Brighton 2-2 Saints - Match Thread

[DT]

41 minutes ago, Chez said:

...or you could say that whatever he said at half time worked a treat.

You could if you had Ralph tinted spectacles on. He does it too often. picks unbalanced teams, doesn't adapt. We got luck relying on JWP's brilliance

[stknowle]

Saw both Jekyll and Hyde Saints today. Decent draw in the end against a team I think we are very evenly matched with. Anyway we've avoided defeat in 22 of the 34 games  we've played this season in unarguably the strongest and richest league in the world. On our budget it's alright really ain't it? 

[Vancouver Saint]

2-0 down, Livramento with a serious injury (hope not, but looks like it) - how many of us wouldn't have taken a 2-2 draw?!

Tella instrumental in getting us back into the game - played really well and showed what a bit of pace can do for us up front. JWP obviously a great game - and you could see the step-up in his game after he'd scored. We were much the better team second half and totally dominated until the last 10 minutes.

Wake-up reminder for anyone deluded enough to think we should give 'calamity' Foster a new contract. Redmond didn't really take his opportunity to claim his place. Salisu had a mare but recovered a bit second half. Would have rather seen AA instead of Long starting.

Proper left-right backs in Perraud and KWP helped.

Just relieved we didn't lose to a crappy last second, deflected jammy goal!

[trousers]

1 minute ago, stknowle said:

Saw both Jekyll and Hyde Saints today. Decent draw in the end against a team I think we are very evenly matched with. Anyway we've avoided defeat in 22 of the 34 games  we've played this season in unarguably the strongest and richest league in the world. On our budget it's alright really ain't it? 

Not bad for a club that's f***ing rubbish for 90% of the season.

[miserableoldgit]

1 minute ago, trousers said:

Not bad for a club that's f***ing rubbish for 90% of the season.

No...but yeah...but no....but.....

[Chez]

4 minutes ago, DT said:

You could if you had Ralph tinted spectacles on. He does it too often. picks unbalanced teams, doesn't adapt. We got luck relying on JWP's brilliance

I'm not really a `pro Ralph' poster, but he has continually been slated for his apparent negative impact after a half time team talk. All bollocks of course, but if you believe in it then he must be credited this time...unless of course you have `Ralph out specs' blurring the vision

You are right, he often picks some weird sides. The one at Anfield was ridiculous. He has reacted much more this season and changed the formation in games. JWP free kicks certainly have got us out of jail a few times now. We lack quality in the final third. Not addressing that is down to Ralph and his team..and the budget available too.

 

[DT]

This makes no sense:

Hasenhuttl: “We had a horrible first half, with a very early goal. Conceding the second goal, you think, it’s a big mountain to climb. I must say that the guys, even in the first half haven’t done a job. This was the reason why we also didn’t change at half time.” #saintsfc [bbc]
 

 

[trousers]

1 minute ago, DT said:

This makes no sense:

Hasenhuttl: “We had a horrible first half, with a very early goal. Conceding the second goal, you think, it’s a big mountain to climb. I must say that the guys, even in the first half haven’t done a job. This was the reason why we also didn’t change at half time.” #saintsfc [bbc]
 

 

Seems clear enough to me. He wanted to give the players chance to redeem themselves in the second half.

[The Kraken]

Just now, trousers said:

Seems clear enough to me. He wanted to give the players chance to redeem themselves in the second half.

Yep. The players were underperforming and he expected them to improve.

[Chez]

4 minutes ago, DT said:

This makes no sense:

Hasenhuttl: “We had a horrible first half, with a very early goal. Conceding the second goal, you think, it’s a big mountain to climb. I must say that the guys, even in the first half haven’t done a job. This was the reason why we also didn’t change at half time.” #saintsfc [bbc]
 

 

did he mean `have done a job'? If so, that would make even less sense, as they did fuck all in the first half.

Edited 24 April, 2022 by Chez

[woodsaint1]

Thank god for JWP, again. You know that guy who isnt captain material and offers nothing except set plays. Him and KWP the standouts for player of the year, but JWP deserves it for the goals/assists alone

[macca155]

It's easy to criticise but a draw is a good result against a side who are well drilled, and have caused plenty of other sides problems.

However Saints were improved after the enforced change of Tino (I hope he's ok). That begs a legitimate question on Ralph's selections this year.

The fact remains that Saints look spineless (or headless to be more accurate) at the back and toothless up front. The summer works are obvious.

