Millwall 3-2 Saints - Match Thread

[saint michael]

Their wingers all over us. 

[Harry_SFC]

Can't begin to explain how poor Ryan Manning is at defending

[Danwulfe]

Can see this being 1-0 to either side. Us on a lucky break or them with our poor defending.

Think Tonda will make sure none of them snack at half time to bring out hungrier eyes?

[Saint NL]

Fucks sakes, Manning just letting his man go

[vectraman]

Millwall manager has done his homework on us. Not giving us any space to pass into. 

[Scoobysaint]

It’s all very static at present. In past games Fellows and Scienza have been getting the ball passed to them while they are going forward. Again today, we are back to people getting the ball stationary. Fair play to Millwall, they are stopping out pass into Jansen or Bragg well.

[Danwulfe]

Close.

[sockeye]

Not a bad attempt!

[Suhari]

That's better.

[obelisk]

It'd be a good time to nick a goal.

[Saint NL]

Good save to stop Armstrong shot

[Saint Fan CaM]

Well I’ve reverted to hating fucking Manning again. Just shit.

[SNSUN]

Scores are largely favourable for Saints today (and last night) League-wise. Would be nice to get out shiz together and win this. Big chance for Eckert to show if he has the skill to change things.

A draw would still be a decent result though. 

Coventry now winning. Unsurprising.

 

[Totton Saint]

when is Romeo coming on to stifle their winger

[Zorba]

Gutless first half. Formation changes required.

[Saint NL]

The first 5 mins and last 5 mins of the half have looked ok. The rest was a far cry from what we've seen recently.

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

Lets see what Tonda is about now for the second half.

[obelisk]

Looks like we'll have to put some effort into the 2nd half for a change then. 0-0.

[AlexLaw76]

Lets not be ridiculous and expect every team to be wide open for us to run at them.

They have held a very good shape and are very tight to all of our players in the middle of the park.

We have to try something else other than give to THB to try and find a Pirlo like pass

[pingpong]

Manning not at the races today. I'd rather see welligton or Frasier even, depending on whether we want to attack or defend their rw. Not Manning though, not today.

[Baird of the land]

Very scrappy first half. We’ve struggled to work the ball out consistently. When we have, we’ve caused them problems.

while Robinson has been ok, we have missed scienza.

[Saint Fan CaM]

Tonda has a big halftime chat ahead of him. At this point previously we’ve been comfortable - today, we’re actually behind. Behind f-ing Millwall FFS…I don’t want that to sink in!

Edited 3 hours ago by Saint Fan CaM

[bpsaint]

Tough first half that, Millwall have done their homework into how to stifle our attack, a reminder perhaps to not get too carried away about our recent form.

The first proper half time team talk for Tonda now to try and give us the impetus. 

[Saint Scott]

Poor first half in comparison to the last few weeks. A bright start, but Millwall have been more dominant in a largely mediocre game

Robinson needs to be less careless when in possession, we've missed this from Leo

Stephens loves to back off from any advancing player, leaving huge gaps

Need Romeo on in the middle of the park to start making things tick, break up play and offer quick turnovers

3 points for the taking here

[Themotherfunky]

I see Manning, Jack and Hollywood-Bellis have assigned themselves on keepball duty. Too many safe passes back to Baz. Midfield haven't been there, and Azaz seems to be having one of his off days. 

 Hopefully some efficient German fucks will be thrown into them at half time. 

[OttawaSaint]

Four shots on target to their one. We've done alright. Step out it up a bit and we can win this.

[obelisk]

62.5% possession. Mostly fannying about slowly in defence while waiting for Millwall to smother the midfield.

[saintant]

I'm not watching but the stats are mainly in our favour according to BBC. Are we really playing as badly as it sounds on here?

[Saint Fan CaM]

Think I’d be taking off Manning for Welington and THB for Romeu to help out the midfield which is struggling.

[Saint NL]

Half time stats show that Millwall have attempted 17 crosses to our 4.

Both of their wingers look lively, probably helped by the fact that both Fellows and Manning aren't great defenders. 

 

[Verwood Saint]

We've gone back to way too much passing around the back haven't we.  Got to mix it up as we are so predictable and slow.  THB and Manning are putting us under so much pressure with poor play.  That said we have created enough to have scored too.  

