Villa 1-0 Saints - Match Thread

[Ted Bates Statue]

Football interviews are not typically going to be Paxman-esque and I'm sure there is a Saints-flavoured version of Mark Goldbridge ready to go viral on the internet if that's what people really want, but you're not going to get that from the sports editor at BBC Solent. It's not his fault we're this shit.

Have a good evening everyone

 

[OneMrsWallace]

36 minutes ago, Micky said:

God, what absolute depths we are plumbing.... what the actual f*ck is this football club doing..... absolutely, f*kin woefully embarrassing...!

Respect to all who travelled - you deserve a whole lot more than this shower of shyte.

Spot on. It's an insult to all our supporters but especially when they trek away in shit weather to witness another shit performance. And as for Adam Blackmore talking about needing to buy goals in January - laughable, we had all summer to do that and we will be practically relegated by then anyway. The whole thing is like living in a bad nightmare. Happy Christmas 😂

[LuckyNumber7]

15 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

Still, looking at the positives...

 

 

 

 

 

Nope, sorry. I've got nothing.

Nathan Wood. Thought he was decent again.

[saintant]

2 minutes ago, Ted Bates Statue said:

Football interviews are not typically going to be Paxman-esque and I'm sure there is a Saints-flavoured version of Mark Goldbridge ready to go viral on the internet if that's what people really want, but you're not going to get that from the sports editor at BBC Solent. It's not his fault we're this shit.

Have a good evening everyone

 

Yeah we get that but it would be nice to hear Blackmore at least ask some slightly more demanding questions rather than giving this charlatan a free pass every week.

[stknowle]

16 minutes ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

Properly coached, we would not be sitting bottom with only five points.

Yep, we have a woefully weak squad and a woefully weak manager. Change the latter for a decent manager and the former wouldn’t be doing THIS badly. I’d still expect it to be struggling but not THIS badly. Anyone that excuses Martin’s cluelessness by blaming it solely on the weak squad is as deluded as he is.

[saintant]

3 minutes ago, OneMrsWallace said:

Spot on. It's an insult to all our supporters but especially when they trek away in shit weather to witness another shit performance. And as for Adam Blackmore talking about needing to buy goals in January - laughable, we had all summer to do that and we will be practically relegated by then anyway. The whole thing is like living in a bad nightmare. Happy Christmas 😂

And which striker is going to score goals the way this side is set up to play?

[Miltonaggro]

3 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

He should count himself fucking lucky that's all the fans at the ground gave.

If memory serves, it only took about 5 or 6 games for Jones to get the "your football is shit" chants. Why is Russ not getting the same treatment? 

Think the support is demoralised and sick of it, to be honest, disengaged and disenfranchised. Three goes these imbeciles on the Board have had at changing up when all they really needed to do short term was back the incumbent and  stabilise prem status. The current debacle is exhausting as the radio silence suggests they’ve no fucking backbone nor clue! 

[Football Special]

8 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

He should count himself fucking lucky that's all the fans at the ground gave.

If memory serves, it only took about 5 or 6 games for Jones to get the "your football is shit" chants. Why is Russ not getting the same treatment? 

I think it's because Jones came into a poor performing team and made them even worse immediately, whereas Martin came in at a low point after relegation and took us up so starting from very different perspectives 

[coalman]

It's the players or Jason Wilcox. God bless Martin for managing 5 points under the impossible situation he found himself in.

[WestMidSaint]

Goal looked disappointing from my position in the Upper Holte.
 

Couldn’t see which of the CBs it was but one has gone over and basically got in the way of the other, whilst leaving an ocean of space in the middle. Keeper was also out of position neither defending his goal deep or ever likely to get close enough to make a block or smother. 

 

[East Kent Saint]

25 minutes ago, OttawaSaint said:

Just watched the Brentford goals.

Now that is brave football. I'm envious.

I watched the match on tv , both sides did a bit of the passing in own pen area but didn’t then give it away . Near the end Brentford were dominant , their quick and incisive forwards did the business . To be fair Newcastle could have scored more as Brentford’s defence wasn’t watertight ! 
Liveramento wasn’t too impressive and fell over to give them a third goal . 

[Sheaf Saint]

I think I'm done. Following your football team is supposed to be fun, but SR and Russ have sucked every last bit of joy out of watching Saints, and I'm just numb to it now. I don't think I can stomach watching another weak, insipid performance like today's again. We're so toothless, I've seen newborn babies with more bite.

