Doncaster 2-3 Saints - Match Thread

[Football Special]

3 minutes ago, Appy said:

Yep, I think Oxford is the worst away end I’ve been in for a long time. 

Very sober and cold, also feels like we have few likeable players with songs for them and every one turns up with low expectations of another rubbish game where we pass it around at the back, I think support will improve if we had a sustained feelgood period, been negative for so long it's been tough being a saints fan 

[EssEffCee]

8 minutes ago, Appy said:

Yep, I think Oxford is the worst away end I’ve been in for a long time. 

Agree that's the one which stands out for me too.

In general though I think almost every away has been really poor. Both home and away our support is the worst I can remember it being.

[Whitey Grandad]

13 minutes ago, saintant said:

Sorry, not sure I understand your point. What has comparing the respective height of Manning and Bree got to do with my post? 🙂

Ah, ok. 

Manning appears overweight to many of us. A consequence of this is that Manning looks to be shorter than Bree even though they are both the same height. In other words, of the two I suspect that Bree is the fitter.

And he's a better full back.

[saintant]

Just now, Whitey Grandad said:

Ah, ok. 

Manning appears overweight to many of us. A consequence of this is that Manning looks to be shorter than Bree even though they are both the same height. In other words, of the two I suspect that Bree is the fitter.

And he's a better full back.

Nicely explained and I agree.

[die Mannyschaft]

2 hours ago, Football Special said:

We're on the March with Tonda's Army, we're all going to Wembley 

At least the 1976 kit looked good 

It will take another 50 years to grt to wembly, unless in JPT.

[hypochondriac]

19 minutes ago, EssEffCee said:

Agree that's the one which stands out for me too.

In general though I think almost every away has been really poor. Both home and away our support is the worst I can remember it being.

I miss the support from when we got relegated to league one the last time. Consistently great home and away. One that stood out was Plymouth at home where we sang oh when the saints non stop for about half an hour.

[Hawkswood]

52 minutes ago, Football Special said:

I agree, singling out individual players for abuse is pointless. 

 

Agreed. Let's get all of them.

😁

[Sheaf Saint]

25 minutes ago, Football Special said:

Very sober and cold, also feels like we have few likeable players with songs for them and every one turns up with low expectations of another rubbish game where we pass it around at the back, I think support will improve if we had a sustained feelgood period, been negative for so long it's been tough being a saints fan 

This was very evident yesterday. Even before our second half collapse, some pockets of fans were singing "Sideways and backwards, everywhere we go". The general apathy and cynicism towards the team was the most palpable I've ever experienced in an away end. 

We had a 3-0 lead against a lower league team. From there we should have been able to comfortably see out the second half and bring some of the youngsters off the bench for some experience, but instead we had to wheel out the big guns to take the pressure off us as we were desperately hanging on after they scored their second. And the ire from the fans when Tonda inevitably shit the bed and reverted to his favourite back 3 was a massive turning point and a number started chants of "Sport Republic, get out of our club". 

I predict that apathy and cynicism will very soon turn to toxicity with the way things are going. 

[Sheaf Saint]

On a more light-hearted note, you do have to love the humour of football fans sometimes...

 

 

[S-Clarke]

Predicably the issue in this squad is attitude, that's undeniable at this stage.

They wandered into Oxford thinking they'd turn it over, even if they said they didn't...they went in complacent and that happened.

They came out in the 2nd half yesterday just as complacent, thought it was all done - but they got slapped around again.

The issue is that we have an incredibly self-entitled bunch of pricks in the squad nowadays, who think they're better than they are, have the back bone of a slug and let complacency creep in within a second. No one is setting standards on the pitch or giving anyone a reality check.

What it needs is a root and branch clear out, for sure - but what it also needs is a strong manager and coaching staff to shake the fuck out of them, but we don't have that, because the moment someone tries they go crying to Rasmus - so the standards and culture will reign, because at this point the players are managing the team - not these weak managers we keep appointing.

Edited 10 hours ago by S-Clarke

[beatlesaint]

5 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

What it needs is a root and branch clear out, for sure - but what it also needs is a strong manager and coaching staff to shake the fuck out of them, but we don't have that, because the moment someone tries they go crying to Rasmus - so the standards and culture will reign, because at this point the players are managing the team - not these weak managers we keep appointing.

100%, trouble is SR dont want that either cos a strong manager will turn around and tell them to keep their effin noses out!

Personally I'm still going with Alfie Houses's tweet the other day about who is worth keeping. There are a lot of this group I dont want to see anywhere near a Saints shirt next season. I said the same last season yet Fraser, Bazunu, Stephens, Manning, Downes and Aribo (at this moment anyway) are still here stinking the place out. 

