Saints 1-0 Watford - Match Thread

[SNSUN]

9 teams (minimum) going for one play off place really. Could be an interesting end to the season. 

Edited 5 hours ago by SNSUN

[BarberSaint]

2 hours ago, SNSUN said:

You got to feel for Ross, finally gets himself fit and another striker comes along and gets the glory. But still that's two options up front to play the way we want to play. Now the providers behind them need to do more to supply. 

I thought Edozie looked good when he came on. Defence were good too, another clean sheet. I hope Flynn isn't out long but we have got some strength in depth now in midfield.

Edozie did  nothing but at least he now gets his head up and looks for a pass so that's an improvement. But I would have liked to have seen him take on their defender because I'm sure he'd had have had him in knots.

[Oh no Mick Mills]

17 minutes ago, BarberSaint said:

The 'staff' are facking  useless.

On the subject of food, the £4.50 chips have to be the world's tiniest portion..absolute rip off..never again. 

[lambtiss]

35 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

Downs missed an absolute sitter on his debut (or was pushed off the ball in Nod world), complete lack of belief, whereas this bloke powered it in. Need to be careful about over hyping him, as he seemed a bit of a lump to me. Ross Stewart played very intelligently first half, looked like the player he could be before fading. Him, with new bloke backing him up, with Archer as a different sort of back up, we may get away with it up front. One thing for sure “Arma” wouldn’t have headed that. 
 

Both full backs excellent, let’s get a new contract in front of Bree now. We’ll need him next season if we’re in this league. 
 

Leo average again, Stay on your feet man, get off corners and free kicks. Azaz frustrating again & I thought Jander was slightly off it today as well. 
 

Type of game you need to win, but a pretty average standard from both sides…

Agree with all of this, apart from the Azaz comment. I thought he was the only creative influence we had today. One defence splitting pass was brilliant, just not capitalised on.

Personally, I would have dug out Fellows before Azaz. Fellows is becoming very frustrating, he turns inside every time and then runs about 20 yards with his head down but only takes us about 6 inches forward. 

Maybe it's his head down style of running but his final ball is really poor and his shooting reminds me of the Chris Waddle World Cup penalty.

[Football Special]

45 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

Downs missed an absolute sitter on his debut (or was pushed off the ball in Nod world), complete lack of belief, whereas this bloke powered it in. Need to be careful about over hyping him, as he seemed a bit of a lump to me. Ross Stewart played very intelligently first half, looked like the player he could be before fading. Him, with new bloke backing him up, with Archer as a different sort of back up, we may get away with it up front. One thing for sure “Arma” wouldn’t have headed that. 
 

Both full backs excellent, let’s get a new contract in front of Bree now. We’ll need him next season if we’re in this league. 
 

Leo average again, Stay on your feet man, get off corners and free kicks. Azaz frustrating again & I thought Jander was slightly off it today as well. 
 

Type of game you need to win, but a pretty average standard from both sides…

I agree with that, Scienza not at his best, fitness of the whole side still questionable to be honest. Bet Tonda changes the team on Tuesday to protect some players who can't "handle the minutes"

[lambtiss]

2 minutes ago, Football Special said:

I agree with that, Scienza not at his best, fitness of the whole side still questionable to be honest. Bet Tonda changes the team on Tuesday to protect some players who can't "handle the minutes"

I agree. I thought Watford looked a lot fitter and sharper and this was their 2nd away match in a week.

[Saint_clark]

58 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

Downs missed an absolute sitter on his debut (or was pushed off the ball in Nod world), complete lack of belief, whereas this bloke powered it in. 

In fairness another way of looking at that is the difference between a young lad with not much experience and an older pro who is used to the pressure. 

[Obstacle1]

5 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

In fairness another way of looking at that is the difference between a young lad with not much experience and an older pro who is used to the pressure. 

Or a guy who's a professional footballer and a guy who isnt

[Vancouver Saint]

Only saw the last 15 minutes...was nervy conceding corners but for once we held firm.

I did say give Larin the benefit of the doubt - he's played really well for Canada in the past. He looked fitter and better than I expected with a good touch - but I guess he's only been on for a few minutes.

