Finally, a strong defence!

[brightspark]

Now I have to admit I don't watch many games out here, but today I reminded myself of the agony of watching Saints and i'm still shaking. I'm disappointed with the draw, but in a way, pleased as well, because I think I saw a lot of positives out of this:

 

The largest being the much improved defensive effort. In the last 10 minutes there were probably around 10 dangerous set plays/crosses into the box. The Wotte Saints would probably have conceded a couple of late goals, because last year we were pretty poor from set plays. However, Thomas made a great deal of difference and won a lot of headers. A saints player that wins headers!!! Takes you back...

 

As for the full backs, Murty mistake free, and Harding looked an excellent prospect, hard in the tackle and also put in a fantastic run in the 2nd half with a blinding cross at the end. Way better than what we had last season in that particular position.

 

If we can tie up Jaidi, I think we will have the strongest back 4 in the league. (Murty, Thomas, Jaidi, Harding). And with Davis between the sticks.... well what a legend. As proven today by the penalty save. That guy deserves the freedom of the city!!!

[Robsk II]

Agreed in general. pointed out that we were too weak, a bit slow and not really very quick to get up when defending set pieces. I know it's early days and they are a new bunch together, so it will get better, but corners were nail-biting throughout. Needs work.

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

Now I have to admit I don't watch many games out here, but today I reminded myself of the agony of watching Saints and i'm still shaking. I'm disappointed with the draw, but in a way, pleased as well, because I think I saw a lot of positives out of this:

 

The largest being the much improved defensive effort. In the last 10 minutes there were probably around 10 dangerous set plays/crosses into the box. The Wotte Saints would probably have conceded a couple of late goals, because last year we were pretty poor from set plays. However, Thomas made a great deal of difference and won a lot of headers. A saints player that wins headers!!! Takes you back...

 

As for the full backs, Murty mistake free, and Harding looked an excellent prospect, hard in the tackle and also put in a fantastic run in the 2nd half with a blinding cross at the end. Way better than what we had last season in that particular position.

 

If we can tie up Jaidi, I think we will have the strongest back 4 in the league. (Murty, Thomas, Jaidi, Harding). And with Davis between the sticks.... well what a legend. As proven today by the penalty save. That guy deserves the freedom of the city!!!

 

Don't know what game you were watching, we still look suspect in defence.

 

Murty and Harding looked good but we still weren't great.

 

Remember Millwall were playing 2 (not very good) full backs in the centre, and they looked better than us.

[pimpin4rizeal]

i thought harding was fantastic hardly ever let anyone get past him

defensively looked the best left back we have had since the premiership

[Thedelldays]

Harding was very good IMO

 

but it was always heart in mouth moments when they crossed the ball in...

[big al]

Have to agree the centre of defence looks very suspect.

[S-Clarke]

I'd still like us to sign another real dominant CB who will take no prisoners(i hope this Jadii deal gets resurrected)

 

But in whole - the entire defensive shape of the team for the first 60mins was excellent. Midfield harried and closed down well and the fall backs didn't let anyone past them. (Thomas was great too - but he tired towards the end which is to be expected).

[Coastal Saint]

Have to agree our defence looked very determined and were not afraid to go in where it hurts. I too, was sure we would let in a late goal but we held our nerve. Just hope they all stay fit.

[Gingeletiss]

Don't know what game you were watching, we still look suspect in defence.

 

Murty and Harding looked good but we still weren't great.

 

Remember Millwall were playing 2 (not very good) full backs in the centre, and they looked better than us.

 

Why do you bother ffs..........always the negative, try being a glory hunter, plenty of Prem teams out there that may be up to your required standard. You could always come back to us in 5 years. FWIW....I thought we done OK, given last years cr*p.

[alpine_saint]

Thomas and Perry have a lot of work to do, imo..

[70's Mike]

Defence was good in open play but looked suspect at set plays although to be fair that good be the midfield players fault because other than Wotton the rest are not good defenders.

[Bailey]

Graeme Murty and Dan Harding were superb in the full-back positions. They got forward well, supported the wide players and looked strong defensively. It makes such a difference having proper full-backs, the team is so much more balanced and we we work a lot better as a unit.

 

As for Wayne Thomas and Chris Perry, well it was certainly an improvment on last season's defensive displays. Thomas was pretty commanding, although he does look suspect at times. Still think we need one or two defenders to provide cover and add competition. Perry might not have the legs but he can still read the game brilliantly.

 

I'm sure we'll see Pards improve on the defence in due course, but today's performance was very encouraging. I just hope that Thomas can stay fit until we get some cover in, otherwise we're in for a struggle.

[saint_stevo]

Imagine if Lancashire had played......

