Saints 5-0 QPR - Match Thread

[pimpin4rizeal]

Motm performance from azaz last night the way he took his first touch with the goal opened it up and lovely finish also when there is space in behind he will find you put Leo through for his goal, is it me or did Larin look super frustrated with Leo for not squaring it ? he kinda laid on the floor when Leo scored.

if there’s one man we gotta talk about being player of the month though it’s gotta be James Bree he’s been instrumental in allowing us to get away from the 3 at the back has absolutely sparked our run of form and to go with it he’s providing a massive threat could have scored again with that header too, give this man a contract maybe Nathan Jones I wasnt so stupid after all

Edited 8 hours ago by pimpin4rizeal

[Sheaf Saint]

I've just watched the highlights cos I missed the third goal last night. Really good finish from Matsuki after Walsh parried the shot from Leo.

I think we all know where that would have ended up if that had fallen to Fellows.

Edited 8 hours ago by Sheaf Saint

[Lighthouse]

7 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

I've just watched the highlights cos I missed the third goal last night. Really good finish from Matsuki after Walsh parried the shit from Leo.

I think we all know where that would have ended up if that had fallen to Fellows.

I hope he washed his gloves after the match. I suppose it explains how Leo's goal slipped through his hands.

[Willo of Whiteley]

9 hours ago, BranfootsLoveChild said:

According to one of the QPR fans on FB, after we scored the first, they dominated for 20 mins.....

He isn’t wrong, we were getting pegged back passing sideways.

Our second goal with our second attempt summed both teams up in the first half: lucky vs wasteful and ineffective.

[Willo of Whiteley]

8 hours ago, SaintBobby said:

You thought the 3rd goal would decide the outcome. But you also thought Saints could have easily scored 7 or 8? 

If we scored the third we’d go on to win, QPR were done.

At 2-1 in Saintsy fashion we fall back and safe, but only invite pressure.

After that third goal they were there for the taking, but the last twenty minutes were all in their third and penalty area with not many attempts. If we’d kept Matsuki, Larin and Scienza on I’m sure we’d have scored a couple more.

[Willo of Whiteley]

19 minutes ago, pimpin4rizeal said:

Motm performance from azaz last night the way he took his first touch with the goal opened it up and lovely finish also when there is space in behind he will find you put Leo through for his goal, is it me or did Larin look super frustrated with Leo for not squaring it ? he kinda laid on the floor when Leo scored.

if there’s one man we gotta talk about being player of the month though it’s gotta be James Bree he’s been instrumental in allowing us to get away from the 3 at the back has absolutely sparked our run of form and to go with it he’s providing a massive threat could have scored again with that header too, give this man a contract maybe Nathan Jones I wasnt so stupid after all

Azaz in the first half aside from the goal was non-existent, much better second half.

I thought Matsuki and Downes were the only two looking to move the ball forward in the first half.

I was at the Chapel End and clocked Larin on his back, he was knackered, but he was fully belly laughing on his back, most likely no malice there. A striker wants to score, he didn’t have any clear cut chances but his hold up play and bringing others into the game was excellent.

Give James Bree that new contract now!

[Willo of Whiteley]

Shoutout to their goalkeeper and his poppadom wrists. 😂

[Lee On Solent Saint]

I was critical of the starting place for Matsuki last night, but fair play to him,he got in decent positions as shown by his two goals. Still gives the ball away cheaply at times, but offers a bit more physical play than Fellows. Thought we were a bit lapse for about twenty odd minutes before we scored the second. Tried to go full on RM again, better teams I think would have punished us in that period. Results like this just make the Charlton one all the more frustrating.

[VectisSaint]

9 hours ago, BranfootsLoveChild said:

According to one of the QPR fans on FB, after we scored the first, they dominated for 20 mins.....

True that. We were dreadful after the Azaz goal, lots of backwards passing and across the back.  But we turned it round, Matsuki's.goal before half time clinched it, otherwise we were struggling to get a second. 

[Jack]

2 hours ago, AllyD said:

Great win well deserved. Thought Northam good tonight but hate the song-

You are only a c@@t with a whistle- really!!!! and why mention Keir Starmer since when have politics and footie mixed except when Sunsk made his once in a lifetime visit to us a couple of seasons back!

Thought the atmosphere was as bad as it’s been all season. Poor attendance and it was dead quiet, first half especially. I just think it matches the intensity on the pitch, when there’s nothing happening and we just stroll about knocking it around the back 4, the crowd isn’t exactly inspired. Better 2nd half, though there were probably only 10k left in the ground at 90 minutes. 

[VectisSaint]

25 minutes ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

He isn’t wrong, we were getting pegged back passing sideways.

