Saints 4-2 Sunderland - Match Thread

[Oldandtired]

It's a bit concerning that we've now got a couple of weeks with nothing to moan about.

[lambtiss]

Shout out for Che Adams whose all round play was excellent yesterday and was noticeably missed when he was subbed (wrongly) for Mara

[Jack]

18 minutes ago, Oldandtired said:

It's a bit concerning that we've now got a couple of weeks with nothing to moan about.

I’ll still be moaning about our defensive frailty, don’t worry. 
 

I’m sure Russ will be working tirelessly on making our defensive shape as complicated as possible for the run in. 

[manji]

20 minutes ago, Oldandtired said:

It's a bit concerning that we've now got a couple of weeks with nothing to moan about.

They will find something. 

[S-Clarke]

57 minutes ago, Osvaldorama said:

Think you are gaslighting tbh. 
 

There are valid talking points:
- THB at RB

- Shoehorning Stephens in, upsetting the balance of the defence 

- Playing unbalanced midfields with no DMs

- Suicidal passing at all costs philosophy 

Of course; there are loads of positives as well. But to pretend the above aren’t concerning just because you like Martin is just as an extreme opinion to the one you’re accusing others of. 

The reality is, he’s doing well. The question is; could we be doing better?

Personally he has won me around and I really like him. I would back him for another season even if we don’t go up. 

gaslighting? I don't see where I've done anything like that. 

There are things to debate and question, and I have done just that - but what I'm taking issue with are the people who are extreme in their views, as soon as we concede a goal, or go behind ''MARTIN OUT'' - it's insufferable. That's not just on here, but even in the stands the amount of people who are throwing abuse at him whenever something goes wrong. I just don't understand it. It's like they're waiting for it to go wrong so they can jump up and down in a rage.

Of course we could be doing better, we could be sat on 108 points after winning 36 from 36 - but that's never a realistic thing. Win our game in hand and we are on 76 points. 3 points behind Leeds (still to play), 2 points behind Ipswich (still to play). That's not doing badly in my eyes, I think we're having a cracking season and I'm really enjoying it.

I just don't like the entitledness of some fans and how they believe we should be 'walking the league', I'm not sure why those expectations ever existed given the competitiveness this year. It's not just us, Leicester fans wanted their manager out after they lost to Millwall.

The black and white facts are that we are on 2pts per game, currently sit on 73 points after 36 games which is top 2 in pretty much every season since time began at this stage. We are ahead of points and GD from our last promotion from this league, so I think we're doing fine and I don't understand the fury that comes from people whenever something goes a little wrong. There was never a situation where we were going to walk the league, but let's not forget we did go 26 without losing and that's a pretty unbelievable effort.

[ErwinK1961]

2 hours ago, Dark Munster said:

Nice straw man argument there. I didn't say that. I've given him plenty of credit when he plays the right line up, and we've put in great performances. But we've dropped too many points unnecessarily in other matches due to what I wrote above.

“Some of the football has been very good, due to the superior players compared to most of the dross in the division.”

[Dark Munster]

2 hours ago, ErwinK1961 said:

“Some of the football has been very good, due to the superior players compared to most of the dross in the division.”

On 26/12/2023 at 12:28, Dark Munster said:

Well done RM, he got the tactics and subs perfectly today.

Today, and against Blackburn, shows that our squad is far superior to almost all other teams in the division, Leicester (and maybe Leeds) excepted. If he now can keep them playing to their strengths, and not waste half a match with crab football, it's going to be a fun second half to the season. Ipswich will be looking over their shoulders nervously.

 

[ErwinK1961]

8 hours ago, Dark Munster said:

 

Well done for picking a post where you caveated your praise around how superior our squad is.

[JRM]

12 hours ago, Oldandtired said:

It's a bit concerning that we've now got a couple of weeks with nothing to moan about.

Personally I'll be moaning about the international break and the inevitable injury to one or our players that will occur during it. 

Anyone know if they've taken the squad away this week? For the non-internationals a 3 week break at this point of the season is a great opportunity to recharge ready for the run in

 

[miserableoldgit]

On 10/03/2024 at 09:13, Toussaint said:

That’s a sweeping generalisation if ever there was one.

How many posts have you seen on here over the last few months supporting WS compared with the number that think that he is useless.? Why do you think that he was getting sh1t on his Social Media? 

[trousers]

1 hour ago, miserableoldgit said:

How many posts have you seen on here over the last few months supporting WS compared with the number that think that he is useless.? Why do you think that he was getting sh1t on his Social Media? 

It's usually the vocal minority that lead people to believe a given situation is more widespread than it actually is... (There's probably a posh name for such a syndrome)

You'll probably find a couple of handfuls of posters on here (maximum) who have labelled Smallbone as "useless"... so around 0.7% of Saintsweb members I would estimate....

Edited 11 March, 2024 by trousers

[Wade Garrett]

21 hours ago, Fan The Flames said:

I don't know, there's a modern school of thought, to not fully block a shot that far out, because a deflection can be devastating. You half block to provide some defence and to give the GK a good clean sight of the ball. Maybe that's what he is asked to do.

That modern school of thought is horseshit.

