Pompey vs Saints - Sunday 1200

[Saint NL]

My main concern is that we don't turn up in the second half like usual

[benjii]

What I like:

- THB, Peretz and Wellington. Fighters.

- When we pass it.

- Their centre back shooting from 35 yards instead of passing it to the winger.

 

What I don't like:

- Playing long too early.

- Midfield shape.

- Not getting Scienza on the ball.

- Their keeper making two good saves.

 

I would bring Charles on for Matski and go solid for 15 mins, but play out more. 

Then Fellows and Stewart for Jander and Armstrong.

 

[coalman]

They've won 56% of aerial duels. Maybe we should stop hoofing it up in the air.

[Sheaf Saint]

1 minute ago, Convict Colony said:

absolutely no out ball so it's just us defending now, need Stewart on and fellows who can hold the ball.

I'd like to believe that it was a deliberate ploy to keep them fresh for the second half, knowing full well that Pompey would play with high intensity from the off and hopefully burn themselves out. 

We've ridden that storm. But we need to put in a much better second half performance than we have done so far all season.

[AlexLaw76]

HT

The quality of the game is pretty low, much of a battle. We are seemingly light in the middle of the park. The back line has dealt with most things comfortable (aerially particularly). We lack quality in the middle.

Leo hardly touched the ball and Matsuki, for me, is way too light weight. 

However, we have had the best 2 chances of the game

Charles for Matsuki for me, Stewart for Arma and Fellows for Azaz

[Turkish]

Don’t want to speak to soon but they are really poor, got nothing up front lumping it long. They are there for the taking 

[tdmickey3]

That was underwhelming at best.

No playing on the ground, just hoof

[Patrick Bateman]

1 minute ago, SonicBoom said:

Tbf we've shown some bottle and don't seem to be shrinking which was a concern beforehand 

This is how I feel. Players seem to be cracking on with it - Scienza doesn't seem bothered, Bree calm (and a GREAT addition back in the team). 

[benjii]

9 minutes ago, Hopper said:

Peretz has been gassing up his defence every opportunity he gets. Big presence.

Yep. Very noticeable.

[Saint_clark]

2 minutes ago, Saint Matty 76 said:

No control of the game whatsoever.

Matsuki has had some nice inventive touches, to his credit. I'd still get Fellows and Stewart on ASAP.

Not sure those are the right changes from what we've seen, at this point. Charles for Downes is the only change I'd make first, if it stays 0-0.

[West Dean FC Legend]

Is it me or is it a tad boring, I mean just as a football match regardless of the game, it's not exactly exciting? Well that's what I think.

[Gloucester Saint]

Just now, Hawkswood said:

It a derby dude. Always gonna be like this. 

Unless it’s like 2003 (at SMS) or 2005 (theirs) and one team doesn’t turn up and compete, it always will be. The 2010 and 2019 cup games the lower ranked side started pretty well but quality of players eventually told.

[saintstowin]

Tough half and was always likely to be. I think we've done ok with the pressure. Bit too much space for them at times in midfield. Not sure about this route one(ish) stuff. We have looked a bit dangerous when we've got it wide but haven't done that consistently. It's played like a derby.

[tdmickey3]

Just now, Turkish said:

Don’t want to speak to soon but they are really poor, got nothing up front lumping it long. They are there for the taking 

It's the taking we struggle with 

[Wade Garrett]

Are we really this shit.  Can’t string 2 passes together.

[Saint_clark]

1 minute ago, coalman said:

They've won 56% of aerial duels. Maybe we should stop hoofing it up in the air.

That means there's not a huge amount of difference between the two sides in terms of aerial results- and they've been hoofing it long as well.

[HarvSFC]

As predicted, can't get a foothold on the game and struggling to maintain pressure. Nobody in the team apart from Scienza, and he's hardly been in the game and the frozen out Edozie can travel up the pitch like Fellows does. So, we're missing that. While the ball just doesn't stick with Armstrong upfront.

Very much liking Peretz. Cleared multiple balls out of the box coming off his line with punches and constantly talking to the defenders. Huge improvement on previous.

[coalman]

1 minute ago, benjii said:

What I like:

- THB, Peretz and Wellington. Fighters.

- When we pass it.

- Their centre back shooting from 35 yards instead of passing it to the winger.

 

What I don't like:

- Playing long too early.

- Midfield shape.

- Not getting Scienza on the ball.

- Their keeper making two good saves.

 

I would bring Charles on for Matski and go solid for 15 mins, but play out more. 

Then Fellows and Stewart for Jander and Armstrong.

 

I'd bring Fellows on straight away. Matsuki is leaving big spaces down our right hand side. I might move Matsuki inside and replace Azaz though. And would definitely bring Charles on for Downes. Stewart for Armstrong needs to happen at some point if Stewart is up to it.

