Saints 1-1 Man City - Match Thread

[Toadhall Saint]

2 of their players are offside when the ball is kicked? If they are not then they might as well put a player on the near post as that wouldn’t be deemed as offside either. Have the rules changed?

Edited 22 January, 2022 by Toadhall Saint

[The Cat]

Bit weird our fans were booing Laporte. He was obviously caught and it must have bloody hurt, you could tell that from his reaction.

[OttawaSaint]

In the buildup to our goal there was a pass that looked on to Broja but he was just offside. Great awareness by I think it was Stu (or maybe Perraud) to notice and move the ball sideways and over to KWP (before he put Redmond in).

Edited 22 January, 2022 by OttawaSaint

[The Kraken]

Don’t know if it’s just me, but I think Guardiola is trying to play mind games with his whole ‘best game ever’ mantra. I think he feels enormously hard done by, but doesn’t want to say what it is. He was a bit of a prick to the sky and bbc commentators and had a spat with Ralph after the game. I think he is absolutely fuming about something but won’t say it on camera. The penalty that didn’t get given (fair IMO) and the Armstrong foul (red card IMO) really got to him. I’d love to hear what actually went on with him and Ralph between the game and after the whistle, sky showed a little but but didn’t ask too much afterwards, certainly not of the bald stroppy one.

I love the idea of little hairband Jacky Grealish waiting in the tunnel for Romeu 🤣

Edited 22 January, 2022 by The Kraken

[Dr Who?]

  On 22/01/2022 at 21:49, Toadhall Saint said:

2 of their players are offside when the ball is kicked? If they are not then they might as well put a player on the near post as that wouldn’t be deemed as offside either. Have the rules changed?

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I was half expecting it to go to VAR and be ruled out, but perhaps it was more out of hope. As the player who stuck the ball in the net directly from the free kick, the other 2 are not offside. It did not change our shape and they were not in the direct eye line and not in interfering with anything. Now if they were in the centre we would have a case. I think we were clutching at straws a little. 

[Toadhall Saint]

  On 22/01/2022 at 21:57, Dr Who? said:

I was half expecting it to go to VAR and be ruled out, but perhaps it was more out of hope. As the player who stuck the ball in the net directly from the free kick, the other 2 are not offside. It did not change our shape and they were not in the direct eye line and not in interfering with anything. Now if they were in the centre we would have a case. I think we were clutching at straws a little. 

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The one furthest from the camera I’ll agree with but not the one nearer Laporte. Anyway it matters not goal was given and ghat ain’t gonna change.

[Verbal]

  On 22/01/2022 at 20:39, Roo1976 said:

Yes Perraud is getting better...................but wtf dose Redmond and Elyounoussi bring to the team? baffling these 2 get game time absolutly no end product........

that said a well earned point  .

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Redmond has five assists in the last eight home games. To hell with him, just swanning around laying on final killer passes

[The Kraken]

  On 22/01/2022 at 21:57, Dr Who? said:

I was half expecting it to go to VAR and be ruled out, but perhaps it was more out of hope. As the player who stuck the ball in the net directly from the free kick, the other 2 are not offside. It did not change our shape and they were not in the direct eye line and not in interfering with anything. Now if they were in the centre we would have a case. I think we were clutching at straws a little. 

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For me, this is a massive fault of the offside rule. I think that goal should be disallowed. Simply because, when the ball comes in, as far as Forster in concerned, all of those players are in play and active. The keeper doesn’t know exactly where it will drop so has to take into account all players. I’m not saying that what’s caused the goal in this case, but as far as I’m concerned, that offside player is interfering with play as he causes the keeper to think about him as an potential attacking threat.

The current rule expects the keeper to judge who is onside and who isn’t, which he obviously can’t do. I think it’s a bad rule and today shows a little why.

Edited 22 January, 2022 by The Kraken

[John Boy Saint]

  On 22/01/2022 at 22:01, Verbal said:

Redmond has five assists in the last eight home games. To hell with him, just swanning around laying on final killer passes

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Sorry but that is truly papering over the cracks - he does far more snuffing out our own attacks in nearly every game than 5 bloody assists - when Moi was warming up intensely at half time it was easy to guess who was being pulled of at half time.

[Toadhall Saint]

  On 22/01/2022 at 22:06, The Kraken said:

For me, this is a massive fault of the offside rule. I think that goal should be disallowed. Simply because, when the ball comes in, all of those players are in play and active. The keeper doesn’t know exactly where it will drop so has to take into account all players. I’m not saying that what’s caused the goal in this case, but as da4 as I’m concerned, that offside player is interfering with play as he causes the keeper to think about him as an potential attacking threat.

