Saints 2-0 Norwich - Match Thread

[SuperSAINT]

We need revenge for that result at Carrow Road.

[TWar]

Should have what it takes to win comfortably but they can always surprise. The only question I guess is if Perraud is back does he start? I think Perraud has been sensational recently but I also think Tino is outstanding and was great today, also his assist was superb. Nice problem to have.

Rest of the team stays the same.

[Dman]

1 hour ago, TWar said:

Should have what it takes to win comfortably but they can always surprise. The only question I guess is if Perraud is back does he start? I think Perraud has been sensational recently but I also think Tino is outstanding and was great today, also his assist was superb. Nice problem to have.

Rest of the team stays the same.

Do you honestly think it was a ‘superb’ assist or just to back up your opinion of Tino who’s good, but not as good as KWP (yet). 

The cross wasn’t a great one imo, a little too high and floated. I’d be expecting my CB to read and win that. I’d say the leap and header from Long was superb if anything. 

[Lee On Solent Saint]

33 minutes ago, Dman said:

Do you honestly think it was a ‘superb’ assist or just to back up your opinion of Tino who’s good, but not as good as KWP (yet). 

The cross wasn’t a great one imo, a little too high and floated. I’d be expecting my CB to read and win that. I’d say the leap and header from Long was superb if anything. 

Yeah would agree with that. A few times Tino didn't go forward as much as I would have liked, despite having plenty of space. Contrast that to KWP who was popping up everywhere on the left hand side. For me, KWP is the better option at the moment if Perraud comes back in 

[Teddeer]

1 hour ago, TWar said:

Should have what it takes to win comfortably but they can always surprise. The only question I guess is if Perraud is back does he start? I think Perraud has been sensational recently but I also think Tino is outstanding and was great today, also his assist was superb. Nice problem to have.

Rest of the team stays the same.

Perraud goes straight back in when fit for me.

[Saint_clark]

Perraud absolutely goes straight back in and Tino learns a hard lesson, it's not enough to be good if the players you're competing with are superb.

[S-Clarke]

On form, the quality of squads and positions in the league...it should be a no-brainer really and an easy bet. But...football isn't like that. I think we've got grounds to be a bit cautious as by all accounts they haven't played badly in recent weeks and Smith has certainly made them a better side.

But...if we play to the level we have been then we 'should' have way, way too much for them in the press and the attacking movement we have on offer.

We've got ourselves an amazing full back dilemma, complete opposite of last season. It's certainly good to be debating Tino/KWP/Perraud compared to Valery, Stephens, JWP, Bertrand and Vokins.

Tino had a really good game today I felt, so did KWP, but Perruad in recent weeks deserves to come back in.

Edited 19 February, 2022 by S-Clarke

[Sheaf Saint]

Last time we faced a team managed by Dean Smith, he was sacked the next day.

Just sayin'.

[Turkish]

2 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

Last time we faced a team managed by Dean Smith, he was sacked the next day.

Just sayin'.

Incorrect, last time we faced a team managed by dean smith they beat us 2-1

[Sheaf Saint]

5 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Incorrect, last time we faced a team managed by dean smith they beat us 2-1

Oh yeah. Forgot that came after.

Last time at SMS then.

[VectisSaint]

1 hour ago, Dman said:

Do you honestly think it was a ‘superb’ assist or just to back up your opinion of Tino who’s good, but not as good as KWP (yet). 

The cross wasn’t a great one imo, a little too high and floated. I’d be expecting my CB to read and win that. I’d say the leap and header from Long was superb if anything. 

Thought Tino was very average today, he looked like he was not fully fit, wonder if he would have played if Perraud had been fit. He seemed to be very reluctant to go past a player for get upfield much, as if he was aware that he was going to be a bit short if he had to get back and defend. I'm not being critical of him, think he is a fine player but today was certainly not his best.

[S-Clarke]

5 minutes ago, VectisSaint said:

Thought Tino was very average today, he looked like he was not fully fit, wonder if he would have played if Perraud had been fit. He seemed to be very reluctant to go past a player for get upfield much, as if he was aware that he was going to be a bit short if he had to get back and defend. I'm not being critical of him, think he is a fine player but today was certainly not his best.

I thought he had a terrific game to be honest, similar to the player we all saw at the start of the season. He carried the ball well, advanced a few times, wasn't troubled defensively really.

He got an assist with a terrific cross from the right as well.

[SuperSAINT]

I don’t think I’ll ever get bored of saying:  It’s SO nice to have good fullback options.

[Roger]

27 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

I thought he had a terrific game to be honest, similar to the player we all saw at the start of the season. He carried the ball well, advanced a few times, wasn't troubled defensively really.

He got an assist with a terrific cross from the right as well.

Agree he was superb. Gordon been superb for them recently didn’t get a kick. 

[TWar]

2 hours ago, Dman said:

Do you honestly think it was a ‘superb’ assist or just to back up your opinion of Tino who’s good, but not as good as KWP (yet). 

