QPR 1-2 Saints - Match Thread

[Football Special]

6 hours ago, John Boy Saint said:

Sorry folks - I’m in no position to pass comment on our attacking prowess in the first half!

😳😜

You didn't miss anything first half! 

[Football Special]

8 hours ago, Thripp87 said:

Thought we were poor tonight and very lucky.

A lot of the issues in the last twenty minutes were caused by Downs just joging around and offering nothing to give the defence a break.

Scienza is class, Still would have had him off at 1-0 so Tonda is an upgrade on that incompetent fool.

Agreed,  also looked like Aribo tracking back two or three times just gave up chasing the QPR player on the ball, I know there's been all sorts behind the scenes with his failed move but what appears to be a complete lack of fitness is quite shocking for a pro. 

[coalman]

It's not often a football match is that one sided with the winning side having so little of the play. All our problems were on full display for the same reasons they've been there for the last few years. If anything that was an even more disjointed performance than under Still.

[Harry_SFC]

1 minute ago, coalman said:

It's not often a football match is that one sided with the winning side having so little of the play. All our problems were on full display for the same reasons they've been there for the last few years. If anything that was an even more disjointed performance than under Still.

The biggest difference last night was that we were clinical for a change. In fact I'd say with the ball it was probably one of the worst performances of the season but we did defend well when it mattered. 

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

7 hours ago, James G said:

I thought it was very messy, but the players put alot of effort in, which I think got them over the line

It has to be two at the back, and Azaz and Fellows need to play in their best positions. What's the point of buying them otherwise.

Put the players in the best positions, face forward and move the ball forward faster and the rest should slot into place

Really liked their effort and Fellows had a better game when he was going forward. Once again, we sat back and invited pressure and there was no release. It's trendy (and not just Saints) for everyone to be in the penalty area defending corners, but surely you can leave a player up near half way and another between the penalty area and half way. Then there is a release and target for counter attack.

Boy, that was a very long twenty minutes at the end. Excellent view behind the goal, really on top of it all, but the concourse is chaotic.

[coalman]

1 minute ago, Harry_SFC said:

The biggest difference last night was that we were clinical for a change. In fact I'd say with the ball it was probably one of the worst performances of the season but we did defend well when it mattered. 

Sooner or later you're going to have shots going in. There are games earlier this season where we didn't score what we deserved. Today we scored what we didn't deserve. It's telling we didn't really create anything clear cut.

The reason we had to defend so much was we invited the pressure. Because we carry no threat. We have no out ball. Our midfielders aren't set up to turn into space as they're in our penalty area. Our attackers can't hold up the ball. Our defenders lump it forward or play a succession of soul sapping short passes before lumping it forward. There's no transition between defence and attack. And then our press is so aimless as to be non existent so whenever the other team gets the ball they're going to get to the edge of our area largely unbothered.

If we continually set our team up to make it a game of attack vs defence we're not going anywhere fast.

[ChristopheVAFC]

My friends, congratulations on your victory yesterday at Rangers!

It was a victory that came at just the right time and will hopefully give you some reassurance.

Your two goals were beautiful and also very important.

Have a great day, my friends.

[Hussar Saint]

If McCarthy played last night we’d have got the clean sheet. Bazunu is a terrible keeper. 

[goodymatt]

Nice to see Azaz finally getting his first goal contribution. Thought he put that on a plate for Scienza.

[coalman]

Quote

Interim Southampton boss Tonda Eckert told BBC Radio Solent:

"The boys have put an excellent shift in and managed to get through the second half. There were some hard spells there but it was a deserved win in the end.

"My job is to prepare the boys to win football games, that's it. The resilience was good tonight, that's everything, especially if you come out of a tough period.

"It speaks for the character of the boys. I hope the fans see that we have left everything on the pitch. That's what gets you three points in the end."

Sport Republic appear to be exceptional in identifying and recruiting people capable of spouting football platitudes in the face of reality.

[Charlie Wayman]

We'll all take a win however it has been achieved, this was a very lucky win by the second best team on the park last night. QPR must be feeling a bit cheated today. There were bright sparks of course with superb open play goals from Robinson and Scienza but that glossed over what was really a shambolic, aimless and poor performance from Saints.

Lots of energy dissipated on headless chicken running up front and last ditch tackling at the back got us the result but as a plan and system of play was just woeful to watch. Given this week's upheaval probably all we could expect but we remain a very long way off being a strong confident team capable of being a force in this league.

