Middlesbrough 4-0 Saints - Match Thread

[Harry_SFC]

They probably couldn't wish for an easier game given their recent struggles. 

They will know we'll play 3 at the back and to cut the passing lanes to our forward players. They will get balls into the box and shoot on sight.

They'll know we won't have our best team out for any of the match. 

The slog continues. 

Edited Thursday at 20:23 by Harry_SFC

[AlexLaw76]

I suspect that we will line up with 3 CBs, Fellows RWB and Manning LWB. Lots of methodical passing around our defensive 3rd, and hope that either Fellows or Leo can break the midfield press. 

As per, we will demand that THB and Manning offer our creative spark for much of the game, which is quite frankly fucking weird.

[Baird of the land]

14 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

I suspect that we will line up with 3 CBs, Fellows RWB and Manning LWB. Lots of methodical passing around our defensive 3rd, and hope that either Fellows or Leo can break the midfield press. 

As per, we will demand that THB and Manning offer our creative spark for much of the game, which is quite frankly fucking weird.

Hard for Leo to break the press with how much he’s on the bench now.

[Lighthouse]

Look on the bright side, if we lose this and Brum beat Coventry at home, Lampard will properly sh*t the bed.

[saintant]

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

[Turkish]

46 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

I suspect that we will line up with 3 CBs, Fellows RWB and Manning LWB. Lots of methodical passing around our defensive 3rd, and hope that either Fellows or Leo can break the midfield press. 

As per, we will demand that THB and Manning offer our creative spark for much of the game, which is quite frankly fucking weird.

I think Tonda might mix it up a bit sunday

Quarsie to come in for Stephens. 

[Osvaldorama]

What we really need is some additional defensive minded players in the side. 
 

8 out of 11 defensive players just isn’t enough. 
 

I reckon if we bench Scienza and Fellows we should be able to squeeze a couple more centre backs in there. 

[die Mannyschaft]

I'm going for 4-0 defeat. Sooner or later we are going to get hammered. 

Opposition cant keep missing sitters and we cant bank on avoiding relegation from Bazunu's saves.

I've never heard such nonsense as we need this and that player for next game so get them off and right off the game being played now. Just play all the best players for the majority of the game

2 separate teams playing sideways and advanced sideways. 

[Appy]

I’ll be there, it’s going to be boring and fucking freezing 

[Football Special]

With the season now as good as over let’s hope Tonda rests some more players to concentrate on the more relevant game away to Doncaster the following week. 
 

huge respect to any Saints fans making the long journey up on a Sunday just after Christmas , managed to lose on our last couple of championship visits , expect more of the same 2-1 Boro. 
 

Azaz to miss the game with a knock as he won’t fancy it 

[Wade Garrett]

More of the same I suspect.  Glad it’s away as it means I don’t have to waste another afternoon watching the same old shit.

[Pamplemousse]

Can we have Scienza and Fellows on the pitch at the same time please Tonda? No league game for 2 weeks after this one so they can go full gas.

[Harry_SFC]

I just wish we would put this side out to at least give us a chance of scoring some goals.

Baz/McCarthy, Jelert, THB, Wood, Welington, Downes, Jander, Fellows, Azaz, Scienza, Armstrong.

Get Edozie back on the bench as well. 

Edited Thursday at 21:59 by Harry_SFC

[Andy Hill]

Does anyone care any more ?? Ladies bowls is more exciting than watching this lot slowly pass it around.

[Zorba]

Not another dose of crabs please Tonda.

[Willo of Whiteley]

I’m not going to predict a score.

I’m going to predict that I’ll forget the game is on because I’ve become that bored and uninspired by the club.

[OttawaSaint]

Baz, Manning, THB, Stephens(c), Wood. Tombola the rest, tell them to *try* not to lose and to win the possession stats.

What could go wrong?

Easy peasy!

[LGTL]

Horrific fixture. Last day before the majority are back to work, and it’s bloody miles away and freezing cold. Mix in pointless passing between 3 wanker CB’s and it has all the makings of an absolute classic. 

[Toussaint]

9 hours ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

I’m not going to predict a score.