As often said the League table doesn't lie  and Saints are probably in the right place. There have been good games .... I'm sure I remember a few😲, but the way their form can drop off a cliff is alarming.

How much longer can Saints survive like this? With Utd needing to replace half their team in the summer, odds are that JWP will be off. He deserves that move, so no problem as far as I am concerned but that will leave a big hole.

So all in all, good result today. Feels a hell of a lot better than Thursday but I can't help feeling that it asks more questions than it answers.

 

[Streaky]

27 minutes ago, Chez said:

did he mean `have done a job'? If so, that would make even less sense, as they did fuck all in the first half.

He said haven't done a job, as in not stuck to the game plan and played badly. Therfore they had to put it right 2nd half.

[Dman]

51 minutes ago, trousers said:

Oh you’ve got me, 85% then. 

[DT]

35 minutes ago, Chez said:

I'm not really a `pro Ralph' poster, but he has continually been slated for his apparent negative impact after a half time team talk. All bollocks of course, but if you believe in it then he must be credited this time...unless of course you have `Ralph out specs' blurring the vision

You are right, he often picks some weird sides. The one at Anfield was ridiculous. He has reacted much more this season and changed the formation in games. JWP free kicks certainly have got us out of jail a few times now. We lack quality in the final third. Not addressing that is down to Ralph and his team..and the budget available too.

 

I think he tinkers too much and his obstinate about his one way of playing. He doesn't seem to react quick enough to in-game situations. And I think his man management is questionable. Since he's said he's off anyway at the end of next season, doesn't that make him a bit tricky to stay with next? Really think we should have less of a soft underbelly, and I would say much of that is down to him and the coaching team. Can't say I'm inspired by one which includes Kelvin Davis. Just feels like it's time to thank him and move on. Can't take any more 9-0s or even the Chelsea 6-0 to be honest. They just look like an open wound that keeps being opened again - in the DNA. Do think we need more of a tactician that knows how to shut down teams, be less open, whilst still having the ability to open them up. It's not a zero sum game. So I guess I am in the Ralph out camp. Or at least - so long Ralph - thanks for the good times, but not for changing it all around for no reason and then going on horrible runs.

[miserableoldgit]

1 minute ago, DT said:

I think he tinkers too much and his obstinate about his one way of playing. He doesn't seem to react quick enough to in-game situations. And I think his man management is questionable. Since he's said he's off anyway at the end of next season, doesn't that make him a bit tricky to stay with next? Really think we should have less of a soft underbelly, and I would say much of that is down to him and the coaching team. Can't say I'm inspired by one which includes Kelvin Davis. Just feels like it's time to thank him and move on. Can't take any more 9-0s or even the Chelsea 6-0 to be honest. They just look like an open wound that keeps being opened again - in the DNA. Do think we need more of a tactician that knows how to shut down teams, be less open, whilst still having the ability to open them up. It's not a zero sum game. So I guess I am in the Ralph out camp. Or at least - so long Ralph - thanks for the good times, but not for changing it all around for no reason and then going on horrible runs.

Now I am confused...

[John B]

20 minutes ago, macca155 said:

It's easy to criticise but a draw is a good result against a side who are well drilled, and have caused plenty of other sides problems.

However Saints were improved after the enforced change of Tino (I hope he's ok). That begs a legitimate question on Ralph's selections this year.

The fact remains that Saints look spineless (or headless to be more accurate) at the back and toothless up front. The summer works are obvious.

As often said the League table doesn't lie  and Saints are probably in the right place. There have been good games .... I'm sure I remember a few😲, but the way their form can drop off a cliff is alarming.

How much longer can Saints survive like this? With Utd needing to replace half their team in the summer, odds are that JWP will be off. He deserves that move, so no problem as far as I am concerned but that will leave a big hole.

So all in all, good result today. Feels a hell of a lot better than Thursday but I can't help feeling that it asks more questions than it answers.

 

SFC has been like this essentially since getting to Div 1 in 1966 a few seasons of relative success playing in Europe many seasons of just staying up and a couple of relegations

It will probably continue in the same way for the immediate future but at least we are still in the PL unlike Portsmouth Derby Nottm Forest Ipswich Sunderland Coventry clubs to similar to us

[DT]

8 minutes ago, miserableoldgit said:

Now I am confused...

Is not his

[trousers]

32 minutes ago, Dman said:

Oh you’ve got me, 85% then. 