With Stephens and Manning in the starting line-up and Downs on as a first sub, it seems that the temporary manager is afflicted by the same dead brain cells as his recently departed comrade.

When will they ever learn?

Edited 5 hours ago by Charlie Wayman

[Charlie Wayman]

7 minutes ago, Hussar Saint said:

If McCarthy played last night we’d have got the clean sheet. Bazunu is a terrible keeper. 

Butterflies!

[Scummer]

6 minutes ago, Hussar Saint said:

If McCarthy played last night we’d have got the clean sheet. Bazunu is a terrible keeper. 

If McCarthy was playing he wouldn't have come for that ball at all, and their player would have had a one on one from about 8 yards.

[Costa del Solent]

11 minutes ago, Scummer said:

If McCarthy was playing he wouldn't have come for that ball at all, and their player would have had a one on one from about 8 yards.

But… the player literally scored. Like, literally scored a goal. So surely, even if you’re correct in your assertion that McCarthy wouldn’t have come out for the ball, it’s better to be one on one from eight yards than to literally concede a goal? 
 

im aware this may be a false dichotomy but it’s one for which McCarthy’s ineptitude is still more desirable than Bazunu’s ??

[benjii]

9 hours ago, Give it to Ron said:

On the coach back Christ that last 20 was hard but the 3 centre halves won so many headers. The togetherness at the final whistle was so good to see at least a bit of fight in team. Subs made us weaker but we know that a fit Romeu in centre guiding and cajoling we will be better.

Get Leo and Fellows 20 yards up pitch we will be better go 4/4 f king 2 and put

 pressure on them rather than us we will be fine until January when we get big striker to link it

Even now, a 442 with Armstrong and Archer up top could be handy, I reckon.

[benjii]

21 minutes ago, coalman said:

Sport Republic appear to be exceptional in identifying and recruiting people capable of spouting football platitudes in the face of reality.

In fairness, those are spot on comments. He isn't saying we played really well or deserved a comfortable win. He's saying we dug in and got the result, which we did. 

As much as I don’t want to see us camped in our own box against QPR, we did win a lot of headers, make a lot of blocks and work really hard.

[Sheaf Saint]

16 minutes ago, Scummer said:

If McCarthy was playing he wouldn't have come for that ball at all, and their player would have had a one on one from about 8 yards.

If I had to choose between McCarthy staying in the 6 yard box and trusting himself to save a one on one from a tight angle and Baz making a total pigs ear of it and gifting a free shot on an open goal, well it's not even a choice is it.

[LGTL]

8 hours ago, wild-saint said:

Oh do shut up. They won’t when confidence was at an all time low. The fans there tonight felt it was worth celebrating. 

 

8 hours ago, warsash saint said:

Fuck me fella - if you cant enjoy a Saints win after the shit that we have endured for months, then i suggest you find something else to make you smile!!

 

1 hour ago, Toadhall Saint said:

3 points hard won away from home? Not worth celebrating?? Have a word with yourself. It wasn’t the greatest of wins but we needed it.

The over the top reaction from the bench was stupid. We’ve just held on for a 1-2 away win against an appalling QPR, and played terribly. 

The fans can celebrate however they like, because I’m not talking about the fucking fans. 

Edited 5 hours ago by LGTL

[Willo of Whiteley]

6 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

If I had to choose between McCarthy staying in the 6 yard box and trusting himself to save a one on one from a tight angle and Baz making a total pigs ear of it and gifting a free shot on an open goal, well it's not even a choice is it.

Nope, if it’s a choice of those two, we just accept that we go for the third option, concede and go again from the halfway line. 😂

[SW11_Saint]

37 minutes ago, Hussar Saint said:

If McCarthy played last night we’d have got the clean sheet. Bazunu is a terrible keeper. 

You sure about that? 

[Willo of Whiteley]

1 minute ago, LGTL said:

 

 

The over the top reaction from the bench was stupid. We’ve just held on for a 1-2 away win against an appalling QPR, and played terribly. 

The fans can celebrate however they like, because I’m not talking about the fucking fans. 

The scenes on the bench and the players was a little cringy.

More was Tonda’s fist pumping to the crowd.

Such a fluky, lucky win. A better team would’ve cut through us like a knife through butter.

[Midlandsaint]

13 minutes ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

The scenes on the bench and the players was a little cringy.

