For those that were at the game

[Turkish]

and dont rely on internet posts and third hand reports, what was your take on today?

 

I felt that for the first hour we were more than match for Reading, Barnard was a big plus for me he looked busy and a constant threat, his finish was class and showed a passion to win which we wil need. Enjoyed the way he bollocked Harding for a meaningless high ball, quite clear what he was saying. Jaidi and Fonte looked solid, i though Wotton and Hammond did well and Dickson did well wide left. Connolly looked a little rusty but you could see his movement was still first class. After their equlizer the subs came and its clear that the kids that were brought on aren't up to it, yet, but a saints team minus 4 of our best players, ie Schniderlin, Lambert, Puncheon and Lallana were as good as Reading, who IMO will finish top half of the CCC. I am sure some willl enjoy us losing today, the usual suspects, but the difference between the sides for the first hour, before subs, was paper thin.

[Dave Benson Phillips]

I don't care about the game. How many bothered to turn up is what I want to know?

[Saint Garrett]

How did the sash look ?

[Nexstar]

I don't care about the game. How many bothered to turn up is what I want to know?

 

Difficult to tell really, scatterings around the ground including probably about 500 Reading fans. My guess is about 7K.

[Dave Benson Phillips]

Was Cortese there?

 

Was there a programme on sale?

 

Did you wait behind to get autographs at the end?

[Nexstar]

How did the sash look ?

 

Wore the away strip, the sash is being saved until next saturday

[Turkish]

I don't care about the game. How many bothered to turn up is what I want to know?

 

about 8k i'd say. How was your bike ride? Obviously not the ending you planned seeing as you are on here.

[Nexstar]

Was Cortese there?

 

Was there a programme on sale?

 

Did you wait behind to get autographs at the end?

 

Didn't see him myself (no Markus either)

 

Yes

 

Not personally

[Dave Benson Phillips]

about 8k i'd say. How was your bike ride? Obviously not the ending you planned seeing as you are on here.

 

Just a quick shower and I am off again, we settled for a nice romantic walk and a bite to eat in the Sir John Barleycorn. I am chafing a bit so come back for a shower and a bit of E45. Will it be healed by about 8pm?

[SaintNeil90]

Played in the away kit today... marketing ploy!

[Turkish]

Just a quick shower and I am off again, we settled for a nice romantic walk and a bite to eat in the Sir John Barleycorn. I am chafing a bit so come back for a shower and a bit of E45. Will it be healed by about 8pm?

 

So where is she now?

[SaintBobby]

Played in the away kit and had sold out of the sash kit in virtually all adult sizes. There were maybe 50 or so kid sized home strips left.

 

Huge demand?

 

Bad planning on numbers to order?

 

Or cynical marketing ploy? (they shifted a lot of away kits in the store from what I could see)

 

Or all three?

[Dave Benson Phillips]

So where is she now?

 

Sunbed and eyebrows... I am off now Turkey, I will update you later. xx

[Colinjb]

and dont rely on internet posts and third hand reports, what was your take on today?

 

I felt that for the first hour we were more than match for Reading, Barnard was a big plus for me he looked busy and a constant threat, his finish was class and showed a passion to win which we wil need. Enjoyed the way he bollocked Harding for a meaningless high ball, quite clear what he was saying. Jaidi and Fonte looked solid, i though Wotton and Hammond did well and Dickson did well wide left. Connolly looked a little rusty but you could see his movement was still first class. After their equlizer the subs came and its clear that the kids that were brought on aren't up to it, yet, but a saints team minus 4 of our best players, ie Schniderlin, Lambert, Puncheon and Lallana were as good as Reading, who IMO will finish top half of the CCC. I am sure some willl enjoy us losing today, the usual suspects, but the difference between the sides for the first hour, before subs, was paper thin.

 

Good to hear, thanks for the feedback. Hopefully more who were there today can add to this thread.

[OldNick]

I got a message that the SaintsWeb got a mention in the programme

[rocknrollman no2]

I didnt bother going today,but the radio said around ten thousand at the game.

Dont know how many were Reading though?