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My old man played a good standard of football and when the “interfering with play” statement came about his answer was “what are they on the pitch for?”. 

[Mr X]

Elounousi was the one weak link today offered nothing when he came on 

[The Kraken]

  On 22/01/2022 at 22:09, Toadhall Saint said:

My old man played a good standard of football and when the “interfering with play” statement came about his answer was “what are they on the pitch for?”. 

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Yeah I’ve heard that before and it’s a bit too basic. 

[S-Clarke]

  On 22/01/2022 at 22:08, John Boy Saint said:

Sorry but that is truly papering over the cracks - he does far more snuffing out our own attacks in nearly every game than 5 bloody assists - when Moi was warming up intensely at half time it was easy to guess who was being pulled of at half time.

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I'm not a Redmond fan at all, and he didn't have a great game today (bar the assist) but he's not been bad this year, fairly decent when needed.

But without question we need to invest big money in a quality immediate starting number 10, the lot we have at the mo aren't up to it. Just imagine if we had threat on the break through an Saint-Maximin type player along with Broja, it would give us an edge. We struggle to get out because our 10's are very, very limited. Tella is probably our best.

[macca155]

  On 22/01/2022 at 21:49, The Cat said:

Bit weird our fans were booing Laporte. He was obviously caught and it must have bloody hurt, you could tell that from his reaction.

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Right in front of us, heard the slap, and involuntary yelp. Stuart was lucky to stay on the field.

Laporte is a magnificent player, love to have him pur side. 

[Ex Lion Tamer]

  On 22/01/2022 at 22:08, John Boy Saint said:

Sorry but that is truly papering over the cracks - he does far more snuffing out our own attacks in nearly every game than 5 bloody assists - when Moi was warming up intensely at half time it was easy to guess who was being pulled of at half time.

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Goals win games. Better to have someone who messes up 3 times and then creates a goal than someone who doesn't create anything 

[Toadhall Saint]

  On 22/01/2022 at 22:12, The Kraken said:

Yeah I’ve heard that before and it’s a bit too basic. 

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Maybe but over complicate things and …..

if I’m a manager and one of my players isn’t interfering with play then I’m taking him off as he is no good to the team or me.

[macca155]

Great game against an awesome side. They earnt that point, top performance.

It was interesting how they kept the ball away from JWP for the first 30 mins, he had to work hard to get in the game.

Personally I prefer Redmond over Mo but that bar is set low.

The major change for me was Lyanco, he added real steel to the defence. He is growing in confidence and needs to start before Bendarek imo.

But hey no nit picking, great result. Looking forward to MOTD.

[The Kraken]

  On 22/01/2022 at 22:15, Toadhall Saint said:

Maybe but over complicate things and …..

if I’m a manager and one of my players isn’t interfering with play then I’m taking him off as he is no good to the team or me.

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It really isn’t that simple though.

There are genuinely times when a player is in an offside position but isn’t interfering with play. The new laws of the game along the past few years have gone a long way to improve the game for that. They’ve just evolved to a point where, IMO, it’s unfair against the defending side in certain situations. Particularly, when a cross is swung in and multiple players are offside but the guy that knocks it in isn’t. 

I see an easy solution. If any attacking player is in the penalty area when the ball is played in, and they are in an offside position when the ball is played, immediately it’s called as offside. But them I’m simple, so it’s not for all.

[Dr Who?]

The offside rule has always been bollocks and very confusing, like handball. There has to be a better way to manage the rules. 
 

Handball could be made like the rule in hockey with the feet. If it hits your hand or arm it’s handball. Suck it up and get on with it. You do not hear hockey players saying “what was I supposed to do with my feet” or “there feet were in a unnatural position”. It hit your foot, end of. 

the offside rule I have no idea but it’s been a rule that there has never come close to an answer for and maybe there never will be. Even fans cannot agree on it. 

[Toadhall Saint]

  On 22/01/2022 at 22:25, The Kraken said:

It really isn’t that simple though.

There are genuinely times when a player is in an offside position but isn’t interfering with play. The new laws of the game along the past few years have gone a long way to improve the game for that. They’ve just evolved to a point where, IMO, it’s unfair against the defending side in certain situations. Particularly, when a cross is swung in and multiple players are offside but the guy that knocks it in isn’t. 

I see an easy solution. If any attacking player is in the penalty area when the ball is played in, and they are in an offside position when the ball is played, immediately it’s called as offside. But them I’m simple, so it’s not for all.

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Yep I’d go with that but VAR would probably over complicate it.

