Saints 3 Cheltenham Town 0 - Reaction

[Saint Billy]

I wouldn't mind hearing about the game thanks.

[Justin C]

A job well done but it could be costly for us.

 

NA said Holmes injury looked serious, Lambert picked up a injury but did not say how bad.

 

He did say Seabourne will be back for next week so he will cover Jose.

[Dalek2003]

Wonder what is wrong with Holmes, he has just got back to fitness.

[K,Billy's supersound]

we won which is good and all that counts but please dont be fooled, they are not a good team and we still are not good enough to finish top two this season.

we really really need to buy another striker lambert was complete crap today couldnt even pass to another white shirt injured? not intrested or unfit what ever the reason he has to dropped. first half he and guly were useless, i'm sorry guly couldnt win a header if it was only him under the ball and his passing also was appaling. barnard has been by far our best striker and he has scored what 4 goals? a big problem we need to address in january.

for the next league game i just hope we play barnard with lallana up front.

[Smirking_Saint]

Wonder what is wrong with Holmes, he has just got back to fitness.

 

He would easily be one of our best players, if he wasn't constantly in the fitness room.

 

I wonder what it is with players that makes some of them so so susceptable to injury ?

[Andy_Porter]

He would easily be one of our best players, if he wasn't constantly in the fitness room.

 

I wonder what it is with players that makes some of them so so susceptable to injury ?

 

I think in his case a lot of it's mental problems.

 

I don't think Holmes is good enough for a team with aspirations of winning this league anyway, hopefully the injury will force Cortese's hand and we will bring in a winger of real quality in January.

[Window Cleaner]

He would easily be one of our best players, if he wasn't constantly in the fitness room.

 

I wonder what it is with players that makes some of them so so susceptable to injury ?

 

some basic physical default usually,weak tendons are incurable,not that it's necessarily his problem.I have a friend, fabulous runner, really,really fast but 2 weak achilles tendons spoilt all his potential

[SO16_Saint]

What's wrong with Holmes? Serious?

[Rebel]

I think Holmes simply played too much too young whilst at Derby and had some major injuries early in his career which means his body is already burnt out!

 

The simple fact is if your good enough your not actually old enough to play week in week out unti your 21 or so

[Liquidshokk]

Not bad game, we won so no more to say

[Nexstar]

It was absolutely freezing. But we won

[Weston Saint]

Shame about Holmes, felt really sorry for him. It was in the ankle area. When he went down he slapped the pitch in frustration.

 

As for the game, Saints were a b it pedestrian, particularly in the first half. Lifted the game in parts in the second.

 

Hammond had a good second half.

 

Gobern was poor and ineffective in the first half but his confidence and ability started to show through in the second and good to see him get on the score sheet.

 

Bart had a decent game but was not tested much. One good save in the first half.

 

Lallana/Hammond my joint men of the match

[Liquidshokk]

Saw fonte and chambo on way out. Fonte very happy, chambo seemed down... Prob just freezing like the rest of us...

[benjii]

We won't miss Holmes and we won't miss Richardson so long as Butterfied is fit. We have good strength in depth at CB so doing without Fonte for one game shouldn't be a disaster either. The Lambert injury could work to our favour in the long run if it forces us to find a successful alternative option.

 

How did Gobern do?

[Saint Billy]

What about Guly, yes he scored but was his general play any better?

[SuperSAINT]

NA seemed to think Holmes' injury was a serious one on the Solent post-match interview.

[Liquidshokk]

What about Guly, yes he scored but was his general play any better?

 

I thought he was pretty average. No denying he can play really well though. First touch just needs a lot of work.

 

Thought Oscar did well, was out to prove what he can do. Deserved the goal. Certain touches showed he isn't ready to to be picked every game but still impressed somewhat.

[Lighthouse]

I thought Guly and Gobern were pretty average, despite the goals. Guly has a terrible touch and gives the ball away a lot. Gobern was pretty annonymous first half, although looked stronger second half. Lambert was crap, but the defense looked pretty good, as did Hammond and Lallana. Holmes... You feel for him, his frustration at the injury was obvious, but we just can't carry passengers in this squad. Bart looked pretty good, a couple of dodgy first half kicks aside. His prayers obviously worked.