[NickG]

Barnard and Dickson looked decent

 

defence solid

 

lots of new faces tried in 2nd half

[markr27]

The back four looked solid enough - I think the fact that Butterfield and Fonte used to play for Palace will ease his transition into the side.

Regarding the midfield, both Mills (on the right) and Dickson looked very good, but Hammond (I know he scored) did give me one of two nervous moments with his tackling - I fancy a few yellows and maybe a red accumulator this season.

Up front, Barnard very impressive.

 

The game itself I agree with Turkish, prior to the pen for 2-2 we were more than a match for them, and then the team gradually fell apart with the number of young subs onto the pitch.

Of those, Reeves showed a few touches. Doble looked OK with his movement but was left very isolated when Barnard went off.

 

 

Next Sat, it'll be the same starting team aside from Lambert (Connolly), Spiderman (Wotton) and Puncheon (Mills) coming out from the tunnel.

[Causer]

I thought it was a very good attacking performance in the first 65 mins with some fantastic passing and movement. Barnard was linking up very well with Hammond and Dickson and Butterfield getting forward well. Defensively we looked suspect though with Mcanuff causing problems. Jaidi was being very clumsy and Fonte should have won the ball for the goal although Wotton sliding at him hardly helped the situation. Wotton and Hammond could not cover enough ground to protect the defence adequately and they had to resort to giving away free kicks to break up the play. After 65 mins the game became completely irrelavent as academy player after academy player came on for a cameo.

Overall it was encouraging especially when you consider how many players will come back into the team

[Saint_Mabes]

I was generally really impressed. Thought we more than matched them up to 2-2, then all the youngsters came on. Plus points were Barnard looking great, Butterfield looking good - especially the start of the second half, hammond looking really up for it, Mills sharp and more impressive than previous times I have seen him and the back four looking pretty solid, if a little dopey for their first.

 

Although we do need some cover and hopefully an exciting signing, if Lambert, puncheon and Spiderman can start on sat, we should be laughing.

 

Agree that I loved seeing Barmard bollock Harding for his silly long ball and that Hammond can be a liability!

[saintsforlife7]

Agree with those who have posted, very promising performance today until we brought the kids on, Dickson looked good on the left, Barnard and Connolly looked very sharp with Barnard my MOTM and Butterfield will get better as he settles, but already an improvement on Otsemobor. Thoroughly optimistic about next week if we have our four best players to come back

[Nidger]

and dont rely on internet posts and third hand reports, what was your take on today?

 

I felt that for the first hour we were more than match for Reading, Barnard was a big plus for me he looked busy and a constant threat, his finish was class and showed a passion to win which we wil need. Enjoyed the way he bollocked Harding for a meaningless high ball, quite clear what he was saying. Jaidi and Fonte looked solid, i though Wotton and Hammond did well and Dickson did well wide left. Connolly looked a little rusty but you could see his movement was still first class. After their equlizer the subs came and its clear that the kids that were brought on aren't up to it, yet, but a saints team minus 4 of our best players, ie Schniderlin, Lambert, Puncheon and Lallana were as good as Reading, who IMO will finish top half of the CCC. I am sure some willl enjoy us losing today, the usual suspects, but the difference between the sides for the first hour, before subs, was paper thin.

 

I agree, Barnard was easily our best player today! Butterfield looked good and Dickson looks like he can deliver a quality ball on the run or from a dead ball situation! Bring back Lambert Lallana, Puncheon and Schneiderlin next week and we will be fine!

 

We still need a couple of pacey players in midfield and attack though! I reckon we will sign our number "8" and "11" next week!

[saint_stevo]

Nobody unveiled pre-game then?

[Stu Man Do]

I know its not really relevant to us anymore but how did Antonio get on today when he came on? Also what are peoples thoughts on how well Barnard and DC linked up if the worst case was to happen and RL was injured would you be comfortable with those two starting?

[Nidger]

Nobody unveiled pre-game then?

 

Unfortunately not, but Carter was nowhere to be seen and neither was Cortese! Maybe negotiating his contract?

[Nexstar]

I know its not really relevant to us anymore but how did Antonio get on today when he came on? Also what are peoples thoughts on how well Barnard and DC linked up if the worst case was to happen and RL was injured would you be comfortable with those two starting?

