Saints 1-1 Boro - Match Thread

[Wsaint]

14 minutes ago, trousers said:

14 shots... 2 on target, 6 off target... What are the other 6 shots classed as if not on target or off target?!

 

Blocked shots

[disconnect]

Second time I've seen someone mention a mysterious Jansen! 

Quarshie and Wood both good, Stewart a bit anonymous. 

[Baird of the land]

3 minutes ago, Football Special said:

Wilder will get Sheff Utd going now, a draw most likely Tuesday I think , Still will not want to look at the table tonight

Sheffield utd is a huge game now after still’s failure today.

[trousers]

 

 

[Lee On Solent Saint]

Just now, disconnect said:

Second time I've seen someone mention a mysterious Jansen! 

Quarshie and Wood both good, Stewart a bit anonymous. 

Stewart looks like a gust of wind is going to knock him over. Needed a Che Adams type of player this summer. Instead we ended up buying a forward who is even worse than Mara was.

[trousers]

3 minutes ago, Wsaint said:

Blocked shots

I've never understood why those shots don't "count"... So, if a defender clears a shot off the line that doesn't count at a shot on target? Bonkers if so (not that one places too much importance on these stats)

[Cuddles]

Middlesbrough have only conceded 5 goals this season, so there's a positive there for us at least.

[um pahars]

Terrible substitutions and therefore jury’s still out for me regards Still.

Brought on two lightweights when leading and surrendered the midfield. Their subs brought energy and ultimately salvaged the draw for them.

Lander was very good, Stewart horseshht.

[bugenhagen]

26 minutes ago, LGTL said:

It’s probably Still’s worst attribute. His in game management is severely lacking and has a habit of just throwing a load of players on and hoping for the best. 

I agree, but with our bench it should almost be enough chucking people on, once they gain some confidence…

[hypochondriac]

29 minutes ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

Interesting that the commentators were saying we need the strikers to be better - actually we need our midfielders to have more composure in the box and score - Azaz was poor today and as I predicted Scienza did come in and looked better immediately. We effectively lost the win by not pressing as high later in the 2nd half…as usual we thought 1-0 would do the business.

Overall you could argue 1-1 against the league leaders was a good result, but that still leaves us 19th I believe…that league position is nothing really to celebrate - check out the teams above us. A win on Tuesday now is looking almost essential. I think Still needs to leave this team in place - so much more attacking intent, grit and fight. Importantly, more chance of this line-up improving.

No he wasn't.

[rooney]

4 minutes ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

Stewart looks like a gust of wind is going to knock him over. Needed a Che Adams type of player this summer. Instead we ended up buying a forward who is even worse than Mara was.

Rather have. Rickie Lambert type.

[die Mannyschaft]

We need a striker to help along Armstrong. Why on earth haven't we got one in???

Take a point but we are bottom 6 team and need someone to dribble and shoot.

STOP PASSING SIDEWAYS Russell has left otherwise get him back.

[miserableoldgit]

1 minute ago, rooney said:

Rather have. Rickie Lambert type.

Oh.....if only....😌

[Toussaint]

Wow, 1 point per game, we should comfortably stay up. 

[Saint NL]

9 minutes ago, trousers said:

I've never understood why those shots don't "count"... So, if a defender clears a shot off the line that doesn't count at a shot on target? Bonkers if so (not that one places too much importance on these stats)

A shot on target is blocked by the last defender or keeper.

A blocked shot can be from any defender that isn't the last man.

 

[Charlie Wayman]

Wasn't exactly riveting was it. Just not good enough to take three points. It looks like a long, long season ahead. Still too much aimless passing around the middle and back.

7 from 7 and 19th looks like R form Will

 

[jamesfp1]

Quarshie and Wood were excellent today 

[Challenger]

55 minutes ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

Stewart looks like a gust of wind is going to knock him over. Needed a Che Adams type of player this summer. Instead we ended up buying a forward who is even worse than Mara was.

