Norwich 0-3 Saints - Match Thread

[Andrew Watson]

Just watched 3 minute highlights [ Could not sit through 90 minutes after that rubbish on saturday ] and without Macarthy we would have been 2 or 3 nil down before we scored. We scored 3 excellent goals,but Norwich did make 8 or 9 changes from the weekend.

[SW11_Saint]

1 hour ago, Colinjb said:

I mean, you are right....

 

But why say that right now!?

True. I should learn to enjoy the moment, but… you know…

[BARCELONASAINT]

It was nice to win 3-0 but the scoreline flattered us, we could have lost the tie in the first half when we looked absolutely woeful. The second half was a much better display and the second goal killed them off. There were some positives out there. Roerslev looked very composed for his first game and officially ended with an assist. Wood and Quarsie grew into the game, i like Quarsie, real rough diamond.

The wee man i thought had another good game as did Charles. Flynn has me worried, he looks disinterested and makes some horrendous passes in dangerous situations.

Stewart and Archer looked decent, Archers finish was sublime and i hope it gives him huge confidence to kick on. Matsuki with a wonderful strike, wow its been a while since i saw a Saints player actually blast one in!

Downs did ok when he came on and as others have said should have had an assist if the ball had gone to a competent striker, unfortunately it went to BBD who is shockingly bad.

Important to win these sort of games early in the season when the manager is trying to implement his ideas and the players are still getting over being losers every time they step out onto the pitch. It's still far from pretty but small steps and all that!

[rooney]

Three goals in open play away from home and a clean sheet. Magic!

[Toadhall Saint]

Seen lots saying we could have lost it in the first half - So what changed from 1st to 2nd half? What changes tactically did WS make? I only watched bits and pieces of both halves so not easy to assess.

Edited Wednesday at 05:21 by Toadhall Saint

[Give it to Ron]

11 minutes ago, Toadhall Saint said:

Seen lots saying we could have lost it in the first half - So what changed from 1st to 2nd half? What changes tactically did WS make? I only watched bits and pieces of both halves so not easy to assess.

It’s exactly what Still said - we stopped going sideways putting players in trouble- especially Downes. 
Once we started putting it behind fullbacks and turning them round looked much better.

Archer looked a far better player alongside a target man gave us options.

[Harry_SFC]

11 minutes ago, Give it to Ron said:

It’s exactly what Still said - we stopped going sideways putting players in trouble- especially Downes. 
Once we started putting it behind fullbacks and turning them round looked much better.

Archer looked a far better player alongside a target man gave us options.

The first 20 minutes took me back to peak Russball. Putting needless pressure on ourselves and playing teammates into trouble, struggling to get out of our own third.

Now it's quite evident that is not how Still wants us to play. How long is the RM curse going to plague us.

Btw if someone offered us £15m for Downes now if take it and buy a proper CDM. 

[Chris cooper]

9 minutes ago, Harry_SFC said:

The first 20 minutes took me back to peak Russball. Putting needless pressure on ourselves and playing teammates into trouble, struggling to get out of our own third.

Now it's quite evident that is not how Still wants us to play. How long is the RM curse going to plague us.

Btw if someone offered us £15m for Downes now if take it and buy a proper CDM. 

Yep 2nd that .. he looks very poor last three games .. & will cost us eventually 

[AlexLaw76]

56 minutes ago, Toadhall Saint said:

Seen lots saying we could have lost it in the first half - So what changed from 1st to 2nd half? What changes tactically did WS make? I only watched bits and pieces of both halves so not easy to assess.

We got the ball forward more quickly.

Edited Wednesday at 06:17 by AlexLaw76

[AlexLaw76]

29 minutes ago, Harry_SFC said:

The first 20 minutes took me back to peak Russball. Putting needless pressure on ourselves and playing teammates into trouble, struggling to get out of our own third.

Now it's quite evident that is not how Still wants us to play. How long is the RM curse going to plague us.

Btw if someone offered us £15m for Downes now if take it and buy a proper CDM. 

Not surprised he is struggling, we are wide open in the middle of the park. 

[Harry_SFC]

2 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Not surprised he is struggling, we are wide open in the middle of the park. 

