Saints 2-2 Swansea - Post Match Reaction

[saintwarwick]

How about we pull the plug on Rudi leaving before its too late ?

 

Rudi wants to go, no point hanging on to someone who is not committed.

[Appy]

A very good game of football i thought, and a battling displays by the boys.

 

Even though i got elbowed and crushed after the second goal...

 

My bad!

[SaintBobby]

Very extensive match report here:

 

http://www.southampton-mad.co.uk/news/loadnews.asp?cid=TMNW&id=430313

 

First game I've actually enjoyed for quite some time.

[St_Tel49]

I know Gillett seems to divide opinion on here but even if his passing is not great he's a ball winner and he made a ridiculous amount of interceptions and good tackles today and I disagree when people call him lightweight because he may be short but he still wins his fair share in the air.

 

As others have picked up Saeijs, Wotton and Saga were also excellent today, while James (get a natural right back FFS we have gone over half a season without one and we are supposed to be a football club), Molyneux (I liked Mills earlier in the season so get him back in the team) and Lallana were poor. Saga's second goal was a fantastic finish, what would McG have done in that situation? It just shows what we have been missing all season. If we stay up then surely Saga will be a legend.

If Gillett improved his distribution he would be a superb player. In the second half in particular he did some excellent work at times but then finished it off with a pass to the opposition.

re Saga - I have seen Saga go through long phases of not scoring and people questioning his commitment. For that reason I wish people would get off McGoldrick's back. Scoring is a matter of confidence and I believe that in a 2 man strike force McGoldrick will score more goals before too long. He has skill, he has strength and a good awareness of where his team-mates are. And he has had to carry the burden of being the lone striker for too long. To be frank - if Saga had been the lone striker all season I don't think that he would have done it as well as DMcG (bcause he is nowhere near as strong on the ball) and probably scored no more goals either.

[L1Minus10]

Davis 4 - Transported in time back 2 years to when he was awful. The 2nd goal is a nightmare. I feel he should have held it and if not, then you shove it wide, not straight. He's been very good this season but had a poor game.:confused:

James 5 - Suffered due to the sending off when Gillett didn't cover him any more. kept on getting skinned. stuck to it though but no threat going forward.:smt009

Molyneux 4 - Brainless sending off, totally deserved. Played ok up til that point.#-o

Saeijs 7 - Won the physical battle with Scotland which was tough going. Looks an excellent signing.

Perry 7 - Another good game.

Gillett 6 - He played really well for 70 minutes but in common with lots of times I've seen him, he isn't fit enough to play 90 mins. For the last 20 he was dreadful and gave it away every time due to tiredness.:vom:

Lallana 3 - forgot he was there.:smt102

Wotton 8 - We need him, simple as. Evrey team needs a bastard in the middle of the park who wins tacles and headers and plays it simple. As long as he keeps it simple, he's an asset. great game.:axe:

Surman 6 - Much better on the left than in the middle and put in a decent shift at left back.

McGoldrick 1 - Had a "Bradley". Didn't control anything, didn;t anticipate anything, didn;t win a single physical challenge. Let his head go down and in all truth could have been subbed after half an hour. Rubbish.:toimonster:

Saganowski 8 - Gave me a ****ing heart attack over the 1st goal but is teaching Lowe the meaning of 'false economy' with every goal he scores.:prayer:

=============

Euell 7 - Made a big difference when he came on and should start the next game in place of either Lallana, McGoldrick or Molyneux.

McLaggon 6 - Looked good in flashes but should have come on sooner to add some pace.

 

Wotte 8 - Impressed to be honest. the narrow 3 in midfield was workign fine and he obviously has instilled a bit of bite in the team. Maybe should have brought McLaggon or Euell on for McGoldrick much earlier. Miles better than the ass Poortvliet anyhow. I feel we have a bit of a chance now.

[Ash]

Lallana was one of the weak spots and perhaps he has instructions not to shine until the transfer window closes so that we won't lose him.

