Oxford 2-1 Saints - Match Thread

[OttawaSaint]

1 minute ago, benjii said:

Got to love a crowded box at Xmas.

I love a nice chocolate box...

[trousers]

1 minute ago, benjii said:

Got to love a crowded box at Xmas.

 

[Sheaf Saint]

1 minute ago, saintant said:

Leo a bit off it so far.

They're doubling up on him so it's not surprising.

In those early Tonda games he was an unknown. Now that the rest of the league have cottoned on to how dangerous he can be, he's not finding anywhere near as much space anymore.

[Gloucester Saint]

Just now, RedArmy said:

Arma miles off it today so far. 

Started well when the midfield moved it quicker but struggles when they go into Rasmus/Martin ball mode. Their midfield is pissing all over ours on the counter when we lose possession trying to slowly pick the lock at the other end.

[BotleySaint]

1 minute ago, RedArmy said:

Arma miles off it today so far. 

Yet our only option on the bench (Archer) is significantly worse.

[saintant]

Just now, Sheaf Saint said:

They're doubling up on him so it's not surprising.

In those early Tonda games he was an unknown. Now that the rest of the league have cottoned on to how dangerous he can be, he's not finding anywhere near as much space anymore.

Agree but he's also giving it away under no pressure.

[Mboto Gorge]

Manning is so fucking shit 

[OttawaSaint]

Just now, Mboto Gorge said:

Manning is so fucking shit 

Thinks he's Zidane.

[Thereisonlyonemickychannon]

2 minutes ago, trousers said:

 

OHHHHH.....MATRON

[badgerx16]

Just now, OttawaSaint said:

Thinks he's Zidane.

Arthur Zidane ?

[Saint NL]

Need to score a couple before half time because Tonda doesn't do second halves

Edited 4 hours ago by Saint NL

[Gloucester Saint]

Just now, BotleySaint said:

Yet our only option on the bench (Archer) is significantly worse.

If the midfield continues this very slow style of play dictated by Ankerson, no striker will thrive, whether they need movement and quick balls around the corner (AA, CA) or crosses (Stewart - when occasionally fit). 

[saintant]

Downes booked for arguing yet again.

[Sheaf Saint]

Downes you twat.

[Maggie May]

Sort it out. 

[saint michael]

We have a team full of Bambi’s

[Gloucester Saint]

Downes mandatory yellow. Am I being cynical that he might get another around 75 minutes to watch the St Andrews game on the telly?

[Mboto Gorge]

How the fuck is that a fucking yellow 

[saintant]

Very poor so far. No cohesion going forward and all too slow.

[Jack]

There are so many issues with this system. So easy to play round the outside of our 3 CBs because the wing backs are up the pitch. Man short in midfield. 

[OttawaSaint]

1 minute ago, saintant said:

Downes booked for arguing yet again.

Such a selfish prick!

[Sheaf Saint]

Just now, Mboto Gorge said:

How the fuck is that a fucking yellow 

For dissent.

[obelisk]

Opponents quite happy to let Saints fanny around with the ball and to break against our defence with pace. Tactic works well.

[Gloucester Saint]

Just now, Mboto Gorge said:

How the fuck is that a fucking yellow 

What did he actually say to the ref? If he swore it’s usually a yellow.

[Andy Hill]

Still so boring - no pace anywhere on the pitch.

[saintant]

More and more possession for possession's sake.

[saint michael]

I wish we would slow the play down a little. 

[Gloucester Saint]

Just now, obelisk said:

Opponents quite happy to let Saints fanny around with the ball and to break against our defence with pace. Tactic works well.

Oxford’s midield is so much fitter and more mobile than ours. They must hand out Valium before training at Staplewood.

[OttawaSaint]

Just now, obelisk said:

Opponents quite happy to let Saints fanny around with the ball and to break against our defence with pace. Tactic works well.

And they know not to fanny and just shoot it towards crisp packet wrists Baz. Easy peasy.

[die Mannyschaft]

2 minutes ago, Jack said:

There are so many issues with this system. So easy to play round the outside of our 3 CBs because the wing backs are up the pitch. Man short in midfield. 

We maybe playing for a draw. All I can hear on radio is slow, no movement, slow, slow. 

[Harry_SFC]

How is Manning still getting game time. Honestly he is pathetic.

Front 3 miles off it so far. Again feels like 3 CB's aren't needed today. 

[Chris cooper]

Back 3 is shit defend too deep .. change it ffs 4-2-3-1

[Willo of Whiteley]

I actually miss Russell Martin football.

At least we were pretty much guaranteed to outscore the opposition, four at the back and would be pushing to score again and again.

[BotleySaint]

We're playing into their hands so far. Very little threat. Wasting lots of time with non-progressive football. Presenting them with shooting opportunities outside the box. They've done their homework. 

We are too rigid.

[saintant]

All our possession is between defenders.

[Saint NL]

75% possession and fewer shots 😂

Edited 4 hours ago by Saint NL

[tdmickey3]

What wonderful tactical changes will we see in 2nd half.... 🙄

Something needs to happen as this is utter shit so far

Edited 4 hours ago by tdmickey3

[trousers]

17 minutes ago, RedArmy said:

What the fuck happened to Tondaball. 
 

 

15 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

It's the Saganowski effect. 

Gone to shit since he signed a permanent contract.

Alas, almost inevitable, yet it's still bizarre we can play like a team possessed for a clutch of games and then revert to our usual 'safety first' mode. Just f***ing go for it every game.... We've got the players to do it.... It's not rocket science, is it...?

Edited 4 hours ago by trousers

[Gloucester Saint]

Oxford really should be winning. Goal was against the run of play but since THB scored only one team have looked a threat. Short has worked out Rasmus and Rasmus Jr, but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist. 

Got in behind there again but poor delivery thankfully. So poor Evri would even be tutting at it.

[OttawaSaint]

3 minutes ago, obelisk said:

Opponents quite happy to let Saints fanny around with the ball and to break against our defence with pace. Tactic works well.

And they know not to fanny and just shoot it towards crisp packet wrists Baz. Easy peasy.

[saint michael]

We play 15 short passes sideways and back then. Lost the ball and 2 passes for them to shoot

[Jack]

1 minute ago, die Mannyschaft said:

We maybe playing for a draw. All I can hear on radio is slow, no movement, slow, slow. 

Not enough movement up top and we’re so happy to play back to the CBs at every opportunity. So easy to defend against 

[Harry_SFC]

1 minute ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

I actually miss Russell Martin football.

At least we were pretty much guaranteed to outscore the opposition, four at the back and would be pushing to score again and again.

There were quite a few games you missed in the Championship last time out then. 

[Sheaf Saint]

Fucking hell this is embarrassing.

Oxford looking far more likely to score again than we are.

[Gloucester Saint]

2 minutes ago, die Mannyschaft said:

We maybe playing for a draw. All I can hear on radio is slow, no movement, slow, slow. 

Yep, exactly what I’m seeing on Sky. And a poor miss for 2-1. Saints very lucky not to be 3-1 down. 

[Saint NL]

Oxford look more likely.

This is poor.

[saintant]

Lucky there. We are starting to give them confidence because we're doing nothing offensively - our passing is awful and we constantly go backwards.

[OttawaSaint]

Fuck I'm bored. Players look like they can't be bothered. So slow and ponderous. 

Edit: better from Leo.

 

[die Mannyschaft]

4 minutes ago, saintant said:

More and more possession for possession's sake.

I hope we don't play like this at Fratton. 

[Gloucester Saint]

Leo hits the post against the run of play. Did well to get that shot away.