No excuse for passing it straight to one of their players every couple of minutes. I know they all do it but he's been particularly bad this season.

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, Harry_SFC said:

No excuse for passing it straight to one of their players every couple of minutes. I know they all do it but he's been particularly bad this season.

Much of the team were doing that for the first half (again)

the defenders were even injuring each other 

god awful system the Ginger Juric has us playing. I am sure his flexibility will be seen soon

[Harry_SFC]

2 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Much of the team were doing that for the first half (again)

the defenders were even injuring each other 

god awful system the Ginger Juric has us playing. I am sure his flexibility will be seen soon

I think the truth is Downes is a system player. He can pass the ball backwards and sideways no problem but as soon as you ask him to pass forwards he cannot do it effectively. 

[AlexLaw76]

2 minutes ago, Harry_SFC said:

I think the truth is Downes is a system player. He can pass the ball backwards and sideways no problem but as soon as you ask him to pass forwards he cannot do it effectively. 

Then that is another player unable to play to the managers system.

he is being asked to largely be the central midfielder, impossible for anyone who isn’t Rodri or such like 

[hypochondriac]

One thing I like about Still is his post match comments generally tend to be ones I completely agree with. 

[Harry_SFC]

3 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Then that is another player unable to play to the managers system.

he is being asked to largely be the central midfielder, impossible for anyone who isn’t Rodri or such like 

I mean Russ brought Downes to the club because he could play his tactics. He is no longer in charge because his tactics were crap. That has nothing to do with the current manager.

Shea Charles isn't having an issue. 

[AlexLaw76]

2 minutes ago, Harry_SFC said:

I mean Russ brought Downes to the club because he could play his tactics. He is no longer in charge because his tactics were crap. That has nothing to do with the current manager.

Shea Charles isn't having an issue. 

Charles is a different player. My point is, the manager is not going to get a new 11, he is supposed to be “flexible”, he has to, at some point, play to some of the strengths of players like downs

If Charles was asked to be the lone central midfielder much of the time, he would be questioned. 
 

[gio1saints]

First match under Still that I’ve seen an effective high press being used.

We pressed in numbers and in ways I’d not seen since Ralph and Poch times.

We need to be fit for it - but second half we were constantly swarming them in possession time and time again. Looked much faster stronger and fitter than Norwich reserves. The whole team seemed to revel in bullying Norwich out of possession. 
 

Another thing I noticed was the obvious reduction in the gap between our forwards and rest of the team. MUCH  closer to Stewart and Archer and consequently even if the balls to them we’re not won cleanly there was somebody close at hand to mop up or regain possession - or basically stop Norwich doing whatever they wanted. 
Hope that was a blueprint for rest of season. 

Edited Wednesday at 06:45 by gio1saints

[AlexLaw76]

1 minute ago, gio1saints said:

First match under Still that I’ve seen an effective high press being used.

We pressed in numbers and in ways I’d not seen since Ralph and Poch times.

We need to be fit for it - but second half we were constantly swarming them in possession time and time again. Looked much faster stronger and fitter than Norwich reserves. The whole team seemed to revel in bullying Norwich out of possession. 
 

Another thing I noticed was the obvious reduction in the gap between our forwards and rest of the team. MUCH  closer to Stewart and Archer and consequently even if the balls to them we’re not won corny there was somebody close at hand to mop up or regain possession - or basically stop them doing whatever they wanted. 
Hope that was a blueprint for rest of season. 

And that helps by the fact the players we had on the pitch were, by far, superior to theirs (our squad is much stronger)

We were still garbage for the first half

[obelisk]

1 hour ago, Give it to Ron said:

It’s exactly what Still said - we stopped going sideways putting players in trouble- especially Downes. 
Once we started putting it behind fullbacks and turning them round looked much better.

Archer looked a far better player alongside a target man gave us options.

Saints still in need of an exorcist to come in and drive out the last remnants of Russball evil spirits.

