The Team Today

[steadyeddie]

Last minute decision to go today, but left Romsey at 1.10 and was outside the ground at 2.30pm. Nice sunny afternoon, all set for a Saints Victory in the face of adversity.

Ooops, I forgot Swindon are our Bogey Team, and when you have the ball you have to use it well, and not just kick it up field hoping someone might get to it.

In fairness, we arent that far away, but we havent got the options we had up front, like we did last season. A bit of luck, and a decent referee might have seen us come away with a draw or maybe a win today.

Davis made a couple of good saves in the first half. His kicking was OK.

Butterfield is not upto the job TBH. He is not quick enough, he's always getting caught out of position, and his distribution is not that good.

Harding is a shadow of the player he was last year. Not getting forward as much, but was unlucky not to score, when he hit the bar.

Fonte was pretty solid as was Aaron Martin, who was also unlucky not to score.

Midfield is where it seems we have a bit of a problem.

Morgan, played well enough, his passing is always good, but sometimes his corner taking is abysmal.

Hammond was woeful today. Shouldnt be in the team, let alone captain.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, has done OK, and today showed good awareness and speed, but only took on the fullback a couple of times today.

It was a harsh free-kick that was given against him, that lead to the goal.

Puncheon had an Ok day, but again took too many touches when a he should have passed the ball sooner. Was closed down very quickly though.

Ricky & Connelly again did OK, but are lacking confidence to have a go.

The Swindon keeper didnt make one save I can think of all day. We didnt work him at all.

Subs - Mills came on for Puncheon, and Guly for Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Mills did nothing, but Guly I think needs to start instead of Hammond. He is big and strong, and can pass the ball. Looking for the forwards run was something Hammond just cant do.

Listened to Kelvin Davis on the Radio on the way home. Judging by his comments, I think the players need a manager who can come in, shake up the team a bit, and get us on our way again.

Is Nigel Adkins the right man ? Judging by the way he has handled himself in the past week, and his comments about the Saints Managers Job, I'd like to think he is.

[Block 5]

Last minute decision to go today, but left Romsey at 1.10 and was outside the ground at 2.30pm. Nice sunny afternoon, all set for a Saints Victory in the face of adversity.

Ooops, I forgot Swindon are our Bogey Team, and when you have the ball you have to use it well, and not just kick it up field hoping someone might get to it.

In fairness, we arent that far away, but we havent got the options we had up front, like we did last season. A bit of luck, and a decent referee might have seen us come away with a draw or maybe a win today.

Davis made a couple of good saves in the first half. His kicking was OK.

Butterfield is not upto the job TBH. He is not quick enough, he's always getting caught out of position, and his distribution is not that good.

Harding is a shadow of the player he was last year. Not getting forward as much, but was unlucky not to score, when he hit the bar.

Fonte was pretty solid as was Aaron Martin, who was also unlucky not to score.

Midfield is where it seems we have a bit of a problem.

Morgan, played well enough, his passing is always good, but sometimes his corner taking is abysmal.

Hammond was woeful today. Shouldnt be in the team, let alone captain.

Oxlade-Chamberlain, has done OK, and today showed good awareness and speed, but only took on the fullback a couple of times today.

It was a harsh free-kick that was given against him, that lead to the goal.

Puncheon had an Ok day, but again took too many touches when a he should have passed the ball sooner. Was closed down very quickly though.

Ricky & Connelly again did OK, but are lacking confidence to have a go.

The Swindon keeper didnt make one save I can think of all day. We didnt work him at all.

Subs - Mills came on for Puncheon, and Guly for Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Mills did nothing, but Guly I think needs to start instead of Hammond. He is big and strong, and can pass the ball. Looking for the forwards run was something Hammond just cant do.

Listened to Kelvin Davis on the Radio on the way home. Judging by his comments, I think the players need a manager who can come in, shake up the team a bit, and get us on our way again.

Is Nigel Adkins the right man ? Judging by the way he has handled himself in the past week, and his comments about the Saints Managers Job, I'd like to think he is.

 

I'll go along with this.

At least the sun was shining.

[David Strover]

Eddie go on Facebook Mike's having a rant.

[steadyeddie]

Seen it Dave. Did you go today ?

[David Strover]

Nope I headed in the opposite direction to Lockerley to see my mum (she was 81 on Wednesday) that is how I got some inside info' as my brother was there too.

[BJBSAINTS]

Puncheon had an ok day?? Different game than i saw, thought he was woeful at best.

 

IMO the only two who came out of the game with any credit were Aaron Martin & David Connelly, the rest seemed like they couldn't care if they were there or not. You just knew if they scored first our heads would drop even further than where they had began and we would never get anything from the game.