A long standing problem addressed poorly YET again.

Edited 2 hours ago by Challenger

[trousers]

19 minutes ago, rooney said:

Rather have. Rickie Lambert type.

Genuine question to those who know... Is Bamford long term injured? Can be the only explanation as to why he hasn't found himself another club yet, surely? Unless his wage demands are stupidly high. CHDAJFU?

[Sheaf Saint]

3 minutes ago, jamesfp1 said:

Quarshie and Wood were excellent today 

Agreed. Proper no nonsense Championship defending from both of them. They work well in a 3 with Edwards as well.

[Saint Fan CaM]

20 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

No he wasn't.

What did he do to warrant an endorsement? He certainly didn’t score and can’t remember a decisive through ball other than to one of his old teammates. For an ACM he was poor in my eyes, but that’s not to say he can’t improve and as I said, he should start on Tuesday. Still needs to build on today’s overall better result.

[stfrancisofbenali]

I’m sure others may have mentioned this but for me the game changed on one self-inflicted substitution. Boro were bricking themselves every time Fellows was on the ball so (unless injured) why replace him? Why did Adam Blackmore not ask Still about this as we lost the win in that moment? 

[Turkish]

4 hours ago, Saint NL said:

You need to clean your glasses

We would have won if Downs had played 

[Wade Garrett]

Thought the 3 cb’s were good today.  Manning is a terrible defensive full-back and Boro played down his side all second half.  He doesn’t ever get close to the wide player crossing.

Stewart was like the invisible man.  Why did we take Fellows off?  He was tearing Targett a new arsehole.  That was a poor substitution.

Fair play to Armstrong, great goal.

[Sheaf Saint]

Just now, Saint Fan CaM said:

What did he do to warrant an endorsement? He certainly didn’t score and can’t remember a decisive through ball other than to one of his old teammates. For an ACM he was poor in my eyes, but that’s not to say he can’t improve and as I said, he should start on Tuesday. Still needs to build on today’s overall better result.

He played a lovely through ball to Fellows in the first half that was perfectly weighted for him to get to it first and leave the defender only able to foul him. 

[Wsaint]

I thought Stewart was alright to be fair, held the ball up at times and allowed us to get up the pitch. Couple times his harrying caused them to knock it long straight to our midfielders. Obviously no goal involvements which is what we all want from him, but I don't think he was as bad or invisible as some are making out.

[Baird of the land]

29 minutes ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

Stewart looks like a gust of wind is going to knock him over. Needed a Che Adams type of player this summer. Instead we ended up buying a forward who is even worse than Mara was.

Sell the least bad striker and sign the worst possible you can find. Saints striker scouting 101.

[stfrancisofbenali]

3 minutes ago, Baird of the land said:

Sell the least bad striker and sign the worst possible you can find. Saints striker scouting 101.

Stewart looked like peak Rickie Lambert today in comparison with Downs in midweek. 

[Jack]

Went 1-0 up and absolutely shit ourselves, just waited for their equaliser. Manning is ok if we’re on top as a LWB but will never be good enough defensively. Too often we wanted to go backwards, sideways, anything but forward. 
 

Liked that WS dropped the CB combo from recently, but has a lot more work to do. Need 6 points from Sheff U and Derby away, which won’t happen, there’s going to be some serious pressure on his position going forward 

[Wsaint]

31 minutes ago, trousers said:

I've never understood why those shots don't "count"... So, if a defender clears a shot off the line that doesn't count at a shot on target? Bonkers if so (not that one places too much importance on these stats)

Agreed with shot off the line (and not sure what category those fall in to actually), I guess with shots in to a crowded box that get blocked you don't know if that's testing the keeper or drifting wide/over, so easier just to have a separate category.

