Saints 2-2 Bristol City - Match Thread

[Jimmy_D]

1 minute ago, BotleySaint said:

Especially if Ipswich draw or lose tomorrow.

Could end up with 3 teams on 82 points with Ipswich going up on goal difference.

That would be cruel!

Not as cruel as it’d be if we hammer Ipswich and end up going up on goals scored  

[Saint Pete]

Well, it's probably just the play offs now but still an incredible achievement to be as high as we are now after where we were. And unbeaten run still intact going into the Cup game. 

It just seemed we ran out of a bit of steam today really but still put a shift in, which is a good sign. It seemed to me the late absence of Stephens (why did he not play?) unsettled us in the first half and Wood looked edgy, particularly in first half hour. We never really got going in truth but hopefully with a bit of a rest for a few days we can go again on Saturday. 

Edited 4 hours ago by Saint Pete

[Mixedkebab]

Ref - wanker

lino- prick

Fans who were streaming out from 89 mins- embarrassing, wouldnt see that at Millwall.

Definitely an off day but good to come away with a draw. Bristol City were decent as I thought they would be under Hodgson.

[James G]

1 minute ago, Polaroid Saint said:

I didn't see 'tired' (of course they ARE but not beyond their level) but certainly not 'jaded' players out there, I saw a slightly less-than-our-best line-up play within themselves.

The FA Cup Semi final at Wembley is four days away. Every professional footballer (and all us non professional ones) wants to play and play well at Wembley. In a game that matters. We know this. The players know this. The manager knows this. 

It will be a completely different side, mentally, on Saturday. 

This performance and result might serve to make our team even more determined to do something special (pt1).

Would two more points tonight get us Automatic? I personally doubted it with the way other games and the table looked going into the game and I doubt it beyond Saturday too.

Playoffs confirmed. Just keep Not Losing and we will be at Wembley three times. Winning the last two games is the magic, drawing tonight is fine.

Perversely, the game puts players in the shop window. It also gives us a possible window into Europe and income, even though the odds are small.

We didn't press first half, there was an obvious effort to conserve energy. We were playing fine lines and it didn't quite work. I think Saturday we'll see a different team display

[CamSaint]

It could be worse than that. If Hull & Wrexham both win their last 2 matches and we lose both of ours they will both finish on 76 points but above us on GD. That would mean Wrexham beating Middlesbrough on the final day, but as Middlesborough’s other game is against Sheffield Wednesday, which they are likely to win, they would also finish on 76 points, so it could potentially go to our GD vs theirs as to whether we actually get in the playoffs. So essentially we need one more point ourselves or one of the others to mess up somewhere to guarantee the playoffs place.

[aintforever]

Classic case of having one eye on the big game coming up, so many silly mistakes.

I expect the Cup Semi will cost us points next week as well but at least we can prepare for the playoffs now.

[Mixedkebab]

2 minutes ago, CamSaint said:

It could be worse than that. If Hull & Wrexham both win their last 2 matches and we lose both of ours they will both finish on 76 points but above us on GD. That would mean Wrexham beating Middlesbrough on the final day, but as Middlesborough’s other game is against Sheffield Wednesday, which they are likely to win, they would also finish on 76 points, so it could potentially go to our GD vs theirs as to whether we actually get in the playoffs. So essentially we need one more point ourselves or one of the others to mess up somewhere to guarantee the playoffs place.

Eh? Our GD is far superior to Wrexham and Hull 

[Saint86]

I think this has a silver lining tbh.

It was always incredibly unlikely we get top 2 (Millwall will win all 3). Now the autos are gone, playoffs are secured, we can have our day out at wembley, and then recoup for a bit. The Ipswich game no longer really matters, and we have Preston last game. This is far better than keeping some faint hope alive and missing out on the final day 🤷

This run couldn't go on forever, the team has looked jaded for the last 3 matches, they've done incredibly well (we have secured playoffs with 2 matches to go - which is mental from where we were), but something had to give - rather now than in the playoffs. And we still didn't lose!

So lets all look forward to a great day out at wembley, and then 2 playoff matches Vs likely Boro, and hopefully at least 1 more trip to Wembley.

And if we do make the playoff final, the semi Vs man city can only help prepare us for it mentally - whatever happens on Saturday.

