Saints V Leicester (A)

[spyinthesky]

Had a quick look on the Leicester Forums

 

General comments are

 

* Saints a very decent side

* Simpson their MOTM especially for his 'save'

* Foster played very well

* 50% reckon that Leicester were fortunate to get away with both penalty shouts

* They all seem very confident of winning the League now (why wouldn't they be?)

Apparently they have gained the equivalent of 91 points from the same stage as last year when they were 7 points short of safety

They also seem to have won 18 points more than any other team during this period

* They were very appreciative of the Saints fans singing 'Your going to win the League' after the game.

[stknowle]

Saints fans clapping Leicester whilst the game is still going and singing"You're going to win the league".

 

Did that really happen? If so could not agree more:mcinnes::mcinnes:

[Donatello]

He's become a complete joke. One week you see Long working his balls off for the team, relentlessly chasing defenders and forcing mistakes, and the next week you see Pelle with his hands on his hips (if not screaming in the ref's face) because the ball into him isn't inch perfect

 

Besides the static box play today, the most frustrating moment for me was when Steven Davis was counter-attacking, Pelle, rather than run with play/at the defense, decided to pause and offer a short ball option a few yards over the halfway line, leaving Davis with only Mane ahead of him. I mean, what was Pelle planning to do, knock a 40 yard ball over the top for Mane? 'Cos that's his bread and butter Surely he should be running forward, pulling defenders with him, creating space for Davis, looking for a through ball, etc.

[Batman]

Besides the static box play today, the most frustrating moment for me was when Steven Davis was counter-attacking, Pelle, rather than run with play/at the defense, decided to pause and offer a short ball option a few yards over the halfway line, leaving Davis with only Mane ahead of him. I mean, what was Pelle planning to do, knock a 40 yard ball over the top for Mane? 'Cos that's his bread and butter Surely he should be running forward, pulling defenders with him, creating space for Davis, looking for a through ball, etc.

pelle was getting a hammering from the taters on my stream when bertrand had his shot....they were saying as Ryan made his way into the box, Pelle should have been getting central/move to the far post to offer a target to hit. He ran towards bertrand and got in his way

 

they were also highlighting his non-movement when the ball was wide

 

but, he is ron's man. he will start next week

Long is miles better in his position, never mind when playing 532 and wanting to counter

Edited 3 April, 2016 by Batman

[shurlock]

poor balls in most of the game

floaty balls into a static pelle. never really going to work

 

Whatever you say about Pelle, few attackers would have got on the end of that floated ****. The quality from our right hand side has gone down in particular this season. Never mind his crosses, when has Cedric taken on and got behind an opponent?

Given the way Koeman sets us up, won't be surprised if we sign an old-fashioned winger over a no.10.

[Batman]

Whatever you say about Pelle, few attackers would have got on the end of that floated ****. The quality from our right hand side has gone down in particular. Never mind his crosses, when has Cedric taken on and got past a player?

Given the way Koeman sets us up, won't be surprised if we sign an old-fashioned winger over a no.10.

 

fair point. Cedric was very poor. Either this is a blip or we need another new right back in the summer.

[Saint Charlie]

Whatever you say about Pelle, few attackers would have got on the end of that floated ****. The quality from our right hand side has gone down in particular this season. Never mind his crosses, when has Cedric taken on and got behind an opponent?

Given the way Koeman sets us up, won't be surprised if we sign an old-fashioned winger over a no.10.

Cedric seems to lack confidence in his pace to take players on down the outside which is odd as his acceleration is decent.

 

Clyne was excellent at that short burst of pace near the box...and also wasn't afraid to try it.

 

I'm not convinced by Cedric all round really and seems Koeman isn't either.

[Mattio]

https://twitter.com/footy_fooligans/status/716642987707641856 #facepalm

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[stknowle]

https://twitter.com/footy_fooligans/status/716642987707641856 #facepalm

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Genuinely very very embarrassing. Jesus christ

[captainchris]

Well we've had the one reasonable performance out of Pelle it would and today he was his normal dreadful static self. Koeman will pick him for ever which is stunting our progress. We have to drop Pelle to ensure we have movement and players that actually attack the ball and make runs niether of Pelle does... Not good enough for this team - unload him....

[OldNick]

can you imagine it on here if we had signed Vardy, Huth , Morgan and co 2 seasons ago?It is great having the academy but buying deent footballers from the English lower leagues ca be good

 

Good luck to Leicester, I wish it was us but a nice change. they rode their luck today.

 

we also need to whip the ball in instead of the little floaty stuff

[wadesmith]

https://twitter.com/footy_fooligans/status/716642987707641856 #facepalm

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Even Villa Fans are laughing at us for this.

[The Cat]

Thought it was bad enough seeing a Saints fan wearing a Leicester scarf in the ground but that video is unbelievable.

