Roger Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 Wheels were off after the Burnley game. Morgan will be off in January. If he persists with Mane Koeman will be gone by the end of the season. Everton werent that great Monday night, if we drop Mane we can turn this around. Throw the Jonah overboard Ronald. Dont be a tit. And yet long gets off Scott free even tho he's much older and cost more? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cabrone Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 It's not the defeat as much as the nature of the performance. We didn't threaten them atall and things are all of a sudden looking very tough in the league. The players need to roll their sleeves up and work hard to get back to form. We also need some reinforcements in the squad, we may have overreached and if fatigue is setting in it's only going to get worse. Let's just get those 14 points and see where we go from there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graffito Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 Anyone remember a cup game at The Dell played in mid week in the afternoon during the 3 Day week power cuts' date=' against Newport , i think, now that was a bad defeat[/quote'] Bunked off school for it. Don't remember the game except that it was a pretty good crowd so a lot of others skiving off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CylonKing Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 Terrible game of football. Best team won, but we were just shocking. No high points to pick out at all. Whole team performance was just shocking really. The only thing I do want to say is that I thought Mayuka looked pretty good when he came on. He made some great runs to get in behind the defence, pointed where he wanted the ball yet no one even tried to get the ball through to him, deciding instead to hoof it high into Long all the time, which United dealt with easily. We really didn't look like ever opening them up with through balls to feet, which is what Mane and Mayuka can work with. Long balls into them is never going to work. Had a great evening though with a nice meal before the game, back to Nottingham for the last bus home but ending up in a local rock pub until 01:30 after copious amounts of JD and coke! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saints boy in Leeds Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 At the game yesterday, I must say that for me, the worst aspect of last night was to seeing supporters (saints) having a pop at fellow supports because they decided to clap for the team at the end, shocking. I think the players will know what the fans thought of the performance, Long had to walk right to the corner to give his shirt away, Toby was saying sorry and the rest got as far as the 18 yard area and realised they would be in for abuse and turned around and walked off. Still not sure about the level of abuse that a lot of fans gave, but then again we all paid to watch what was an awful effort from the boys and most travelled a long way too. As for the match, the pitch was not great and the same can be said for the ref, but that's football. That being said we simply didn't turn up tonight, I get that through knocks / resting players or suspensions we didn't field our best 11 but that was a very, very bad effort, not performance because we didn't perform, on any level. Morgan played ok (6/10) but for me Forster was best, he made 3 or 4 good saves but let himself down by spilling the free kick that allowed them to score. They all lacked movement, a lot of the time the forward’s and midfield were static, waiting for someone else to do something, and no one took charge, long balls all night. For me the worst of the play was the side to side, then backwards passing, no options all night, no one dropping in to collect, we didn't have a distributor out there capable of a through ball even. Mane and Mayuka just don't seem to have the skills or ablilty to take it round players as they just turn into danger and get robbed, or fall over. Pointless having pace if you can't get passed your man. Anyway on to the next game, think a draw at best is about all we can get as a few will be out now after picking up the yellow / red. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThorpG Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 It's not the defeat as much as the nature of the performance. We didn't threaten them atall and things are all of a sudden looking very tough in the league. The players need to roll their sleeves up and work hard to get back to form. We also need some reinforcements in the squad, we may have overreached and if fatigue is setting in it's only going to get worse. Let's just get those 14 points and see where we go from there. Fatigue is the key - it is clear that a small squad is struggling with a combination of injuries and tiredness. We have players like Fonte, Clyne, Bertrand, Wanyama playing every minute of every game and in recent weeks we have had a tough schedule. This result was coming unfortunately and against a fired up opposition on a wet, heavy pitch, we couldn't match up in terms of physicality or work rate. The players were clearly trying, but the tank looked empty... Some smart dealing needs to be done in the transfer window, otherwise the second half of the season could be more of the same. Tough for Koeman, but I believe in him and the club. COYR! