Brighton 1-1 Saints - Match Thread

[Whitey Grandad]

4 minutes ago, NewYorkSaint said:

I actually think the necessary tweak to our playing style isn't that radical. Players HAVE to have permission to occasionally look for the long ball out of defense. w/o that we invite overwhelming and unrelenting press.  It's clear from McCarthy's reckless pass last w/e that the players are not fully clear on how to juggle being brave AND playing quickly AND having permission to clear long when needed. 

I personally love Russball for the most part.  Unlike with Nathan Jones or Claude Puel or Mark Hughes, there at least is a clearly argued for plan.  The logic of retaining possession as long as you can when you have it makes a lot of sense provided you eventually do something positive with it.  Often it's when the press is most intense that we have our best chances.  Because when we break the press, -- and we often do -- there's a lot of space in midfield and we can move forward at pace. Meanwhile the consequences of hoofing it long almost always gives up possession, and against Liverpool often led to attacks just as dangerous as those from losing possession near our penalty area.  

So I get the logic for Russball. I just think it has to escape from being too predictable. When the opposition know we'll always play short, the press gets stepped up until we crack. We need to fine-tune our response to that.

With Che Adams we had a great front man to receive the long ball out and do something with it. There were strong signs against Liverpool that Tall Paul cd do the same. I really hope he's fit to play today, because I think we need that.   He did enough last week to encourage Martin to build a strategy around him... both for the out-ball, and then also for earlier attempts at crossing to him in the box. 

I guess SR will stick w RM through December. If we haven't picked up a couple of good results by the end of the month, he'll be out.  But I'm still holding out hope this will all start to click into place just in time.......  I feel like I'm about the only person here trying to hold onto hope.  I still see a scenario where this turns, and where in a couple months' time we're all breathing a sigh of relief and congratulating the board on bravely doubling down on bravery.

I agree that we will PROBABLY lose today. But I think the odds of a surprise Saints win are a better than the 7-1 the bookies have against us currently. If were I allowed to legally bet here in the US, I'd do it, provided TP playing.   Not advice. Just an opinion.    

 

 

It doesn’t have to be either play it short or hoof it long. There is such a thing as playing it out from the back but this lot just recycle it in diminishing circles. Of course playing it out needs a midfield presence which we don’t have if we play five at the back leaving our midfield empty.

[Francis1947]

I agree with Whitey. There is such a thing as playing it out from the back but in my opinion we don't actually do this under Martin. What we do is play it to each other in our own half in ever decreasing circles until there is no where else to go and we panic, make an impossible pass to a guy who has someone up his arse and we lose it !

Want a small bet tonight ? Somewhen in the match tonight we might just release someone up the flanks. It might be KWP or Dibling. We might all see that the obvious next ball is to quickly put it onto the opponents penalty area. You never know, there just might be someone on the end of it ! However inevitably that player will se Martin shouting instructions from the touchline.

The player..whoever it is...will turn inwards or back. The easy ball will be sideways to a player in midfield. By then the Brighton defence will be back in position and organised. So they in turn will pass backwards to either Harwood Bellis or Stephens. Nothing on so they will pass back to Mcarthy who will panic and belt the ball 70 yards to no one in particular,all advantage will be lost and back we go in ever decreasing circles again.

Can you tell I'm pissed off with this !

Edited 29 November, 2024 by Francis1947
Mis spell

[kitch]

4-2 Saints. BBD with first league goal, Dibling masterclass, Arma scores off his arse, McCarthy with the assist: 3-0 at half time. A defender hits a thunderbastard in the 2nd half before BHA pull back two. O'Riley gets injured, VAR overturn the straight red given to us as it turns out he tripped over his other foot. Dry first half, rain second.

Season is rescued, all hail Russball! Europa League here we come.

