Post-Match Reaction: SAINTS 1-1 Ipswich Town

[BILLY]

Gutted - We dominated the 2nd half but wasted all our opportunities, trying to walk the ball into the net. No one was brave enough to have a shot. Plus the fact that the ref bottled 3 / 4 calls we had for pens too. Feels like we lost.

 

Tough run of away games now. Utd, Ipswich and Newcastle away on the bounce.

 

Our squad is so thin. Prowse at Right Back? We still need another forward too, Pelle seems to have gone off the boil but at least Mane wont be going to the African Nations Cup as he is out of action for 4-6 weeks according to Ron - No good for us though either!

[bpsaint]

Poor game, we dominated the second half but seemed to run out of steam in and around the 18 yard box. Ipswich came to defend and frustrate and that's exactly what they did. Desperately in need of another striker, Long works hard but running around a lot doesn't get us wins.

 

Awful atmosphere today, why on earth we gave them the entire Northam is beyond me, why make things more accommodating from the travelling team?

[Saints foreva]

Poor game, we dominated the second half but seemed to run out of steam in and around the 18 yard box. Ipswich came to defend and frustrate and that's exactly what they did. Desperately in need of another striker, Long works hard but running around a lot doesn't get us wins.

 

Awful atmosphere today, why on earth we gave them the entire Northam is beyond me, why make things more accommodating from the travelling team?

 

FA Cup rules say we've got to give them at least 15% of our ground if they want it which is around 4,800 tickets. No idea why we opted to increase this by an extra 800 but 800 odd home fans in the Northam wouldn't have made much of an atmopshere anyway.

[CB Fry]

Well we can't blame the result on the match being on TV although if anyone had to listen to Merrington thy wouldn't be far wrong. Why doesn't Koeman keep his mouth shut and leave it to the players to do the talking. Almost identical to what he had to say pre match prior to our slump. And Scheiderlin may have scored, but once again, his presence in the line up doesn't see us getting a result.

Box of frogs.

[Goatboy]

FA Cup rules say we've got to give them at least 15% of our ground if they want it which is around 4,800 tickets. No idea why we opted to increase this by an extra 800 but 800 odd home fans in the Northam wouldn't have made much of an atmopshere anyway.

 

I quite like it when the Northam lot are spread around the ground. For me in Itchen South it's like getting a chance to sit at the back of the lesson with the naughty boys.

[bilbot79]

Skate??...or bellend or both?

 

 

Neither. Just don't think we need a replay right now

[whelk]

Why would Ipswich want a draw ? They have sights on promotion.

 

Incomprehensible as it may be to a sad f cker like you but some teams and fans want them to compete and win things. Other mugs get spun bs and attach themselves to the money side and have no hope and never enjoy anything.

[bpsaint]

FA Cup rules say we've got to give them at least 15% of our ground if they want it which is around 4,800 tickets. No idea why we opted to increase this by an extra 800 but 800 odd home fans in the Northam wouldn't have made much of an atmopshere anyway.

 

im pretty sure we can place segregation over a chunk of that allocation though, I've never had to move from my ST seat in block 41 before when away teams had taken the full allocation such as Pompey and Wolves in the Fa Cup. Chelsea a couple of years ago was the first time but we still kept block 40.

[SuperMikey]

Replay was my worst case scenario before the kick-off, we've got some really important league fixtures coming up that we need to be fresh for.

 

Regarding the importance of cup competitions, I would love to see Saints win a cup in the next couple of years but we've got a great shot at European football which we just can't pass up - priority has to be the league this season. I understand why people place so much importance on the cup but getting into Europe is vital for the club's progression and I wouldn't want to throw away our league standing with a cup run when we'll probably end up going out to a L1 team in 2 rounds anyway!

[Viking Saint]

Ipswich shut up shop in the second half and packed the defence....don't recall them having a single shot in the second half.....everyone seemed scared to have a shot on goal but Wanyama was immense today, nothing got past him....