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LGTL Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 Got in at 2, up for work at 6. I bet those ****s are still in bed... We were utterly useless and appeared to not give a ****. Ironically, our L1 team would have probably won that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThorpG Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 At the game yesterday, I must say that for me, the worst aspect of last night was to seeing supporters (saints) having a pop at fellow supports because they decided to clap for the team at the end, shocking. I think the players will know what the fans thought of the performance, Long had to walk right to the corner to give his shirt away, Toby was saying sorry and the rest got as far as the 18 yard area and realised they would be in for abuse and turned around and walked off. Still not sure about the level of abuse that a lot of fans gave, but then again we all paid to watch what was an awful effort from the boys and most travelled a long way too. As for the match, the pitch was not great and the same can be said for the ref, but that's football. That being said we simply didn't turn up tonight, I get that through knocks / resting players or suspensions we didn't field our best 11 but that was a very, very bad effort, not performance because we didn't perform, on any level. Morgan played ok (6/10) but for me Forster was best, he made 3 or 4 good saves but let himself down by spilling the free kick that allowed them to score. They all lacked movement, a lot of the time the forward’s and midfield were static, waiting for someone else to do something, and no one took charge, long balls all night. For me the worst of the play was the side to side, then backwards passing, no options all night, no one dropping in to collect, we didn't have a distributor out there capable of a through ball even. Mane and Mayuka just don't seem to have the skills or ablilty to take it round players as they just turn into danger and get robbed, or fall over. Pointless having pace if you can't get passed your man. Anyway on to the next game, think a draw at best is about all we can get as a few will be out now after picking up the yellow / red. Agreed - depressing to see our fans berating the players and shouting at each other, because we are on a bad run. The players are still clearly playing for the manager, the effort is there, it is just that the confidence is shot and the squad is looking thin. Hearing our fans booing and hurling abuse at the players who were man enough to come over and applaud the fans despite a poor performance ain't great - it was one bad game, other defeats in recent weeks have been unlucky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 Booing our own players after a couple of lacklustre performances? Lowered ourselves to Pompey fans level there then.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldNick Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 Anyone remember a cup game at The Dell played in mid week in the afternoon during the 3 Day week power cuts' date=' against Newport , i think, now that was a bad defeat[/quote']I thought it was Norwich and we lost 2-0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldNick Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 unfortunately, this situation will always be the same. there is no way the club is going to invest in a squad of 20 decent players and rotate them. Koeman, Morgan, Victor and Nathanial, and our loan players will have more ambition than the Board. So I can only see us keep rotating our squad and manager season on season. Koeman did wonders with a decimated squad at the start of the season, how he re ignites it now is impossible due to lack of options. We cant throw a lot of 17-20 youth playrs in to the fire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 Shane long is a terrible buy for 12 million. Useless. As I said the other day, we have wasted 22 million on Long and Mané, could easily have kept Gaston and got a 2 million £ bargain from Auxerre or something. As for the result, I just don't care, should have played the reserves + youth , taken the front line players home after the Burnley game and not got cards, injuries and mega crowd disappointment. For me Koeman got this all wrong, should have taken Morgan off when Victor got booked, perhaps we'd already subbed 3 by then though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DT Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 Need to get the cheque books out for January to avoid monumental slide down the league... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simo Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 Sunshine I'll wager I've been to more games than you. family and work commitments mean midweek aways are impossible. Support the team? Make me laugh you tw#t. Nothing more than hysterical baby with no perspective. And aren't you not bothering with Everton game? A true supporter will support through thick and thin. Ok let's have a wager how many games have you done this season then boy !? Do you ever comment on the team or just the comments that others make , you nipper are nothing but a troll trying to pick arguments , and I may use my season ticket Saturday I may not ! Will you be using yours!? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
obelisk Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 Lucky to have been out doing something else last night by the sound of it. Looking at the stats it would appear to be the same old story though. Plenty of possession leading to very little in the way of shots at goal. I take it Saints were trying to walk the ball into the net again. The suspensions mean that the Everton game might find things turning even nastier. Hopefully a corner can be turned before this turns into a freefall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 (edited) Need to get the cheque books out for January to avoid monumental slide down the league... We did that in July and August, what makes you think punting more will change anything really. We spent what 60 million £ plus the loan fees for Toby and Ryan, we need to get more out of what we've got and not just throw more money at it. Koeman needs to explain exactly why Reed, described by his homonym as the best player ever to come out of our academy, is not considered good enough to replace one of 2 first team essentials on 4 yellow cards against a 3rd division side. Edited 17 December, 2014 by Window Cleaner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S-Clarke Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 Cut out the I'm a better fan ********. It's cringe to read. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint Pete Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 Didn't see the game last night, but 1 shot on target against league 1 opposition is seriously worrying. We need a confidence boosting win and soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hasper57saint Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 We lost to a better more motivated team.Over the years I've seen us lose to far worse teams on the day.It happens.Not happy at all but still believe we can beat Everton on Saturday. COYS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mowgli Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 As I said the other day, we have wasted 22 million on Long and Mané, could easily have kept Gaston and got a 2 million £ bargain from Auxerre or something. As for the result, I just don't care, should have played the reserves + youth , taken the front line players home after the Burnley game and not got cards, injuries and mega crowd disappointment. For me Koeman got this all wrong, should have taken Morgan off when Victor got booked, perhaps we'd already subbed 3 by then though. I was just about to say there is some under stable annoyance and frustration at the result and some pretty balanced views. Then I read this. Can you imagine the fury had we played youngsters and reserves (whatever they may be....). Football is like life. It's not about the result. It's all about how you react to that result. Bring on Saturday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 I was just about to say there is some under stable annoyance and frustration at the result and some pretty balanced views. Then I read this. Can you imagine the fury had we played youngsters and reserves (whatever they may be....). Football is like life. It's not about the result. It's all about how you react to that result. Bring on Saturday. That''s what we pay the manager 40K£ a week for really to manage these situations and resulting crowd anger, as it is we've not only lost the match we've lost 2 vital players for the next game, a reserve CB for 3 games should he be needed and now have Clyne on 4 cards so one more against Everton,Palace or Chelsea and he'll miss a game a leave us with no RB. I just don't care about the C1C we should have gone out gracefully early on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Professor Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 The.3 fatigue suggestion may well be an issue, although there were players in the starting 11 who have not played many games. But if a small squad is the problem so that Koeman is having to play his first choice 11 too often, maybe being out of the League Cup will help and perhaps we should hope for a similar outcome against Ipswich. Many fans are now just hoping we stay in the top half of the table and don't get drawn into the relegation fight that will begin to heat up come Feb/Mar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 The.3 fatigue suggestion may well be an issue, although there were players in the starting 11 who have not played many games. But if a small squad is the problem so that Koeman is having to play his first choice 11 too often, maybe being out of the League Cup will help and perhaps we should hope for a similar outcome against Ipswich. Many fans are now just hoping we stay in the top half of the table and don't get drawn into the relegation fight that will begin to heat up come Feb/Mar. Can't believe anyone is talking about relegation really, it's not an issue now and won't be in the spring time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simo Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 Took 2 days off work for this ****. Got in at half 3 this morning. Refund! Same add a hotel onto it and it is my most disappointing away game ever , it even eclipsed Rovers away! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bucks Saint Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 Misery complete. Taunted by my Blades supporting mate's 8 year old son this morning over breakfast. Cant leave fast enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 Misery complete. Taunted by my Blades supporting mate's 8 year old son this morning over breakfast. Cant leave fast enough. Box the little bugger's ears a bit, he'll soon knock it off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unbelievable Jeff Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 Thank God I put £40 on Sheffield Utd to win, makes up for it a bit (£308 back). Just about to get the train back now. Very annoyed with the players. We look so jaded, and we don't have the squad to deal with it. Could really do with Ramirez back off his loan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Boy Saint Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 Fair play to Sheffield United they stuck to their task and delivered the goods. My drive home through the endless rain felt similar to the walk back over Northam bridge on a dull winters day when we were meandering towards the Championship trap door (and the edge of the abyss) and Saints had put in another less than sparkling display. Top of my mither list is this bloody faffing about when we get in the vicinity of the oppos penalty box, it's almost like we take a register of the oppos players to make sure they are all back in their defensive positions and then we proceed to pit-pat the ball about and either lose possession or pass it back to Fraser!! Sheffield tonight were Hmmm it's raining the pitch is a ploughed field and slippery let's blast one when we get in and around the box and see what we get. Shane Long you are a professional Football player with many years of experience yet despite your trickery and pace how the bloody hell can you be offside like you are . Mane if you want to save yourself for the African Cup of Nations master the technique of really taking someone out and get a straight red that should keep you rested and safe from injury till January. The most worrying factor of the night is that we could have played till midnight and quite honestly you could not see where a goal was coming from. I like to think of myself as a glass half full kind of chap, when I eventually got home I felt like someone had stolen my drink. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ado Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 Did anyone else notice in the first half Schneiderlin & Long having a barney in the build up to the free kick where Clyne got booked? The lead up to foul came from Long trying a flick instead of holding the ball up and Sheffield United breaking away. Gardos and Fonte had to basically pull them apart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 Did anyone else notice in the first half Schneiderlin & Long having a barney in the build up to the free kick where Clyne got booked? The lead up to foul came from Long trying a flick instead of holding the ball up and Sheffield United breaking away. Gardos and Fonte had to basically pull them apart. Rift in the Lute ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nta786 Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 Funny thing is if we win this and get into top four, is the dream back on? lol. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VectisSaint Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 Thank God I put £40 on Sheffield Utd to win, makes up for it a bit (£308 back). Just about to get the train back now. Very annoyed with the players. We look so jaded, and we don't have the squad to deal with it. Could really do with Ramirez back off his loan. The irony of the ultimate happy clapper now wishing we had Ramirez back. The all-seeing one who knew everything during the summer and how wonderful everything was and how nothing could have been done better and how you were the only one who knew it was all going to be OK and everyone else was a fool. Glad you won a bet against Saints, your pomposity deserves it, enjoy your winnings. Unbelievable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simo Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 The irony of the ultimate happy clapper now wishing we had Ramirez back. The all-seeing one who knew everything during the summer and how wonderful everything was and how nothing could have been done better and how you were the only one who knew it was all going to be OK and everyone else was a fool. Glad you won a bet against Saints, your pomposity deserves it, enjoy your winnings. Unbelievable. Leave Jeff alone he's just a bit dim it's not his fault Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roo1976 Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 yep couldnt agree more Everton will rip us a new one hope not but more likely i think we have reached the point in the season that pundits thought we would have had all season to be honest so i think we need to get to 40points as soon as rather than get caught up in a scrap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ART Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 Important question on last night's game! Was either Katerina Liebherr, or Ronald Krueger or Les Reed at the match? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Window Cleaner Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 Important question on last night's game! Was either Katerina Liebherr, or Ronald Krueger or Les Reed at the match? What difference would that make really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fitzhugh Fella Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 It's probably all been sad before on this thread but here are my thoughts and I do still feel the need to let off a bit of steam. Having just wasted 15 hours of my life watching last night's debacle I do feel I have the right to whinge a little I am trying not to let the horrendous 5 hour drive back from Sheffield last night/this morning, to cloud my objectivity but I can’t remember when I felt so disillusioned with Saints. As the saying goes “it’s not the despair that kills you it’s the hope” and I really felt last night we have blown (yet again) a very reasonable chance to add to our pathetic haul of serious silverware (1 trophy in 129 years). But we choked and lost to a makeshift (yes they had their injury problems too) third tier side in what was at times a shambolic performance that lacked any guile or nous throughout the team from Forster right through to Koeman on the bench. The manager is starting to show cracks in his abilities with some strange decisions to choose players to play out of position (Bertrand last night was a fish out of water) and to give Ward-Prowse two games in four days when he has been out for 8 weeks and not had a full day’s training. What Reed must be thinking I don’t know but being constantly overlooked while on the bench can be doing nothing for his confidence. If he is not good enough then put him back in the U21 squad. Koeman seems to make his mind up and then will not accept he may have got it wrong (I give you Jack Cork). Last night the players were all bickering among themselves, no one had any understanding of each other’s game and once Sheffield United scored the game was up because there was no one I repeat no one (except for one chance that fell to Mane) who looked like they knew where the goal was. It really was very sub-standard and concerning that the ship is increasingly rudderless. Pelle’s stupidity getting booked for what he did on Saturday cost us last night and he needs to shoulder some of the blame. I know we started this season very well with some of Koeman’s signings looking good business but I hate to say it I think there was an element of beginner’s luck because none of the new arrivals are covering themselves in glory at present. Tadic has become a shell of the player he appeared to be, no final delivery, poor crossing, weak finishing and worryingly already looks spent although the first Xmas cracker has yet to be pulled in earnest. Pelle blows hot and then very cold, his game is limited and he is no Lambert when it comes to holding up the ball and variety of movement. Mane