Manuel Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 They lost to Championship side Middlesbrough at the weekend. Gulp! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hackedoff Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 Cant blame Puel for that pathetic performance , thought I was watching Sunderland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilchards Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 I've seen loads of videos during the pre season and our attacking players are hitting the back of the net quite frequently. Then you start watching some pre season friendlies and the standards of our goalkeeper before you realise it's them who make our very own look good in training. 5 year contract ha ha. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eurosaint Posted 2 August, 2017 Author Share Posted 2 August, 2017 Not great TBF, but this result means as much as the 3-0 away to St Etienne ! Saturday will be far more telling in terms of the best first 11, selected tactics and performance ! I've seen cr@p pre-seasons many times which did not result in bad seasons so keep the faith ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davefoggy Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 i do seem to remember Koemans first pre season wasn't that great Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wild-saint Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 When was the last time saints scored at home? It will be a pub quiz question sooon ffs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beatlesaint Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 It might be a pre season friendly and the result is meaningless but **** me there were some serious concerns with that midfield and defence. Reminded me of pre season a few years back when that centre half we had on loan from Reading - Bennett was it - played and we lost 4-1 at home the week before the season started. Still it's ok cos Stephens and Yoshida together will sort it out apparently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Duckhunter Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 Some of you clowns need to grow a pair. Pre season is all about getting match fit, results are secondary. I can't remember how any pre seasons have gone & ive been watching since 1969. I'm sure there's a few sad sacks that'll know, but ffs, nobody cares. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilchards Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 When was the last time saints scored at home? It will be a pub quiz question sooon ffs. Will be what year soon? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperSAINT Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 Some of you clowns need to grow a pair. Pre season is all about getting match fit, results are secondary. I can't remember how any pre seasons have gone & ive been watching since 1969. I'm sure there's a few sad sacks that'll know, but ffs, nobody cares. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk I'm not sure our coach will be thinking "at least they are fitter" after that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 On the basis of that, Forster still looks worryingly slow, Bednarek isn't anywhere near good enough, Pied ok, Yosh and Stephens too early in the air, Hojbjerg lightweight and error prone, DM without Romeu is a disaster area. Long isn't a winger. Austin too static. Let's hope we're saving it for Saturday. This is depressing: Puel's lack of creativity without his reasonably strong defence. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk This is accurate. The reality is that even the best manager can't turn a squad that is filled with average players into a decent side. MP has tried to open us up and make us more attacking but the problem is that a) our attacking players aren't good enough to create and take chances and b) playing a more expansive style our weak CB and DM (poor Romeu) areas are horribly exposed. This has got to be the worst/most complacent pre season I can remember. I thought last year was bad but at least we brought a few players. This summer our business has been dreadful and even if we address the problem areas now we've left it very late. My concern is that the club hierarchy genuinely believe we've got a quality squad when clearly it is desperately lacking in some areas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint97 Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 It's fine guys! Bednarek, Yoshida and Stephens are brilliant players. Top 7 challenge here we come. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shroppie Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 Tonight and Saturday should have been about fine adjustments and getting the team used to playing the manager wants , so I was surprised with tonight's starting eleven , very experimental at this point ???If it was a final audition for Bednarek, he failed. I hope Saturday's team is something like Forster (as no alternative) Cedric/Pied Yoshida Stephens Bertrand Romeu Davis Tadic JWP Boufal Gabbiadini Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintsmike25 Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 Wasn't that bothered about the first half, the game was even and we should have been ahead. However the second half was diabolical. Simply put, the shape and the way we pressed was terrible and we looked too scared to put in a tackle. Two goals from set pieces (one was second phase) and two from NO closing down in our own half! A few things to take from this, without Romeu, neither Clasie or Holberg look like they will be anything more than average. And I used to like Hol, but he's simply an average player who lets games pass him by. He may be young but he's not technically gifted enough or confident enough. JWP was our best player, he gambled and was on the end of things, unlucky not to score. Pied was shocking, some tackles but he's awful at closing down space. Austin/Gabbi - both didn't get a touch most of the time. Bedanek - NOT ready or close to ready. McQueen - bang average, always will be. Redmond, one nice shot but simply looking for a move you can tell. I'll say this, the VVD situation has spread to our better players, the likes of Redmond/Tadic/Bertrand are all itching to move you can tell and the whole situation is toxic. I'm beyond caring where he goes, but simply put we need 11 men and a squad that fights even in friendlies. Not one that couldn't give a crap what the result is. When fans turn up in the rain to watch you - put some effort in at least. We need that £60m from the sale of VVD to reinvest in the squad, we're fine on strikers, but badly need new blood at CB/CM, and I hope we can get rid of Clasie and unless Hol improves dramatically he's a goner too. My issue with Saints now is that we have no match winners anymore and with our team being so average in most positions other than Tadic/Gabbi/Austin/Romeu/Bertrand - Then we are far too light. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eurosaint Posted 2 August, 2017 Author Share Posted 2 August, 2017 This is accurate. The reality is that even the best manager can't turn a squad that is filled with average players into a decent side. MP has tried to open us up and make us more attacking but the problem is that a) our attacking players aren't good enough to create and take chances and b) playing a more expansive style our weak CB and DM (poor Romeu) areas are horribly exposed. This has got to be the worst/most complacent pre season I can remember. I thought last year was bad but at least we brought a few players. This summer our business has been dreadful and even if we address the problem areas now we've left it very late. My concern is that the club hierarchy genuinely believe we've got a quality squad when clearly it is desperately lacking in some areas. I presume that you are a very young man ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dangermouth Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 Why bother signing Badnerak - carbon copy of Gardos. Exactly what I thought (except he might actually be worse). What did you make of the tactics and formation/structure, especially second half? My description at times would be 'headless under 8s meet grown up team'. You can see why VvD wants better players signed. It's interesting how decent, but not great defenders find it quite easy to nullify Tadic and Boufal, that showed against ASSE too, even though we won. It was nice to see Yoshida play some decent through balls and not so nice to see we actually have created very little for the centre forward, whoever that might be. Saturday will be interesting. The kit looks good; anyone think Keegan would fancy a run out in it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pangy Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 Nothing to really suggest anything has changed from last season, and why have we not added,are the board playing a dangerous game where they expected us to be sold by now so were hoping the new owners would add funds? I am always optimistic but to go into this season looking the same way as last feels with with dread at what might happen if we do not come good Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crab Lungs Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 I said and have been saying for years... the solidity of our spine is what made us a good side and that we've needed a defensive mid Since wanyama went. Oriel on his own is no good And I'd take Boruc back on a free every day of the week Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crab Lungs Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 Oh and Martina over Pied. Turd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dangermouth Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 But at least we have 'The Wall' when all else fails. Is that why he never moves? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eelpie Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 They lost to Championship side Middlesbrough at the weekend. Yes, but it was only pre-season lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saint77 Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 I presume that you are a very young man ? Think koeman s first pre season was bad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DT Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 Build from the back. Get a good keeper and CB at least. Oh, wait. It's nearly next season. Run by clowns. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hodgey Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 That needs to be a blip - players looked unfit and not bothered. Didn't look like scoring and defensively weak, plus lightweight all over the park. If that is our standard even buying messi won't help. Let's see what they do vs Seville but can't see how anyone saw any positives in any of that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNSUN Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 Brilliant result for Saints. The perfect result to show we need signings, and still with a month to sign them. Better now than getting smashed by Huddersfield on the 27th August when it's too late to do much about it! #positivity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dangermouth Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 Wasn't that bothered about the first half, the game was even and we should have been ahead. However the second half was diabolical. Simply put, the shape and the way we pressed was terrible and we looked too scared to put in a tackle. Two goals from set pieces (one was second phase) and two from NO closing down in our own half! A few things to take from this, without Romeu, neither Clasie or Holberg look like they will be anything more than average. And I used to like Hol, but he's simply an average player who lets games pass him by. He may be young but he's not technically gifted enough or confident enough. JWP was our best player, he gambled and was on the end of things, unlucky not to score. Pied was shocking, some tackles but he's awful at closing down space. Austin/Gabbi - both didn't get a touch most of the time. Bedanek - NOT ready or close to ready. McQueen - bang average, always will be. Redmond, one nice shot but simply looking for a move you can tell. I'll say this, the VVD situation has spread to our better players, the likes of Redmond/Tadic/Bertrand are all itching to move you can tell and the whole situation is toxic. I'm beyond caring where he goes, but simply put we need 11 men and a squad that fights even in friendlies. Not one that couldn't give a crap what the result is. When fans turn up in the rain to watch you - put some effort in at least. We need that £60m from the sale of VVD to reinvest in the squad, we're fine on strikers, but badly need new blood at CB/CM, and I hope we can get rid of Clasie and unless Hol improves dramatically he's a goner too. My issue with Saints now is that we have no match winners anymore and with our team being so average in most positions other than Tadic/Gabbi/Austin/Romeu/Bertrand - Then we are far too light. I pretty much agree with all of this, unfortunately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Donatello Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 What's happened to McCarthy? Is he injured again? (curious, regardless of my opinion of Forster) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 If it was a final audition for Bednarek, he failed. I hope Saturday's team is something like Forster (as no alternative) Cedric/Pied Yoshida Stephens Bertrand Romeu Davis Tadic JWP Boufal Gabbiadini Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk Jwp was ****ing dreadful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danjosaint Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 Pied was dreadful Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lets B Avenue Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 It might be a pre season friendly and the result is meaningless but **** me there were some serious concerns with that midfield and defence. Reminded me of pre season a few years back when that centre half we had on loan from Reading - Bennett was it - played and we lost 4-1 at home the week before the season started. That wasn't pre-season. It was the opening game of the 07/08 season and Palace thumped us 4-1. We followed that up 2 days later by losing 2-1 at Peterborough in the League Cup. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobes8 Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 i do seem to remember Koemans first pre season wasn't that great He didn't have any players Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom28 Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 Well that was terrible. Highlighted weakness which, for me, is a lack of physical presence down the spine of the team. Without VVD, which we have to plan for, we need a big imposing centre back and a big imposing DM. Sell VVD (and one of Clasie or Hojbjerg), bring in Hoedt and break the bank and bring in Danilo Pereira. Imagine this line up: Forster Cedric Stephens Hoedt Bertrand Romeu Pereira Redmond JwP Tadic Gabbiadini Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shroppie Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 Brilliant result for Saints. The perfect result to show we need signings, and still with a month to sign them. Better now than getting smashed by Huddersfield on the 27th August when it's too late to do much about it! [emoji38] #positivityI won't be surprised if we lose to Uddersfield on the 27th since we'll be tired after playing them the day before! [emoji6] Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shroppie Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 Jwp was ****ing dreadful.No he wasn't. Probably our best player. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperSAINT Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 Well that was terrible. Highlighted weakness which, for me, is a lack of physical presence down the spine of the team. Without VVD, which we have to plan for, we need a big imposing centre back and a big imposing DM. Sell VVD (and one of Clasie or Hojbjerg), bring in Hoedt and break the bank and bring in Danilo Pereira. Imagine this line up: Forster Cedric Stephens Hoedt Bertrand Romeu Pereira Redmond JwP Tadic Gabbiadini Can we have Carvalho, please? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toadhall Saint Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 Hmmm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toomer Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 Reality check for the new man tonight I think he has just found out what a big job he has got on his hands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobes8 Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 I agree but the frustrations stem from last seasons weaknesses that haven't been addressed. We ended the season poorly and no matter who the manager is it's going to be a struggle with virtually the same squad. But it could all be different on the 1st day if the season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
striker Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 I am a little baffled by the midfield play today. My only conclusion is that MP was trying another formation/tactic, since that is what preseason is for. I know we play better than that. I dont think you can make much judgement about the defenders or forward play today because the center field was so bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greenridge Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 Well that was terrible. Highlighted weakness which, for me, is a lack of physical presence down the spine of the team. Without VVD, which we have to plan for, we need a big imposing centre back and a big imposing DM. Sell VVD (and one of Clasie or Hojbjerg), bring in Hoedt and break the bank and bring in Danilo Pereira. Imagine this line up: Forster Cedric Stephens Hoedt Bertrand Romeu Pereira Redmond JwP Tadic Gabbiadini I dont like to imagine any formation that has Forster as our last line of defence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 No he wasn't. Probably our best player. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk Mate he was terrible. That finish from the cross was awful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bad Wolf Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 Bloody hell that was embarrassing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LGTL Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 The annoying thing is that we are only about 3 players away from a really impressive starting 11. The lack of investment in the first 11 over the last couple of years has been ridiculous. Yoshida, Pied, Targett, McQueen, PEH, Clasie, and Long should be nowhere near the staring 11. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farawaysaint Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 Glorious victory Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GAS Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 Got to hope it's just pre season stuff and take heart from the fact that even Bayern Munich can lose 0-4 at home pre season. I'm sure they will still win the Bundesliga and we will finish in the top half. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whelk Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 Missed tonight but assume a stream was up as some of the cnts on here won't be seen dead going to a game and supporting the team. Sounds dire though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
captainchris Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 Some of you clowns need to grow a pair. Pre season is all about getting match fit, results are secondary. I can't remember how any pre seasons have gone & ive been watching since 1969. I'm sure there's a few sad sacks that'll know, but ffs, nobody cares. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Yes results can be brushed under the carpet ( at your peril ) however the performance, playing style, tactics and organisation were absolutely woeful. What on earth we have been working on in training I dread to think ! When the player receiving the ball instantly has no one from his team with 20 yards of him literally all the time you have a huge problem. You can say 'it's just a friendly' but if it ain't all right on the night don't be surprised. Complacency will potentially make things worse... Bury your head in the sand if you like but that was seriously awful ..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saint_clark Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 If it was a final audition for Bednarek, he failed. I hope Saturday's team is something like Forster (as no alternative) Cedric/Pied Yoshida Stephens Bertrand Romeu Davis Tadic JWP Boufal Gabbiadini Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk Final audition, blimey. 4 pre-season games was it and written off already? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrfahaji Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 Flicked back to read through some of the comments, and given the final score I could understand the meltdown. Then I realised the comments were for when it was still only 0-2! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adkins' Bus Posted 2 August, 2017 Share Posted 2 August, 2017 We have such a lack of mobility and strength in central midfield, everyone has been able to see it for ages, it is amazing that the club don't seem to. We just chase shadows in this area of the pitch and are so easy to bypass. It is also why we can't execute an effective press and probably why Puel didn't bother trying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now