I don't know if I have missed the joke but you cannot be for realisies. A better suggestion would be someone had a word with him in October to go off the boil so nobody came sniffing around, he has been off his game for a while.

 

For me Mcgoldrick was an absolute disgrace to his team mates and the club. Lazy, doesnt anticipate anything and general lack of effort HE should be cleaning Kaynes boots this evening as he was totally shown up by the young lad who did more in 15 or so minutes than McG has done all season. It annoys me so much to see him prancing about barely getting into our own half whilst saga and others were blowing a gasket to get back and get in tackles. First goal stemmed from Daves lack of pressure on their left back who then had time and space to ping a ball to gomes ... wasnt helped by Surmans lack of a challenge then but if you cut it out at the start these problems dont develop!!!

You do know Mcgoldrick is the bloke wearing number 18 with MCGOLDRICK on the back? He didn't have his best game today, certainly going forward but he was not lazy at all. In the first half when he possession by under-hitting a pass he chased the play all the way back to the byline in Saints half, and that wasn't the only example of him working his nuts off.

Some guy near me in the Itchen was berating him for not chasing a through ball down today without realising he was offside and had he gone for the ball he would have become active and disrupted our attack. Some people have made their mind up on him and not a lot will change it, we seem to have one every season. Now Jermaine Wright has gone Mcgoldrick gets the stick. To suggest McGlaggon did more today than Mcgoldrick has all season is ****ing stupid.

 

Thought the game was good, lots of fun again. From where I was stood their second goal looked offside by a good yard and Molyneux's challenge looked fair, more ball than man, but I am extremely biased

If any Swansea supporters are ready this, has Jordi Gomes been tackled once this season without requiring medical attention afterwards? The bloke is a ****ing great jessy, wouldn't look out of place next to Drew Surman in our squad.

Thought Wotton, Saga and Size were the best players today. I was amazed by Wotton, never seen anything like it from him in a Saints shirt before, let's hope he can keep it up.

[Windmill Arm 2]

Agree

This side just hasn't got a fukkin clue how to win at home. I was pleased to see a fight back, it showed we have a bit of steel and hunger, but FFS why do we have to be behind before anybody starts really giving a shyte. Draws will see us relegated. WIN WIN WIN PLEEEEEASE FFS WIN !!! AAAAAAARRGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

 

fukkin frustrated with this sack of **** club.

[SaintSparky]

A creditable result and display however if we don't start winning home games like this one we will almost certainly go down.

 

We need to find a way to win against Sheffield United on Tuesday as we are in danger of drifting further away from our rivals.

 

Come on you Saints.

[austsaint]

Have to agree with the above.

Just getting home from a great day alround really.

The protest went very well and showed to the muppets saying nobody will turn up that at least 1000 or so care about the club enough to turn up. So very proud of the community for that.

 

Then the game. Wotte deserves a hell of a lot of credit for going 442. He did what we all wanted Jan to do for the whole season and it prooves we can play that way. Wotte has made his mark on the team already and i have to say i am more confident with him at the helm then i was with Jan.

However there are a few things. Molyneux i have been worried about for sometime now and today i think showed the boy needs to grow up fast. With Skacel on his way out i feel we will now have to put Surman in that slot for the Sheff Utd game and that will break up the creative part of the midfield. Wotten should of been sent off for that two footed tackle, he made mistake after mistake and once again showed he is not up to this level. When he got nutmegged he just let the dude go, you can't do that. But other then Wotten,Molyneux and Lallana i felt everyone else did very very well. Even DMG was all over the place trying to get the ball back. He missed a complete sitter that somehow went over the bar but he was trying to get into the mix and that is what we need. Roni Size was my man of the match simply because as good as Saga was with his goals Size defended like a brick wall, taking the pressure off the defence with every tackle and every header.

The boys done really well and they should feel confident about our chances of success if they continue to play with that level of effort.