Our second goal with our second attempt summed both teams up in the first half: lucky vs wasteful and ineffective.

Does THB's header against the post not count as an attempt?

[Totton Saint]

Watching on TV it made my night seeing the sheer joy on some little boys' faces when the cameras panned into the  crowd after we scored.

We should have got a penalty awarded to make it 6- 0. Roll on Saturday!!

 

 

[trousers]

1 hour ago, Fabrice29 said:

Funny because the perceived wisdom on here over the previous weeks has been that he needs to stop doing this and our tactics should be designed to keep him out wide. 

I've always thought he should play a more central roll, but what do I know...? 😉

[Totton Saint]

11 hours ago, Turkish said:

Ben and Tondas little kingdom is a happy place 

I noted the AM seemed to be mentoring Tonga like a father more than just assisting him.

[kitch]

11 hours ago, SNSUN said:

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. 

Larin was great. There was a moment in the 2nd half, I think, where he takes a ball out of the sky with his chest despite being jostled and pushed from behind at the same time. Crazy strength and skill.

[Saint Fan CaM]

Well that didn’t got the way I’d expected! Delighted of course as I had a ticket for this one…better do that again. 😊

Thought Downes had an exceptional game and was probably my MOTM, although Matsuki was very, very good too. Azaz played as well know he can but doesn’t always.

Larin was also excellent in his hold-up play and demonstrated great ball skill to trap the ball on more than one occasion, in stark contrast to Archer who continues to be an absolute donkey.

All in all, you can only win the games put in front of you and we did that brilliantly last night.

”To the library 5-0!”. 😂😂😂

[whelk]

10 minutes ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

Well that didn’t got the way I’d expected! Delighted of course as I had a ticket for this one…better do that again. 😊

Thought Downes had an exceptional game and was probably my MOTM, although Matsuki was very, very good too. Azaz played as well know he can but doesn’t always.

Larin was also excellent in his hold-up play and demonstrated great ball skill to trap the ball on more than one occasion, in stark contrast to Archer who continues to be an absolute donkey.

All in all, you can only win the games put in front of you and we did that brilliantly last night.

”To the library 5-0!”. 😂😂😂

Archer wasn’t playing the same role. Yes he’s been dreadful but wouldn’t damn him on last night’s performance

[S-Clarke]

I thought we took a bit of time to get going last night, the early goal was a big positive as it felt like we were going to struggle our way through - we somewhat did after we scored, we lost composure and control for some reason. I guess QPR rallied, but we didn't grab that first half how we should have after the 1st goal.

2nd half was a different picture, the two goals either side changed everything though. QPR knew the game was done on 48 mins, and from that point on it was as easy as it'll ever be at this level. What I did enjoy for the first 60 mins or so was Larin, because he provided a genuine attack pivot point and others played around him - similar to how Stewart operates when he comes in. As we all said throughout the summer, we needed a proper number 9 and not an Archer/Armstrong trying to do it.

But to put it into perspective, QPR's goalkeeper was dreadfully bad. I'd say 3 of those goals, at least, were thrown in by him. We took our chances though and cleared up their errors, but there will be much tougher tests to come that's for sure.

[Charlie Wayman]

Good performance.

Loving the newly found camaraderie. There's a massive love-in going on there and it's good to see all those happy faces. Charles should lighten up, he would enjoy it more.

 

Edited 53 minutes ago by Charlie Wayman

[OldNick]

11 hours ago, lambtiss said:

Good to see us taking our chances for once, that was the difference for me. 
Matsuki isn't a winger but was more productive in one match than Fellows has been all season.

sorry tht is a nonsense. Matsuki did well but I dont think its fair to dis Fellows

[Sheaf Saint]

24 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

But to put it into perspective, QPR's goalkeeper was dreadfully bad. I'd say 3 of those goals, at least, were thrown in by him. 

Indeed. To concede 5 against an xG of 1.5 is beyond bad. 

[DT]

That was thoroughly enjoyable.

Good performance all round and it has to be said that the new signings are - after all - pretty astute ones. The goalkeeper has made a huge difference in transmitting confidence to the back four and beyond - even Flynn Downes seems more into it and mobile, which is great to see.

Larins is pretty good, I think. Makes a difference in his high quality hold up play. And not having Adam Armstrong scuffing it and running around aimlessly has given a focus up front.

Scienza's energy is so key. He plays with directness and ability and is not afraid to take people on, which would make Russ very nervous and which Eckhart has clearly learnt to live with...

But the best thing is that morale is clearly high. They look like a team (barring Archer who is beyond hopeless (promote the youngsters please) and that will stand us in good stead to grab that last play-off place, which is definitely achievable.

