Just back from game thead

[AndyNorthernSaints]

Thought Saints were unlucky at times in front of goal and have seen us play worse this season and not lose. Seemed to be exposed on the flanks and Harding was poor with both goals Dickson and Richardson sloppy with passing. Difficult to see clearly but Kelv looked at fault with second goal conceded at near post but he has been decent most of season.

Lambert was too often outside the penalty area for my liking rather than being on the end of crosses. Lost count of corners and crosses into their box. Anyway enjoyed the real ale in the Cemetary Hotel before the game and a good turnout of Saints ans tonight. Fair play to those who travelled alot further than me.

Like many have said Saints never make it easy but still think we will get second as i had this down as our toughest game left.

 

Keep the Faith!

[MongoNeil]

Conceded 2 sloppy goals, Kelvin was a calamity tonight. Rochdale were good for the win in the 1st half, thought we deserved something in the 2nd. We seemed to lack any quality tonight, lost the ball too freely. Fans were excellent. Overall feeling of meh.

[Rasiak-9-]

Anyone know when the Brentford away tickets are on sale for Season ticket holders?

[Rational Rich]

Can't disagree with any of the above, whilst it's not the reason we lost, realised tonight how poor Forte is. He is powerful and pacy but he lacks footballing intelligence. He made one good run but only after Hammond pointed where he should go. Waste of space. Thought Stephens had a distinctly average game, Hammond's passing was off today too. Lambert and Barnard worked hard and, no surprise, Lallana was different class when he came on, but by that stage the game was gone. Both their goals were soft, Kelvin should've saved the second, but he made a great one on one save in the first half too.

 

Can't afford to play as poorly as we did in the first half again this season. They weren't a bad side at all but there's no way we should've let ourselves get beaten tonight and with their record against us, wouldn't like to have to meet them in the play offs.

[Saint Garrett]

Can't disagree with any of the above, whilst it's not the reason we lost, realised tonight how poor Forte is. He is powerful and pacy but he lacks footballing intelligence. He made one good run but only after Hammond pointed where he should go. Waste of space. Thought Stephens had a distinctly average game, Hammond's passing was off today too. Lambert and Barnard worked hard and, no surprise, Lallana was different class when he came on, but by that stage the game was gone. Both their goals were soft, Kelvin should've saved the second, but he made a great one on one save in the first half too.

 

Can't afford to play as poorly as we did in the first half again this season. They weren't a bad side at all but there's no way we should've let ourselves get beaten tonight and with their record against us, wouldn't like to have to meet them in the play offs.

 

He was the only one that really looked interested tonight.I was impressed with Forte, I thought he made a difference when he came on.

 

Davis had a shocker with the second goal, and thought he should have done better with the first (or just done something).

 

Harding was extremely poor, and also wasn't impressed with Stephens, although he did look promising, seemed to only want to pass backwards and seemed to spend too far leaving his man with an acre of space. Dickson, Richardson and Guly were main culprits of giving the ball away.

 

Didn't think we were woeful tonight, but certainly didn't look like the team which was 2nd in the league ! Also not convinced by the diamond formation, we seemed to lack width which put too much pressure on the fullbacks to get forward. But as soon as they did theis they either had the option of passing sideways into midfield, or hoofing it up to the forwards.

[Saint_Jonny]

Just back myself. Got stuck in traffic on the m62, took me three times as long to get home.

 

The game was a shambles. We never really looked a dynamic or potent threat going forward, whilst Rochdale looked great everytime they countered. Gary Jones is the ugliest looking footballer ive ever seen. Like a sort of giant down syndrome baby waddling about the pitch.

 

Davis - 5 - First goal he just stood there and did nothing. Ran out of his box twice like a headless chicken and almost got caught out. Kept it at 0-0 for slightly longer with a wonderful stop.

Harding - 6 - Solid whilst still on the pitch. Did get turned easily.

Fonte - 6 - Got beaten all hands up before davis made a wonderful save.

Jaidi - 7 - Solid. Think he went off cos' he was tired though? Looked knackered

Dickson - 6 - Not the attacking winger I heard about on Saturday. Ran into dead ends and sent in ****e crosses.

Richardson 7 - Didn't do too bad.

Stephens - 5 - Contributed very little. Put a number of passes a'stray.