 

Saw loads of ours filming their celebrations at the end. Some of our fans are pathetic.

[Batman]

to top it off, England get bummed in the last over when it was there to win

[MbaleSaint]

Did that really happen? If so could not agree more:mcinnes::mcinnes:

 

I was there and didn't hear it.

[Dark Munster]

Well it's not an entirely unexpected result, although it's a little frustrating.

 

Overall we played quite well but our final balls were terrible and we had nobody to get on the end of anything anyway, because Pelle had one of his worst games for us so far IMO.

 

As for the Leicester love-in - I'm ambivalent about it really. Yes it will be great to see a team other than one of the usual suspects win the title, but seeing what they have done this season just makes me wonder what we might have achieved in our Pochettino season had we not been so horrendously unlucky with injuries. Leicester have been amazingly fortunate in that respect this season. If they had been forced to play a whole month with 6 first-choice players out injured, as we did, they wouldn't be anywhere near where they are now.

Over on one of the Leicester forums they dispute that, saying that the "sports science" (or something like that) that Pearson introduced is the reason they have so few injuries. They are either talking bollocks, or if not, it's something we should try to emulate.

[Badger]

Over on one of the Leicester forums they dispute that, saying that the "sports science" (or something like that) that Pearson introduced is the reason they have so few injuries. They are either talking bollocks, or if not, it's something we should try to emulate.

 

Isn't the "sports science" thing something we built the whole Staplewood centre around, and were considered ahead of the game at one point ? We even had an 'injury prevention' specialist, until he was poached by Man Utd. Not sure if he was ever replaced, but I think he later left them after a run of injuries also.

[shurlock]

Over on one of the Leicester forums they dispute that, saying that the "sports science" (or something like that) that Pearson introduced is the reason they have so few injuries. They are either talking bollocks, or if not, it's something we should try to emulate.

 

Then they're talking ****. What constitutes best practice is pretty much public knowledge, so every club will be doing a variant of it. At best, they may give a side a small competitive advantage. Leicester's injury record, by comparison, is freakish.

[Sour Mash]

Well it's not an entirely unexpected result, although it's a little frustrating.

 

Overall we played quite well but our final balls were terrible and we had nobody to get on the end of anything anyway, because Pelle had one of his worst games for us so far IMO.

 

As for the Leicester love-in - I'm ambivalent about it really. Yes it will be great to see a team other than one of the usual suspects win the title, but seeing what they have done this season just makes me wonder what we might have achieved in our Pochettino season had we not been so horrendously unlucky with injuries. Leicester have been amazingly fortunate in that respect this season. If they had been forced to play a whole month with 6 first-choice players out injured, as we did, they wouldn't be anywhere near where they are now.

We were never even remotely close to doing anything comparable to Leicester under Pochettino, before or after any injuries.

[DuncanRG]

We were third until February. I suppose it's subjective whether that counts as being remotely close to Leicester.

 

EDIT: Sorry, that was last season, my mistake.

[Saint Billy]

We did'nt fire on all cylinders today, we had a go and gave them a scare but all in all we missed that cutting edge. When we bring on JWP as a game changer I pretty much know the game is lost.

 

We've done reasonably well this season but I think a few changes are needed to take us to that next level.

 

Well done Leicester, hope you go all the way.

[Sour Mash]

We did'nt fire on all cylinders today, we had a go and gave them a scare but all in all we missed that cutting edge. When we bring on JWP as a game changer I pretty much know the game is lost.

Is that what you thought against Liverpool?

[Batman]

We were third until February. I suppose it's subjective whether that counts as being remotely close to Leicester.

 

EDIT: Sorry, that was last season, my mistake.

 

I think Bexy was suggesting that with the Poch side, with the lack of injuries like Leicester, we would have been serious contenders for a champions league spot

[barney]

Absolute stonewall penalty,he moved his arm to stop the ball.

How was that not deliberate?

[ericofarabia]

After watching replays on the two "hand balls" there are major questions. Expecially on the Austin cross, that looked pretty blatant and would have been a penalty shot. The Mane one you could argue that it was unintentional, but then again it would have been a goal if not.

 

The whole handball situation is farcical. It should be the same as fouls, whereby probably up to 70 - 80% of fouls are not intentional, a geniuine attempt to get the ball has been made, but an ADVANTAGE has been gained by the attempted tackle.

 

Same thing with Handballs, many are not intentional but was advantage gained? In both situations today undoubtably YES. If the 1st one hadn't hit the arm square on but continued towards the moving player, who is to say where the ball would have gone. Glanced off his back into the goal, off his hip into the goal? A split second either side as his momentum took him forwards and a goal is likely. I'm pretty sure he adjusted his arm to deflect the ball downwards though. The stupid rule of denying a goal meaning a RED means Refs are tending to be lenient to "accidental" handballs, to avoid a harsh sending off. Anywhere else on the pitch the ref would have given a free kick straight away both times. 2nd one Advantage most certainly gained. End off.

