Saints 3-1 Birmingham - Match Thread

[Hopper]

Just now, tdmickey3 said:

Link to stream please 

Using an IPTV. Sorry mate.

[Saint NL]

A weird half. We looked very good in parts, but somehow the 2-0 flatters us a bit. Brum look like they could score from every cross that comes in, yet Bazunu hasn't made a save.

Tonda has the easiest team talk in the league - "Just give the ball to Scienza"

[Totton Saint]

1 minute ago, Hopper said:

Thankfully I’ve got Blackmore and Tessem on my stream although Tessem is grating as ever 😂 

 

Solid half, couple of half chances for Brum that we need to be mindful of. Would love to see us nab an early third to put this to bed.

What stream is that please?  I am in Scotland.

[CB Fry]

Just saw the goals. Azaz marvellous. Armstrong's we'd be slaughtering Bazunu for that.

Clean sheet in the second half would be further evidence of the Tonda revolution.

[Whitey Grandad]

Meh 

New manager bounce, surely 

[SNSUN]

I'm lurking mostly today as I'm busy at work but you can't knock that half time score. Surely Brum will show more in the second half...

 

[Saint NL]

A crazy league where the team in 14th are just three points off a playoff spot. 

Edited 2 hours ago by Saint NL

[Hopper]

Cracking tidbit from Alfie that.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

All pretty good, from what's looking to be a settled starting eleven.

Scienza makes such a difference. Not only for his run and pass, for the first. But he kept his run drawing players away from Azaz who cut back into the space. Nice linking up, and good to see us scoring from AMC positions.

The work of Azaz, Scienza and Fellowes allows AA a lot more freedom. If we're lacking a target, Tonda is allowing the players to use the strengths they have. We're comfortable in possession and capable of playing quick RussBall passes, through their defence. 

While we settled back towards the end of the half, we were closer tona third with Fellowes hitting the bar, than they were in getting back into it. Not quite far enough ahead to sit back all the time, but we should be ready to pounce if the visitor's overcommit.

[obelisk]

Hopefully the plan will not be to invite pressure in the expectation of a 3rd goal on the break. Birmingham must fancy their chances with any ball into the Saints penalty area.

[NewYorkSaint]

Here's the biggest single thing for me. We're actually an EXCITING side to watch again. It's not just the goals. It's the way we're scoring them.  Combination of stunning pace, ping-ping-ping passing and sharp shooting.  After a year of crushing disappointment, I'm hugely looking forward to every game, and watching a lot of the play in delighted awe.    Anyone else?!

[M271]

The test will be if we concede to make it 2 1 do we crumble and concede more or hopefully remain strong with Tonda organising us a properly and making effective substitutions.

[obelisk]

1 minute ago, NewYorkSaint said:

Here's the biggest single thing for me. We're actually an EXCITING side to watch again. It's not just the goals. It's the way we're scoring them.  Combination of stunning pace, ping-ping-ping passing and sharp shooting.  After a year of crushing disappointment, I'm hugely looking forward to every game, and watching a lot of the play in delighted awe.    Anyone else?!

I've been watching Saints since 1963. It's almost never a delight for me until we're 4 goals to the good going into added time. Maybe that's just me though.

[sockeye]

3 minutes ago, NewYorkSaint said:

Here's the biggest single thing for me. We're actually an EXCITING side to watch again. It's not just the goals. It's the way we're scoring them.  Combination of stunning pace, ping-ping-ping passing and sharp shooting.  After a year of crushing disappointment, I'm hugely looking forward to every game, and watching a lot of the play in delighted awe.    Anyone else?!

this is it for me. Losing or drawing sucks but it's not so bad if we go down swinging. Really exciting plays the last few games.

[Sarisbury Saint]

Just don’t bring on Airbo. 

[Sheaf Saint]

Oh, close from Azaz.

[obelisk]

That move deserved a goal.

[Saint NL]

Azaz, should be three

[tdmickey3]

1 minute ago, Sarisbury Saint said:

Just don’t bring on Airbo. 

Not ever

[Sheaf Saint]

3 minutes ago, obelisk said:

I've been watching Saints since 1963. It's almost never a delight for me until we're 4 goals to the good going into added time. Maybe that's just me though.

It's definitely not.

[benjii]

Fellows has a very high ceiling. Great first touch, comfortable under pressure, brilliant balance, good acceleration.

[tdmickey3]

Dreadful clearing header 

[obelisk]

Unchallenged cross into Saints penalty area, poor defensive header, worse shot. Still 2-0.

[Saint Fan CaM]

If Brum score next we might crumble especially if Tonda feels he needs to use subs.

[St. Ciervo]

If the ref wont protect Scienza, we need a saints player to.

[obelisk]

Did the ref forget to pack his cards?

[OttawaSaint]

Leo limping.

[Saint Fan CaM]

Ref is a dick - no yellow card for a terrible challenge on Sscienza.  Ref then gives it late.

[OttawaSaint]

Just now, St. Ciervo said:

If the ref wont protect Scienza, we need a saints player to.

Send Stephens in to pull some hair and take some names.

[Sheaf Saint]

Do Opta collect stats on 'crosses blocked'?

I'd love to see where Manning would be in that table.

[Saint Fan CaM]

Ref is an absolute wanker.

[OttawaSaint]

Just now, Sheaf Saint said:

Do Opta collect stats on 'crosses blocked'?

I'd love to see where Manning would be in that table.

There will be a photo of him next to the table.

[obelisk]

Inviting pressure on ourselves.

[Saint NL]

THBs haircut is awful 

[Saint Fan CaM]

1 minute ago, Sheaf Saint said:

Do Opta collect stats on 'crosses blocked'?

I'd love to see where Manning would be in that table.

In the league below.

[OttawaSaint]

Hanging on here. Come on Saints. Wake up a bit.

[tdmickey3]

Winning but by no means in full control here, fortunately they are poor

[James G]

2-1

[Totton Saint]

so frustrating I can't be watching, sat at home, what sounds an exciting game.

[Saint NL]

We often fall apart when the subs are made, really need another goal before then

[Viking Saint]

Here we go again

[tdmickey3]

Just now, tdmickey3 said:

Winning but by no means in full control here, fortunately they are poor

But not that poor,been asking for it tbh

[Suhari]

Crikey. That's a strike.

Testing time for Tonda.

[Saint Fan CaM]

And there it is - Baz asleep.

[OttawaSaint]

It's been coming. Never do things the easy way, do we?

[obelisk]

Their 'keeper saves those. Ours doesn't. 2-1. Any bets on 2-3?

[Saint NL]

Great goal, we are in trouble now

[saint michael]

Typical saints. Standing off defensively. Fellows at the back not great

[Osvaldorama]

Fair play, some goal that. 
 

Not too different from Scienza’s efforts which the keeper saved, up the other end. 

[Sheaf Saint]

That's an outstanding finish in all fairness.