Hammond - 6 - Ran hard but the rest of the midfield didn't look as bothered.

Guly - 5 - Just bad. Looks lethargic and uninterested. Game was crying out for someone with pace and skill to go past people. Dont let him take corner kicks BECAUSE HE DOESNT KNOW HOW!!!

Barnard - 6 - drew loads of fouls....errr no they werent given. Kicked all night. **** service.

Lambert - 5 - Poor. Lots of layoffs that didnt find the target

 

Forte - 7 - Flew past a couple players, had a good shot. Looked exciting. Should have started the game instead of Guly IMO.

Lallana - 6 - You could tell he wasnt going to ovber exert himself. Dont put him on the bench if hes not ready.

 

 

First time i've had the "pleasure" of seeing saints since the 6-0 away win at Oldham. Is this really the team sat in 2nd place? We looked clueless going forward. The sooner Lallana is 100% and can start games the better.

 

Anyone else see the guy in the red saints baseball cap shouting abuse at the saints players for the entire game? He got into and argument with someone eventually. Someone should have knocked the idiot out!

[SaintNeil90]

Definitely not as bad as the score suggests.

 

In the build up to the first goal, we should have had two free kicks, one for Barnard being rugby tackled to the floor and another for the scorer pushing Harding in the back to get the header. Then Davis just watched it go over his head and made no attempt to move for it.

 

The second goal was a counter attack and killed us off.

 

We were poor first half. Only really had two shots that tested the keeper from long range. Lambert and Barnard never really got any service.

 

Second half was better but by then Rochdale had every man behind the ball and we were never going to break them down. Lallana hit the post, we had a few headers saved or just over the bar. Speaking of Lallana, best player on the pitch despite being injured (you could tell as he was pulling out of tackles) but his footwork, turning, shots, crosses were different class to the rest.

 

Forte was brilliant. He may have lacked the final pass or cross today but he was getting stuck in, winning the ball and running with it. The first time I've actually seen him play and Adkins wasn't lying about the pace!

 

Diamond - didnt work today, we needed width.

 

Guly is crap. did not do one good thing today and every corner went across the ground to the first man.

 

Nothing to much to worry about and I still think we will finish 2nd

Edited 12 April, 2011 by SaintNeil90

[NickG]

Can't disagree with any of the above, whilst it's not the reason we lost, realised tonight how poor Forte is. He is powerful and pacy but he lacks footballing intelligence. He made one good run but only after Hammond pointed where he should go. Waste of space. Thought Stephens had a distinctly average game, Hammond's passing was off today too. Lambert and Barnard worked hard and, no surprise, Lallana was different class when he came on, but by that stage the game was gone. Both their goals were soft, Kelvin should've saved the second, but he made a great one on one save in the first half too.

 

Can't afford to play as poorly as we did in the first half again this season. They weren't a bad side at all but there's no way we should've let ourselves get beaten tonight and with their record against us, wouldn't like to have to meet them in the play offs.

 

He was the only one that really looked interested tonight.I was impressed with Forte, I thought he made a difference when he came on.

 

Davis had a shocker with the second goal, and thought he should have done better with the first (or just done something).

 

Harding was extremely poor, and also wasn't impressed with Stephens, although he did look promising, seemed to only want to pass backwards and seemed to spend too far leaving his man with an acre of space. Dickson, Richardson and Guly were main culprits of giving the ball away.

 

Didn't think we were woeful tonight, but certainly didn't look like the team which was 2nd in the league ! Also not convinced by the diamond formation, we seemed to lack width which put too much pressure on the fullbacks to get forward. But as soon as they did theis they either had the option of passing sideways into midfield, or hoofing it up to the forwards.

 

Just back myself. Got stuck in traffic on the m62, took me three times as long to get home.

 

The game was a shambles. We never really looked a dynamic or potent threat going forward, whilst Rochdale looked great everytime they countered. Gary Jones is the ugliest looking footballer ive ever seen. Like a sort of giant down syndrome baby waddling about the pitch.

 

Davis - 5 - First goal he just stood there and did nothing. Ran out of his box twice like a headless chicken and almost got caught out. Kept it at 0-0 for slightly longer with a wonderful stop.

Harding - 6 - Solid whilst still on the pitch. Did get turned easily.

