miserableoldgit Posted 29 August, 2009 Share Posted 29 August, 2009 We have not been able to take a game by the scruff of the neck and kill it off since well before we were relegated from the Prem. What is the problem?? When was the last time we got to maybe 70 mins into a game and felt confident that we had it in the bag? This is our real problem. Lack of confidence. We haven`t had it since WGS. How do we solve this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wildgoose Posted 29 August, 2009 Share Posted 29 August, 2009 We have not been able to take a game by the scruff of the neck and kill it off since well before we were relegated from the Prem. What is the problem?? When was the last time we got to maybe 70 mins into a game and felt confident that we had it in the bag? This is our real problem. Lack of confidence. We haven`t had it since WGS. How do we solve this? Well, I'm sure I don\t know.....but I hope AP finds the answer this season! :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
70's Mike Posted 29 August, 2009 Share Posted 29 August, 2009 i think that it is harder to kill a game off in this division because of the hurly burly nature of the football, teams chase you to win back the ball and then launch it into the box, the one thing we still cannot deal with confortably Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjii Posted 29 August, 2009 Share Posted 29 August, 2009 (edited) EDIT Edited 29 August, 2009 by benjii I can't be bothered actually. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miserableoldgit Posted 29 August, 2009 Author Share Posted 29 August, 2009 i think that it is harder to kill a game off in this division because of the hurly burly nature of the football' date=' teams chase you to win back the ball and then launch it into the box, the one thing we still cannot deal with confortably[/quote'] Trouble is that it`s not just this division. The last couple of seasons in the Prem and our time in the CCC were the same. This is not just an L1 problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legod Third Coming Posted 29 August, 2009 Share Posted 29 August, 2009 You get confidence from winning games. Simples. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lee_saint Posted 29 August, 2009 Share Posted 29 August, 2009 You get confidence from winning games. Simples. Yeah, win a few games and you'll start to do so.....look at Charlton. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ooohTerryHurlock Posted 30 August, 2009 Share Posted 30 August, 2009 We have not been able to take a game by the scruff of the neck and kill it off since well before we were relegated from the Prem. What is the problem?? When was the last time we got to maybe 70 mins into a game and felt confident that we had it in the bag? This is our real problem. Lack of confidence. We haven`t had it since WGS. How do we solve this? Leeds in the CCC at SMS - 3-0 up seventy minutes on the clock, 3 pts in the bag.............. oh! we lost 4-3!!!! or you could have Tranmere away in the cup replay 3-0 up at half time and cruising........ oh lost 4-3!!!! this is an inherent problem that needs fixing - we need to be able to grind out results in tight games - in this div more than most. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LostBoys Posted 30 August, 2009 Share Posted 30 August, 2009 Last 20 minutes Mellis James and Lallana tired and were poor but they were not substituted and as we lost the midfield the defence kept retreating. Ptting bambi on ice up front instead of Saga when he cannot trap a bag of cement and hold the ball up was not a clever move either. We should have been 4 up by then apart from the crossbar and abysmal final passes from our midfield three up to the front. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpturner Posted 31 August, 2009 Share Posted 31 August, 2009 (edited) Leeds in the CCC at SMS - 3-0 up seventy minutes on the clock, 3 pts in the bag.............. oh! we lost 4-3!!!! or you could have Tranmere away in the cup replay 3-0 up at half time and cruising........ oh lost 4-3!!!! this is an inherent problem that needs fixing - we need to be able to grind out results in tight games - in this div more than most.So being 3-0 up represents a tight game? - or losing 4-3 after being 3-0 is an inherent problem? Which point are you making? Edited 31 August, 2009 by kpturner Missing "?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
up and away Posted 31 August, 2009 Share Posted 31 August, 2009 Originally Posted by miserableoldgit We have not been able to take a game by the scruff of the neck and kill it off since well before we were relegated from the Prem. What is the problem?? When was the last time we got to maybe 70 mins into a game and felt confident that we had it in the bag? This is our real problem. Lack of confidence. We haven`t had it since WGS. How do we solve this? Leeds in the CCC at SMS - 3-0 up seventy minutes on the clock, 3 pts in the bag.............. oh! we lost 4-3!!!! or you could have Tranmere away in the cup replay 3-0 up at half time and cruising........ oh lost 4-3!!!! this is an inherent problem that needs fixing - we need to be able to grind out results in tight games - in this div more than most. Tranmere! That was not an inherent problem, just a one off where the manager and team switched off at half time, being 3-0 up and the opposition got into a massive snow ball effect. That was a one off for Hoddle at Saints, not to be repeated. So many other games where we managed to get our head in front and it was all over for the opposition. I have never experienced that feeling of ease such when we went ahead under Hoddle, such was our ability to stay on top of the game mentally. WGS was similar and in some cases better, but not to the effect of Hoddle IMO. Younger players will always suffer from loss of concentration more than the senior players when tiredness sets in, experience will eventually sort that out. But additionally we have too many senior players who are equally guilty. Saga recently put in a good spell, lots of energy, lots of running, looking good but unfortunately not coming to anything. Then the one time that energy could have done us some good by continuing to track back, he gave in 3/4 of the way making things a lot easier for the opposition. It would be unfair to lay all this at