Saints 1-2 Liverpool - Match Thread

[obelisk]

Another FK. Closer this time.

[lambtiss]

4 minutes ago, redkeith said:

 

Aribo has obviously got through the 5 games a season when he puts a shift in, get rid . 

You haven't thought this through. Who will we sing about? 

[Saint Matty 76]

About as bad as it gets that half

[obelisk]

Another embarrassing Saints set piece.

[tdmickey3]

2 minutes ago, Toussaint said:

What were you expecting? It’s going to take a while to get the disastrous rusball shite out of the system 

Correct 

[Galway saint]

We look so poor and lightweight in midfield 

Five at the back clearly doesn’t help but it’s so underpowered 

As for the ‘attack’ it’s none existent 

 

[FarehamSaintJames]

This is really crap.

[Saint Billy]

My other half just said that I was sado-masochistic, so in my excitement I went looking for the whips and gimp mask and then I realised she was referring to me watching saints.

[Saint Scott]

Still baffling that Rusk chose not to bring the player in for training Monday and Tuesday

[Mr X]

Just now, Saint Matty 76 said:

About as bad as it gets that half

The first half against spurs takes that title 

[OttawaSaint]

We don't often get new manager bounce.

Last was Rustie himself winning 2-1 vs Sheff Wed. 

Prior to Martin, Glenn Hoddle achieved a similar feat in January 2000. After being appointed manager, Hoddle secured a 2-1 win over West Ham United in his first match with Southampton.

 

Sheesh!

[OttawaSaint]

2 minutes ago, Saint Scott said:

Still baffling that Rusk chose not to bring the player in for training Monday and Tuesday

Seriously?

Wow!

[Saint Fan CaM]

Need to switch to four at the back - Manning off. Put an extra body in midfield, tell Downes not to venture forward. Get Onaucho on for Archer who’s an utter waste of a shirt.

[trousers]

3 minutes ago, Saint Scott said:

Still baffling that Rusk chose not to bring the player in for training Monday and Tuesday

I think they trained yesterday, but only after the 3pm press conference, which is getting on for 48 hours since the Spurs game nonetheless. 

Edited 18 December, 2024 by trousers

[Saint NL]

Christ, the guy that compiles the highlights package for YouTube is going to struggle to fill the seconds 🤣

Literally nothing of note from Saints. 

[Saint Scott]

1 minute ago, OttawaSaint said:

Seriously?

Wow!

Just for clarity. They trained Tuesday afternoon (post presser) but kept to Martin's schedule to have Monday off

[Saint86]

Pretty much unforgiveable, that having taken that long to sack Martin, Rusk is now in charge of this game. Really does make it look like he was sacked on a spur of the moment decision with no plan in place.

Edited 18 December, 2024 by Saint86

[Micky]

Massive gulf between the teams, some would say we shouldn't be on the same pitch as Liverpool and it would be hard to argue against.  Respect to the fans, horrible dirty night to come out and watch this dross.

[notnowcato]

Clueless first half. 

[trousers]

3 minutes ago, Saint Scott said:

Just for clarity. They trained Tuesday afternoon (post presser) but kept to Martin's schedule to have Monday off

What were they doing yesterday, up to  the end of the press conference, which finished at 3:30pm? 

Edited 18 December, 2024 by trousers

[GrumpyYorkshireSaint]

Some bite would be nice. 2nd to every ball, moving at what seems like half speed whilst Liverpool stroll around the pitch. The goals I can't condemn the 1st one it's an unlucky drop after a hopeful ball but would have been nice to see the lines on Nunez but that would probably be me just looking for any excuse.

Do we actually have a set piece coach? If so they are stealing a living, from the free kick in the first few minutes to the one at the end. 

[saintant]

We look a nothing side, poor all over the pitch. We fail to mark or close down making it so easy for our opponents and this is a basic requirement. I guess we all knew but there is a massive rebuild needed to make a side that can compete. Might as well throw TP on as stick Archer up front on his own and expect him to do something. Very disheartening and the fitness level thing is clear for all to see. At least we haven't done too much tippy tappy at the back.

[bangkoksaint]

Just now, Saint Scott said:

Just for clarity. They trained Tuesday afternoon (post presser) but kept to Martin's schedule to have Monday off

No wonder they all liked him. He just wanted to be liked by everyone and anyone who’s managed anything or anyone at a decent level knows that isn’t possible. It’s a fine line but it appears there was no division between him and the players 

[Saint NL]

First goal looked offside. 

Second goal the deflection takes it beyond the keeper.

Has anyone checked if we've been cursed? Seems like everything is against us 

[tdmickey3]

Just now, notnowcato said:

Clueless first half. 

Ah bless are you in mourning?

 

[Pamplemousse]

Why do we not run, why do we not press at all?

This is properly shit. 

[obelisk]

I'll be watching the 2nd half on a bigger, fitter TV screen. Hopefully that'll make all the difference.

[Baird of the land]

I applaud the fact that we've attempted to cut out the suicidal playing from the back.

The problem is to me that there doesn't seem to be a plan on how to play more direct. That's not a role archer can play. If Onachu isn't on a ht to help him why is he even on the bench.

[SWLondon Saint]

We can't press because we have 3 CBs marking one striker and our full backs are pinned back as we're not willing to cover them with our back 3. 

[trousers]

3 minutes ago, Pamplemousse said:

Why do we not run, why do we not press at all?