[sfc4prem]

19 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

And that helps by the fact the players we had on the pitch were, by far, superior to theirs (our squad is much stronger)

We were still garbage for the first half

I think 'garbage' is an exaggeration 

[Give it to Ron]

17 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

And that helps by the fact the players we had on the pitch were, by far, superior to theirs (our squad is much stronger)

We were still garbage for the first half

Especially when our midfield holder was gifting them the ball 10 yards from our area! That was cause us being open as players had moved to receive it  and played into trouble. Once we stopped that after 20-25 mins we were in control and second half decent. We weren’t as wide open as we didn’t give it away as much.

[gio1saints]

15 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

And that helps by the fact the players we had on the pitch were, by far, superior to theirs (our squad is much stronger)

We were still garbage for the first half

Yes fully agree we were not good first half and it was v Norwich reserves - so our squad > their squad.
 
Was not intending to over praise but certainly first time I’ve seen certain things ( the swarming press, less gap to forwards etc) under Will Still.
 

Its less than a week since playing at home to Stoke with same 3cb approach the tactic of launching sixty yard balls to Adam Armstrong up by himself against big centre backs or just blindly sending cross after cross into the box was Plan A,B and C. 

Last nights 2nd half performance showed evidence of quick learning and adaptation by Still- and its execution in a revised, better game plan. 
 

[Football Special]

Nice to get a 3-0 away win,been a while since we had a result like that. 

McCarthy kept us in the game, or certainly felt like that at times, Norwich certainly had a lot of chances. 

Good finishing by Archer, definitely needs someone to create space for him, no point playing him or Armstrong as loan striker 

3rd round draw tonight where we enter the fix stage of this competition, 8 European teams in Champions league or Europa league kept apart, pretty much ensuring all the big names get through which no doubt pleases the sponsors and tv companies assured of viewing figures and advertising revenue, farcical competition 

Hopefully we get Lincoln, Wycombe or Port Vale 

[Sheaf Saint]

Just watched the highlights. Couple of really nice goals there. But the biggest takeaway for me is how refreshing it is to have a keeper who can actually save things.

[Tamesaint]

Has Batman ever liked one of our managers? 5 games in and Still hasn't won every game by 3 clear goals so Still is the "ginger Juric". Its quite pathetic. 

 

 

 

[AlexLaw76]

3 minutes ago, Tamesaint said:

Has Batman ever liked one of our managers? 5 games in and Still hasn't won every game by 3 clear goals so Still is the "ginger Juric". Its quite pathetic. 

 

 

 

Yea, Ralph was excellent until about 6 months toward the end of that last full season 

Don’t be annoyed when I call it right early, as I did with Jones and Martin

Still, not sure so far as he is much of the same, ala a Ginger Juric 

 

Edited Wednesday at 07:44 by AlexLaw76

[suewhistle]

In the end it was worth wandering down the pub for a few pints but I wasn't sure about the decision after 25 minutes and some pretty poor passing, but Archer's finish was good and having Stewart there showing the physicality we've been missing was reassuring. 

The increased confidence in the second half was noticeable, a general sharpness and cutting out the silly mistakes. A hesitant Quarshie relaxed into the game, Matsuki brought movement as well as that gorgeous goal, and it was all wrapped up without the need for Robinson or Fernandes or er.. Bazunu etc..

It was good that the win came against rivals in the same division along with the minutes on the clock for some players, who all seemed fitter than last season. A solid game from McCarthy too, who will have given WS something to think about.

[Convict Colony]

13 hours ago, Convict Colony said:

Not going to watch, would rather dream of Instagram ho's or Armenian No.10s.

Win, lose or draw I do not care.

not to reflect on still but it's my apathy as  as someone suffering from Stockholm syndrome.

A feeling I have a lot is that if we win it's not down to good play, a pleasing style , it's more that the other team is shitter than us.

any off to dream of jubblies.

Your welcome, it seems despite downes trying to give away the ball in dangerous positions in the 1st half we turned it around and looked ok 2nd, even saw manning play a ball behind a defender.

I will henceforth stop watching us live until we lose.

[Give it to Ron]

15 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Yea, Ralph was excellent until about 6 months toward the end of that last full season 

Don’t be annoyed when I call it right early, as I did with Jones and Martin

Still, not sure so far as he is much of the same, ala a Ginger Juric 

 

Did you miss the second half ? You think we played same as under Juric or are you just trying to fit your narrative?

