Jump to content

Saints 1-2 Wolves - Match Thread

Harry_SFC

By Harry_SFC,
in The Saints

 Share

Recommended Posts

Totton Saint

Totton Saint

Posted
Posted

 How can the ref call it a penalty when Bertie has turned his back on the ball and has no idea where the ball is going. It hits his arm.i.e ball to arm not vice versa. He has never put his arm out to stop the ball. The ref should be sacked for gross misconduct. 

Ralph good be forgiven for turning his back on the PL and it's incompetent refs

Link to comment
Share on other sites
the saint in winchester

the saint in winchester

Posted
Posted

I was venting to my son earlier about this pass it round the CB nonsense that is inflicting this pain on ourselves.

He sent me this video that explains the theory.

https://youtu.be/nBnczPnBBdY

I tend to feel if The Athletic can explain it in such detail and it's a published practice, then the cat's out the bag and we can't persist with it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
trousers

trousers

Posted
Posted
11 minutes ago, tajjuk said:

We were good first half, we weren't as terrible second half as people are making out IMO.

We were good the whole game against Villa.

We weren't terrible at Newcastle but made some horrible horrible errors that made it easy for them. 

The Man Utd game was a storm of everything going wrong. 

We played decently in both cup games.

I think the team is doing ok, we are of course not hitting the heights of earlier in the season in terms of performance but nor do I think performances are bad enough for 6 defeats in a row. Like you say a happy and confident team makes these decisions a non-issue and still picks up points, but they are not a confident team, they are losing games and have had several weeks where key decisions are going against them time and time again, coupled with an unlucky run of injuries before that. Mentally its going to have a big impact. 

There are fine margins in PL games, most of the teams are not that far apart in ability and things like form, fitness, tiredness, confidence and luck can have a big impact on games. 

Pragmatism? On the Saintsweb Forum? What on Earth were you think of man?!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Saint Keef

Saint Keef

Posted
Posted

We've lost a game. Cue the people on here who look for a scapegoat every week.

Those of you who think we can get a better manager than Ralph are sadly deluded. 

Those of you who think Fraser Forster is a safer bet than Alex McCarthy must have very short memories.

 I'm surprised no one has yet blamed Jack Stephens today. 

 

  • Like 2
  • Confused 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
S-Clarke

S-Clarke

Posted
Posted
57 minutes ago, Fan The Flames said:

Your statement was that this was the worst Saints team ever, I think it's not. Your statement is such a big one it's on you to stand it up, not for others to fail to knock it down.

Lost 9-0 twice in a year (or just over a year) and lost 6 in a row for the first time ever.

I think that's an immediate stand up.

I'm not knocking the individual quality of some of our players, it's just the makeup of the team. It's not right and hasn't been for years. It's the worst makeup of a team we've ever had. No leaders in it at all.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
S-Clarke

S-Clarke

Posted
Posted (edited)
30 minutes ago, tajjuk said:

We were good first half, we weren't as terrible second half as people are making out IMO.

We were good the whole game against Villa.

We weren't terrible at Newcastle but made some horrible horrible errors that made it easy for them. 

The Man Utd game was a storm of everything going wrong. 

We played decently in both cup games.

I think the team is doing ok, we are of course not hitting the heights of earlier in the season in terms of performance but nor do I think performances are bad enough for 6 defeats in a row. Like you say a happy and confident team makes these decisions a non-issue and still picks up points, but they are not a confident team, they are losing games and have had several weeks where key decisions are going against them time and time again, coupled with an unlucky run of injuries before that. Mentally its going to have a big impact. 

There are fine margins in PL games, most of the teams are not that far apart in ability and things like form, fitness, tiredness, confidence and luck can have a big impact on games. 

My problem with our second half is the lack of intent to score a goal, we seem to be clueless when we are chasing a game in the final few mins of a game. Absolutely clueless. We don't know what to do. That is on Ralph IMO, he needs to have another plan up his sleeve for situations like that as we cannot continue the normal patient build up.

