Saints 0-0 QPR - Match Reaction

[Window Cleaner]

At least we've got a week for the lads to rest up now.

 

And a nice trip to Blackpool next week-end.

[yorkie]

So many twists and turns left...a wi8n at Blackpool next week - followed by a win against Charlton and things will look a lot different. We could do with a win a Watford - but I'm still betting it's Saints oe Forest on the last game of the season.

 

Needed the win - sounds like we have resorted to type again.

 

Lowe out and take your Dutch boyfriend with you!

[Legod Third Coming]

Well as everyone already knows I don't rate Lallana, I think he's way out of his depth and his presence is like playing with 10 men to me.Saga"s always been like that, he blows hot and cold,probably needs a rest again but as we have no viable alternative it's not likely..

 

Early in the season I think you were wrong about Lallana. Today I would agree 100%. He looked weak and lightweight and bottled a dozen or more tackles.

 

Why do we do that lifting a leg above head height to win a ball nonsense? Why not put some bloody muscle into it and bully our way through using our heads??!!! Drives me crackers!

 

Seriously, today it was like bloody Dancing on Grass out there...

[St.JonB]

This was my first match this season. I'm not going back. No fight, no passion, no skill, no idea how to break a team down and a terrible atmosphere. Anyone thinking about going back don't bother.

[sidthesquid]

Rubbish, sounded like very little effort on the part of saints, where was the fight?

 

Not lack of effort but lack of ability

[Saint Benali]

Rubbish game again. Was like JP was back! Can't seem to change ideas/tactics when we hit a brick wall. A loss at Blackpool and then a loss or draw to Charlton and you have to say that will probably be that.

[Window Cleaner]

If we're blaming someone for missing sitters then surely we should be discussing Jason Euell.

 

What for, everyone knows I don't rate Euell anyway, he's far too erratic to be

really useful. Surman has missed 2 sitters in 2 games because he's probably

a wanting to do too well. Euell well, it's what I expect of him, he's at least consistent in that.

[70's Mike]

Not lack of effort but lack of ability

 

dis agree the effort was half of what it was against Cardiff and Preston, abilty is always there but it is only any good in the CCC if effort goes with it

[SoccerMom]

they always are,they must use the same recruitment agency as Al Capone.

 

Other refs would have sent off the lout that laid into Kelvin - who was it? We couldn't tell cause we didn't get a programme today. Oh yeah, and what was it with that? Could only see about three people who had them? Did they only print 100, or what?

[sidthesquid]

We just don't Seem to have any sparK in midfield. If today's game was, As it sounded, an even more boring copy of the Derby match, it's just hoofball. There's no Creativity there. We need someone in midfield with a bit of flair. An experiencEd player who can lead the younger lads. Someone who can put a decent cross in and chip in with a few goaLs of his own. If only we had a player like that.

 

Not him, that's for sure

[Legod Third Coming]

Not lack of effort but lack of ability

 

Disagree. There was not enough chasing and harrying. We didn't close down quick enough. We didn't play high tempo up the park. We played poorly and one yellow card for a rash challenge does not to me shout of 'giving it some'...

 

Had Euell scored early could well have been different. But we didn't shoot enough. We p!ssed about with the ball in the final third too much and we gave QPR all the time in the world in the midfield.

 

Is it the players? Could Wotte have changed our shape? Who knows.

 

But if there was passion there, it's the kind a wife shows when actually she's thinking about doing the washing as soon as you've finished...

[Window Cleaner]

Early in the season I think you were wrong about Lallana. Today I would agree 100%. He looked weak and lightweight and bottled a dozen or more tackles.

 

Why do we do that lifting a leg above head height to win a ball nonsense? Why not put some bloody muscle into it and bully our way through using our heads??!!! Drives me crackers!

 

Seriously, today it was like bloody Dancing on Grass out there...