[richardc]

i thought Gobern did well looked strong and quick scored twice not sure why the first was ruled out. thought Dickson was great in defence but he cannot play midfield Harding was woeful when he came on. Butterfield did well with his distribution. Lallana and Hammond both did well. Couple of glimses of brilliance from Oxo but then drifted in and out like on Tues. Guly looks strong but his touch and shot woeful. Bart OK. Fonte normal self. jaidi very suspect again when he has the ball. Thought Cheltenham support was excellent

[Whitey Grandad]

What's wrong with Holmes? Serious?

 

He went into a tackle and was hobbling afterwards. I saw them strapping his left ankle but it didn't seem to help. He was sitting on the ground pounding the grass in frustration and looked pretty p1ssed off as he limped off.

[Dalek2003]

He went into a tackle and was hobbling afterwards. I saw them strapping his left ankle but it didn't seem to help. He was sitting on the ground pounding the grass in frustration and looked pretty p1ssed off as he limped off.

 

Just after a long lay off, hitting a bit of form and then s*** happens. Got to feel sorry for the chap !

[Saint Billy]

Basically then, injuries and still too many players out of form which tells me that the squad has to be improved in Jan if we are going to have any chance of promotion.

[georgeweahscousin]

Decent result and performance, shame about the injuries. I was particularly gutted because they prevented the likes of Doble getting a run.

[Fitzhugh Fella]

Bit of a struggle today - at times the team played like strangers. Adkins still hasn't got them properly organised I felt, although they were good in patches.

Guly good in parts crap in others. An impact sub at best. First touch not good

Chamberlain missed an easy one on one, he made some runs but our midfield seemed unable to find him. His inexperience showed today one cross fell short and the next one he overhit. Puncheon's loan transfer could yet hurt us

Gobern looks elegant on the ball and made himself available but apart from his goal did not "do" a lot

Bart did not put a foot wrong

Jaidi (I was surprised he played considering how many games he has started) was pretty immense. Can be dodgy on the ground but still a vital presence

Fonte tries to be a bit clever at times and could have conceded a pen in the 2nd H and got booked

Dickson ok but not great going forward

Lallana dangerous as ever with some beautiful turns and twists - sometimes needs to be more direct

Lambert woeful

Holmes over rated. Looks good and hugs the ball with his left foot but his crossing is erratic. Probably needs an extended run but his inability to avoid injury means he is always struggling to get rhythm and consistency.

Richardson went off HT injured, did OK

Hammond, energetic and involved but makes mistakes and doesn't shout. He is our lynchpin but never seems to direct others. An enigma

 

Thats about it. Efficient enough but not impressive

[doddisalegend]

Having been at the game my take is

 

We were s hit today but had enough quaility to get goals Cheltenham actually played some good passing football but lacked decent strikers (at times the netural might have wondered who the team from the upper league were).

 

Our passing was poor it either they went to the opposition, sideways/backwards or we ended up with three players trying to pass it in little triangles in a 6ft square area of pitch.

 

Bart looked good but was never really troubled.

 

I thought Gobern looked pretty good nice to have an aireal threat at corners for a change however his passing was as wayward as everyone elses.

 

Dickson needs to man up the number of times he was strong armed of the ball today was unreal (waving your arms and crying at the ref doesn't cut it Ryan you've got to be stronger). Having said that he looks good going forward looked far better at LM than at LB.

 

Harding looked rusty when he came on but final third of the match looked good got forward well sadly most of his runs didn't get picked up by Dickson the way Lallana does. Much stronger than Dickson in defence to.

 

Oxo should have scored the one on one with the keeper he got better as the match went on started to cuase the oppo some problems at the end.

 

Lallana is f ucking class way above everybody else on the pitch today. At times it felt more like Adam Vs Cheltenham than saints Vs Cheltenham

 

Well done to the Northam and and the away fans for trying to get a very empty SMS to liven up. But I think asking the chapel to give you a song was a bit hopeful considering the chapel was full of mums and children (and two blokes who seemed more intrested in talking about the Prem games than the match going on in front of them)

 

All in all a poor performance, on a bloody cold day in a half empty stadium but a win is a win so on to the next round.

[Dr Who?]

In the cup it is all about winning and getting through 3-0 good result and never in doubt.