Not unhappy with our defence which is something I haven't had a chance to say much this season.

[BARCELONASAINT]

hoof hoof hoof, no quality in this game at all. Pompey are doing what they need to, pump the ball long and high because we can't defend and we are just booting it away and repeat. So lacking in quality

[scumbag]

Hopefully we've hired a motivational speaker and Tonda has been locked out the dressing room. 

[Saint Matty 76]

2 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Don’t want to speak to soon but they are really poor, got nothing up front lumping it long. They are there for the taking 

This could be a copy and paste from their forum as well, to be fair.

[jamesfp1]

Need to keep the ball on the floor somehow 

[coalman]

Just now, Saint_clark said:

That means there's not a huge amount of difference between the two sides in terms of aerial results- and they've been hoofing it long as well.

The difference is that's their game plan. We should have more about us.

[saintant]

We clearly lost the midfield battle in that half and they won most duels and picked up the majority of second balls. Matsuki a complete waste of space - nearly every pass went to a blue shirt. Scienza has had zero service and we are giving them too much respect with this line up. AA should have had two goals from our only two bits of decent football proving that is we play we can open them up. Get Stewart and Fellows on asap. Keeper has done well and come out aggressively for some crosses.

[kitch]

I must be seeing a different game to most, Matsuki's been poor. They're keeping the ball away from Leo's side because they know he's a threat, Matsuki offering very little apart from two clever back heels.

Bree looking solid, Wellington working hard. You can see which players are up for it.

Game is crying out for Fellows, Charles and Stewart. 

Edited 3 hours ago by kitch

[Osvaldorama]

Derbys are always scrappy. 
 

The defence has actually been pretty good, but the midfield needs to get on the ball a bit more. We just aren’t physical enough to be dangerous  arma is too small to play these kinds of physical battles… and Azaz is too powderpuff tbh, offered very little so far.

 

Cant believe arma missed. 
 

Fellows & Stewart should make a difference. Need Leo on the ball too. 

[Mboto Gorge]

Done ok there, we seem up for it at least which is reassuring, however we need to actually turn up for the second half for once , my fear is Eckert starts to be satisfied with the point and we just go completely into our shell. This simply can not happen as player for player they’re there for the taking here. A positive manager wins this for us 

[JohnS]

1st half of your typical/expected Derby play really - pretty messy & dull.

Think we’ll be our own downfall with another mistake - suicidal passing at times, especially from THB & we do still look like a circus at the back, especially when the ball bounces in & around area. 

Midfield pretty empty at times - far too much space for them & ease to push in our final 3rd.  Peretz been pretty good with his punch clearances, Bree been pretty solid & Matsuki been pretty good.

Important decisions/timings on substitutions from Tonda needed and we could steal it 

Both poor teams though - not much between us 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

We've had easily the 2 best chances, but not much beyond those.

Our back 4 look more solid, and organised enough, but Pompey have had more efforts on our goal, and it only takes the one error.

As the half went on, the balls to AA became from further and further away from him. When it went high, we looked by design to be trying to pick up the second ball. When low, we asked a lot from him, and there was an absence of support for him up there.

We seem, as usual, happy to absorb pressure, without dominating. Fine, if one of the 2 chances goes in. Frustrating when you need to be creating more. A lot of players quite quiet, particularly Scienza.

Hoping for more in the second half, and we know the bench will change our style.

[Saint_clark]

Just now, coalman said:

The difference is that's their game plan. We should have more about us.

I agree but having seen how much THB was shitting himself for the first half an hour I wouldn't want him holding onto it under pressure, and we all know what Stephens is liable to do when he plays it out. When it gets to Bree or Wellington it does get played out.

[benjii]

1 minute ago, coalman said:

I'd bring Fellows on straight away. Matsuki is leaving big spaces down our right hand side. I might move Matsuki inside and replace Azaz though. And would definitely bring Charles on for Downes. Stewart for Armstrong needs to happen at some point if Stewart is up to it.

Not unhappy with our defence which is something I haven't had a chance to say much this season.

I think whilst Armstrong is on, it makes sense to keep Azaz. I'm not a huge Azaz fan, but the pass he played to Arm for the one on one was perfect.

Fellows and Stewart together, defo.

[Turkish]

2 minutes ago, Saint Matty 76 said:

This could be a copy and paste from their forum as well, to be fair.

We’ve not been great but when we’ve got it down and played we cut through them

[tdmickey3]

Charles, Stewart and Fellows should come on asap

But we will probably get Manning 

[macca155]

Bree and Matsuki have done well. Obvious Pompey are keeping everything on that side, to keep the ball away from Leo.