More was Tonda’s fist pumping to the crowd.

Such a fluky, lucky win. A better team would’ve cut through us like a knife through butter.

Bet you’re all fun at parties, fans want to see spirit and togetherness on the pitch but not once the game has finished? Enjoy the win and let the players and staff enjoy it too, they’re the only ones who can provide wins for us 👍 

[leesaint88]

Will take it, even though for me it wasn't deserved. Talking to a QPR supporting work colleague this morning, he feels like they were gash too and didn't wake up until they were 2-0 down. 

[Barton Saint]

I actually felt sorry for DD (Dozy Damion) that Finn didn’t put the ball on a plate for him to make it 3-1 and then we all could have relaxed a bit more in the last 10 minutes 

[Paul_B]

40 minutes ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

The scenes on the bench and the players was a little cringy.

More was Tonda’s fist pumping to the crowd.

Such a fluky, lucky win. A better team would’ve cut through us like a knife through butter.

Couldn't agree more. Even Tonda looked uncomfortable doing it, almost like he knew we'd only just beaten a shite QPR and not won the fucking FA cup. 

Terrible game of football all round, some real Tyro league quality on display (that's probably being harsh on the Tyro league), from both teams but particularly us. Luckily we had Leo and his moment of magic! Just hoping he is not badly injured otherwise we are truly fucked! 

Obviously good to get the 3 points but fuck me we didn't deserve it. Fair play to the travelling fans!

[John Boy Saint]

It’s a funny old game 

As you can see from the top of this page (and my post on the previous page) that was my view of the game, perfect spot for our goals though, I nearly jumped up at Leo’s strike and blew my cover!
It was funny reading some of this thread when I got home, I’d hate to work for some of the in match posters. What are we expecting instant Brazil in their pomp! Since winning the “Having a Season back in the Premier League” at the Wembley raffle we have been enduring a slow motion car crash. Last night we had battle weary Saints up against a team that started to season giving their fans hope that had fizzled out and coming off a shellacking at home on Saturday. That first half was all huff and puff with an underlaying fear of cocking up to give the other side the keys to the door - the fireworks outside the ground were more entertaining. First half and being close to the pitch I did get a good view of our defence, and despite his knockers Captain Jack did seem a steadying presence with much of the play across back deferring to him to send the ball up the pitch, which is probably why Fellows seemed to be having a quiet game. Boy the R’s fans don’t like Manning!

Second half started timidly, until the ball up to Jay Rob that got the QPR defender in a bit of pickle, but sheer presence of mind and persistence resulted in a one two for him to be in on goal - I saw on here “he got lucky with a big deflection” I was sat right behind that strike, without that deflection it would have hit the back of the net even more impressively. Leo’s goal moments later from side on was sort of “who is he passing that to?!” to seeing the keeper suddenly in trouble - Wow! 
What I could see of their goal when the ball appeared from behind the post in front of me was “bloody hell Gavin why you tamely flapping at that - that’s shit” - then seeing the replay on the screen, ok, it was an inert clip towards the box and the Rangers player going “I fancy my chances to get on to this” and caught everyone by surprise, including those home fans sat around me. 
Rangers tails were up, and we were “oh no not again!” And fair play we properly dug in for it not to, god knows what Bazuno was doing giving away that timeout corner - referee could not have been any clearer with his generous countdown! Very nice once again at the final whistle to have a quiet smile, and see my R’s supporting Boss grumbling whilst chewing a wasp 😁. 
Being so close to the pitch I was surprised at how small Scienza is - but he is like a Jack Russell chasing the postman, then looking at Jay Rob he is very slight too, he wears his shorts like they didn’t have anymore smaller sizes after Leo raided the kit box, as result he wasn’t getting much change out of Rangers players as experience and greater bulk brushed him aside more often than not. You could see the experience of Scienza and his guile versus the game naivety of Robinson, if Jay can learn from Leo he will be very good. 

Quite funny listening to Rangers fans walking out, it sounded like us lot “Need an effin win, just come to Loftus Road and we’ll gift you one” 😁

Persian pre match meal was very nice too. 

[stfrancisofbenali]

1 hour ago, OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint said:

Really liked their effort and Fellows had a better game when he was going forward. Once again, we sat back and invited pressure and there was no release. It's trendy (and not just Saints) for everyone to be in the penalty area defending corners, but surely you can leave a player up near half way and another between the penalty area and half way. Then there is a release and target for counter attack.

