Saints 1-1 West Ham - Match Thread

[Sarisbury Saint]

1 hour ago, aintforever said:

Aribo spent the whole second half just strolling up and down the right, didn’t get back to cover Rice and made little effort to break forward when he had the chance. Lazy cunt.

Think it’s win or sack for Ralph now on Weds.

Agree, he didn’t get back behind the ball enough when we lost it.

[AlexLaw76]

The Romeu sale - which was 100% avoidable - is looking insanely ridiculous 

[JRM]

8 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

The Romeu sale - which was 100% avoidable - is looking insanely ridiculous 

Let's hope Lavia return to training goes well this week, will take him a while to be ready to start for us again I'd imagine, hopefully by Palace. 

[JRM]

15 minutes ago, Graffito said:

Advised to take “alternative transport”. What fucking alternative transport? I walked. And got soaked. Walked 12 miles today. But the football was worth it wasn’t it.

Taxi drivers were doing well today so a nice bonus for them. 

Wasn't just to Eastleigh (announcement was for benefit of London bound away fans I think) it was also a mess going West. 

Same again next week for visit of Arsenal. 

[farawaysaint]

“Respect the point” - Nigel Adkins

[Saint-Michael]

1 hour ago, Highfield Saint said:

Haha. Very good! ish..

I’ve only gone back four or five pages but the vast majority of posts on this thread are saying how shit the club/team/individual players/manager/assistant manager/radio commentator and replacement rail bus service are regardless of what happens or who we play 

And its been that way (apart from the replacement rail bus service) since Adams missed two chances in two minutes at Wolves 

Saintsweb fans must be the most entitled in the league and it didn’t use to be that way. It was us united against the rest and this was part of what kept us up in the Dell days

Now, good Lord above, I have serious flaws as anyone who knows me can testify but maybe, just maybe….

Now your playing the victim .

[Fitzhugh Fella]

51 minutes ago, saint1977 said:

It’s like that though, and far worse actually on most PL, Championship and bigger League One clubs forums. Have a sample of a few and see. Broadly I agree with you about how revolting Twitter is, to the point where I can no longer stomach using it even for promoting stuff for work. I too remember the 1990s but you are forgetting some key differences to now. Saints were up against it in those days against clubs with stadiums double the size of a Dell at the end of its life, trying desperately to find somewhere to build a new stadium. I defended the club a lot in that era post Branfoot and it was us against the rest of the league.

2017 onwards is a totally different kettle of fish. The club didn’t have to be sold to Gao, the middle of the Kingsland didn’t have to evict STHs to accommodate unsold £99 corporate seats still watching League One quality football. The club didn’t used to pick fights with fans constantly eg block 1 and away supporters were evicted from home areas at the Dell. And of course, whilst watching Saints on the road in that era was a depressing experience, at home the record kept us up and most games the players gave it their all. For example we beat ManU three times in a row in their prime at home. The primary focus was what mattered - first team and academy, not vanity projects and empty strap lines.

In those days we had disadvantages caused by the Taylor report and geography, no excuses now. Self inflicted problems, ponderous decision-making and governance, dreadful home league record for over 5 years, insipid performances and a faceless corporate feel. Adams has his strengths but only ever a second striker. All these posts and scouts and we ‘forget’ to buy a striker after Broja and Long left and AA flopped. Unbelievable. Romeu sold leaving only one DMC, an 18 year old, after seeing what Oriol’s leg break at Leeds did to results in 20/21. 

Find us a club apart from Brentford who wouldn’t being protesting and kicking off hugely in the same shoes and you will be doing well. Blackmore is definitely channeling the sloping shoulders of Semmens and the board but businesses that blame their paying punters without exception go out of business in the end and understandably so. Take heed SR.

Brilliant post. Thanks for being so articulate 

[Appy]

Our Premier League record since we beat Norwich at home in February. 
 

Played 22

Won 3

Drawn 4 

Lost 15

Scored 18

Conceded 48

Points 13

[MAY-Z]

Haven’t read every post but the stat that stands out to me today: 

 

after we scored today it was 23 shots to 4 (West Hams way obviously) 

[Lee On Solent Saint]

6 minutes ago, Appy said:

Our Premier League record since we beat Norwich at home in February. 
 

Played 22

Won 3

Drawn 4 

Lost 15

Scored 18

Conceded 48

Points 13

That's a shocking stat

[cloggy saint]

16 minutes ago, MAY-Z said:

Haven’t read every post but the stat that stands out to me today: 

 

after we scored today it was 23 shots to 4 (West Hams way obviously) 

Showing that West Ham are shit at finishing.