 

Moot point if we'd scored either of course!!

[kwsaint]

Just back. We weathered the first 20 minutes, got on top, then gave away a soft goal. Spent the rest of the game passing the ball outside their penalty area, without really threatening. Schmeicel didn't have a shot to save. Then kind of gave up with 10 mins to go. Leicester are a frustrating team to play against. They are seriously well organised, defend for their lives, and then break quickly. Nothing we didn't know

 

Mane should have scored in the first half. It was more that his shot hit the defender, when he should have just stuck it in. The Saints players didn't protest which we took as meaning no pen. No idea about the Huth handball as it was down the other end.

 

The disappointing thing was that we were never set up to attack them. Pelle is simply not mobile enough at times and Cedric needs to practise crossing and taking throw ins. Could really have done with Long to inject some pace. A few shots on goal wouldn't go amiss.

 

Think Leicester will win the league now. Supporters were a friendly bunch - think that they are still pinching themselves. Think that they will get found out next season. Lose a couple of key players and teams will work out how to play them. Just a pity that RK didn't work that out today.

[Crab Lungs]

Can someone explain to me why we were pelting crosses into two of the most dominant and aerially comfortable centre halves in the league?

[Jonnyboy]

Can someone explain to me why we were pelting crosses into two of the most dominant and aerially comfortable centre halves in the league?

 

Because they are vulnerable in the air according to the stattos.

[DuncanRG]

Think Leicester will win the league now. Supporters were a friendly bunch - think that they are still pinching themselves. Think that they will get found out next season. Lose a couple of key players and teams will work out how to play them. Just a pity that RK didn't work that out today.

 

I'd be surprised if they lose many or any players. Why leave a title winning team with such brilliant camaraderie, when the TV money's just kicking in? Vardy's new contract shows they're willing to be competitive on wages, so unless Madrid or Barca come in I think they'll want to stay put.

[Saint Charlie]

Think Bertrand is pretty spot on with this assessment:

 

http://mobile.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/20160403-ryan-bertrand-post-leicester-city-1-0-southampton-3040808.aspx

[Charlie Wayman]

Without Long we seem clueless. Can you believe that, Shane Long our most reliable player by far except for Fraser, bless his little old cotton socks?

 

We've had so many years even decades of these types of let-downs that you'd think one more wouldn't matter, well it does. It hurts and the players should know that its the long suffering fans who have to pick up the pieces after the mess that they've created. Fighting for a European place my a***!

 

Time for wholesale changes and let's get in a few players with a bit of backbone, fight and passion in them.

[maxi_sopez]

Just back from game. Didn't look like dead cert penalty from where we were standing.

 

Thought we were poor. Why we decided the best tactic was putting in loopy slow crosses into the middle was a good idea I will never know. Huth and Morgan found it so easy. Also they should have wrapped it up if it wasn't for Forster.

 

Good atmos but found the clapping of them singing top of the league songs a bit ott.

[saintant]

Stonewall penalty and sending off for me when Mane's shot was stopped by the arm of the Leicester player. He could have tried to move his arm out of the way but made no attempt to which can only mean he was deliberately and knowingly using it to help block the ball.

[Saint Billy]

Is that what you thought against Liverpool?

 

My comments are based on this season so far, why, do you disagree?

[Sheaf Saint]

I think Bexy was suggesting that with the Poch side, with the lack of injuries like Leicester, we would have been serious contenders for a champions league spot

 

Well, my point was that when we were up in the CL places in the early part of that season, somebody started a thread asking if we were in a genuine title race, only to be belittled and ridiculed by certain posters for it. The consensus at the time was that IF we could keep our starting 11 fit and injury-free we were a match for anybody and could be in with a serious shout of the CL. Then we had a horrific run of injuries and had to start quite a few games with Gazza in goal, and it all went pear-shaped.

 

Undoubtedly, earlier in this season there was a similar discussion on the Leicester forum when it was clear their early season form was no fluke. And undoubtedly the Foxes forum equivalent of Turkish came along and slapped down anybody who dared to suggest that they might actually be in with a shout of the title. But they have proved that our discussion at that time was not so far-fetched, because they have shown that with hard work, a good defence and some very good luck with injuries, a 'little' team can have a good season and mix it with the big boys right to the end.

 

So when I said I am ambivalent about their success, it's because although I'm happy to see a smaller team break the stranglehold of the mega-money clubs, I'm obviously a little bitter that it is Leicester that have done it and not us when we looked like we might threaten to over the last two seasons.

[S-Clarke]

Without Long we seem clueless. Can you believe that, Shane Long our most reliable player by far except for Fraser, bless his little old cotton socks?