[saintquin]

2 hours ago, OttawaSaint said:

JWP made a hand signal like a T when he scored. T = teacher's pet?

T for Tino?

[trousers]

7 minutes ago, saintquin said:

T for Tino?

 

[OttawaSaint]

8 minutes ago, trousers said:

 

I assumed it was for @TWar

[S-Clarke]

Just terrible defending today, which gave us a mountain to climb. We didn't play as bad as at Burnley, but defensively it was a calamity in that first half. Salisu was a mess in the first half, as bad as he's ever been. He needs to sort his shit out.

The goal just before half time dragged us back in and totally changed the complexion of the second half.

For a good 80% of that 2nd half it was just us, but my main criticism is apart from that JWP goal we didn't trouble Sanchez at all. No real clear cut chances. The only number 10 who really showed up was Tella, he provided somewhat of a threat, but other than that we had zilch.

The result doesn't really mean much if the injury to Tino is bad though. The club and Ralph seem resigned to this being a long-term injury, obviously too early to be sure but I'd be surprised if we see him again in 2022. I hate seeing talented players careers curtailed by such cruel injuries. Everything crossed for some not-so-bad news this week. That's all I care about right now.

Edited 24 April, 2022 by S-Clarke

[whelk]

I thought it was how the choirboy will celebrate with a cuppa

Edited 24 April, 2022 by whelk

[Bad Wolf]

• Stayed up comfortably
• Knocked out of both cups by the champions of England and of the World respectively
• Ridiculously low net spend again
• Achieved various "surprise results" against the big boys

Not really sure what more our fans want tbh. The PL has turned out fanbase into a bunch of spoilt, entitled little brats. HaShTaGrAlPhOuT

[Give it to Ron]

21 minutes ago, Instant Classic said:

• Stayed up comfortably
• Knocked out of both cups by the champions of England and of the World respectively
• Ridiculously low net spend again
• Achieved various "surprise results" against the big boys

Not really sure what more our fans want tbh. The PL has turned out fanbase into a bunch of spoilt, entitled little brats. HaShTaGrAlPhOuT

How about not losing to Norwich, Watford, Everton, Burnley, Newcastle, Villa tonking?

[Bad Wolf]

10 minutes ago, Give it to Ron said:

How about not losing to Norwich, Watford, Everton, Burnley, Newcastle, Villa tonking?

So losing games we should win we can count as bad but winning/drawing games we should lose aren't eligible to be used in this argument?

We've lost some awful games and won some brilliant ones. Remember that stretch where went 3 years or whatever without beating any of the big boys and it was appalling despite the fact we were winning these games we "should" be winning?

I'm genuinely curious as to what you think would be a good season for us.

[Lighthouse]

9 minutes ago, Give it to Ron said:

How about not losing to Norwich, Watford, Everton, Burnley, Newcastle, Villa tonking?

So you expect us to achieve surprise results against teams above us and not lose to anyone around and below us, all with a team built on a Championship budget for the last 5 years?

[Diabolus Ex Machina]

Random fact of the day - that brace for Ward-Prowse is the first time a Saint had scored twice in the same game in the league this season.

We're certainly a team of ups and downs under Ralph and we seemed to get that throughout a single game today. I'm waiting until the end of the season to make any firm conclusions about how our season has gone - still 12 points up for grabs and a lot of teams in the middle/middle-bottom range of the league that are much of a muchness this season so positions will fluctuate a lot between now and the end of the season.

We're comfortably staying up so job done really but it's not unfair to question if progress is really being made, though to be honest I believe any real progress will be down to recruitment more than any other factor.

[Give it to Ron]

25 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

So you expect us to achieve surprise results against teams above us and not lose to anyone around and below us, all with a team built on a Championship budget for the last 5 years?

Where have I said I expect us to get surprise results?

Was losing 4 nil at Villa acceptable? 
I didn’t expect us to lose 6-0 at home to Chelsea either .

Did you think 4-5-1 at home to Watford and at Burnley is acceptable to you? Was hanging Smallbone out to dry ok?

Our squad needs improving no doubt but we have a decent 14 and not utilised properly. I think Diallo could  have been brought in and strengthen the middle.