 

It's probably just a way for betting companies to get out of SoT bets 😂

[Turkish]

48 minutes ago, trousers said:

I've never understood why those shots don't "count"... So, if a defender clears a shot off the line that doesn't count at a shot on target? Bonkers if so (not that one places too much importance on these stats)

Would have a negative impact on our XG and XA so it is included in some stats

[Saint NL]

BBD scored a belter today, anyone surprised? Nope 

[HarvSFC]

First of all, fair play to Still for making the decisions to drop those out of form. Two years ago Bazunu played no matter his form and only dropped out to injury, Smallbone played no matter his form, leaving superior players in Charles and Alcaraz with little opportunity, Stephens earned the nickname shoehorn as he was shoehorned in every game despite Bednarek and THB building up a partnership during his injury and Manning was playing every week despite Meghoma looking decent in the cups and Manning generally performing badly. It got tedious seeing the line-up every week and probably allowed for complacency to creep in with those in safe positions in the 11. This should hopefully see those who have dropped out now raising their performance level, only the wrong characters that you don't want throw their dummies out after being dropped. Look at Armstrong, he has played his way back into the side in the last three games and looks like he has a restored lease of life. Only change I'd have made to the 11 is Edwards out for Jelert, as Edwards didn't give us a lot going forward.

Onto the match, Fellows has now found his feet here. Every time he had the ball he caused problems. Rinsed Targett every time and surprised it took 90 minutes for him to get booked for a foul on Jander. Fellows was my man of the match today, put in numerous dangerous balls and set up the Armstrong goal. We lacked forward quality when he came off.

Wood and Quarshie good, athletic defenders. We didn't get bullied aerially, or for pace today.

Jander class.

Armstrong's back. Our most potent attacker again. 

Downside, I thought we were a bit slow with the ball for a lot of the match. We need to up the tempo and play faster and more direct. A lot of our attacks are being built up by passing it around the centre-backs slowly and then the opposition have a packed half, leaving little time or space, which means we aren't really testing the opposition goalkeeper still.

We've shaken up a lot of the squad with changes, but we've cycled through all of our striker options, and still nobody's really making the position theirs yet. Stewart still disappointing, doesn't want to fight for the ball and just looks a bit gangly and lightweight.

Did note that when we had a corner Middlesbrough left a man up the pitch, meaning we had to leave two back and there was one counter where they looked dangerous. When Middlesbrough had a corner, we had everyone back and Middlesbrough could pack the box with their players also. Something I know a lot have been calling to change for years now.

Still a disappointing result and wins are a must now.

[Dr. Kucho]

43 minutes ago, die Mannyschaft said:

We need a striker to help along Armstrong. Why on earth haven't we got one in???

Sports republic have struggled from day one in buying good strikers.

[St.JonB]

So bored of all this now. I’ve spent over a £1000 to see two wins in the last 16 months. If I moan I get told at least it’s better than the Hull game or Boro are the best team in the league so we shouldn’t expect to beat them. Can’t wait for the 2 points from the next 2 games against teams that are somehow below us…

[SaintNewForest]

30 minutes ago, Dr. Kucho said:

Sports republic have struggled from day one in buying good strikers.

You didn't really need to mention strikers to be honest, and you'd still be right..They've failed in everything since day one.

[Willo of Whiteley]

That was a much better game today.

Fair play to Will Still for showing things up. We still look a little lethargic going forward at times, crying out for a striker with a bit of muscle up top. Stewart put himself about but my good he looks weak, clumsy with the ball at feet too.

Azaz was definitely more frustrated, he was targeted clearly but had a decent game. Thought he put the ball about well and got into some good positions, should’ve buried out first big chance.

In terms of good performances, I wouldn’t say there was anyone that was shocking but that there were a few that were a bit anonymous, both full backs and Stewart.

Adam Armstrong once again proving why he is the best forward we have, excellent goal.

Much better performance overall, just a little frustrating because that game was definitely two points dropped.

[die Mannyschaft]

43 minutes ago, Jack said:

Went 1-0 up and absolutely shit ourselves, just waited for their equaliser. Manning is ok if we’re on top as a LWB but will never be good enough defensively. Too often we wanted to go backwards, sideways, anything but forward. 
 

