte, lovren vaulted over the shot

ok , it should have been left

[mafiboy27]

Didn't have a good game but could have had free kicks before both the first two goals. Second was a definite push in the back.

 

Thought Boruc should have done

better withe the third.

 

Ref let a lot go and it cost us. Rise should have been yellow carded twice.

 

Finally someone who got it right Rose even got a freekick stamping Davies in the knee, and Davis took the ball!

[Smirking_Saint]

ok , it should have been left

 

Possibly, the header was woefull

[Saint Billy]

At 2 nil up I could still see it coming. Typical display from saints, awsome first half and tired second half.

 

Our a ability to gift goals from clumsy defensive mistakes continues. No wonder teams never give up against us.

[kwsaint]

Just got back from the game. Like Norwich last week, we don't play for 90 minutes.

 

First 30 minutes we were excellent. Then one error and the heads went down. Hung on to half-time and then gave away another stupid goal. I thought that we were going to get overrun at that point, but for the last 20 minutes we actually got back into the game. To lose a goal in time added on was a real sickener. It was only then that the Spurs fans woke up.

 

Thoughts in no particular order

- Lambert looked knackered. He simply wasn't holding the ball up well

- Ramirez looked good when he came on

- No idea why J rod went off - assume he took a knock

- Spurs looked like a bunch of good players not playing for each other. Expect a big shake up in the summer for them

- Team is still developing. If we can hang on to most of them (and its a big if), then we can only get better next season

- White Hart Lane is really quiet. I expected it to be noisier than it was.

[saintant]

We are extremely naive and need to learn not to throw away winning positions. When 2-0 up in an away match it's time to close the game out so the fullbacks should be told to retain their defensive positions and not go marauding upfield. I'm not saying just sit deep and invite the opposition on to you but we could afford to pick our moments to break on them. We should have been frustrating them until they were easy to pick off. The job was done today at 2-0 yet we take un-necessary risks and leave ourselves wide open. Don't chase a game you've already won. We need to learn this lesson not keep on making the same mistakes.

[Kingsland Red]

Just got back from the game. Like Norwich last week, we don't play for 90 minutes.

 

First 30 minutes we were excellent. Then one error and the heads went down. Hung on to half-time and then gave away another stupid goal. I thought that we were going to get overrun at that point, but for the last 20 minutes we actually got back into the game. To lose a goal in time added on was a real sickener. It was only then that the Spurs fans woke up.

 

Thoughts in no particular order

- Lambert looked knackered. He simply wasn't holding the ball up well

- Ramirez looked good when he came on

- No idea why J rod went off - assume he took a knock

- Spurs looked like a bunch of good players not playing for each other. Expect a big shake up in the summer for them

- Team is still developing. If we can hang on to most of them (and its a big if), then we can only get better next season

- White Hart Lane is really quiet. I expected it to be noisier than it was.

 

Likewise, just back from the game, good atmosphere from the travelling support in a library.

The only comments I would add to the above is that Kaboul and Dawson knew when a good old lump out of defence takes the pressure off, whilst we maintain the pressure on ourselves by playing it out.

The second point is in the opposition penalty area where we again just need to put our foot through the ball rather than try and pass the ball into the net. Just before Spurs winner Lallana was free on the penalty spot looking for a pass.

 

I appreciate both these comments are management issues rather than the players.

[Andy Durman]

Come on mate, you cannot be expecting either of those to be a free kick - especially the 2nd one. Lovren went in too tight, was too weak and got done. Simple as that.

 

If a free kick was given against us in that situation you would be fuming, it wasn't a free kick. It was utter **** defending.

 

Sorry both are fouls. No contact with the ball. The second even more a clear push as the Tottenham player had 2 hands on him, pushing him forward.

 

I agree you can't rely on Referees to give you anything and he should have been stronger and cleared, but both were fouls.

[Andy Durman]

Of all the performances in that game you want to say Ramirez cost us the game!?!

 

On reflection I would edit what I wrote. What I meant is that the Tottenham defender wasn't going anywhere and giving away the foul made it easy for him to get out of a pressured situation. From the free kick Tottenham carved us open and scored. That's why I think he cost us the game. Just as the ref or the assistant linesman missed the fouls on Lovren.

[Andy Durman]

Im sorry but if you are honestly saying that they were free kicks then its either a long long time since you have played the game or you never have.

 

Very very poor from Lovren, he had to be stronger there. His body was in the way both times, you stand up and either move the ball on or clear the danger, not attempt to win cheap free kicks

 

Smirking Saint please don't patronize. I am a qualified referee, football trainer and have played the game for 40 years and guess what i'm still playing at centre back at the age of 45.

 

Take another look at both incidents. Yes he could be stronger and not rely on protection from the referee, but both were fouls.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

Likewise, just back from the game, good atmosphere from the travelling support in a library.

The only comments I would add to the above is that Kaboul and Dawson knew when a good old lump out of defence takes the pressure off, whilst we maintain the pressure on ourselves by playing it out.

The second point is in the opposition penalty area where we again just need to put our foot through the ball rather than try and pass the ball into the net. Just before Spurs winner Lallana was free on the penalty spot looking for a pass.

 

I appreciate both these comments are management issues rather than the players.

 

 

Think your observation re Kaboul and Dawson knowing when to hoof very illuminating. There is a time to hoof but we don't know it. Some of our balls around our area are "kung-foo" frightening!