[saintant]

49 minutes ago, NewYorkSaint said:

I actually think the necessary tweak to our playing style isn't that radical. Players HAVE to have permission to occasionally look for the long ball out of defense. w/o that we invite overwhelming and unrelenting press.  It's clear from McCarthy's reckless pass last w/e that the players are not fully clear on how to juggle being brave AND playing quickly AND having permission to clear long when needed. 

I personally love Russball for the most part.  Unlike with Nathan Jones or Claude Puel or Mark Hughes, there at least is a clearly argued for plan.  The logic of retaining possession as long as you can when you have it makes a lot of sense provided you eventually do something positive with it.  Often it's when the press is most intense that we have our best chances.  Because when we break the press, -- and we often do -- there's a lot of space in midfield and we can move forward at pace. Meanwhile the consequences of hoofing it long almost always gives up possession, and against Liverpool often led to attacks just as dangerous as those from losing possession near our penalty area.  

So I get the logic for Russball. I just think it has to escape from being too predictable. When the opposition know we'll always play short, the press gets stepped up until we crack. We need to fine-tune our response to that.

With Che Adams we had a great front man to receive the long ball out and do something with it. There were strong signs against Liverpool that Tall Paul cd do the same. I really hope he's fit to play today, because I think we need that.   He did enough last week to encourage Martin to build a strategy around him... both for the out-ball, and then also for earlier attempts at crossing to him in the box. 

I guess SR will stick w RM through December. If we haven't picked up a couple of good results by the end of the month, he'll be out.  But I'm still holding out hope this will all start to click into place just in time.......  I feel like I'm about the only person here trying to hold onto hope.  I still see a scenario where this turns, and where in a couple months' time we're all breathing a sigh of relief and congratulating the board on bravely doubling down on bravery.

I agree that we will PROBABLY lose today. But I think the odds of a surprise Saints win are a better than the 7-1 the bookies have against us currently. If were I allowed to legally bet here in the US, I'd do it, provided TP playing.   Not advice. Just an opinion.    

 

 

I have to admire your optimism but, sadly, I think it's misplaced and you are going to be disappointed. RM aint turning this ship around nor does he have the skills and tactical acumen to do it.

[Gloucester Saint]

2 hours ago, notnowcato said:

Fuck it. Took the day off - it’s my birthday after all, been in the pub since 1, warming up nicely. Bit of Chinese in a bit before heading to the ground. 
Low expectations, limited hope but it’s football… and it can be a funny old game at times. 
Up the fucking Saints!

Oh, stick to the Harveys Best, the rest is piss. 

Happy birthday Notnowcato. Hope the team puts in a shift tonight and you get to enjoy a result. Harvey’s is what we had on cask at our wedding in Sussex. Dark Star is good stuff as well but it depends on whether you like hoppier beers or not. Harvey’s do an Old Ale this time of year - if you see it do try it.

[Master Bates]

The U21s

[bangkoksaint]

I see in the presser Russ described our second v Liverpool as a ‘beautiful goal’. Elements of it were good, I agree, however Calamity Keeper actually missed/dropped the ball so there was some fortune to it too. Had it bounced slightly differently it could well have been Liverpool getting the second goal.

[lambtiss]

9 hours ago, Lighthouse said:

It is that bad. Premier League teams have a Premier League team and Premier League players on the bench to change things if needed. We just about put out half a Premier League team, the rest is Championship level filler.

I disagree. Check out Ipswich's bench.... 

[Farmer Saint]

2 hours ago, notnowcato said:

Fuck it. Took the day off - it’s my birthday after all, been in the pub since 1, warming up nicely. Bit of Chinese in a bit before heading to the ground. 
Low expectations, limited hope but it’s football… and it can be a funny old game at times. 
Up the fucking Saints!

Oh, stick to the Harveys Best, the rest is piss. 

 

23 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Happy birthday Notnowcato. Hope the team puts in a shift tonight and you get to enjoy a result. Harvey’s is what we had on cask at our wedding in Sussex. Dark Star is good stuff as well but it depends on whether you like hoppier beers or not. Harvey’s do an Old Ale this time of year - if you see it do try it.

