Oxford 2-1 Saints - Match Thread

[saintant]

Let's be brutally honest for once - we do not have a particularly good squad. We play 3 centre backs and don't have a decent one at the club. We play wing backs and don't have a decent one at the club. We have 3 goalkeepers all of who are useless. We have zero physical presence apart from the 3 centre backs. Azaz and Fellows are both good on their day but very hit and miss. Armstrong will score goals but needs the right service which he's not now getting. Downes is nothing more than average at this level. Jander has much promise but is having to do too much. Our subs in general weaken us rather than giving us a lift. We are not that good if we're being blunt. If we were any good we'd be showing it week in week out as teams like Coventry do.

[Crab Lungs]

Whilst many of these are of ample ability for this league, the previous seasons mental scarring and fragility always resurfaces - and it affects the new players too.

If we don’t take the lead and get sucker punched, we flail and flap. If we get so much as a goal against us when we’re clear on the scoreboard we start to wobble.

Leadership. It’s been absent for years.

Its ok when it’s going well and we’re pulverising teams but like it was under Martin last time, we have a really, really soft underbelly.

[Sir Ralph]

5 hours ago, saintant said:

Fellows hadn't been great but he was just starting to get up a head of steam and causing them problems when Tonda decided it would be a good time to take him off.

His ball carrying pushed Oxford back. As soon as he came off for Fraser Oxford knew we posed much less risk and it allowed them to come forward. Tondas in game tactics and subs are very poor

[Wade Garrett]

2 hours ago, Costa del Solent said:

Dickhead 

Thanks for the comment, much appreciated.

[Teamsaint1]

5 hours ago, saintstowin said:

That was a 2-1 defeat so early on it's a shame I'm not a betting man. Even before the first goal, but absolutely nailed on at half time. 

It's unacceptable to have more than 2/3 of the ball and have fewer shots on target than them. And the fact that only 1/3 of the many passes were forward says it all.

The only time we looked dangerous was when we had some bottle and played quickly. I just don't know why this seems so hard to do consistently. 

Scienza was frustrating at times today but subbed so early. Azaz had a stinker. I know he's come up with some goals etc but he has no control of games. Too many well off it today.

Pretty unacceptable defeat all things considered.

I spent a good chunk of the Cov game watching Azaz closely.

 I learned nothing new. He is mostly in the right places and does enough work.In the parts of the game where he needs to win the ball/ break things up/ help us retain control, he is well sub-par for a team aspiring to the top six. His touch in midfield is too often poor. He is useful round the opposition box.

I think he is probably a £5m player tops. 

[macca155]

That game has really knocked the stuffing out of me. Had such high hopes of a morale boosting win, but all we get is the same predictable garbage.

I'm pretty much convinced that someone at the club is forcing Tonda to play this style, and make these substitutions. He cannot be doing this by free will.

Oxford are a poor Championship side, but even they had sussed out Saints and managed to sneak a win. Just embarrassing, considering the money spent in the summer.

3 CBs weren't needed, put an extra man in midfield, to help deliver some decent service to the forwards.

If thousands of Saints fans can see, why the hell can't they.

 

[Zorba]

3 hours ago, femalesaint said:

And using the female stereotype 'stick to the washing up' is unintelligent and boring, and makes you sound old. Woman follow football nowadays. Get over it 🙄

We’ll have to keep an eye on this.. next they’ll want to borrow some boots and have a kickabout 👀

[Gloucester Saint]

5 minutes ago, macca155 said:

I'm pretty much convinced that someone at the club is forcing Tonda to play this style, and make these substitutions. He cannot be doing this by free will.

https://www.rasmusankersen.com
Coaching on how to build high-performance organisations….hmmmm 😂

[saintant]

4 minutes ago, Gloucester Saint said:

https://www.rasmusankersen.com
Coaching on how to build high-performance organisations….hmmmm 😂

How can he coach it yet not do it?

[CheshireSaint]

1 hour ago, saintant said:

Let's be brutally honest for once - we do not have a particularly good squad. We play 3 centre backs and don't have a decent one at the club. We play wing backs and don't have a decent one at the club. We have 3 goalkeepers all of who are useless. We have zero physical presence apart from the 3 centre backs. Azaz and Fellows are both good on their day but very hit and miss. Armstrong will score goals but needs the right service which he's not now getting. Downes is nothing more than average at this level. Jander has much promise but is having to do too much. Our subs in general weaken us rather than giving us a lift. We are not that good if we're being blunt. If we were any good we'd be showing it week in week out as teams like Coventry do.

Agree with most of this. Tonda needs to be looked at too. Willing to give him a post January grace period but so far, just because he improved results from a spectacularly poor baseline, a Messiah he is not. If he is being told what to play (3 at the back for example), then he is a weak charlatan. If not, he is a fucking cretin. Either way, not good. 

[Gloucester Saint]

10 minutes ago, saintant said:

How can he coach it yet not do it?

What he learned from watching Phil Giles I suppose?

[Lone ranger]

34 minutes ago, macca155 said:

I'm pretty much convinced that someone at the club is forcing Tonda to play this style, and make these substitutions. He cannot be doing this by free will.

I can only think you are right. Why in the world have we relapsed to the pointless sideways and backwards style of play that brought RM's reign to an end. For a few games (almost a memory already) we were bright, determined, forward running and passing and a joy to watch. And it got results..

Has the manager be instructed to play only 'Man City very lite' football with our  inadequate players. I salute Leo- he is wonderful- but his energy and inspiration and all round 'goodguyness' are going to be squahed by this boring pedestrian style. (Worse  bidders  will be in for him  like a shot )Please Tonda stand up to them (whoever they are) and get back to the exciting Saints traditional style football with fast wingers and plenty of exciting opportunities up front to take the pressure off the defenders and  try THB as a central sriker with Arma alongside.

[die Mannyschaft]

2 hours ago, Sheaf Saint said:

For their second goal, I still can't understand why none of our idiot defenders didn't just foul the striker and take one for the team.  

You'd think they would all know by now that allowing an opposing player through for a one on one against Baz is pretty much guaranteed to be a goal.

We're just so soft and naive. 

We don't do tactical fouls and lose out as every other team does it. Could have just sat down in box in box in buildup. Anything. Saints are the softest team in leaque, not physical,  not aggressive, just think sideways first not yellow card. Why on earth isn't Bazunu sitting down in box 3 of 4 times when opponents move forward. 

[SoberSaint]

God that was awful. A few weeks ago we were playing with pace and energy.

Now back to the slow build up play of Still and Martin. Not getting behind teams as they are allowed to organise their defensive unit behind the ball while we f**k around at the back!

 Poor performances throughout the side but how did Izaz stay on the pitch while Leo and Fellows were hooked?