 

Wilkins made one brief cameo in the technical area....no leadership on or off the field, we desperately need a manager who can command some respect, lift the team and fans and get us playing again quickly before promotion slips out of reach.

 

Mk Dons on wednesday.......lets hope it happens before then.

[Professor]

The team today was largely the same team that ended last season, but without a doubt it is not playing as well. This team had a 20-yr old CB instead of Jaidi. Not arguing that Jaidi should be playing as he is slowing down with age, but it does look as if the two CBs now are not as reliable as the two at the end of last year. Then we have a 17yr old at wide MF. Getting good reviews, but is that because at 17 he's brilliant, or do the rest of the MF make him look good? A new full-back in Butterfield, instead of Otsemobor, but he wasn't supposed to be the first choice RB. That was supposed to be the injured Richardson. And Connolly up front, who looked great when he played last year, especially early season, but 12 months later, are the years catching up with him, or is he just not trying so hard?

 

Before the season began, fans were saying we had the best squad in the division. It now looks like we might have a below average squad. Pardew was praised for his signings, but today, Dickson didn't play, nor did Seaborne, and there is still no doubt that role played by Waigo and Antonio is badly missed.

 

When the manager is on board, its to be hoped that he gets active in the loan window very quickly, because it needs more than 'hard work' by these players, we need better ones in several places. My guess is three, or even four.

[saintwiz]

Puncheon had an ok day?? Different game than i saw, thought he was woeful at best.

 

IMO the only two who came out of the game with any credit were Aaron Martin & David Connelly, the rest seemed like they couldn't care if they were there or not. You just knew if they scored first our heads would drop even further than where they had began and we would never get anything from the game.

 

Wilkins made one brief cameo in the technical area....no leadership on or off the field, we desperately need a manager who can command some respect, lift the team and fans and get us playing again quickly before promotion slips out of reach.

 

Mk Dons on wednesday.......lets hope it happens before then.

 

spot on

[The Fat Controller]

Saints are a rudderless ship at present - how can a team be so poor after the finish last term......

[Deano6]

Last season I was quite happy that we didn't make the play-offs, as I figured I'd much rather enjoy a winning season where we'd run away with the league, in flambouyant style.

 

I am a moron.

[shurlock]

The team today was largely the same team that ended last season, but without a doubt it is not playing as well. This team had a 20-yr old CB instead of Jaidi. Not arguing that Jaidi should be playing as he is slowing down with age, but it does look as if the two CBs now are not as reliable as the two at the end of last year. Then we have a 17yr old at wide MF. Getting good reviews, but is that because at 17 he's brilliant, or do the rest of the MF make him look good? A new full-back in Butterfield, instead of Otsemobor, but he wasn't supposed to be the first choice RB. That was supposed to be the injured Richardson. And Connolly up front, who looked great when he played last year, especially early season, but 12 months later, are the years catching up with him, or is he just not trying so hard?

 

Before the season began, fans were saying we had the best squad in the division. It now looks like we might have a below average squad. Pardew was praised for his signings, but today, Dickson didn't play, nor did Seaborne, and there is still no doubt that role played by Waigo and Antonio is badly missed.

 

When the manager is on board, its to be hoped that he gets active in the loan window very quickly, because it needs more than 'hard work' by these players, we need better ones in several places. My guess is three, or even four.

 

Were you actually at the game? Martin and Connolly were two of our best players.

[Alain Perrin]

Were you actually at the game? Martin and Connolly were two of our best players.

 

I was at the game and thought Connolly was largely absent. Not surprising when we persist with hoofball (note to team: Ricky Lambert isn't that great in the air, keep it on the deck).

[Fitzhugh Fella]

The think we lacked most yesterday was guile and organisation.

It is in midfield where that problem is most apparent.

[Give it to Ron]

(note to team: Ricky Lambert isn't that great in the air, keep it on the deck).

That would be the Ricky Lambert that last season never lost a header up front? This season something is wrong injury? morale?

[Channon's Sideburns]

Waigo will be back once new manager arrives. Just a punt.

 

Midfield IS our biggest problem - Schneiderlin & Hammond DOES NOT WORK.

 

Hellfire, I'D RATHER SEE WOTTON THERE ATM

[Jackie@home]

Morgan actually had a good game, but Hammond was non-existant. We're missing Lallana very badly - he really is one of the most creative players in this division, and has trickery, goal scoring and skill in his locker. Without Waigo or Antonio, we are missing him even more. There is just no creativity. I have no faith in Connolly scoring - he looks past his best. We need Barnard back asap.

[chocco boxo]

I thought it was two bad teams, however one had a manager and he looked interested!