Saints 1-4 Man City - Match Thread

[skintsaint]

I 4-1 won't miss the gulf in class next season when playing in the championship. 

[Chez]

  On 08/04/2023 at 18:27, Baird of the land said:

To me that's the frustrating thing. It was obvious Mara is more suited to this game (City) than he was to (west Ham) away. Play Onachu against West Ham and Mara here.

Expand  

I'm not a Onuachu fan. Do you think he might score goals for us in the Championship? 

 

[obelisk]

City had their big lump of a striker on the pitch. Saints kept their's well wrapped on the bench.

[Sir Ralph]

Down. That’s it - look forward to at least winning next year. 

[Archers Road Stand]

Just seen their first goal back, ABK absolutely dogshite. Overrated as fuck. 

[Chez]

  On 08/04/2023 at 18:34, obelisk said:

Even De Bruyne identifies Saints' problem. No striker.

Expand  

That's not our only problem.

[Boris Karloff]

  On 08/04/2023 at 18:23, Chez said:

he had a poor game last week, mis-controlling twice when we had great chances to break, but if he stops trying to nutmeg everyone all the time, I think there is a player in there. He might score the amount of goals we need next year. Someone will have to.

Expand  

I'm not sure he's a lone striker. His hold up play is poor. It would be interesting to see him play with Che, making runs off him. But seems like that will never happen, as it would be way too adventurous for our management. 

[obelisk]

  On 08/04/2023 at 18:41, Chez said:

That's not our only problem.

Expand  

True but it's what will relegate us.

[Chez]

  On 08/04/2023 at 18:39, Archers Road Stand said:

Just seen their first goal back, ABK absolutely dogshite. Overrated as fuck. 

Expand  

he really was. Rag dolled and left for dead by Haarland. 

Everyien said CBs was our strength, but it's been a shit show all season. 

[LGTL]

Completely and utterly pointless. We aren’t making 30 points. 

[die Mannyschaft]

  On 08/04/2023 at 18:39, Archers Road Stand said:

Just seen their first goal back, ABK absolutely dogshite. Overrated as fuck. 

Expand  

Archers Road block 5, great times..

[OttawaSaint]

  On 08/04/2023 at 18:35, adrian lord said:

None of the players, nor Selles, look stressed or remotely concerned about our position, or during games when we are losing. 
 

Far too relaxed about everything. 

Expand  

Yeah. They look like they don't have a care in the world. Laughable.

[die Mannyschaft]

  On 08/04/2023 at 18:04, Lee On Solent Saint said:

Should have just let them all fuck off to European Super League

Expand  

Spot on get rid of the big money clubs to the super leaque.

[Viking Saint]

Feels like we've been here before. One of our best players shoehorned in to LB when we've got a LB on the bench. Bednarek doing his usual marking space for a moderate cross. Don't start me on fucking Elyounoussi - I'll drive him back to Norway myself. Starting without a recognised striker up front. It's all self-inflicted wounds.

Can't blame Sports Republic, they've been prepared to invest but have been very badly advised by Ankersen who's self-inflated opinion of his own capability and thinking outside the box bullshit has been the single biggest reason on our downfall, that and not signing a proven goalscorer. 

We won't get relegated on today's showing. Better sides have lost by more to City and for 44 minutes, we did alright. But today, the daylight truly started to appear through the cracks at the foot of the table. To those who keep saying that we have to keep the faith, there needs to be something to believe in, and it's not there, and I've nothing to make me think it's going to mysteriously appear after the last 30 games.

Edited 8 April, 2023 by Viking Saint

[Micky]

Well I did say before the game that we shouldn't be allowed on the same pitch as City, and after today we won't be again for many years I would guess. Gone without so much as a fight.... what a mess SFC is, shyte.

[Baird of the land]

  On 08/04/2023 at 18:36, Chez said:

I'm not a Onuachu fan. Do you think he might score goals for us in the Championship? 

 

Expand  

I think if you get the right manager in and play to his strengths he will.

[Archers Road Stand]

  On 08/04/2023 at 18:43, Chez said:

he really was. Rag dolled and left for dead by Haarland. 

Everyien said CBs was our strength, but it's been a shit show all season. 

Expand  

Even tried to call for offside. 

[BallBoy]

It's not losing to teams like City that is the problem. It is consistently losing the "must win" games to teams around us. Far too many games where we barely showed up. In our death throes now I fear.

[verlaine1979]

  On 08/04/2023 at 18:46, Viking Saint said:

Feels like we've been here before. One of our best players shoehorned in to LB when we've got a LB on the bench. Bednarek doing his usual marking space for a moderate cross. Don't start me on fucking Elyounoussi - I'll drive him back to Norway myself. Starting without a recognised striker up front. It's all self-inflicted wounds.