BUT

As good as the result is it means we lose points on teams like Derby while keeping the same gap to teams like Watford. Watford are in the relegation zone with us now. We have to get more points then those around us and that is not what we're doing. When a team draws/lose we have to take advantage of that. We have 2 gigantic games ahead of us now which i feel will decide our fate. Lose to Sheff Utd then lose the vital game to Watford and i think we have to be honest and say we deserve to go down. If we can't beat any of the teams around us then we don't deserve to be here. But this performance but more importantly the effort shown by the players gives me confidence that the great escape is possible. The manager gives me more confidence then what JP did. If only Saga and maybe Rasiak were here all season maybe things would of been different.

The next 2 games are make or break time.

 

Thanks for the summary Marco. My only quibble is does our new manager deserve that much credit for doing something that has seemed bleedingly obvious for so long.....play a 4 4 2 formation.

[wild-saint]

Spot on Wotton was superb, he will never be a Beckham who sprays the ball everywhere - his job is to get in and break it all up and do the nasty stuff.

Today was his best performance in a Saints shirt as he battled and kept them all going I cant believe some of the comments here but guess some players get bad reps and get slated no matter how they play.

Lallana was absolute ****e and touched the ball about 6 times in the whole time he was on - shocking and fair play to Wotte who got todays substitutes spot on.

If only DMG had put some studs in his boots before kick off we might of gone 2 up.

Well done Wotte spot on tactics and subs today.

 

Absolutely agree about wotton, He was exactly what we have lacked all season. He fought, he tackled and broke up the play. He lead by example and was played the captains role today. When he won the ball he played it simple. What he lacked in monility and passing baility he more than made up with some much needed strength in the middle.

 

LEts hope he keeps this up week in week out.

 

Personally shocked by some of the comments on here, but then my sister goes to the games, supports the saints, will still go even if we are relagated but still knows Fvck all about footy.

[NickG]

Agree

This side just hasn't got a fukkin clue how to win at home. I was pleased to see a fight back, it showed we have a bit of steel and hunger, but FFS why do we have to be behind before anybody starts really giving a shyte. Draws will see us relegated. WIN WIN WIN PLEEEEEASE FFS WIN !!! AAAAAAARRGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

 

fukkin frustrated with this sack of **** club.

 

thought our best bit was the first 20 mins -and we scored first!

[bungle]

Thanks for the summary Marco. My only quibble is does our new manager deserve that much credit for doing something that has seemed bleedingly obvious for so long.....play a 4 4 2 formation.

 

He didn't play 4-4-2, so your sarky comment is pretty pointless.

[Delmary]

I really don't think we will stay up as the damage has already been done but today's performance was good. Plenty of spirit and fight. The team did the club proud.

[monosaint]

your ****ting me right?

The guy (Wotten) was awful. He could not pass to save his life, his long balls went out of play and he never tracked his marker as much as he should. Add to that he should of been sent off for about 8 stupid fouls he did.

 

Guess that goes to show how football is a game of opinions hey.

 

Well, there you go.. I also disagree with you on that. He worked and covered a lot of ground and also noticed him talking to his teammates right through. Just what we needed.

[NickG]

I was surprised how hard DMG worked, losing it in CF position and sprinting back to fullback to tackle.

[austsaint]

One of the best matches at St Mary's this season, full of blood and thunder. At least nearly the entire team showed commitment and desire. Lallana was one of the weak spots and perhaps he has instructions not to shine until the transfer window closes so that we won't lose him. There was even one incident when the ball broke loose and he didn't even bother to chase it although it was a 50/50 ball that he could have reached if he could be bothered. His team mates showed him up, always giving maximum effort with various degrees of success. In the midfield, both Wotton and Gillett led by example. In many ways Gillett looks like a poor man's Scholes, but he exemplified the never say die attitude of the team today. Again, Euell coming made a very positive contribution. Why doesn't Wotte start him?