 

Hopefully 9 points from the next 3 games will see us in the top 2 for Christmas and a nice big game in the FA Cup to look forward to in the New year.

[doddisalegend]

In the cup it is all about winning and getting through 3-0 good result and never in doubt.

 

Hopefully 9 points from the next 3 games will see us in the top 2 for Christmas and a nice big game in the FA Cup to look forward to in the New year.

 

Not if we play like we did today. Got away with it today better teams will punish us.

[Appy]

Not if we play like we did today. Got away with it today better teams will punish us.

 

We did enough today, we will raise our game when we need to.

[sidthesquid]

What about Guly, yes he scored but was his general play any better?

 

The only thing that looks 'Brazilian' about Guly today was the haircut!

Getting some goals but his touch is shocking and looks lost/disinterested half the time.

We are in trouble if he has to start too many games for us.

[Lighthouse]

Okay, a bit more detail now I'm not sat in the station, on my phone (not litterally). Saints did their job pretty efficiently. Cheltenham obviously came for a replay, a couple of fans told me as much before the match. Never really looked interest in our half, other than a few tentative advances when they went a goal behind. Gave up after the second. There definitely needs to be some dealings in the transfer window. Holmes is shot. Short of the second coming of Christ, he is never going to get fit enough to be of any real use. Gobern isn't there yet, neither is AOC. Rickie needs a rocket up his arse like nobodies business. Guly got another goal, but is still far from a finished article. Lallana is an absolute class above anything I've seen in League 1, but he can't play in every game. Dickson can't play LM, neither can Mills.

 

In short, we are very reliant on Lallana for creativity and Barnard for goals.

 

Player ratings.

 

Bart - 7 Had a couple of dodgy kicks first half, but couldn't fault him otherwise. Played on after a couple of batterings, one from Fonte first half which had him flat on the floor.

 

Richardson - 6 Not much wrong, came off injured.

 

Fonte - 7 Never really troubled, dealt with most stuff well. Will be missed next weekend.

 

Jaidi - 6 Good in the air, but slow and a bit hoofy.

 

Dickson - 6 Was a 7 for his LB display, but 5 in midfield. Excellent assist for Lallana's goal and they generally link well together.

 

Holmes - 6 Some good creative play in his all too brief cameo. Time to offload I'm afraid.

 

Hammond - 7 Decent captain's performance, a strong influence in the middle

 

Gobern - 6 Annonymous first half. A bit better second and nabbed a goal. Not good enough for League 1 at the mo.

 

Lallana - 8 MOTM. Took the p*ss and a well executed goal.

 

Lambert - 4 I know this has been done to death on here but please can we have Beattie and/or Le Fondre in January Mr Cortese.

 

Guly - 6 Sometimes he's useful and gets into good possitions, other times he staggers around like a camel on crack.

 

Subs:

 

Butters - 6 No worries here if FR is out for a week or two.

 

AOC - 6 One or two good runs forward, but missed a 1-on-1 and generally had a quiet game.

 

Harding - 5 Didn't look too sharp. Gave away a really sloppy corner trying to see the ball out and allowed someone to nick it and get a cross in.

 

 

 

P.S. Cheltenham brought quite a few fans and made a decent fist of getting an atmosphere going a couple of times. Northam was nice and lively too.

Edited 27 November, 2010 by Lighthouse

[doddisalegend]

We did enough today, we will raise our game when we need to.

 

Well hopefully

[Chez]

Boy was it cold. Once again the Kingsland was closed and that just makes the place seem barren. The atmosphere was as you would expect. Having home and away fans so far apart all but destroys the atmosphere IMO.With the amount of stewards and POlice we have at our games these days I don't see how it saves money so why not reduce the gap?

 

The game itself was no where near the intense game we had during the week but it did allow one or two of our players to show their stuff. Lallana was head and shoulder above the rest and he had his best game this season for me. Everything came off and he looked a player at the top of his game. The early goal made it very easy and we strolled to victory helped by a lot of good passing. Hammond ran the show and he had another excellent game.

 

Bart 8 Not a lot to do but what he did have to do he did well. Some very good kicking despite the bobbles. A couple of excellent saves, one at the feet of a striker. Looks to have injured his shoulder as he struggled with throw outs in the second half. Might have come from the heavy knock he took rather a pull.