 

 

I coach a bit, I've seen plenty of Lallana's in my time, all they do is flatter to deceive, what you see at 16/17/18/19/20 is all there is, there's nothing else,no room for improvement, no extra gear. To me lallana has basic technical flaws,particulary that he can't kick the ball correctly if he doesn't have 3/4 of an hour to do it. It is not instinctive, he's not a natural footballer

[Window Cleaner]

Other refs would have sent off the lout that laid into Kelvin - who was it? We couldn't tell cause we didn't get a programme today. Oh yeah, and what was it with that? Could only see about three people who had them? Did they only print 100, or what?

 

Saving money perhaps or that they only made enough for their average sales

As there were a couple of thou more perhaps there weren't enough to go round.

Club obviously can't afford to waste money on anything just now.

[Legod Third Coming]

I coach a bit, I've seen plenty of Lallana's in my time, all they do is flatter to deceive, what you see at 16/17/18/19/20 is all there is, there's nothing else,no room for improvement, no extra gear. To me lallana has basic technical flaws,particulary that he can't kick the ball correctly if he doesn't have 3/4 of an hour to do it. It is not instinctive, he's not a natural footballer

 

I bow to your coaching knowledge. When he went through today, the ball was crying out to be hit left-footed into the opposite corner. As a leftie myself I couldn't believe he went with his right. He aimed the foot towards the middle of the corner flag and post and that's precisely where the ball went!!

 

It's like facing the wrong way on the first tee and being surprised when you break a window in the fecking clubhouse!!!!

 

ARRRRGHHHHH!!!!! These are basics. That's all you need in this league.

[saints_is_the_south]

I said after Tuesday that today was win or bust. We now need to win atleast 4 out of 8 games imo, no chance. We are down.

[Arizona]

Not him, that's for sure

 

Were we really that much worse in the first half of the playoff season than we are now?

[sidthesquid]

Were we really that much worse in the first half of the playoff season than we are now?

 

He was so great that season that he lost his place in the team

[Window Cleaner]

He was so great that season that he lost his place in the team

 

Rudi is probably trying like hell to get himself another club this summer.

Don't think he has the spark that he once had but he isn't letting us down just now. Maybe you're all underestimating the negative impact of QPRs cadenaccio

midfield system,or midfield thuggery, depending upon how you see it.

[Arizona]

He was so great that season that he lost his place in the team

 

and we fell from 4th at Christmas to about 9th with 3 games remaining in the season. You're forgetting this was Burley's team. Rasiak lost his place to Leon best. Saga lost his place to BWP after scoring 13 in 16 starts.

 

There is no way Skacel would be a worse AM than McGoaldrought.

[ALWAYS_SFC]

A point is not enough in our position.

 

Four points dropped this week

 

 

The "must win game" of all must win games coming up,we simply have to beat

Blackpool anything less than a win and it`s curtains.

[scotty]

 

But if there was passion there, it's the kind a wife shows when actually she's thinking about doing the washing as soon as you've finished...

 

 

I always wondered what that expression on her face meant. Thanks for the info.....

[Window Cleaner]

A point is not enough in our position.

 

Four points dropped this week

 

 

The "must win game" of all must win games coming up,we simply have to beat

Blackpool anything less than a win and it`s curtains.

 

 

 

Depends on the other results.A draw would be a good effort if all the others lose.We need to beat Charlton and Palace at home that's for sure.

[Window Cleaner]

and we fell from 4th at Christmas to about 9th with 3 games remaining in the season. You're forgetting this was Burley's team. Rasiak lost his place to Leon best. Saga lost his place to BWP after scoring 13 in 16 starts.

 

There is no way Skacel would be a worse AM than McGoaldrought.

 

perhaps we were already cutting win bonuses and appearance fees.

[derry]

Euell was agressive but his touch was awful, that first chance, on a number of occasions he got behind the defence but took so long to control the ball that he was closed down.

 

Saganowski and Euell didn't play as a pair there was a big gap between them, therefore they didn't support each other.

 

As for the striker in the hole/head of the diamond. Apart from a few cameo runs/tackles/headers it was a strolling spectating performance. Ball in their box, two strikers battling, McGoldrick in the centre circle just watching, ball stays in there so he starts wander towards the box eventually he gets there as the ball is hoofed clear.

 

He needs a kick up the backside, if he isn't prepared to make the effort leave him out.