[Nemi]

4 hours ago, woodsaint1 said:

10 goals and 5 assists last season says otherwise. Some pens and fks in there but if we didnt have his contribution last season we would have been relegated

I think I’m correct in saying without free-kicks or penalties it’s 1 goal and 2 assists. And those two assists were the crosses against Spurs. He has absolutely no penetration in his passing whatsoever. He can only do one thing well and it’s not something that’s particularly useful for a CM.
 

Being exceptional at set-pieces doesn’t make up for a midfield that didn’t and still doesn’t protect its defence and slows down the play in attack. He’s been a fundamental part of us regressing as a club.

[Dark Munster]

54 minutes ago, Appy said:

Our Premier League record since we beat Norwich at home in February. 
 

Played 22

Won 3

Drawn 4 

Lost 15

Scored 18

Conceded 48

Points 13

In a nutshell this why Ralph has to go. Enough is enough.

[Badger]

1 hour ago, saint1977 said:

It’s like that though, and far worse actually on most PL, Championship and bigger League One clubs forums. Have a sample of a few and see. Broadly I agree with you about how revolting Twitter is, to the point where I can no longer stomach using it even for promoting stuff for work. I too remember the 1990s but you are forgetting some key differences to now. Saints were up against it in those days against clubs with stadiums double the size of a Dell at the end of its life, trying desperately to find somewhere to build a new stadium. I defended the club a lot in that era post Branfoot and it was us against the rest of the league.

2017 onwards is a totally different kettle of fish. The club didn’t have to be sold to Gao, the middle of the Kingsland didn’t have to evict STHs to accommodate unsold £99 corporate seats still watching League One quality football. The club didn’t used to pick fights with fans constantly eg block 1 and away supporters were evicted from home areas at the Dell. And of course, whilst watching Saints on the road in that era was a depressing experience, at home the record kept us up and most games the players gave it their all. For example we beat ManU three times in a row in their prime at home. The primary focus was what mattered - first team and academy, not vanity projects and empty strap lines.

In those days we had disadvantages caused by the Taylor report and geography, no excuses now. Self inflicted problems, ponderous decision-making and governance, dreadful home league record for over 5 years, insipid performances and a faceless corporate feel. Adams has his strengths but only ever a second striker. All these posts and scouts and we ‘forget’ to buy a striker after Broja and Long left and AA flopped. Unbelievable. Romeu sold leaving only one DMC, an 18 year old, after seeing what Oriol’s leg break at Leeds did to results in 20/21. 

Find us a club apart from Brentford who wouldn’t being protesting and kicking off hugely in the same shoes and you will be doing well. Blackmore is definitely channeling the sloping shoulders of Semmens and the board but businesses that blame their paying punters without exception go out of business in the end and understandably so. Take heed SR.

Good post, covering a lot of the ills and issues at SFC at the moment.

[OttawaSaint]

1 hour ago, Appy said:

Our Premier League record since we beat Norwich at home in February. 
 

Played 22

Won 3

Drawn 4 

Lost 15

Scored 18

Conceded 48

Points 13

Jesus Christ! I tend to just try and forget all the shit games, didn't think it was that bad. I knew it was bad but...jesus!

Edited 16 October, 2022 by OttawaSaint

[Cumbria Saint]

Interestingly 1 more goal today and we would be 15th and on the same points as 13th. It's not a great start to the season but all is not yet lost.

[macca155]

3 hours ago, saintant said:

I didn't see the game but if we were stupid enough to give Declan Rice the freedom of the park it is a miracle we managed to scramble a point. What goes on at the training ground in preparation for matches? Does nobody gather a dossier on our opponents strengths and weaknesses? You wouldn't even need a dossier to know what Rice can do - it's there for anyone to see watching him in televised games. I despair at how amateur this club has become.

In the first half he played deep and as we sit back these days he had time to set up attacks. However in the 1st half Saints were stronger and intercepted well.

In the 2nd half he pushed forward, still had loads of room. His goal was classic Rice, he had time to move, look, set, pick a spot and shoot. No way would Romeu have allowed that.

[saintant]

1 minute ago, macca155 said:

In the first half he played deep and as we sit back these days he had time to set up attacks. However in the 1st half Saints were stronger and intercepted well.

In the 2nd half he pushed forward, still had loads of room. His goal was classic Rice, he had time to move, look, set, pick a spot and shoot. No way would Romeu have allowed that.

So why did Ralph do nothing to counter it.?You could see it happening but the guy who is paid six million couldn't. Sums him up.

[Dellman]

Just now, macca155 said:

In the first half he played deep and as we sit back these days he had time to set up attacks. However in the 1st half Saints were stronger and intercepted well.

