Saints 5-0 QPR - Match Thread

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

2 minutes ago, StrangelyBrown said:

Big shouts out for Larin for leading the line so well,

And who would have thought it? A big 6ft+ guy up front who can hold up and lay off the ball would make our team a lot stronger?

That was up with Charlton and Stoke as our best performance of the season. Fantastic.

[Chez]

QPR made so many errors, but for once we were good at punishing them. Lovely. Some harder games to come, but I still think we get 6th.

[JohnS]

Great result & exactly what we should be doing to poor teams in this league like that 

Not a great 1st half & up until his 1st goal I thought that Matsuki had a very poor 1st half.  He came out a different player in the 2nd half.

Great 2nd half performance by most & signs are there now that with our squad, that if all clicks we could be formidable in this league.  Think we just need more positivity & faster play.  Less slow passing around the back & edges, which was what we done most of the 1st half. 

Scienza had a much better 2nd half, thought that Larin was very good. There’s a great player in Edozie & if he gets more time he’d be ready/sharp at play-offs. Charles exudes class & calmness & Bree has brought more solidity to the defence.  
Fellows looks short of confidence & needs to get his head up more

Great result - onto the next 

[hypochondriac]

Just now, Chez said:

QPR made so many errors, but for once we were good at punishing them. Lovely. Some harder games to come, but I still think we get 6th.

Might even be better than that. We aren't that far off Millwall.

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, hypochondriac said:

Every time we play well it annoys me that we fucked up the start of the season so much. No decent striker, Fellows at rb, loaning out Bree and playing three at the back, Bazunu in goal. Just so frustrating if this season ends up being a waste that even a slightly better start would have seen us comfortably in the playoffs and looking towards automatics.

It was insane at the time, let alone looking back from this point.

the 3 at the back, THB asked to play like peak Koeman, Fellows being fucked over, Jack Stephens coming on for Leo and to play CM, Downs being our 2nd striker....

It killed any hope of a top 2 challenge after a couple of weeks, when we evidently have one of the best groups of players in the league.

[BotleySaint]

Great win tonight. But you've got to say their keeper was awful and probably cost them 3 goals.

We are still vulnerable as evidenced by the Leicester first half. And letting Charlton back into it at the weekend.

But if we can just hold it together.. we might be able to make the play offs.

[woodsaint1]

15 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

Biggest win since...???

We beat Swansea on boxing day in the last Championship season?

[Sheaf Saint]

1 minute ago, maysie said:

I watched the second half before half time, it was weird.

But what about the third half that Alex watched? When did that happen?

13 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

2nd half miles better than the 3rd.

 

[The Kraken]

1 minute ago, hypochondriac said:

I don't think they looked that bad first half to be honest. They were the better team for about twenty five minutes after the first goal.

Even the pundits on Sky said that 4-0 would’ve been a fair score at half time. Fair enough if you think QPR were better. I kind of agree with the pundits, they were poor.

[LegalEagle]

5 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Worth pointing out as well that Manning was alright today after being a liability in previous matches. Good to see.

I thought Manning had his best game for Saints tonight

[Holmes_and_Watson]

We worked hard to make things click for us. Sure, Scienza's shot was parried for Matsuki's confident finish. But Manning put in a brave touch to get it to Scienza.

With Rangers pushed back, Manning supported well.

It was lovely to see Leo get a goal. But look at Larin motoring for the pass.

Bree was solid throughout, and seems capable of getting really good goals too. Hopefully an extension to hold down a first team player.

THB not only hit the post, but put through some good direct passing. Where we can struggle to get through the midfield, this is a good option to have. He did well recovering when their player got through. 

Even Peretz, with his diving header played a part.

The game was well over when the subs came on. But they all had moments, and it's good to see the depth we have getting game time. 

Surprisingly close to 6th, considering where we've been this season. COYR!

[Midfield_General]

4 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Must give a nod to their keeper. Pretty influential in a couple of our goals

Three

[Chez]

Just now, hypochondriac said:

Might even be better than that. We aren't that far off Millwall.

6 points ahead and they have a game in hand. 6th is fine by me. We just need to be winning games and perhaps have the extra confidence a victory against Cov, Ipswich and Wrexham might bring.

[Harry_SFC]

6 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Every time we play well it annoys me that we fucked up the start of the season so much. No decent striker, Fellows at rb, loaning out Bree and playing three at the back, Bazunu in goal. Just so frustrating if this season ends up being a waste that even a slightly better start would have seen us comfortably in the playoffs and looking towards automatics.

Positive signs for next season though. If we can keep hold of our better players and add to them that is. 

If it's not this season then you feel it has to be next. Otherwise...

 

Edited 11 hours ago by Harry_SFC

[stknowle]

28 minutes ago, SNSUN said:

I only remember Peretz making one save

I’m the same with Baz……

[Thripp87]

So since Tonda came in, most points, most wins, most goals, highest xg and most shots on target in the division.

Yet still people moan at Tonda. Very odd.