[Fan The Flames]

1 hour ago, trousers said:

It's usually the vocal minority that lead people to believe a given situation is more widespread than it actually is... (There's probably a posh name for such a syndrome)

You'll probably find a couple of handfuls of posters on here (maximum) who have labelled Smallbone as "useless"... so around 0.7% of Saintsweb members I would estimate....

Noise bias.

[Fan The Flames]

1 hour ago, Wade Garrett said:

That modern school of thought is horseshit.

What if it's better.

[Whitey Grandad]

1 hour ago, Wade Garrett said:

That modern school of thought is horseshit.

Indeed it is. Whatever the school of thought, the important thing is to keep your eyes on the ball and face the attacker. Better stir, get right in his face and put him off.

Just now, Fan The Flames said:

What if it's better.

It isn’t 

You have no hope of blocking a shot you’re not looking at.

[Fan The Flames]

11 minutes ago, Whitey Grandad said:

It isn’t 

You have no hope of blocking a shot you’re not looking at.

But the theory is to not block the shot and leave it to the keeper. If it didn't get a deflection Bazunu probably saves it.

[Totton Saint]

2 hours ago, trousers said:

It's usually the vocal minority that lead people to believe a given situation is more widespread than it actually is... (There's probably a posh name for such a syndrome)

You'll probably find a couple of handfuls of posters on here (maximum) who have labelled Smallbone as "useless"... so around 0.7% of Saintsweb members I would estimate....

I think Smallbone plays well

[Whitey Grandad]

36 minutes ago, Fan The Flames said:

But the theory is to not block the shot and leave it to the keeper. If it didn't get a deflection Bazunu probably saves it.

But again, if you turn away and don't look at the ball deflections are likely to happen. 

 

Besides, defenders are there to get in the face of attackers and block shots. Otherwise you might as well let them have a free run at your goalkeeper. 

Ah. It all makes sense now.

[miserableoldgit]

2 hours ago, Totton Saint said:

I think Smallbone plays well

I think that the problem is that he is not a "flashy" player. The good things that he does goes un-noticed, whilst any mistake is amplified. One of Lawrie's "Road Sweepers" as opposed to a "Violinist."

Edited 11 March, 2024 by miserableoldgit

[Weston Super Saint]

38 minutes ago, Fan The Flames said:

But the theory is to not block the shot and leave it to the keeper. If it didn't get a deflection Bazunu probably saves it.

Not sure that's a tactic that works if your keeper can't do the shot stopping thing like ours.

[notnowcato]

Pleased to see the shot blocking experts are out in force 😘

Entertaining game in the end but fuck me can we put a team to the sword at least once!!  Sunderland were as weak as Fosters lager in the first half, really poor display from them.  Really disappoints me to see our levels drop towards those of our opponents, the number of chances we had to create golden scoring opportunities and not make them was very frustrating.  Something psychological in that, we could extend the scar tissue metaphor, think our scars have healed nicely now but we should be inflicting wounds on our opponents but don't seem to have that instinct yet.    

[LuckyNumber7]

18 minutes ago, notnowcato said:

Pleased to see the shot blocking experts are out in force 😘

Entertaining game in the end but fuck me can we put a team to the sword at least once!!  Sunderland were as weak as Fosters lager in the first half, really poor display from them.  Really disappoints me to see our levels drop towards those of our opponents, the number of chances we had to create golden scoring opportunities and not make them was very frustrating.  Something psychological in that, we could extend the scar tissue metaphor, think our scars have healed nicely now but we should be inflicting wounds on our opponents but don't seem to have that instinct yet.    

4-0 wins against Blackburn and Sheff Weds. 

5-0 against Swansea...

😉

[notnowcato]

9 minutes ago, LuckyNumber7 said:

4-0 wins against Blackburn and Sheff Weds. 

5-0 against Swansea...

😉

You're of course right, I guess it's the more recent performances where we're completely dominant but find a way to make a game of it.  I'm 100% happy that we're winning.

[Fan The Flames]

6 hours ago, Whitey Grandad said:

But again, if you turn away and don't look at the ball deflections are likely to happen. 

 

Besides, defenders are there to get in the face of attackers and block shots. Otherwise you might as well let them have a free run at your goalkeeper. 

Ah. It all makes sense now.

And to smash the ball upfield or up to row Z if it comes anywhere near the goal and then tactics changed.

Also deflections can happen if you try and block it full on. It's a difference of tactical opinion, but the chances are Stephens was doing what he's been coached to do.

[Whitey Grandad]

13 minutes ago, Fan The Flames said:

And to smash the ball upfield or up to row Z if it comes anywhere near the goal and then tactics changed.

Also deflections can happen if you try and block it full on. It's a difference of tactical opinion, but the chances are Stephens was doing what he's been coached to do.

Aye, that’s the concern 

[SotonianWill]

3 minutes ago, Whitey Grandad said:

Aye, that’s the concern 

Coach or Goalkeeper preference? Gary Qatar champagne socialist Neville always says how Peter Schmeichel hated deflections and actively told defenders to avoid such cases.

[Whitey Grandad]

12 minutes ago, SotonianWill said:

Coach or Goalkeeper preference? Gary Qatar champagne socialist Neville always says how Peter Schmeichel hated deflections and actively told defenders to avoid such cases.

The best way to avoid them is to go in full heartedly to block and keep your eyes on the ball at all times. Allowing the attackers a free shot is asking for trouble. There’s always the possibility that they’ll stick one up in the corner.