red&white56

Have to agree with Chapel-End Charlie - Brighton played very well and made us look ordinary. We didn't have a plan B, they didn't need one as their plan A worked a treat. My biggest disappointment was that we didn't try anything more radical than switching the ball from wing to wing in an effort to disrupt them - they had us totally sussed out and neutralised most of our attacks. Our game was crying out for someone to try a one-two with Rickie through the centre.

Brighton had us figured out - crosses in from the wings for Rickie - stop him from settling and our attacks are limited to Antonio (or Papa) running in from the wing - Antonio did well but so did Brighton in terms of quickly swamping him to prevent his runs. In the first 15 mins it looked like he would create a goal for us but after that they adjusted an dneutralised his threat. We didn't change our pattern of play so all Brighton had to do was more of the same - knowing they had the legs to run past our back four. Our only changes were Wayne in defense and Papa on for Antonio - no real variation in out play in an attempt to unsettle them Poyet 1 - Pardew O

Just back from the game and pretty disappointed to say the least. Brighton were well up for this game and had much better control of the ball during the game. Their attacking play for their first two goals was excellent (as much as I hate to admit it). Whereas we were playing "head tennis" from defence, straight over our midfield to their midfield. I lost count of how many times we didn't win the 50:50 ball in midfield, or we lost the second ball. Our attacking play was very limited either give it to Antonio (who IMO was probably our best player today) who was closed down by 2 to 3 of their players (as was Papa when he came on) or to James who floats in a cross for their defense to clear. Even when Rickie did win a header it didn't reach another Saints player. We were attacking them with a blunt instrument, whereas they attacked us with speed and adventure - they could have scored more. Our midfield didn't seem to get involved - or would win a ball only to give it away again. Overall some of our forward passing was not good enough to create a chance. Positives for us: we did battle hard to try and get back into the game but we couldn't break their defense down. Some good tackling by defenders preventing them from possible scoring more. We did dominate possession for long periods. Comparing today with some of last season's performances I still remain upbeat - we are a better team today than last season. But today we were beaten by a team who showed more passion, commitment and more invention moving forward. If Poyet keeps this up then Brighton will move up the table quickly.

My semi-final ticket says, "you are advised to take up your position by 2.30 pm"

I'd like us to keep a clean sheet this game, start tightening our defense. It that means we only win 2-0 instead of of 3-1 then that's my personal preference.

I agree

I hope not, I paid £22.0 for mine !

Just voted - only 1658 votes cast, so surely we can rustle up enough votes to swing this one our way ???

Glad to hear that Papa is doing better - let's hope he keeps it up for the Brighton game - I saw him for the first time at leyton and i wasn't overly impressed - he got himself into promising positions but nothing came of them.

Does anybody know if the goals can been seen on Sky or anywhere else ???

I'm going - it's almost a local derby - so should be a good atmosphere.

If we don't let people ask questions then they will never learn - Bridge is not an idiot for not knowing why they were wearing armbands - he'd be an idiot if he didn't know and couldn't be bothered to find out.....

It would be great if you could get some comments from him about how he viewed pinnacle - I was suckered in by them because of MLT's involvement - maybe he was as well...........

I did, I went to Leyton yesterday and had a great time thanks !

For me Antonio

Most of the Saints fans were probably taking a breather - we'd been singing for 30 mins before the game began - probably you missed that bit otherwise you might have taken a different point of veiw.

Were you there?????

I agree - our corners lacked any real threat. It was obvious that we had been practising because James was giving different signals before each corner but they all appeared the same. At least some of them got over the head of the first defender! But there was invention - i.e. a short corner to confuse the defense.

I fully agree - Harding has helped make our defense look good again and he looked threatening going forward. Whereas Rudi always seemd to lack conviction (IMO).

I think we were all a bit shell-shocked that that they got their second goal. However, in the last 10 mins i thought we were awesome - it was like a cup-tie and the fans must have helped the team push forward. Proud to be a Saint and really glad I went to the game....

This was the first time I've seen Papa play and I was disappointed with him. He seemed to make the wrong decision most of the time and threatening moves broke down. I think he should have come off at half-time, if not earlier. In the first half we played well but looked poor in front of goal - nobody seemed to want to take a shot. There was one example that sticks in my mind. Papa steaming in from the right wing - he should have taken it on and shot but he passed backward across the area and missed everyone. Rickie's flicked headers went to no-one, as nobody anticipated them and made the run (which seems strange as he was winning nearly all of his aerial duels so you'd think someone would spot this). Not sure which of the midfield were supposed to be getting forward to support - but only really saw Lallana helping out. So despite the good play it was no real surprise that we went in at half-time without scoring We transformed with the sustitutions and both Connolly and Antonio were outstanding (IMO) - suddenly we had a very threatening front line and scored two goals. Only had a clear view of the first goal but it was an excellent strike. Connolly was amazing he ran at full pelt every time we moved forward and created openings and options that helped Rickie start playing more in their box than on the edge where he spent a lot of the first half. Antonio took on defenders, passed them and went for the by-line - brilliant!! Like others have said on here if we had started the game this way we would have won it. Their 2 goals - the first caught us napping and was a well worked goal - they knew the drill and executed it well - we were sleeping. The second was unlucky, it looked like there was no real danger but as Trottman was running back he couldn't see who was behind him so decided to try and play the ball back to Kelvin but misjudged it. To be fair Orient did try to work the break-away effectively and developed a couple of good positions. In the second half they attacked towards me so I had a good look at the back 4 and Dan Harding impressed me again - he was excellent. MOM - Connolly because he created the openings, changed the shape of the attack and that allowed us to come back and for Rickie to score. PS - the Saints fans were awesome today...................................

Win or lose this is going to be a great day out, at least I can expect the team to make an effort - over the past few seasons I've always been disappointed with the lack of passion, desire to win games....................... Leaving in the next 30 mins to have time for a few beers before the game. 2 - 1 to Saints COYS!!!

Couldn't find anything about pubs near the ground - not impressed with this site.

Great list - personally i was please to see Steve Williams up towards the top of the list. I loved watching him at the Dell, he used to humiliate players from the other team with his skills - just what young fans (at the time) like me wanted to see.........

I always prefered Phil to Ted, but I still remeber the cheeky back-heel goal at Charlton away. He was a greatgoal poacher, always in the right place at the right time. Can't remember the season probably late December or early Jan 1978.