[Appy]

1 hour ago, Football Special said:

Very sober and cold, also feels like we have few likeable players with songs for them and every one turns up with low expectations of another rubbish game where we pass it around at the back, I think support will improve if we had a sustained feelgood period, been negative for so long it's been tough being a saints fan 

Yep, went to Coventry a couple of years ago and they seemed to have a song for nearly every player, comes from an affinity with the squad I guess, whereas we still trot out songs about Gabbiadini. 

[Micky]

3 hours ago, Football Special said:

We're on the March with Tonda's Army, we're all going to Wembley 

At least the 1976 kit looked good 

So good that it cost 120 quid for a shirt and Leo, who routinely gives his shirt away, was left in the embarrassing position at the end having to explain to some kid that he couldn't have his shirt.  SR should hang their heads in shame.

[Mboto Gorge]

12 minutes ago, Micky said:

So good that it cost 120 quid for a shirt and Leo, who routinely gives his shirt away, was left in the embarrassing position at the end having to explain to some kid that he couldn't have his shirt.  SR should hang their heads in shame.

£120 for that shirt says all you need to know about the current owners we have, if you didn’t already know. Out of touch with the fanbase and reality, that they thought it was acceptable to charge that. Treating fans as cash cows with zero thought other than milking a huge profit from the shirt sales

[Sheaf Saint]

20 minutes ago, Micky said:

So good that it cost 120 quid for a shirt and Leo, who routinely gives his shirt away, was left in the embarrassing position at the end having to explain to some kid that he couldn't have his shirt.  SR should hang their heads in shame.

Telling players not to give away their shirt to young fans so they can fleece them in the club shop instead is a shameful new low for this bunch of despicable cunts running our club.

Edited 9 hours ago by Sheaf Saint

[Lighthouse]

6 minutes ago, Mboto Gorge said:

£120 for that shirt says all you need to know about the current owners we have, if you didn’t already know. Out of touch with the fanbase and reality, that they thought it was acceptable to charge that. Treating fans as cash cows with zero thought other than milking a huge profit from the shirt sales

Nobody is forcing you to buy it but many people will. I think £65 for a regular season jersey is ridiculous personally but the grandstands are full of them.

[Mboto Gorge]

7 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

Nobody is forcing you to buy it but many people will. I think £65 for a regular season jersey is ridiculous personally but the grandstands are full of them.

I haven’t bought it. Why would I? £120 is a joke even if I liked these owners. Do you agree with £120 then? The way you keep speaking from the clubs point of view is a bit sad to be honest , especially when it is crystal clear that we are failing miserably in pretty much every aspect right now as a football club 

[LGTL]

I can’t start slagging our support off at the moment really. Numbers are excellent and have been for years. Noise is at an all time low, but who can really blame anyone? We have been so so awful for so so long. Just an absolute load of nothing for years. With the most bland, boring squad full of self entitled, complete wankers that you’re ever likely to see. 

[die Mannyschaft]

26 minutes ago, LGTL said:

I can’t start slagging our support off at the moment really. Numbers are excellent and have been for years. Noise is at an all time low, but who can really blame anyone? We have been so so awful for so so long. Just an absolute load of nothing for years. With the most bland, boring squad full of self entitled, complete wankers that you’re ever likely to see. 

Yes support is one of best in country. Its as you say there is nothing to get excited about on the pitch. Fans just know the game will be a draw or loss. Around me at Doncaster the talk was about the catering and pies. The amount of fans now just checking scores and watching more entertaining YouTube clips is increasing and that's a direct result of boring,  deliberately trying to let the opposition win.

[Lighthouse]

34 minutes ago, Mboto Gorge said:

I haven’t bought it. Why would I? £120 is a joke even if I liked these owners. Do you agree with £120 then? The way you keep speaking from the clubs point of view is a bit sad to be honest , especially when it is crystal clear that we are failing miserably in pretty much every aspect right now as a football club 

😆 A week ago you had no idea this shirt even existed, let alone was available for retail. Now you're moaning about the cost of something you clearly have no intention of buying anyway.

It doesn't matter what I agree with, people will buy it. If you have a problem, take it up with them.

[Football Special]

We're a number two:

FA Cup ball details 4th round draw

1. Wolverhampton Wanderers
2. Southampton
3. Aston Villa
4. Port Vale
5. Wigan Athletic
6. Ipswich Town
7. Wrexham
8. Charlton Athletic or Chelsea
9. Manchester City
10. West Ham United or Queens Park Rangers
11. Brentford
12. Fulham
13. Sunderland
14. Liverpool or Barnsley
15. Burnley
16. Norwich City or Walsall
17. Portsmouth or Arsenal
18. Derby County or Leeds United
19. Swansea City or West Bromwich Albion
20. Salford City or Swindon Town
21. Burton Albion
22. Grimsby Town
23. Hull City or Blackburn Rovers
24. Newcastle United
25. Oxford United
26. Leicester City
27. Birmingham City
28. Bristol City
29. Stoke City
30. Macclesfield
31. Manchester United or Brighton & Hove Albion
32. Sheffield United or Mansfield Town