Thanks Russ, thanks Rasmus. You've made me fall out of love with the team I've followed for 35 years.

[OttawaSaint]

Just now, Sheaf Saint said:

I think I'm done. Following your football team is supposed to be fun, but SR and Russ have sucked every last bit of joy out of watching Saints, and I'm just numb to it now. I don't think I can stomach watching another weak, insipid performance like today's again. We're so toothless, I've seen newborn babies with more bite.

Thanks Russ, thanks Rasmus. You've made me fall out of love with the team I've followed for 35 years.

Same. Utterly fed up.

They flashed up the Christmas fixture list and all in could do was sigh. I usually love the Xmas games period.

[LGTL]

And he’s back to blaming the fans again for the goal conceded. Honestly, have we ever had a bigger cunt in charge of our football club? 

[Whitey Grandad]

5 minutes ago, WestMidSaint said:

Goal looked disappointing from my position in the Upper Holte.
 

Couldn’t see which of the CBs it was but one has gone over and basically got in the way of the other, whilst leaving an ocean of space in the middle. Keeper was also out of position neither defending his goal deep or ever likely to get close enough to make a block or smother. 

 

They have probably never played together. Training is no substitute for a proper football match.

[scumbag]

I actually think he escapes abuse in the ground because of Russball in a way.  Just as the style of it sucks the atmosphere out of the stadium, it seems to put the individual into a trance like state of apathy, almost docile - like you have simply given up.  I think the most 'prepared' I could be to receive life changing negative news is either in St Mary's or as I walk to the car.  

Up until a few weeks ago it would turn to anger when listening to 5 live on the way home. But even that has faded now.

 

Edited Saturday at 17:59 by scumbag

[Wsaint]

4 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

I think I'm done. Following your football team is supposed to be fun, but SR and Russ have sucked every last bit of joy out of watching Saints, and I'm just numb to it now. I don't think I can stomach watching another weak, insipid performance like today's again. We're so toothless, I've seen newborn babies with more bite.

Thanks Russ, thanks Rasmus. You've made me fall out of love with the team I've followed for 35 years.

See you next week then 👍

[saintant]

Just now, Whitey Grandad said:

They have probably never played together. Training is no substitute for a proper football match.

Especially when said training is being run by Russell Martin.

[SNSUN]

22 minutes ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

Brought up about the fans cheering when Lumley kicked it long. Basically blamed their goal on that.

So effectively we're shit when we pass out from the back and we're shit when we kick it long. Got it.

We're just shit.

[Saint Marky]

Just now, Football Special said:

I think it's because Jones came into a poor performing team and made them even worse immediately, whereas Martin came in at a low point after relegation and took us up so starting from very different perspectives 

Took us up with a top three team and only by the play off final, no great achievement on balance. I think like as others have said, it’s time to turn the atmosphere hostile now at  St Mary’s, it’s been far too placid for too long now. Let this idiot and the board know we’ve had enough, enough of the same shit every game, with the same shit result. There is enough in this squad to get us out of this hole, but not with this blind, arrogant, narcissistic joker in charge.

[Saint_clark]

38 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

Fucking hell, they’ve got a disciplinary problem.
 

I was at Wimborne last week when they had 2 sent off. 

Yeah it's been an issue since Killick came in. They're fully (over) commited. 

[beatlesaint]

2 minutes ago, LGTL said:

And he’s back to blaming the fans again for the goal conceded. Honestly, have we ever had a bigger cunt in charge of our football club? 

Probably not.

Its ironic that when his fantastic way of playing costs us goals you don’t hear a peep out of him, except to say how brave they are on the ball.

[saintant]

2 minutes ago, LGTL said:

And he’s back to blaming the fans again for the goal conceded. Honestly, have we ever had a bigger cunt in charge of our football club? 

If the fans are responsible for goals conceded Russell perhaps you'll share some of your massive salary with them - you certainly aren't doing much to earn it.

[Whitey Grandad]

4 minutes ago, LGTL said:

And he’s back to blaming the fans again for the goal conceded. Honestly, have we ever had a bigger cunt in charge of our football club? 

Blaming the fans? How does that work then?

[trousers]

21 minutes ago, Mboto Gorge said:

it’s about time he was given some serious heat on matchdays.

It genuinely baffles me why the fans in the stadium seemingly don't see how totally flawed Martin's approach is and just sit there meekly game after game. Bizarre. 