Fonte - 6 - Got beaten all hands up before davis made a wonderful save.

Jaidi - 7 - Solid. Think he went off cos' he was tired though? Looked knackered

Dickson - 6 - Not the attacking winger I heard about on Saturday. Ran into dead ends and sent in ****e crosses.

Richardson 7 - Didn't do too bad.

Stephens - 5 - Contributed very little. Put a number of passes a'stray.

Hammond - 6 - Ran hard but the rest of the midfield didn't look as bothered.

Guly - 5 - Just bad. Looks lethargic and uninterested. Game was crying out for someone with pace and skill to go past people. Dont let him take corner kicks BECAUSE HE DOESNT KNOW HOW!!!

Barnard - 6 - drew loads of fouls....errr no they werent given. Kicked all night. **** service.

Lambert - 5 - Poor. Lots of layoffs that didnt find the target

 

Forte - 7 - Flew past a couple players, had a good shot. Looked exciting. Should have started the game instead of Guly IMO.Lallana - 6 - You could tell he wasnt going to ovber exert himself. Dont put him on the bench if hes not ready.

 

 

First time i've had the "pleasure" of seeing saints since the 6-0 away win at Oldham. Is this really the team sat in 2nd place? We looked clueless going forward. The sooner Lallana is 100% and can start games the better.

 

Anyone else see the guy in the red saints baseball cap shouting abuse at the saints players for the entire game? He got into and argument with someone eventually. Someone should have knocked the idiot out!

 

Definitely not as bad as the score suggests.

 

In the build up to the first goal, we should have had two free kicks, one for Barnard being rugby tackled to the floor and another for the scorer pushing Harding in the back to get the header. Then Davis just watched it go over his head and made no attempt to move for it.

 

The second goal was a counter attack and killed us off.

 

We were poor first half. Only really had two shots that tested the keeper from long range. Lambert and Barnard never really got any service.

 

Second half was better but by then Rochdale had every man behind the ball and we were never going to break them down. Lallana hit the post, we had a few headers saved or just over the bar. Speaking of Lallana, best player on the pitch despite being injured (you could tell as he was pulling out of tackles) but his footwork, turning, shots, crosses were different class to the rest.

 

Forte was brilliant. He may have lacked the final pass or cross today but he was getting stuck in, winning the ball and running with it. The first time I've actually seen him play and Adkins wasn't lying about the pace!Diamond - didnt work today, we needed width.

 

Guly is crap. did not do one good thing today and every corner went across the ground to the first man.

 

Nothing to much to worry about and I still think we will finish 2nd

 

opinions!

[Nexstar]

I am just back from the game and was displeased with the performances of a number of players.

 

However, I will dissect this in the morning, after a lengthy stay in bed.

 

Goodnight.

[dickyhale]

I am just back from the game and was displeased with the performances of a number of players.

 

However, I will dissect this in the morning, after a lengthy stay in bed.

 

Goodnight.

The same 515.2 mile journey round trip

[dickyhale]

Conceded 2 sloppy goals, Kelvin was a calamity tonight. Rochdale were good for the win in the 1st half, thought we deserved something in the 2nd. We seemed to lack any quality tonight, lost the ball too freely. Fans were excellent. Overall feeling of meh.

 

 

Yes sat in there seats most of the game after making the long journey

 

[Lighthouse]

Just back. Very brief summary then bed...

 

Appaling away day. Took 7 hours to get there, no time for pub, got beat, no goals, home at 0230. Terrible first half. No composure, no determination, no interest in playing football at all. First goal dreadful. Should have been a free kick for a foul on Barnard, but that doesn't excuse our defending. Looping header going high accross the face of goal. Davis just stood there like a lemon. I thought 'oh it must be going comfortably high or wide of the goal' as he made no attempt at all to get to it. Next thing I know it's in the feckin' net. Second goal, Harding out of possition and they get a free shot from 10 yards outside the box. I thought, 'that's no problem from out there' and then for the first time EVER in the history of his whole career, Kelvin is beaten by a fairly mediocre effort low at his near post. He did make one great save, but then made one kamakazi charge out in to no mans land and got nowhere near winning the ball.