It was light years away from Juric football - yes it was a poor team but you can only play what’s in front of you.

Try giving him a chance rather than trying to be hey look I’m right again he’s crap, was the second half better was that down to Stills change or instructions?

[SWLondon Saint]

Just watching the post match with Still and Archer, they both mentioned 'back to basics' quite a few times and Archer said he's trying to get his confidence back not only from the goal but just doing the basics and being instinctive. Think that says a lot about what must have been going on last season, and also why Still said they need to remember how good they are.

[Saint86]

Thought last night showed some real promise myself.

The first half was shaky/ frustrating - in so much as we just kept giving the ball away needlessly, or moves (that would have resulted in dangerous breakthroughs or quick transitions) were going astray due to sloppy passing or a lack of tactical familiarity.

Also felt there was some promise in having downs / Stewart up top alongside archer - I can see that causing a lot of problems this year.

However, we really grew as the game went on, our play clicked more and more, and by the end of it we were levels above norwich imo.

Also, quality wise you could see we are better than Norwich - who I don't think really threatened us that much - even if we did give them some freebies in the first half.

Good as well that the players who came in showed they wanted to fight for their spots in the team.

Anyway, certainly better and showing signs of progress - but spors badly needs to back Still with the players he wants this week.

And fair play to all the fans that went up - great support as always!

Thought Taylor and roerslev impressed. Macca was steady on goal, good shot stopping but awful when the ball is at his feet and required to control or pass it under pressure (can't we just merge him with baz and get the best of both?).

Charles a beast in CM, Fraser did well, archer impressed, and pleased for madski (matsuki) - what a goal that was!

Edited Wednesday at 08:17 by Saint86

[Tamesaint]

1 hour ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Yea, Ralph was excellent until about 6 months toward the end of that last full season 

Don’t be annoyed when I call it right early, as I did with Jones and Martin

Still, not sure so far as he is much of the same, ala a Ginger Juric 

 

What a load of bollocks. 

All managers ultimately fail. Calling it this early when his record reads 3 wins from 5  (treble the number of wins that Juric achieved in half a season) is rather premature. 

Do you have any Pompey affinity by chance ?? 

[Midfield_General]

2 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Much of the team were doing that for the first half (again)

the defenders were even injuring each other 

god awful system the Ginger Juric has us playing. I am sure his flexibility will be seen soon

You’re very keen to make this ‘ginger Juric’ a thing aren’t you, even though it doesn’t make any sense and he is nothing like Juric whatsoever. Maybe if you repeat it often enough it will catch on anyway?  

[AlexLaw76]

6 minutes ago, Tamesaint said:

What a load of bollocks. 

All managers ultimately fail. Calling it this early when his record reads 3 wins from 5  (treble the number of wins that Juric achieved in half a season) is rather premature. 

Do you have any Pompey affinity by chance ?? 

Where have I called it early with Still?

I bet you wish we stuck by Nathan Jones 

[Tamesaint]

7 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Where have I called it early with Still?

I bet you wish we stuck by Nathan Jones

 

I never realised that you meant  "ginger Juric" as a compliment. I think most people consider it derogatory. 

What on earth has Nathan Jones got to do with Still??

[Convict Colony]

yeah makes way more sense to call him beaker off the muppets 

Edited Wednesday at 09:21 by Convict Colony

[Totton Saint]

I thought the camera work was poor - loosing track of the ball a few times.

Also only few shots of saints fans.

[Midfield_General]

15 minutes ago, Convict Colony said:

yeah makes way more sense to call him beaker off the muppets 

No, that is Ralph Kruger and always will be. Needs Dr Bunsen/ Les Reed next to him for the full effect 

Edited Wednesday at 09:37 by Midfield_General

[AlexLaw76]

20 minutes ago, Tamesaint said:

 

I never realised that you meant  "ginger Juric" as a compliment. I think most people consider it derogatory. 

What on earth has Nathan Jones got to do with Still??

 

[saintant]

4 hours ago, Toadhall Saint said:

Seen lots saying we could have lost it in the first half - So what changed from 1st to 2nd half? What changes tactically did WS make? I only watched bits and pieces of both halves so not easy to assess.