 

[washsaint]

Difficult first half there but still goalless.  Nathan Wood has been really poor again.  THB having a shocker and we just have not gotten going.

Robinson looks threatening going forward but a bit lightweight and taking too many touches.  

Cam Bragg has been superb again.  I really hope he gets another contract (up at the end of season) as he definitely looks like he has something about him.

Manning and Fellows have not been good today (so far) and Azaz has been poor.

Bazunu has been excellent as has Stephens.

[Winnersaint]

1 minute ago, bpsaint said:

a reminder perhaps to not get too carried away about our recent form.

I'm amazed people have! 😂

[Saint NL]

2 minutes ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

Fonda has a big halftime chat ahead of him. At this point previously we’ve been comfortable - today, we’re actually behind. Behind f-ing Millwall FFS…I don’t want that to sink in!

It's 0-0 bro, relax

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

Just now, Verwood Saint said:

We've gone back to way too much passing around the back haven't we.  Got to mix it up as we are so predictable and slow.  THB and Manning are putting us under so much pressure with poor play.  That said we have created enough to have scored too.  

 

Agree.

Need to find a way for the midfield to work.

[Sheaf Saint]

1 minute ago, JohnnyShearer2.0 said:

Lets see what Tonda is about now for the second half.

This really will be his biggest test yet. If he can make a tactical tweak that allows us to bypass their midfield press and get Fellows into the game more then he will have done enough to earn the job permanently IMO.

[Doctoroncall]

Can’t beat the press, can’t do the press. It’s ugly football but it’s still 0-0 so there is hope. Tonda needs to changes things.

[saintant]

1 minute ago, obelisk said:

62.5% possession. Mostly fannying about slowly in defence while waiting for Millwall to smother the midfield.

Yes, that's not a stat we want because it is based on lots of meaningless passes between defenders and I thought we'd cut that out in favour of playing in vertical lines.

[Sheaf Saint]

3 minutes ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

Tonda has a big halftime chat ahead of him. At this point previously we’ve been comfortable - today, we’re actually behind. Behind f-ing Millwall FFS…I don’t want that to sink in!

You do realise they were in 4th place before KO today, yeah? 

[Lighthouse]

Clearly lacking the out ball that Leo provides, JRob just isn’t the same player. Not really sure who’s on the bench to change things with the injuries we’ve got.

[Saint NL]

As it stands, Coventry are 13 points clear. An outstanding effort and surely they can't lose it from here.

[sockeye]

4 minutes ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

Behind f-ing Millwall FFS…I don’t want that to sink in!

Even if we win we'll be behind them by 1pt still

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, saintant said:

Yes, that's not a stat we want because it is based on lots of meaningless passes between defenders and I thought we'd cut that out in favour of playing in vertical lines.

Yeah, vertical lines are fine when our players are not being man-marked very tightly. Millwall have defended with their shape very well.

THB is not Pirlo, getting him to start many of the attacks is not working. Have to find a way to beat their midfield press

[James G]

It's a good test for Eckert if nothing else. We're gonna get different types of teams

[die Mannyschaft]

D

[die Mannyschaft]

I would settle for a draw. Apart from defending alot and passing back to Bazunu not much happening. No real outlet on left. 

On the plus side its easy to wind up the Millwall 

[goodymatt]

In the absence of a proper target man, we have been relying on Scienza, Armstrong, Azaz and Fellows all receiving the ball at pace and taking the right first touch. Today the middle is congested with opponents and those first touches aren’t quite happening under more pressure. You can see more hesitancy from the CBs to play those low direct balls. 

Given our bench there isn’t much we can do to change the shape, perhaps Romeu will help win the midfield battle and find us some extra space but Millwall have set up very well to counter our recent strengths. It’s set up for a frustrating afternoon unless we can be very clinical in the second half and keep a clean sheet, I do think Millwall will score if we keep giving them crossing opportunities.

[Toadhall Saint]

Think we look a little leggy which isn’t helping. Not taking anything from Millwall as they haven’t given us any space. As always I’d be happy with a point away from Home.

[Fabrice29]

What is Jo Tessems problem with Jay Robinson btw?

[Farmer Saint]

Just now, Fabrice29 said:

What is Jo Tessems problem with Jay Robinson btw?

Jay's doing his wife.