In the 2nd half he pushed forward, still had loads of room. His goal was classic Rice, he had time to move, look, set, pick a spot and shoot. No way would Romeu have allowed that.

You're right the Romeu we knew and loved would have been on him in a flash but the Romeu of the last season was failing. Do we know if has recovered or is he near the end? 

[Kingsbridge Saint]

We just go into a possession based game when we go 1 up, and we are shit at it. Look at that shot count from when we scored. No wonder we drop record numbers of points from winning positions. I feel sorry for the front two, they get starved of the ball whenever we go in front. Armstrong points and makes the runs but so many of our midfield, Moi and JWP in particular, ignore the attacking ball and revert to sideways backwards, possession which usually iterates as sideways backwards hoof, lose the ball. It's dreadful stuff and the buck stops with Ralph. If we don't win at Bournemouth it's time for him to go. 

 

[Lighthouse]

2 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said:

The Romeu sale - which was 100% avoidable - is looking insanely ridiculous 

Selling him wasn’t the problem, he was underperforming badly at the end of last season. Signing AMN was the problem; I sort of expected a man who’s played 140 times for Arsenal to know what he’s doing. I’m guessing our recruitment team did too.

[macca155]

21 minutes ago, saintant said:

So why did Ralph do nothing to counter it.?You could see it happening but the guy who is paid six million couldn't. Sums him up.

Good question if you ever get an answer, let's us know.

I guess (nothing more) that our current set up relies on a defending the ball deeper,and less press so that we aren't caught out.

Can't say I'm a fan, our best player JWP has to cover so much ground and has no support. Once Armstrong came on he had more freedom. Begs another question.

[macca155]

26 minutes ago, Dellman said:

You're right the Romeu we knew and loved would have been on him in a flash but the Romeu of the last season was failing. Do we know if has recovered or is he near the end? 

I meant that, Romeu wasn't the same player last year. Maybe Lyanco is worth trying in that roll.

[DT]

2 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said:

The Romeu sale - which was 100% avoidable - is looking insanely ridiculous 

A massive loss, yes, and perhaps the reason JWP could look so good. But avoidable? He wanted to go. Tricky to stand in the way of that. Even for such a great pro. 

[woodsaint1]

1 hour ago, Nemi said:

I think I’m correct in saying without free-kicks or penalties it’s 1 goal and 2 assists. And those two assists were the crosses against Spurs. He has absolutely no penetration in his passing whatsoever. He can only do one thing well and it’s not something that’s particularly useful for a CM.
 

Being exceptional at set-pieces doesn’t make up for a midfield that didn’t and still doesn’t protect its defence and slows down the play in attack. He’s been a fundamental part of us regressing as a club.

Well isnt it a good thing penalties and free kicks are an important part of the game then. He is arguably the best free kick taker in the PL.

He's never had that penetration in his passing, same as hes not overly renowned for his defensive play, but hes still crucial to our team - when everbodys fit who else would you play as a CM pairing? When JWP has been at his best, we've had a good mix of players around him who complement each other and share the responsibilities. We havent had that for most of this season with Romeu departing and Lavia getting injured (JWP and Lavia were beginning to form a good partnership). We've had to rely on Diallo and AMN (whos still finding his way in the team) to fill the slot beside JWP. Neither complement him as I think they're all very similar.

Yes JWP's not having a great season, but then who in our team is. Our fans are quick to slag off last years player of the year (and the year before that) who has single handedly won us numerous games over the years and was pretty much responsible for keeping us up last year. Think he deserves a bit of slack.

[ErwinK1961]

The Romeu revisionism is in full force. Great bloke, good player a few years back but his legs went after that Leeds injury. 

Selling him not the issue, not replacing him is.

 

[John Boy Saint]

We are too bloody nice for our own good, watching the West Ham goal, as I thought in the game the ball hits the ref - the game must stop but he plays on - then on MOTD there a bit of bitching about the ref being in the way for Perrauds goal.. 
Even if Banks wasn't going to over turn it we should have been right in his ear about not stopping the game for his contact.

 

[Whitey Grandad]

4 minutes ago, John Boy Saint said:

We are too bloody nice for our own good, watching the West Ham goal, as I thought in the game the ball hits the ref - the game must stop but he plays on - then on MOTD there a bit of bitching about the ref being in the way for Perrauds goal.. 
Even if Banks wasn't going to over turn it we should have been right in his ear about not stopping the game for his contact.

 

Nope. The ball hits the ref but West Ham continue to have possession so no need to stop the game.