 

Second half we improved for about 20 minutes, then seemed to lose all interest. Forte looked better when he came on. Probably our best player IMO. His runs were some of the better aspects of our play. Hammond and Stephens were passengers throughout and Guly is a f**king liability away from home. He doesn't track back, he doesn't work hard enough and he gives the ball away too often. We can't have that in the side away from home and expect to win against decent sides like Rochdale. Looks like he's trying to tackle himself half the time.

 

We had 2 'Get out of jail free' cards with those games in hand. We've used one, I feel we may use another at the Withdean. Squeaky bum time indeed.

[MongoNeil]

opinions!

 

It's funny as I thought Forte was sh!te and my mate sat next to me thought he was excellent. His problem is (Forte, not my mate) he has bags of energy and that's about it, can't cross, can't pass and definitely can't shoot. Really disappointing.

 

Another player I was disappointed with, Stephens. Didn't see anything to make me think he's any good.

[JustMike]

i am going to sum up the whole Rochdale experience in one word.....w&nk

[Turkish]

opinions!

 

and the echo gave him MOM. Strange how there can be polar opposites.

[ladysaint]

Nightmare of a trip took us about 5 hours to get there after diverting from the M6. I thought their goalie had a blinder, one of those nights where we had the majority of possessions and shots but couldnt hit the back of the net mainly down to their goalie. Really worried about our midfield though, down to the bare boines due to injuries etc., lets hope we can bounce back on Saturday as the three points are going to be desperately needed.

[sotonist]

Guly is crap

 

surprise surprise. crap most of the ttime before he had his little glut of goals, then we panic buy him and without the goals he's still the same mostly crap player.

[stanthemanfairoak]

GULY BACK ON THE BENCH, to hell with this diamond systerm, feel sad for all are fans that made that long trip last nite,got to now turn it on saturday , COYR!

[JRM]

Rubbish game we were poor and just do not look like a promotion team, shlt support most saints sitting in complete silence, only bonus in the trip was another of the 92 ticked off.

[West End Saint]

What a road trip took us over 6 hours to get there very disapointed with the 1st half but fair play to Dale they were very fit well organised didnt give us a second on the ball and passed & broke well.

 

2 poor goals to give away but we were not in the game 1st half Harding poor again Stephens had a shocker shame looks like he could be a player not Kelvin's finest hour but the hole team 1st half inept.

 

Much better 2nd half but couldnt turn chances & half chances into goals & Dale were a threat on the break how much do we rely on Lallana he nearly changed the game looked a class above we need him fit for the rest of our games but he looked sharp.

 

Very nice little ground Rochdale fans got behind there team at both ends good turn out by the Saints fans given that getting there was a nightmare just a shame we didnt have much to shout about.

 

Have to win on Saturday COYS

[gordonToo]

Not too much to add really. Two poor goals to give away and no real threat, despite expending a lot of energy, until Lallana came on. Whatever Davis was thinking for the first goal is beyond me and he was probably still trying to work it out himself when the second went in.

[kpturner]

Sh1t journey up (6 hours of side roads), four hours back, and a cr@p football match sandwiched inbetween. Good support though, except for the moment where the Rochdale fans were chanting "Four nil on aggregate" and all they got in response was "We've got more fans than you". Frankly, that was more cringeworthy and embarrassing than the first half performance.

[Gemmel]

As Adkins has quite rightly deserved the plaudits when he has got it right, last night he needs to take responsibility for the defeat. The shape didn't work at all and he refused to change it.

 

Rochdale, use their pitch and strengths very well, but smarter teams would have been up to it.

 

Forte, is as posted above; fast and strong.... that's it. Zero football intelligence and something that I noticed at Charlton and again last night ... he is unfit.

 

Stephens struggled.

 

KD beaten at his near post again, after pulling off a great one on one save...... It's ups and downs with him and I don't think that will ever change.

 

How the first goal was allowed after GBH on Barnard, I have no idea, perhaps what is more concerning is that there is no way the linesman did not see it. I have seen enough bad decisions in my time, but genuinely worried there was more to this one.

 

That said, I don't think we can complain about the result, What doesnt kill you makes you stronger and all that. Perfect chance to get back to winning ways on Saturday.

[benjii]

surprise surprise. crap most of the ttime before he had his little glut of goals, then we panic buy him and without the goals he's still the same mostly crap player.

 

TBF, his best performances have been as a striker but we don't play him there now.