I’m going to predict that I’ll forget the game is on because I’ve become that bored and uninspired by the club.

You wish, I wish, we all wish, but that isn’t how it works. I did contemplate going but fortunately I am weening myself off this destructive addiction. 

[SW5 SAINT]

What a New Year gift for Middlesbrough having scored no goals in five…..

[Sunnyside Saint]

After 50 years supporting I'm starting to become indifferent to the whole thing now. These clowns have really spoilt it for me. The bastards.

[Willo of Whiteley]

31 minutes ago, Toussaint said:

You wish, I wish, we all wish, but that isn’t how it works. I did contemplate going but fortunately I am weening myself off this destructive addiction. 

I’ve forgotten a few times this season that we’ve been playing.

Equally I don’t feel that if I switch of the radio or turn off the TV that I’m particularly missing out.

They’ve been incredibly predictable for years

[Mboto Gorge]

Middlesbrough not scored in 5 . They’ll get at least 2 here. 

[coalman]

If we could cram another one or two CBs into our line up they'd need to commit more players to the press and we'd have more spaces to break into.

He's already shown immense adaptability by starting with half our best players on the bench so no one can accuse him of ineffective substitutions. So he took on board the criticism that his subs make things worse. 

Adding just one extra CB would show he's not wedded to five at the back like he's being accused of while allowing him to operate within the framework of Rasmusball.

[Toadhall Saint]

We’ll bore out a win. 

[Saint Fan CaM]

Got family with us so the chances are I’ll not be watching. I still care about results and want things to turn around, but I have zero confidence they will. Not only has Tonda’s methods to get us to play better been found out, but the insistence on a rigid back 5 (3 CB’s) is completely stifling attacking intent and increasing risk in defensive situations. 

The crying shame is that while we don’t have the competency for the high % possession passing around at the back and conversely we DO have high competency in the forward line in Jander, Scienza, Robinson, Fellows, Azaz, AA, Matzuki and even Archer if he was utilised properly. Our tactics therefore are at odds with the competencies within the squad - it’s so fucking frustrating to witness, but even more so when you realise that a change of Manager will not change the new ‘Southampton way’. We’re stuck with this crap until Dragan either sells up or he ditches SR…both highly unlikely.

Edited Friday at 10:58 by Saint Fan CaM
Predicted score line : 2-1

[die Mannyschaft]

14 hours ago, Harry_SFC said:

They probably couldn't wish for an easier game given their recent struggles. 

They will know we'll play 3 at the back and to cut the passing lanes to our forward players. They will get balls into the box and shoot on sight.

They'll know we won't have our best team out for any of the match. 

The slog continues. 

Any team who are on a bad run always score or win v Saints. 

[die Mannyschaft]

27 minutes ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

Got family with us so the chances are I’ll not be watching. I still care about results and want things to turn around, but I have zero confidence they will. Not only has Tonda’s methods to get us to play better been found out, but the insistence on a rigid back 5 (3 CB’s) is completely stifling attacking intent and increasing risk in defensive situations. 

The crying shame is that while we don’t have the competency for the high % possession passing around at the back and conversely we DO have high competency in the forward line in Jander, Scienza, Robinson, Fellows, Azaz, AA, Matzuki and even Archer if he was utilised properly. Our tactics therefore are at odds with the competencies within the squad - it’s so fucking frustrating to witness, but even more so when you realise that a change of Manager will not change the new ‘Southampton way’. We’re stuck with this crap until Dragan either sells up or he ditches SR…both highly 

Whats the point in all the data, analysis and reviewing of matches? No one is learning from past games 

[S-Clarke]

12 minutes ago, die Mannyschaft said:

Whats the point in all the data, analysis and reviewing of matches? No one is learning from past games 

It depends what metrics they're learning on.

i.e. - is player x increasing in value, so we can sell him.  - did we have more than 60% position - are we adhering to the group tactical shape to ensure we sustain the possession metrics.

If those metrics are shining green then nothing will change, the job is being done as far as they're concerned.

Edited Friday at 11:37 by S-Clarke

[ErwinK1961]

Looking forward to Scienza, Fellows etc. being rested/protected in this one, ready for the massive game next week against Doncaster 💪 

[Pamplemousse]

Keep Scienza and Fellows on the bench until the derby game, we need them to contribute 60 mins each minimum.