 

Tactically we were good, never letting Swansea settle on the ball. Like us, they are a good passing team, but our constant niggling of their players broke their stride and composure on the ball, forcing them to make errors and misplaced passes. We tackled with bite, earning the jeers of the Swansea fans chanting you dirty Southern bastards. I took it as a compliment, meaning that we had the grit that went with the more balanced team with more experienced players.

 

I had the feeling that had this been JP in charge, we wouldn't have been playing the more successful 4-4-2 formation and that tactically we would have been more naive and one-dimensional. Both of our last two performances have been grittier under Wotte.

 

Molyneux was very naive getting sent off and having been on a yellow was a total idiot for that tackle. Shades of Lancashire there. We can do without it as he put an additional burden on his team mates, who responded magnificently.

 

Their first goal was down to poor defending and not closing down. All of a sudden a huge gap opened up in the middle of the area and a clever shot just inside the post left Davies with no chance. Their second goal was unfortunate as Davies stopped a shot but palmed the ball into the path of a Swansea striker who took an easy poacher's goal.

 

Saganowski took both of his well. The first one was almost comical as he has beaten the goalkeeper and had two defenders who got back to beat. He turned one way than another, then back again. Just when it looked as if he had taken too long, he fired it in almost cheekily. The second was worthy of MLT. He saw the goallie off his line and produced a beautifully weighted chip over him.

 

All in all an entertaining match and I felt quite bouyed by it on the way out of the ground for a change.

 

Unfortunately the feeling persisted afterwards that for all the brave and committed play, we had dropped another two home points. We can't go on like this and survive in this divison. If the players' morale is raised so that they can grind out some wins in the next few matches, then fair enough. But a point a game simply will not do, no matter how committed we are.

 

Thank God for Saganowski. It just goes to highlight the crass stupidity of Lowe for letting Rasiak, John and Saganowski go out on loan. Imbecile.

 

Thanks Wes, your summaries and comments are invariably on the money. Agree with your closing paragraphs. Notwithstanding the financial problems, we should never have been dangling on the precipice of relegation like we are, with sensible decision making earlier in the season. Two other observations at this crucial point of the season....make more use of Euell, and do something about the full backs, particularly on the right side!

[ottery st mary]

My scout at the match states that although Saga probably will get all the plaudits..Wotton actually was a star and played like two men and both very good men.

All the stick he takes he is still all heart and blood/guts.

 

Now confirmed by several other mates at the game that Wotton gave the side steal and experience..Hope he keeps it up..The team needs his leadership and he will get fitter.

[redorwhitelion]

Davis 6.5 - I thought a bit unlucky with second goal, as first shot was struck sweetly and moved all over the place.

James 6.0 - Average, clear weaknesses but up against a particularly strong left sided players.

Saeijs 7.5 - Its been said before, but are you Claus? Superb tackling.

Perry 6.5 - Steady

Molyneaux 2 - Idiot

Surman 7.0 - Usual tidy self

Wotton 6.5 - would be 8 for gee-ing up the team, but 5 for ability.

Gillet 7.5 - Best I've seen from him. Good anticipation and reading of game, got very tired and passing disintigrated as game went on.

Lallana 5.0 - Anonymous

McGoldrick 7.0 - Made space for Saga to play in all afternoon

Saganowski 7.5 - Mostly does feck all, but can't fault his scoring instinct

 

Euell 7.0 - always professional and puts all in, added valuable energy

McClaggon 6.0 - Flashs, but couldn't quite pick up the pace.

 

Enjoyable game, Swansea are the team Saints aspire to be right now.

[Chez]

Now confirmed by several other mates at the game that Wotton gave the side steal and experience..Hope he keeps it up..The team needs his leadership and he will get fitter.

 

he certainly added much needed bite to the middle but he is still very very slow, watch how far away he is from his man for the first goal, cumbersome (how he didn't get sent off for the combination of bad tackles is beyond me) and extremely limited in possession - how many hoofs saw posession conceded.