Edited 3 hours ago by Saint86

[Jack]

13 hours ago, Jack said:

Really hope the players and crowd can get right up for this one with the distraction of Saturday looming. SMS has been pretty flat recently, it was dire against Blackburn last midweek despite us flying up the table. We know we’re capable of a big atmosphere but would love to see it more regularly 

As I feared. Absolute garbage from our fans tonight, expecting to turn up and stroll it. I’m sure the awful start didn’t help but such a shame that the fans can’t push the players on when they’ve given everything to put us in with a shout of top 2 

[trousers]

2 minutes ago, CamSaint said:

It could be worse than that. If Hull & Wrexham both win their last 2 matches and we lose both of ours they will both finish on 76 points but above us on GD. That would mean Wrexham beating Middlesbrough on the final day, but as Middlesborough’s other game is against Sheffield Wednesday, which they are likely to win, they would also finish on 76 points, so it could potentially go to our GD vs theirs as to whether we actually get in the playoffs. So essentially we need one more point ourselves or one of the others to mess up somewhere to guarantee the playoffs place.

Wrexham and Hull are 6 points behind us with 2 to play, with a goal difference 18 and 20 worse than ours (respectively)... ergo, they're not finishing above us...

[ant]

I left the ground frustrated, but am feeling more pragmatic now. 

In isolation (and the heat of the moment) this felt a kick in the teeth. But realistically there's been too much to do for the autos for a very long time. 

Best thing we can do now is to try to remain unbeaten until this squad has nothing left to give.

[CamSaint]

1 minute ago, Mixedkebab said:

Eh? Our GD is far superior to Wrexham and Hull 

My apologies. You are absolutely right. I misread the table.

[CamSaint]

1 minute ago, trousers said:

Wrexham and Hull are 6 points behind us with 2 to play, with a goal difference 18 and 20 worse than ours (respectively)... ergo, they're not finishing above us...

My apologies. You are absolutely right. I misread the table.

[Middlewordie]

If we can get thru on Saturday, who cares... 

[Nordic Saint]

11 minutes ago, Mixedkebab said:

Ref - wanker

lino- prick

Fans who were streaming out from 89 mins- embarrassing, wouldnt see that at Millwall.

Definitely an off day but good to come away with a draw. Bristol City were decent as I thought they would be under Hodgson.

Funnily enough, years ago I saw Millwall lose at home to Bristol City, and their fans were streaming out well before the end. The atmosphere was non-existent.

Football fans are much the same everywhere.

[trousers]

6 minutes ago, CamSaint said:

My apologies. You are absolutely right. I misread the table.

No worries sir 👍🏻

[saintant]

8 minutes ago, Saint86 said:

I think this has a silver lining tbh.

It was always incredibly unlikely we get top 2 (Millwall will win all 3). Now the autos are gone, playoffs are secured, we can have our day out at wembley, and then recoup for a bit. The Ipswich game no longer really matters, and we have Preston last game. This is far better than keeping some faint hope alive and missing out on the final day 🤷

This run couldn't go on forever, the team has looked jaded for the last 3 matches, they've done incredibly well (we have secured playoffs with 2 matches to go - which is mental from where we were), but something had to give - rather now than in the playoffs. And we still didn't lose!

So lets all look forward to a great day out at wembley, and then 2 playoff matches Vs likely Boro, and hopefully at least 1 more trip to Wembley.

And if we do make the playoff final, the semi Vs man city can only help prepare us for it mentally - whatever happens on Saturday.

All of this is true if Millwall don't drop any points in their final two games - which they probably won't but football has a habit of throwing up some strange results when least expected.

[Mixedkebab]

4 minutes ago, Nordic Saint said:

Funnily enough, years ago I saw Millwall lose at home to Bristol City, and their fans were streaming out well before the end. The atmosphere was non-existent.

Football fans are much the same everywhere.

When they were on a record breaking run and battling at the end of the season for automatic promotion, with a game finely balanced? 

[ant]

9 minutes ago, Jack said:

As I feared. Absolute garbage from our fans tonight, expecting to turn up and stroll it. I’m sure the awful start didn’t help but such a shame that the fans can’t push the players on when they’ve given everything to put us in with a shout of top 2 

Agreed. It wasn't that long ago that when the team needed picking up in crucial moments, our crowd would identify it and play its part. 