[bugenhagen]

16 hours ago, Pamplemousse said:

Can we have Scienza and Fellows on the pitch at the same time please Tonda? No league game for 2 weeks after this one so they can go full gas.

This. Love how this hungry eyed boy wonder has worked out how poor we have been with both of them out of the side, that he now only risks playing one at the time…

Forgetting that we need threats in multiple positions to not be so predictable and easy to play against.

[saintant]

Groundhog day....again.

[Dr Who?]

I’m fecking going to this and Donny in the cup! I thought we were going to be flying up the league when I ordered the tickets, not turn into limp dicks again! At least it is only an hour and a half away! 

[OneMrsWallace]

More of the same please. Said nobody. Apart from the players, Tonda and SR. Sigh...

[Gloucester Saint]

1 hour ago, Dr Who? said:

I’m fecking going to this and Donny in the cup! I thought we were going to be flying up the league when I ordered the tickets, not turn into limp dicks again! At least it is only an hour and a half away! 

Cumbria based aren’t you? A66 I expect. Take it easy in the icy conditions, beautiful road though and great scenery. Bet the wind is keen over Cross Fell!

[Turkish]

6 hours ago, Pamplemousse said:

Keep Scienza and Fellows on the bench until the derby game, we need them to contribute 60 mins each minimum.

You just know come this game one of them will Be on the bench and replace the other on 60 minutes 

[LGTL]

Knowing Eckert he’ll play them both against Doncaster and one will end up getting injured and missing Fratton. 

[lambtiss]

23 hours ago, Turkish said:

I think Tonda might mix it up a bit sunday

Quarsie to come in for Stephens. 

Or 4 centre backs?

[Dr Who?]

2 hours ago, Gloucester Saint said:

Cumbria based aren’t you? A66 I expect. Take it easy in the icy conditions, beautiful road though and great scenery. Bet the wind is keen over Cross Fell!

Yes it is a beautiful drive for the scenery across the A66. Hopefully the barrier stays open, or it will be across to Newcastle and down. Will be worth it for a day with my boy. 😊 

[St. Ciervo]

19 hours ago, Mboto Gorge said:

Middlesbrough not scored in 5 . They’ll get at least 2 here. 

We have a long history of fixing droughts for other teams/players. Expect them to make it rain. 

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

Props to those travelling up for this one!

[Toussaint]

Who cares. What’s the point. We’d have to go on an unbelievable run to rescue this season. 

[tdmickey3]

24 minutes ago, Toussaint said:

Who cares. What’s the point. We’d have to go on an unbelievable run to rescue this season. 

We are on a run, a run of boring mediocrity and there is no sign of it changing anytime soon

[StrangelyBrown]

Start with our best team and without the russball boys ...

McCarthy

Jelert THB Wood Welington

Bragg Jander

Fellows Azaz Scienza

Armstrong

[Toussaint]

2 minutes ago, StrangelyBrown said:

Start with our best team and without the russball boys ...

McCarthy

Jelert THB Wood Welington

Bragg Jander

Fellows Azaz Scienza

Armstrong

Are they the Russball boys or have we, as a club, reverted to type?

[trousers]

3 minutes ago, StrangelyBrown said:

Start with our best team

How very last century...

[saintant]

19 minutes ago, tdmickey3 said:

We are on a run, a run of boring mediocrity and there is no sign of it changing anytime soon

The main issue for me is that Eckert appears to be doing little or nothing to resolve the plummet from gaining 6 wins and scoring lots of goal to now struggling for points and chance creation never mind goals. He just carries on with the same set up and tactics which clearly isn't working. So frustrating to watch this happening. His press conferences are becoming tiresome and insulting.

[Willo of Whiteley]

29 minutes ago, StrangelyBrown said:

Start with our best team

Don’t be silly.

Why start with your best team when you could needlessly rotate it, play ultra sideways and defensive, concede a goal or two and then chase the game in less time later on!

[RedArmy]

Scienza and Fellows to be rested so that they’re fit enough to be rested for the next game too.