However....bad decision or not on the penalty, we shouldn't let our heads drop as much as we do. This isn't a new thing, this has gone on for at least 4 years with this makeup of players. It's a fundamental problem within the core of this team and it won't be changed without changing out some of the players, or at least supplementing the squad with some more leaders.

Edited by S-Clarke
Link to comment
Share on other sites
S-Clarke

S-Clarke

Posted
Posted
3 minutes ago, Jonnyboy said:

We'd all take 17th and win the FA Cup. 

Who would take 18th and win the FA Cup? 

Wigan took that tbf, they've vanished into no where land now though.

I'd be interested to know how their fans feel now. They will always have that FA Cup to their name, but they're decades away from the top level and may never get there again. Price to pay.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Jonnyboy

Jonnyboy

Posted
Posted
3 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

Wigan took that tbf, they've vanished into no where land now though.

I'd be interested to know how their fans feel now. They will always have that FA Cup to their name, but they're decades away from the top level and may never get there again. Price to pay.

Doesn't mean we would though. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Lord Duckhunter

Lord Duckhunter

Posted
Posted
11 minutes ago, Saint Keef said:

We've lost a game. Cue the people on here who look for a scapegoat every week.

Those of you who think we can get a better manager than Ralph are sadly deluded. 

Those of you who think Fraser Forster is a safer bet than Alex McCarthy must have very short memories.

 I'm surprised no one has yet blamed Jack Stephens today. 

 

Spot on.
 

Bednarek has been poor the last couple of weeks, I’m surprised nobody has blamed spending a few games next to Stephens for that. 

There’s not rating players and then there’s the bizarre ritual of twisting what actually happened in the game to suit your agenda. If you read the comments on here you’d think Redmond was out of his depth today, yet he did ok. You even had people claiming Adams would bury chances that Redmond missed, although they probably regret posting that when Adams missed a simple header from a great Redmond cross.  He was not  as good as Armstrong, but nowhere near as poor as some of the others. Vesty can get skinned inside the box, turning like the QE2 and yet the goal is the keepers fault. Ward-Prowse and OR were distinctly average second half, and Bertrand looked like he was running on sand second half. The new bloke did fuck all, with Djneppo doing even less than that. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
eurosaint

eurosaint

Posted
Posted
1 hour ago, tajjuk said:

100% nonsense we did.  I mean we must have been so terrible that the Wolves manager mentioned how tough a game it was for them and all the pundits are talking about how bad the decision was that changed the game.

Go watch the highlights package, its all Saints, except for their goals basically. 

It kills confidence, Wolves were crap for more than half that game and didn't create one single clear chance, they got a dodgy pen which changed the game for them and scored a wonder goal where we should have defended better.  Yeh they played better second half but still did very little, the ref got them in the game and our players are struggling for confidence on a bad run of form.  

It's more the other way around people on here are so quick to call us terrible when we are average if not half decent, but as soon as we lose we get all these smug clueless comments about how terrible we are, honestly its utter nonsense. 

 

 

Top post 👍

Link to comment
Share on other sites
trousers

trousers

Posted
Posted (edited)
1 hour ago, tajjuk said:

as soon as we lose we get all these smug clueless comments about how terrible we are, honestly its utter nonsense. 

Indeed. If you look back at posts around November time, you won't find anyone telling us how it was all about to come crashing down around our ears and our form was about to plummet like a stone, and yet if you read certain posts this afternoon it was always likely to happen... The words 'wise', 'event' and 'after' spring to mind... 

Edited by trousers
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Saint WGC

Saint WGC

Posted
Posted

To be slightly different from most other opinions on here who blame the usual suspects (in some cases correctly), it does amaze me how our captain seems to escape any criticism. Whilst not disagreeing that the defending all round has been shambolic, the crucial goal in the last two games have been scored from unnecessary passes backwards by JWP. He tends to go backwards and sideways far more than he goes forwards.

As captain, he should be setting the tone for his team mates by driving us forward, instead an unnecessary back pass last week and another pass backwards today which led to the build up of Neto's goal. While he takes a great set piece, he does not take enough responsibility as captain. Last week, he should have been telling Bertrand to go away and whipping in that free kick right on half time, especially in those conditions.