Whether it was arrogance, as inferred, or a meek acceptance... Too frequently we were outsung by a few hundred Bristolians with nothing to play for.

[Give it to Ron]

42 minutes ago, SaintsRoyalty said:

The only mugs are you lot who never engage in debate, just interested in playing the man on here. Either you lot can’t admit I’m right or have nothing to come back with.

The weak traits this club can’t shake like sentiment is what kept us from doing what Leicester did, from being where Brighton and Bournemouth are now. Do you think they’d throw in their third choice striker as a starter for the last few games run in to get promoted? It absolutely stinks of small club mentality and you all know it.

As I’m feeling indulgent tonight, interesting to see Bournemouth going with Marco Rose as their new manager which was my pick to replace Still here. My first ever post on here if anyone wants to fact check. Let’s see next season how shrewd Bournemouth get on with my pick. Remember, play the game not the man guys. 

Bragg played well when he came on didn’t he.

[S-Clarke]

It was just a step too far really when you think about it. What we've done, to even be in the conversation for Automatic Promotion with 4 games left was one heck of a rally, something none of us even had a thought of in January - sadly we just ran out of season as we started too late.

I thought the entire team looked like they were walking in lead boots today, they were second off the ball, poor on the ball, not quite awake to picking up space or anticipating - it was a performance which screamed of running out of a bit of steam, guys like Azaz and Bree were just not there today - they couldn't do anything right. Those games happen sadly, but credit to us for getting the draw - as I don't think we even deserved that.

Bristol City played well, they pressed us high and packed the middle of the pitch so it was harder for us to transition - there were still moments, but we always missed the 50/50 or had a poor touch on the ball. Every single player in that starting 11 had an off game in that sense.

Of course it feels pretty deflating right now, I'd have loved that game next Tuesday to have meant something - but it wasn't to be. But the reality is we've secured playoffs with 3 games left, and I don't think anyone saw that coming! What we've done since January has been remarkable, I'm desperate for this run to actually mean something though - because otherwise it will be as pointless as the run under Martin.

Onto the weekend, let's see what can happen.

[HarvSFC]

The play-offs aren't a bad reserve prize. The West Brom games of two years ago and then Leeds were up there with my favourite moments supporting the club. If Ipswich get second then I'd say we're the strong favourites for them too.

[Oh no Mick Mills]

4 minutes ago, ant said:

Agreed. It wasn't that long ago that when the team needed picking up in crucial moments, our crowd would identify it and play its part. 

Whether it was arrogance, as inferred, or a meek acceptance... Too frequently we were outsung by a few hundred Bristolians with nothing to play for.

Don't agree with this.

When both the Bristol City goals went in the Northam and the Itchen North where I sit , quickly got a loud OWTS going .

 

[Saint86]

1 minute ago, Oh no Mick Mills said:

Don't agree with this.

When both the Bristol City goals went in the Northam and the Itchen North where I sit , quickly got a loud OWTS going .

 

Agreed. The fans were behind the team tonight when they needed it. St Mary's is rarely a cauldron of noise for a whole match.

[James G]

45 minutes ago, SaintsRoyalty said:

The only mugs are you lot who never engage in debate, just interested in playing the man on here. Either you lot can’t admit I’m right or have nothing to come back with.

The weak traits this club can’t shake like sentiment is what kept us from doing what Leicester did, from being where Brighton and Bournemouth are now. Do you think they’d throw in their third choice striker as a starter for the last few games run in to get promoted? It absolutely stinks of small club mentality and you all know it.

As I’m feeling indulgent tonight, interesting to see Bournemouth going with Marco Rose as their new manager which was my pick to replace Still here. My first ever post on here if anyone wants to fact check. Let’s see next season how shrewd Bournemouth get on with my pick. Remember, play the game not the man guys. 

Marco Rose has applied for alot of jobs in England and was considered and rejected by us and other clubs. His way is now gone and out of fashion, think Russell Martin. Bournemouth will struggle unless he has adapted his methods 

[Lighthouse]

We've had an awful lot go our way in the last couple of weeks, with last minute winners and all of our rivals dropping unexpected points. I never had Pompey to beat Ipswich and Boro in the space of a long weekend but they did.