It makes such a difference to have a goalkeeper!

[bpsaint]

19 minutes ago, Football Special said:

I agree with that, Scienza not at his best, fitness of the whole side still questionable to be honest. Bet Tonda changes the team on Tuesday to protect some players who can't "handle the minutes"

Adam and Jo were pondering the fitness too, couldn’t understand how we looked so tired after a weeks rest. I’m hoping we stick with as similar as possible lineup up for Tuesday and ring the changes next week when it matters less.

Edited 5 hours ago by bpsaint

[saintant]

46 minutes ago, Miltonaggro said:

Mention in dispatches to the Watford number 8, Giorgi Chakvetadze, who was a handful all game, tricky powerful attacking midfielder. If we are in this league next season would be a great signing. 

 

 

Best player on the pitch. I think he gave the ball away once and was involved in most of what Watford had to offer. 

[Chez]

i know we were  ponderous going forward, Leo playing poorly didn't help, but I didn't think we were too bad. I think you have to give Watford a lot of credit for they way they set up, the way they congested space and stuck to their task and their opponent, the quality they have on the ball and the threat they offered.

We were a little fortunate at times, but we covered our own mistakes well - especially downes in the first half. In the second half we struggled to create, but we limited them.

We have some good players, but not players miles better than our opponents, so there are going to be times when have to dig in and get a 1-0 win.

I feel good about us right now. Tonda has got his full backs and strikers to play the formation he wants and we look a much better side.

 

 

[SNSUN]

4 hours ago, SNSUN said:

Yeah not great that. We had a couple of decent attacks and half chances but then Watford came into the came more and we looked like were the away team.

Downes was having a good game so it was a shame he went off. Hopefully Charles can dominate things more in the second half. 

1-0 win with a Larin goal still on the cards! 😀

😎

5-2 win vs Leicester next. 😜

[Chez]

57 minutes ago, Miltonaggro said:

Mention in dispatches to the Watford number 8, Giorgi Chakvetadze, who was a handful all game, tricky powerful attacking midfielder. If we are in this league next season would be a great signing. 

he was mentioned a lot on the summer hcdajfu thread. Really good player. Great first touch and strength. Bree did a good job to limit his clear cut chances 

[Chez]

44 minutes ago, lambtiss said:

Personally, I would have dug out Fellows before Azaz. Fellows is becoming very frustrating, he turns inside every time and then runs about 20 yards with his head down but only takes us about 6 inches forward. 

Maybe it's his head down style of running but his final ball is really poor and his shooting reminds me of the Chris Waddle World Cup penalty.

The coming inside things looks like it's taking us nowhere, and it probably is, but it does help us keep possession and remove pressure on our defence. It also is breaks up the predictable pattern of play of across the back four and down the sides and the back again. It opens things up and drags players out of position.

That said, when he's in the final third, I'd like him to go outside a few more times (Leo too) to keep the fullback honest. They both are string on the other foot, lack blistering pace and aren't strong which is why they come  inside a lot.

[SW11_Saint]

32 minutes ago, Obstacle1 said:

Or a guy who's a professional footballer and a guy who isnt

No, they are both professional footballers. 

[Lord Duckhunter]

25 minutes ago, Chez said:

he was mentioned a lot on the summer hcdajfu thread. Really good player. Great first touch and strength. Bree did a good job to limit his clear cut chances 

Was he the bloke with Steve Claridge’s kit on? 

[Chez]

7 minutes ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

Was he the bloke with Steve Claridge’s kit on? 

yep. Talking of which, they might want to replace those white shorts. They looked they'd gone in the same wash as the shirts.

[Gloucester Saint]

59 minutes ago, saintant said:

Best player on the pitch. I think he gave the ball away once and was involved in most of what Watford had to offer. 

Good player although even more one footed than Che.

[Hawkswood]

2 hours ago, lambtiss said:

Agree with all of this, apart from the Azaz comment. I thought he was the only creative influence we had today. One defence splitting pass was brilliant, just not capitalised on.