Championship budget where a lot was wasted on Armstrong and Walcott 

Edited 24 April, 2022 by Give it to Ron

[macca155]

2 hours ago, John B said:

SFC has been like this essentially since getting to Div 1 in 1966 a few seasons of relative success playing in Europe many seasons of just staying up and a couple of relegations

It will probably continue in the same way for the immediate future but at least we are still in the PL unlike Portsmouth Derby Nottm Forest Ipswich Sunderland Coventry clubs to similar to us

Quite right, positive mental attitude always essential with Saints.

It just feels a little more precarious at the moment. Probably just me having the wobbles.

[Give it to Ron]

29 minutes ago, Instant Classic said:

So losing games we should win we can count as bad but winning/drawing games we should lose aren't eligible to be used in this argument?

We've lost some awful games and won some brilliant ones. Remember that stretch where went 3 years or whatever without beating any of the big boys and it was appalling despite the fact we were winning these games we "should" be winning?

I'm genuinely curious as to what you think would be a good season for us.

Up until March I thought it was a pretty decent showing but  since the West Ham game it’s deteriorated pretty badly.

Performances have been shocking- we stayed up that was the goal.

Could you show me where I said those wins are not eligible?

Maybe read what’s posted than make up what you want to read?

 

[Saint_clark]

Anyone think Nketiah or Origi could be good options for us on free transfers?

[Bad Wolf]

3 minutes ago, Give it to Ron said:

Up until March I thought it was a pretty decent showing but  since the West Ham game it’s deteriorated pretty badly.

Performances have been shocking- we stayed up that was the goal.

Could you show me where I said those wins are not eligible?

Maybe read what’s posted than make up what you want to read?

 

But up until March we'd got some great results against some brilliant teams that we wern't meant to get those results against. The fact you said it was decent until then kind of proves my point - Why does the bad outweigh the good? Ralph is a good manager, just not a great one but is the gap between goodness and greatness worth sacrificing for the stability and genuine warmth and care for the club that he brings? I think it is but if you disagree that's fair enough.

[Lee On Solent Saint]

5 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

Anyone think Nketiah or Origi could be good options for us on free transfers?

Would take Origi. Way out of our price range for wages though

[teamsaint]

Regardless of the manager’s abilities or failings, after Ings was sold I doubt many of us would have turned down 40 points with 5 games to go.

 

[Give it to Ron]

21 minutes ago, Instant Classic said:

But up until March we'd got some great results against some brilliant teams that we wern't meant to get those results against. The fact you said it was decent until then kind of proves my point - Why does the bad outweigh the good? Ralph is a good manager, just not a great one but is the gap between goodness and greatness worth sacrificing for the stability and genuine warmth and care for the club that he brings? I think it is but if you disagree that's fair enough.

No argument about being a good manager but there are so many games we lost, drawn due to tactically naivety. An example is Brighton at home we had another sub why didn’t he bring on Diallo shut down midfield in injury time? Although our keeper not saying was injured didn’t help but we could have controlled that game.

Watford at home why wait until half time to change Smallbone?

Burnley not picking on him but Ely has been poor weeks still stays on we have no pace.

So many games we could have done better in with this squad that’s why I don’t think it’s been as good as could have been.

Beating Spurs away the highlight.

Another Prem  season to look forward to my 55th year of going and still my ambition is for us to get top ten again but recruiting this summer is key.

Edited 24 April, 2022 by Give it to Ron

[notnowcato]

I go to a few Brighton games each season as I’ve lived in the city for 15 years now. The away support today was the loudest I’ve heard in the Amex. Fair play. 
 

JWP completely bossed the game today. Thought we deserved more from the match following the dog shit start. 
Love Perraud, would hate to play against the gnarly little merde. 

[woodsaint1]

If this stuttering finish to the season opens Dragan's eyes to how much investment this squad needs, then I'll take that. We need a statement of intent from him. I'm not asking that we start spending 30m+ on players, but that we address the areas which we've lacking for a number of years - GK, CB, DM, AM and CF. That will easily require upwards of 60m in this day and age. Hopefully we can move a few on to supplement this spending

[East Kent Saint]

32 minutes ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

Would take Origi. Way out of our price range for wages though

Off to Italy apparently , according to gossip roundup on BBC website recently .

[spyinthesky]

16 minutes ago, Give it to Ron said:

No argument about being a good manager but there are so many games we lost, drawn due to tactically naivety. An example is Brighton at home we had another sub why didn’t he bring on Diallo shut down midfield in injury time? Although our keeper not saying was injured didn’t help but we could have controlled that game.