Edited 8 hours ago by Football Special

[die Mannyschaft]

37 minutes ago, Mboto Gorge said:

I haven’t bought it. Why would I? £120 is a joke even if I liked these owners. Do you agree with £120 then? The way you keep speaking from the clubs point of view is a bit sad to be honest , especially when it is crystal clear that we are failing miserably in pretty much every aspect right now as a football club 

The fans I have seen with the shirt are all those who went to the fa cup final jn 76. In 50 years time a similar playoff winning shirt will come out at £250 and a few may get it.

A lot of people collect shirts and still better value than getting a meal in havester etc. 

[die Mannyschaft]

2 minutes ago, Football Special said:

We're a number two:

FA Cup ball details 4th round draw

1. Wolverhampton Wanderers
2. Southampton
3. Aston Villa
4. Port Vale
5. Wigan Athletic
6. Ipswich Town
7. Wrexham
8. Charlton Athletic or Chelsea
9. Manchester City
10. West Ham United or Queens Park Rangers
11. Brentford
12. Fulham
13. Sunderland
14. Liverpool or Barnsley
15. Burnley
16. Norwich City or Walsall
17. Portsmouth or Arsenal
18. Derby County or Leeds United
19. Swansea City or West Bromwich Albion
20. Salford City or Swindon Town
21. Burton Albion
22. Grimsby Town
23. Hull City or Blackburn Rovers
24. Newcastle United
25. Oxford United
26. Leicester City
27. Birmingham City
28. Bristol City
29. Stoke City
30. Macclesfield
31. Manchester United or Brighton & Hove Albion
32. Sheffield United or Mansfield Town

Arsenal away,  get bigger allocation and can take my son there. 

[Mboto Gorge]

9 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

😆 A week ago you had no idea this shirt even existed, let alone was available for retail. Now you're moaning about the cost of something you clearly have no intention of buying anyway.

It doesn't matter what I agree with, people will buy it. If you have a problem, take it up with them.

So let me get this straight, no one is allowed to have a negative opinion on any item of retail or anything else, being an extortionate price, unless you’re buying it. I’ve heard it all now.
 

I’ve not doubted some people will buy it, there are people everywhere who will buy something extortionately overpriced. You’re responding to points I’ve not even debated. Weird.  I’ve merely said it’s a total rip off and for some reason you’ve responded with some bizarre narrative that people will buy it regardless, which I’ve not contested. Doesn’t make it any less of a rip off though. Good job of fence sitting on your opinion as usual, god forbid you ever go anything the club does. 

Edited 8 hours ago by Mboto Gorge

[The Wyvern]

8 minutes ago, Lighthouse said:

😆 A week ago you had no idea this shirt even existed, let alone was available for retail. Now you're moaning about the cost of something you clearly have no intention of buying anyway.

It doesn't matter what I agree with, people will buy it. If you have a problem, take it up with them.

It’s a nice shirt, people would like to buy it, many think £120 is prohibitively expensive. That’s a perfectly reasonable viewpoint for them to have. 

[Mboto Gorge]

3 minutes ago, The Wyvern said:

It’s a nice shirt, people would like to buy it, many think £120 is prohibitively expensive. That’s a perfectly reasonable viewpoint for them to have. 

Exactly yet, this melt comes back with the “if youve got a problem take it up with the club” line. Seriously there are some absolute saps on here . No wonder the current owners get away with everything they do pretty much Scott free, with this sort of submissive attitude 

Edited 8 hours ago by Mboto Gorge

[Lighthouse]

41 minutes ago, The Wyvern said:

It’s a nice shirt, people would like to buy it, many think £120 is prohibitively expensive. That’s a perfectly reasonable viewpoint for them to have. 

Yes, I know it's a reasonable viewpoint, that's MY opinion, not his.

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

21 hours ago, Holmes_and_Watson said:

Wow. We're useless this half. 2-3.

To be fair to our players, you don't see a starling murmuration like that every day. They were probably watching it like us...certainly more entertaining than the footie. Also the chants were pretty good: "Shit on the home end",  "They're coming back..." etc

Tried to get the Brum "sideways and backwards" chant going but it didn't really take off. Also, didn't really get the anti SR chants at the beginning. Would have had more impact when they made it 2-3. 

[bangkoksaint]

4 hours ago, Whitey Grandad said:

Ah, ok. 

Manning appears overweight to many of us. A consequence of this is that Manning looks to be shorter than Bree even though they are both the same height. In other words, of the two I suspect that Bree is the fitter.

And he's a better full back.