[SaintSteve]

McCarthy certainly has them well organised at the back; with no shortage of agricultural football. Wanyama and Davis vied for MOM but for all Long's running, his ball control is sadly missing.. not good enough to start for a top four team; missed Mane.

[Saint Fan CaM]

Atmosphere was rubbish today caused largely by the manner in which our most vocal home supporters are split usunder by the stupid seating policy for away fans. Give them half the Itchen or find a way to herd them in the Chapel. Add this to kids spilling coke all over the place and for me the enjoyment of the occasion was spoilt.

 

As far as the team were concerned I thought they all had a fair game except Tadic who was just a waste of a jersey today - Isgrove was far better and into the game.

 

Incidentally, as far as Morgan is concerned, I've been told he's off this window. Not sure I believe it, but the source (friend of a coach) seems believable.

[cellone]

Cheers for the report Goats

[saintant]

Couldn't understand the logic of playing JWP right back - he can't tackle and has zero pace both of which are essentials for this position. Weird decision that for me.

[S-Clarke]

Pretty crap really, side was a bit lopsided, very little if any penetration and Pelle was left isolated - although didn't do a great deal to get himself involved in the game.

 

A very poor showing in the final third, although the usual midfield build up was tight and tidy.

 

Tricky, horrible away game to contend with now.

[trousers]

Just back from the game. Players didn't seem interested in the first half - we were playing in 2nd or 3rd gear. We dominated the second have but that was largely due to Ipswich deciding to park the bus rather than go for the win.

 

My MotM goes to Steven Davis.

 

I'd "play the kids" in the replay. As highlighted by Isgrove's introduction, they would be more up for it than our 'senior' starting 11.

[Huffton]

Ref/lino on the kinsland side were utter garbage. Two absolute stonewall pens not given, one so obvious that there were gouges in the pitch where the offence started but the ref chose to ignore them. However we can't rely on officials getting easy decisions right, we have to take chances. Second half we had plenty of chances, but again either made the wrong choice or tried to walk the ball into the net. Definitely need to rotate the squad a bit in the replay, as much as I would love us to have a good cup run the league position is too important to risk.

[Mowgli]

From a neutrals point of view I thought that was a decent cup tie that we were lucky to take to a replay. Bit like the 3rd round game against Villa in 76. We will have learnt a lot from today (hopefully)

[Wes Tender]

Just back from the game.

Thought we were poor for the first half hour. JWP, playing at right wing back, struggled with his positioning and lacks the pace to play there imho. Cost us the goal. To be fair, in the second half he had obviously been told to push much further forward and there was a huge improvement.

I thought Fonte and Gardos both had solid games and Bertrand did well too.

For me, the first half hour was the poorest I have seen Morgan play. He looked disinterested. After about half an hour he made a good run in behind their left back and that seemed to kick start his game. It needed it.

Tadic had a quiet night and it was noticeable that when he was replaced by Isgrove there was suddenly much more impetus to our play. I thought Isgrove was one of the bright points of a pretty dismal show really. He showed pace, tenacity and a hunger to receive the ball that most of our play otherwise lacked.

MOTM : Big Vic. Again. Best player on the park by some distance this evening.

Davis also had a much better game than he has of late. Some lovely turns and touches in the second half.

Pelle had a mare. Would have been better off resting him. And I'm not one to have a go normally.

Long did ok, put in a lot of work running the channels and threatened to get behind their defence on occasion, but there was a distinct lack of clear chances. Easy to big up the absentees but I think Mane would have had a field day.

Generally, we were not good enough in the final third and too ponderous getting there. Ipswich were there for the taking at the back and we didn't create enough to take advantage of it.

A quick word about the ref:

Sh*te. Again.

If we play anywhere near our best in the replay we should beat them comfortably.

 

Saves me typing a summary, as this is pretty well how I saw it. When you say that the ref was sh*te, there was a decent enough shout for two penalties, one for handball. And the linesman on the Kingsland side 2nd half made a couple of bizarre decisions too. We had numerous chances to have scored, but tried to walk the ball into the net rather than shooting whenever the chance arose.