The problem is that to get second we basically needed about 12 games for various clubs to go perfectly in our favour and they were never going to.

[Nordic Saint]

2 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

 I'd have loved that game next Tuesday to have meant something - but it wasn't to be.

 

It might still mean a lot, as the result could well determine whether we face Millwall or Ipswich at Wembley.

[saintant]

5 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

It was just a step too far really when you think about it. What we've done, to even be in the conversation for Automatic Promotion with 4 games left was one heck of a rally, something none of us even had a thought of in January - sadly we just ran out of season as we started too late.

I thought the entire team looked like they were walking in lead boots today, they were second off the ball, poor on the ball, not quite awake to picking up space or anticipating - it was a performance which screamed of running out of a bit of steam, guys like Azaz and Bree were just not there today - they couldn't do anything right. Those games happen sadly, but credit to us for getting the draw - as I don't think we even deserved that.

Bristol City played well, they pressed us high and packed the middle of the pitch so it was harder for us to transition - there were still moments, but we always missed the 50/50 or had a poor touch on the ball. Every single player in that starting 11 had an off game in that sense.

Of course it feels pretty deflating right now, I'd have loved that game next Tuesday to have meant something - but it wasn't to be. But the reality is we've secured playoffs with 3 games left, and I don't think anyone saw that coming! What we've done since January has been remarkable, I'm desperate for this run to actually mean something though - because otherwise it will be as pointless as the run under Martin.

Onto the weekend, let's see what can happen.

Disagree as I thought a draw was a fair result especially as Charles really should have won it for us but had a simple chance saved by a relieved goalkeeper.

[captainchris]

10 minutes ago, Give it to Ron said:

Bragg played well when he came on didn’t he.

Errr no he didn’t I’m afraid…

[Give it to Ron]

Just now, captainchris said:

Errr no he didn’t I’m afraid…

Whooosh…

[saintant]

8 minutes ago, HarvSFC said:

The play-offs aren't a bad reserve prize. The West Brom games of two years ago and then Leeds were up there with my favourite moments supporting the club. If Ipswich get second then I'd say we're the strong favourites for them too.

Rather play Ipswich at Wembley than Millwall.

[Wade Garrett]

Can’t win them all.  Bristol were decent and didn’t really let us get in our stride.

Playing Azaz on the left was

never going to work.  Liked Stewart and Larin up front together.  Fair play to Eckert, he threw the kitchen sink at it but we weren’t quite at the races tonight.

[S-Clarke]

Just now, saintant said:

Disagree as I thought a draw was a fair result especially as Charles really should have won it for us but had a simple chance saved by a relieved goalkeeper.

I think there were a couple of chances in the end, sure - but on pattern of play, first half especially, Bristol City had full control over that game really. They didn't pepper our goal as much as they could have, but they were very smart in how they used the ball and blocked us off. We struggled to threaten them really.

On the balance of play, their domination of the ball, I'd say we were fortunate to get a draw and that's credit to us for still having that bit of fight.

[captainchris]

Tonda was a bit odd in his after match interview, he said we ‘knew they would build up slowly’ Ummmm Bristol did not build up slowly, they broke quickly straight through our midfield and then out wide all night…. We continually had players too far advanced out of possession but not pressing… They broke out far too easily into huge empty spaces …. 
We did look tired but tactically we were outmanoeuvred tonight with the press not being deployed in the manner we normally operate under… 

[LuckyNumber7]

15 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

 

Of course it feels pretty deflating right now, I'd have loved that game next Tuesday to have meant something

Well, it still could.

One way of looking at it is that if we beat Ipswich, we will still be in with a (probably very slim) chance of the autos on the final day, regardless of other results.

[Saint Pete]

3 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

I think there were a couple of chances in the end, sure - but on pattern of play, first half especially, Bristol City had full control over that game really. They didn't pepper our goal as much as they could have, but they were very smart in how they used the ball and blocked us off. We struggled to threaten them really.

On the balance of play, their domination of the ball, I'd say we were fortunate to get a draw and that's credit to us for still having that bit of fight.

Nah, disagree. We didn't deserve the 3 points today, but it's harsh to say we deserved to lose. Yes, Bristol played well, a good away performance, wouldn't expect anything else from a Hodgson team. They had the edge in the first half, we looked hesitant and out of sorts. We had the edge in the second half without obviously  reaching the heights of previous games. But still could have snatched it near the end. Overall, draw a fair result. The stats for the game back that up. 