 

Lallana hasn't produced a thing since September, his shooting is a joke, back to school, and produce a goal a game in the reserves, or stay there.

 

Surman god love him does try hard, his shooting is awful at the moment but I would forgive him as he gives his all, likewise Gillett.

 

Thank goodness the back four worked their socks off and Davis covered well.

 

BWP and Thompson livened things up in the last fifteen minutes.

 

They should spend the whole week, working on shooting, free kicks and corners, we are awful at dead ball situations. I have never seen so many scuffed shots and sliced kicks in one match as we did today.

[LostBoys]

The only positive thing you can say is that 1 point is better than 0. Unfortunately 1 point is just not enough. Unless we win at Blackpool next week and I will be there to cheer them on it is difficult to see how we can survive

[sidthesquid]

My player ratings for another frustrating afternoon

Davis - 7.5 - did nothing wrong because he had very little to do, but made a couple of decent stops

James - 7.5 - I thought he did okay defensively and attacking. He is a genuinely good crosser

Skacel - 6.5 - Routledge proved a handful for him meaning he struggled to get forward

Perry -7.5 - What a good low-profile sort of signing he has been. Rarely put a foot wrong

Saeijs - 7 - Likewise, I suppose, though he seemed determined to kick the skin off the ball every time it came near him today

Surman - 6.5 - As ever all imaginitive/creative play flows through him, though he didn't fancy the rough and tumble today. The miss was not his fault, it was Euell's

Gillett - 7.5 - worked his little socks off. He is definitely a plus this season

Lallana - 6.5 - neat feet but needs something more

McGoldrick - 7 - I know he is an easy scapegoat, but I thought he worked hard today and his link up play was excellent at times

Saganowski - 5 - I'm sure I saw the linesman overtake as he chased for the ball in the second half. Never looked like he would score (again)

Euell - 5 - Back to bad old Jason - no touch, no pace, plenty of endeavour but looked like a frisky carthorse I don't think he and Saga would find the net if they were still out there now

Thompson - 7 - looked lively if lightweight, put in a couple of great crosses

BWP - 6.5 - Typical performance of some promise & little product

Wotte - 6 - I don't know why he wanted us to compete in a hoofball contest but that's what it became. Got the subs right, and his team did work hard for him, but the finishing from everyone, all game, was beyond woeful.

Overall, like Tuesday, all is not lost, but you do wonder if we are where we are because we are simply not good enough. And the senior pros - Skacel, Saganowski & Euell who were being hailed as our saviours - again showed clearly why no-one else out there thought they were worth anything near what we are paying them, I'm afraid

[ALWAYS_SFC]

Depends on the other results.A draw would be a good effort if all the others lose.We need to beat Charlton and Palace at home that's for sure.

 

We need to get wins not rely on others to slip up..

[Legod Third Coming]

Euell was agressive but his touch was awful, that first chance, on a number of occasions he got behind the defence but took so long to control the ball that he was closed down.

 

Saganowski and Euell didn't play as a pair there was a big gap between them, therefore they didn't support each other.

 

As for the striker in the hole/head of the diamond. Apart from a few cameo runs/tackles/headers it was a strolling spectating performance. Ball in their box, two strikers battling, McGoldrick in the centre circle just watching, ball stays in there so he starts wander towards the box eventually he gets there as the ball is hoofed clear.

 

He needs a kick up the backside, if he isn't prepared to make the effort leave him out.

 

Lallana hasn't produced a thing since September, his shooting is a joke, back to school, and produce a goal a game in the reserves, or stay there.

 

Surman god love him does try hard, his shooting is awful at the moment but I would forgive him as he gives his all, likewise Gillett.

 

Thank goodness the back four worked their socks off and Davis covered well.

 

BWP and Thompson livened things up in the last fifteen minutes.

 

They should spend the whole week, working on shooting, free kicks and corners, we are awful at dead ball situations. I have never seen so many scuffed shots and sliced kicks in one match as we did today.

 

Agree with all of that, especially the shooting and set-pieces. We get a free kick, pack the box and float the ball into the crowd... criminal really.