Simple..... Because the players aren't "premier league fit"... (Amongst other things, obviously)

Edited 18 December, 2024 by trousers

[Pamplemousse]

Just now, Baird of the land said:

I applaud the fact that we've attempted to cut out the suicidal playing from the back.

The problem is to me that there doesn't seem to be a plan on how to play more direct. That's not a role archer can play. If Onachu isn't on a ht to help him why is he even on the bench.

The second goal came directly from us going long from a goal kick. We have to defend it better but maybe Martin had a point after all!

[trousers]

1 minute ago, Pamplemousse said:

The second goal came directly from us going long from a goal kick. We have to defend it better but maybe Martin had a point after all!

Depends how many goals they would've scored had we stuck to faffing around at the back.... Which we'll never know, of course, so impossible to say either way...

[skintsaint]

There will be no comeback, just a meek 2nd half and probably conceding a few goals to a few of their youngsters.

Edited 18 December, 2024 by skintsaint

[Saint Scott]

10 minutes ago, trousers said:

What were they doing yesterday, up to  the end of the press conference, which finished at 3:30pm? 

Leaving party at Russ & Lucy's gaff.

Seriously though, no wonder the squad looks so unfit.

Edited 18 December, 2024 by Saint Scott

[Saint Fan CaM]

Someone mentioned the Wednesday game as the last time we bossed a pressing game. Well I was at that game and the one thing Wednesday didn’t do was press us hard. I said to my friend I couldn’t understand why they were sitting off us so much. This evening we look like Wednesday in that game - no game plan, no press, too much respect, unfit and no idea how to forge a credible attack.

[Patrick Bateman]

1 minute ago, trousers said:

Simple..... Because the players aren't "premier league fit"... (Amongst other things, obviously)

Exactly this - I said a couple of months ago how unfit the team were and playing a game that requires more running around (like tonight) will expose their lack of fitness having been used to walking and passing.

This is the most unfit Saints squad that I can remember, appalling really, the previous regime have a lot to answer for on that front. 

But hey, have Monday off ...

 

[Sheaf Saint]

The obvious lack of fitness is staggering. Simply no excuse for that. Russ clearly not familiar with the old saying "hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard". Going into a season knowing full well we couldn't match most teams for quality - to not at the very least make sure we can match them for fitness and effort is just unforgivable.

[saintant]

Christ, no changes - another clueless coach.

[Chez]

5 minutes ago, GrumpyYorkshireSaint said:

Some bite would be nice.

got to match up formation wise so players can get closer and show some bite. Right now we have three centre backs standing around waiting to do something while the rest pick up the slack. 

Time to show some bottle, and get some pressure on players. It will probably just end up with Gakpo running rings around Bree, but we have nothing to lose. Sitting back parking the bus at 0-2 is  gonna get us nowhere.

[Baird of the land]

2 minutes ago, Pamplemousse said:

The second goal came directly from us going long from a goal kick. We have to defend it better but maybe Martin had a point after all!

The couple of times we've tried to pass around the back we've looked bad. So i've no doubt we'd have conceded by trying to play out.

As i said going long isn't the problem. Its going long and not using someone to go long to.

[notnowcato]

8 minutes ago, tdmickey3 said:

Ah bless are you in mourning?

 

Not particularly. Shit first half performance. 

[John Boy Saint]

4 minutes ago, Pamplemousse said:

The second goal came directly from us going long from a goal kick. We have to defend it better but maybe Martin had a point after all!

Maybe the cocking about at the back is so ingrained that a long punt out causes confusion 

[tdmickey3]

4 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

The obvious lack of fitness is staggering. Simply no excuse for that. Russ clearly not familiar with the old saying "hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard". Going into a season knowing full well we couldn't match most teams for quality - to not at the very least make sure we can match them for fitness and effort is just unforgivable.

Yep, a really pathetic inditement of Martins ridiculous ideas

Edited 18 December, 2024 by tdmickey3

[Obstacle1]

5 minutes ago, Pamplemousse said:

The second goal came directly from us going long from a goal kick. We have to defend it better but maybe Martin had a point after all!

Come back Russ, all is forgiven!

[trousers]

1 minute ago, saintant said:

Christ, no changes - another clueless coach.

Yep... seems obvious that changes are required...?

[Galway saint]

It’s difficult to know what our level is at the moment as that first half was very poor

guess confidence is totally shot 

[Chez]

2 minutes ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

Someone mentioned the Wednesday game as the last time we bossed a pressing game. Well I was at that game and the one thing Wednesday didn’t do was press us hard. I said to my friend I couldn’t understand why they were sitting off us so much. This evening we look like Wednesday in that game - no game plan, no press, too much respect, unfit and no idea how to forge a credible attack.

we have no idea how to press. Not a clue.  We used to be good at that. A long time ago now, but we have to get that back.

[tdmickey3]

Just now, notnowcato said:

Not particularly. Shit first half performance. 

Been like that all season but you were never so scathing, wonder why that could be?

[CanadaSaint]

It was always going to take time to de-program the daleks Martin created. If we’re going longer earlier it makes no sense to leave a target/holdup player on the bench. Surprised that Tall Paul isn’t on already.

[notnowcato]

6 minutes ago, trousers said:

Simple..... Because the players aren't "premier league fit"... (Amongst other things, obviously)

The other more obvious reason is we’re playing a 5-4-1 with a massive gap between the midfield and attack. Good luck pressing with that.