 

Edited 11 hours ago by Thripp87

[maysie]

2 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

But what about the third half that Alex watched? When did that happen?

 

It was after I watched the 9th 8th divided by 6. It's been a great night.

[Sheaf Saint]

2 minutes ago, woodsaint1 said:

We beat Swansea on boxing day in the last Championship season?

You're right. I thought that was only 4-0 but was misremembering.

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, stknowle said:

I’m the same with Baz……

🤣

[Micky]

Believe it or not I was nervous pretty much all the way through that game. Not so much the points, but was desperate for a clean sheet.  Great performances all round, loads of plus points, but I was particularly impressed with Larins hold ups and running without the ball. Right, more beer.

[Lighthouse]

Sod’s Law, I went on Saturday but was working this evening. Oh well, I guess I can’t complain really.

[Chez]

2 minutes ago, BotleySaint said:

Great win tonight. But you've got to say their keeper was awful and probably cost them 3 goals.

We are still vulnerable as evidenced by the Leicester first half. And letting Charlton back into it at the weekend.

But if we can just hold it together.. we might be able to make the play offs.

we are not a great side, but we have enough to make the play offs. QPR got between the lines a lot but didn't have the quality to do much with it. Other sides above us might. We need to tighten up for the big games to come. No sure if we can do it, but there is still time for the side to improve.

[Chris cooper]

Autos ?nah we couldn’t could we ? 👀

[Harry_SFC]

2 minutes ago, Thripp87 said:

So since Tonda came in, most points, most wins, most goals, highest xg and most shots on target in the division.

Yet still people moan at Tonda. Very odd.

 

Why are you obsessed with people who have moaned at him? 

I moaned at him because he played 3 at the back with Bazunu in goal and Fellows at RWB for so long.

He eventually changed it and we are playing well now. 

[Turkish]

1 minute ago, Chris cooper said:

Autos ?nah we couldn’t could we ? 👀

You’re right we couldn’t 

[hypochondriac]

6 minutes ago, The Kraken said:

Even the pundits on Sky said that 4-0 would’ve been a fair score at half time. Fair enough if you think QPR were better. I kind of agree with the pundits, they were poor.

I don't really give a fuck what some random sky sports pundits think. They didn't test our keeper much but they had the better of the play for a fair amount of time after we scored the first.

[Baird of the land]

7 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Might even be better than that. We aren't that far off Millwall.

Their next 4 are Birmingham, Preston, hull and derby. I’d expect them to be dragged further towards the pack.

[SNSUN]

Watch Larin's run for the Leo goal. Not only does we win the ball but he outpaced everyone to get into a position where, if Leo had squared it, he'd have had a tap in. Seriously quick is Larin. Excellent performance. 

[vectraman]

Great win, one of those rare games where everything went well in front of goal. Don’t think there will be too many complaints that we let Ronnie Edward’s join them tonight. He was part of their abject defence - take a bow the keeper for being stand out super shit tonight too. 
 

Let’s go beat Wednesday next and keep the points total tickling along 🤞🤞

[The Kraken]

Just now, hypochondriac said:

I don't really give a fuck what some random sky sports pundits think. They didn't test our keeper much but they had the better of the play for a fair amount of time after we scored the first.

Good for you.

QPR gave us one of the easiest games we’ve had all season. Scoreline reflected it.

[The Kraken]

Angry twat 🤣

[sadoldgit]

Got to be happy with that. They made it easy for us but there was still a job to do and we got it done.

I’ve given Stephens plenty of stick over the years so I’m pleased to be able to say that he has actually been solid and looked the part during this unbeaten run. Fair play to Captain Jack (and please keep it up).

[Patches O Houlihan]

That was a fun watch. Felt like everyone played pretty well. Great to see Jack & THB playing with confidence.

Clearly the team trying to set up goals for Larin & Archer. 

Larin has been a good addition I think. His hold up play; and just generally making life tough for the defenders creates so much space for the creatives around him. A few lovely touches as well. Keep up the good work Cyle.

Nice to see the competition for places too - Edozie & Matsuki keeping Scienza and Fellows honest.

When Azaz has a good day, Saints have a good day 

Well done Tonda. It was crying out for a back four, but he made the change and those stats tell the story. COYR

 

 

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, The Kraken said:

Good for you.

QPR gave us one of the easiest games we’ve had all season. Scoreline reflected it.

They were tidy without being threatening, and defended fairly well in the 1st half. Their keeper though....

[hypochondriac]

5 minutes ago, Harry_SFC said:

Positive signs for next season though. If we can keep hold of our better players and add to them that is. 

If it's not this season then you feel it has to be next. Otherwise...

 

I'm not sure how we will manage that. Next season should be much harder.

 

6 minutes ago, Thripp87 said:

So since Tonda came in, most points, most wins, most goals, highest xg and most shots on target in the division.

Yet still people moan at Tonda. Very odd.

 

TBF he was probably one game from the sack after hull. 

[hypochondriac]

3 minutes ago, Baird of the land said:

Their next 4 are Birmingham, Preston, hull and derby. I’d expect them to be dragged further towards the pack.