Not sure we can afford to go up, mind...

[OldNick]

3 hours ago, StrangelyBrown said:

Imagine if he'd also switched to a back 4 a bit quicker...

The most promising thing for me is that a number of players actually seem to have improved. When was the last time we had a manager who made players better?

Seems he could change once we had a big cemtre forward to hold the ball up, that has been a massive difference to us

[Hopper]

10 minutes ago, DT said:

That was thoroughly enjoyable.

Good performance all round and it has to be said that the new signings are - after all - pretty astute ones. The goalkeeper has made a huge difference in transmitting confidence to the back four and beyond - even Flynn Downes seems more into it and mobile, which is great to see.

Larins is pretty good, I think. Makes a difference in his high quality hold up play. And not having Adam Armstrong scuffing it and running around aimlessly has given a focus up front.

Scienza's energy is so key. He plays with directness and ability and is not afraid to take people on, which would make Russ very nervous and which Eckhart has clearly learnt to live with...

But the best thing is that morale is clearly high. They look like a team (barring Archer who is beyond hopeless (promote the youngsters please) and that will stand us in good stead to grab that last play-off place, which is definitely achievable.

Not sure we can afford to go up, mind...

Agree on all these points. Sad reality is going up and getting pumped every week is still far better for the club financially than staying down.

But I will say I love the Championship.

[OldNick]

The one highlight for me that I havent seen mentioned was Peretz's headlong dive to clear the ball, the crazy type of goalkeeping that shows he's got something about him, lol. Ialso think he has spent a lot of time improving his long kicking, most were very good 

[BARCELONASAINT]

Having been a goalkeeper myself there is no dispute, you do have to be a bit mad to play the position and although at times these "mad" goalkeepers might give their defenders and manager nightmares they ultimately are prepared to put their heads in where it hurts!

Peretz is really growing on me, he's quite a character!

[Patrick Bateman]

23 minutes ago, Hopper said:

Agree on all these points. Sad reality is going up and getting pumped every week is still far better for the club financially than staying down.

But I will say I love the Championship.

This. I would be annoyed if we were promoted, who wouldn't be? But the Championship is a brilliant league overall, much more entertaining than the Premier League circus, but the clubs needs the cash innit. 

[jasonbenali]

Such a joy being able to enjoy the last half hour with no real pressure, very unSaintsy and long may it continue!

Special mention to Harwood-Bellis who was class. Even when he made the mistake he got back quickly to redeem it - he just looks half a yard quicker in recent weeks, not sure if he was carrying an injury or short of confidence but that was the player from our promotion season. He makes Jack look better as well.

Who on earth thought it was a good idea to send Bree on loan?!

[Toadhall Saint]

2 hours ago, whelk said:

Archer wasn’t playing the same role. Yes he’s been dreadful but wouldn’t damn him on last night’s performance

My problem with archer is that he cannot control the ball first time. 

[redkeith]

55 minutes ago, jasonbenali said:

Such a joy being able to enjoy the last half hour with no real pressure, very unSaintsy and long may it continue!

Special mention to Harwood-Bellis who was class. Even when he made the mistake he got back quickly to redeem it - he just looks half a yard quicker in recent weeks, not sure if he was carrying an injury or short of confidence but that was the player from our promotion season. He makes Jack look better as well.

Who on earth thought it was a good idea to send Bree on loan?!

I got streams for the Brighton and Espanyol freindlies and Bree was dreadful in both of them, especially defensively. I realise thay both teams are of a higher standard to anything in the Championship but, even so, he was awful.

Maybe that had something to do with it, or maybe he thought he was being managed out. 

He has certainly impressed since he came back.

[Midfield_General]

1 hour ago, jasonbenali said:

Special mention to Harwood-Bellis who was class. Even when he made the mistake he got back quickly to redeem it - he just looks half a yard quicker in recent weeks, not sure if he was carrying an injury or short of confidence but that was the player from our promotion season. He makes Jack look better as well.

They both look better because they're so much more comfortable in a back four and both know how to play it. Everyone's clear on what their jobs are. 

Also, having a proper gobby keeper behind them who, while far from perfect, does shout at people, come for crosses and make saves, makes a big difference. 

Furthermore, fewer crosses coming in when Welington and Bree are on the pitch as they're both proper full-backs who know how to defend, as opposed to the wide open spaces down the channels of earlier in the season. 

Bit by bit, Tonda's improved the defence in multiple ways. It's good, I like it. 