Interesting, I also think he looks overweight. However I look at some referees and think the same. With the referees though they simply aren’t. They have levels they have to achieve and if they don’t hit them then they don’t referee, it’s as simple as that. So say what you want about them but fitness isn’t an issue. With our players however I think it’s different. I don’t think the levels are there or the expectations. Some, like Manning I suspect are getting away with not being as professional as they should. It’s an awful indictment on where the club currently is.

[Dark Munster]

6 hours ago, Saintinnot said:

There was a bunch of guys taking any chance they could to hurl obscenities at Jack Stephens whenever he was warming up , really goading him with vile abuse . One of them called ‘“Lawrence” standing by the railings calling him a c**t and trying to get him to come over . Jack realised the bloke was a pr**k and moved away. Luckily 10 minutes from the end they all pissed off down to the pub.

whatever you think of him as a player is this really necessary  - made my enjoyment of the game even worse than it was .

 

 

That sort of abuse should be directed at the person who really deserves it, Rasmus. 

[Whitey Grandad]

40 minutes ago, bangkoksaint said:

Interesting, I also think he looks overweight. However I look at some referees and think the same. With the referees though they simply aren’t. They have levels they have to achieve and if they don’t hit them then they don’t referee, it’s as simple as that. So say what you want about them but fitness isn’t an issue. With our players however I think it’s different. I don’t think the levels are there or the expectations. Some, like Manning I suspect are getting away with not being as professional as they should. It’s an awful indictment on where the club currently is.

As a former referee I of course agree with you. There are strict and strenuous standards of fitness that top referees must maintain. Indeed,  many of them are fitter than the players that they rule over. With the players you can often tell hy the way that they move whether or not they are carrying any superfluous top hamper.

I also happen to be an expert on being overweight. 

Edited 5 hours ago by Whitey Grandad

[VectisSaint]

5 hours ago, S-Clarke said:

Predicably the issue in this squad is attitude, that's undeniable at this stage.

They wandered into Oxford thinking they'd turn it over, even if they said they didn't...they went in complacent and that happened.

They came out in the 2nd half yesterday just as complacent, thought it was all done - but they got slapped around again.

The issue is that we have an incredibly self-entitled bunch of pricks in the squad nowadays, who think they're better than they are, have the back bone of a slug and let complacency creep in within a second. No one is setting standards on the pitch or giving anyone a reality check.

What it needs is a root and branch clear out, for sure - but what it also needs is a strong manager and coaching staff to shake the fuck out of them, but we don't have that, because the moment someone tries they go crying to Rasmus - so the standards and culture will reign, because at this point the players are managing the team - not these weak managers we keep appointing.

Observation here is that we had quite a different team out yesterday first half and into second. Thought the complacents would be Stephens, Manning, Downes, Armstrong, bit only a couple of these were involved. This implies you think Archer, Matsuki, Robinson, Bragg, Fellows, Jelert, Welington, Quarshie are all also complacent, along with Downes (who is) and THB. I'm sure it is more to do with getting them fired up at half-time, which seems to be an issue. We need to come out after half-time and completely boss the midfield for the first few minutes. 

[lambtiss]

9 minutes ago, VectisSaint said:

...... I'm sure it is more to do with getting them fired up at half-time, which seems to be an issue. We need to come out after half-time and completely boss the midfield for the first few minutes. 

I agree, but my first message would be to compete and challenge for every ball in the first 15 minutes of the 2nd half. I think this team has forgotten that you have to win the right to dominate a match through effort and winning your 50-50s. Often, it appears that we think we can just pass a team to death without doing the hard yards, the dirty stuff.

[davefizzy14]

We got the job done and into the hat for the draw for the next round 😊 three excellent goals from us 😊

[Dr Who?]

54 minutes ago, davefizzy14 said:

We got the job done and into the hat for the draw for the next round 😊 three excellent goals from us 😊

I do love positivity, and of course you are right, we are still in it. 

[Football Special]

Updated after today's games , 10 potential draws for teams below us in league pyramid 

1. Wolverhampton Wanderers
2. Southampton
3. Aston Villa
4. Port Vale
5. Wigan Athletic
6. Ipswich Town
7. Wrexham
8. Chelsea
9. Manchester City
10. West Ham United
11. Brentford
12. Fulham
13. Sunderland
14. Liverpool or Barnsley
15. Burnley
16. Norwich City
17. Arsenal
18. Leeds United
19. West Bromwich Albion
20. Salford City or Swindon Town
21. Burton Albion
22. Grimsby Town
23. Hull City
24. Newcastle United
25. Oxford United
26. Leicester City
27. Birmingham City
28. Bristol City
29. Stoke City
30. Macclesfield
31. Brighton & Hove Albion
32. Mansfield Town

Edited 2 hours ago by Football Special