Saints 1-2 Watford - Match Thread

[Master Bates]

1 hour ago, JRM said:

Absolutely woeful, dreading the Man City game now, play like that and we'll collect our 0-9 must be due another soon 

We beat City don't worry.

[Pilchards]

What a load of shit.

This is why we don’t have well paid players because they can’t win anything great.

Opportunity to push on for Europe but we suffer three pathetic performances because they are heading for the beach already. 

[sadoldgit]

Shocking performance all round. It reminded me of that cup exit to Brentford the season before last. Watford are a poor side but made us look like the relegation fodder today and Roy must be wondering how he didn’t come away with a 4 or 5-1 victory. Perhaps we are trying to lure City into a false sense of security? 🙄

[Chez]

9 minutes ago, Viking Saint said:

This is what I don't get. The personnel hasn't changed bar Salisu's injury. We look like two completely different teams 

It's changed a little and maybe a little is a lot when it comes to a side like us. Never understood while Livramento was brought back. We had been flying with Perraud and KWP. It's taken us a long time to find the right formula, but Ralph didnt stick with it. 

[beatlesaint]

Absolute shit show from the off.

I really don’t understand what Ralph was trying to achieve with one up front against second from bottom Watford. What was Smallbone deployed as? And why?

Why did it take Ralph until half time to make changes when everyone could see the formation wasn’t working, let’s not hide behind the defensive screw up, it wasn’t working before or after that.

KWP yet again superb…..nobody else warrants a mention.

As was stated a while back we are a streaky team, we can look great for 8-10 games then look bloody awful for the next 8-10 with not much middle ground between the two

[Whitey Grandad]

10 minutes ago, beatlesaint said:

What was Smallbone deployed as? And why?

A spare cornerpost.

[FboroSaint21]

2 hours ago, Pamplemousse said:

I saw on twitter he sarcastically clapped the fans after a bit of booing. Anyone at the game confirm?

He did. When instead of passing forwards he slowed up, turned and played it back to Forster.

[JRM]

25 minutes ago, FboroSaint21 said:

He did. When instead of passing forwards he slowed up, turned and played it back to Forster.

Had tons of space if he turned on the ball, but didn't even contemplate it, back we go with the ball, both Bednarek and Salisu were awful on the ball today 

[Katalinic]

1 minute ago, JRM said:

Had tons of space if he turned on the ball, but didn't even contemplate it, back we go with the ball, both Bednarek and Salisu were awful on the ball today 

He never does, his first thought is always backwards - OK when you are winning, not so good at 2-1 down at home. 

[Dellman]

In the old days we used to say 'never change a winning team'. I still believe that is a great principle but 'squad depth', 'benches,' and substitutions have changed all that, there are so many players to keep interested and happy so 'rotation' takes over. We are not so good at that.

[Appy]

Absolute joke of a performance. 
 

Feels like I’ve watched Bednarek be dreadful on the ball for the last week, Salisu was as bad. 
 

Midfield pair completely nullified in the last three games, both of them anonymous. 
 

Such a weird lineup picking Smallbone, he isn’t good enough, tidy enough player but doesn’t affect games. 
 

Walker-Peters only player to come away with credit. 

[Wiseone]

3 hours ago, woodsaint1 said:

What a fucking shite week. Need to be looking 5-6 points, we ended it with zero 😂

Villa was bad, Newcastle was pathetic and today somehow managed to be the worst of the lot

Nobody was even semi decent today. Absolutely embarassing performances from Salisu, Bednarek, Forster, Romeu, Moi and Armstrong.

The run of good form looks a distant memory now, and so does the top half ambitions. Lucky we've enough points on the board already

Enough points.... hopefully 🙄

[Lee On Solent Saint]

3 hours ago, Pamplemousse said:

I saw on twitter he sarcastically clapped the fans after a bit of booing. Anyone at the game confirm?

Yep, I saw that

[woodsaint1]

18 minutes ago, Wiseone said:

Enough points.... hopefully 🙄

We'll almost certainly pick up another few wins in the run-in, but even if we lost every single game, 3 of the current bottom 5 are not reaching 35 points (likely have to be 36 with their GD). Norwich will not reach that total and would mean Burnley needing to win 5 of their last 11, Watford winning 5 of their last 9 and Everton/Leeds winning at least 4/5 of their remaining games. Still think 34 points will likely be enough for survival

[rallyboy]

Timewasting and feigning injuries - the last resorts of twats.

