Saint Fan CaM

Played like a league one team - I seriously would not put that performance any higher than that and whether that is down to Koeman's tactics or the skill level of the team we have left I don't know...probably both. Either way the result was inevitable given we were playing the Danish champions. The ref also missed a stone-wall penalty from a deliberate handball from JWP's free-kick among some of the worst play-acting and time-wasting I've seen for a long time from opposition. However, despite all that said, the best team won on the night.

Has he signed yet? Skacel I mean.

Done. Like others, I am looking forward to reading the summary results.

More to the point, lets hope he doesn't get injured.

This would appear to be a good option actually or at least a Euro equivelant. I think there are some players who don't fit the mould of top 4 clubs, but can for whatever reason fit our mould nicely. That's the best way because there's little chance of them wanting to go back to sitting on a bench.

I think he's improving and with his passing particularly. He's what we used to call an enforcer and as such, sails close to the wind when it comes to the odd crunching challenge...I like that - let's other players know he's in the game. I reckon he could be a great bargain buy and a bit of a hero in the future. But only if the Northam come up with a convincing song for him...only then will he get full recognition.

A 2-1 loss is what I'm feeling this will be, due to fact that Ron is too scared not to play a 7-man defence and our forwards are not doing the business (because the service to them is dreadful and there are gaping holes in the midfield). But everyone will be saying "never mind, now we can concentrate on the Prem", so the Euro adventure will soon be forgotten. Until someone starts realising that actually we really are playing relegation level football and improvement is seriously required before Christmas. This by the way this is not pessimism - this is the reality of the situation the summer has left us in.

And that my friends is why we don't need a attacking midfielder. There is absolutely no point because we have turned into Allidice's West Ham - hoof, hoof and more hoof over the top of the midfield to Pelle who tries to chest it down, but rather than lay it off to an advancing midfield, decides to shoot from 40 yards out with his back to goal. That's the game strategy now in a nutshell and it's going to be an awfully long and disappointing season unless something significant happens. I am hoping it's Bertrand and VVD. PS: Wanyama was poor today - lost count of the number of balls he gave away and the number of times he was stood static ball watching.

2-0 Watford. They are just the sort of team we struggle against unfortunately. We do need to start to put some wins on the board though otherwise the mood in the dressing room is going to sour. VVD joining will be a boost hopefully (if indeed it finally happens).

Completely weird. I watched Mane - his role is to protect the keeper it seems which basically just helps immobilise the keeper. He has little or no height, so keeping him forward takes two of their players out the game and probably players who are better designed to shoot (i.e. probably would not place the taller players to mark him). This kind of tactic really does my head in particularly when we're chasing a game.

Why oh why do we always defend corners with no-one positioned on the midway line? For all the good he does in the box, why not leave Mane up field ready to break. It would take 2 of their players out of play. 3-4 times this evening we cleared the ball to...no one. And that's basically why they scored. Just seems really daft to me.

Romeu added something, but still needs more time to really find his way with Vic who had a poor game. Caulker is not good enough except emergency cover...we urgently need a better class of CB for Fonte. I thought Yoshi had a really good game at RB...not too many issues. Targett was better this evening and Stek was OK. JRod had a good game...can start to see his old form re-emerging. Pelle had a good game. Mane was just too wasteful and not playing for the team...his head was elsewhere methinks. As usual JWP had some great deadball delivery but little else to offer. The game was frustrated by the oppo timewasting and a ref who allowed stoppage to dominate the flow of the game. Overall a poor result really and one that could well see us exit the competition. Why? Well if they were able to frustrate like that away from home, they will make an even better job of it at home. Seriously though...get Romeu sorted and get a really good CB and I feel we might start seeing the better side of Saints of last season again.

Pretty simple issues really... 1. Ron mèssed up the 1st half tactiçs...should never have played Tadic where Davis should be and Reed (or Romeu) next to Vic. 2. Everton have ìmproveď theìr side and they looked stronger/fitter than Saints. 3. We have not ŕeplaced the quàlity of Toby and Morgan. I predicted some weeks baçk that we would ship goals if this was not sorted. 4. Only poßitive ìs that Romeu looks like he might be useful if he can stay ìnjury free.

Good signing this although I suspect it'll be a little while before he's a first choice starter.

Has he signed yet?

We miss Morgan...the defence looked extremely stretched at times and will leak more goals than last season IMO. Overall a decent result though for a first day back in the office.

Gone to a good home.

I have a small collection of old programmes that I would like to give away to anyone who collects them - despite the Wife's protestations I can't bring myself to bin them, but having read them I really don't need to keep them anymore. I don't want to the trouble of splitting them up, so first come first served gets the lot. The editions I have are as follows... Saints v Brighton 2011/12 Saints v Millwall 2009/10 Saints v Yeovil 2009/10 Saints v MK Dons 2009/10 - two copies Saints v Yeovil 2010/11 (celebrating 125 years) Saints v Notts County 2010/11 (celebrating 125 years) - two copies Saints v MK Dons 2010/11 (celebrating 125 years) Saints v Hartlepool 2010/11 (celebrating 125 years) Saints v Manchester Utd 2010/11 (celebrating 125 years + FA Cup fourth round) - includes a SMS corporate ticket Barnsley v Saints 2011/12 Plus a centre-fold poster photo of the 2009/10 Saints squad Hope someone can find a home for these - PM me if you want them. If no takers after a week or two I'll bin 'em. Cheers.

Seems like an astute signing to me although would like to see a quality natural left-sided CB come in too. I guess the real telling point will be if Jose get's injured and Caulker has to step up to the plate to cover for him - might be squeaky bum time then!

Well thats the point...the club need to get the best CB possible that might match Tobys capabilities. Having said that, to say VVD is not 'remotedly near' Alderweireld is nonsense...he might be perfectly matched to Jose etc and turn out better in the long run. Toby was great but certainly replaceable.

This needs to be Saints big signing of the summer - not getting VVD will likely cost a couple of million in lost league places if we don't replacement the quality of Toby IMO (even though I do believe Yoshi is an improved player) and so it's worth splashing a little more to beat the other suitors.

Well that was pretty convincing really.

Interesting from a "that's stupid" point of view. As someone has said, there is a bias towards what Sky transmits AND if it's a Man U home game, how do they know that the watcher is not actually there to watch their own away team and not Man U? Basically a meaningless bit of propaganda bull.

Not signing a CB of Tobys standing will cost us dearly in terms of progress...Yoshy and Gardos not the answer...nor the kids.

We will lose this with kids and go out early. It's the Saints way. (-;