 

I expect his effort as a bare minimum from a CM but I also expect them to have a bit of ability as well. Still having seen Schneiderlin waltz through games in recent times hardly getting his socks dirty it was good to see a few tackles going in.

[ottery st mary]

he certainly added much needed bite to the middle but he is still very very slow, watch how far away he is from his man for the first goal, cumbersome (how he didn't get sent off for the combination of bad tackles is beyond me) and extremely limited in possession - how many hoofs saw posession conceded.

 

I expect his effort as a bare minimum from a CM but I also expect them to have a bit of ability as well. Still having seen Schneiderlin waltz through games in recent times hardly getting his socks dirty it was good to see a few tackles going in.

 

You are probably right as the information being passed, is that basically, we are still a very poor side and deserve to be where we are.

The reports are showing signs that there has been slight improvement and these individuals are making comparisons with the dreadful fayre that has been previously served up. In a nutshell we are going to struggle with four or five other teams who are just as bad as us.....Ability (limited in our side) is not going to save us now...But large doses of blood , guts and experienced players like Wotton and shedloads of fight might give us an outside chance.....I wish and pray.

[del boy]

Loving Motte telling the OS, "If anyone is not 100% committed to SFC, I don't want them to play for us." I just have this vision of the warden at Guantanamo bay saying the same thing.

Pah, I bet half of them haven't even heard of SFC

[The Godfather]

Their was alot more bite about the performance today compared with some of the 'pretty' football that got us nowhere under Portaloo but their was also a complete lack of discipline in some of the tackles, to much diving in which made it easy for some the Swansea players to roll around the floor. The sending off was correct and thankfully only a one match ban.

Gillett & Wotton very solid but Gillett has got to learn how to pass the ball. Very disappointed with Lallana's performance he either needs a kick up the backside or an arm round the shoulder to buck his ideas up.

It will only be a good point in the end today IF we can the three points on Tuesday, lets hope Saga is still here come 5pm Monday.

[Kingsbridge Saint]

Hard fought point against a good side. Not unconnected to playing 4-4-2 at home and having a goalscorer. It would have been 0-2 under Portaloo. Still, one win at home in 15 games is sh1t. Administration please = Lowe Out.

[Jonnyboy]

Decent battling display including some ferocious tackles from Saints. The one by Molyneux was bad but equally awful was Wotton's on the half way line where somehow we were awarded a freekick???? This was exactly the sort of display you would have expected to see if a traditonal English manager had taken charge.

 

Davis 7 not his busiest game and I suspect he will be a little dissapointed to palm the ball out to the striker for the goal. Not his fault but on a nother day he might have done slightly better.

James 4 - beaten time after time by the pacey winger and by the ball over his shoulder. All his frailties were shown up today. Deefensively he is weak.

Seijs 10 - MOTM by far for me. Fantastic display winnng every header and some crucial tackles. The new Svensson. I can not praise him more.

Perry 6 Some good some bad. I feel he costs us wiht his lack of pace and height but he still battles hard.

Molyneux 2 - Bad challenge right in front of me that might have got a red on another day. Deserved to go. Its still very early days but in all the games I have thought Mills was as good if not better. Why have we signed another short fullback when we needed extra height at the back

Wotton (10 for effort 2 for quality) was like a man posessed chucking himself into everything and fair play to him. I think he is ****e but he really sweated blood for the side today and I can see why Plymouth fans love him. Shame he gives the ball straight back when he gets it and he chases shadows half the time. But no one can fault his effort and drive.

Surman - 6 didn't get hold of the game at LM/CM but at fullback he came alive going forward and a became a liability defensively - ball watching and not getting tight the main problems. Glad to get him back in the side.

Gillett - 7 Terrific start to the game hussling and bustling and winning ball. Still some very poor passing but a much better display. Worked very hard.

Lallana - 2 Very poor showing. Did nothing at all. I'm a big fan but he has to offer more to justify his place. Woeful long shot when he should be running at the defence.