[Toadhall Saint]

  On 22/01/2022 at 22:28, Dr Who? said:

The offside rule has always been bollocks and very confusing, like handball. There has to be a better way to manage the rules. 
 

Handball could be made like the rule in hockey with the feet. If it hits your hand or arm it’s handball. Suck it up and get on with it. You do not hear hockey players saying “what was I supposed to do with my feet” or “there feet were in a unnatural position”. It hit your foot, end of. 

the offside rule I have no idea but it’s been a rule that there has never come close to an answer for and maybe there never will be. Even fans cannot agree on it. 

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Don’t get me started on hand ball! 😂

[John Boy Saint]

  On 22/01/2022 at 22:14, Ex Lion Tamer said:

Goals win games. Better to have someone who messes up 3 times and then creates a goal than someone who doesn't create anything 

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But it’s not 3 times in a games - in a one on one skirmish on the pitch you can put your house on him coming 2nd 99 times out of 100.

Most in stadium don’t frequent this domain so have their own opinions.  It was very notable when his name was said in the line ups how muted the cheer was from the crowd even audible groans both on the concourse and then in the bowl. 

[Dr Who?]

Also would like to say we have shown that we can dig in and get a result, at home to Spurs and again today. 

couple of “tough” away games after the cup next week, then a run of games where we “should” get a good return of points. 😊 

[Jimmy_D]

  On 22/01/2022 at 20:27, VictiAbNonem said:

What was the last better Premier League debut goal from a Saint before KWP's today?

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Toss up between Gabbiadini vs West Ham or Adams vs Man City for me, probably Adams.

EDIT: Martina vs Arsenal in the conversation too!

We’ve had some cracking first goals over the years!

Edited 22 January, 2022 by Jimmy_D

[rallyboy]

Have their players who collapsed in agony with career-threatening injuries and facial damage posted pictures of those injuries yet?

Perhaps the unfortunate Laporte needs to have a word with his colleagues who cry wolf.

 

[santolijador]

  On 22/01/2022 at 21:49, The Cat said:

Bit weird our fans were booing Laporte. He was obviously caught and it must have bloody hurt, you could tell that from his reaction.

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St Mary's should be a hostile place to play, we've been missing it

[Guest]

Just seen Jack Grealish exit St Mary’s in a pram, crying.

 

[angelman]

  On 22/01/2022 at 22:43, Jimmy_D said:

Toss up between Gabbiadini vs West Ham or Adams vs Man City for me, probably Adams.

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Cuco Martina

Edited 22 January, 2022 by angelman
Spelling

[LGTL]

Fantastic effort all round. Salisu was immense.

I can’t get the thought of Grealish waiting for Romeu out of my mind though. What the f**k was he thinking  😂

Edited 22 January, 2022 by LGTL

[John Boy Saint]

  On 22/01/2022 at 22:46, angelman said:

Coco Martina

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Without doubt an “I was there” goal.

[woodsaint1]

  On 22/01/2022 at 20:25, The Cat said:

The thing is the high line defending does work because we barely concede from it. People keep saying it's terrible but until the Wolves game it had worked fine.

Also it's not just us who do it, loads of teams do it including Man City who arguably have the best manager in the world.

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Yeah because City would leave the oppositions three best players in the air free to run unopposed into the back post area.

Did you watch the post match analysis? They literally spent 5 minutes laughing at the state of our set up for that free kick. I think Souness said it was embarassing defending for a PL team. 

The only downside on what was a great team performance

[LGTL]

  On 22/01/2022 at 21:49, The Cat said:

Bit weird our fans were booing Laporte. He was obviously caught and it must have bloody hurt, you could tell that from his reaction.

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I know what you’re saying but it’s about time we made it at least slightly difficult for opposing teams at St Mary’s. For too many years we’ve rolled over and had our bellies tickled. It was nice today to see that they clearly didn’t enjoy their evening, and not did the away support judging by their pathetic antics after the game. Grown men running on the field asking for shirts 😂

[Bob76]

Got to say that watching from the Itchen I never thought the Armstrong challenge looked a red at all, he was going for the ball and don't think there was any malice, yet to see it again in super slow motion but then again the game is played at speed.

What did surprise me was that twice Broja was fouled when on the edge of breaking through and although both were international to stop a man getting clear neither were even spoken too.

[S-Clarke]

  On 22/01/2022 at 22:46, angelman said:

Cuco Martina

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Yep, that's the winner for me. That was outrageous.

[Jimmy_D]

  On 22/01/2022 at 22:48, John Boy Saint said:

Without doubt an “I was there” goal.

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I was there! Itchen/Kingsland corner with a perfect view of how much it swerved!