 

We've had so many years even decades of these types of let-downs that you'd think one more wouldn't matter, well it does. It hurts and the players should know that its the long suffering fans who have to pick up the pieces after the mess that they've created. Fighting for a European place my a***!

 

Time for wholesale changes and let's get in a few players with a bit of backbone, fight and passion in them.

 

Well it's not surprising to see you spout a load of tripe.

[DuncanRG]

Without Long we seem clueless. Can you believe that, Shane Long our most reliable player by far except for Fraser, bless his little old cotton socks?

 

We've had so many years even decades of these types of let-downs that you'd think one more wouldn't matter, well it does. It hurts and the players should know that its the long suffering fans who have to pick up the pieces after the mess that they've created. Fighting for a European place my a***!

 

Time for wholesale changes and let's get in a few players with a bit of backbone, fight and passion in them.

 

We've just lost 1-0 away at the team seven points clear at the top. A little perspective wouldn't go amiss.

[Verbal Kint]

Think Bertrand is pretty spot on with this assessment:

 

http://mobile.saintsfc.co.uk/news/article/20160403-ryan-bertrand-post-leicester-city-1-0-southampton-3040808.aspx

 

A much better and more honest assessment than Koeman banging on about referee decisions

[Saints foreva]

 

Why? :mcinnes::mcinnes:

[Forester]

A good day out, disappointed to lose and frustrated with Mane for not burying a one on one rather than the referee. Having a read of some of the cyber warriors on here I thought I had logged on to the wrong forum. We have just lost 1-0 to a side about to win the league. We look set for a third consecutive top 10 finish, possibly top 8, and have a great manager and a good squad. Do people remember going to Dagenham & Redbridge six years ago? The world has not ended

[Dalek2003]

Saints fans clapping Leicester whilst the game is still going and singing"You're going to win the league".

 

and then the Saints players joining in at the end.

[DrZuess1979 the 2nd]

We were unlucky

And I think that's what lcfc have had this season the luck and lots of it, but

They have been by far the most consistent so deserve it

I don't think the mane effort was deliberate hand ball, but the huth hand ball I've seen given plenty of times

 

I am I the only one that doesn't get why people rave over drinkwater ?

[Andy Durman]

Absolute stonewall penalty,he moved his arm to stop the ball.

How was that not deliberate?

 

Ball going into goal, hits arm moving towards ball.

 

Absolute stonewall penalty, unless your a f**king useless referee

[Dalek2003]

Without Long we seem clueless. Can you believe that, Shane Long our most reliable player by far except for Fraser, bless his little old cotton socks?

 

We've had so many years even decades of these types of let-downs that you'd think one more wouldn't matter, well it does. It hurts and the players should know that its the long suffering fans who have to pick up the pieces after the mess that they've created. Fighting for a European place my a***!

 

Time for wholesale changes and let's get in a few players with a bit of backbone, fight and passion in them.

 

Stop being a WUM. Nothing was riding on this game for Saints. We lost 1-0 to a team that may possibly soon be the PL Champions. Visit the 'Barcode' forums, or revisit the year we were relegated after losing to Manure on the last day. That hurts.

Today was a pin *****.

[Daft Kerplunk]

Bertrand is right, hopefully the next step involves him, the best of our players plus a couple more in the summer. Ultimately we need players who want to make Southampton FC as good as it can be with them in the team leading it, no showcase players, just players who like the look of the fairytale of Leicester and want to create a piece of that here.

[eurosaint]

So, we lost 1-0 away to the runaway league leaders and had a couple of controversial decisions go against us !

We remain 7th in the top division !

Having just read this thread, I somehow thought that the end of the world was nigh, am I missing something ????

[Andy Durman]

A good day out, disappointed to lose and frustrated with Mane for not burying a one on one rather than the referee. Having a read of some of the cyber warriors on here I thought I had logged on to the wrong forum. We have just lost 1-0 to a side about to win the league. We look set for a third consecutive top 10 finish, possibly top 8, and have a great manager and a good squad. Do people remember going to Dagenham & Redbridge six years ago? The world has not ended

 

I went to Dagenham Redbridge when we won 3-1 that was a great day out

[Hockey_saint]

I'll be honest, after Hoddle, Potch, the attempted Spiderman tap-up and the Toby screwjob last year; I don't feel as bad about this result as I should. Am I the only one that feels slightly better that we've probably ruined Spurs' chances of the title? Small things I suppose.

[Badger]

I went to Dagenham Redbridge when we won 3-1 that was a great day out

 

But for Rickie Lambert I thought we were Dagenham & Redbridge .

[Sour Mash]

A much better and more honest assessment than Koeman banging on about referee decisions

There's not a manager in the League that wouldn't have a moan after our last three games of refereeing decisions. Koeman is generally pretty reasonable when it comes to talking about refs and their errors.