Boy, that was a very long twenty minutes at the end. Excellent view behind the goal, really on top of it all, but the concourse is chaotic.

Unless that player is D Downs.

[Dman]

A win is a win and the 3 points are all that matter. Much like playing well and not winning also means naff all. Sometimes you need something like that to kick start the season, but well need to improve and pretty quickly.

can't really judge the u-21 fella either positively or negatively as he probably had a day on the training ground with them, but seemed to play round pegs in round holes (fellows aside). 

One thing I would point out is how mentally fucked we are. The last 15 minutes was absolutely pathetic. 

[stfrancisofbenali]

When you're at such a low ebb, you need little staging posts to turn things around and last night is a very small step forwards. It's not going to happen instantaneously so a scrappy away win with two good goals and a backs against the wall attitude is a move in the right direction. 

[OldNick]

The last 25 minutes I thought Simon Rusk had been parachuted in

[OldNick]

11 hours ago, Thereisonlyonemickychannon said:

Well, we looked like a pub team who had avfew jars prior to kick off in the last 20mins. An embarrassment and why is Downs the pony haired uselessvtwat calling himself a footballer. As soon as he come on I knew it would mean one man down, not Downs adds a man. Utter shite, with shite mentality and commitment. 

I feel you are being unfair. It was the first performance from Downs that showed a little promise. He won headers up top and in our box. He is not yet a top player but Armstrong was inneffective for most of the game apart from the one pass to Jay.

[Channons Windmill]

I was there last night but in with he home fans so not reacting to the second goal particularly was a struggle; it did offer me an excellent view of the game though. If I may offer my objective view… I thought there were actually plenty of positives to take from this. The team is clearly affected by a collective loss of confidence so a scrappy victory has to be taken as purely a good thing. Plenty of players put in decent performances which is very much something to build on and there is the bones of a good team in there. 

There is a still a legacy of Russball to our play which I hope will dissipate over the coming months but is something we revert to when not sure what to do next, we are obviously lacking real leaders on the pitch. Concerned about the middle of the team - I’m actually not sure how many times Downes touched the ball but he’s clearly a problem. Either he can’t get into the game, or he’s unpopular within the set-up and not included - whatever, it was an incredible performance of an invisible man. Charles/Romeu would surely have more presence there.

There were moments when we started to break the shackles so maybe this is a glimpse of the way forward.

The subs - Azaz is so clearly lacking in confidence - he had that great break down the wing then played the ball into the box far too early, it nearly paid off as it even surprised the defenders. I’ve seen him play for Middlesbrough this season as he doesn’t look the same player. Downs. I actually feel sorry for the guy as I can’t work out why he’s there - he doesn’t appear to be quick, hard-working or strong (the way he went down under a shoulder barge in an advanced position was very poor) - for all he did last night, I’ve seen better players this season in League 2. Maybe, again, it’s a confidence thing.

Finally - the last phase was odd but again we invited it upon ourselves so assume a low block was our strategy? The natives around thought it worked well for us and couldn’t see their team getting past us - an interesting view.

I took away more positives than negatives from this - it’s obvious where the weaknesses in the team are but it’s less than two months to January. 

Edited 3 hours ago by Channons Windmill

[rallyboy]

Sounded terrible but the result is everything right now.

Another shit performance and three points at the weekend would suffice while we await a new manager, new direction and a shake-up.

[trousers]

1 hour ago, John Boy Saint said:

despite his knockers Captain Jack did seem a steadying presence

Yeah, I noticed he'd put on a few pounds too

[saintant]

1 hour ago, Dman said:

A win is a win and the 3 points are all that matter. Much like playing well and not winning also means naff all. Sometimes you need something like that to kick start the season, but well need to improve and pretty quickly.

can't really judge the u-21 fella either positively or negatively as he probably had a day on the training ground with them, but seemed to play round pegs in round holes (fellows aside). 

One thing I would point out is how mentally fucked we are. The last 15 minutes was absolutely pathetic. 

We'll not kick-start the season or improve pretty quickly until someone realises it's way past time to ditch this horrendous 3 centre back system.

[saintant]

2 hours ago, Dman said:

A win is a win and the 3 points are all that matter. Much like playing well and not winning also means naff all. Sometimes you need something like that to kick start the season, but well need to improve and pretty quickly.

can't really judge the u-21 fella either positively or negatively as he probably had a day on the training ground with them, but seemed to play round pegs in round holes (fellows aside). 