[SW11_Saint]

39 minutes ago, CamSaint said:

It could be worse than that. If Hull & Wrexham both win their last 2 matches and we lose both of ours they will both finish on 76 points but above us on GD. That would mean Wrexham beating Middlesbrough on the final day, but as Middlesborough’s other game is against Sheffield Wednesday, which they are likely to win, they would also finish on 76 points, so it could potentially go to our GD vs theirs as to whether we actually get in the playoffs. So essentially we need one more point ourselves or one of the others to mess up somewhere to guarantee the playoffs place.

Eh? Our GD +24, Wrexham +6, Hull +4. 
 

 

[saintant]

5 minutes ago, S-Clarke said:

I think there were a couple of chances in the end, sure - but on pattern of play, first half especially, Bristol City had full control over that game really. They didn't pepper our goal as much as they could have, but they were very smart in how they used the ball and blocked us off. We struggled to threaten them really.

On the balance of play, their domination of the ball, I'd say we were fortunate to get a draw and that's credit to us for still having that bit of fight.

Agree they played well and their shape was far better than ours. We looked disjointed from the start and playing Archer and Matsuki didn't really work plus Downes and Charles don't work well together. Wood looked very clumsy tonight but I guess that's because he's not had many minutes compared with THB and Stephens. Brizzle were neat and tidy and played between the lines. I concede they looked the better footballing side on the night but feel we deserved the draw based on us creating more good chances than them.

[James G]

Here's how I saw tonight.

Lots of fixtures, Tonda is about fine lines blah blah

Jack Stephens was in the starting lineup, he has pulled out during the warm up. Wood comes in, disrupts plans. Bristol City should have scored first minute, Peretz great save which we take for granted now. It's unsettled us, they score soon after, that further unsettles us. 

The rest of the match, we're following some kind of Tonda fine lines energy conservation plan, we draw. We had chances at the end. But this is how it is on an unbeaten run when we're playing every 3 or 4 days.

Bristol City constantly had three players around everyone. After the season we've had, it must be quite draining on the players. We did ok in the circumstances.

I do think if Stephens had started, we probably would have won

It's fine margins sometimes 

Edited 3 hours ago by James G
Typo

[Give it to Ron]

3 minutes ago, captainchris said:

Tonda was a bit odd in his after match interview, he said we ‘knew they would build up slowly’ Ummmm Bristol did not build up slowly, they broke quickly straight through our midfield and then out wide all night…. We continually had players too far advanced out of possession but not pressing… They broke out far too easily into huge empty spaces …. 
We did look tired but tactically we were outmanoeuvred tonight with the press not being deployed in the manner we normally operate under… 

Agreed more mobile, quicker to the ball and won every 50/50 we were lucky to get a draw but could have won it twice at the end.

I loved the 2 up top at the end 

[Saint Pete]

3 minutes ago, captainchris said:

Tonda was a bit odd in his after match interview, he said we ‘knew they would build up slowly’ Ummmm Bristol did not build up slowly, they broke quickly straight through our midfield and then out wide all night…. We continually had players too far advanced out of possession but not pressing… They broke out far too easily into huge empty spaces …. 
We did look tired but tactically we were outmanoeuvred tonight with the press not being deployed in the manner we normally operate under… 

In fairness, they did have some periods where they kept the ball quite effectively and we weren't able to chase them down for a while, possibly due to fatigue. They were not always breaking quickly. 

[Willo of Whiteley]

Some people hugely overreacting on here, but it’s the usual people doing so.

It’s actually reassuring to see most on here see the positives and seeing what was in front of us: a tired team, we looked very leggy and completely unprepared for Bristol City’s closing down.

Fair play we came from behind twice, two very poor goals for us to concede though. 

We looked devoid of ideas but still created a couple of half chances along the way. Shea Charles and Finn Azaz were miles off the pace today. Starting to get a bit fed up with Flynn Downes picking up stupid yellows and then crying like a little bitch when he gets rightly booked.

The referee I thought started ok but as the game wore on he just played safe for everything and gave foul after foul, constantly stopping the game.
The linesman’s ability to call offside for every forward pass for us killed the game off.