Happy birthday, but let me tell you if you're going local East Sussex breweries you need to try Long Man Brewery at Litlington or Gun Brewery at Chiddingly round the corner from me (also has one of the best Taprooms and outside drinking areas in the UK). Bloody brilliant.

[notnowcato]

10 minutes ago, Farmer Saint said:

 

Happy birthday, but let me tell you if you're going local East Sussex breweries you need to try Long Man Brewery at Litlington or Gun Brewery at Chiddingly round the corner from me (also has one of the best Taprooms and outside drinking areas in the UK). Bloody brilliant.

The Long Man brewery tour is the best around 👍

[The Kraken]

Lumley in

 

[northam soul]

He certainly likes to chop and change.

Now we have two central defenders on the bench.

4-0

Edited 29 November, 2024 by northam soul

[Wade Garrett]

The bloke is a fucking onion.

[bpsaint]

[Saint NL]

Quite a bold move to drop McCarthy to the bench. And we're playing two left backs again. 

Don't think it really matters, but the line ups are pretty much random these days.

[Ken Tone]

Feels like Martin is just frantically trying random selections in the hope something will click. No plan, no consistency

 

[The Kraken]

Just now, bpsaint said:

It genuinely seems to be how he does it. Fucking crazy.

[Ken Tone]

Just now, Saint NL said:

Quite a bold move to drop McCarthy to the bench. And we're playing two left backs again. 

Don't think it really matters, but the line ups are pretty much random these days.

But Taylor not even on the bench. You can never have enough left backs😉

[Saint NL]

Wasn't Tall Paul supposed to be available for this one? He's not even on the bench, hopefully this isn't another Ross Stewart (2 weeks) situation

[Greedyfly]

I'd usually assume that Onuachu's omission is injury based, but he's such an onion you never quite know. 

 

 

[Saint_clark]

If it's 3 at the back then who's the third CB? If it's not then why the 3 fullbacks? 

I'm actually glad Lumley is in though I think he's our 2nd best keeper after Ramsdale.

[Wade Garrett]

Charlie Taylor needs to fucking chin Martin.

[davefizzy14]

I thought Onuachu would be fit for tonight

[davefizzy14]

Really baffling the situation with Charlie Taylor. He should be first choice at left back for me. Aribo should be starting too.

Edited 29 November, 2024 by davefizzy14

[LGTL]

5 minutes ago, Wade Garrett said:

The bloke is a fucking onion.

That’s too generous to be honest. 

[swingworkstheoracle]

Paul needs to stage a coup and takeover as player manager 

[Football Special]

2 minutes ago, davefizzy14 said:

I thought Onuachu would be fit for tonight

The way he went down last Sunday looked bad, think he's injured 

Obviously we'll lose, Matt o'Reilly to score for them 

[Sunglasses Ron]

I actually think that looks quite decent from an attacking perspective, but it all falls apart at the back.

I’m going 4-4 here.

[LGTL]

Just now, Sunglasses Ron said:

I actually think that looks quite decent from an attacking perspective, but it all falls apart at the back.

I’m going 4-4 here.

4 Brighton goals and 4 own goals by Saints. So 8-0 I assume?

[LeG]

This could be 9.

[LGTL]

5 minutes ago, LeG said:

This could be 9.

Still wouldn’t be enough for us to get rid of the useless wanker though. 

[Gloucester Saint]

36 minutes ago, Farmer Saint said:

 

Happy birthday, but let me tell you if you're going local East Sussex breweries you need to try Long Man Brewery at Litlington or Gun Brewery at Chiddingly round the corner from me (also has one of the best Taprooms and outside drinking areas in the UK). Bloody brilliant.

Duly noted and bookmarked. 