Richardson injured early, went straight down the tunnel when subbed. SOlid enugh before that.

Jaidi 8 another solid display, the replacement striker caused a few problems late on pace wise but you have to expect that. Won everything in the air as usual, passing was neat and tidy. They had very few chances.

Fonte 8 dominated the striker, except got caught flat footed inj second half and rightly booked for cynical challenge. Very decent last ditch block when striker finally got in - helped by him taking ages. We win games easily because we have players domintaing their oponents like Fonte does.

Dickson 8 a fine display in both positions (Harding came on and played at left back). Willing runner, decent passing, and I think more and more are coming round to my way of thinking that he's quality.

Hammond 9 Another very good display. Everywhere and hardly ever gave the ball away

Gobern 6 some woeful control early on (he looked nervous) but improved as the game went on and won some decent headers and tackles. He's better on the ball than Wotton, but he didn't show enough to earn a place ahead of Morgan. He needs game to improve.

Holmes 5 Went up for one header, actually he kind of jumped but never really went for the ball. From this he got injured. Very tough on him. Before that it was the same old same old IMO. Neat and tidy, but he offered absolutely no threat whatsever and more often than not passed square rather than take on the fullback. He doesn''t have the pace and he knows it so plays it safe. Our whole right side became quickly predictable. IIn a way was kind if happy he got injured as I knew Chamberlain would pose more threat.

Lallana 10 Hard to pick a fault. The bag of tricks is massive.

Lambert 7 Coming from someone that has been slating Lambert for a long time now, I thought he looked pretty good to be honest. Lots of headers won, nice interplay with Lallana and showed a much better touch. He had lots of room mind you and the defender was small. Possibly his best half of the season (notnsaying much I know). Sadly he went off at half time. The team didn't miss him though.

Guly 6 Poor first half, far too casual and passing poor. Improved after his goal. Confidence increased and so did his performance. Flashes of genuine quality and plays the game in the right way, just needs to be a little more `on it' right from the off.

 

Chamberlain 6 A poor start, a hangover from Tuesday in terms of lost confidence perhaps, but improved quickly and caused them plenty of problems. Hopefully has got Tuesday out of his system.

Butterfield 7 Sold display some nice passing and crossing

Harding 6 Took a while to find his feet and never looked as comfortable as Dickson, but what an excellent sub to bring on.

Edited 27 November, 2010 by Chez

[Give it to Ron]

Jaidi was brilliant again...he is a stopper thats his job ..he does not need to ping 40 yard balls to teammates.

He never lost a tackle again and won loads of dangerous interceptions on the floor.

I wish people would actually watch what he does game by game rather than posting to try and be popular.

 

Lallana MOM outstanding today.

 

Probably the worst first half performance this season I have seen - far too slow and pedestrian. At least with Oxo up through the middle we gave them a few different problems second half.

[NickG]

Felt today had a bit of a preseason friendly feel about it.

 

Players knew they would win easily - and did - manager trying several different players and players in different positions etc.

 

Guly is a fascinating player to watch - tries to be different, which is good at unlocking teams coming to defend, but then often fails giving ball away cheaply. Very quick and gets stuck in - wins more tackles upfont than any other player we have - bit of the Papa awkwardness about him. Was better than Lambert.

 

Bart was comfortable and confident - happy to come out, easy game but didn't put a foot wrong.

 

Gobern could be good, but much of the game passed him by, timing didn't seem quite there, but first game in CM - certainly showed promise and found the net twice.

 

The 6 defenders used all looked good. Like Dickson and Richardson.

 

Dickson is quick going forward.

 

Holmes again looked a very good player, had to feel for him when he got injured, tried to carry on and looked distraught, slapping the ground in frustration when he knew he couldn't carry on. Very comfortatble of the ball, doesn't give it away, good passer and energetic. Would be one of our top players if could be fit for a season.

Edited 28 November, 2010 by NickG

[Badger]

Cheltenham Town manager:

 

http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/sport/Southampton-v-Cheltenham-Town-Chat-updates-FA-Cup-second-round-tie/article-2943175-detail/article.html

[Joesaint]

Just looked at the photos and Gobern looks massive against OC but on saints profile they are both 5 11!

[eelpie]

[quote=Weston Saint;902343

Hammond had a good second half.