[Ivan Katalinic's 'tache]

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10280~53022,00.html

 

OS has slaughtered Dale Stephens! "Dale Stale Stephens" - bit harsh when he's only just arrived...

[ladysaint]

As Adkins has quite rightly deserved the plaudits when he has got it right, last night he needs to take responsibility for the defeat. The shape didn't work at all and he refused to change it.

 

Rochdale, use their pitch and strengths very well, but smarter teams would have been up to it.

 

Forte, is as posted above; fast and strong.... that's it. Zero football intelligence and something that I noticed at Charlton and again last night ... he is unfit.

 

Stephens struggled.

 

KD beaten at his near post again, after pulling off a great one on one save...... It's ups and downs with him and I don't think that will ever change.

 

How the first goal was allowed after GBH on Barnard, I have no idea, perhaps what is more concerning is that there is no way the linesman did not see it. I have seen enough bad decisions in my time, but genuinely worried there was more to this one.

 

That said, I don't think we can complain about the result, What doesnt kill you makes you stronger and all that. Perfect chance to get back to winning ways on Saturday.

 

Wouldnt mind getting their goalie next season he was excellent last night. Stu, saw you after the first goal, really thought you were going to belt the linesman.

[FalkirkSaint]

Just back from the game. Wow, that was grim. I don't manage to get to many games so are we always this bad? Every game I have been to we have lost!! The ball was in the air more than it was on the park and we were diabolical until Adam came on and we started to play a bit.

 

Kelvin - 6 - OK. Should have done better with the 2nd but made a great save with his legs to keep the score at 0-0 in the first half.

Frazer - 4 - Terrible. He is a more attacking RB than Butterfield yet I thought last night he offered nothing going forward, especially first half. Defending was fairly decent.

Jaidi - 8 - Won every header again and dealt with their fast attackers running at pace very well. Had one blip when he and Fonte allowed O'Grady? (I think it was) through on goal.

Fonte - 7 - Much the same as Jaidi but didn't stand out as much.

Harding - 5 - Meh. He couldn't even get past his man and I'd rather Dickson in this position.

 

Guly - 3 - Oh dear god. The guy scores a fair amount of goals but he is very inconsistent and doesn't give much to the team. I heard myself growling and getting impatient at him on many an occasion. Very frustrating player.

Hammond - 7 - Passing was good, kept good control of the ball. One of my favourite Saints players. Will be important for us next year whatever league we find ourselves in.

Stephens - 4 - Not impressed, I'm afraid. He either lost possession or passed the ball backwards. Go back to Oldham, please.

Dickson - 6 - He looked eager but his skill didn't prevail. When he moved to LB, I was a bit more impressed with his performance.

 

Lambert - 6 - Nice free-kick which almost found its way into the bottom corner and won nearly every header. However, his lay-offs never found its target.

Barney - 6 - Fantastic work effort but there wasn't much of a partnership between the front two with Lee running nowhere near where Lambert was laying the ball off.

 

Forte - 7 - Impressed. What a pace this guy has! I thought he could have went on a bit further before shooting when through on goal but it was his pace and power alone that got him that opportunity. He even defended well at times too.

Seaborne - 3 - Very shaky last 15 minutes. I think he came on because Radhi was tired? Not sure. Could have gave away a goal with his dilly-dallying on the ball.

Lallana - 7 - Would have gave him higher had he been on for longer. Totally changed the game. What would we do without him?

[Rational Rich]

Maybe I was being harsh on Forte, or maybe I just expect too much (having been spoilt by top flight football for most of my life), I think he can make an impact, as he did v MK Dons, and he is quick and powerful, but I felt his awareness of the game was miles off, even compared to, say, Dickson on the same side. Players kept looking left or looking for a run from him and there wasn't one.

[dickyhale]

54? Must be a diesel.

 

Yes Diesel on the M6 toll if drive like MISS DAISY 65mpg

[Barry the Badger]

Stephens - 4 - Not impressed, I'm afraid. He either lost possession or passed the ball backwards. Go back to Oldham, please.

 

Go back to Oldham? On the basis of one game?

[ohwhenthesaints]

Has anbody else noticed how Davis always tries to save low shots at his nearpost with his hands? Most keepers tend to just stick a leg out but he seems to want to always make the impressive looking dive which takes slightly longer.