 

The rash did well, but gets turned a bit easy, Thomas wins it all in the air but they both lack any pace

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

Why do you bother ffs..........always the negative, try being a glory hunter, plenty of Prem teams out there that may be up to your required standard. You could always come back to us in 5 years. FWIW....I thought we done OK, given last years cr*p.

 

Since when always negative??!! Your personal attacks really do surprise me every time. I give an opinion that our full backs play well but we still look dodgy??!!

 

Why don't you do what you usually do and send me a personal message full of expletives for the simple fact that I disagree with you. Seems the mature thing to do, cos hey, you've done it before.

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

Thomas and Perry have a lot of work to do, imo..

 

Agreed, they both look good at times, and seperately, but yet as a unit it doesn't seem to work.

[Arizona]

I think the defence is sorted except Perry. Looked solid enough today, but he does badly lack pace and height. Also not to useful defending setpieces. Now we've got Murty organising things, I'd like to see someone (with pace especially) in along side Thomas. If we signed this mystery Speed Gonzales and Jaidi, we'd be sorted at the back IMO.

[Gingeletiss]

Since when always negative??!! Your personal attacks really do surprise me every time. I give an opinion that our full backs play well but we still look dodgy??!!

 

Why don't you do what you usually do and send me a personal message full of expletives

 

 

Would you like to post them up, or shall I....because you know that is not quite true.

 

 

for the simple fact that I disagree with you. Seems the mature thing to do, cos hey, you've done it before.

 

I think you do post negative crap, you always seem to have a dig at anything positive that is said on here. As for the PM's....I have them, so if you want what is said in private, to be made public, then just give the word. You really need to grow up a little my waterside friend!!!!

[red&white56]

I was watching Thomas quite a lot in the second half (being stood in the Northam and as they spent quite some time attacking) and he snuffed out a lot of attacks by good positional play. Especially down our right flank where they applied a lot of pressure - but that left Perry with a lot to do in the centre. Milwall did a good job of trying to break the back line, but it held well. My disappointment was that we gave th eball awayin midfield too easily in the late 2H at this allowed Milwall to keep pressurising.

 

As somebody said last season we would have lost this game - so I think things in defense have improved.

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

I think you do post negative crap, you always seem to have a dig at anything positive that is said on here. As for the PM's....I have them, so if you want what is said in private, to be made public, then just give the word. You really need to grow up a little my waterside friend!!!!

 

Sorry I agree, I remember now, you were insulting me on the normal thread and I asked for an explanation on why you were insulting me because I had a differing opinion to your own. Thank god for freedom of speech eh?

 

Either way, for those that know me, I am far from negative, I have forthright views but I'm certainly not negative. Hell, why am I justifying myself to you?

 

If you like to live in a powder puff world and if I'm too negative for you then please put me on ignore. I have neither the time or inclination, and you the cranial capacity, for an argument.

[saint_stevo]

Gingletiss just doesnt like to hear any opinions other than his own, nor does he ever remove his rose tinted glasses

[Gingeletiss]

Sorry I agree, I remember now, you were insulting me on the normal thread and I asked for an explanation on why you were insulting me because I had a differing opinion to your own. Thank god for freedom of speech eh?

 

Either way, for those that know me, I am far from negative, I have forthright views but I'm certainly not negative. Hell, why am I justifying myself to you?

 

If you like to live in a powder puff world and if I'm too negative for you then please put me on ignore. I have neither the time or inclination, and you the cranial capacity, for an argument.

 

See, again the infantile jibe, and you wonder why I have a pop at you. For the record, I will put you on ignore, and hope you reciprocate. You are just a child in real terms.....look at you post history, and then say you're not a negative poster. You called FF a Liar on another thread, then tried to make a joke about it. So please carry on with your crap, the only way I will see it now, is when someone else quotes you.......fool!!!!

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

Gingletiss just doesnt like to hear any opinions other than his own, nor does he ever remove his rose tinted glasses

 

Just bored of it to be honest, but got bigger worries in my world, that's for sure. Got to hoover the lounge this weekend for instance.

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

see, again the infantile jibe, and you wonder why i have a pop at you. For the record, i will put you on ignore, and hope you reciprocate. You are just a child in real terms.....look at you post history, and then say you're not a negative poster. You called ff a liar on another thread, then tried to make a joke about it. So please carry on with your crap, the only way i will see it now, is when someone else quotes you.......fool!!!!

 

It was a joke, how ridiculous! He is one of the most reliable posters on here.

Edited 8 August, 2009 by Dibden Purlieu Saint

[saint_stevo]

Just bored of it to be honest, but got bigger worries in my world, that's for sure. Got to hoover the lounge this weekend for instance.