Watford at home why wait until half time to change Smallbone?

Burnley not picking on him but Ely has been poor weeks still stays on we have no pace.

So many games we could have done better in with this squad that’s why I don’t think it’s been as good as could have been.

Beating Spurs away the highlight.

Another Prem  season to look forward to my 55th year of going and still my ambition is for us to get top ten again but recruiting this summer is key.

55th year? You are just a nipper compared to some, me included!!

(but well done though, we have been through a lot together and it doesnt get any easier!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

[sfc4prem]

I've always pondered about Bednarek. When we signed him, was he viewed as back up? What did we pay again for him, £5m? I wonder if we ever considered him to be a first choice centre back when we bought him...

 

Salisu is still learning the ropes. He is very young and clearly has talent, but is prone to errors and nervous performances. I'm not worried about him, I think he has bags of potential.

I think we need more potency up top. One thing I feel we really miss is someone that can make runs in and around the pocket between the striker and midfield. Currently we look very pedestrian, relying on runs from our fullbacks. When they're cancelled out by the opposition having rigid positioning, it leaves us looking inept and toothless. I do wonder how we can go about fixing this.

 

I do feel sorry for Arma.

[Give it to Ron]

6 minutes ago, spyinthesky said:

55th year? You are just a nipper compared to some, me included!!

(but well done though, we have been through a lot together and it doesnt get any easier!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Yep first away was 67 aged 8  or 9 when beat Pompey 5-2. Been some great and horrible times since.

Football has changed so much and now it’s all about money who has most but we can still give them a bloody nose occasionally.

 

[Bad Wolf]

1 hour ago, Give it to Ron said:

No argument about being a good manager but there are so many games we lost, drawn due to tactically naivety. An example is Brighton at home we had another sub why didn’t he bring on Diallo shut down midfield in injury time? Although our keeper not saying was injured didn’t help but we could have controlled that game.

Watford at home why wait until half time to change Smallbone?

Burnley not picking on him but Ely has been poor weeks still stays on we have no pace.

So many games we could have done better in with this squad that’s why I don’t think it’s been as good as could have been.

Beating Spurs away the highlight.

Another Prem  season to look forward to my 55th year of going and still my ambition is for us to get top ten again but recruiting this summer is key.

That's totally fair enough. But like I said, do you want to sacrifice a good manager who loves the club and has an incredible relationship with the fans for a great manager who is going to be off at the end of a season leaving us to find yet another 'great' manager?

[Bad Wolf]

51 minutes ago, Give it to Ron said:

Yep first away was 67 aged 8  or 9 when beat Pompey 5-2. Been some great and horrible times since.

Football has changed so much and now it’s all about money who has most but we can still give them a bloody nose occasionally.

 

Tbf football has been about money since the 50's. Brian Clough alluded to it in the 60's so this whole thing about it being a modern mark on the game is non-sense. I know that you didn't say or even imply that but that seems to be the consensus.

The fact is, football is a business, club's are franchises, players are employees and fans are customers. That's just the way it is and in many ways, the way it should be.

[RedWillie]

Just please, please sort out our comedy defence in the summer please.  It's a series of comic blunders week in , week out.

[Ivan Katalinic's 'tache]

Enjoyed that. A great away day and I thought our support was decent. I'll take it for what it is, a nice comeback after a mixed first half through 2 excellent JWP strikes. We still appear chaotic in the centre of defence at times and rectifying this in the summer is a must. As is a consistent striking option if we can find one. Can't always rely on JWP to pull free kicks out of the bag for goals but they are great when they happen. 

 

 

[farawaysaint]

On the bright side we aren’t Everton.

[Maggie May]

1 hour ago, farawaysaint said:

On the bright side we aren’t Everton.

I think they’ll get out of trouble. I think it’ll be Leeds instead. 

[austsaint]

10 hours ago, Whitey Grandad said:

Just out for the rest of this season then.

It looked like an ankle that rolled when the slow motion replay was shown.  Surely torn ankle ligaments or even a fracture would be a better outcome than an ACL!

Those two superb strikes from Ward-Prowse and his midfield partnership with Romeu certainly saved our blushes today.   Midfield was the only area of the pitch we had the ascendancy although all three full backs, Adams and Tella made contributions.   I just thought Shane Long starting was a shocking selection; and keeping him on until the 78th minute compounded the error - surely Broja or Armstrong A. would have been the better call.