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Tactics and the must win game?.

Pilchards

By Pilchards,
in The Saints

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Pilchards

Pilchards

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I read during the week that Pardew said this is a must win game, please explain how you can have two attacking players on the bench and believe me these two guys can score goals in this league. So what's the point of wanting a new striker if you don't use what we have already?

My next point is when we score in the 92nd minute of injury time, why not get the management team to focus as well by getting a sub on to run the clock down even more while the players get there breaths back from the wild celebrations.

 

While I'm having a moan we had a bloke that has not played longer than 30 minutes in a game all season and yet he stayed on until the end puffing and panting according to the radio, they said he should of been hauled off with 20 minutes to go. Why not??

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S-Clarke

S-Clarke

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I think Pardew came into this game to contain Millwall, that was the way our midfield seemed to be setup for this game (inc. bringing on Wotton for Hammond) - we were never too adventurous. We setup in a way to ''nick'' a result, rather than try to control the match.

 

Was that the right thing to do? Personally I think we still lack the real quality in midfield to go and dominate a game against a top team in this league, so for now a more cautious approach is probably sensible.

 

If the plan was to contain millwall today, you have to say it worked - they did have a few chances (as you'd expect) but surprisingly we had more possession than them in the game and we should have won it, ''good'' teams would have - and that would have been the sort of result that can win you a league title (scrappy 1-0's when you don't deserve it etc...)

 

Today kind of summed up where we are, in the middle somewhere - not that bad and not quite good enough at times. I'm sure by the end of the window we'll be stronger but I don't think we'll see the complete benefit of this until next season.

 

This season should be viewed upon as a building season - any success achieved should be seen as a bonus. I expect us (if we're still in this league next year) to dominate it and win it, if we're still stuttering along next season, that's when I think questions should be asked – not yet.

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Pilchards

Pilchards

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This season should be viewed upon as a building season - any success achieved should be seen as a bonus. I expect us (if we're still in this league next year) to dominate it and win it, if we're still stuttering along next season, that's when I think questions should be asked – not yet.

 

I understand your point about the building for next season but we had a manager telling us we must chase that playoff spot.

4 games ago we was 7 points off it, but now we are a million miles off it with some very lame performances it must be said.

I would even say the Leeds result should of gone our way if we set the team out to scare the opposition more.

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shurlock

shurlock

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Lots of questions about todays formation, selection, tactics and use of subs.

 

Just be careful as if you ask questions the happy clappers will call you nasty names.

 

mate you havent got a clue. we played 4-4-2 - the formation of choice for alot here, several changes were enforced (Jaidi and we don't know what Connolly's status was, only that he was struggling) and the timing of subs seemed right - yes we could have been more adventurous but we were put under alot of pressure in the second half and probably would have come away with nothing had we done so.

 

Don't know what you would suggest: people here have been saying that lloyd is better at RM - they got their way today; others have been saying that antonio struggles when he starts and is best used as a super-sub when the opposition is tiring- they got their way today (all credit to pards for playing antonio down the middle to this extent); others have wanted to Lallana to play in the "hole" or alongside lambert because he doesn't provide enough width - they got their way. the big surprise was starting Holmes but I think the gamble paid off as he had a very good game. we underperformed in midfield but you or nobody else here can suggest an alternative if we dont have the players.

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S-Clarke

S-Clarke

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I understand your point about the building for next season but we had a manager telling us we must chase that playoff spot.

4 games ago we was 7 points off it, but now we are a million miles off it with some very lame performances it must be said.

I would even say the Leeds result should of gone our way if we set the team out to scare the opposition more.

 

I do see what you mean but i think we've had a bit of a reality check recently. Colchester and Leeds are better teams than us (not in terms of out and out quality, but in terms of balance etc) - we've still got some way to go in certain areas.

 

We really really lack drive and attacking quality from midfield, that IMO is our massive weak link - which makes stock a massive signing if it happens.

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S-Clarke

S-Clarke

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Schneiderlin demonstrated my concerns about him first-hand today.

 

Without a doubt, the new Matt Oakley.

 

He's a funny player, undoubtedly has more ability than most players in this league but goes missing way too often.

 

I don't think Hammond has been all that great recently either, which possibly is contributing to the quietness of morgan. Another good quality midfielder in there would shake things up a bit.

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Block 5

Block 5

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Yes I noticed that and tried to ignore it but Leeds lost

 

I think Leeds have lost a little bit of their fizz....... but we still won't get anywhere near them.

I reckon we'll be lucky to get to Wembley, but if we do we could put one over on them.

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John B

John B

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I think Leeds have lost a little bit of their fizz....... but we still won't get anywhere near them.

I reckon we'll be lucky to get to Wembley, but if we do we could put one over on them.

 

I meant we will be playing Leeds in the JPT Trophy if we beat the Dons and they lost today which gives me a little hope

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derry

derry

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mate you havent got a clue. we played 4-4-2 - the formation of choice for alot here, several changes were enforced (Jaidi and we don't know what Connolly's status was, only that he was struggling) and the timing of subs seemed right - yes we could have been more adventurous but we were put under alot of pressure in the second half and probably would have come away with nothing had we done so.