 

Gobern was poor and ineffective in the first half but his confidence and ability started to show through in the second and good to see him get on the score sheet.

 

Lallana/Hammond my joint men of the match

 

I can't disagree with Lallana as man of the match, with Hammond close. But I strongly disagree with your assessment of Gobern. The whole team had a shaky start. But increasingly Oscar looked assured and dominant in the middle and linked well with Deano, despite one or two mis-passes (the whole team were guilty of that). He was confident going forward and had the ball in the net twice (not sure why the foul was given). He grew in stature as the match progressed. A very successful return to the first team and with his skills, height and athleticism he has a promising future at Saints.

[The9]

I can't disagree with Lallana as man of the match, with Hammond close. But I strongly disagree with your assessment of Gobern. The whole team had a shaky start. But increasingly Oscar looked assured and dominant in the middle and linked well with Deano, despite one or two mis-passes (the whole team were guilty of that). He was confident going forward and had the ball in the net twice (not sure why the foul was given). He grew in stature as the match progressed. A very successful return to the first team and with his skills, height and athleticism he has a promising future at Saints.

 

Sounds like you're completely agreeing with the previous post actually. Poor start, got better.

[ALWAYS_SFC]

Boy was it cold. Once again the Kingsland was closed and that just makes the place seem barren. The atmosphere was as you would expect. Having home and away fans so far apart all but destroys the atmosphere IMO.With the amount of stewards and POlice we have at our games these days I don't see how it saves money so why not reduce the gap?

 

The game itself was no where near the intense game we had during the week but it did allow one or two of our players to show their stuff. Lallana was head and shoulder above the rest and he had his best game this season for me. Everything came off and he looked a player at the top of his game. The early goal made it very easy and we strolled to victory helped by a lot of good passing. Hammond ran the show and he had another excellent game.

 

Bart 8 Not a lot to do but what he did have to do he did well. Some very good kicking despite the bobbles. A couple of excellent saves, one at the feet of a striker. Looks to have injured his shoulder as he struggled with throw outs in the second half. Might have come from the heavy knock he took rather a pull.

Richardson injured early, went straight down the tunnel when subbed. SOlid enugh before that.

Jaidi 8 another solid display, the replacement striker caused a few problems late on pace wise but you have to expect that. Won everything in the air as usual, passing was neat and tidy. They had very few chances.

Fonte 8 dominated the striker, except got caught flat footed inj second half and rightly booked for cynical challenge. Very decent last ditch block when striker finally got in - helped by him taking ages. We win games easily because we have players domintaing their oponents like Fonte does.

Dickson 8 a fine display in both positions (Harding came on and played at left back). Willing runner, decent passing, and I think more and more are coming round to my way of thinking that he's quality.

Hammond 9 Another very good display. Everywhere and hardly ever gave the ball away

Gobern 6 some woeful control early on (he looked nervous) but improved as the game went on and won some decent headers and tackles. He's better on the ball than Wotton, but he didn't show enough to earn a place ahead of Morgan. He needs game to improve.

Holmes 5 Went up for one header, actually he kind of jumped but never really went for the ball. From this he got injured. Very tough on him. Before that it was the same old same old IMO. Neat and tidy, but he offered absolutely no threat whatsever and more often than not passed square rather than take on the fullback. He doesn''t have the pace and he knows it so plays it safe. Our whole right side became quickly predictable. IIn a way was kind if happy he got injured as I knew Chamberlain would pose more threat.

Lallana 10 Hard to pick a fault. The bag of tricks is massive.

Lambert 7 Coming from someone that has been slating Lambert for a long time now, I thought he looked pretty good to be honest. Lots of headers won, nice interplay with Lallana and showed a much better touch. He had lots of room mind you and the defender was small. Possibly his best half of the season (notnsaying much I know). Sadly he went off at half time. The team didn't miss him though.

Guly 6 Poor first half, far too casual and passing poor. Improved after his goal. Confidence increased and so did his performance. Flashes of genuine quality and plays the game in the right way, just needs to be a little more `on it' right from the off.

 

Chamberlain 6 A poor start, a hangover from Tuesday in terms of lost confidence perhaps, but improved quickly and caused them plenty of problems. Hopefully has got Tuesday out of his system.

