Saints 2-2 Ipswich - Match Thread

[LiberalCommunist]

That last twenty minutes, it was very apparent just how much we miss Jack. Hope he's back soon. 

[Harry_SFC]

Charles seems to be going backwards after a good start to the season. Fairly sure he's off in the summer. 

[die Mannyschaft]

6 minutes ago, Wade Garrett said:

Charles, again, kept giving the ball away last night.

I’ve said it before, he could be a really good player.  I don’t know if it’s a concentration thing, but he continually fucks up simple passes and gives it away.

I think its the way we play. SLOW, WAIT TILL LAST SECOND. LOOK AOUND FIRST DONT PASS QUICKLY,  BACK AND SIDEWAYS FIRST OPTION.  The high risk non direct football allways creeps back in. Azaz does the same. Fellows beats 6 players but not allowed to pass until 3 players round him the its end up being given away.

We didn't do so much of the Saints style v Arsenal or City so why return to this risky passing for leaque games.

Oh Manning does it every kick down wing and all defenders,  actually all the team, even Peretz looks like he wants to have a go.

[Football Special]

Just now, LiberalCommunist said:

That last twenty minutes, it was very apparent just how much we miss Jack. Hope he's back soon. 

Yeah we need him in there. Was on the bench at Swansea but mentioned he was carrying a 'knock' i think, came on briefly,  then was in starting line up for Bristol City but dropped out at the last min, not seen any more details since? 

[Dman]

5 minutes ago, LiberalCommunist said:

That last twenty minutes, it was very apparent just how much we miss Jack. Hope he's back soon. 

Yep. We've definitely been a worse side since he dropped out. 

I think yesterday was just a game too far, we looked dead on our feet and to be honest, ipswich were a good side. 

all in all, a great game of football.

[Charlie Wayman]

The lads were knackered from the off physically and mentally, why on earth didn't we use our subs. Beats me.

Hard to understand Eckert last night, he must have had something in mind unless he was knackered as well.

Bragg could have been our saviour and Matsuki?

Edited 5 hours ago by Charlie Wayman

[ant]

Based on last night, I'm heartened that our fans seem bang up for it. 

Will be a crucial factor going into the playoffs - particularly if we end up with a bum kickoff time for the home fixture.

[Give it to Ron]

25 minutes ago, Charlie Wayman said:

The lads were knackered from the off physically and mentally, why on earth didn't we use our subs. Beats me.

Hard to understand Eckert last night, he must have had something in mind unless he was knackered as well.

Bragg could have been our saviour and Matsuki?

Matsuki is injured not on bench but I agree we didn’t make the changes at 2-1 we needed. Strengthening midfield and defence.

 

Edited 5 hours ago by Give it to Ron

[Oisin]

Before the season I’d have said us and Ipswich were two of the best squads in this league, and last night they both turned up. 
Both were a little tired and we were missing a couple of people who would have added some control (particularly Downes) but that was a great game and both sides performed really well, both sides went for it and both sets of fans added to it. 

Could have gone either way and naturally I’m frustrated we couldn’t hold our lead but to be honest it was a fair result. They were the best team I’ve  seen here this season.

I hope they go up so they’re not an obstacle in the playoffs and quite frankly as the best I’ve seen this season other than us, they deserve to.

But equally on the evidence I’ve seen we’re a level above the rest of the playoff contenders and if we continue to perform as we have the last couple of months we’ll be promoted as well. Coventry deserve the title through their consistency but Saints and Ipswich are the best two teams in the league on their day - let’s hope we go and prove it 3 more times.

[die Mannyschaft]

15 minutes ago, ant said:

Based on last night, I'm heartened that our fans seem bang up for it. 

Will be a crucial factor going into the playoffs - particularly if we end up with a bum kickoff time for the home fixture.

Great atmosphere and not just Notham

[macca155]

17 minutes ago, Charlie Wayman said:

The lads were knackered from the off physically and mentally, why on earth didn't we use our subs. Beats me.

Hard to understand Eckert last night, he must have had something in mind unless he was knackered as well.

Bragg could have been our saviour and Matsuki?

The run they have been on has been incredible, but that comes at a cost. They aren't machines, well Jander is 😲, and when the game is all about fine margins, mistakes creep in from tired minds and bodies.

Wood is bigger, stronger, faster, and braver in the block, yet despite all that Jack's calmer more experienced approach was desperately missed yesterday. 

