Sheff Utd 1-2 Saints - Match Thread

[Chez]

16 minutes ago, Suhari said:

I don't quite get what he was trying to do.

 

fresh legs, a little more defensive minded players - seems an obvious move to me when you have a lead away from home.

[Baird of the land]

Just now, Chez said:

fresh legs, a little more defensive minded players - seems an obvious move to me when you have a lead away from home.

Maybe if you are playing Man City away. Letting them attack for 20 minutes didn;t seem very obvious to me.

[Teamsaint1]

17 minutes ago, benjii said:

I'd put Armstrong behind Stewart and have two proper wide men.

I know that formations have to be fancy these days,but the thought had occurred to me that while we are struggling, just going old fashioned 442 with those two up front might not be the worst idea. 
Would be a struggle to fit Azaz in, but with our squad  some players will be disappointed each week.

[rallyboy]

Putting aside the obvious issues about that performance, three points away from home and a centre forward who actually scores - this new outcome works for me.

[macca155]

I'm sure Still will keep the same team for Saturday. Maybe Stephens for Quarshie. Depends on the big man's fitness. He may have had a few flaky moments but also quite a few covering tackles. He is so fast, defenders don't get past him.

I liked Downes and Jander v Liverpool. Might be worth linking those two up again.

With such a big squad, Still is going to have to rotate a bit. I just hope it isn't for the sake of it.

[die Mannyschaft]

A win away at last. Take that as two good goals.

On the down side we are still too slow, on break stop at half way line or opposition box the side and back. Lack of creative play 1st half, bit better 2nd. 

[davefizzy14]

We got the job done, a win and to build on going into Saturday. Hopefully we can get even closer to the automatic promotion spots. Onto the game, so pleased for Stewart - two goals (the second one was sublime) 😊 just hoping he stays fit. Wood was outstanding tonight. Jander, Charles, Fellows and McCarthy all very good too 😊 Plenty for Will to be pleased about- COYR 😊

Edited 2 hours ago by davefizzy14

[Sheaf Saint]

6 minutes ago, macca155 said:

I'm sure Still will keep the same team for Saturday. Maybe Stephens for Quarshie. Depends on the big man's fitness. He may have had a few flaky moments but also quite a few covering tackles. He is so fast, defenders don't get past him.

I liked Downes and Jander v Liverpool. Might be worth linking those two up again.

With such a big squad, Still is going to have to rotate a bit. I just hope it isn't for the sake of it.

Quarshie made some errors tonight it's true. Watching back the highlights confirmed what I thought when I saw it for their goal - he tried to put his foot in to poke the ball away but realised he had to pull out of it otherwise he'd have conceded a pen. What he should have done is just keep up and stay tight and then they don't score. But he'll learn.

But that aside, what really struck me was his pace and power. He's got an immense burst of pace which allows him to snuff out danger in a way that Stephens and THB just can't. And despite his errors he also had some really good moments tonight as well.

Edited 2 hours ago by Sheaf Saint

[CylonKing]

Think people are being harsh on Quarshie. For me, he's better than THB and Stephens and thought their goal was hit so well in the only place it could go for a goal, giving their player some credit. Came from losing the ball further up the pitch, and Quarshie forcing the player wide, which is what you'd expect. But, I've not seen it back. Shout out to Wee man who came on, looked great up front on the right and then dropped to LB and was tenacious in everything he did. Superb performance! Wood MoM for me by a mile. Just good to be heading home with 3 points (& 4 pints tucked away). Obviously pleased for Ross as well, first looked scrappy (who cares) but the second in real time looked class! Stills decision to take off Fellows and Azaz at HT were questioned in the stadium, but...it worked! Maybe, just maybe...

Up the Saints

[suewhistle]

Just back from the pub, still in my kit from earlier training. A quick skim from the thread and I've decided there is a business opportunity in cut throat razors for some of the more negative posters on this thread. I missed a lot of the first half and the half time stats looked in our favour but, as the penalty showed, we aren't that good at putting the ball in the net.

We should have done better, but FM, some of you do like to wallow in negativity. I'm pleased for Stewart as scoring for a striker is their raison d'etre and helps future performances. Not always though, as Armstrong's abject penalty showed..

 

[CB Fry]

Missed the whole game as at a gig (The Beta Band, excellent) but just watched the two min highlights.

Ross Stewart looked at right handful and what a goal. Fantastic, follow it up on Saturday with a win and we are right back in the mix.