Especially annoying when you've handed them a lead to defend.

 

[Lee On Solent Saint]

1 minute ago, rallyboy said:

Timewasting and feigning injuries - the last resorts of twats.

Especially annoying when you've handed them a lead to defend.

 

Agreed. The ref was too weak to clamp down on it the minute they started doing it.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

12 minutes ago, rallyboy said:

Timewasting and feigning injuries - the last resorts of twats.

Especially annoying when you've handed them a lead to defend.

 

Don’t blame them though. The ref was the one that let them get away with it. 

[JRM]

25 minutes ago, rallyboy said:

Timewasting and feigning injuries - the last resorts of twats.

Especially annoying when you've handed them a lead to defend.

 

Watford wanted it more , used every trick in the book , none of out players in the refs ear at all just plodded along, far too nice 

Edited 13 March, 2022 by JRM

[JRM]

10 minutes ago, Fitzhugh Fella said:

Don’t blame them though. The ref was the one that let them get away with it. 

Looked like he was even having a laugh with Foster about it near the end , such a weak ref 

[nta786]

Just now, JRM said:

Looked like he was even having a laugh with Foster about it near the end , such a weak ref 

No doubt the ref’s shirt will be on Foster’s YouTube channel as a fan giveaway prize.

[Forester]

Today was a hard reminder that if you aren’t on it in the Premier League, either concentration defending or passing game, you get beaten.  Like Norwich away second half, this was a horror show and 2-1 flattered us

[Saint Billy]

Now the new owners can truly see what they have purchased as this has quickly reverted back to our true form. 

[Singapore Saint]

4 hours ago, Teddeer said:

It all started with Ralph being touted for manager of the month. We know that comes with a curse.

Worse, he was touted for the Man Utd job.

[Singapore Saint]

4 hours ago, Doctoroncall said:

The only saving grace is Everton is closer to the drop with this result.

I would say the only saving grace is everyone around us (bar Palace who are about to play Man City) lost as well.

[LGTL]

Smallbone? I mean I despair. Will never, ever be good enough. 

[S-Clarke]

1 minute ago, LGTL said:

Smallbone? I mean I despair. Will never, ever be good enough. 

He needs a season away on loan somewhere to 1) toughen up, and 2) work out where he's going to play in his career. I don't know what he is to be honest, CM, number 6, number 10? I don't think he does either.

I wouldn't give up on him, but he needs regular football to grow.

[Whitey Grandad]

2 minutes ago, LGTL said:

Smallbone? I mean I despair. Will never, ever be good enough. 

He was a main reason that we lost. He wasn’t just a passenger, he actually went into hiding. There was one moment when he intercepted just outside our are but apart from that, nothing.

The worst thing is we could have had Adam Armstrong up front along with Che.

[Vancouver Saint]

When did that poxy new ball come out? Looking for a reason why we should go from great to terrible - think this could explain it.

[Saint Garrett]

Haven’t read all messages on here, as Cba, but agree with most of those that I have. Poor performance, set up by an odd starting formation. Going 1 up front against Watford was a bit criminal. Think probably 3 players come out of that game with any credit, and that’s KWP, Adams and Redmond when he came on. apart from that, dreadful.

A few unsure moments from Fraser, all over the place at the back, full backs got shut off, Romeu and JWP got outplayed, Armstrong and Elyounoussi - lost count the amount of times those two gave it away today, Smallbone had a poor game. 

Dreadful to come out of those last 3 games with no points. Need a reaction next week to keep our season interesting, or we might just limp to safety. Some tough games coming up…felt like we were on the beach this week. 

[bpsaint]

24 minutes ago, Vancouver Saint said:

When did that poxy new ball come out? Looking for a reason why we should go from great to terrible - think this could explain it.

First time we used it was Villa away 🤣 the thought crossed my mind too.

In isolation todays defeat would be easier to take. Reminds me of losing to Cardiff on 2 occasions when they had OGS and Colin in charge, or QPR under twitchy and they all went down, just one of those freak results at St Mary’s that happens from time to time. What makes this more concerning is that we’ve been absolutely flying, are in the quarters of the fa cup, and then all of a sudden we’re dogshit again. 

Edited 13 March, 2022 by bpsaint

[Charlie Wayman]

If we play as badly next weekend as we did today we will face humiliation on national TV. That ought to be motivation enough. Barring a miracle week in which every player rediscovers his best form and takes it onto the pitch next Sunday, one fears for the outcome.