[Charlie Wayman]

Poor performance against a mediocre team of little skill who parked the bus. Football doesn't get much duller than this. Thank goodness they don't do extra time as my will to live was right on the edge.

 

MotM you're kidding yeah?

[Wes Tender]

From a neutrals point of view I thought that was a decent cup tie that we were lucky to take to a replay. Bit like the 3rd round game against Villa in 76. We will have learnt a lot from today (hopefully)

 

Really? You'd really say that despite the level of possession we had, we were lucky too take it to a replay? I don't think that even a neutral would think that, except unless he was particularly short-sighted or lacking in intelligent objectivity.

[Toomer]

The ten minutes after we scored we had them on the ropes and and should have got a second Pelle tried pass the ball into the net instead of putting his laces through it. Second half we pressed and had a good number of chances to win it but couldn't take advantage of the chances we created., at times I thought they parked the tractor and the trailer in front of their goal. Thought we might have had a penalty when Long got fouled I was sure the first contact was inside the box.

[Saint Charlie]

Pretty poor, looked a bit jaded as a team.

 

Thought Davis was the only player who played at his normal high level.

 

JWP poor at RB first half and slightly better second half but so hesistant to try anything positive unless he has space for a cross.

 

Just got crowded out in the end and didnt have a spark to break them down.

 

Only times we got into good areas the touch of Pelle and especially Long let us down and we barely worked their keeper.

 

Suprised they went so defensive second half after being a threat on the counter attack in the first.

[The Cat]

Thought we were by far the best team, just sloppy around their box. As others have said the linesman were bizarre - the foul on Long looked inside the box from my angle.

 

Weird atmosphere. The Ipswich fans were good until we scored and then pretty quiet. From Block 26 I could hear blocks 1&2 giving it a go but not much else.

[tobes8]

Thought our final ball was awful and most crosses didn't get past the first man. Ipswich were well organised and got what they deserved.

[Pamplemousse]

http://www.radiotimes.com/episode/ddkbxq/match-of-the-day-live--201415-fa-cup-third-round-replay

 

BBC will be showing a replay live on the Wednesday so there's a pretty good chance our game will be shown.

[Shroppie]

Think I'll make the effort to go. If it's on TV, we'll struggle to get many there. A cheap train and B&B should be possible, and tickets will be peanuts.

[Goatboy]

Saves me typing a summary, as this is pretty well how I saw it. When you say that the ref was sh*te, there was a decent enough shout for two penalties, one for handball. And the linesman on the Kingsland side 2nd half made a couple of bizarre decisions too. We had numerous chances to have scored, but tried to walk the ball into the net rather than shooting whenever the chance arose.

 

Ref also missed a blatant tug on Bertrand when he was through in the penalty area.

[Goatboy]

Cheers for the report Goats

 

welcome.

[CB Fry]

http://www.radiotimes.com/episode/ddkbxq/match-of-the-day-live--201415-fa-cup-third-round-replay

 

BBC will be showing a replay live on the Wednesday so there's a pretty good chance our game will be shown.

With Fulham v Wolves and Doncaster v Bristol Rovers the competition I think we might have a decent chance.

[Professor]

Hard for any manager to admit an error but the selection and set-up today didn't work and wasn't entirely enforced. The options seemed to be a return to the back 3 using Fonte, Gardos and Alderweireld or bringing in a specialist RB in place of the injured Clyne. Jason McCarthy was regarded as capable enough to be on the bench but not capable enough to play ahead of an out-of-position midfielder. Can't have done McCarthy's confidence much good. It'd true that the attack was somewhat ineffective today but had we kept a clean sheet, the game would have been won.

[Shroppie]

With Fulham v Wolves and Doncaster v Bristol Rovers the competition I think we might have a decent chance.

According to the FA website the only other replay on Weds is Bradford vs Millwall. But could change if the the matches to be played tomorrow and Tues go to replays.

 

Spurs vs Burnley or Liverpool vs Wimbledon might be competition for us.

[Doctoroncall]

Couldn't understand the logic of playing JWP right back - he can't tackle and has zero pace both of which are essentials for this position. Weird decision that for me.