As Will Still said post match the first 30 odd minutes we were tip tapping around sideways and backwards instead of getting it forward. Once we ditched the Russball tip tap and went more vertical we started to dominate the game.. The two wingbacks both did well particularly Mads who was superb. Stewart and Archer have the makings of a good pairing the longer they are on the pitch together. Wee Man has been excellent and I heard him interviewed by Adam Blackmore when he said this is the first proper pre-season he's had for a couple of years. Quarshie got better and better last night and handled being on a yellow card from the first half very well.

[karlb79]

Matsuki's goal brought back memories of his compatriot Tadanari Lee's left footed thunderbolt against Derby a few years back.

[East Kent Saint]

Stewart and Archer on the scoresheet in the same match , how many times might that happen ?

[OldNick]

2 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said:

 

That is awful, please delete this , I appreciate you lots of work in but come on!!!!

[Chez]

5 hours ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Not surprised he is struggling, we are wide open in the middle of the park. 

I didn't watch last night, but our failure to provide adequate cover to the back four has been an issue for several seasons now. Is it all down to Downes or should have partner(s) take some blame? Charles is the bees knees, but is he at fault too?

[Stowmarket Saint]

A decent run out in the end! 3-0 away from home, should hopefully put us on track to go to Watford and get a positive result. You'd rather be in our shoes today than in Norwich's.

As others have said the first half lacked any real tempo. Playing the ball down the wing with no real cutting edge, getting to a certain point, spinning round and passing it back to the CM/CB. All very tedious stuff! 

The goal helped on the stroke of half time, and to be fair to W.S whatever he said at half time worked. Much higher tempo, players closing down in groups, the gap between the midfield and the front line a lot closer, sharper passing from back to the front. The second goal even came from an "old school" ball down the channel and over the top of the defender, in behind! It was almost refreshing to see! Defenses don't set up for those kind of things anymore. They just seem to expect the same old tippy tappy sh*te in the final third.

Dare I say that in previous seasons that Matsuki (or an other player in his position) collects that ball in the middle, and instead of driving on and scoring a rocket from 30 yards, spins and passes it back or sideways to continue the slow boring build up.

I'm not jumping up and down saying we are transformed and that we will go on and piss the league after one result against a weakened Norwich side, but I do think there were plenty of positives to take going forward. At least it looks like Will Still is willing to switch things up and correct things in the course of a half time rather than half a season!

Onwards and upwards.

[Chez]

2 hours ago, saintant said:

 The two wingbacks both did well particularly Mads who was superb. 

Roerslev seems to have impressed most, which is great news. I didn't watch the game, so have only seen the highlights. The couple of early chances from their left hand side made him look slightly laboured, which concerned me. Schlupp is pretty quick, I think, or does Roerslev lack a yard of pace?

[Midfield_General]

37 minutes ago, East Kent Saint said:

Stewart and Archer on the scoresheet in the same match , how many times might that happen ?

It didn't happen last night either mate, it was Archer, Fraser and Matsuki. 

Edited Wednesday at 12:29 by Midfield_General

[Give it to Ron]

10 minutes ago, Chez said:

Roerslev seems to have impressed most, which is great news. I didn't watch the game, so have only seen the highlights. The couple of early chances from their left hand side made him look slightly laboured, which concerned me. Schlupp is pretty quick, I think, or does Roerslev lack a yard of pace?

Schlupp is very quick and apart from that Mads played very well not lightening quick but fine

[SWLondon Saint]

18 minutes ago, Chez said:

Roerslev seems to have impressed most, which is great news. I didn't watch the game, so have only seen the highlights. The couple of early chances from their left hand side made him look slightly laboured, which concerned me. Schlupp is pretty quick, I think, or does Roerslev lack a yard of pace?

I think I know the highlights you mean - yes, Schlupp probably is quicker than Roerslev but the main problem was the chances came from us giving the ball away at the back, so Roerslev was a bit the wrong side. In the second half when the giveaways stopped, Schlupp got absolutely nowhere, so I think he's solid defensively.