Saints 2-2 Bristol City - Match Thread

[Holmes_and_Watson]

The unbeaten run continues!

We had a few, not chances that troubled their keeper, but nearly moments in the last couple of minutes. But we didn't really get behind them often enough in those closing stages.

Roy sent out a well disciplined side with a game plan. We were a bit too disjointed, and unfortunately gave away an OG. 

A fair number of slips, missed passes and incorrect offsides broke up the play even more.

Tonda's subs got us a point. If it's the play offs, then he has done an excellent job to get us there, from where we were.

[saintstowin]

Didn't play well but a draw like this at any earlier stage of the season is an 'oh well not our day'. I saw tired players and unfortunately the starting team didn't set the tempo and we couldn't catch up. 

The slipping was ridiculous, not sure what went on there. And the passing and control of the ball was well off our high standards. 

But we came from behind twice.

An amazing run and still unbeaten.

Need to be more on it on Saturday.

Edited 3 hours ago by saintstowin

[Tanlee]

Not great tonight but Its been a while ,  the shit commentary on sky made it feel far worse than it was 

[Winnersaint]

Just now, saintant said:

We weren't good tonight but even so Charles should have won it for us. Tonda gets little wrong but I think he put out the wrong starting eleven tonight allowing them to boss much of the first half so we didn't make the fast start we needed. 2nd is likely gone now but it's been an amazing run and we are still unbeaten. Brizzle always seem to ruin our fun.

Normally worse than this evening.

[Convict Colony]

4 minutes ago, SaintsRoyalty said:

I called this as the banana skin in the automatic promotion chase thread. Sooner or later you guys are going to start listening. Sentiment has always been an Achilles heel of this club, one of many. Archer starting killed the game before it started. Hes been all over the club’s socials like it’s some little charity operation that wants an excuse to hand out participation trophies. This one is on Tonda. No room for sentiment when you are pushing for promotion.

Also his preference for Wood over Quarshie is just plain weird.

Narcisstic injury

[benjii]

That Shea Charles chance was the moment. Fine lines.

[Mustang Saint]

Let's put it into perspective, yes a lot of us are disappointed that automatic promotion is a very outside chance now.

When Tonda took over we were flirting with relegation, were now guaranteed playoffs.

We should be proud of the way the team has turned it around and the job Tonda has done to instill confidence in the team.

6 months ago nobody would of dreamed of the position we're in. 

 

Play offs and and at least 2 trips to Wembley 

[Turkish]

1 minute ago, SNSUN said:

Might I point out that since Turkish said we'd stay unbeaten we are... etc

Did I mention that?

[Saint_clark]

5 minutes ago, Saint_clark said:

That lino needs to be looked into. Dodgy cunt just making it up like he's a Sunday league lino.

Can't get over this sorry guys. He needs escorting out the stadium for his own safety, wanker.

[Chez]

3 minutes ago, Saint NL said:

Rescued a point after a poor performance. Playoffs guaranteed, but we need to have much more energy on Saturday 

We looked so leggy..until the subs and the late charge. Not seen us be that bad for a long time. Credit to City though. They played very well. Stifled us. Need to burn the video of that game. Dont want anyone else studying Bristol's tactics.

[Convict Colony]

Yeah the linesman was the keir starmer of linesmen, just incompetent and the amount of times people were onside.

[saintant]

1 minute ago, saintstowin said:

Didn't play well but a draw like this at any earlier stage of the season is an 'oh well not our day'. I saw tired players and unfortunately the starting team didn't set the tempo and we couldn't catch up. 

The slipping was ridiculous, not sure what went on there. And the passing and control of the ball was well off our high standards. 

An amazing run and still unbeaten.

Need to be more on it on Saturday.

Might have had something to do with the tsunami coming from the sprinklers. Who's bright idea was that? At one point I thought the ref was going to abandon it cos of a waterlogged pitch.

[Harry_SFC]

1 minute ago, saintant said:

Might have had something to do with the tsunami coming from the sprinklers. Who's bright idea was that? At one point I thought the ref was going to abandon it cos of a waterlogged pitch.

Scienzas slip after Larin passed the ball across goal looked very costly

[Convict Colony]

I think Ipswich get final slot, millwall drop into playoffs on last week and are deflated and get knocked out by whoever is in 6th

[LGTL]

Still can’t work out how we didn’t score in those last few minutes, although would have been harsh on Bristol City. The Charles chance was a gift, Stewart should have left the fucking ball, and if the cross at the death was an inch higher Bellis heads in.

Oh well. 

[BotleySaint]

Just now, JohnnyShearer2.0 said:

End of day, Saints were tired and didn't have their best game. The number of games has caught up with them. 

Still managed to grind out a draw against aside that weren't at the beach and probably wanted to make up for their drubbing on the weekend.

They've been giving everything for weeks now. The players did look tired and pretty deflated at the end, probably now 2nd is gone. Hopefully we've got enough in the tank to go again in the play offs.