He is a solid midfield player but lacks the real quality on the ball to create in open play like for example James Maddison. For me, he is the quality midfielder who got away when it comes to Saints. I just wish our players would learn from previous games and stop becoming negative when we're a goal up. 

Ralph is a quality manager and if he went somewhere else to a bigger club, he would do well as he would be backed by the board. We are lucky to have him and unfortunately, he is being let down by his players and lack of quality in the squad.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Saint Keef

Saint Keef

Posted
Posted
6 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

Spot on.
 

Bednarek has been poor the last couple of weeks, I’m surprised nobody has blamed spending a few games next to Stephens for that. 

There’s not rating players and then there’s the bizarre ritual of twisting what actually happened in the game to suit your agenda. If you read the comments on here you’d think Redmond was out of his depth today, yet he did ok. You even had people claiming Adams would bury chances that Redmond missed, although they probably regret posting that when Adams missed a simple header from a great Redmond cross.  He was not  as good as Armstrong, but nowhere near as poor as some of the others. Vesty can get skinned inside the box, turning like the QE2 and yet the goal is the keepers fault. Ward-Prowse and OR were distinctly average second half, and Bertrand looked like he was running on sand second half. The new bloke did fuck all, with Djneppo doing even less than that. 

Yep. Totally agree.

I note that at half-time Arsenal are 3-0 up against Leeds........I blame Jack Stephens.

Seriously - those saying McCarthy is poor should have a look at the Leeds keeper's "howlers" today.

That's my three posts used up for today......but by gosh it's been fun. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
macca155

macca155

Posted
Posted
5 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

Spot on.
 

Bednarek has been poor the last couple of weeks, I’m surprised nobody has blamed spending a few games next to Stephens for that. 

There’s not rating players and then there’s the bizarre ritual of twisting what actually happened in the game to suit your agenda. If you read the comments on here you’d think Redmond was out of his depth today, yet he did ok. You even had people claiming Adams would bury chances that Redmond missed, although they probably regret posting that when Adams missed a simple header from a great Redmond cross.  He was not  as good as Armstrong, but nowhere near as poor as some of the others. Vesty can get skinned inside the box, turning like the QE2 and yet the goal is the keepers fault. Ward-Prowse and OR were distinctly average second half, and Bertrand looked like he was running on sand second half. The new bloke did fuck all, with Djneppo doing even less than that. 

I think Romeu in particular was struggling (which put pressure on JWP), we all know that if he collects a card early doors he is stuffed for the game. That's one of the reasons Traore moved to the centre as Romeu couldn't tackle him 'robustly'.

Could whine and groan all day, but nothing changes the unpalatable fact that this team, in any formation, simply cannot hang onto a lead. That is down to the manager, under his system the players seem to lack mental toughness, and after 70 minutes are running on empty. He has to address this and for goodness sake sort out the player's tendency to pass back or sideways when under pressure. 

I've said this a few times, but other teams have worked us out. That doesn't mean Saints aren't a threat, far from it, but if the opposing manager can neutralise our tactics by shifting personal around, then it is time to look at how the team is set up.

If anybody calls for Ralph's head then they should be forced to watch a Match from 2017/18. I like the man, and I like his football, but he'll be hurting the same as us and has to resolve this. I wonder if he needs some support, someone who isn't a yes man. The likes of Ferguson, Terry, or Woodgate are very experienced and couldn't give a flying **** for anyone's reputation. I'm convinced someone of that ilk as Assistant Manager would make a big difference.

  • Like 1
  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
S-Clarke

S-Clarke

Posted
Posted (edited)
6 minutes ago, macca155 said:

I think Romeu in particular was struggling (which put pressure on JWP), we all know that if he collects a card early doors he is stuffed for the game. That's one of the reasons Traore moved to the centre as Romeu couldn't tackle him 'robustly'.

Could whine and groan all day, but nothing changes the unpalatable fact that this team, in any formation, simply cannot hang onto a lead. That is down to the manager, under his system the players seem to lack mental toughness, and after 70 minutes are running on empty. He has to address this and for goodness sake sort out the player's tendency to pass back or sideways when under pressure. 