 

DC and Barnard played well together, some nice passing moves.

 

Antonio looked sharp when he came on, going past several players. Obviously he scored, but the Reading players were queueing up to put it in. Recent performances may prevent us from getting him.

[OldNick]

 

Antonio looked sharp when he came on, going past several players. Obviously he scored, but the Reading players were queueing up to put it in. Recent performances may prevent us from getting him.

Sadly the club missed a trick by not getting an option to sign him when we took him on loan

[The boy done well]

In contrast to the other posts on here can't say I was greatly impressed at all. I didn't think that the defence was particularly solid at all. They also hit the bar in the first half and had another couple of clear chances before AP changed the team around when they should have scored.

 

Was very impressed with Dickson-great left foot-and I thought Barnard had an excellent game. But Reading didn't come to defend as will so many teams this season. We have no real width and no pace with which to break down resilient opposition which we have to address urgently. Furthermore, Davis hoofed it up to our tiny front 2 on every single occasion bar one. It was obviously part of the plan as not once did anyone drop back to give him an alternative option. To me it was all a bit deja vu. Not like watching Brazil that's for sure! And what's Wotton still there for.

 

Heard AP on Solent on the way back. He was happy with the performance up until he started to make the changes. Also said they still couldn't get Lallana's knee "quite right" and that he was definitely out next Saturday as he'd had no pre-season. Punch is still injured though he didn't say whether he was likely to be back-nor Rickie who's carrying a slight groin strain. Incidentally, he also said there's no truth to the rumour about the Arsenal kid but wouldn't be drawn in any way about any other transfers which one definitely senses must be in the pipeline.

 

Like most I'm pretty excited about the forthcoming season but on today's showing I'm not convinced we've really addressed last year's deficiencies if we want to dominate games home and away as we should be aiming to do.

[View From The Top]

Sadly the club missed a trick by not getting an option to sign him when we took him on loan

 

TBF they only missed a trick if that was an option but we don't know if it was.

[SaintBobby]

I'd give the team a 6/10 on today's showing.

 

Good points: 1. we were at least a match for Reading until we put half the academy on the pitch 2. both the new signings looked good - a particular highlight being Butterfield's dead ball delivery 3. Barnard was very hungry and Connolly had some good touches

 

Bad points: 1. centre backs surprisingly unsteady, especially Jaidi - maybe I hold the Fonte-Jaidi axis in such high esteem that I'm surprised if any errors creep in 2. we really lacked pace and am not sure where in the present squad we can find it from 3. although we ended up with our 4th team on the pitch, it's clear we don't have great depth

 

Mitigating points: 1. Four of our very best players were missing 2. it was clearly treated as a run out, we ended the game with all of Reeves, Tafazolli (sp?), Pulis and Doble on the pitch - as well as Wotton and Martin. I doubt we will have to rely on these players as heavily in the league season.

[Saint-scooby]

The first 60 mins was fine. then Reading starting subbing and it went downhill from there, Reading had 500 so the steward told me, they were not expecting many. Chapel was very busy and louder than normal...

The same steward also said one of the reasons there is no payment plan this year, is too many non payers from last season, find it hard to believe but that what they said.

[Turkish]

I'd give the team a 6/10 on today's showing.

 

Good points: 1. we were at least a match for Reading until we put half the academy on the pitch 2. both the new signings looked good - a particular highlight being Butterfield's dead ball delivery 3. Barnard was very hungry and Connolly had some good touches

 

Bad points: 1. centre backs surprisingly unsteady, especially Jaidi - maybe I hold the Fonte-Jaidi axis in such high esteem that I'm surprised if any errors creep in 2. we really lacked pace and am not sure where in the present squad we can find it from 3. although we ended up with our 4th team on the pitch, it's clear we don't have great depth

 

Mitigating points: 1. Four of our very best players were missing 2. it was clearly treated as a run out, we ended the game with all of Reeves, Tafazolli (sp?), Pulis and Doble on the pitch - as well as Wotton and Martin. I doubt we will have to rely on these p layers as heavily in the league season.