Can't blame Sports Republic, they've been prepared to invest but have been very badly advised by Ankersen who's self-inflated opinion of his own capability and thinking outside the box bullshit has been the single biggest reason on our downfall, that and not signing a proven goalscorer. 

We won't get relegated on today's showing. Better sides have lost by more to City and for 44 minutes, we did alright. But today, the daylight truly started to appear through the cracks at the foot of the table. To those who keep saying that we have to keep the faith, there needs to be something to believe in, and it's not there, and I've nothing to make me think it's going to mysteriously appear after the last 30 games.

Expand  

Sport Republic IS Ankerson. He's one of the founders of the company.

[SherborneSaint]

  On 08/04/2023 at 18:17, Boris Karloff said:

Was a well taken goal by Mara. He's probably the closest we've got to a natural finisher at the club. 

Just needs to be much better without the ball and needs some teammates who will set up some chances for him. 

Expand  

I agree. It is frustrating that he can only show glimpses of what he is capable of. Would definitely benefit from a more attacking style of play…

[The Cat]

  On 08/04/2023 at 18:24, bangkoksaint said:

So who’s renewing their ST’s?

Expand  

I will. Why wouldn't I?

[Chez]

  On 08/04/2023 at 18:36, obelisk said:

City had their big lump of a striker on the pitch. Saints kept their's well wrapped on the bench.

Expand  

yeah, it would have been a completely different game with the poor man's Kev Francis leading our line.

Edited 8 April, 2023 by Chez

[Convict Colony]

Well we found a striker who scored a goal so that's a positive.

We were never winning this.

Already resigned to going down, wondering who will still be with us next year.

[Convict Colony]

  On 08/04/2023 at 18:52, Chez said:

yeah, it would have been a completely different game with the poor man's Ken Francis leading our line.

Expand  

Hahahaha a blast from the past he was quality.

[The Cat]

People in the stadium applauding Haaland's second goal.

Approve or disapprove?

It's an interesting one because when Liverpool fans clapped Le Tiss for bamboozling their defence at Anfield it looked great, but when you're nailed to the bottom of the league and desperate for points it doesn't sit as well.

[obelisk]

  On 08/04/2023 at 18:52, Chez said:

yeah, it would have been a completely different game with the poor man's Ken Francis leading our line.

Expand  

Undoubtedly not but what do they say about doing the same thing time after time and expecting something different?

[Osvaldorama]

  On 08/04/2023 at 18:55, The Cat said:

People in the stadium applauding Haaland's second goal.

Approve or disapprove?

It's an interesting one because when Liverpool fans clapped Le Tiss for bamboozling their defence at Anfield it looked great, but when you're nailed to the bottom of the league and desperate for points it doesn't sit as well.

Expand  

Embarrassing. We are the gift that keeps on giving to other teams. Easiest team to play away in the whole football league 

[egg]

  On 08/04/2023 at 18:55, The Cat said:

People in the stadium applauding Haaland's second goal.

Approve or disapprove?

It's an interesting one because when Liverpool fans clapped Le Tiss for bamboozling their defence at Anfield it looked great, but when you're nailed to the bottom of the league and desperate for points it doesn't sit as well.

Expand  

There's not enough class on or off the pitch in football. It was quality, and I have no problem with some fans applauding it. 

[gammon cheeks]

As a 58 year old i dont recall ever seeing a Saints team play without a recognised striker ! Selles is out of his depth in my opinion

[egg]

  On 08/04/2023 at 19:13, gammon cheeks said:

As a 58 year old i dont recall ever seeing a Saints team play without a recognised striker ! Selles is out of his depth in my opinion

Expand  

Tall Paul isn't up to it and Adams is injured. Who did you want him to play up there? 

[SaintTex]

  On 08/04/2023 at 19:13, gammon cheeks said:

As a 58 year old i dont recall ever seeing a Saints team play without a recognised striker ! Selles is out of his depth in my opinion

Expand  

When is Che going to be fit? It’s a bit of a sad state of affairs, but we are really missing him on the pitch. 

Edited 8 April, 2023 by SaintTex

[Saint Matty 76]

Our players didn’t give them much to get excited about, no issue with some fans clapping a legitimate piece of quality.

1st half wasn’t bad until another lapse in concentration at the back. 

[Toussaint]

  On 08/04/2023 at 19:19, SaintTex said:

When is Che going to be fit? It’s a bit of a sad state of affairs, but we are really missing him on the pitch. 

Expand  

Is he actually injured or is he just off? He has had one foot out the door for the last two windows 

[Chez]

  On 08/04/2023 at 18:56, obelisk said:

Undoubtedly not but what do they say about doing the same thing time after time and expecting something different?

Expand  

We did something different. We played with a false 9. First time this season. Different isn't always better.