[sidthesquid]

and we fell from 4th at Christmas to about 9th with 3 games remaining in the season. You're forgetting this was Burley's team. Rasiak lost his place to Leon best. Saga lost his place to BWP after scoring 13 in 16 starts.

 

There is no way Skacel would be a worse AM than McGoaldrought.

 

You clearly don't watch him every week. He is a very average CCC player with little pace and average touch. I want to rate the guy but he really is mediocre

[Legod Third Coming]

My player ratings for another frustrating afternoon

Davis - 7.5 - did nothing wrong because he had very little to do, but made a couple of decent stops

James - 7.5 - I thought he did okay defensively and attacking. He is a genuinely good crosser

Skacel - 6.5 - Routledge proved a handful for him meaning he struggled to get forward

Perry -7.5 - What a good low-profile sort of signing he has been. Rarely put a foot wrong

Saeijs - 7 - Likewise, I suppose, though he seemed determined to kick the skin off the ball every time it came near him today

Surman - 6.5 - As ever all imaginitive/creative play flows through him, though he didn't fancy the rough and tumble today. The miss was not his fault, it was Euell's

Gillett - 7.5 - worked his little socks off. He is definitely a plus this season

Lallana - 6.5 - neat feet but needs something more

McGoldrick - 7 - I know he is an easy scapegoat, but I thought he worked hard today and his link up play was excellent at times

Saganowski - 5 - I'm sure I saw the linesman overtake as he chased for the ball in the second half. Never looked like he would score (again)

Euell - 5 - Back to bad old Jason - no touch, no pace, plenty of endeavour but looked like a frisky carthorse I don't think he and Saga would find the net if they were still out there now

Thompson - 7 - looked lively if lightweight, put in a couple of great crosses

BWP - 6.5 - Typical performance of some promise & little product

Wotte - 6 - I don't know why he wanted us to compete in a hoofball contest but that's what it became. Got the subs right, and his team did work hard for him, but the finishing from everyone, all game, was beyond woeful.

Overall, like Tuesday, all is not lost, but you do wonder if we are where we are because we are simply not good enough. And the senior pros - Skacel, Saganowski & Euell who were being hailed as our saviours - again showed clearly why no-one else out there thought they were worth anything near what we are paying them, I'm afraid

 

 

I would like to invite you to mark my kids' GSCE papers and also provide an asessment of my love-making prowess to prospective mistresses... Simon Cowell you ain't...

[ALWAYS_SFC]

My player ratings for another frustrating afternoon

Davis - 7.5 - did nothing wrong because he had very little to do, but made a couple of decent stops

James - 7.5 - I thought he did okay defensively and attacking. He is a genuinely good crosser

Skacel - 6.5 - Routledge proved a handful for him meaning he struggled to get forward

Perry -7.5 - What a good low-profile sort of signing he has been. Rarely put a foot wrong

Saeijs - 7 - Likewise, I suppose, though he seemed determined to kick the skin off the ball every time it came near him today

Surman - 6.5 - As ever all imaginitive/creative play flows through him, though he didn't fancy the rough and tumble today. The miss was not his fault, it was Euell's

Gillett - 7.5 - worked his little socks off. He is definitely a plus this season

Lallana - 6.5 - neat feet but needs something more

McGoldrick - 7 - I know he is an easy scapegoat, but I thought he worked hard today and his link up play was excellent at times

Saganowski - 5 - I'm sure I saw the linesman overtake as he chased for the ball in the second half. Never looked like he would score (again)

Euell - 5 - Back to bad old Jason - no touch, no pace, plenty of endeavour but looked like a frisky carthorse I don't think he and Saga would find the net if they were still out there now

Thompson - 7 - looked lively if lightweight, put in a couple of great crosses

BWP - 6.5 - Typical performance of some promise & little product

Wotte - 6 - I don't know why he wanted us to compete in a hoofball contest but that's what it became. Got the subs right, and his team did work hard for him, but the finishing from everyone, all game, was beyond woeful.

Overall, like Tuesday, all is not lost, but you do wonder if we are where we are because we are simply not good enough. And the senior pros - Skacel, Saganowski & Euell who were being hailed as our saviours - again showed clearly why no-one else out there thought they were worth anything near what we are paying them, I'm afraid

 

Giving Surman higher score than the front two who ran their arses of as usual

but were given the usual crap service is laughable...