McGoldrick - 4 Started brightly but dissapeared and no complaints at being subbed. In his defence he got next to no service with Wotton, Seijs and Gillett all happy to boot it absolutely anywhere.

Saga - (10 for goalscoring 2 for all round game) Gave the ball away cheaply almost every single time he recieved it apart from the two crucial moments where he took his goals wonderfully. Tremendous second goal that only he (at the club) would have scored. He actually played a lot better against Donny IMO, but of course goals make MOTM performances in many peoples eyes. Great to have a goalscorer in form and great to be playing two up front.

Euell 6 Totally comitted display.

McClaggon - 2 Never got up to the pace of the game, never got the ball under, made the wrong runs and didn't work hard enough. Very dissapointed but coming on as a sub isn't always easy.

 

Id agree with that. yes indeed.

[NickG]

from the times, love the first line;

 

WEEK after knocking Portsmouth out of the FA Cup, Swansea surprisingly found another south coast club possessed greater resolve. Southampton were down to 10 men for most of the second half after Lee Molyneux was sent off, yet still managed to equalise through a second well-crafted goal by Marek Saganowski.

 

It is too early to tell whether Southampton’s attempt to play proper football will be radically changed by Mark Wotte, their new coach, although there were indications here of a more aggressive approach.

 

Another demonstration by around 1,000 Southampton supporters against executive chairman Rupert Lowe preceded a first half illuminated by two notable goals. First, Saganowski capitalised on an under-hit back pass from Garry Monk and picked out the left corner of Dorus De Vries’ goal. Then, after 32 minutes, an equaliser of still greater excellence. Jordi Gomez, the refined midfielder on loan to Swansea from Espanyol, collected the ball from Jason Scotland, cut across goal and unerringly placed his shot past Kelvin Davis from 20 yards.

 

The sending-off of Molyneux, Southampton’s left-back, was the precursor to Swansea’s second goal. A 20-yard shot across goal by Alan Tate was parried by Davis to the feet of Gorka Pintado, who had just come on as a substitute. Another defender might just have made all the difference.

 

 

And then the equaliser. Saganowski, his touch no less assured than in the first half, spotted De Vries uncertain as to whether to come well off his line to block a through pass and chipped him perfectly.

 

Roberto Martinez, the Swansea manager, said his players were not given enough protection from the referee. “We needed a strong referee and did not get the protection we deserved,” Martinez said. Nevertheless, Swansea are now unbeaten in 14 matches.

 

Star man: Marek Saganowski (Soton

[ALWAYS_SFC]

I thought he was overseas having a medical?

 

He was at the game,saw him afterwards..

[alpine_saint]

He was at the game,saw him afterwards..

 

Hope this means he is staying.

[ALWAYS_SFC]

Hope this means he is staying.

 

Me too mate but still a few hours for Lowe and his cronies to

get shot.

[alpine_saint]

I reckon he will play next game if the window slams shut and he hasnt signed elsewhere.

[OldNick]

I reckon he will play next game if the window slams shut and he hasnt signed elsewhere.

he was expected to have a medical at a foreign team, I expect he was atr game saying farewwells and getting last bits tied up here

[alpine_saint]

he was expected to have a medical at a foreign team, I expect he was atr game saying farewwells and getting last bits tied up here

 

I dont get you - I really reckon you are chuffed at the idea of us flogging our one recognised LB, which is bizarre considering the narrow midfield Wotte appears to like.

[derry]

Lots of effort, narrow 4-1-2-1-2 doesn't give a lot of attacking options but is hard to play against. Swansea played with width and outflanked us regularly, but Saeijs, Perry and Wotton did much to shut down the attackers.

 

What really hacked me off in the last half hour, we dropped too deep and stopped pressing in midfield, that really caused us problems.

 

We also, until the last corner, brought all 9 outfield players back for corners, that allowed 10 Swansea players within 30 yds of our goal.