[FalkirkSaint]

Well would you want him to sign permanently if he was nothing special? He's not bad but we could use that money to buy a better player.

[Barry the Badger]

Well would you want him to sign permanently if he was nothing special? He's not bad but we could use that money to buy a better player.

 

But you've only seen him once in a game where he was returning from injury! I can understand why you aren't sure about him but to be writing him off already is ridiculous.

[grammy]

Give the lad a feckin chance FFS! 1 Game??

 

Well would you want him to sign permanently if he was nothing special? He's not bad but we could use that money to buy a better player.

[thesaint sfc]

I've just got back from the game. I took the long way home to think about things and got a bit lost. I did have time to come to the conclusion that we lost, and they won; which isn't really very good.

[Griffo]

Just arriving home myself. Absolutely dire 1st half performance and better in the second. Deserved all we got though. Our support was woeful tonight. Travel all that way, yet the majority just sit there.

[Thedelldays]

guly still rubbish then..?

[Gemmel]

guly still rubbish then..?

 

He's not rubbish, he's proved that. He does struggle to fit into the system though and can go missing.

[Thedelldays]

He's not rubbish, he's proved that. He does struggle to fit into the system though and can go missing.

 

so, basically rubbish with a purple patch of good form..?

[Gemmel]

Wouldnt mind getting their goalie next season he was excellent last night. Stu, saw you after the first goal, really thought you were going to belt the linesman.

 

Far to close to the pitch for my liking :)

 

But seriously though, 30 years of football and you get used to crap decisions, but the more I think about it and even with heat of the moment taken away, the more I would be intrested in finding out who he supports or a sneaky look at his betting slip..... Stevie Wonder would have given it.

 

Shameful decision and in a way I am glad it didn't all hinge on that.

[Big Ron fan]

I was impressed with Rochdale, but I thought we were worse than the pie I had before the game (and that's saying something)! Until the last 15 minutes when Lallana was on, we had no movement or creativity whatsoever. Jaidi was the best passer on the night - for those of you not there that's how bad the rest of the team were! No pace apart from Forte (who looked like he''d be better on the right). Long ball after long ball lumped forward, to no good purpose! No attempt, in the first half at least, to pass it through the midfield, which for most of the game was non-existent. Everything was ponderous - no attempt to move the ball quickly.

 

A fully fit Lallana for the last few games may be the difference between automatic promotion and the play-offs.

 

At least I had several pints of excellent Corncrake bitter in 'The Regal Moon' in the town centre, before and after the game!

[OldNick]

Has anbody else noticed how Davis always tries to save low shots at his nearpost with his hands? Most keepers tend to just stick a leg out but he seems to want to always make the impressive looking dive which takes slightly longer.

yeah also how he hangs from the bar and swings at the ball with his feet just like he has seen done on the table football game.

[RonManager]

It was one of those games when you just know it's not going to go for you.

 

I thought Guly had a good game. His inswinging corners were delivered with zip and curl and we really should have profited from them. His outswingers were not so good, keeping low and not making it into the mix. He ran a good few miles last night as well.

 

I have been listening to various opinions on Hammond on here so have taken to watching him more closely recently. His pass completion above 5-10 metres is very low and his first touch is wanting. His shooting is mostly wayward (Peterborough excepted). He was beaten by the bounce a number of times last night and gave the ball away for both goals. He does not cajole or encourage enough. Fonte is the real captain and should be given the armband imo.

 

I don't understand this system were we invite the opposition to overload us down the wings. We got away with it at Orient but not last night, both goals coming from wide areas, the first a cross and the second a shot. We rely on moments of individual class to score most of our goals and do not play as a team enough. However, we are 2nd and still have our destiny in our own hands.

 

I can thoroughly recommend the Broadfield Hotel for anyone who has the misfortune to have to visit Rochdale, a more desperate town I have yet to visit!

 

Keep the Faith.

[dronskisaint]

Mix of doom & gloom and sense on here...my perspective after driving down today with a few hours reflection.

 

Rochdale are 6th because they're hard working, quick and effective. They were well up for it against us and, on the night, had the run of the ball, a very, very capable keeper, the desire to throw themselves in to and after anything. We had a day when the quality of passing was strange at times...the number of times we, under no pressure, gave the ball away was a long way away from the standards we've set this season.