 

I didn't think they were, jaidi had a few heavy touches early on but i generally felt they looked pretty solid with Fonte looking a class above any other Centre Half on the pitch. Where was Seabourne? He has hardly figured preseason with AP prefering Martin over him, i'd have though Seabourne would have got at least 30 mins today.

I didn't mention Butterfield in my earlier comments but he looked solid and decent, much better than what we had all of last season at RB.

[dellgirl]

A friendly to try out players in a big arena who are new to it,so nobody expected a fabulous game,we did some good things,booed Pulis when he came not ideal, chanted for us to get Antonio,who scored against us and got more applause and attention than any of our players,not a peep for Rasiak,Wotten,bless his cottons was woeful,rather an out of body experience I hope someone gained something useful from it because 100 klms was too much effort for what we got today.

[Turkish]

A friendly to try out players in a big arena who are new to it,so nobody expected a fabulous game,we did some good things,booed Pulis when he came not ideal, chanted for us to get Antonio,who scored against us and got more applause and attention than any of our players,not a peep for Rasiak,Wotten,bless his cottons was woeful,rather an out of body experience I hope someone gained something useful from it because 100 klms was too much effort for what we got today.

 

See again i don tthink he was, i think a lot of is it 'because its Wotton' he did okay today, 6 out of 10, not spectacular but did a job, which is what you get from him, you obviously missed his 50 yard pass to feet from inside his own half out to Mills in the first half then? If Schniderlin had done that a lot would be w*nking over it.

[stevegrant]

and dont rely on internet posts and third hand reports, what was your take on today?

 

I felt that for the first hour we were more than match for Reading, Barnard was a big plus for me he looked busy and a constant threat, his finish was class and showed a passion to win which we wil need. Enjoyed the way he bollocked Harding for a meaningless high ball, quite clear what he was saying. Jaidi and Fonte looked solid, i though Wotton and Hammond did well and Dickson did well wide left. Connolly looked a little rusty but you could see his movement was still first class. After their equlizer the subs came and its clear that the kids that were brought on aren't up to it, yet, but a saints team minus 4 of our best players, ie Schniderlin, Lambert, Puncheon and Lallana were as good as Reading, who IMO will finish top half of the CCC. I am sure some willl enjoy us losing today, the usual suspects, but the difference between the sides for the first hour, before subs, was paper thin.

Pretty much sums up my take on it.

 

The best thing to come out of today is that the players have proven they can still play well without Rickie Lambert against a decent side.

[Arizona]

I was pretty happy with the game TBH. Our first team was more than a match for Reading, even without Ricky, lallana, Morgan and Judy. Fair enough, it was game over when Pulis came on (first shot I've ever seen hit the family enclosure), but overall we looked good. Dickson and Butters were excellent, Butters' dead ball delivery wasna real plus. Barnard looked well up for it and the defence was solid.

[SaintBobby]

I didn't think they were, jaidi had a few heavy touches early on but i generally felt they looked pretty solid with Fonte looking a class above any other Centre Half on the pitch. Where was Seabourne? He has hardly figured preseason with AP prefering Martin over him, i'd have though Seabourne would have got at least 30 mins today.

I didn't mention Butterfield in my earlier comments but he looked solid and decent, much better than what we had all of last season at RB.

 

Maybe I'm being too harsh. I thought they both could have done better for the first Reading goal though. And there was a foul up in the second half when the Reading striker hit the side netting. Like I say, I usually expect 100% perfection from those two, so tend to notice if they are only playing at 90% of their best.

[saint_bert]

Played in the away kit and had sold out of the sash kit in virtually all adult sizes. There were maybe 50 or so kid sized home strips left.

 

Huge demand?

 

Bad planning on numbers to order?

 

Or cynical marketing ploy? (they shifted a lot of away kits in the store from what I could see)

 

Or all three?

 

There were loads when my and the ol man got ours on Thursday

[ericofarabia]

See again i don tthink he was, i think a lot of is it 'because its Wotton' he did okay today, 6 out of 10, not spectacular but did a job, which is what you get from him, you obviously missed his 50 yard pass to feet from inside his own half out to Mills in the first half then? If Schniderlin had done that a lot would be w*nking over it.