What did West Ham want the ref to do about Perraud’s goal? It’s not his fault that Bowen runs into him. Perraud managed to avoid him, perhaps Bowen ought to be more aware of what was around him?

[Saint86]

Credible point vs very good west ham side. Our squad minus Lavia and ABK is a relegation level team - Not sure its much above that even with them.

Not that we were great for squad depth anyway, but AMN (who is not match fit and hasn't impressed) now also now injured? Selling Romeu was criminal and could well be the move that makes us.

Edited 16 October, 2022 by Saint86

[John Boy Saint]

2 minutes ago, Whitey Grandad said:

Nope. The ball hits the ref but West Ham continue to have possession so no need to stop the game.

What did West Ham want the ref to do about Perraud’s goal? It’s not his fault that Bowen runs into him. Perraud managed to avoid him, perhaps Bowen ought to be more aware of what was around him?

Well that’s where consistency goes out the window - I’ve seen the ball hit the ref umpteen times and the team in possession retain the ball from the contact and the ref stop the game regardless.

[Saint86]

1 hour ago, saintant said:

So why did Ralph do nothing to counter it.?You could see it happening but the guy who is paid six million couldn't. Sums him up.

Because we have no CDM's to speak off. And west ham capitalised on that by pushing our mids deeper, isolating our attack and exposing our extremely soft centre. Unless you want to start playing Lyanco in CM and further mess up our formation, i don't really see what you do about this - we have no squad depth to speak of in central midfield.

I maintain the only way this is going to work with the currently fit players is JWP adopts the defensive anchor man role and gives up any pretence of playing further up the pitch. Yes thats a loss, but Armstrong can pick up his attacking play, and JWP is a better CDM by far that the currently fit alternatives. I would go so far as to say that neither Diallo (nor AMN currently) look even remotely like competent premier league level CDM's / anchor men. And regardless of the views on their ability levels, we are simply not going to win many football games until we restore some serious grit to the middle of the pitch - and we only have an injured 18year old that specialises in that precise duty. This overshadows the need for a good attacker for me!! Whilst i think our back 4/5 are more than good enough, we currently have a blunt attack, and poor midfield for either possession or ball winning/turnovers.... That means there is very little way out as the ball simply doesn't stick further up.... We're going down with the (fit) players currently available. Absolute have to buy a decent CDM/cover, and a striker in January.

Edited 16 October, 2022 by Saint86

[Lighthouse]

27 minutes ago, Saint86 said:

Credible point vs very good west ham side. Our squad minus Lavia and ABK is a relegation level team - Not sure its much above that even with them.

Not that we were great for squad depth anyway, but AMN (who is not match fit and hasn't impressed) now also now injured? Selling Romeu was criminal and could well be the move that makes us.

Criminal to sell a player who was thoroughly mediocre throughout large parts of last season? I’m starting to wonder, after Ralph does leave, how long it’ll take for people to start feeling nostalgic about him too.

[verlaine1979]

2 hours ago, Kingsbridge Saint said:

We just go into a possession based game when we go 1 up, and we are shit at it. 

 

This. We're absolutely rubbish in possession. Whenever we try and play keep-ball, every single pass is played under intense pressure until it invariably gets nicked or goes back to the defense for a hoof forward. 

[Mystic Force]

Romeu was crucial to the way we played over the last few years, but it was obvious towards the end of last season that he couldn't play at the same intensity as he used to. I was worried at the time about his dropping level, although surprised he left, rather than be a bridge to a permanent successor, ot maybe that was what last year was meant to be and they failed to deliver.

Anyway I think JWP has been largely anonymous this season. Clearly without Romeu as a partner he is not playing the same game. He is not looking like a player who would step up to a bigger club for big money with his current performances.

It weird the beginning of the season it looked so good. Like the recruitment team having made good signings this summer but now mid October the wheels have fallen off. Which means either the coaching staff have coached out their ability, which I think is a little fast even for the goal keeping trainers, or the general way to play and specific tactics have let us down. In which case there is only person responsible.

Edited 17 October, 2022 by Mystic Force

[Fitzhugh Fella]

Not sure this is particularly relevant or significant but I gather none of the new owners were in the Directors Box yesterday (or that’s what I’ve been told)! Perhaps there just as fed up as the rest of us? 3 home wins in 22 home games hardly gets the blood running. 

[jabei]

10 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said:

The Romeu sale - which was 100% avoidable - is looking insanely ridiculous 

Why? He wasn't very good last season.