[stknowle]

9 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

I think I'm done. Following your football team is supposed to be fun, but SR and Russ have sucked every last bit of joy out of watching Saints, and I'm just numb to it now. I don't think I can stomach watching another weak, insipid performance like today's again. We're so toothless, I've seen newborn babies with more bite.

Thanks Russ, thanks Rasmus. You've made me fall out of love with the team I've followed for 35 years.

Agree, there is not the slightest sense of excitement, hope or anticipation  on match day. Even when we score it barely raises a smile because you know it just ain’t going to be enough. My good fucking God I’ve never felt so low about this club and team.

[trousers]

20 minutes ago, Ted Bates Statue said:

Football interviews are not typically going to be Paxman-esque and I'm sure there is a Saints-flavoured version of Mark Goldbridge ready to go viral on the internet if that's what people really want, but you're not going to get that from the sports editor at BBC Solent. It's not his fault we're this shit.

Have a good evening everyone

 

Fair point Adam 👍

[Vancouver Saint]

This. 

56 minutes ago, BallBoy said:

In all my 60 years of supporting my club I don't remember ever feeling so despondent. Defeat is expected.  All I hope for is a bit of pride. I am resigned to relegation

 

[Saint Marky]

1 minute ago, trousers said:

It genuinely baffles me why the fans in the stadium seemingly don't see how totally flawed Martin's approach is and just sit there meekly game after game. Bizarre. 

Totally, I’m hoping there are a few signs in the crowd on Sunday, to get shown on tv and our new ‘wall’ have a few chants ready, when the inevitable mistakes happen, with our playing out from the back at all costs,  getting Tottenhams season back on track. 

[saintant]

3 minutes ago, trousers said:

Fair point Adam 👍

I reckon you could be right although he does criticise the team so maybe not 🙂

[sfc4prem]

44 minutes ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

There's the dig at the fans

Oh yeah, the ones that shelled out to travel up to the Midlands during a yellow weather warning? Cheers, Rusty 🤡

[Jack]

Russ turning on the fans won’t end well, never does. How does he think he knows better when we’re on 5 points and will be at Christmas?

How about the pissing about at the back that very nearly led to us conceding just before their goal. And how about zero chances in 90 mins because we refuse to shoot or cross in favour of keeping the ball and doing nothing with it. Russ and his shit philosophy are killing this club 

Edited Saturday at 18:21 by Jack

[SWLondon Saint]

50 minutes ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

Brought up about the fans cheering when Lumley kicked it long. Basically blamed their goal on that.

Wow. That is truly delusional bollocks. Their goal came from a hopeful long ball which our defenders made a complete meal out of due to the complete lack of defensive organisation.

I would also add it looked like THB was TRYING TO WIN POSSESSION rather than defending first and thinking about possession later. And whose fault would that be...

[spyinthesky]

26 minutes ago, Vancouver Saint said:

This. 

 

To be honest I can remember feeling similar, if perhaps a tad worse, when we were playing at The Dell under Branfoot with around 10,000 in the ground.
Even in that time when, circumstances were similar, there was always the possibility of saving ourselves from relegation.
Under this regime we are a few games away from Christmas and there is absolutely no chance of avoiding relegation.
The Manager is not totally culpable, as the purchasing of players has been pretty poor, but his inability to change the way we play is indicative of his incompetence as a Manager.
In financial terms, I wonder how much the club will save allowing his (and his staff's) contracts to run through to the end of the season as opposed to getting rid now.
Also I wonder if the players are on win bonuses?
Not much to pay out there.
 

[Whitey Grandad]

15 minutes ago, SWLondon Saint said:

Wow. That is truly delusional bollocks. Their goal came from a hopeful long ball which our defenders made a complete meal out of due to the complete lack of defensive organisation.

I would also add it looked like THB was TRYING TO WIN POSSESSION rather than defending first and thinking about possession later. And whose fault would that be...

It was the same with Sugawara at Brighton. Trying to win the ball instead of clearing it.

[lambtiss]

10 minutes ago, SWLondon Saint said:

Wow. That is truly delusional bollocks. Their goal came from a hopeful long ball which our defenders made a complete meal out of due to the complete lack of defensive organisation.

I would also add it looked like THB was TRYING TO WIN POSSESSION rather than defending first and thinking about possession later. And whose fault would that be...