[Kingsbridge Saint]

We've not been the same since the 'first team' came back after being 'rested' for the cup match. I disagreed with making the changes then, and even more so now.

[Toussaint]

4 hours ago, Chez said:

 

Not terribly Saintly to call you own players names. No need for it.

True, henceforth I vow not to refer to Redmond as Deadmond. 

[John Boy Saint]

First goal for Watford summed the afternoon “oh sorry would you like another go……………that didn’t work try this one for size, hope you like the gift wrap and ribbon”.

[Jack]

I’m sure I’m not the first to mention it but why the hell have we gone for an experimental lineup against an awful team? 
 

When I saw the lineup, I thought Armstrong at 10, maybe it’ll work. But Smallbone?? Bizarre move. 
 

We threw away a goal, lost every 50/50 and let them waste time from the off by giving away those goals. Pathetic. Watford are awful but didn’t have to be any good to beat us today. Fear we’re on the beach already 

[woodsaint1]

35 minutes ago, John Boy Saint said:

First goal for Watford summed the afternoon “oh sorry would you like another go……………that didn’t work try this one for size, hope you like the gift wrap and ribbon”.

So so bad. Forster's initial pass to KWP was poor and nearly intercepted, then Salisu gave them another go. Whats even worse is that Forster could have forced the striker further  wide if he imposed himself a bit more, all the while Salisu just stood and watched instead of immediately getting back to the line where he could have cut it out.

Second goal was poor too. Just like Newcastle during the week, no pressure on the ball to try to block the cross. Dont know what went on between Salisu and Bednarek in terms of picking up because Perraud had to tuck in on the spare man and in doing so gave up space to the player at the back post to slot home.

Whilst we were poor against Villa, they scored some very good goals which sometimes you cant do anything about. But the goals in the Newcastle game and today were all easily preventable. Thats the annoying bit

[austsaint]

3 hours ago, Whitey Grandad said:

He was a main reason that we lost. He wasn’t just a passenger, he actually went into hiding. There was one moment when he intercepted just outside our are but apart from that, nothing.

The worst thing is we could have had Adam Armstrong up front along with Che.

And should have had A.A. up front once Broja was rested/benched.     Smallbone, Elyounoussi and Armstrong with Che up front was crazy against a struggling side.   Smallbone gives no indication he is up to a starting place.      KWP on the other hand gives every indication he is up to an England call up!     I'm glad/relieved we've got the 35 points in the bank.

[sydney_saint]

I wonder if some of the first team players have lost a little bit of motivation because of the FA Cup. I think all the fan base agree that the cup matches are our most important now. The players arent stupid and they will also know that. It must be pretty shitty to put in the yards all season and then be left out the most important games. Maybe some of them already know it's gonna be a reserve team against City. I'm not excusing them for losing motivation as they are extremely well paid and should be putting in 100% each game. But I can kinda get why you would feel less motivated. 

[obelisk]

In three so-called winnable games against teams below Saints we've scored just twice. One a deflected half arsed attempt and the other a mishit wobble that crept in at the far post. I've prattled on seemingly for ever about our poor chance to goal ratio but now we're not creating very much at all either. Sure we're making mistakes at the the back but going forward Saints look clueless.

[david in sweden]

Apparently we forgot to send Roy Hodgson a present at Christmas, because their goals were classic textbook defensive SNAFU's. 

One or two of Watford's robots clearly had pace and made us pay the price, and Roy had surely noted Newcastle's use of the long ball   

out of defence which troubled our defenders midweek.   Fortunately Watford's  strikers showed their usual profligacy in front of goal.

This may be the result that keeps them up this season, as Everton are in free fall and there's seemingly little that Frank can do about it.

 

One report showed poor stats. for Perraud and  Salisu  but neglected to list Stuart Armstrong amongst the offenders. For someone who  

is normally so reliable he was underwhelming and misplaced a number of simple passes directly to Watford players.  Not his best game.

Our statutory " one goal " came from Elyounoussi  who spent much of his time as defensive back-up whenever Watford stormed forward.

Despite sustaining several crude tackles, KWP was the only player to show up well but got little support from a referee who showed too 

much respect for Watford's bully-boys  and their esteemed manager.  