Another game unbeaten, that’ll more than likely come to an end on Saturday but a fantastic effort to have got to this stage from where Tonda Eckhart took over. Really fantastic.

Not sure who I fancy in the play offs most, probably not Millwall…

[saintant]

Just now, Willo of Whiteley said:

Some people hugely overreacting on here, but it’s the usual people doing so.

It’s actually reassuring to see most on here see the positives and seeing what was in front of us: a tired team, we looked very leggy and completely unprepared for Bristol City’s closing down.

Fair play we came from behind twice, two very poor goals for us to concede though. 

We looked devoid of ideas but still created a couple of half chances along the way. Shea Charles and Finn Azaz were miles off the pace today. Starting to get a bit fed up with Flynn Downes picking up stupid yellows and then crying like a little bitch when he gets rightly booked.

The referee I thought started ok but as the game wore on he just played safe for everything and gave foul after foul, constantly stopping the game.
The linesman’s ability to call offside for every forward pass for us killed the game off.

Another game unbeaten, that’ll more than likely come to an end on Saturday but a fantastic effort to have got to this stage from where Tonda Eckhart took over. Really fantastic.

Not sure who I fancy in the play offs most, probably not Millwall…

Agree. He created his own problems because players realised they'd often win free kicks just by throwing themselves to the ground. It was happening constantly.

[Jack]

21 minutes ago, Oh no Mick Mills said:

Don't agree with this.

When both the Bristol City goals went in the Northam and the Itchen North where I sit , quickly got a loud OWTS going .

 

It was pretty brief and not very loud. Home atmosphere has been really poor in recent times in the league and was especially disappointing tonight bearing in mind what was riding on it. 
Other than a bit of noise around the equalisers, it was shit. 

[captainchris]

2 minutes ago, Saint Pete said:

In fairness, they did have some periods where they kept the ball quite effectively and we weren't able to chase them down for a while, possibly due to fatigue. They were not always breaking quickly. 

Not always but very often they did… We didn’t adapt….

[DrSuess1979]

Let’s face it.

it was a long shot for autos, Ipswich have games in hand.

Millwall have Oxford and Leicester.

If someone had said we’d get in the playoffs and an FA cup semifinal at Christmas we’d have thought they’re mental !! 
 

Edited 3 hours ago by DrSuess1979

[Saint Pete]

1 minute ago, captainchris said:

Not always but very often they did… We didn’t adapt….

Well, they didn't create an awful lot of clear chances if they were constantly breaking through us that easily.

[Saint_clark]

44 minutes ago, Middlewordie said:

If we can get thru on Saturday, who cares... 

If we get through on Saturday then realistically even if we lose on the playoffs, who gives a fuck. Getting to a cup final and being within a 90 minute's match worth of silverware is much more important to a club like ours than anything else.

[macca155]

No team whoever they are wins every game. The run they have been on has been incredible, and I've enjoyed every minute. 

A draw feels like a defeat but City played well and rode their luck. Good old Woy did us again.

Saints were caught off guard by the press, and they were chasing the game from then on. Sure they looked tired but City were gassed (see what I did there) after 70 minutes, and Saints nearly took advantage of it.

Couple of observations. Whoever decided to water the pitch like that, needs to be put on litter duty for a week, ridiculous.

Charles should have been subbed, he wasn't making tackles or tracking back. Both THB and Peretz had a right go at him on a couple of occasions. With Azaz anonymous today, there were too many holes in midfield.

On the positive side how good was Larin. Find of the season imo. He battled constantly for the ball and made a right nuisance of himself. Archer also had a good game and set up several chances.

Just need to get Saturday out of the way now. My 6th FA cup semi final. I just hope we get through it unscathed.

 

[pimpin4rizeal]

Gotta give credit to hodgson I think that’s the Best a team has set up against us for a long time they where happy knocking it around the back and trying to draw us out and they also finding good space when they did attack .. think tonda countered it well near the end when we went two up top . Few poor performances thought azaz and Charles where pretty poor today . Looking like millwall are gonna take the second spot now although maybe if the shackles come off Leicester and Oxford and they manage to pull a upset we would have a chance again.. a bit gutted after the amount of momentum we had going .. will have to smash City now to make up for it 😜