 

I got used to it during the Pinnacle debacle. He goes away, usually jumps on another bandwagon

[converted_saint]

Don't know what game you were watching, we still look suspect in defence.

 

Murty and Harding looked good but we still weren't great.

 

Remember Millwall were playing 2 (not very good) full backs in the centre, and they looked better than us.

 

Seriously, what are you on about? Let's get rid of the negativity, we've had years of it under the former regime and now is the time to unite and get positive. Thought our defence looked fine today, how can you sit there and say Harding and Murty "weren't great"? They were both contenders for MOM. Yes I think it needs strengthening, we did look a tad suspect from set pieces but if we get another Jaidi-style centre half to play alongside Thomas then we'll be fine!

 

Let's have some positivity, I think I speak for most when I say we're fed up with the negativity...get positive, yes it's not gonna happen overnight but as an opening day performance the whole team were good and bodes well for the rest of the season.

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

I got used to it during the Pinnacle debacle. He goes away, usually jumps on another bandwagon

 

Hahaha, yeah, if in doubt follow the herd, stand behind them, and shout 'Yeah!'.

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

Seriously, what are you on about? Let's get rid of the negativity, we've had years of it under the former regime and now is the time to unite and get positive. Thought our defence looked fine today, how can you sit there and say Harding and Murty "weren't great"? They were both contenders for MOM. Yes I think it needs strengthening, we did look a tad suspect from set pieces but if we get another Jaidi-style centre half to play alongside Thomas then we'll be fine!

 

Let's have some positivity, I think I speak for most when I say we're fed up with the negativity...get positive, yes it's not gonna happen overnight but as an opening day performance the whole team were good and bodes well for the rest of the season.

 

Look, I think we played pretty well today, and I was happy with the performance. All I am saying is that the CB pairing struggled to deal with the Millwall attack at some points. That may be as much about Wotton failing to protect the back four enough, than about the CB pairing.

 

I agree that Harding was good though, and Murty will certainly do a job for us.

 

I'm just saying it as I saw it, nothing else. Either way they're nowhere near as bad as Norwich

[converted_saint]

Yes, but Norwich are still 9 points ahead of us bloody football league!

[Dibden Purlieu Saint]

Yes, but Norwich are still 9 points ahead of us bloody football league!

 

I'd prefer to be there than on the end of a 7 goal drubbing. I mean seriously, that's appalling!!

[Dannyboy_Saint]

You have to remember that nearly every ball in from a Millwall set-piece was bang on the money which significantly helped to put pressure on our defence, other teams arent gonna be nearly as accurate as that. In open play for the most part, we looked pretty solid and any time a CB made a mistake the other one or one of the full-backs was there to cover. Overall a point against on the more organised and physical teams is a very good result, especially when we are expected to strengthen the squad considerably in the next 3 weeks.

[Rasiak-9-]

The full back positions are sorted (definately left-back at least) and Thomas is ok but we need another CB to replace Perry

[forever a red and white]

our real problem was that we had no outet up fron when the pressure was on to relieve the pressure on the defence when they needed it.

[del boy]

Still need 2 v good CBs

 

Having said that the 2 full backs were excellent - Harding MoM for us. I like the way AP is building from the back and I'm looking forward to see who will come in next ( 1 x striker, 1 x CM 1, and 1 x winger please to start with as well as the CBs)

[Block 5]

No no no.... we are still well dodgy at the back.

We should never have conceded that goal.

We didn't clear our lines and we paid the price.

[converted_saint]

defence only looked dodgy from set-pieces, we were pretty solid otherwise IMO. the probs in the 2nd half were down to fitness and the fact tht millwall were able to make good substitutions, which is were we need to strengthen, we need match-changing subs and with all the will in the world, gobern and thomso were going to struggle to do that given their age and experience. think we need a couple of centre backs, and a play-maker to link defence and strikers, which will put a stop to the 'lump it long' mentality we seemed to have yesterday

[Chez]

Perry and Thomas are a million miles away from the centre back pairing we need to get promoted IMO. They lack pace AND arial ability. Perry gets in good positions but thats about it. Both poor on the ball. Two new centre backs are a must for me.

[converted_saint]

Perry and Thomas are a million miles away from the centre back pairing we need to get promoted IMO. They lack pace AND arial ability. Perry gets in good positions but thats about it. Both poor on the ball. Two new centre backs are a must for me.

 

Did u not see how many powerful headers Thomas made?!?!

[eurosaint]

One big plus that Murty brings (they used to do it very well at Reading) is the 'when the ball goes dead, he comes alive' principle ! There was a great example in the 2nd half when we got a throw-in, he got the ballboy to quickly through him a spare and immediately caught the Millwall defence in disarray! Sadly our frontmen were too slow to react but I reckon he will bring the subject up at training and hopefully it will become a successful tactic !!