 

That being said on another night we'd have won...we had the near misses, the well-saved shots, the corners, the blocks they put in are in the stats...I don't think we'd have scored if we'd played until midnight...it was just one of those and it's gone now.

 

My ratings

 

KD - 5 - A great stop kept us in it but he was beaten again at his near post and had a really worrying dash out without calling Richardson then, almost petulantly, seemed to wander slowly back to his line whilst the ball was still dangerous.

 

Harding - 6 - Got shown up for pace by a very pacey winger...think it was tactical to get Dickson's speed to left back to keep up with him

Jaidi -7 - Solid...experience put him in the right place most times...he'd never have caught their forwards for sure!

Fonte - 8 - Just immense...put himself every where and was constantly geeing up everyone

Richardson - 6 - Mix of good and bad...a bit exposed by his winger who (I think) got motm but was better going forward and was often available well forward on the touchline

Deano - 7 - Wished he'd shot a couple of times when well placed but boy did he put in a shift...real Captain's performance.

Stephens - 5 - Disappointed, was looking forward to seeing him start and still think he'll be a good foil for Lallana...looked very lightweight and gave the ball away a bit but think he'll be one who does the simple linking well, seemed to have speed and a tackle...jury is out still.

Guly - 6 - What he did well he did superbly i.e. running at them scared them sh*tless but too often misplaced the easy passes. We know what he can do but the formation didn't suit him last night

Barny -7 - Worked his nuts off, was unlucky a few times but never stopped running and fighting. Got some rough treatment and their second goal came after he'd been slung to the ground - HTF was that not a foul?

Ricky - 7 - Worked hard, nearly in a few times and won a fair share of the ball in the air...looked classy.

 

Subs

Forte...looking forward to seeing more, 'kin quick and was a little unlucky to find their keeper in such good form

Seaborne - looked a little uncertain but gave a bit more pace at the back as Rhadi was looking f*kt!

Lallana - What can you say? Came on and looked a class above anyone else...nearly turned it round but, on the positive side, looked as if he wasn't carrying any injury.

 

Ref -4...sadly about the standard for this league...pretty shyte for both sides in fairness.

 

Couple of observations on my first ever visit there...their crowd were good and made good noise from both ends. I'd read that the pies were special so didn't visit the chippie across the road. Pie was good but the choice was meat & potato or ...another meat and potato. Not in the Wigan class I have to say. Parking 150 yards away on the road...really easy. Stewards were fine. I never want to go there again...get us out of this league!

 

In summary - We didn't play that badly but lost goals early to a couple of errors but even with those errors our performance would usually have been enough to get points. I can't fault the team for effort...they really wanted it but it didn't happen - one of those nights, playing ok - move on & up.

[spd]

Mix of doom & gloom and sense on here...my perspective after driving down today with a few hours reflection.

 

Rochdale are 6th because they're hard working, quick and effective. They were well up for it against us and, on the night, had the run of the ball, a very, very capable keeper, the desire to throw themselves in to and after anything. We had a day when the quality of passing was strange at times...the number of times we, under no pressure, gave the ball away was a long way away from the standards we've set this season.

 

That being said on another night we'd have won...we had the near misses, the well-saved shots, the corners, the blocks they put in are in the stats...I don't think we'd have scored if we'd played until midnight...it was just one of those and it's gone now.

 

My ratings

 

KD - 5 - A great stop kept us in it but he was beaten again at his near post and had a really worrying dash out without calling Richardson then, almost petulantly, seemed to wander slowly back to his line whilst the ball was still dangerous.

 

Harding - 6 - Got shown up for pace by a very pacey winger...think it was tactical to get Dickson's speed to left back to keep up with him

Jaidi -7 - Solid...experience put him in the right place most times...he'd never have caught their forwards for sure!

Fonte - 8 - Just immense...put himself every where and was constantly geeing up everyone

Richardson - 6 - Mix of good and bad...a bit exposed by his winger who (I think) got motm but was better going forward and was often available well forward on the touchline

Deano - 7 - Wished he'd shot a couple of times when well placed but boy did he put in a shift...real Captain's performance.