Well done manager and team

[Patrick Bateman]

2 minutes ago, suewhistle said:

Just back from the pub, still in my kit from earlier training. A quick skim from the thread and I've decided there is a business opportunity in cut throat razors for some of the more negative posters on this thread. I missed a lot of the first half and the half time stats looked in our favour but, as the penalty showed, we aren't that good at putting the ball in the net.

We should have done better, but FM, some of you do like to wallow in negativity. I'm pleased for Stewart as scoring for a striker is their raison d'etre and helps future performances. Not always though, as Armstrong's abject penalty showed..

 

Unusually for Armstrong, I think he tried to place it rather than hit it hard. Don't think I've seen him do that before. 

[Andrew Watson]

That was a tough watch for the last 20 minutes,however a win is all that matters in the end. I think we were a bit lucky with the disallowed goal,there was contact on Macarthy but it was very minimal. Pleased for Stewart [ hopefully he can start to score on a regular basis now ] and really like Jander and for all his messing around Macarthy made a brilliant save from O Hare at 0 - 1, a save Bazunu would  have very unlikely made.

Need to win at Derby and kick on,we went 25 games unbeaten 2 years ago from this point.

[SW11_Saint]

10 minutes ago, CylonKing said:

Think people are being harsh on Quarshie. For me, he's better than THB and Stephens and thought their goal was hit so well in the only place it could go for a goal, giving their player some credit. Came from losing the ball further up the pitch, and Quarshie forcing the player wide, which is what you'd expect. But, I've not seen it back. Shout out to Wee man who came on, looked great up front on the right and then dropped to LB and was tenacious in everything he did. Superb performance! Wood MoM for me by a mile. Just good to be heading home with 3 points (& 4 pints tucked away). Obviously pleased for Ross as well, first looked scrappy (who cares) but the second in real time looked class! Stills decision to take off Fellows and Azaz at HT were questioned in the stadium, but...it worked! Maybe, just maybe...

Up the Saints

The ‘hit’ wasn’t the issue though, it was the way he ‘ushered’ the striker toward goal without the slightest of challenges. Maybe he was worried about a pen on contact, but still, a good defender has to be able to position their body without fouling the attacker. I thought it was diabolical (and if Stephens had done it this place would be lit up!). I can forgive the odd stray pass - there was a couple - but he was also at fault for their ‘equaliser’ too, losing the striker. Thankfully we got away with that one. 

Against all of that, he’s young and still learning, and he’s clearly got potential, I just don’t see him as an automatic starter atm. 

[CylonKing]

7 minutes ago, Patrick Bateman said:

Unusually for Armstrong, I think he tried to place it rather than hit it hard. Don't think I've seen him do that before. 

Just F'in smash it! You're not MLT, more Lambert material. Hit it on target with power, make the keeper do something as it flies at their head.

[Sheaf Saint]

2 minutes ago, CylonKing said:

Just F'in smash it! You're not MLT, more Lambert material. Hit it on target with power, make the keeper do something as it flies at their head.

The keeper had already gone the wrong way. I've no idea why he didn't just side foot it instead of trying to hit the top corner.

I like Arma, but he really needs to be smarter at times. There was a moment in the 2nd half where a ball came out high towards him and a Sheff defender, who jumped and won the header. Arma didn't really challenge for the ball, or even try to just put his opponent off by being physical, and then moments later he got booked for needlessly tripping the same player from behind. Brainless really. He just makes poor decisions constantly. 

[saintant]

26 minutes ago, CylonKing said:

Think people are being harsh on Quarshie. For me, he's better than THB and Stephens and thought their goal was hit so well in the only place it could go for a goal, giving their player some credit. Came from losing the ball further up the pitch, and Quarshie forcing the player wide, which is what you'd expect. But, I've not seen it back. Shout out to Wee man who came on, looked great up front on the right and then dropped to LB and was tenacious in everything he did. Superb performance! Wood MoM for me by a mile. Just good to be heading home with 3 points (& 4 pints tucked away). Obviously pleased for Ross as well, first looked scrappy (who cares) but the second in real time looked class! Stills decision to take off Fellows and Azaz at HT were questioned in the stadium, but...it worked! Maybe, just maybe...

Up the Saints

No, it was a tidy finish in the chaos of a crowded penalty area. Stewart took it with coolness and placed it firmly and accurately where others may have panicked and fluffed the chance.

[trousers]

39 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

Quarshie made some errors tonight it's true. Watching back the highlights confirmed what I thought when I saw it for their goal - he tried to put his foot in to poke the ball away but realised he had to pull out of it otherwise he'd have conceded a pen. What he should have done is just keep up and stay tight and then they don't score. But he'll learn.