[saintant]

9 minutes ago, SaintsRoyalty said:

I called this as the banana skin in the automatic promotion chase thread. Sooner or later you guys are going to start listening. Sentiment has always been an Achilles heel of this club, one of many. Archer starting killed the game before it started. Hes been all over the club’s socials like it’s some little charity operation that wants an excuse to hand out participation trophies. This one is on Tonda. No room for sentiment when you are pushing for promotion.

Also his preference for Wood over Quarshie is just plain weird.

Do one.

[CSA96]

Looked leggy from the first whistle. It’s ok, it happens. They’ve put plenty of credit in the bank with a 20 game unbeaten run to salvage what looked like a lost season in January 

As said earlier, give me some disappointment now over a crushing final day disappointment that means the manager has to spend all week picking them up for a playoff game

[scumbag]

Feels a bit flat to have lost a chance at autos like that really. Everytime we got in the box we looked dangerous, but didnt do it anywhere near enough - playing with no width in the first half was a bit odd for a must win game.

[ButtikonSaint]

Frustrating but fair dos to the Robins, they fought hard for their point and we didn't do enough for three. Refs were piss poor.
Playoffs is a fair outcome from our season so far.

We went 4-4-2 with the two big boys at the front, wondering if that could be our lineup this weekend. We need something a bit special... can't wait.

20 unbeaten, that's still mental - COYS !!

Edited 3 hours ago by ButtikonSaint

[Jimmy_D]

Point at least just about keeps us in the automatic hunt, still only two results needed outside our control, albeit they both need to be losses and goal difference is back in the equation.

That said, a point and keeping the unbeaten run going doesn’t feel like a bad result given the OG and that display of ‘officiating’.

[JohnnyShearer2.0]

1 minute ago, BotleySaint said:

They've been giving everything for weeks now. The players did look tired and pretty deflated at the end, probably now 2nd is gone. Hopefully we've got enough in the tank to go again in the play offs.

Yep, cant fault them. 

Definitely hope they can rest up and go again come the weekend.

[Paul_B]

Fucking Bristol fucking city.

We were dire for too much of this game. Looked leggy as fuck. Doesn't bode well for Saturday.

Need to up our game for the play offs.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

6 minutes ago, Disco Stu said:

We can blame it on a soggy pitch or the linesman but ultimately, it was the heavy rotation that prevented us from winning today. Victims of our own success I suppose.

I was wondering just how much rotation we needed. But then we don't know the condition of a lot of them, and knocks they are carrying. The rotation has kept a deep squad, fresh this long, which has been a plus.

We've dug out wins when not everyone has been firing in the last two. Tonight, we just didn't quite have enough.

Looking at the starting line up, Leo for Archer is the only obvious change. And Archer has done well in the last couple. It would be hard to drop Azaz, even if he's fading a bit. 

I prefer Downes and Jander as a midfield 2. But there's no question that Charles brings some attacking quality. 

So, a decent line up really, in the end I think, although I did share the thought, when we looked a bit meh at times.

 

[Patrick Bateman]

Still unbeaten is the main thing, that many wins in a row was a ridiculously tall order, but remaining unbeaten is good. 

We looked very tired I thought, much slower to winning balls than we have been and a little slower, especially at the back, although Manning was everywhere.

The fact we were even talking about automatic places was amazing considering the journey that team have been on this season.

7 wins in a row starts again on Saturday

[stknowle]

I’m not too disappointed. Top 2 was always unlikely and reliant on others fucking up. Playoffs are 100% in our hands. We really do need to win them though, league is gonna be MUCH stronger next year imho. UTS.

[Holmes_and_Watson]

11 minutes ago, benjii said:

That Shea Charles chance was the moment. Fine lines.

Don't do it.

[obelisk]

That sort of lacklustre performance in the playoffs won't cut the mustard. Best get that and Saturday out of the way and then concentrate on what is required to get promoted at Wembley. No more squad rotations.

[Toadhall Saint]

What’s up with captain jack? Sorry if I’ve missed it.

[SaintsRoyalty]

10 minutes ago, sfc4prem said:

You're an absolute mug.

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. 

[PerthshireSaint]

2 minutes ago, Toadhall Saint said:

What’s up with captain jack? Sorry if I’ve missed it.

Missed training this week ? Carrying a knock.  We missed him tonight especially in the first 10 

[Micky]

Not gonna knock anybody after that performance (other than the lino), we were jaded and tired, it just didn't go for us tonight.  Too many loose passes and some poor decisions cost us tonight, but there was absolutely no lack of effort, we kept going right to the end so can't ask anymore than that. 

I'm really not sure what the lino was seeing, but if he wasn't paid by somebody, he needs to go to specsavers, that sort of performance really should be investigated by Scotland Yard. 

[James G]

4 minutes ago, Toadhall Saint said:

What’s up with captain jack? Sorry if I’ve missed it.

Was named in lineup

Precautionary pulled out in warm up

[Baird of the land]

4 minutes ago, obelisk said:

That sort of lacklustre performance in the playoffs won't cut the mustard. Best get that and Saturday out of the way and then concentrate on what is required to get promoted at Wembley. No more squad rotations.