 

Surman has been dross for the last two games but not the worst

that accolade today goes to the lightweight Lallana...dreadfull.

[sidthesquid]

Disagree. There was not enough chasing and harrying. We didn't close down quick enough. We didn't play high tempo up the park. We played poorly and one yellow card for a rash challenge does not to me shout of 'giving it some'...

 

Had Euell scored early could well have been different. But we didn't shoot enough. We p!ssed about with the ball in the final third too much and we gave QPR all the time in the world in the midfield.

 

Is it the players? Could Wotte have changed our shape? Who knows.

 

But if there was passion there, it's the kind a wife shows when actually she's thinking about doing the washing as soon as you've finished...

 

The problem today was that they chased and harried like we did, resulting in the frenetic headless-chicken sort of game we had with the ball up in the air or in the stand more than on the pitch. We did get in some decent positions but I don't think I have ever witnessed such a dismal display of shooting as I did today

[sidthesquid]

I would like to invite you to mark my kids' GSCE papers and also provide an asessment of my love-making prowess to prospective mistresses... Simon Cowell you ain't...

 

You think I was too generous?

[Legod Third Coming]

The problem today was that they chased and harried like we did, resulting in the frenetic headless-chicken sort of game we had with the ball up in the air or in the stand more than on the pitch. We did get in some decent positions but I don't think I have ever witnessed such a dismal display of shooting as I did today

 

The shooting I agree. Positionally we were poor and organisationally at times it was like JP's last game. But we didn't chase and harry properly. We didn't close down in midfield, only in the final third. Could be the manager's fault but on the pitch we lacked energy I thought.

[sidthesquid]

Giving Surman higher score than the front two who ran their arses of as usual

but were given the usual crap service is laughable...

 

Surman has been dross for the last two games but not the worst

that accolade today goes to the lightweight Lallana...dreadfull.

 

The front two were shocking today - they were NEVER going to score a goal

I may have been kind to Surman but I agree about Lallana

[Legod Third Coming]

You think I was too generous?

 

Knock two points of anyone in front of the back four would be my view...

 

McG 7?? He ain't my scapegoat but I didn't see anything other than a lot of hand on hips moments... Even Gillett was well below par.

[ALWAYS_SFC]

The front two were shocking today - they were NEVER going to score a goal

I may have been kind to Surman but I agree about Lallana

 

The were given naff all to score ....the service to them was a joke...

hoof..hoof...hoof...

[derry]

Except when Thompson came on there was no width except for throwins.

They need to work the throwins up the line and force the defenders to concede more throwins and go for the corner. We had loads of throwins today, took most of them short and inside and gave most of them away.

[the scud]

My player ratings for another frustrating afternoon

Davis - 7.5 - did nothing wrong because he had very little to do, but made a couple of decent stops

James - 7.5 - I thought he did okay defensively and attacking. He is a genuinely good crosser

Skacel - 6.5 - Routledge proved a handful for him meaning he struggled to get forward

Perry -7.5 - What a good low-profile sort of signing he has been. Rarely put a foot wrong

Saeijs - 7 - Likewise, I suppose, though he seemed determined to kick the skin off the ball every time it came near him today

Surman - 6.5 - As ever all imaginitive/creative play flows through him, though he didn't fancy the rough and tumble today. The miss was not his fault, it was Euell's

Gillett - 7.5 - worked his little socks off. He is definitely a plus this season

Lallana - 6.5 - neat feet but needs something more

McGoldrick - 7 - I know he is an easy scapegoat, but I thought he worked hard today and his link up play was excellent at times

Saganowski - 5 - I'm sure I saw the linesman overtake as he chased for the ball in the second half. Never looked like he would score (again)

Euell - 5 - Back to bad old Jason - no touch, no pace, plenty of endeavour but looked like a frisky carthorse I don't think he and Saga would find the net if they were still out there now

Thompson - 7 - looked lively if lightweight, put in a couple of great crosses

BWP - 6.5 - Typical performance of some promise & little product

Wotte - 6 - I don't know why he wanted us to compete in a hoofball contest but that's what it became. Got the subs right, and his team did work hard for him, but the finishing from everyone, all game, was beyond woeful.