McKenna beat Tonda yesterday by throwing on as many subs as he could to maintain the intensity of their press. Massive gamble because they were struggling as well, but it worked. However I've learnt to trust Tonda now, and I suspect he had good reasons not to bring on all his allowed subs. I doubt Bragg could move off the bench, he left everything at Wembley.

Feels like they've settled for 4th or 5th now. I bet we see Archer, Matsuki and Quarshie on Saturday.

[LegalEagle]

40 minutes ago, Charlie Wayman said:

The lads were knackered from the off physically and mentally, why on earth didn't we use our subs. Beats me.

Hard to understand Eckert last night, he must have had something in mind unless he was knackered as well.

Bragg could have been our saviour and Matsuki?

What a lot of nonsense. They weren’t “knackered from the off”. They tired quickly in the last 10 minutes but up to that point they looked fit and raring to go.

Matsuki was injured and I’d like to know how Bragg could have been our “saviour”. We did well last night against the second best side in the league over the season who will be in the PL next season. Reading some of these comments you would have thought we lost.

[James G]

7 hours ago, Sardonic Squirrels said:

Watched highlights from game three times, just to take in what happened and for one I'm content with the point.    Would have been great to win and confirm promotion but we'll have our chance at the weekend.    That was a very entertaining contest with both teams going for it and a draw was probably a fair result many would argue.    Clarke when he wants to can be a good player when he doesn't spoil it for himself and others and that appeared evident from tonight. 

Walton after being kept out the team by Palmer or Muric has been back to his best in recent weeks and helped get us another share of points but how much is he really going to be threatened or tested by QPR on the last fixture? 

I applaud McKenna and the team for really giving it a go and actually coming near to taking all three points had other chances gone in when I imagined we'd rest up a bit there and put all focus on the final weekend.    It's a stressful situation knowing that four club names will be trying for automatic promotion on the last game when we could have made sure tonight and avoided such a scenario but one last time that was highly entertaining from the highlights provided but think somehow couldn't quite match the excitement of in Paris. 

I wouldn't like to play Southampton over two play off games being truthful but if the entertainment gets to be anything like tonight then fans all over can have something to relish. 

We're out of the running for automatics, so there's just 3 teams in contention. 

I think QPR could be dangerous because teams like to play the top teams and they'll be relaxed. They play a mid block in defence so they stay compact and can be hard to play through. Their forward play is quick and direct and they overload the wings, they are stronger down the right hand side, so your left side will need to be strong

Based on last night, you should start Jack Clarke, utilise your left side attack, and play balls into the back of the box, you'll play between their two layers that way. I think you'll be fine, but fatigue could be an issue early on. We saw bad passes in the first half from both teams, that comes from heavy legs

That's my take anyway

[OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint]

19 minutes ago, die Mannyschaft said:

Great atmosphere and not just Notham

It started with Spurs and now everyone seems to have nicked our Oh when the Saints song.

Derby did oh when the rams, Ipswich were singing oh when the something and while it's a bit irritating, it adds to the atmosphere when the whole stadium is singing the same tune ... albeit with different words. 

[AlexLaw76]

Ipswich will beat QPR, no worries there

[Pilchards]

5 minutes ago, LegalEagle said:

What a lot of nonsense. They weren’t “knackered from the off”. They tired quickly in the last 10 minutes but up to that point they looked fit and raring to go.

Matsuki was injured and I’d like to know how Bragg could have been our “saviour”. We did well last night against the second best side in the league over the season who will be in the PL next season. Reading some of these comments you would have thought we lost.

They were mentally exhausted at the start as THB was pumping into Nomansland while Peretz kicked it out twice.

When you play the game at a top level you will understand it more.

This squad needs a massive reset which comes with a rest. I’m beginning to think Tonda decided to save some subs for Saturday as he felt it was pointless pushing for a winner as the automatics are surely going to either Millwall or Ipswich that have very easy home matches.

Maybe the gamble is hoping Boro don’t get the win at Wrexham so we have home advantage last.

[Football Special]

26 minutes ago, die Mannyschaft said:

Great atmosphere and not just Notham

Players notice it as well, message is clear - we know what's required in the play off home leg

[kitch]

Game of two halves, really. First half both teams were cagey, felt very much like a playoff game. Second half it opened up a bit more and was pretty good. I was dejected at the time for not getting the win, but on reflection that's probably more because when you go 1-up with 8mins to go, you kinda think you're getting the win. A draw was probably fair.