I've said this a few times, but other teams have worked us out. That doesn't mean Saints aren't a threat, far from it, but if the opposing manager can neutralise our tactics by shifting personal around, then it is time to look at how the team is set up.

If anybody calls for Ralph's head then they should be forced to watch a Match from 2017/18. I like the man, and I like his football, but he'll be hurting the same as us and has to resolve this. I wonder if he needs some support, someone who isn't a yes man. The likes of Ferguson, Terry, or Woodgate are very experienced and couldn't give a flying **** for anyone's reputation. I'm convinced someone of that ilk as Assistant Manager would make a big difference.

Is it all on Ralph though? He can only do so much with the group he has, and let's be honest it's largely what he inherited from day 1.

This team struggled to hold onto leads under Pellegrino and Hughes as well, that facet isn't new. And the core of the side is still the same. I do believe Ralph has worked wonders to even get us competitive to be honest, that's why some of the calls for him to leave (and I know you're not saying that) are totally and utterly wrong.

Re-watching games from the last 5 years could be interesting, I'd imagine you will see exactly the same traits in all of them under 3 or 4 different managers and 3 or 4 different systems. I don't think I could put myself through that though.

Edited by S-Clarke
Link to comment
Share on other sites
macca155

macca155

Posted
Posted
Just now, S-Clarke said:

Is it all on Ralph though? He can only do so much with the group he has, and let's be honest it's largely what he inherited from day 1.

...... I don't think I could put myself through that though.

No of course not, he is hamstrung with too small a squad, a bad run on VAR (that will change), nasty injury list, and some difficult transfer windows. Nevertheless he does have a talented group of players to work with when fit. Old Roy isn't particularly my cup of tea but there is no way this would be happening under his watch. Somehow Ralph needs to keep the verve and build resilience.

"Re-watching games from the last 5 years could be interesting, I'd imagine you will see exactly the same traits in all of them under 3 or 4 different managers. I don't think I could put myself through that though."

God can you imagine, bad enough the first time

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Pilchards

Pilchards

Posted
Posted

I’m still fucking pissed off with the penalty decision.

How do you defend with your arms behind your back, the player will either go around you easily or smack it straight into your face and knock all your fucking teeth out.

I would fucking love it if Bertrand could stand 5 yards away from the ref and blast it at his face. I bet you every single penny he will turn his back and swing his arms for protection. What utter cuntery:/

 

 

  • Like 5
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Hodgey

Hodgey

Posted
Posted

I’m not sure it’s a mental thing now - under Hughes and Pel it was lack of belief, now I wonder if it’s fatigue. It reminds me of  MoPo team which if went behind that was it, however now more often than not we get our noses in front. They just seem to get overrun as the second half progresses, failing to close down creative players from the opposition and without the energy to break. This team needs to go at least 2 up, then we need sensible tactics to kill the game, or 3 quality players coming off the bench to keep energy levels high. Aside from Ings or a JWP set piece we rarely score, the amount of air shots or hitting straight at the keeper suggests a worrying lack of skill and composure that you cannot train. I’d go as far as say that if Ings goes we are clear relegation candidates. Let’s keep him even if it means he leaves on a free and we get another year in the Prem.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
bangkoksaint

bangkoksaint

Posted
Posted

In 12 months Ings, JWP, Vest, Armstrong and Ralph won’t be here and to be fair I don’t blame them. We are what we are and will always revert to type ie an average mid table club. Any players of substance who have ambition won’t stay, it’s been the case for years and will continue to be.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
CB Fry

CB Fry

Posted
Posted
44 minutes ago, trousers said:

Indeed. If you look back at posts around November time, you won't find anyone telling us how it was all about to come crashing down around our ears and our form was about to plummet like a stone, and yet if you read certain posts this afternoon it was always likely to happen... The words 'wise', 'event' and 'after' spring to mind... 

Some people were saying we were in contention to win the fucking league.