 

Especially as McCarthy was on the bench.

[DrZuess1979 the 2nd]

Meh

Ipswich offered very little apart from long balls and a handful of counters

For all our possession we couldn't find a killer pass

Davis my mom

2 blatant penaltys (from where I was anyway) maybe even 3 as I thought the foul on the line was a foot inside

[SaintH]

Hard for any manager to admit an error but the selection and set-up today didn't work and wasn't entirely enforced. The options seemed to be a return to the back 3 using Fonte, Gardos and Alderweireld or bringing in a specialist RB in place of the injured Clyne. Jason McCarthy was regarded as capable enough to be on the bench but not capable enough to play ahead of an out-of-position midfielder. Can't have done McCarthy's confidence much good. It'd true that the attack was somewhat ineffective today but had we kept a clean sheet, the game would have been won.

 

After the game Koeman said he didn't want to risk Toby as he had a slight problem with his hamstring. Not playing him therefore limited his options at the back and so couldn't play a back three.

 

We definitely need Clyne back for Man U. Either in a back four or three with wingbacks.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Roger]

Atmosphere was rubbish today caused largely by the manner in which our most vocal home supporters are split usunder by the stupid seating policy for away fans. Give them half the Itchen or find a way to herd them in the Chapel. Add this to kids spilling coke all over the place and for me the enjoyment of the occasion was spoilt.

 

As far as the team were concerned I thought they all had a fair game except Tadic who was just a waste of a jersey today - Isgrove was far better and into the game.

 

Incidentally, as far as Morgan is concerned, I've been told he's off this window. Not sure I believe it, but the source (friend of a coach) seems believable.

 

Koeman said we won't sell anyone in jan numerous times and Morgan had an interview last night saying he won't go in jan and will reassess at end of season.

[Roger]

Meh

Ipswich offered very little apart from long balls and a handful of counters

For all our possession we couldn't find a killer pass

Davis my mom

2 blatant penaltys (from where I was anyway) maybe even 3 as I thought the foul on the line was a foot inside

 

Davis needs to score tho. Missed a sitter and hadn't got a goal all season which he needs to improve on.

[Roger]

Pretty poor, looked a bit jaded as a team.

 

Thought Davis was the only player who played at his normal high level.

 

JWP poor at RB first half and slightly better second half but so hesistant to try anything positive unless he has space for a cross.

 

Just got crowded out in the end and didnt have a spark to break them down.

 

Only times we got into good areas the touch of Pelle and especially Long let us down and we barely worked their keeper.

 

Suprised they went so defensive second half after being a threat on the counter attack in the first.

 

Wanyama was good.

[Turkish]

Its at times like this I wish we'd kept Billy sharp.

[Leicestersaint]

I am very surprised that RK didn't use more than one sub - what would we have lost by bringing Seager on for Long, or Reed on for Davis, for instance?

[Saint Charlie]

I am very surprised that RK didn't use more than one sub - what would we have lost by bringing Seager on for Long, or Reed on for Davis, for instance?

 

Susb aren't of better quality than the players they would replace. Not the right time in a game like that IMO.

 

Koeman rarely has quality sub options to call upon.

[Graffito]

I

Just back from the game. Players didn't seem interested in the first half - we were playing in 2nd or 3rd gear. We dominated the second have but that was largely due to Ipswich deciding to park the bus rather than go for the win.

 

My MotM goes to Steven Davis.

 

I'dplay the kids" in the replay. As highlighted by Isgrove's introduction, they would be more up for it than our 'senior' starting 11.

 

Ditto. Two or three youngsters as fresh blood though rather than wholesale changes.

[Manuel]

Noticeable that we won very little in the air today, including Pelle. Generally lacked a bit of clinical finishing up front.

I think we played better after Tadic was subbed for Isgrove.

MOTM Davis. Bertrand, Fonte and Vic also good. Well played Morgan for battling and poaching the goal.

 

Second half much better, Pelle getting into the game a bit more, but again not clinical enough infront of goal.