Jander - different gravy. Last few games he's looking back to his best. Larin was class, good shift from Manning too.

But what the FUCK was that chant when Leaf Davis was taking corners? Was getting Hull City Tigers vibes! Ipswich fans are loud though, can't deny that.

[LegalEagle]

5 minutes ago, Pilchards said:

They were mentally exhausted at the start as THB was pumping into Nomansland while Peretz kicked it out twice.

When you play the game at a top level you will understand it more.

This squad needs a massive reset which comes with a rest. I’m beginning to think Tonda decided to save some subs for Saturday as he felt it was pointless pushing for a winner as the automatics are surely going to either Millwall or Ipswich that have very easy home matches.

Maybe the gamble is hoping Boro don’t get the win at Wrexham so we have home advantage last.

Which bears no relation to what TE said before and after the game. We try to win every game and not rely upon others. 
 

They were not “mentally exhausted” at the start of the game. They play 90 minutes of football twice a week at the moment. They’re not designing and building a rocket to go to the moon or carrying out 6 hours of life saving surgery. They were certainly physically tired by the end of the game but don’t give me that mentally tired wokey hogwash. 

[kitch]

12 minutes ago, LegalEagle said:

Which bears no relation to what TE said before and after the game. We try to win every game and not rely upon others. 
 

They were not “mentally exhausted” at the start of the game. They play 90 minutes of football twice a week at the moment. They’re not designing and building a rocket to go to the moon or carrying out 6 hours of life saving surgery. They were certainly physically tired by the end of the game but don’t give me that mentally tired wokey hogwash. 

I think you're massively oversimplifying the modern game tbh

[DT]

Easy to be disappointed about last night but they have done exceptionally well to get this far after the club appointed our worst ever manager beforehand. I thought they looked a bit leggy at times, especially in the middle, where I couldn't really fathom why Charles was kept on.

But it's to be expected after such a long season and so soon after Wembley.

Thought Ipswich looked dangerous at times and if they keep McKenna they will do okay in the Prem. Big if though with the merry go rounds to come.

So anyway, well done Saints on making the play-offs. I hope Middlesbrough smash Wrexham as I couldn't bear us playing them again and all the media bollox. Hope we get to Wembley again.

PS Larin - what a goal.

[saintant]

1 hour ago, LiberalCommunist said:

That last twenty minutes, it was very apparent just how much we miss Jack. Hope he's back soon. 

We missed Downes as well. He is the key to our midfield alongside Jander - Ipswich had far too much midfield control last night.

[DT]

40 minutes ago, macca155 said:

The run they have been on has been incredible, but that comes at a cost. They aren't machines, well Jander is 😲, and when the game is all about fine margins, mistakes creep in from tired minds and bodies.

Wood is bigger, stronger, faster, and braver in the block, yet despite all that Jack's calmer more experienced approach was desperately missed yesterday. 

McKenna beat Tonda yesterday by throwing on as many subs as he could to maintain the intensity of their press. Massive gamble because they were struggling as well, but it worked. However I've learnt to trust Tonda now, and I suspect he had good reasons not to bring on all his allowed subs. I doubt Bragg could move off the bench, he left everything at Wembley.

Feels like they've settled for 4th or 5th now. I bet we see Archer, Matsuki and Quarshie on Saturday.

Not sure how Bragg left everything at Wembley in the 61 minutes he was on the pitch 

[Lighthouse]

10 hours ago, S-Clarke said:

I don't think that is a fair reflection of the Championship. It's one of the few leagues where anyone can actually have a crack at the playoffs minimum, regardless of budget. Hull (they have had a transfer embargo) and Millwall are two fine examples of that this year, and Leicester are an example at the other extreme.

It's a really unpredictable league, and whilst money can give you an edge - it doesn't create the gulf you see in the PL. I hope the Championship doesn't get like that, as the beauty of the EFL are for teams like Lincoln etc to carry momentum and go again. I think our season has shown the league up for what it is all about, back in December we had no right to even be talking about Top 6 - but we've pulled ourselves to within touching distance of 2nd. The game is never done in this league, no matter how bad you start.

The paradox there is that if you don't like the PL and don't want to get promoted, then the supposedly better Championship just becomes meaningless. You'd basically just be playing 46 friendlies next season because there're no consequences at the end of it.