 

..... or flicking the bean over it .... ladies watch football as well

[Turkish]

Maybe I'm being too harsh. I thought they both could have done better for the first Reading goal though. And there was a foul up in the second half when the Reading striker hit the side netting. Like I say, I usually expect 100% perfection from those two, so tend to notice if they are only playing at 90% of their best.

 

That i do agree with you on, i expect them both, especially Fonte to be 10/10 every game so i am surprised at every lost header or misplaced pass. Harsh really but shows how highly rated they are.

[ladysaint]

It was a joy to see Pulis play :-)

[saint_bert]

Didnt go, but how did Dickson play. Had a txt from a mate who said he played really well. But what he knows about football could be writen on the back of a stamp, with room for a diagram

[SaintBobby]

There were loads when my and the ol man got ours on Thursday

 

Ok, I'm definitely going down the conspiracy theory route then....

[Turkish]

I was pretty happy with the game TBH. Our first team was more than a match for Reading, even without Ricky, lallana, Morgan and Judy. Fair enough, it was game over when Pulis came on (first shot I've ever seen hit the family enclosure), but overall we looked good. Dickson and Butters were excellent, Butters' dead ball delivery wasna real plus. Barnard looked well up for it and the defence was solid.

 

Did you notice the stunned shock that went round the ground when he came on, guy next to me said 'oh he is still alive then' :lol:

[ericofarabia]

It was a joy to see Pulis play :-)

 

When will the "Ï've seen Pulis play at SMS" very limited collectors item T shirt be available !!!

[doughnutman]

More or less what Turkish said. Dickson looked a very good player and we were the better team until we bought too many of the reserves on.

[derry]

I don't disagree that our best team can hold it's own, but all this game showed, was given a few injuries we are back to sticking square pegs in round holes, eg Mills wide right, three left backs, two little forwards and Davis lumping everything up to Mills/Pearce. Unless the missing players show up soon and stay fit and we sign at least three more, midfield/striker, this squad is too thin to cover injuries and win the league.

 

For the last twenty minutes there were five kids on the field plus Hammond up front with Wotton and Pulis in midfield, Butterfield and Dickson are good players but Reading showed that their changes were the equals of the players that went off and gave us a lesson. The fact we played so many kids and have done all pre season, says it all about the overall depth of the squad, especially as the kids are nowhere near ready yet.

Edited 31 July, 2010 by derry

[VectisSaint]

It was a joy to see Pulis play :-)

Think you have the "y" and "b" keys mixed up on your keyboard

[doddisalegend]

I don't disagree that our best team can hold it's own, but all this game showed, was given a few injuries we are back to sticking square pegs in round holes, eg Mills wide right, three left backs, two little forwards and Davis lumping everything up to Mills/Pearce. Unless the missing players show up soon and stay fit and we sign at least three more, midfield/striker, this squad is too thin to cover injuries and win the league.

 

For the last twenty minutes there were five kids on the field plus Hammond up front with Wotton and Pulis in midfield, Butterfield and Dickson are good players but Reading showed that their changes were the equals of the players that went off and gave us a lesson. The fact we played so many kids and have done all pre season, says it all about the overall depth of the squad, especially as the kids are nowhere near ready yet.

 

Thats the same for most teams though, didn't our new RB have to play as an emegency striker for palace last season? There's only so far you can plan for injuries sometimes you have to hope players are good enough to play out of postion and still perform.

[alpine_saint]

I don't disagree that our best team can hold it's own, but all this game showed, was given a few injuries we are back to sticking square pegs in round holes, eg Mills wide right, three left backs, two little forwards and Davis lumping everything up to Mills/Pearce. Unless the missing players show up soon and stay fit and we sign at least three more, midfield/striker, this squad is too thin to cover injuries and win the league.

 

For the last twenty minutes there were five kids on the field plus Hammond up front with Wotton and Pulis in midfield, Butterfield and Dickson are good players but Reading showed that their changes were the equals of the players that went off and gave us a lesson. The fact we played so many kids and have done all pre season, says it all about the overall depth of the squad, especially as the kids are nowhere near ready yet.

 

You're gonna regret that post, mate.