 

Don't know what you would suggest: people here have been saying that lloyd is better at RM - they got their way today; others have been saying that antonio struggles when he starts and is best used as a super-sub when the opposition is tiring- they got their way today (all credit to pards for playing antonio down the middle to this extent); others have wanted to Lallana to play in the "hole" or alongside lambert because he doesn't provide enough width - they got their way. the big surprise was starting Holmes but I think the gamble paid off as he had a very good game. we underperformed in midfield but you or nobody else here can suggest an alternative if we dont have the players.

 

Holmes, Hammond, Lallana, Waigo ln midfield with Connolly and Lambert or Antonio if Connolly not 100%

 

James, Lallana, Holmes, Lambert, Hammond and Schneiderlin lack pace so we kept playing in front of their defence. At least Waigo and Antonio have pace and Lallana can attack.

 

I agree with the others, drawing games is only going to keep us where we are. We aren't going to make the play offs trying not to lose. We may not either trying to win every game but we might.

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shurlock

shurlock

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Holmes, Hammond, Lallana, Waigo ln midfield with Connolly and Lambert or Antonio if Connolly not 100%

.

 

Problem is that we lack both combativeness and creativity in midfield. your line-up def gives us creativity (and pace) but it looks a bit lightweight.

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John B

John B

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Posted (edited)
but it was generally good enough to go on a great run not so long ago...

 

one of NickG's type of runs that he posts about...

 

That was when were playing middle of the table teams

 

We have only beaten one top ten club in the League

Edited by John B
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derry

derry

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Problem is that we lack both combativeness and creativity in midfield. your line-up def gives us creativity (and pace) but it looks a bit lightweight.

 

I realise that but often quick attacking teams overload defences and push them back making them more defensive. We won't make the playoffs without attacking so my attitude is give it a go. Also bring in a couple more quick players to make it happen. We won't frighten teams playing James right midfield.

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Hamilton Saint

Hamilton Saint

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I read during the week that Pardew said this is a must win game, please explain how you can have two attacking players on the bench and believe me these two guys can score goals in this league. So what's the point of wanting a new striker if you don't use what we have already?

My next point is when we score in the 92nd minute of injury time, why not get the management team to focus as well by getting a sub on to run the clock down even more while the players get there breaths back from the wild celebrations.

While I'm having a moan we had a bloke that has not played longer than 30 minutes in a game all season and yet he stayed on until the end puffing and panting according to the radio, they said he should of been hauled off with 20 minutes to go. Why not??

 

We had already made our three substitutions.

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shurlock

shurlock

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but it was generally good enough to go on a great run not so long ago...

 

one of NickG's type of runs that he posts about...

 

Talking specifically about Waigo Hammond Lallana Holmes. As i've said elsewhere, I think we've flattered to deceive over the past few months. Ever since Leyton O. Thought our performances would eventually catch up with our results. Nothing catastrophic -L1 is too sh*t for that- but more draws, fewer results against the bigger terms -certainly enough to make the playoffs an improbable target.

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rocknrollman no2

rocknrollman no2

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At the start of the season,i would have taken midtable and although i am pleasantly surprised we are even thinking of the play off places,i dont think we will get out of this league this season.

The real test will be next season.If we dont at least get into the top four,then i think questions should be asked.

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John B

John B

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At the start of the season,i would have taken midtable and although i am pleasantly surprised we are even thinking of the play off places,i dont think we will get out of this league this season.

The real test will be next season.If we dont at least get into the top four,then i think questions should be asked.

 

Yes I agree but there has been so much spin that getting to the playoffs appeared to be a formality.

 

 

You are right it is next season that will really count I think

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S-Clarke

S-Clarke

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That was when were playing middle of the table teams

 

We have only beaten one top ten club in the League

 

yep, spot on.

 

our team is better than the bottom half teams in the leauge, hence the wins we get against them - but it's not quite good enough against the leeds/norwich/colchester/millwall's etc...

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S-Clarke

S-Clarke

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which is, with all we have....a let down really

 

they're not that bad tbh.

 

what they also have is a settled team, they've kept it the same for pretty much 2 seasons (colchester lost hammond, granted - but they did a good job replacing him with O'Toole).

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Thedelldays

Thedelldays

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they're not that bad tbh.

 

what they also have is a settled team, they've kept it the same for pretty much 2 seasons (colchester lost hammond, granted - but they did a good job replacing him with O'Toole).

maybe..

 

but colchester did not have a really settled set up.....new manager loss of players etc....no money what so ever...

 

am a tad let down that that after all we have, the money spent and the manager we have...we still cant say we are as good as colchester...

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Chez

Chez

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He's a funny player, undoubtedly has more ability than most players in this league but goes missing way too often.

 

I don't think Hammond has been all that great recently either, which possibly is contributing to the quietness of morgan. Another good quality midfielder in there would shake things up a bit.

 

I'm glad you said that. Hammond seems to be the blue eye boy on here. I agree we could do with another CM.

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