sometimes resembles a headless chicken, he has pace and skill but nil awareness. Long? Well I have done my best to look for good in him but he is still exasperatingly getting caught for offside far too often and his finishing is poor. I am sure we could have prised Ings from Burnley for what he spent out on Long. And I had my first long look at Gardos last night, clumsy and uncertain were two words that quickly came to mind, he looked out of his depth and is a poor signing as he is a downgrade on Hooiveld and that is saying something. Clyne was awful last night, my son who bumps into him at clubs in the City says he is full of himself and arrogant and I just wonder whether the England recognition hasn’t gone to his head (a la Lallana) a little. Schneiderlin was petty and stupidly booked and he later kicked the ball away and could have been sent off. He is rash and petulant at times and when things aren’t going for him becomes headstrong. You could say the same about Wanyama too. I thought Targett had a good first half, our best player but then he got taken off for Isgrove (with Bertrand dropping back) but Koeman took the wrong man off (unless he was injured). Isgrove flattered to deceive, he will carve a career at League One level, like Gilllett and Hoskins, but no way is he Premiership or even Championship level. And finally Ward-Prowse, I just don’t see what the fuss is with this boy. Except from his delivery which is by far superior to anyone else (that in itself is a poor reflection) he is no more than a hard-working midfielder. Intelligent off the pitch he may be but he is no more than an ordinary player at the moment although as I mentioned earlier perhaps I am being a little unfair with him only recently coming back from injury. At least he looked up for it last night and he has the right mental attitude. So a very abject, disorganised performance from a group of players who looked like they had never met. Sorry this is a long ramble, I won’t be going to any more away games this season after last night’s horror show so this will be the last of my diatribes. If you made it thus far, thanks and one final word on the fans who travelled in numbers last night. Well done you did your city proud, it was an unacceptable shame the players could not respond accordingly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unbelievable Jeff Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 Leave Jeff alone he's just a bit dim it's not his fault ? Funnily enough we were very close to meeting last night - I was with BILLY and he said you may pop down. Shame, as after last nights performance I think we could do with arranging a protest - I understand you're the person to do that after your protest this summer... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unbelievable Jeff Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 The irony of the ultimate happy clapper now wishing we had Ramirez back. The all-seeing one who knew everything during the summer and how wonderful everything was and how nothing could have been done better and how you were the only one who knew it was all going to be OK and everyone else was a fool. Glad you won a bet against Saints, your pomposity deserves it, enjoy your winnings. Unbelievable. I always said the Ramirez loan away was poor form?! I actually thought he'd be one of our most important players this season. By the way, we're 5th in the League going towards Christmas. I think we're fine personally, just a bit jaded and our squad is struggling to deal with it. You need to calm down love. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derry Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 Back to the football. Mane physically has the attributes to be a good player but when it comes to football intelligence he is sadly lacking. He has pace but doesn't know how to use it, trying to dribble inside instead of putting the ball wide and run the defender. He misses all of his goalscoring chances because he lacks awareness and what really hacks me off doesn't close down but sells himself. Last night he was lucky to stay on the pitch as he was against MU. Long was ineffective and offside too often. He also had no service or support. The build ups were laborious allowing SU to get goal side. JWP is not a forward, whose every instinct is to pass not to get at the defence. The team lacked balance because of it. It's no good putting players in positions they don't suit. It is better to put out a balanced team with some lesser players in their correct positions than try to play all the experienced players. Saturday is going to be interesting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingsland Red Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 It is clear Mane and Long are no more than impact players, and too much was expected from them last night. It was our midfield that surprised me, totally outplayed / by passed, and leaving the centre backs exposed time and again. Bad day at the office, fortunately a late running business meeting means I still have my ticket. Every cloud and all that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derry Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 Duncan, that was a very fair report. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintSteve Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 It's probably all been sad before on this thread but here are my thoughts and I do still feel the need to let off a bit of steam. Having just wasted 15 hours of my life watching last night's debacle I do feel I have the right to whinge a little I am trying not to let the horrendous 5 hour drive back from Sheffield last night/this morning, to cloud my objectivity but I can’t remember when I felt so disillusioned with Saints. As the saying goes “it’s not the despair that kills you it’s the hope” and I really felt last night we have blown (yet again) a very reasonable chance to add to our pathetic haul of serious silverware (1 trophy in 129 years). But we choked and lost to a makeshift (yes they had their injury problems too) third tier side in what was at times a shambolic performance that lacked any guile or nous throughout the team from Forster right through to Koeman on the bench. The manager is starting to show cracks in his abilities with some strange decisions to choose players to play out of position (Bertrand last night was a fish out of water) and to give Ward-Prowse two games in four days when he has been out for 8 weeks and not had a full day’s training. What Reed must be thinking I don’t know but being constantly overlooked while on the bench can be doing nothing for his confidence. If he is not good enough then put him back in the U21 squad. Koeman seems to make his mind up and then will not accept he may have got it wrong (I give you Jack Cork). Last night the players were all bickering among themselves, no one had any understanding of each other’s game and once Sheffield United scored the game was up because there was no one I repeat no one (except for one chance that fell to Mane) who looked like they knew where the goal was. It really was very sub-standard and concerning that the ship is increasingly rudderless. Pelle’s stupidity getting booked for what he did on Saturday cost us last night and he needs to shoulder some of the blame. I know we started this season very well with some of Koeman’s signings looking good business but I hate to say it I think there was an element of beginner’s luck because none of the new arrivals are covering themselves in glory at present. Tadic has become a shell of the player he appeared to be, no final delivery, poor crossing, weak finishing and worryingly already looks spent although the first Xmas cracker has yet to be pulled in earnest. Pelle blows hot and then very cold, his game is limited and he is no Lambert when it comes to holding up the ball and variety of movement. Mane sometimes resembles a headless chicken, he has pace and skill but nil awareness. Long? Well I have done my best to look for good in him but he is still exasperatingly getting caught for offside far too often and his finishing is poor. I am sure we could have prised Ings from Burnley for what he spent out on Long. And I had my first long look at Gardos last night, clumsy and uncertain were two words that quickly came to mind, he looked out of his depth and is a poor signing as he is a downgrade on Hooiveld and that is saying something. Clyne was awful last night, my son who bumps into him at clubs in the City says he is full of himself and arrogant and I just wonder whether the England recognition hasn’t gone to his head (a la Lallana) a little. Schneiderlin was petty and stupidly booked and he later kicked the ball away and could have been sent off. He is rash and petulant at times and when things aren’t going for him becomes headstrong. You could say the same about Wanyama too. I thought Targett had a good first half, our best player but then he got taken off for Isgrove (with Bertrand dropping back) but Koeman took the wrong man off (unless he was injured). Isgrove flattered to deceive, he will carve a career at League One level, like Gilllett and Hoskins, but no way is he Premiership or even Championship level. And finally Ward-Prowse, I just don’t see what the fuss is with this boy. Except from his delivery which is by far superior to anyone else (that in itself is a poor reflection) he is no more than a hard-working midfielder. Intelligent off the pitch he may be but he is no more than an ordinary player at the moment although as I mentioned earlier perhaps I am being a little unfair with him only recently coming back from injury. At least he looked up for it last night and he has the right mental attitude. So a very abject, disorganised performance from a group of players who looked like they had never met. Sorry this is a long ramble, I won’t be going to any more away games this season after last night’s horror show so this will be the last of my diatribes. If you made it thus far, thanks and one final word on the fans who travelled in numbers last night. Well done you did your city proud, it was an unacceptable shame the players could not respond accordingly. Perfect breakdown, saved me the bother... actually made it back in under 4hrs taking the A42/M42/M40/A34.. M1 was horrendous going up. Everton next, can't see anything but an away win.. but I'm still under a cloud from last night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simo Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 Funnily enough we were very close to meeting last night - I was with BILLY and he said you may pop down. Shame, as after last nights performance I think we could do with arranging a protest - I understand you're the person to do that after your protest this summer... Yeh he did say , I hold no grudges I would of even brought you a pint ! Nothing wrong having a bit of banter over differing options imo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheCholulaKid Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 It's probably all been sad before on this thread but here are my thoughts and I do still feel the need to let off a bit of steam. Having just wasted 15 hours of my life watching last night's debacle I do feel I have the right to whinge a little I am trying not to let the horrendous 5 hour drive back from Sheffield last night/this morning, to cloud my objectivity but I can’t remember when I felt so disillusioned with Saints. As the saying goes “it’s not the despair that kills you it’s the hope” and I really felt last night we have blown (yet again) a very reasonable chance to add to our pathetic haul of serious silverware (1 trophy in 129 years). But we choked and lost to a makeshift (yes they had their injury problems too) third tier side in what was at times a shambolic performance that lacked any guile or nous throughout the team from Forster right through to Koeman on the bench. The manager is starting to show cracks in his abilities with some strange decisions to choose players to play out of position (Bertrand last night was a fish out of water) and to give