Overall, like Tuesday, all is not lost, but you do wonder if we are where we are because we are simply not good enough. And the senior pros - Skacel, Saganowski & Euell who were being hailed as our saviours - again showed clearly why no-one else out there thought they were worth anything near what we are paying them, I'm afraid

 

[Steeleye Saint]

A bit strong, I think.

 

Considering our track record this season, it seems extremely likely.

 

I dont buy into this "mathematical certainty" argument. Unlike the other teams around us, we simlpy are not fighting to stay up.

 

Whatever we were lacking it certainly wasn't fight - they gave their all but it's not enough - there's no-one capable of prising open dogged determined defences.

Don't know why we are continuing to hump long hopeful balls forward to massive centre halves who just mop them up with ease. I know we've abandoned the total football concept but some passing to feet would be nice.

Frustrating afternoon - we're not out of it yet but if we play like that we won't get the points we need.

[LatvianTolix]

Boooooooooorrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiinnnnnngggggggggggggg!!!

 

had some chances at the end - but finishing is bad as always. surman missed 2 good chances.

 

the highlight for me was QPR central defender Gorkšs - he was everywhere. great tackling, speed, headers..... i am so dissapointed we have not signed him from blackpool or earlier while playing for ventspils. by that time he was affordable for Saints.

[Steeleye Saint]

The front two were shocking today - they were NEVER going to score a goal

I may have been kind to Surman but I agree about Lallana

 

You've got to give them chances before they can score - Saga wasn't given anything to score with - service was poor.

[Legod Third Coming]

You've got to give them chances before they can score - Saga wasn't given anything to score with - service was poor.

 

 

Euell got the ball in the box but missed. But I really thought he put himself about and worked hard. Saga ... mmm... not so sure.

 

I reckon he's a confidence player and for some reason (maybe being hauled off a couple of games back) he's lost it.

[derry]

You've got to give them chances before they can score - Saga wasn't given anything to score with - service was poor.

 

They didn't help each other either as they were too far apart and the third striker went AWOL.

 

A lack of width/pace/crosses from the byeline is the biggest negative factor for the strikers.

[Leicestersaint]

Saga and Euell seem to have gone back to their old selves, alas.

[CHAPEL END CHARLIE]

My ratings for Saints v QPR (0-0)

 

K Davis 7 - Did nothing wrong & not terribly busy to be honest .

L James 6 - Nothing flashy but has developed slowly into a decent enough Fullback .

JPS 7.5 MOTM - Mr reliable again we're lucky to have him . A very good player at this level .

C Perry 6 - His usual solid defensive game was marred by some truly awful distribution today .

R Skacel 6 - Plenty of valuable experience but didn't really contribute much going forward IMO . I expect more from our senior players .

A Lallana 6 - Occasionally threatening but he's struggling to live up to his full potential , subbed .

A Surman 3.5 - Was having a pretty poor game then he missed a glorious opportunity to score for the second game running :mad: - shouldn't be in the team on this form .

S Gillett 6.5 - A little terrier , you always get everything he's got from this player which is all you can ask for from anybody .

DMG 5.5 - Harmless - to both sides .

The Mule 7 - Missed a great early chance but subsequently made a bloody nuisance of himself to the QPR defence . Wins loads of ball in the air but is unlikly to be a regular scorer in my view .

M Saganowski 5 - Not at the races again today I'm sorry to say , this player seems to be either in red hot form or next to useless with very little in between . Deservedly subbed for BWP .

 

Substitutes :

DMG 6 - On for Saga and a distinct improvement , I don't really like him but he put in a decent enough effort today .

J Thomson 7 - On for Lallana he added some much needed width and pace to our attack , should be starting now ?

 

Summary .

The road to relegation is paved with results like we've seen this week , we're staring down the barrel now and the table makes grim reading . We were not unlucky today (& on Tuesday for that matter) - we got just what we deserved in my opinion .