[Saint NL]

So if (when) Brighton win, they'll move up to second. So expect the "Oles" to ring round the ground and a party atmosphere. 

[Baird of the land]

10 minutes ago, LeG said:

This could be 9.

Would even that galvanise the pathetic board to act

[Scoobysaint]

Not sure altogether why but feeling pretty optimistic this evening. Reckon we’ll hang on 3-2 with an Arma brace and Fernandes. 

[petermcpete]

1 minute ago, Scoobysaint said:

Not sure altogether why but feeling pretty optimistic this evening. Reckon we’ll hang on 3-2 with an Arma brace and Fernandes. 

What time did you start drinking?

[Totton Saint]

24 minutes ago, The Kraken said:

Lumley in

 

I asked earlier on what about Lumley playing and lo and behold he is playing!

[LeG]

5 minutes ago, LGTL said:

Still wouldn’t be enough for us to get rid of the useless wanker though. 

Unfortunately we cant afford it. £14m to sack inc coaches. Takes us to the brink of FFP disaster. If we get a fee for a few players in Jan, we could do it then...but by then it will be too late. Hoping for a Xmas miracle. At least we know the situation. Strap in lads. Get the nuns out.

[saintant]

19 minutes ago, Wade Garrett said:

Charlie Taylor needs to fucking chin Martin.

Maybe he already has.

[Saint NL]

1 minute ago, LeG said:

Unfortunately we cant afford it. £14m to sack inc coaches. Takes us to the brink of FFP disaster. If we get a fee for a few players in Jan, we could do it then...but by then it will be too late. Hoping for a Xmas miracle. At least we know the situation. Strap in lads. Get the nuns out.

What a shit state of affairs this is.

If we sell our best players, we can afford to sack the manager and hire someone to try and keep us up without the players to do it? Shit show.

[Oldandtired]

3 minutes ago, saintant said:

Maybe he already has.

Or even worse ruffled his hair.

[Lee On Solent Saint]

5 minutes ago, LeG said:

Unfortunately we cant afford it. £14m to sack inc coaches. Takes us to the brink of FFP disaster. If we get a fee for a few players in Jan, we could do it then...but by then it will be too late. Hoping for a Xmas miracle. At least we know the situation. Strap in lads. Get the nuns out.

No wonder he looks so smug in his interviews.

[Totton Saint]

Considering how well we played v L'pool and the dire predictions for the score  I think a lot of you are being unduly pessimistic on here.

[Lighthouse]

Wasn’t McC playing with a slight knock last time? Perhaps he’s aggravated at some point in the last five days, hence Lumley.

[lambtiss]

https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/24756833.martin-labels-idea-demands-sideways-passing-laughable/

[ButtikonSaint]

Was at the game on Sunday and irrespective of all the other things, really enjoyed watching Fernandes and Dibbling (and Tall Paul).
Hope they both have a blinder tonight and get rewarded for their effort.

Don't expect much from tonight... starting X1 too defensive for me... switch one the full backs for SAA or Sulemana and let's give it a go.
A draw isn't much use but let's hope for that at least: so 2-2 Archer & Fernandes.
 

[davefizzy14]

COYR - let's get a result tonight 😊 

[suewhistle]

Just having a bite to eat and then off down the pub. Haven't been optimistic before a game all season and tonight less than before, although I'm not going to be as negative as all the posters who forecast losing 4-0 before the Liverpool game.

It's a Portsmouth area pub so at least we'll all be moaning about our respective teams and the banter shouldn't be that bad.. 

[saintant]

6 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

Wasn’t McC playing with a slight knock last time? Perhaps he’s aggravated at some point in the last five days, hence Lumley.

Yeah, not to mention the fact that he was complicit in 2 of Liverpool's goals.

[Saint_clark]

38 minutes ago, Wade Garrett said:

Charlie Taylor needs to fucking chin Martin.

I can only assume he was caught cracking one out over an old issue of Zoo magazine with Lucy on the cover.