Personally, I would have dug out Fellows before Azaz. Fellows is becoming very frustrating, he turns inside every time and then runs about 20 yards with his head down but only takes us about 6 inches forward. 

Maybe it's his head down style of running but his final ball is really poor and his shooting reminds me of the Chris Waddle World Cup penalty.

Definitely agree with this. Not sure if you  noticed how many times he cut in on his first man, which is fair enough, and Stewart, nearly every time, made a smart little run inbetween the cb and full back and not once did he recieve the pass. Instead, as you mentioned, he just ran ran and ran and ended up killing our .momentum. 

[Saints4Prem]

2 hours ago, Vancouver Saint said:

Only saw the last 15 minutes...was nervy conceding corners but for once we held firm.

I did say give Larin the benefit of the doubt - he's played really well for Canada in the past. He looked fitter and better than I expected with a good touch - but I guess he's only been on for a few minutes.

It makes such a difference to have a goalkeeper!

Do you mean the goalkeeper that fell over the ball last week to nearly give a goal away. Today, early in the game, he passed out to one of their players, who should of scored. He also dawdles on the ball and today was chased down by a forward twice and just about got the ball away. He also kicks the ball into touch a fair bit more than I would have expected when he kicks forward. He doesn't command the box and the only difference I can see is that going to a back four has made the defence more difficult to get through. I am not sure he is the answer going forward as it scares me every time the ball is crossed into the box.

[Saint-Reece]

2 minutes ago, Saints4Prem said:

Do you mean the goalkeeper that fell over the ball last week to nearly give a goal away. Today, early in the game, he passed out to one of their players, who should have scored. He also dawdles on the ball and today was chased down by a forward twice and just about got the ball away. He also kicks the ball into touch a fair bit more than I would have expected when he kicks forward. He doesn't command the box and the only difference I can see is that going to a back four has made the defence more difficult to get through. I am not sure he is the answer going forward as it scares me every time the ball is crossed into the box.

If only we still had Bazunu 🥺

[saintant]

8 minutes ago, Saints4Prem said:

Do you mean the goalkeeper that fell over the ball last week to nearly give a goal away. Today, early in the game, he passed out to one of their players, who should of scored. He also dawdles on the ball and today was chased down by a forward twice and just about got the ball away. He also kicks the ball into touch a fair bit more than I would have expected when he kicks forward. He doesn't command the box and the only difference I can see is that going to a back four has made the defence more difficult to get through. I am not sure he is the answer going forward as it scares me every time the ball is crossed into the box.

You missed out he also has 3 clean sheets in the last 4 games.

[Stud mark of doom]

11 minutes ago, Saints4Prem said:

Do you mean the goalkeeper that fell over the ball last week to nearly give a goal away. Today, early in the game, he passed out to one of their players, who should of scored. He also dawdles on the ball and today was chased down by a forward twice and just about got the ball away. He also kicks the ball into touch a fair bit more than I would have expected when he kicks forward. He doesn't command the box and the only difference I can see is that going to a back four has made the defence more difficult to get through. I am not sure he is the answer going forward as it scares me every time the ball is crossed into the box.

Leave it Gav - focus on getting back to full fitness and trying to lean how to do saves with Stoke. 

[Sheaf Saint]

13 minutes ago, saintant said:

You missed out he also has 3 clean sheets in the last 4 games.

And made two absolutely outstanding saves in the last game to earn that clean sheet.

[Saints4Prem]

13 minutes ago, Stud mark of doom said:

Leave it Gav - focus on getting back to full fitness and trying to lean how to do saves with Stoke. 

Not sure I mentioned Bazunu ? I just do not think the new keeper is much better and is the answer. His job is to make saves, I think he has too many mistakes in his locker. He was lucky today as the Watford player he put the ball out to should have scored and he was nearly closed down twice in his area. As most seem to agree here, the change in defence has made a difference and has really helped with clean sheets in my opinion. I am not comparing him to anyone but wish we had found a goalkeeper who could come out for crosses and command the box. I recall a double save he made when he was first here which was a shot he softly padded out to someone's head and then had to save that instead of a good clearance or catch from the first shot. Fair play if you and the others who responded think he is the answer but I hope we find someone better for next season as I suspect with our goalkeeping coaches he is unlikely to improve.  