We all can sit back and spout cliches about consistency and not changing a winning team but there was plenty of evidence in the Birmingham & Derby games that the team needed shaking up - Mr Wotte decided to leave it be and now we've dropped 4 crucial points as a result . The only mitigating factor in Wotte's defence is the limited amount of talent available on the bench . Nevertheless today's substitutions were made too late and you almost got the impression we were happy with 1 point - an attitude your reviewer utterly fails to comprehend given the circumstances .

It's not over yet but you know that 'Fat Lady' people are aways talking about - she's arrived at the opera house and she's getting ready to sing .

Edited 14 March, 2009 by CHAPEL END CHARLIE

[Andoverian]

My player ratings for another frustrating afternoon

Davis - 7.5 - did nothing wrong because he had very little to do, but made a couple of decent stops

James - 7.5 - I thought he did okay defensively and attacking. He is a genuinely good crosser

Skacel - 6.5 - Routledge proved a handful for him meaning he struggled to get forward

Perry -7.5 - What a good low-profile sort of signing he has been. Rarely put a foot wrong

Saeijs - 7 - Likewise, I suppose, though he seemed determined to kick the skin off the ball every time it came near him today

Surman - 6.5 - As ever all imaginitive/creative play flows through him, though he didn't fancy the rough and tumble today. The miss was not his fault, it was Euell's

Gillett - 7.5 - worked his little socks off. He is definitely a plus this season

Lallana - 6.5 - neat feet but needs something more

McGoldrick - 7 - I know he is an easy scapegoat, but I thought he worked hard today and his link up play was excellent at times

Saganowski - 5 - I'm sure I saw the linesman overtake as he chased for the ball in the second half. Never looked like he would score (again)

Euell - 5 - Back to bad old Jason - no touch, no pace, plenty of endeavour but looked like a frisky carthorse I don't think he and Saga would find the net if they were still out there now

Thompson - 7 - looked lively if lightweight, put in a couple of great crosses

BWP - 6.5 - Typical performance of some promise & little product

Wotte - 6 - I don't know why he wanted us to compete in a hoofball contest but that's what it became. Got the subs right, and his team did work hard for him, but the finishing from everyone, all game, was beyond woeful.

Overall, like Tuesday, all is not lost, but you do wonder if we are where we are because we are simply not good enough. And the senior pros - Skacel, Saganowski & Euell who were being hailed as our saviours - again showed clearly why no-one else out there thought they were worth anything near what we are paying them, I'm afraid

 

When I read this assessment of McGoldrick's performance today I fear that either the guy was not in the stadium or is one of the lad's relations. Not for the first time he never raised sweat throughout the whole 90 minutes. He has a seriouis attitude problem and it's up to the coaching staff to put him right. If ever a footballer deserved a big kick up the backside then this is the man. He is taking his wages under false pretences! Come on Wotte read him the riot act.

[derry]

The play was so predictable and boring I almost fell asleep in the second half.

[ottery st mary]

When I read this assessment of McGoldrick's performance today I fear that either the guy was not in the stadium or is one of the lad's relations. Not for the first time he never raised sweat throughout the whole 90 minutes. He has a seriouis attitude problem and it's up to the coaching staff to put him right. If ever a footballer deserved a big kick up the backside then this is the man. He is taking his wages under false pretences! Come on Wotte read him the riot act.

 

I think Mighty Mac is one of Rupert and Marks boys and those who praise Mac without fail,

are funnily enough also Ruperts groupies and cheerleaders.:smt049

[sidthesquid]

I think Mighty Mac is one of Rupert and Marks boys and those who praise Mac without fail,

are funnily enough also Ruperts groupies and cheerleaders.:smt049

 

Not true - I accept that he is not the greatest player, but he is playing a difficult role that doesn't win rave reviews. I thought in the second half particularly, when he was down our end, that he didn't do badly. He did fight hard, he did win some good headers & put some good passes through. I also hate people picking on a scapegoat for all the team's ills. I little while ago it was James, now McG. Ahead of him Saga & Euell were in different ways shocking - they were never going to score & we did create some chances as the game went on