Ward-Prowse two games in four days when he has been out for 8 weeks and not had a full day’s training. What Reed must be thinking I don’t know but being constantly overlooked while on the bench can be doing nothing for his confidence. If he is not good enough then put him back in the U21 squad. Koeman seems to make his mind up and then will not accept he may have got it wrong (I give you Jack Cork). Last night the players were all bickering among themselves, no one had any understanding of each other’s game and once Sheffield United scored the game was up because there was no one I repeat no one (except for one chance that fell to Mane) who looked like they knew where the goal was. It really was very sub-standard and concerning that the ship is increasingly rudderless. Pelle’s stupidity getting booked for what he did on Saturday cost us last night and he needs to shoulder some of the blame. I know we started this season very well with some of Koeman’s signings looking good business but I hate to say it I think there was an element of beginner’s luck because none of the new arrivals are covering themselves in glory at present. Tadic has become a shell of the player he appeared to be, no final delivery, poor crossing, weak finishing and worryingly already looks spent although the first Xmas cracker has yet to be pulled in earnest. Pelle blows hot and then very cold, his game is limited and he is no Lambert when it comes to holding up the ball and variety of movement. Mane sometimes resembles a headless chicken, he has pace and skill but nil awareness. Long? Well I have done my best to look for good in him but he is still exasperatingly getting caught for offside far too often and his finishing is poor. I am sure we could have prised Ings from Burnley for what he spent out on Long. And I had my first long look at Gardos last night, clumsy and uncertain were two words that quickly came to mind, he looked out of his depth and is a poor signing as he is a downgrade on Hooiveld and that is saying something. Clyne was awful last night, my son who bumps into him at clubs in the City says he is full of himself and arrogant and I just wonder whether the England recognition hasn’t gone to his head (a la Lallana) a little. Schneiderlin was petty and stupidly booked and he later kicked the ball away and could have been sent off. He is rash and petulant at times and when things aren’t going for him becomes headstrong. You could say the same about Wanyama too. I thought Targett had a good first half, our best player but then he got taken off for Isgrove (with Bertrand dropping back) but Koeman took the wrong man off (unless he was injured). Isgrove flattered to deceive, he will carve a career at League One level, like Gilllett and Hoskins, but no way is he Premiership or even Championship level. And finally Ward-Prowse, I just don’t see what the fuss is with this boy. Except from his delivery which is by far superior to anyone else (that in itself is a poor reflection) he is no more than a hard-working midfielder. Intelligent off the pitch he may be but he is no more than an ordinary player at the moment although as I mentioned earlier perhaps I am being a little unfair with him only recently coming back from injury. At least he looked up for it last night and he has the right mental attitude. So a very abject, disorganised performance from a group of players who looked like they had never met. Sorry this is a long ramble, I won’t be going to any more away games this season after last night’s horror show so this will be the last of my diatribes. If you made it thus far, thanks and one final word on the fans who travelled in numbers last night. Well done you did your city proud, it was an unacceptable shame the players could not respond accordingly. Apart from being wrong about Pelle that seems reasonably fair. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Halo Stickman Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 Duncan, that was a very fair report. +1. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simo Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 I personally thought when he came on Isgrove did well as did the team for the first 5 of the second half , then he got dragged down with the rest of them ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sadoldgit Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 Fair play to Sheffield United they stuck to their task and delivered the goods. My drive home through the endless rain felt similar to the walk back over Northam bridge on a dull winters day when we were meandering towards the Championship trap door (and the edge of the abyss) and Saints had put in another less than sparkling display. Top of my mither list is this bloody faffing about when we get in the vicinity of the oppos penalty box, it's almost like we take a register of the oppos players to make sure they are all back in their defensive positions and then we proceed to pit-pat the ball about and either lose possession or pass it back to Fraser!! This was driving me mad in the United game. There were chances to shoot where we were looking to play the ball around again and walk it into the net. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DT Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 re: Fitzhugh Fella's excellent post: Sounds fair to me. And worrying. But re one cup in 129 years - surely you're not ignoring our Football League Cup triumph over the mighty Carlisle? ;-) Doesn't augur well and especially if the lads are starting to implode/bicker. Here's hoping we at least put in a team performance against the toffees Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unbelievable Jeff Posted 17 December, 2014 Share Posted 17 December, 2014 Yeh he did say , I hold no grudges I would of even brought you a pint ! Nothing wrong having a bit of banter over differing options imo That's actually my point of view on the matter, wasn't going to be an issue... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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