 

We needed to leave at least two up with a full team but at least one up with 10 men, when McLaggon stayed up it took 2 Swansea players into their half and two more out of our penalty area.

 

Most forwards are poor defenders and don't mark effectively anyway, I would like us to leave three up, which would probably take four to pick up and a couple of more out of the box, That would then mean 4/5 attackers in the box to be picked up by 7 defenders, and also allow a quick cearance to counter attack.

 

I think Lallana is at present unproductive and is better used as a sub. Euell could play more effectively and stronger in that formation. Alternatively McLaggon would give pace and a cutting edge in that hole position.

[Whitey Grandad]

Lots of effort, narrow 4-1-2-1-2 doesn't give a lot of attacking options but is hard to play against. Swansea played with width and outflanked us regularly, but Saeijs, Perry and Wotton did much to shut down the attackers.

 

What really hacked me off in the last half hour, we dropped too deep and stopped pressing in midfield, that really caused us problems.

 

We also, until the last corner, brought all 9 outfield players back for corners, that allowed 10 Swansea players within 30 yds of our goal.

 

We needed to leave at least two up with a full team but at least one up with 10 men, when McLaggon stayed up it took 2 Swansea players into their half and two more out of our penalty area.

 

Most forwards are poor defenders and don't mark effectively anyway, I would like us to leave three up, which would probably take four to pick up and a couple of more out of the box, That would then mean 4/5 attackers in the box to be picked up by 7 defenders, and also allow a quick cearance to counter attack.

 

I think Lallana is at present unproductive and is better used as a sub. Euell could play more effectively and stronger in that formation. Alternatively McLaggon would give pace and a cutting edge in that hole position.

Why on earth would you bring McLaggon back to defend a corner? He must be one of the shortest players at the club and would be far more effective staying in the centre circle.

[derry]

Why on earth would you bring McLaggon back to defend a corner? He must be one of the shortest players at the club and would be far more effective staying in the centre circle.

 

Quite! He wanted to stay up but Wotte waved him back. It was only at the last corner, and fair play to the lad he still queried it and was then told to stay up.

 

That effecively placed two defenders in their own half and two midfielders came out to about 30 yds which gave our defenders more room to attack the ball.

[eelpie]

No thanks to Molyneaux who gave the lads lots to do in the second half. If you've already been booked - you don't go in two-footed 8 minutes into the 2nd half ffs.

 

Other than that - a good point - all things considered. Hat's off to Saga who is proving a point to our tossy, inept board!

 

Molyneaux might be one for the distant future (he showed a few nice touches), but he is too naiive and inexperienced for our relegation dogfight. Out of position often and taken for a ride by the opposition. Thank goodness he will at least be out for three matches.

[Whitey Grandad]

Molyneaux might be one for the distant future (he showed a few nice touches), but he is too naiive and inexperienced for our relegation dogfight. Out of position often and taken for a ride by the opposition. Thank goodness he will at least be out for three matches.

Isn't it a one-match ban for two yellows?

[Charlie Wayman]

I actually went to a match yesterday even 'though Lowe is still at the helm but this was more to do with being part of the protest March than football. The football was unbelievably dire compared with where we started out last August, what have we become?

 

Swansea were excellent. bossed the park and played it around in a way that was always promised by Poortvliet but never actually achieved. I thought we were second best all over and were lucky to salvage even a point courtesy of one superb Surman spot and an equally superb piece of opportunism from Saga. Moments like that get a result that flatters to deceive, because there was nothing else in this Saints performance that gave any cause for optimism that we can escape relegation.

 

We are a shambles and the only light at the end of the tunnel seems to be that we have Svensson on the coaching staff to stiffen up our rearguard, maybe too early yesterday - another two goals against - but at least the back four and Wotton looked terrified to leave their positions for long less they got a rollicking from the new ginger fixer.

 

At least I haven't missed much by staying away Rupert...