Downes and Azaz just not at the races, but we daren't risk Charles yet. He looked fragile on Wednesday. It's a pain Bragg is injured.

I will be controversial but Leo looks like a rabbit in headlights, pulled out of a couple 50/50s.

Stewart Fellows and Robinson on 2nd half. Pompey will have a tough time containing them.

Devlin and Bowat are shit, need to attack them.

 

[Saint_clark]

Just now, benjii said:

I think whilst Armstrong is on, it makes sense to keep Azaz. I'm not a huge Azaz fan, but the pass he played to Arm for the one on one was perfect.

Fellows and Stewart together, defo.

Agreed. No point in just changing one, if you're making either of those changes then it needs to be both to swap the game plan entirely.

[RedArmy]

6 minutes ago, Saint NL said:

My main concern is that we don't turn up in the second half like usual

Potentially less of a concern with the quality of players available on the bench. 
 

Wouldn’t want to be one of theirs when their legs are gone and they’re blowing out of their arse looking across and seeing Fellows, Charles, Stewart, Robinson and Archer warming up. 

[tdmickey3]

1 minute ago, Turkish said:

We’ve not been great but when we’ve got it down and played we cut through them

But its been rare 

[macca155]

Just now, tdmickey3 said:

Charles, Stewart and Fellows should come on asap

But we will probably get Manning 

Madness, he isn't match fit and pulled out of every tackle on Wednesday. Downes just needs to step up.

[obelisk]

When we do get it down and pass we look pretty comfortable but that's not exactly happened too often in the first half. 

[Hawkswood]

3 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Unless it’s like 2003 (at SMS) or 2005 (theirs) and one team doesn’t turn up and compete, it always will be. The 2010 and 2019 cup games the lower ranked side started pretty well but quality of players eventually told.

Thats the thing.  I always remember Scholes talking about Alex ferguson when it came to a cup game. He always said, match them for effort no matter who it is. As long as you do that your superior ability will eventually wear them down. Or words to that effect. Just hope it happens today.

 

[benjii]

1 minute ago, Turkish said:

We’ve not been great but when we’ve got it down and played we cut through them

Exactly. Need to be braver playing out or get Charles and Stewart on to win duels/second ball 

[Lord Duckhunter]

If AA did his job we’d be leading, two best opportunities of the game and he needs to bury one of them. 
 

We’re matching them physically, which was a concern prior to the game, the keeper & Bree excellent additions & the two centre halves are defending pretty well. Hopefully our quality off the bench will win it for us. 

[saintant]

3 minutes ago, JohnS said:

1st half of your typical/expected Derby play really - pretty messy & dull.

Think we’ll be our own downfall with another mistake - suicidal passing at times, especially from THB & we do still look like a circus at the back, especially when the ball bounces in & around area. 

Midfield pretty empty at times - far too much space for them & ease to push in our final 3rd.  Peretz been pretty good with his punch clearances, Bree been pretty solid & Matsuki been pretty good.

Important decisions/timings on substitutions from Tonda needed and we could steal it 

Both poor teams though - not much between us 

You must be joking 🙂

[RedArmy]

2 minutes ago, Turkish said:

We’ve not been great but when we’ve got it down and played we cut through them

Just need to keep the ball on the deck and try and play with it. They are really, really poor. 

[AlexLaw76]

Given the subs we have available, and assuming he makes them, we will surely get better as the games goes on?

[sfc4prem]

Hate watching on the screen. My nerves are shot and I'm sure I'll end up with trenches around the house from all of my pacing.

Much prefer being there to vent vocally instead

[trousers]

Anyone think we should give Scienza more licence to roam the pitch rather than being stuck out on one wing? Too easy to snuff him out when in a fixed position, surely?

[saintant]

3 minutes ago, macca155 said:

Bree and Matsuki have done well. Obvious Pompey are keeping everything on that side, to keep the ball away from Leo.

Downes and Azaz just not at the races, but we daren't risk Charles yet. He looked fragile on Wednesday. It's a pain Bragg is injured.

I will be controversial but Leo looks like a rabbit in headlights, pulled out of a couple 50/50s.

Stewart Fellows and Robinson on 2nd half. Pompey will have a tough time containing them.

Devlin and Bowat are shit, need to attack them.

 

What game are you watching 🙂 He's been hopeless.

[austsaint]

10 minutes ago, Harry_SFC said:

Azaz a total passenger again

He played Armstrong in, but otherwise another non-involved display from Azaz.   Peretz is looking an upgrade on Bazunu.  Two great opportunities for Armstrong; Matsuki lively; Wellington and THB up for the battle, but where’s Leo?

[Wade Garrett]

Easiest way to get the best out of Scienza is to play Fellows as well.  They can’t double up on both of them.  Absolute joke of a selection from an absolute joke of a manager.