Butterfield 7 Sold display some nice passing and crossing

Harding 6 Took a while to find his feet and never looked as comfortable as Dickson, but what an excellent sub to bring on.

 

At last a correct assesment of the team and performance...

This continual attacking of Lambert is way off the mark.

[merrimd]

Jaidi was brilliant again...he is a stopper thats his job ..he does not need to ping 40 yard balls to teammates.

He never lost a tackle again and won loads of dangerous interceptions on the floor.

I wish people would actually watch what he does game by game rather than posting to try and be popular.

.

 

I agree totally with this, but the problem i have is that his team mates do tend to keep passing to him. As soon as that happens, he screws up. If we could just have him in the team to defend, and insist nobody passes to him, we will be in a good place.

[Cabrone]

Lambert - 4 I know this has been done to death on here but please can we have Beattie and/or Le Fondre in January Mr Cortese.

 

A fit and motivated BT would tear this division up but I can't see him coming here.

 

Shame about Holmes, I've always rated him as a good crosser but seems his body just isn't up to the rigour of pro football. Time is running out for the lad.

 

That was a good win albeit against lowly opposition, now it's back to the real action.

[eelpie]

Sounds like you're completely agreeing with the previous post actually. Poor start, got better.

 

No, because I disagree with Weston that Gobern was poor and ineffective in the whole of the first half.

 

This is harsh of Gobern, and over-damning of a very reasonable contribution in the first half, with good positioning and link-up play, and he was putting in some sound tackles. The whole team was surprisingly nervous and negative at the start, and misplacing passes, Oscar included, and considering his age and long absence I consider he settled positively into his role well before the end of the first half, which is not quite what Weston posted.

[Whitey Grandad]

A good run out for Oscar, I thought that he did what was expected of him.

[Jonnyboy]

I think Holmes simply played too much too young whilst at Derby and had some major injuries early in his career which means his body is already burnt out!

 

The simple fact is if your good enough your not actually old enough to play week in week out unti your 21 or so

 

cant believe all the hype about holmes being the replacement for puncheon, his injury record speaks for itself, he should never have been signed.

[Nexstar]

Just looked at the photos and Gobern looks massive against OC but on saints profile they are both 5 11!

 

No way is AOC 5"11! I'm that height and i've looked down on him

[Eastcowzer]

Just after a long lay off, hitting a bit of form and then s*** happens. Got to feel sorry for the chap !

 

Perhaps if players susceptible to ankle injuries, like Holmes, were encouraged to wear boots with more ankle support, it might help.

Although I'm not advocating a return to the old leather boot, the present day tendency to run about in what can be described as little more than glorified carpet slippers with studs, certainly does not help improve the situation, especially in ground conditions such as yesterday.

[Window Cleaner]

Perhaps if players susceptible to ankle injuries, like Holmes, were encouraged to wear boots with more ankle support, it might help.

Although I'm not advocating a return to the old leather boot, the present day tendency to run about in what can be described as little more than glorified carpet slippers with studs, certainly does not help improve the situation, especially in ground conditions such as yesterday.

 

there have been scientific studies on this,remember seeing one in the OMJ quite a long time ago though.

[The9]

I think Holmes simply played too much too young whilst at Derby and had some major injuries early in his career which means his body is already burnt out!

 

The simple fact is if your good enough your not actually old enough to play week in week out unti your 21 or so

 

I you get hoofed in the ankle like he did it doesn't matter if you're 16 or 40 or how many injuries you've had before, you won't be able to carry on.

[The9]

No, because I disagree with Weston that Gobern was poor and ineffective in the whole of the first half.

 

This is harsh of Gobern, and over-damning of a very reasonable contribution in the first half, with good positioning and link-up play, and he was putting in some sound tackles. The whole team was surprisingly nervous and negative at the start, and misplacing passes, Oscar included, and considering his age and long absence I consider he settled positively into his role well before the end of the first half, which is not quite what Weston posted.

 

Fair enough, I thought he was completely anonymous in the first half and Hammond did all his running for him. Didnt do much wrong but was nowhere near involved enough considering his position. Second half he had a lot of space and used it well, and closed down reasonably well. Both his finishes were excellent.

[Appy]

No way is AOC 5"11! I'm that height and i've looked down on him

 

You're 5" 11? Is that stood on a box?