Indeed. If we keep winning we could make up that points difference quite quickly. Not counting any chickens of course but it's not massively unlikely.

[beatlesaint]

Just now, sadoldgit said:

Got to be happy with that. They made it easy for us but there was still a job to do and we got it done.

I’ve given Stephens plenty of stick over the years so I’m pleased to be able to say that he has actually been solid and looked the part during this unbeaten run. Fair play to Captain Jack (and please keep it up).

Me too, I have never rated him BUT he looks a hell if a lot better in a conventional back 4…….. as does THB by the way. 

[Saint86]

18 minutes ago, Harry_SFC said:

Our results against Hull and Millwall this season (1 point from the 4 games) look like they could cost us. 

More likely that our game away at Wrexham will be critical. But yes, not ideal, equally though, they'll all have dropped points at some point... end of the day, we've just got to get more points than they do... and that means that the Charlton result really was a dropped bollock when you consider we have much tougher games vs Ipswich and Norwich at home, and Coventry away - all in the not too distance future. We cannot afford to drop any points vs the likes of Wednesday or WBA.

[hypochondriac]

3 minutes ago, The Kraken said:

Good for you.

QPR gave us one of the easiest games we’ve had all season. Scoreline reflected it.

I didn't mention anything about the scoreline. 

[Chris cooper]

5 minutes ago, Turkish said:

You’re right we couldn’t 

We can mathematically Yorkshire!!

[woodsaint1]

3 minutes ago, Patches O Houlihan said:

That was a fun watch. Felt like everyone played pretty well. Great to see Jack & THB playing with confidence.

Clearly the team trying to set up goals for Larin & Archer. 

Larin has been a good addition I think. His hold up play; and just generally making life tough for the defenders creates so much space for the creatives around him. A few lovely touches as well. Keep up the good work Cyle.

Nice to see the competition for places too - Edozie & Matsuki keeping Scienza and Fellows honest.

When Azaz has a good day, Saints have a good day 

Well done Tonda. It was crying out for a back four, but he made the change and those stats tell the story. COYR

 

 

That is a great picture 😂

[Midfield_General]

Tonda desperately trying to stay in character during his Sky interview but can't help but keep breaking into a shit-eating grin. Love it. 

Didn't realise QPR's captain actually got all their players together for a huddle after our fourth went in. Don't see that very often. 

QPR player also having what looked like a barney with one of their fans at the end. 

They haven't had a very good night really

[Harry_SFC]

3 minutes ago, Saint86 said:

More likely that our game away at Wrexham will be critical. But yes, not ideal, equally though, they'll all have dropped points at some point... end of the day, we've just got to get more points than they do... and that means that the Charlton result really was a dropped bollock when you consider we have much tougher games vs Ipswich and Norwich at home, and Coventry away - all in the not too distance future. We cannot afford to drop any points vs the likes of Wednesday or WBA.

I mean dropping points to this Sheffield Wednesday side is a sackable offence. Not just the manager but the whole team...

[kevdoh]

7 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

I don't really give a fuck what some random sky sports pundits think. They didn't test our keeper much but they had the better of the play for a fair amount of time after we scored the first.

😂 They were absolutely awful. I didn't think we were great tonight but won 5-0. They didn't have the better of anything at any point in the game. What game were you watching? 

[macca155]

Not only a great watch but that was a statement win.

Firstly they right royally dispatched, a so called competitor.

Saints have shown their squad depth and quality on live TV. That will make the other teams nervous.

GD is now a positive.

With WBA and SW coming up, Saints should be in a good position, going into the crucial games against Coventry, Ipswich, and Wrexham.

That's where the season is ignited or disintegrates.

 

[Hopper]

Full backing for Tonda. He’s proven his quality over his time in charge. Clearly gives the right detail. No we aren’t going to win every match but he’s got this lot playing to their potential which is a borderline miracle given where we were when he came in.

Whatever happens at the end of the season back him this summer and we’re in with a shot of automatic promotion next season. (Provided we don’t go up of course 😂)

 

[hypochondriac]

Someone pointed out that our good run of form has coincided pretty well with our new assistant manager. Might just be a coincidence but I wonder if he's had a positive influence behind the scenes?

[Patches O Houlihan]

24 minutes ago, hypochondriac said:

Worth pointing out as well that Manning was alright today after being a liability in previous matches. Good to see.

He screwed up at least three times defensively in the first 40 minutes. Could very easily have been punished by QPR. 

[SNSUN]

4 minutes ago, Harry_SFC said:

I mean dropping points to this Sheffield Wednesday side is a sackable offence. Not just the manager but the whole team...

The only team Wednesday have beaten this season is the Skates. Good Wednesday. 

[SNSUN]

10 minutes ago, beatlesaint said:

Me too, I have never rated him BUT he looks a hell if a lot better in a conventional back 4…….. as does THB by the way. 

Fewer Centre backs to pass it to. No brainer.  I never want to see 3 CBs again.