Exactly. The goal had nothing to do with Lumley kicking long, every keeper does this. The cause of the goal and 9 other goals this season is that the defence has been brainwashed into valuing retention of possession over defending. Instead of clearing the ball away from a dangerous situation their relex response is now to try to control the ball and pass it (sideways).

He really is a narcissist. 

[SWLondon Saint]

2 minutes ago, Whitey Grandad said:

It was the same with Sugawara at Brighton. Trying to win the ball instead of clearing it.

I mean it's not rocket science, if you're the last man you cannot, cannot be caught in these 50-50 situations as if you get unlucky it's a goal. For Suga's one he was also going back towards our goal which everyone knows is a harder first touch to make than when it's coming to you facing the right way - he should not be even trying unless he's 100% sure he can take it on the run exactly where he wants but clearly the whole team's thinking on this has been influenced.

 

 

[St. Ciervo]

Didn't we try to buy goals for the last 2 windows? We ended up with Tall Paul, Sully, Archer, and Mr. Glass. I don't even want us to try to "buy goals" again n January. With this current management team, it would just be an expensive piss in the wind. 

[swingworkstheoracle]

What’s the point

as well as these pathetic performances as soon as we get a decent player they get sold

 

That team we had in 2014-2016 period, how did it come to this?

[Toussaint]

Today should have been an opportunity to get something. Villa out of form, distracted by an upcoming European game and having made several changes. And yet, we came away with absolutely nothing, not even a shot on goal. 

[Sheaf Saint]

1 minute ago, Toussaint said:

Today should have been an opportunity to get something. Villa out of form, distracted by an upcoming European game and having made several changes. And yet, we came away with absolutely nothing, not even a shot on goal. 

Exactly this. Villa were poor at times and made plenty of errors of their own. But, despite that, Martinez had probably the easiest game of his entire career. We didn't test him once.

That's just shocking, and unforgivable.

[SNSUN]

So... which team is beating us next week? 😜

[Toussaint]

2 minutes ago, SNSUN said:

So... which team is beating us next week? 😜

They’ll probably rest half their first team as had become the recent trend. That’s how the inconsequential we are now. Clubs will be playing their under 23’s against us soon.

[WGC Saint]

1 hour ago, Sheaf Saint said:

I think I'm done. Following your football team is supposed to be fun, but SR and Russ have sucked every last bit of joy out of watching Saints, and I'm just numb to it now. I don't think I can stomach watching another weak, insipid performance like today's again. We're so toothless, I've seen newborn babies with more bite.

Thanks Russ, thanks Rasmus. You've made me fall out of love with the team I've followed for 35 years.

Sad but true mate. I’m completely numb to it now and don’t care any more. Until RM is gone I can’t be bothered to follow us. It’s painful. Nobody minds losing but do so with some fight and giving it a proper go. We could have had a 0-0 today but once again a complete fuck up at the back has cost us. Every game it’s getting more and more ridiculous and it’s not new as we were doing it last season so in the Championship as well. 

[Football Special]

1 hour ago, LGTL said:

And he’s back to blaming the fans again for the goal conceded. Honestly, have we ever had a bigger cunt in charge of our football club? 

Is there a video of him saying this? Would like to see it 

[Wade Garrett]

Proud of the players after a 5-1 home defeat, slags them off after an away 1-0 defeat.

The bloke is a completely insincere prick.  I look forward to the day when SR finally do their job properly and get rid of the twat.

[S-Clarke]

There is nothing to really analyse, it's just the same old.  I'm just bored shitless with it all. How we are so slow with the ball, how we are technically awful in the final third, and how we continuously tie ourselves in knots at the back.

It feels like we're taking a season off, as we're now just playing non-competitive friendlies up until May. Sounds fun.

[Stripey McStripe Shirt]

It's the hope that kills you.

Thankfully we don't have any. 

Merry Christmas everyone.

[Dr Who?]

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. Albert Einstein.

I’m sorry but I can no longer defend this style of play. He needs to adapt his play, just so there is no fanning around at the back, or it is time to leave. The owners need to sit down with him and tell him his options! 

[coalman]

Yes, Russ, it's bad luck. It's unbelievable that a team that creates so many clear cut opportunities for their opponents and can't make the opposition keeper make a save keeps failing to get points. I just hope TayTay is ok after he limply folded to let in their centre forward.

There is one more thing you could try. Fucking off.