Others were tempering expectations and could see, very clearly that back then we were in a run of good form which would be transient not permanent.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Chapel End

Chapel End

Posted
Posted
5 minutes ago, OttawaSaint said:

Dunno if I have the energy for the Chelsea game. Another early kick off and you just get the feeling that even if we play well some colossal cunt with a whistle or an etch-a-sketch decides to award a goal/penalty against us or take one away. 

I am expecting it every game now

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
trousers

trousers

Posted
Posted (edited)
7 minutes ago, CB Fry said:

Some people were saying we were in contention to win the fucking league.

There's a difference between pointing out that winning the league was highly unlikely (congratulations on that earth shattering wisdom) but I don't see any posts in November from the hindsight brigade forecasting this "inevitable" plummeting off a cliff drop in form that we're currently experiencing. Yes, a dip in form was always likely, but this bad...?

Edited by trousers
Link to comment
Share on other sites
S-Clarke

S-Clarke

Posted
Posted (edited)
3 minutes ago, trousers said:

There's a difference between pointing out that winning the league was highly unlikely (congratulations on that earth shattering wisdom) but I don't see any posts in November from the hindsight brigade forecasting this "inevitable" plummeting off a cliff drop in form that we're currently experiencing

I think people were nervous about injuries, I think we all knew we were a few injuries away from dropping off due to our squad. Sadly proven to be correct, although I don't think anyone predicted we'd be hit this badly.

Full backs particularly. Two massive parts in our game, esp KWP, so if he is missing again I fear for us.

I reckon we will end up going 3 at the back with Moussa as RWB. Hence why I fear for us.

Edited by S-Clarke
Link to comment
Share on other sites
OldNick

OldNick

Posted
Posted

Wolves do what we do in reverse, wander around in the first half but up their energy in the 2 nd half. I think we need to should be less intense in the first half and keep energy for the 2nd half.

I also wonder if Bertrand it is time to find Ryan’s replacement, I wonder what his stats are for setting up chances as he does get quite a lot of opportunities to get crosses in but they rarely find their man

Link to comment
Share on other sites
CB Fry

CB Fry

Posted
Posted
1 minute ago, trousers said:

There's a difference between pointing out that winning the league was highly unlikely (congratulations on that earth shattering wisdom) but I don't see any posts in November from the hindsight brigade forecasting this "inevitable" plummeting off a cliff drop in form that we're currently experiencing

Too busy making your smart arse point to actually quote my entire post, as usual I see.

9 minutes ago, CB Fry said:

Others were tempering expectations and could see, very clearly that back then we were in a run of good form which would be transient not permanent.

Are you saying not one member of this forum expressed a view that our form was not going to be maintained?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
trousers

trousers

Posted
Posted
Just now, Vancouver Saint said:

Did anyone understand why Armstrong was substituted? One of the few in our team who knows where the net is.

Ralph said before the game that he needs careful game-time management as he is prone to injury if he plays too many games in a short timeframe

Link to comment
Share on other sites
CB Fry

CB Fry

Posted
Posted
Just now, trousers said:

No, I'm not saying that.

Can you point me to the posts on this thread from today where people were saying this drop in form was "inevitable" - I've not read every reply so I've probably missed it. But you've made your big point on this angle so ther must be several.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
trousers

trousers

Posted
Posted
Just now, CB Fry said:

Can you point me to the posts on this thread from today where people were saying this drop in form was "inevitable" - I've not read every reply so I've probably missed it. But you've made your big point on this angle so ther must be several.

Later. Your interrogation is making me feel a tad moist so I'm going to have to go and finish myself off in the gents. Back shortly.

  • Like 1
  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Vancouver Saint

Vancouver Saint

Posted
Posted

Right. We have been incredibly unlucky and victims of some incredibly bad decisions - that penalty today was a killer and the turning point in the game. We need to do whatever we have to do to not lose next game. Have to stop the rot. That win against Liverpool looks like a curse now. Let's just get off 29 points.

Can we park a bus? (No need to answer, we don't have a bus, not even a camper van...more like a 2CV with no doors).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

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 account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
×
×
  • Create New...