[OldNick]

I dont get you - I really reckon you are chuffed at the idea of us flogging our one recognised LB, which is bizarre considering the narrow midfield Wotte appears to like.

Not chuffed but realistic.I may add that Rudi was not a LB. When it was posted he was last season under GB, fans brought up interviews about him never playing there.

The team has unity, having someone sulking in the dressing room is divisive.He has put in a transfer request, he needs to go and so let him.Im not happy but perhaps we can use the money saved elsewhere.

[eelpie]

He didn't play 4-4-2, so your sarky comment is pretty pointless.

 

We lacked shape throughout. The players are probably too confused about what combination they are supposed to be at any given moment, and so play their own individual versions. Especially for their goals.

Great dribbles and vision by Saga saved us. A class above the rest. (Stupid boy Lowe for insisting we experiment with an inexperienced weaker squad.)

[eelpie]

Rudi wants to go, no point hanging on to someone who is not committed.

 

Even a disenchanted Rudi is far superior than anything else we have. We MUST keep him, come what may, otherwise we are doomed.

[SoccerMom]

We are a shambles and the only light at the end of the tunnel seems to be that we have Svensson on the coaching staff to stiffen up our rearguard, maybe too early yesterday - another two goals against - but at least the back four and Wotton looked terrified to leave their positions for long less they got a rollicking from the new ginger fixer.

 

As I said on another thread, I hope he can sort it. The first Swansea goal was down to not just one, but many bunching round the ball - and Scotland - like a Sunday League team. Maybe that's not being fair to many Sunday League teams. Anyone watching just knew what was going to happen next - Davis was completely exposed. He might not have had his best match yesterday, but I don't think you could say he was at fault for that one.

[captainchris]

My scout at the match states that although Saga probably will get all the plaudits..Wotton actually was a star and played like two men and both very good men.

All the stick he takes he is still all heart and blood/guts.

 

please Wotton! Was lucky not to be sent off himself....... Just gets caught out all the time and then commits a foul often in dangerous positions. Why do people always mistake this for 'gives everything, was everywhere? He pass to one our players to save himself!

[captainchris]

here here! well said

[OldNick]

please Wotton! Was lucky not to be sent off himself....... Just gets caught out all the time and then commits a foul often in dangerous positions. Why do people always mistake this for 'gives everything, was everywhere? He pass to one our players to save himself!

give me an example where he gave a free kick in a dangerous position.He does what a spoiler in midfield does.he stops teh oppostritions attacks developing and teh nleaves the creativity to the more skilful.

[Stu Man Do]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/swansea_city/7863249.stm

 

Nice to see other teams complaining about our style of play for a change! Apparently we are "over physical" I thought it was an excellent tactic for this game and once Mollenyeux got himself sent off we were unable to carry it on as much which led to them getting more into the game.

[alpine_saint]

Martinez's complaints about the physicality in my book means we went into the game with the right attitude for once.

 

They thought they'd stroll it, and got it stuck up 'em.

 

Too bad...

[derry]

Isn't it a one-match ban for two yellows?

 

Yes.

[OldNick]

Martinez's complaints about the physicality in my book means we went into the game with the right attitude for once.

 

They thought they'd stroll it, and got it stuck up 'em.

 

Too bad...

yes I agree, the fans love it when players show a passion and yesterday they showed unity and desire, that is a good start.

[hypochondriac]

We were physical but I don't think too bad. The ref was terrible anyway and very picky. Saga I think got a yellow which was never deserved.

[NickG]

Credit to Southampton, they played tough aggressive football, gave us absolutely no time on the ball and we looked shook up. Not being able to control the game made us look ordinary. A few over the top challenges from them but it was their pace in closing us down and always at least 2 of then closing 1 of us.

Credit where its due they played propper football and even though i agree with RM, some tackles were OTT, they still played well.

 

Well done to Southampton for actually giving us a game. Too often this season we have seen teams fold or conceed after a short time