[Graffito]

Noticeable that we won very little in the air today, including Pelle. Generally lacked a bit of clinical finishing up front.

I think we played better after Tadic was subbed for Isgrove.

MOTM Davis. Bertrand, Fonte and Vic also good. Well played Morgan for battling and poaching the goal.

 

Second half much better, Pelle getting into the game a bit more, but again not clinical enough infront of goal.

 

Pelle barely won a header all game.

[Mattio]

Hopefully we'll bring in a killer striker/ jay rod will return soon and a back up to Clyne that Koeman is confident to play in this sort of match.

[VectisSaint]

Really really poor today, all round, didn't seem too interested in the first half, but got better. Davis and Wanyama were the only players who really performed, some others were OK. Tadic and Pelle, were they actually playing, Pelle seems to have lost his way since shaving off his beard :-) JWP at RB was a complete joke (but to be fair Ronald has made very few mistakes so far). How can you play someone at RB who can't tackle, is too slow to track back and who is not quick enough to do the wing? JWP will be a top player one day but it certainly won't be as a right back. Really impressed by Isgrove when he came on, really made a difference and has bags of pace and not a little skill. Morgan had one of his worst games, I felt sure Ronald would sub him at half time as he was on a yellow, but credit for the goal. Long was poor.

 

If I really had to name MOTM at least on first half performance I would have said Tyrone Mings, though he faded in the second (and got booked), pity we let him go, he really does look useful. It was great vision and run to get behind JWP for the cross for their goal.

 

The atmosphere was awful - what other club allows its singing end to be completely (well almost) sold to the visitors, it was like being at an away match today, and all the kids and first timers made it shocking (sorry if that makes me sound curmudgeonly). This really needs to be sorted out, we need the vocal support that our "home end" should give us especially in a Cup match. We really need to get the away support in a side or corner.

 

What was with the queues to get into the Chapel, I heard the turnstiles were not working, but ours in the Itchen were fine. Programmes sold out well before the game outside, but they were selling them inside still at half-time around the pitch.

 

Still at least it was only £15 for me and the daughter today so perhaps I should not complain too much

[scotty]

Its at times like this I wish we'd kept Billy sharp.

 

Kept him sharp for what, turks?

[Badger]

Just back from the match, so a few random thoughts/observations;

 

Should have won, but possesion simply not converted into real scoring opportunities, and those that came not threatening enough. Too often we tried another pass around the penalty area rather than someone 'driving forward', or heaven forbid taking initiative and shooting.

 

JWP - first half, was a square peg in a round hole. As early as the first minute or so, he was woefully out of position; straight out of the Danny Fox School of full back play, standing nearly by the middle of the penalty area leaving acres between him and 'his' touchline for Ipwaich to ride coach and horses through the gap. No surprise that the build up for their goal came on that flank. He was better second half.

 

Midfield - didn't grab control of the first half as they should have done. Wanyama never beaten in midfield, or not that I can remember.

 

Davis - MoM for me, our most creative player, and the one most likely to unpick their defence.

 

Long - a few touches, great effort, but for all his 'huff and puff', not the player you want to rely on in taking a chance

 

Pelle - frustrating display.

 

Tadic - seemed pretty anonymous for much of the match before being taken off.

 

Penalty appeals - sat in the Chapel End today (for an enforced change, but it won't become a habit!) so had a reasonable view in the second half, two appeals looked more out of hope than expectation. Thw shoulder challenge on Long though I thought started in the box so IF it was worthy of a freekick as given, it should have been a penalty. Not sure who'd have taken it or if we'd scored.

 

Substitutions - would like to have seen Seagar get a run out late on.

 

Atmosphere - poor, due to ticket re-arrangements etc.

[Badger]

1976 of course started off with a 1-1 draw at home in the Third Round. Didn't turn out too badly did it ?

[Bucks Saint]

Susb aren't of better quality than the players they would replace. Not the right time in a game like that IMO.

 

Koeman rarely has quality sub options to call upon.

 

Seager more likely to score than several others in the team. At least worth giving him a run out for the last 15