Everyone may get a crack at the playoffs but in the PL you get a go at Europe if you have a good season. The Champions League might be a closed shop but Brighton, Everton, Bournemouth, Fulham and Brentford all have a really good chance at Europe next season. Even below that, I don't think fans of Palace, Sunderland and Leeds are any less happy than those of Preston and Bristol City, being midtable in their respective leagues.

[benjii]

26 minutes ago, Football Special said:

Players notice it as well, message is clear - we know what's required in the play off home leg

Likely to be a Saturday lunchtime kick off, so there is a danger of a flat atmosphere. 

[rallyboy]

I couldn't see it last night but incredible save by Peretz at the end - he's pretty special.

Larin's early shot, his hooked effort tipped over and the finish for his goal - he's a proper striker.

Maybe our recruitment dept has turned a corner...

 

[Sheaf Saint]

1 hour ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Ipswich will beat QPR, no worries there

Just like Stockport were guaranteed to win at home against already relegated Port Vale last night to confirm their playoff spot?

[AlexLaw76]

1 minute ago, Sheaf Saint said:

Just like Stockport were guaranteed to win at home against already relegated Port Vale last night to confirm their playoff spot?

No, Ipswich are a very good side with very good players and are the 2nd best side in the league.

If we were playing QPR home to win for a spot in the premier league, we would all be backing the win.

[Swaythling Saint]

2 hours ago, ant said:

Based on last night, I'm heartened that our fans seem bang up for it. 

Will be a crucial factor going into the playoffs - particularly if we end up with a bum kickoff time for the home fixture.

Yes, need a recreation of the west brom game last time we were there 

[Chris cooper]

1 hour ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Ipswich will beat QPR, no worries there

No they won’t .. draw imo .. Millwall beat Oxford & go up !! Hope I’m wrong but QPR will get a draw minimum!! Ipswich will be fucked after that last night !

[AlexLaw76]

Just now, Chris cooper said:

No they won’t .. draw imo .. Millwall beat Oxford & go up !! Hope I’m wrong but QPR will get a draw minimum!! Ipswich will be fucked after that last night !

Why will Ipswich be fucked? They looked anything but.

[macca155]

1 hour ago, DT said:

Not sure how Bragg left everything at Wembley in the 61 minutes he was on the pitch 

The bench was just below us at Wembley, when he came off he was shattered, could barely walk. It's not about the time, it's the intensity. Nevertheless he should have replaced Charles at 2 1, he would gave helped shore up the midfield.

[LuckyNumber7]

3 hours ago, Football Special said:

Agree with you, atmosphere at times was superb as we got back into the game, one particular OWTS going around the whole stadium , players look exhausted, I think the fans are as well after the last month 

You're not wrong there. Obviously the last few months has been fun but exhausting too, with so many big games in quick succession. And still more to come. I'll actually be glad to have a break from it all.

Was surprised Tonda didn't make more subs last night. We looked absolutely knackered the last 15-20 minutes.

[Chris cooper]

51 minutes ago, AlexLaw76 said:

Why will Ipswich be fucked? They looked anything but.

They looked tired in periods they have had a gruelling fixture pile up as we have ! Last night would have took a lot out of them physically! As did Wembley for us ,It’s weather they have the mental strength to get through Saturday early kick off & go again with the extra pressure of getting over the line !

QPR will share the points here & Millwall will beat Oxford for me ! 
 

Saints vs Ipswich play off final !

[dsrdorset]

6 hours ago, Willo of Whiteley said:

Edozie is shit. I’m sorry but he is garbage, he offers a pointless dummy or step over and still loses the ball. Probably one of the first “get rids” in the summer.

Charles has looked poor and inconsistent in recent games. Scienza has looked very average too.

Larin, Manning, Peretz and Jander were the stand outs for me.

There were no mega crap performances as such, just certain players that were off the pace.

He looked keen on his first game back, really promising, but has gone backwards since. Shame really. We are going to need everyone on top form for the playoffs. 

[Football Special]

1 hour ago, LuckyNumber7 said:

You're not wrong there. Obviously the last few months has been fun but exhausting too, with so many big games in quick succession. And still more to come. I'll actually be glad to have a break from it all.

Was surprised Tonda didn't make more subs last night. We looked absolutely knackered the last 15-20 minutes.

Weve had something like 8 games this month haven't we, FA Cup quarter final, FA Cup semi final, 2 away games abroad , certainly notice it on my bank balance