Stephens - 5 - Disappointed, was looking forward to seeing him start and still think he'll be a good foil for Lallana...looked very lightweight and gave the ball away a bit but think he'll be one who does the simple linking well, seemed to have speed and a tackle...jury is out still.

Guly - 6 - What he did well he did superbly i.e. running at them scared them sh*tless but too often misplaced the easy passes. We know what he can do but the formation didn't suit him last night

Barny -7 - Worked his nuts off, was unlucky a few times but never stopped running and fighting. Got some rough treatment and their second goal came after he'd been slung to the ground - HTF was that not a foul?

Ricky - 7 - Worked hard, nearly in a few times and won a fair share of the ball in the air...looked classy.

 

Subs

Forte...looking forward to seeing more, 'kin quick and was a little unlucky to find their keeper in such good form

Seaborne - looked a little uncertain but gave a bit more pace at the back as Rhadi was looking f*kt!

Lallana - What can you say? Came on and looked a class above anyone else...nearly turned it round but, on the positive side, looked as if he wasn't carrying any injury.

 

Ref -4...sadly about the standard for this league...pretty shyte for both sides in fairness.

 

Couple of observations on my first ever visit there...their crowd were good and made good noise from both ends. I'd read that the pies were special so didn't visit the chippie across the road. Pie was good but the choice was meat & potato or ...another meat and potato. Not in the Wigan class I have to say. Parking 150 yards away on the road...really easy. Stewards were fine. I never want to go there again...get us out of this league!

 

In summary - We didn't play that badly but lost goals early to a couple of errors but even with those errors our performance would usually have been enough to get points. I can't fault the team for effort...they really wanted it but it didn't happen - one of those nights, playing ok - move on & up.

 

Most balanced assessment of the night - still knackered after the trip home and still first defeat in nine.

[saintwiz]

Just got in.

Went up yesterday B&B.

Lager £1.86.

Poor game.

Guly woeful as usual away from SMS.

Friendly Rochdale fans.

Saints fan with red hat licking OB aris in pub before game, then being a total in the ground.

Talking to an Oldham fan on journey back who says we are paying £7k a week to Oldham for Stephens.

Booze up all day today.

Promotion party at Plymouth.

Bed time.

Nigh Nigh. x

[shurlock]

It was one of those games when you just know it's not going to go for you.

 

I thought Guly had a good game. His inswinging corners were delivered with zip and curl and we really should have profited from them. His outswingers were not so good, keeping low and not making it into the mix. He ran a good few miles last night as well.

 

I have been listening to various opinions on Hammond on here so have taken to watching him more closely recently. His pass completion above 5-10 metres is very low and his first touch is wanting. His shooting is mostly wayward (Peterborough excepted). He was beaten by the bounce a number of times last night and gave the ball away for both goals. He does not cajole or encourage enough. Fonte is the real captain and should be given the armband imo.

 

I don't understand this system were we invite the opposition to overload us down the wings. We got away with it at Orient but not last night, both goals coming from wide areas, the first a cross and the second a shot. We rely on moments of individual class to score most of our goals and do not play as a team enough. However, we are 2nd and still have our destiny in our own hands.

 

I can thoroughly recommend the Broadfield Hotel for anyone who has the misfortune to have to visit Rochdale, a more desperate town I have yet to visit!

 

Keep the Faith.

 

Agree Guly's corners on the far side (first half) and near side (second half) were excellent -really whipped in with pace. His free kicks were also very good. A refreshing break from the usual lofted in dollies.

[simonsaints1]

It seems our vocal support is poor whenever we venture north of birmingham-i was at Hudds and despite having around a 1,000 there we were poor.

 

Just an observation and i think down to the composition of fans . (ie London area-more of a pi££ up and more "lads" in there 20s to 40s)

[JustMike]

Agree Guly's corners on the far side (first half) and near side (second half) were excellent -really whipped in with pace. His free kicks were also very good. A refreshing break from the usual lofted in dollies.

 

yes, but unfortunatly we cant bring him on just for set plays. He was awful, and is clearly no good in midfield, even as the forward player in a diamond, too slow and looks uninterested for most parts.

[saintwiz]

yes, but unfortunatly we cant bring him on just for set plays. He was awful, and is clearly no good in midfield, even as the forward player in a diamond, too slow and looks uninterested for most parts.

 

Agreed