We've not really started Mara all season. We could do that. That would be different. 

[adrian lord]

  On 08/04/2023 at 18:04, Lee On Solent Saint said:

Should have just let them all fuck off to European Super League

Expand  

Beginning to subscribe to this way of thinking. Let them have their hollow tourist league.

[gammon cheeks]

  On 08/04/2023 at 19:19, egg said:

Tall Paul isn't up to it and Adams is injured. Who did you want him to play up there? 

Expand  

Tall Paul 

[Archers Road Stand]

Oh and before I forget, searches galore for the Northam end but flares let off in the away end for the first two goals. This club can fucking do one. 

[die Mannyschaft]

  On 08/04/2023 at 19:13, gammon cheeks said:

As a 58 year old i dont recall ever seeing a Saints team play without a recognised striker ! Selles is out of his depth in my opinion

Expand  

The moder game doesn't require a striker just defenders and a keeper to pass back and forth. It saves the coach having to keep telling players where to find thd goal

[Saint NL]

Didn't watch the game, just caught the goals. Looks like another masterclass from Bazunu.

Haven't watched the last two games, haven't missed anything. Pretty sad state of affairs really.

[angelman]

So bored having to sit with away supporters in the Kingsland. Why can't the club do a system where unless you've bought 1, 2 or more Cat C games, you can't buy a Cat A game?

[Lee On Solent Saint]

  On 08/04/2023 at 19:07, egg said:

There's not enough class on or off the pitch in football. It was quality, and I have no problem with some fans applauding it. 

Expand  

He had so much time to do practically anything he wanted with the ball. Could have brought it down, paused and still our shit defence would have been nowhere near him.

[Badger]

  On 08/04/2023 at 19:22, Chez said:

We did something different. We played with a false 9. First time this season. Different isn't always better.

We've not really started Mara all season. We could do that. That would be different. 

Expand  

Having been at West Ham last week I can say, we have tried it, and on that showing probably not worth persevering. 

[The Kraken]

  On 08/04/2023 at 18:53, Convict Colony said:

Hahahaha a blast from the past he was quality.

Expand  

Almost as good as his brother Kevin.

[HarvSFC]

Hard work makes up for talent and plenty of Saints teams in the past have used the former to beat those better than them. This team has neither. So bad on and off the ball. If you stand around imitating traffic cones against Man City then they will pass it around you with ease, as they did today. They completed 683 passes to our 260. Piss poor.

[Chez]

  On 08/04/2023 at 19:35, Badger said:

Having been at West Ham last week I can say, we have tried it, and on that showing probably not worth persevering. 

Expand  

yeah, he wasn't good. I'm just desperate to find a striker already at the club that will give us a fighting chance of promotion next season.

[adrian lord]

  On 08/04/2023 at 19:31, angelman said:

So bored having to sit with away supporters in the Kingsland. Why can't the club do a system where unless you've bought 1, 2 or more Cat C games, you can't buy a Cat A game?

Expand  

You need to get with the program, it’s a deliberate policy. The ultimate goal is the total elimination of segregation and everyone will live happily ever after in a Watchtower cover photo utopia. 

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

  On 08/04/2023 at 18:46, Viking Saint said:

To those who keep saying that we have to keep the faith, there needs to be something to believe in, and it's not there

Expand  

This is the point. Last time we were relegated everyone was saying we were sleepwalking in to relegation. And we did. This time, money has been spent on new players, we know we're in the sh*t but there's no belief. No attacking intent. No plan as to how we get out of the hole we've dug ourselves into. Didn't expect anything from today but next week really will be the end if we don't win.

 

[Bob76]

  On 08/04/2023 at 19:19, egg said:

Tall Paul isn't up to it and Adams is injured. Who did you want him to play up there? 

Expand  

Maybe give the lad a few games at least before writing him off completely. He can hardly do worse than most of our strikers and has to be better than starting with no striker at all, we held them for forty mins but never looked like scoring, what a crap way to play when you have limited games left and need four or five wins.

[lhammondo]

I almost miss Nathan. At least the post-match would give a minute or two of entertainment. 

Starting without a striker, including ely, bednarek and theo was indicative of our lack of ambition today, and under selles in general.

Is the tall lad that bad that he gets nearly zero game time? Week in, week out it's the same predictable and ineffective style of play that reaps no reward. Try playing the lad, ffs, he may get a goal or two and kickstart things - it can't be as impotent as this...

[Black Sea Saint]

  On 08/04/2023 at 19:13, gammon cheeks said:

As a 58 year old i dont recall ever seeing a Saints team play without a recognised striker ! Selles is out of his depth in my opinion

Expand  

Both Strachan and Hoddle repeatedly did it. 4-5-0 from both a fair few times