The cross wasn’t a great one imo, a little too high and floated. I’d be expecting my CB to read and win that. I’d say the leap and header from Long was superb if anything. 

I think it was poorly defended, don't get me wrong, but dropping the ball right on the head of your striker from that distance when they are marked with such a trajectory that they are able to attack the ball is a very good skill.

The high loopy nature of the cross gave Shane a chance to attack it and outjump his markers, a flat cross would have likely been cleared. Also the fact he hit it first time gave them less time to react.

Edited 19 February, 2022 by TWar

[ErwinK1961]

10 of the team pick themselves.

Torn between Perraud and Tino - 50/50 for me. Quite like KWP’s attacking threat down the left, feel Perraud doesn’t offer as much going forward but is better than Tino defensively.

You’d hope at home to Norwich that we’d be dominating, so could see Ralph going KWP and Tino. But would be incredibly harsh on Perraud! Might be a moot point anyway if Perraud is still positive.

[woodsaint1]

If we were to only have 3 more wins this season, for me it would be this one, Newcastle and Brighton.

Losing to that shower at Carrow Road still annoys me (cheers McCarthy). They've had a few decent results, albeit against fellow strugglers, but same as today if we're anywhere half decent we win this easy.

[Golac's Iron Gonads]

West Ham in the cup on the following Thursday. Do we want Ralph tinkering with an eye on the cup game?

I'm thinking he may go for one or two of:

Diallo for Romeu, Redmond for St Armstrong. Armstrong or Long for Broja or Adams and possibly another outing for Small.

[Saint_clark]

7 hours ago, ErwinK1961 said:

10 of the team pick themselves.

Torn between Perraud and Tino - 50/50 for me. Quite like KWP’s attacking threat down the left, feel Perraud doesn’t offer as much going forward but is better than Tino defensively.

You’d hope at home to Norwich that we’d be dominating, so could see Ralph going KWP and Tino. But would be incredibly harsh on Perraud! Might be a moot point anyway if Perraud is still positive.

Perraud tore Spurs apart offensively, to say he offers nothing going forwards is rubbish. 

[ErwinK1961]

2 hours ago, Saint_clark said:

Perraud tore Spurs apart offensively, to say he offers nothing going forwards is rubbish. 

I didn’t say that though did I?

[Sarisbury Saint]

10 hours ago, TWar said:

I think it was poorly defended, don't get me wrong, but dropping the ball right on the head of your striker from that distance when they are marked with such a trajectory that they are able to attack the ball is a very good skill.

The high loopy nature of the cross gave Shane a chance to attack it and outjump his markers, a flat cross would have likely been cleared. Also the fact he hit it first time gave them less time to react.

Or the wind played a part, but who cares we won. Still has to be KWP as first choice.

[Sarisbury Saint]

4 hours ago, Golac's Iron Gonads said:

West Ham in the cup on the following Thursday. Do we want Ralph tinkering with an eye on the cup game?

I'm thinking he may go for one or two of:

Diallo for Romeu, Redmond for St Armstrong. Armstrong or Long for Broja or Adams and possibly another outing for Small.

I wouldn’t change anything unless it’s broke.

[Pamplemousse]

Anything other than a comfortable win would be a major disappointment. They are awful and losing to them up there was probably our worst result of the season.

 

Given how well we are playing, I am pretty comfortable and confident that we'll win and with ease.

[Baird of the land]

To be fair to Norwich they’ve been performing better under smith of late.

Hopefully saints can maintain the same attitude as recent games and secure the win.

[Toadhall Saint]

2-0

[Lighthouse]

9 hours ago, woodsaint1 said:

If we were to only have 3 more wins this season, for me it would be this one, Newcastle and Brighton

Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea for me.

[alehouseboys]

9 hours ago, woodsaint1 said:

If we were to only have 3 more wins this season, for me it would be this one, Newcastle and Brighton.

(After West Ham) it would be the quarters, semis and final for me.

[Saint Fan CaM]

Pretty much an unchanged side I would imagine, but with the possibility of Perraud coming back in. Norwich can play but the form we’re in would suggest we can get a very good result - 3-1 is realistic, but I would love to see us smash a team 5-0.

[Whitey Grandad]

6 hours ago, Golac's Iron Gonads said:

West Ham in the cup on the following Thursday. Do we want Ralph tinkering with an eye on the cup game?

I'm thinking he may go for one or two of:

Diallo for Romeu, Redmond for St Armstrong. Armstrong or Long for Broja or Adams and possibly another outing for Small.

Wednesday?

[Jessinkalasin]

Absolutely got to win this. Feeling it might be a 3-1 or 4-2 sort of game. I wonder though if Ralph will play a slightly different side, resting some for the West Ham cup game? Would he/we sacrifice a couple of points to beat West Ham? It might we'll end up like that. I bloody hope not though. We should be able to field full strength both games, barring any injuries against Norwich. 

