Saints 2-0 Cardiff City - Match Thread

[OttawaSaint]

Fack. Should be 3.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Adams gets it across. Noone there for us, so we got lucky a  touch form them reached AA. Header right at their goalkeeper. We're creating even if Cardiff have come back into the half a bit.

[OttawaSaint]

2 minutes ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

Martin going all shouty. Possibly over the clatter that Baz gave their player? perfectly valid challenge.

4th official whispered to him that we'd dropped to only 72% possession.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Just now, OttawaSaint said:

4th official whispered to him that we'd dropped to only 72% possession.

A terrible slur! He'll never officiate again!

[Bad Wolf]

Some game at Leeds!

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Alcaraz header from deep. Downes having a very good game, getting the ball in there.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Baz with an insta-pass out, when it came into him awkwardly.

[OttawaSaint]

Let off there. Don't doze off Saints!

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Oh, that was a chance for them.

They remembered all that space we leave in our full back positions. A runner in at the back post, got free.

That and the possible chip following Baz's brave clearance have been opportunities for them.

So, some direct play that's the most uncomfortable for us. Nearly half time when Martin will be able to give one of his inspirational team talks...uh oh.. 🙂

[The Kraken]

Well that’s a wake up call. The cross was allowed in far too easily and nobody marking at the back post. Big let off. Cardiff def more up for this now.

[Greedyfly]

Ever since I said we've looked good today, we've got sloppy.

[SaintNewForest]

17 minutes ago, The Cat said:

2-0 up after 15 minutes is pretty good for a team playing with 10 men.

I know ... just imagine what we could do with 11 men 

[The Cat]

A hugely enjoyable first half. Tannoy DJ dropping Cold As Ice by Foreigner at half time.

[Saint NL]

Half time.

Very good, bit sloppy at the end but no complaints.

Need to not switch off and give them a way back into the gamez I think things would be nervy if they scored with 30 mins to more to go.

 

[The Cat]

1 minute ago, SaintNewForest said:

I know ... just imagine what we could do with 11 men 

What are you on about? He's done alright. 

[hypochondriac]

Is this the most points the top 4 have had at this stage of the season? I bet it is. Almost two points a game and nowhere close to automatic. Dispiriting. 

[saintant]

2-0 at ht will take that.

[The Cat]

Haha, the first 2 direct trains back to Cardiff cancelled after the game.

[adrian lord]

Sofa, so good. 

[CanadaSaint]

Charles seems to bring a positivity that isn’t really in Smallbone’s skillset, and I think we’re much better for it. We don’t lose much defensively - if anything.

[obelisk]

Good news that Saints didn't concede before half time when Cardiff decided to attack the acres of space in the left back area. Earlier in the season that bit of sloppiness from Saints would have been punished.

[The Cat]

Just now, obelisk said:

Good news that Saints didn't concede before half time when Cardiff decided to attack the acres of space in the left back area. Earlier in the season that bit of sloppiness from Saints would have been punished.

We regularly defend with the full backs narrow. Difference is that at RB we have Walker Peters who is quick and can close down space quicker than Bree or Manning at LB.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

A really good half form us. We dominated right form the start. Our passing moves began further up, putting pressure on Cardiff. We looked very comfortable on the ball, and both were really well worked goals. Excellent performances right across the team.

We have our usual vulnerabilities of space left at the full back position (with Manning that's a little more so) and being caught a little too far up, wehn a direct counter ball is played through. Baz and THB did well to prevent one opportunity, and their runner at the back post couldn;t get his effort on target. As a result,Baz hasnp;t been overly troubled this half, but has still shone in his passing and quick thinking.

It will be interesting if Martin solidifies the middle more, droipping back a little to prevent the counter, or if he gets us back out at the temp we started the match at, pushing for more goals.

[Saint NL]

 

Lovely goal for Ipswich 

[SNSUN]

Typical, been sleeping after night shift, missed the first half and we're 2 up. I should sleep through more Saints games...

[obelisk]

Sloppy restart.

[Saint NL]

Offside, lovely finish by che

[Suhari]

Great move, decent finish.

Che offside though.

[Lee On Solent Saint]

4 minutes ago, obelisk said:

Sloppy restart.

When is it not?!

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Lovely finish from Adams. shame it was offside.

Mostly Cardiff really, without torubling us. Last few minutes we've taken a bit more controil, looking for those through ball to release the likes of AA, if and when Cardiff push up.

 

Edited 2 December, 2023 by Holmes_and_Watson

[OttawaSaint]

😂 Adams hits it so sweet when he's offside.

[Mr X]

We always seem too have a spell where we let the other team grow in confidence after being on top 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Stu nearly dribble right through there. SOmething he's very good at , and led to a goial in the first half. Good to see him being much more a starter.

[Sheaf Saint]

Sounds like a cracking atmosphere today

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Not for the first time this half, or the hundreth this season, we've set ourselves up for passing to the extent it's hard for players to be on the end of the final ball. Stu there, waiting for the runner... waiting... comes to nothing. It's a tough one to solve for us.

Curly one from them. Baz had it covered despite the "panic" the commentator mentioned.

[OttawaSaint]

Need to put this one away. Cardiff have had a few moments.

[Saint NL]

There's the Che we know 😂

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Well wide from Adams. But good to see shots coming in form both him, and from those areas. Keeps them worried, and us more in control.

[OttawaSaint]

Just now, Saint NL said:

There's the Che we know 😂

Fucking ball didn't curl. 😂 

[Saint NL]

An early Aribo cameo 😱

[OttawaSaint]

Just now, Saint NL said:

An early Aribo cameo 😱

Goals goals goals!

[saintant]

We need more goal attempts.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Stu and Alcaraz off

Aribo and Fraser on

[Viking Saint]

1 minute ago, Saint NL said:

An early Aribo cameo 😱

Never a good thing 

[trousers]

Hope we give Dibling 10 minutes 

[stknowle]

2 minutes ago, Saint NL said:

There's the Che we know 😂

He has been so thoroughly disappointing this season. 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

Looks like everyone's first reaction to the subs was "That's a bit early for Aribo" 🙂

[bpsaint]

This fog could prove troublesome!!

[Saint NL]

1 minute ago, trousers said:

Hope we give Dibling 10 minutes 

We wouldn't see it if he did, it's foggy as fuck

[Bad Wolf]

Pretty foggy. Reminds me of the time we were 5-0 down somewhere and it turned foggy with 10 minutes to go and we started chanting "COME ON YOU FOG!!" and "OH WHEN THE FOG GOES MARCHING IN!" in the hope the game would be cancelled and replayed.