 

Following this devastating lapse in form, it's obvious that we will be able to beat Man City quite comfortably next weekend,  providing

we get the penalty decisions we were denied in our two previous meetings this season. 

(SIC)

 

[Millbrook Saint]

Salisu seems to think he's better than he is, trying to spray balls around which don't reach the intended recipient, fannying about at the back and losing the ball, he's definitely got potential but he isn't there yet, his agent needs to get out his ear and let him learn his trade, then the real big clubs will come calling

[macca155]

I can hardly bring myself to comment on the game  it was ghastly.

Watford took the chance we gave them. Good luck to them. Once again Hodgson won the tactical battle with Ralph.

This all goes back to that cup game against West Ham, that many changes ripped the heart out of the team. You simply can't do that at this level.

Playing Smallbone and not A Armstrong was bizarre. The midfield was hopelessly outgunned and the attack slow, ponderous, and lacked creativity.

The root of all our problems remains the defence. It is so fragile and needs sorting.

Now we go in to the City game with all momentum lost. Players unsure of who is next to them, and confidence on the deck. It has also silenced the crowd which is never a good sign.

I thought the ref was good, worth axshout out imo. The handball should have been given but he had to rely on VAR for that. I loved the fact that he was very visible in warning players about potential offences. Very rare to see a ref continue play with players on the deck. Got a bit card happy on the 2nd half and bottled the 2nd yellow during injury time but better than most we've had.

 

[Whitey Grandad]

Note to referees:  You don’t have to stop the game just because somebody is lying on the ground holding his leg. 

[Tank]

58 minutes ago, Whitey Grandad said:

Note to referees:  You don’t have to stop the game just because somebody is lying on the ground holding his leg. 

... holding the refs leg?

[Tank]

Ol' Roy looked quite dapper didn't he ... it was the only thing that cheered me up a little.

[JCBSaint]

Can we let the goalie do his savey thing, as am guessing that’s why he is there and not keep passing it back to him to set up an attack. Just have this feeling it doesn’t bl****y work! I rec the defenders shd defend , midfielders build up the attack, wingers maybe run down the wing,cross it in, strikers get on end of crosses? By Jove I think I have sorted out where we are going wrong. 

[fanimal]

Just what if though…

JWP free kick had gone in and then VAR gave us a penalty??

could easily have happened and then what we all be saying??

fine margins as always but no getting away that if AA had started and we hadn’t mucked around at the back I am sure we would have won comfortably 

Watford are where they are because they aren’t great 

[nta786]

Just now, fanimal said:

Just what if though…

JWP free kick had gone in and then VAR gave us a penalty??

could easily have happened and then what we all be saying??

fine margins as always but no getting away that if AA had started and we hadn’t mucked around at the back I am sure we would have won comfortably 

Watford are where they are because they aren’t great 

You could argue what ifs for a lot of our recent results too - what if Everton got a 1st half penalty, what if Bowen/Soucek scored in 1st half of FA Cup 5th Round, what if Ronaldo didn't miss the practically empty net, what if Reguilon scored the 1v1 he had against us in the first 15 minutes...

Ultimately though you make your own luck and every game is a fine margin 

[Lord Duckhunter]

1 hour ago, fanimal said:

Just what if though…

JWP free kick had gone in and then VAR gave us a penalty??

could easily have happened and then what we all be saying??

fine margins as always but no getting away that if AA had started and we hadn’t mucked around at the back I am sure we would have won comfortably 

Watford are where they are because they aren’t great 

Fine margins, you are correct in one respect . If you’re not 100% on it, you’ll get beat in this league. Drop your standards slightly and even dog shit sides will beat you. That’s why we got beat, we slightly dropped the high standards and work rate of recent weeks, and got punished for it. 

[teamsaint]

2 hours ago, nta786 said:

You could argue what ifs for a lot of our recent results too - what if Everton got a 1st half penalty, what if Bowen/Soucek scored in 1st half of FA Cup 5th Round, what if Ronaldo didn't miss the practically empty net, what if Reguilon scored the 1v1 he had against us in the first 15 minutes...

Ultimately though you make your own luck and every game is a fine margin 

Absolutely. But one problem we have is that our good days a are built on the quick passing/good movement and well co-ordinated press. When the slick pass and move isn't functioning well, and sooner or later all teams struggle with keeping that going, you have to fall back on  defensive solidity and  taking what chances come your way. Until the defence and midfield cover  is really sorted out, bad runs are inevitable.