[jabei]

4 hours ago, Mystic Force said:

Romeu was crucial to the way we played over the last few years, but it was obvious towards the end of last season that he couldn't play at the same intensity as he used to. I was worried at the time about his dropping level, although surprised he left, rather than be a bridge to a permanent successor, ot maybe that was what last year was meant to be and they failed to deliver.

Anyway I think JWP has been largely anonymous this season. Clearly without Romeu as a partner he is not playing the same game. He is not looking like a player who would step up to a bigger club for big money with his current performances.

It weird the beginning of the season it looked so good. Like the recruitment team having made good signings this summer but now mid October the wheels have fallen off. Which means either the coaching staff have coached out their ability, which I think is a little fast even for the goal keeping trainers, or the general way to play and specific tactics have let us down. In which case there is only person responsible.

Rose tinted glasses here. Romeu and JWP was not a formidable partnership in any way. JWP just had is first (and only?) semi-decent season. By that I mean he scored and assisted a few goals. His general play is, and always has been, weak as hell.

[John B]

38 minutes ago, Fitzhugh Fella said:

Not sure this is particularly relevant or significant but I gather none of the new owners were in the Directors Box yesterday (or that’s what I’ve been told)! Perhaps there just as fed up as the rest of us? 3 home wins in 22 home games hardly gets the blood running. 

It is unsurprising that the owners who appear to have an unproven ideology like Lis Truss are hiding and will offer Ralph as the fall guy as Lis did with Kamikasie Kwartang

 

I know I am getting boring posting the same comments but the back 5 of the the team are OK but the front six in any combination are pretty poor 

 

Obviously a new coach could improve them but I just do not see that the improvement would be enough to keep us in the PL especially as the overall standard of most of the teams apart from Nottm Forest and Everton are the best they have been for sometime with Fulham having an outstanding striker.

 

Lets hope  Everton and Leicester continue to perform badly because Nottm Forest are probably already down

[jabei]

7 hours ago, Lighthouse said:

Criminal to sell a player who was thoroughly mediocre throughout large parts of last season? I’m starting to wonder, after Ralph does leave, how long it’ll take for people to start feeling nostalgic about him too.

Exactly...Memories on this forum appear to last a couple of games. I don't get why everyone thinks West Ham was in any way an easily winnable game. They are a good outfit. I'm very happy with a draw. Blackmore is spot on.

[John B]

4 minutes ago, jabei said:

Why? He wasn't very good last season.

He played well some of the time and was better than what we have at the moment

[Bad Wolf]

15 hours ago, harvey said:

For a CB for the last 30 mins.....you know that would have ended badly.

Why? It's actually worked pretty well in the past

[Badger]

1 hour ago, Fitzhugh Fella said:

Not sure this is particularly relevant or significant but I gather none of the new owners were in the Directors Box yesterday (or that’s what I’ve been told)! Perhaps there just as fed up as the rest of us? 3 home wins in 22 home games hardly gets the blood running. 

Perhaps they were watching Goztpe lose 2-0 at home. 
 

[Bad Wolf]

16 hours ago, wadesmith said:

Praying that he’s gone by Monday. (I’m talking about Jo Tessem)

Dave Merrington to him must be one of the biggest downgrades any team has had this season for any personnel.

[Toussaint]

25 minutes ago, Badger said:

Perhaps they were watching Goztpe lose 2-0 at home. 
 

To be fair it was a much bigger game.

[Bad Wolf]

Our keeper (Lis?) on loan there saved a pen

[Whitey Grandad]

8 hours ago, John Boy Saint said:

Well that’s where consistency goes out the window - I’ve seen the ball hit the ref umpteen times and the team in possession retain the ball from the contact and the ref stop the game regardless.

It depends on the circumstances.

According to the new soccer rules, if the ball hits the referee while the game is on, then the game should stop if any of the following things happen afterwards:

• The ball goes into one of the nets (a goal is scored)
• The team possessing the ball changes
• One of the teams gets a promising chance to score

If the ball touches the referee slightly and none of the above mentioned things happen, then the referee keeps the ball in play instead of pausing the game and wasting time to give the ball to the team who already has it anyways.

[skintsaint]

I thought WHU played well but a look on their forum suggests the fans didn't think so 😄

[JRM]

18 minutes ago, skintsaint said:

I thought WHU played well but a look on their forum suggests the fans didn't think so 😄

I'd be pretty pissed off at not beating this Saints team as well 

[rallyboy]

There were players in their back four who couldn't trap a bag of cement - so for me that was not a great point against a good West Ham side.

[Toussaint]

11 minutes ago, rallyboy said:

There were players in their back four who couldn't trap a bag of cement - so for me that was not a great point against a good West Ham side.

I just learned whu didn’t have a regular cb in their lineup