But that aside, what really struck me was his pace and power. He's got an immense burst of pace which allows him to snuff out danger in a way that Stephens and THB just can't. And despite his errors he also had some really good moments tonight as well.

Yep, that's my view too. I didn't think he was as bad tonight as a lot are making out. Yes, he had a couple of clangers but he also snuffed out a number of their chances with his speed and physical presence. As you say, he has  attributes that Stephens and THB don't and, given all three of them are prone to the odd mistake here and there, I'd stick with Quarshie given his other qualities. 

Edited 1 hour ago by trousers

[trousers]

27 minutes ago, CB Fry said:

Missed the whole game as at a gig (The Beta Band, excellent) but just watched the two min highlights.

Ross Stewart looked at right handful and what a goal. Fantastic, follow it up on Saturday with a win and we are right back in the mix.

Well done manager and team

It was the leprechauns that won it

[Lee On Solent Saint]

12 minutes ago, SW11_Saint said:

The ‘hit’ wasn’t the issue though, it was the way he ‘ushered’ the striker toward goal without the slightest of challenges. Maybe he was worried about a pen on contact, but still, a good defender has to be able to position their body without fouling the attacker. I thought it was diabolical (and if Stephens had done it this place would be lit up!). I can forgive the odd stray pass - there was a couple - but he was also at fault for their ‘equaliser’ too, losing the striker. Thankfully we got away with that one. 

Against all of that, he’s young and still learning, and he’s clearly got potential, I just don’t see him as an automatic starter atm. 

He absolutely scares the shit out of me, couple of times tonight he underhit simple passes and doesn't look comfortable with the ball. Wood also has a tendency to switch of too, I think ultimately THB will replace one of them soon.

[saintant]

5 minutes ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

He absolutely scares the shit out of me, couple of times tonight he underhit simple passes and doesn't look comfortable with the ball. Wood also has a tendency to switch of too, I think ultimately THB will replace one of them soon.

Yeah, he's looked rock solid and hardly put a foot wrong - no mistakes in good old dependable THB.

[Lee On Solent Saint]

1 minute ago, saintant said:

Yeah, he's looked rock solid and hardly put a foot wrong - no mistakes in good old dependable THB.

He'll get another chance, one I expect him to take. 

[saintant]

Just now, Lee On Solent Saint said:

He'll get another chance, one I expect him to take. 

If he takes it then fair enough but he's been well short of his expected levels so far and was rightly dropped. On his day he is a good centre back but he seems to have lost his way. Roy needs to have a firm word or two with him about career prospects because he's gone backwards lately.

[Andrew Watson]

All our centre backs [ all our defenders actually ] have a mistake in them every game,the one thing Quarshie has in his favour is his pace,something the other 3 lack and I like the fact he looks totally pissed off every time we concede a goal, I do not see that trait in Stephens or Harewood Bellis. At least show you care when we concede a goal for gods sake.

[bugenhagen]

18 minutes ago, trousers said:

It was the leprechauns that won it

Fraser and Arma? 😉

[Zorba]

3 hours ago, Zorba said:

Currently 2 points off bottom place and Oxford have a game in hand.

We are so shit! 🤣

3 points off the play-offs and above the Fish Ticklers.

Southampton are back! 👊🏻

[leeham_69]

1 hour ago, Sheaf Saint said:

Quarshie made some errors tonight it's true. Watching back the highlights confirmed what I thought when I saw it for their goal - he tried to put his foot in to poke the ball away but realised he had to pull out of it otherwise he'd have conceded a pen. What he should have done is just keep up and stay tight and then they don't score. But he'll learn.

But that aside, what really struck me was his pace and power. He's got an immense burst of pace which allows him to snuff out danger in a way that Stephens and THB just can't. And despite his errors he also had some really good moments tonight as well.

Agree, for his faults it's clear he brings something different to the team, and not much is said about all the chances he sniffs out early through his pace. Also remember he is a year younger than Ronnie Edwards!!

[leeham_69]

5 minutes ago, bugenhagen said:

Fraser and Arma? 😉

Fraser does bring a certain calmness and simplicity to the team's play when he comes on. Maybe he is a lucky charm.

[hypochondriac]

12 minutes ago, leeham_69 said:

Fraser does bring a certain calmness and simplicity to the team's play when he comes on. Maybe he is a lucky charm.

In what world were any of sfc's play calm after he came on?