One thing I would point out is how mentally fucked we are. The last 15 minutes was absolutely pathetic. 

Agree and it is embarrassing that professional footballers play in such a stupid way by doing the exact opposite of what they should have been doing. While we kept 11 men behind the ball and continually hoofed the ball to nobody in an effort to preserve our lead we should have had two players on either side of the pitch occupying the space between our penalty area and the half way line. This would have allowed us to clear balls towards them and have a chance of relieving the pressure plus QPR would have had to put players on them rather than knowing they could throw everyone forward without risk. As game management it was about as wrong as you can get but then we are a very poor team.

Edited 57 minutes ago by saintant

[saintstowin]

I think the positives are we had to stop the rot and somehow did.

Great goals. Scienza has something that's for sure. Even with the deflection I liked Robinson's move to the right to get the shot away and he's always looking to drive, even if he therefore messes up it is giving defenders something to think about. 

I'm not sure what else was good. I really hope we don't dwell on this 'success'. So much to work on. 

You can't hoof the football that often to nobody and expect to win many games. We've got to work out a way to have control of games. I'd suggest another midfielder if that's not too shocking.

Defence last night. Lots of last ditch stuff which serves a purpose. But see above about the need to avoid that happening. 

And even when under pressure there are better ways at coping than just waiting in numbers for the cross. So many missed chances to stop the cross in the first place. We reverted to that style way too easily end early.

I didn't like Stephens moaning (like Manning does) about a decision while the ball is in play. That's selfish.

We won and have to take that into the next match. 

I liked the co-comm. Actually had thought about us and where we are now rather than being surprised at how rubbish we are at the moment.

[John Boy Saint]

1 hour ago, Channons Windmill said:

I was there last night but in with he home fans so not reacting to the second goal particularly was a struggle; it did offer me an excellent view of the game though. If I may offer my objective view… I thought there were actually plenty of positives to take from this. The team is clearly affected by a collective loss of confidence so a scrappy victory has to be taken as purely a good thing. Plenty of players put in decent performances which is very much something to build on and there is the bones of a good team in there. 

There is a still a legacy of Russball to our play which I hope will dissipate over the coming months but is something we revert to when not sure what to do next, we are obviously lacking real leaders on the pitch. Concerned about the middle of the team - I’m actually not sure how many times Downes touched the ball but he’s clearly a problem. Either he can’t get into the game, or he’s unpopular within the set-up and not included - whatever, it was an incredible performance of an invisible man. Charles/Romeu would surely have more presence there.

There were moments when we started to break the shackles so maybe this is a glimpse of the way forward.

The subs - Azaz is so clearly lacking in confidence - he had that great break down the wing then played the ball into the box far too early, it nearly paid off as it even surprised the defenders. I’ve seen him play for Middlesbrough this season as he doesn’t look the same player. Downs. I actually feel sorry for the guy as I can’t work out why he’s there - he doesn’t appear to be quick, hard-working or strong (the way he went down under a shoulder barge in an advanced position was very poor) - for all he did last night, I’ve seen better players this season in League 2. Maybe, again, it’s a confidence thing.

Finally - the last phase was odd but again we invited it upon ourselves so assume a low block was our strategy? The natives around thought it worked well for us and couldn’t see their team getting past us - an interesting view.

I took away more positives than negatives from this - it’s obvious where the weaknesses in the team are but it’s less than two months to January. 

Good to see that I saw the same game with a similar view of proceedings. 

[James G]

The bets are going on Gary O Neil. Eckert has shortened as well. I wonder if it's between these two

[Forester]

20 minutes ago, James G said:

The bets are going on Gary O Neil. Eckert has shortened as well. I wonder if it's between these two

I would be very happy with O’Neil.  Hope everyone who says “no skate” didn’t celebrate Crouch being our player of the season 20 years ago…

[Toussaint]

To the "supporter" sitting one row in front of me last night. He was in a rage from 5 minutes before kick off and spent the time screaming maniacal profanities at the players with, an extra focus on AA. If I thought he had reached his maximum apoplexy during the game I was wrong, it went up by a factor of 10x when we dared to win the match and the players who came over to thank the fans. I would suggest to him, and anyone else who feels that way when Saints manner of victory does not meet with their standards, that the underlying rage inducing issues are actually nothing to do with Southampton FC.  

Yours truly,

 

Noddy