[Mboto Gorge]

6 minutes ago, Saints4Prem said:

Not sure I mentioned Bazunu ? I just do not think the new keeper is much better and is the answer. His job is to make saves, I think he has too many mistakes in his locker. He was lucky today as the Watford player he put the ball out to should have scored and he was nearly closed down twice in his area. As most seem to agree here, the change in defence has made a difference and has really helped with clean sheets in my opinion. I am not comparing him to anyone but wish we had found a goalkeeper who could come out for crosses and command the box. I recall a double save he made when he was first here which was a shot he softly padded out to someone's head and then had to save that instead of a good clearance or catch from the first shot. Fair play if you and the others who responded think he is the answer but I hope we find someone better for next season as I suspect with our goalkeeping coaches he is unlikely to improve.  

Artur Boruc had the odd howler in his Locker too, remember a couple of times him dwelling on the ball at his feet and being dispossessed and conceding, memorably at Arsenal to name one of them. However, as an overall goalkeeper he was comfortably our best keeper at that time and saved us more often than he made errors. This guy isn’t as good as Boruc, but for the level he’s playing at, I’d say he’s equally as capable and again, is our best keeper by a mile

Edited 1 hour ago by Mboto Gorge

[Hopper]

52 minutes ago, Saints4Prem said:

I just do not think the new keeper is much better and is the answer.

Respectfully Bazunu was statistically the worst keeper in the league...

Since coming in Peretz is statistically the best?

[hypochondriac]

1 hour ago, Saints4Prem said:

Not sure I mentioned Bazunu ? I just do not think the new keeper is much better and is the answer. His job is to make saves, I think he has too many mistakes in his locker. He was lucky today as the Watford player he put the ball out to should have scored and he was nearly closed down twice in his area. As most seem to agree here, the change in defence has made a difference and has really helped with clean sheets in my opinion. I am not comparing him to anyone but wish we had found a goalkeeper who could come out for crosses and command the box. I recall a double save he made when he was first here which was a shot he softly padded out to someone's head and then had to save that instead of a good clearance or catch from the first shot. Fair play if you and the others who responded think he is the answer but I hope we find someone better for next season as I suspect with our goalkeeping coaches he is unlikely to improve.  

Then you're blind quite frankly.

Edited 14 minutes ago by hypochondriac

[hypochondriac]

1 hour ago, Mboto Gorge said:

Artur Boruc had the odd howler in his Locker too, remember a couple of times him dwelling on the ball at his feet and being dispossessed and conceding, memorably at Arsenal to name one of them. However, as an overall goalkeeper he was comfortably our best keeper at that time and saved us more often than he made errors. This guy isn’t as good as Boruc, but for the level he’s playing at, I’d say he’s equally as capable and again, is our best keeper by a mile

Also worth remembering that he hasn't really played in a hell of a long time. 

[die Mannyschaft]

5 hours ago, Oh no Mick Mills said:

On the subject of food, the £4.50 chips have to be the world's tiniest portion..absolute rip off..never again. 

Food is expensive and rubbish, normally cold. Better off getting chips from chip shop and eating them on way to ground. Even the burger vans are better. 

[Lighthouse]

Five at the back isn’t necessarily a bad formation, played correctly, as we showed when Tonda first took over. That being said I much prefer us playing with a four and thank every god ever invented that I don’t have to watch Manning and Wood try to defend every weekend any more.

The playoffs look a tall order, not because of the points gap but because of the flotsam in between us and sixth. Even if we win our next three, the chances are four or five teams above us will pick up six or seven points too.

[die Mannyschaft]

Fantastic goal, he looks good on the ball, bug of strength and can run to meet the ball while heading. 

Some of Saints football was very good today but large parts boring as fuck sideways and back to idiotic keeper dribbling.

6 points left, just too wins and I'm going to relax as will be safe. No chance for 6th place as other teams picking up points.

I hope I don't fall asleep ar Leicester.