[Matthew Le God]

3 minutes ago, Jessinkalasin said:

I wonder though if Ralph will play a slightly different side, resting some for the West Ham cup game? Would he/we sacrifice a couple of points to beat West Ham? It might we'll end up like that.

No real need to rest players for the FA Cup game, especially as Saints have two days extra to recover/prepare for the FA Cup game than West Ham do!

Saints vs Norwich - Friday 25th Feb

West Ham vs Wolves - Sunday 27th Feb

Saints vs West Ham - Wednesday 2nd March

[SuperSAINT]

Going to be interesting to see how Norwich bounce back from their City & Liverpool defeats.

They beat Everton, trounced Watford, beat Wolves in the cup & drawn with palace prior to those losses, so they really got themselves into a roll.

[trousers]

1 hour ago, Matthew Le God said:

No real need to rest players for the FA Cup game, especially as Saints have two days extra to recover/prepare for the FA Cup game than West Ham do!

Saints vs Norwich - Friday 25th Feb

West Ham vs Wolves - Sunday 27th Feb

Saints vs West Ham - Wednesday 2nd March

Agree there's no need to rest players, per se, but there could be a valid argument for protecting key players from possible injury, thus increasing their chances of being available for the more important game mid-week?

Edited 20 February, 2022 by trousers

[Teddeer]

Winning games breeds winning more games. Pick your strongest side.

[Saint_clark]

If it was Saturday Tuesday I'd say maybe, but I think the strongest team can play both and then see who might need rotating for the weekend after.

[Lee On Solent Saint]

37 minutes ago, Teddeer said:

Winning games breeds winning more games. Pick your strongest side.

Agreed. If they are signs of tiredness make changes during the game. Bench is strong enough to cope. Would hope we are two or three up early doors as to really use the squad 

[Whitey Grandad]

25 minutes ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

Agreed. If they are signs of tiredness make changes during the game. Bench is strong enough to cope. Would hope we are two or three up early doors as to really use the squad 

We saw what happened against Coventry where we tried to take it easy in the first half.

[iansums]

For me, KWP and Perraud are our best options for full backs at the moment. Although Tino had a decent game yesterday, he had so many opportunities to bomb forward down the right wing but seemed reluctant to do so.

[skintsaint]

2 hours ago, Matthew Le God said:

No real need to rest players for the FA Cup game, especially as Saints have two days extra to recover/prepare for the FA Cup game than West Ham do!

Saints vs Norwich - Friday 25th Feb

West Ham vs Wolves - Sunday 27th Feb

Saints vs West Ham - Wednesday 2nd March

Hammers starting to look a bit tired, they don't seem to rotate their first XI too much in most games by the looks of it. 

[whelk]

Piece of piss. 3-0 Saints

[64saint]

First league game back at St Mary's for Angus Gunn since **********

He'll be bricking it, dropping everything, letting them through his legs, easy win. 4-0

On the other hand maybe he thinks he's got something to prove. In that case 3-0 🙄

Edited 20 February, 2022 by 64saint

[Golac's Iron Gonads]

6 hours ago, Whitey Grandad said:

Wednesday?

yeah sorry, I'm in south Korea didn't notice the dates had been changed to south korean time i.e 4:30 a.m, Thursday, going to be a long day that one,

[Sarisbury Saint]

5 hours ago, skintsaint said:

Hammers starting to look a bit tired, they don't seem to rotate their first XI too much in most games by the looks of it. 

Thought they were poor against Newcastle.

[OttawaSaint]

Hopefully RH will be in the players' ears all week to not take this one lightly. I think BHA were expecting a stroll at home to Burnley and got a rude awake awakening. 

[Saint86]

1 hour ago, OttawaSaint said:

Hopefully RH will be in the players' ears all week to not take this one lightly. I think BHA were expecting a stroll at home to Burnley and got a rude awake awakening. 

Yes, but Burnley are a much better outfit than Norwich, have been playing well lately, and also have signed themselves a very good centre forward. Norwich are going down no questions asked and our loss at carrow Road was a proper cock up 😅

[nta786]

8 hours ago, trousers said:

Agree there's no need to rest players, per se, but there could be a valid argument for protecting key players from possible injury, thus increasing their chances of being available for the more important game mid-week?

Nope everyone ie our first XI should play. 
Match fitness is very important and it’s why City also play a load of first teamers in their cup games against lesser opposition too.

[Roger]

Looks like another sell out about 370 tickets left unreal support. 

[Uncle Albert]

11 hours ago, Roger said:

Looks like another sell out about 370 tickets left unreal support. 

Can’t see many other clubs nearly selling out a game against Norwich, just goes to show what a great feeling there is around the club at the moment.

[Sarisbury Saint]

Norwich have improved a lot lately. We really need to show them respect and not be sloppy.

Narrow win for us. 2 v 1

[Micky]

Win this one and I reckon we can all knob off to the beach for the rest of the season...! 🌞