the feet of Saga as there are many more subtle examples of senior players doing the same, but that recent incident highlighted the fact. You come to expect it more from the younger players because a lot is down to experience but we have too many senior players lazy in the head that perpetuate these actions and results. It's no good having 3/4 of a team switched on, you need everyone to enable us to close out those tight games. Pardew has also to accept his responsibility in all of this. I never associated mental discipline with Pardew whilst at West Ham, sometimes the opposite. I just wish Pardew had a full understanding of the performances players put in last season, which I feel could have given an edge. I don't want Pardew to go and that should only be an option if we get relegated this season, but I do feel the problem is still top to bottom at the moment. Once we fill in the main holes it should be far easier with the smaller fixes to get us as a consolidated unit. Pretty sure it will eventually happen, just not sure when. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Professor Posted 31 August, 2009 Share Posted 31 August, 2009 i think that it is harder to kill a game off in this division because of the hurly burly nature of the football' date=' teams chase you to win back the ball and then launch it into the box, the one thing we still cannot deal with confortably[/quote'] You may not 'kill' a game by getting two goals ahead but it would go a long way towards it. The other thing to do is to deny the opposition the ball for as long as possible, and to avoid playing the game in your own defensive area. But what do I know...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kpturner Posted 31 August, 2009 Share Posted 31 August, 2009 You may not 'kill' a game by getting two goals ahead but it would go a long way towards it. The other thing to do is to deny the opposition the ball for as long as possible, and to avoid playing the game in your own defensive area. But what do I know......Whilst true, this is easier said than done. In fact, it is so difficult that usually only the top level teams have any chance of doing it. You can look at the Arsenal's and Man Utd's and Barcelona's of the world and see examples of long periods of keep-ball - but you will rarely see that happening in League 1. The teams/players are not of a standard to be able to do it, regardless of the opposition. Saints are no different. They have L1 standard players and therefore are unlikely to be able to play keep-ball for long periods of time in the hurly-burly of an L1 football match....IMHO of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
so22saint Posted 31 August, 2009 Share Posted 31 August, 2009 Scoring more than one goal would be a good start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pilchards Posted 31 August, 2009 Share Posted 31 August, 2009 Last 20 minutes Mellis James and Lallana tired and were poor but they were not substituted and as we lost the midfield the defence kept retreating. Ptting bambi on ice up front instead of Saga when he cannot trap a bag of cement and hold the ball up was not a clever move either. We should have been 4 up by then apart from the crossbar and abysmal final passes from our midfield three up to the front. Funny you should mention them two, Was talking to a lad that goes on the **** with them plus the other youngsters in the team and they get to the point of smashed once a week. I don't have a problem with players drinking but to the point of ****ed to the core which does take a few days to recover before you can push on and gain on your fitness levels. Its every Sunday night they drink which is down the leisure world area. My point is, can these players be fitter and stronger if they really cared about the club and the supporters who pay to watch them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ooohTerryHurlock Posted 31 August, 2009 Share Posted 31 August, 2009 sorry first two lines of my first post were reference to the OP asking if we ever felt safe after 70 minutes? - my oint was that, drawing on leeds and tranmere as examples it is never the case with saints that you can be 100% confident that the points are in the bag. The inherent problem line goes to the fact we seem unable to close out a game - examples of the are numerous. Take this season for example - we have now had three 1-0 leeds that we have been unable to convert to three points. We should potentially be 6pts better off already which would put us on -1, and very much in touch with the pack. All managers have suffered this inability to close out games - I know it affects all teams but I feel it is a particular problem with us that need fixing. *If tramere was a once off never to be repeated, how do you explain Leeds then Up and Away? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derry Posted 31 August, 2009 Share Posted 31 August, 2009 We are not brave enough towards the end of the game, the fear factor causes us to bring everybody back so the ball is launched into our box time after time with no relief. If we were brave we would leave two wide and one up the middle which would keep 3/4 opponents tied up. We should see this period as an opportunity to catch the opposition on the break and pinch another goal. At the very least an opportunity to win the ball and keep it in the opponents half. If we continue to back off and surrender the midfield we will continue to concede late goals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torres Posted 31 August, 2009 Share Posted 31 August, 2009 We are not brave enough towards the end of the game, the fear factor causes us to bring everybody back so the ball is launched into our box time after time with no relief. If we were brave we would leave two wide and one up the middle which would keep 3/4 opponents tied up. We should see this period as an opportunity to catch the opposition on the break and pinch another goal. At the very least an opportunity to win the ball and keep it in the opponents half. If we continue to back off and surrender the midfield we will continue to concede late goals. Exactly what happened on Saturday - too scared to push out and tried to defend the 18 yard line for the last 10 minutes or so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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