Honestly I’m more wondering about the scale of the rotations against Ipswich now. If it’s no longer a game for automatic promotion it’s an ideal midweek to rest jaded key players. Might even see Romeu.

[Patrick Bateman]

1 minute ago, Micky said:

Not gonna knock anybody after that performance (other than the lino), we were jaded and tired, it just didn't go for us tonight.  Too many loose passes and some poor decisions cost us tonight, but there was absolutely no lack of effort, we kept going right to the end so can't ask anymore than that. 

I'm really not sure what the lino was seeing, but if he wasn't paid by somebody, he needs to go to specsavers, that sort of performance really should be investigated by Scotland Yard. 

He was an absolute penis. Needs looking into to see where his loyalties lie. 

[Convict Colony]

3 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. 

[Holmes_and_Watson]

26 minutes ago, skintsaint said:

Made a note in my diary just now.... Simply says...’bugger’.

Decades from now you'll look at that, and wonder just what was going on. 🙂

[James G]

Note

One defeat for Millwall and we have a better goal difference. And, Ipswich have difficult fixtures. Playoffs probably, but anything can still happen

For us, It's hard to maintain wins in a row. We're allowed off days and we're still unbeaten 

[Midfield_General]

15 minutes ago, Jimmy_D said:

Point at least just about keeps us in the automatic hunt, still only two results needed outside our control, albeit they both need to be losses and goal difference is back in the equation.

That said, a point and keeping the unbeaten run going doesn’t feel like a bad result given the OG and that display of ‘officiating’.

Millwall have got Leicester and Oxford for their last two games. It’s been fun, but it’s done. 

Bring on the play-offs. Hopefully we can smash Wrexham again. 

[Harry_SFC]

1 minute ago, Baird of the land said:

Honestly I’m more wondering about the scale of the rotations against Ipswich now. If it’s no longer a game for automatic promotion it’s an ideal midweek to rest jaded key players. Might even see Romeu.

Depends what happens with Middlesborough results tomorrow and Saturday. Still need to secure 4th place. 

[Hawkswood]

Just now, James G said:

Note

One defeat for Millwall and we have a better goal difference. And, Ipswich have difficult fixtures. Playoffs probably, but anything can still happen

For us, It's hard to maintain wins in a row. We're allowed off days and we're still unbeaten 

You seen who millwall are playing ?

Its the play offs, just depends who we fancy over 2 legs. Dont mind boro or wrexham

.

[bpsaint]

2 minutes ago, Baird of the land said:

Honestly I’m more wondering about the scale of the rotations against Ipswich now. If it’s no longer a game for automatic promotion it’s an ideal midweek to rest jaded key players. Might even see Romeu.

Still need to aim for 3rd or 4th though to ensure we get the home game for the second leg. Don’t fancy a Tuesday night trip to Boro.

[Jimmy_D]

1 minute ago, Midfield_General said:

Millwall have got Leicester and Oxford for their last two games. It’s been fun, but it’s done. 

Bring on the play-offs. Hopefully we can smash Wrexham again. 

Depends how Leicester react to being down. Sometimes that frees up a team a bit, especially as Leicester still have mostly a squad of weak Prem players, albeit playing awfully.

[Miltonaggro]

We were due an off night, and odds on it would be against Bristol City. Players looked knackered to me. The remarkable thing is that we are still right in the mix at the top given the shit sandwich that was Will Still. 

[James G]

4 minutes ago, Hawkswood said:

You seen who millwall are playing ?

Its the play offs, just depends who we fancy over 2 legs. Dont mind boro or wrexham

.

Yeah, 6 point deduction possible for West Brom, so Oxford and Leicester still have something to play for

[benjii]

 

6 minutes ago, James G said:

Note

One defeat for Millwall and we have a better goal difference. And, Ipswich have difficult fixtures. Playoffs probably, but anything can still happen

For us, It's hard to maintain wins in a row. We're allowed off days and we're still unbeaten 

Yep, if Leicester beat Milwall on Friday, we'll all be interested again!

[saintant]

3 minutes ago, Jimmy_D said:

Depends how Leicester react to being down. Sometimes that frees up a team a bit, especially as Leicester still have mostly a squad of weak Prem players, albeit playing awfully.

Leicester will likely try some kids out now. Not expecting them to put up much of a fight against Millwall. 

[Polaroid Saint]

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.

[Mustang Saint]

36 minutes ago, SaintsRoyalty said:

I called this as the banana skin in the automatic promotion chase thread. Sooner or later you guys are going to start listening. Sentiment has always been an Achilles heel of this club, one of many. Archer starting killed the game before it started. Hes been all over the club’s socials like it’s some little charity operation that wants an excuse to hand out participation trophies. This one is on Tonda. No room for sentiment when you are pushing for promotion.

Also his preference for Wood over Quarshie is just plain weird.

Do you mean Quarshie who hasn't featured for a while

Archer who's scores 2 in 2

You blame Tonda, look at where we were before he took over, give your head a fucking wobble and appreciate where we are compared to where we were under Still.

 

 

[BotleySaint]

1 minute ago, benjii said:

Yep, if Leicester beat Milwall on Friday, we'll all be interested again!

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!