Edited 5 hours ago by Midfield_General

[skintsaint]

Laughed at their number 3 for our 4th goal, chasing back as I do these days when playing 7 a side v guys half my age.....😅

[Midfield_General]

2 hours ago, S-Clarke said:

QPR's goalkeeper was dreadfully bad. I'd say 3 of those goals, at least, were thrown in by him. 

Also worth noting that Bree's goal took a deflection. So four out of the five goals had 'help'. Azaz's was good though 😉

We were very good last night and it was great fun, but it was definitely one of those nights when everything just seemed to go in. 

But we've had plenty of games where it felt like nothing was going our way, so we were due one of those. And you can't get the rub of the green if you don't create the chances in the first place, so we deserved it. 

[stfrancisofbenali]

2 hours ago, OldNick said:

The one highlight for me that I havent seen mentioned was Peretz's headlong dive to clear the ball, the crazy type of goalkeeping that shows he's got something about him, lol. Ialso think he has spent a lot of time improving his long kicking, most were very good 

The fact you can audibly hear him bellow ‘Keeper’s’ when he comes for the ball is also a massive sign of personality. He’s not perfect but his character alone is an enormous upgrade. 

[OldNick]

10 minutes ago, stfrancisofbenali said:

The fact you can audibly hear him bellow ‘Keeper’s’ when he comes for the ball is also a massive sign of personality. He’s not perfect but his character alone is an enormous upgrade. 

Asi said to a couple of fans near me, if he was 100% good he wouldnt be with us on loan. I feel he is a big imporvement and I like his personality on the pithc, constantly directing the defence

[BranfootsLoveChild]

15 hours ago, SNSUN said:

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. 

I did notice after Leo scored, Larin just hit the floor. Looked a bit pissed off to me. It was a good goal but I think he expected the pass. 

[UpweySaint]

7 minutes ago, OldNick said:

Asi said to a couple of fans near me, if he was 100% good he wouldnt be with us on loan. I feel he is a big imporvement and I like his personality on the pithc, constantly directing the defence

You’re not wrong. Lots to like about him and he’s very young in goalkeeper terms. If he signs up permanently it would be interesting to see his development with us.

[Chez]

Just now, BranfootsLoveChild said:

I did notice after Leo scored, Larin just hit the floor. Looked a bit pissed off to me. It was a good goal but I think he expected the pass. 

Larin bust a gut to get there, Leo looked up, clearly saw him, but ignored what looked like the right option of a square pass and shot. Thankfully he scored, but I think Larin would have been well within his rights to give him a bollocking if he hadn't. 

Funnily enough there was another opportunity like that in the second half when Aziz went through, this time slightly on the right side. On this occasion he chose to play a disguised no look square pass, which was blocked/cut out. I thought on that occasion Azaz should have been more direct/selfish and taken the ball on and shot himself.

Sometimes we are selfish and sometimes not selfish enough. We were well clear before both incidents so it didn't matter, but making the right choices when its 0-0 against say Coventry is going to be important.

[Chez]

3 minutes ago, UpweySaint said:

You’re not wrong. Lots to like about him and he’s very young in goalkeeper terms. If he signs up permanently it would be interesting to see his development with us.

Shot stopping looks good, but he has to improve in terms of crosses and set pieces. The six yard box has become a mosh pit and he's looked uncomfortable at times. That said, pretty much all keepers have been struggling with this situation.

[Chez]

53 minutes ago, Midfield_General said:

Also worth noting that Bree's goal took a deflection. So four out of the five goals had 'help'. Azaz's was good though 😉

We were very good last night and it was great fun, but it was definitely one of those nights when everything just seemed to go in. 

But we've had plenty of games where it felt like nothing was going our way, so we were due one of those. And you can't get the rub of the green if you don't create the chances in the first place, so we deserved it. 

I was thinking that. How many times do we dominate games, maybe go in front but the opponent has 'one of those nights' where things fly off the boot into the top corner. 

To be honest, I didn't think we played that well. QPR gifted us the goals and didn't take advantage of their good moments. We did work hard and breaks were closed down quickly, but I just felt that a better side would have hurt us. We are a little gung ho.

[UpweySaint]

8 minutes ago, Chez said:

Shot stopping looks good, but he has to improve in terms of crosses and set pieces. The six yard box has become a mosh pit and he's looked uncomfortable at times. That said, pretty much all keepers have been struggling with this situation.

Yeah, command of his area could improve but he does look like he’s willing at least with some of the punches he comes for. He looks like he has the physicality/temperament to command the box reasonably well so hopefully this is something he can build on.

[Chez]

3 hours ago, Saint Fan CaM said:

Thought Downes had an exceptional game and was probably my MOTM

He seems to be everywhere. Maybe he always was? Still a walking yellow card. The championship is clearly his level.