[Dorchester Saint]

  On 22/01/2022 at 20:39, Roo1976 said:

Yes Perraud is getting better...................but wtf dose Redmond and Elyounoussi bring to the team? baffling these 2 get game time absolutly no end product........

that said a well earned point  .

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Are you mental? Redmond assisted for our goal, something he’s done quite a few times this season 🤣🤣

[The Cat]

  On 22/01/2022 at 22:52, S-Clarke said:

Yep, that's the winner for me. That was outrageous.

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Was Osvaldo's goal against Man City his first for the club? If so then that has to be up there because it was absolutely sublime.

[OttawaSaint]

  On 22/01/2022 at 22:43, Jimmy_D said:

Toss up between Gabbiadini vs West Ham or Adams vs Man City for me, probably Adams.

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If I recall correctly Pelle's first was a beauty too.

Edited 22 January, 2022 by OttawaSaint

[The Cat]

  On 22/01/2022 at 22:51, LGTL said:

I know what you’re saying but it’s about time we made it at least slightly difficult for opposing teams at St Mary’s. For too many years we’ve rolled over and had our bellies tickled. It was nice today to see that they clearly didn’t enjoy their evening, and not did the away support judging by their pathetic antics after the game. Grown men running on the field asking for shirts 😂

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Yeah, fair point.

Their fans were funny at the end. Was one of them down for ages or was it a steward sat on him or something? Couldn't quite tell from the other end.

[S-Clarke]

  On 22/01/2022 at 22:57, The Cat said:

Was Osvaldo's goal against Man City his first for the club? If so then that has to be up there because it was absolutely sublime.

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That was his last goal for us, think he only scored 2 or 3 so he'd definitely got at least one before that game. I'm sure he scored a header.

[OttawaSaint]

For the offside debate, it's always "goalie's line of sight". What about defenders though. Those 2 running offside could have interfered with the defenders' ability to pick up the run of Laporte. 

Edited 22 January, 2022 by OttawaSaint

[OttawaSaint]

  On 22/01/2022 at 22:57, The Cat said:

Was Osvaldo's goal against Man City his first for the club? If so then that has to be up there because it was absolutely sublime.

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His first one was a scuffed shot. The second was the screamer.

[The Cat]

Watching the highlights that was an incredible block by Laporte from Broja, and Forster definitely should have come for the cross before his goal.

Stupid free kick to give away that led to it too.

[Chez]

 

  On 22/01/2022 at 22:12, S-Clarke said:

I'm not a Redmond fan at all, and he didn't have a great game today (bar the assist) but he's not been bad this year, fairly decent when needed.

But without question we need to invest big money in a quality immediate starting number 10, the lot we have at the mo aren't up to it. Just imagine if we had threat on the break through an Saint-Maximin type player along with Broja, it would give us an edge. We struggle to get out because our 10's are very, very limited. Tella is probably our best.

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I agree with this. We signed Djenepo to do this but he has provided almost nothing. We need to try again to find a flamboyant pacey flair player. 

[MAY-Z]

  On 22/01/2022 at 23:08, Chez said:

 

I agree with this. We signed Djenepo to do this but he has provided almost nothing. We need to try again to find a flamboyant pacey flair player. 

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But that type of player doesn’t work in the 4222 as they have to do too much tracking back so that JWP and OR don’t get get overrun 

[Chez]

  On 22/01/2022 at 23:10, MAY-Z said:

But that type of player doesn’t work in the 4222 as they have to do too much tracking back so that JWP and OR don’t get get overrun 

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either change the formation or play that flair player off Broja, as we have done a fair bit with Redmond this season. 

[MAY-Z]

  On 22/01/2022 at 23:16, Chez said:

either change the formation or play that flair player off Broja, as we have done a fair bit with Redmond this season. 

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Yep I would play a 4312 style with our players

[Teddeer]

Thinking back, although City obviously dominated possession, we carved out some decent chances - Bednarek had a good header saved from a corner,  Diallo made space for a shot which he could have done better with, Broja hit the post with a header, Broja forced a last ditch block just after half time and he also had two close offside calls in the first half, one where he put the ball in the net and another where there was a penalty shout. Fine margins and, on another day we might have bagged more than KWP's excellent goal.  Ok, they had chances too so I think a draw was a fair result overall.

[The Kraken]

Pretty decent review from shearer and Murphy on MOTD I thought. Said both var reviews were correct (I still think Armstrong was lucky not to go).

[trousers]

  On 22/01/2022 at 19:48, Saint_clark said:

Another positive...we don't have to play them again this season.

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Given we haven't lost to them that could be considered a negative....