Liked that WS dropped the CB combo from recently, but has a lot more work to do. Need 6 points from Sheff U and Derby away, which won’t happen, there’s going to be some serious pressure on his position going forward 

Too often we wanted to go backwards, sideways, anything but forward. just what is the aim of slowing down game and passing around. Football has got very boring. When teams equalise we xant get any momentum to get another goal as stuck in robotic sleep mode. Its like 2001 space oddesey,  cant you run forward through the lines ?sorry fans I cant do that..

[lambtiss]

That was something to build upon. 

Defence looked better without Baz, THB and Captain Shoehorn. 

Armstrong looking good again and Stewart is an improvement on Downs and can only improve with game time. Although, he must be the only Scot alive who needs to put some weight on.

We need to improve further, especially sharpness around the penalty area.

[die Mannyschaft]

2 hours ago, Cuddles said:

Middlesbrough have only conceded 5 goals this season, so there's a positive there for us at least.

Boro didn't look a top table club to me, if we had players who can shoot on site rather than stop decide then pass Saints could easily havd won 3-1

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

40 minutes ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

That was a much better game today.

Fair play to Will Still for showing things up. We still look a little lethargic going forward at times, crying out for a striker with a bit of muscle up top. Stewart put himself about

Agree with this and agree with Lambtiss. Saints are moving forward. We were unlucky to concede and the defence looked solid. Good team selection. Little disappointed with the substitution but overall, we're on the march again.

[die Mannyschaft]

1 hour ago, Toussaint said:

Wow, 1 point per game, we should comfortably stay up. 

Saints to be fair look a very confident draw team. Stifling the game with large chunks of passing. Its a game of chess , slow methodical nothing too exciting. Give it time and another 3 points will arrive in November. 

[beatlesaint]

2 hours ago, jamesfp1 said:

Quarshie and Wood were excellent today 

They’ve done enough to keep Stephens and THB out the starting lineup hopefully 

[BarberSaint]

Didn't like his bringing on Fraser; thought it was too negative and should have left Fellows on who was doing alright. Could have brought Robinson on earlier too.

Overall thought we should have nicked it.

Really need a central striker. Let's hope Stewart can improve upon his Bambi on Ice impersonation.

 

[Harry_SFC]

The last two games have given me a bit more hope about Still and the team going forwards.

He must be very annoyed that he's got two crap keepers to pick from.

[Lee On Solent Saint]

1 minute ago, Harry_SFC said:

The last two games have given me a bit more hope about Still and the team going forwards.

He must be very annoyed that he's got two crap keepers to pick from.

And no real forwards to speak of

[Harry_SFC]

Just now, BarberSaint said:

Didn't like his bringing on Fraser; thought it was too negative and should have left Fellows on who was doing alright. Could have brought Robinson on earlier too.

Overall thought we should have nicked it.

Really need a central striker. Let's hope Stewart can improve upon his Bambi on Ice impersonation.

 

I still think Archer is our best bet for the CF position. 

Downs is useless, Stewart just doesn't have it anymore for me. I generally think he's finished as a player. Armstrong is miles better off the right. 

[Lee On Solent Saint]

2 minutes ago, Harry_SFC said:

I still think Archer is our best bet for the CF position. 

Downs is useless, Stewart just doesn't have it anymore for me. I generally think he's finished as a player. Armstrong is miles better off the right. 

Would tend to agree with that. Stewart is trying, but physically I don't think he is at the required level. He looks like any tackle is going to snap him in half. Once again, we've tried to be too clever with our recruitment

[LoyalSaintSO50]

Christ, just seen their equaliser for first time since the game. How the fuck do we continually let in shit like that. Was there that much of a deflection for McCarthy to suddenly forget he had arms.
I’m going Baz next week to palm one to the centre forward then McCarthy the week after, rinse and repeat.

[trousers]

Just now, LoyalSaintSO50 said:

Was there that much of a deflection

Yes