[Chez]

There is a lot of talk on here about us playing back and square and not moving the ball forward quick enough. That might be true, but you cant create chances if you haven't got the ball, so ball retention is still a priority its seems, even if that means going back and across.

Hendrie on the commentary last night said we were "too slow" right in the middle of 30 pass move (that was seeing the ball go nowhere when he said it) that subsequently led to a great chance. It made me smile. Like it or not, that's the game we are playing these days most of the time. Not too dissimilar from Russ-ball, but thankfully a few more common sense clearances and a few more 'in between the lines' through balls mixed in. 

[LeBizzier69]

41 minutes ago, OldNick said:

Asi said to a couple of fans near me, if he was 100% good he wouldnt be with us on loan. I feel he is a big imporvement and I like his personality on the pithc, constantly directing the defence

Quiet agere

[saintant]

4 hours ago, Lee On Solent Saint said:

I was critical of the starting place for Matsuki last night, but fair play to him,he got in decent positions as shown by his two goals. Still gives the ball away cheaply at times, but offers a bit more physical play than Fellows. Thought we were a bit lapse for about twenty odd minutes before we scored the second. Tried to go full on RM again, better teams I think would have punished us in that period. Results like this just make the Charlton one all the more frustrating.

Agree and it can be frustrating. It's a common trait that we score a goal then are happy to sit back rather than go for the jugular. I get that we want to keep it tight after taking the lead but this only gives the impetus to the opponents. We'd be far better pushing for more goals to finish teams off. As we proved at Leicester when there was no choice but to keep going for goals we can be quite formidable when we don't put the handbrake on. Should have gone hell for leather at Charlton as soon as we scored but let them back in. We are a good side when in full cry but seem afraid to cut loose so it rarely happens.

[saintant]

3 hours ago, DT said:

That was thoroughly enjoyable.

Good performance all round and it has to be said that the new signings are - after all - pretty astute ones. The goalkeeper has made a huge difference in transmitting confidence to the back four and beyond - even Flynn Downes seems more into it and mobile, which is great to see.

Larins is pretty good, I think. Makes a difference in his high quality hold up play. And not having Adam Armstrong scuffing it and running around aimlessly has given a focus up front.

Scienza's energy is so key. He plays with directness and ability and is not afraid to take people on, which would make Russ very nervous and which Eckhart has clearly learnt to live with...

But the best thing is that morale is clearly high. They look like a team (barring Archer who is beyond hopeless (promote the youngsters please) and that will stand us in good stead to grab that last play-off place, which is definitely achievable.

Not sure we can afford to go up, mind...

You think we can afford not to? The Play-Off Final is among the richest prizes in football.

[Cabrone]

Just had a look at the fixtures - Wrexham are on track for 73/74 points - IMO that means 75 points is the target for playoff contention. That's 25 points from 12 games.

Need to target the 6 home games (Norwich, Oxford, Ipswich, Derby, Bristol City, Blackburn) - some decent teams in there.

We will also need 2-3 away wins (Sheff Wed, West Brom, Swansea)?

TBH it looks tough.

 

 

[Chez]

12 minutes ago, saintant said:

You think we can afford not to? The Play-Off Final is among the richest prizes in football.

promotion is, not the play off final.😉

I agree. It's essential to get promoted from a financial point of view. Being sustainable in the championship is almost impossible, especially if you are actually trying to make a stab at promotion. That said, I am not sure anyone is sustainable in the PL either. As a company we made hefty operational losses in the PL which were offset by player sales. But at least we could make those sales. After a few seasons in the championship the amount you get from players sales become almost nothing, so you become reliant on ticket sales...which tend to fall with every season in the championship...yeah nothing much good comes of being in the championship too long.

[Chez]

15 minutes ago, Cabrone said:

Just had a look at the fixtures - Wrexham are on track for 73/74 points - IMO that means 75 points is the target for playoff contention. That's 25 points from 12 games.

Need to target the 6 home games (Norwich, Oxford, Ipswich, Derby, Bristol City, Blackburn) - some decent teams in there.

We will also need 2-3 away wins (Sheff Wed, West Brom, Swansea)?

TBH it looks tough.

Yes. Some decent side. We struggled in the away games with some of those. Norwich seems like a really tough game and Bristol absolutely smashed us. The long and shirt of it is if we want to get promoted, we need to play (and get results) like a side that is good enough to get promoted. We have pretty much no injuries and the side is on a good run. We have no excuses. If we don't get into the play offs it will be because we don't deserve too - mostly thanks to the start we had.

[Tom & Gerry]

Yes but we can't get to the playoffs, we sold our top goalscorer in the window. Who's going to get the goals?