[S-Clarke]

One big plus that Murty brings (they used to do it very well at Reading) is the 'when the ball goes dead, he comes alive' principle ! There was a great example in the 2nd half when we got a throw-in, he got the ballboy to quickly through him a spare and immediately caught the Millwall defence in disarray! Sadly our frontmen were too slow to react but I reckon he will bring the subject up at training and hopefully it will become a successful tactic !!

 

I noticed that...and he was also getting pretty irritated by the ball boys on more than one occasion when they were too slow, or at one point...throwing 2 balls back into play ffs!

 

They actually trained the ball boys at reading to react quickly - and boy did reading make use of that.

 

Hope we can do the same here

[SFKA South Woodford]

The full back positions are sorted (definately left-back at least) and Thomas is ok but we need another CB to replace Perry

 

Not sure about that, we still need cover for most positions.

 

Can you imagine how bad it would be if Harding and either Thomas or Perry got injured?

 

Molyneux and Lancashire in the defence, and we'd be thinking that Norwich got a good result yesterday in no time.

 

Pardew said in his post match interview yesterday that the porblem in the second half was that we didn't have any strikers on the bench, hence the ball keeping coming back at the defence and Millwall getting stronger. So I think that he is shifting his recruitment priority to that department for a while.

 

Anyone know why Rasiak wasn't on the bench? Is he doing a Kenwynne and refusing to play for us now?

[Clifford Nelson]

I have always been a defender of Chris Perry who has saved us on countless occasions and who possess good positional sense and anticipation which rather makes up for his lack of hight.

 

The game yesterday was probably the first L1 game I've ever watched with any real interest, and I am starting to realise why you need two tall brutes at the back when the balls keeps raining in from above.

 

I also noticed how direct we played compared with anything we've done before, or at least since Branfoot, remember him - the king of 'route one'. Pretty football is probably not the answer to the problems in L1, or CCC.

 

The times we tried to play in midfield yesterday we ended up playing balls straight to the opposition. The penalty resulted from one of them. Morgan and Gillet were guilty more than once, but I can't say that I remember a really bad ball from Wotton...could that be possible or have I erased it from memory?

[eurosaint]

I have always been a defender of Chris Perry who has saved us on countless occasions and who possess good positional sense and anticipation which rather makes up for his lack of hight.

 

The game yesterday was probably the first L1 game I've ever watched with any real interest, and I am starting to realise why you need two tall brutes at the back when the balls keeps raining in from above.

 

I also noticed how direct we played compared with anything we've done before, or at least since Branfoot, remember him - the king of 'route one'. Pretty football is probably not the answer to the problems in L1, or CCC.

 

The times we tried to play in midfield yesterday we ended up playing balls straight to the opposition. The penalty resulted from one of them. Morgan and Gillet were guilty more than once, but I can't say that I remember a really bad ball from Wotton...could that be possible or have I erased it from memory?

 

Strange thing is that I can't remember a really good ball either !!!!

[SFC Forever]

Thomson was fairly good in the air but still has a habit of getting caught on the wrong side of the man he was marking. Perry is what he has always been. He is a player that always tries. Trouble now is that he is getting caught for his lack of speed more often and he has never been tall. He will always give his all but that is not always enough. He is a perfect standin for cover as and when needed.

[eurosaint]

Thomson was fairly good in the air but still has a habit of getting caught on the wrong side of the man he was marking. Perry is what he has always been. He is a player that always tries. Trouble now is that he is getting caught for his lack of speed more often and he has never been tall. He will always give his all but that is not always enough. He is a perfect standin for cover as and when needed.

 

You what ??

I don't remember Jake getting his head to any ball in his short time on as a sub !!

[sidthesquid]

Did u not see how many powerful headers Thomas made?!?!

 

Yes and they all go straight up in the air or straight back to the opposition. He's like Powell - just heads it as hard as he can without any thought. There were a dozen times yesterday when he wasn't under pressure when he gave away possession needlessly by doing that. A better player would have either headed it to a team-mate or brought it under control. He's a limited player - not the worst ever, but not exactly great value for £10K a week, either.

[Whitey Grandad]

One big plus that Murty brings (they used to do it very well at Reading) is the 'when the ball goes dead, he comes alive' principle ! There was a great example in the 2nd half when we got a throw-in, he got the ballboy to quickly through him a spare and immediately caught the Millwall defence in disarray! Sadly our frontmen were too slow to react but I reckon he will bring the subject up at training and hopefully it will become a successful tactic !!

I also noticed him telling a ballboy to slow things down once we had the lead. Shame it didn't last long.