Saints 4-1 Bristol City - Match Thread

[trousers]

7 minutes ago, Golac's Cunning Stunts said:

The guy who is “offside” in that pic is in no way obstructing Peretz view

Do the laws say he has to be "obstructing" his view to be deemed offside, or does being a distraction count too? (I've no idea, just curious)

Edited 18 hours ago by trousers

[trousers]

Extended highlights...

 

 

[Golac's Cunning Stunts]

2 minutes ago, trousers said:

Do the laws say it has to be "obstructing" his view to be deemed offside, or does being a distraction count too? (I've no idea, just curious)

True - I have no idea either and could very well be talking out my arse

[macca155]

1st half was a grind 2nd half our squad depth killed them. They simply couldn't maintain the same intensity. Like Saints last year, their subs really weakened them.

Bragg slotted in to the middle, and really imposed himself. He's a real talent, we better go up this year, or he'll be nabbed.

Best opposition Saints have faced by far today. Very organised, and refused to be suckered into leaving themselves vulnerable at the back. Eventually the Azaz/Larin axis got through them. From then on they were chasing a losing game 

Thought Ballard looked busy, not a superstar, but he looked a threat. Be interesting to see how his career develops.

The West Ham game will be spicy, on the 24th. They'll be keen to put us in our place, as will we.

[saintstowin]

Really enjoyed being at St Mary's today. They started quickly and could have been a goal up through some good play by them coupled with some hesitation on our part. That was a great save, and then that great clearance, there was another clearance that from my view at the other end might have been off the line (or not) too. And after we scored they had a presentable chance.

However we weathered and grew into the half and the match. Whether it was a typical 4-1 or not, what it was, I thought, was us showing strength in depth and that our individual players are great at this level. We played so well as a team where everyone knew their role and we kept our shape even under pressure.

Plenty of good teams see what the opposition offer, including them not taking chances, and go on to win well and we did that today.

It was interesting how they did the opposite to Swansea and let us play out. I can see why, to stop us exploiting space etc. But mixing it up might have made us panic a bit so I'm surprised they didn't.

We've got so many ways to score at home and can hopefully do it away soon. 

Larin got a deserved motm but I thought Matsuki had a blinder too. Loved seeing Keven for the first time live as well, what a signing.

[SNSUN]

It's easy to see it through rose tinted glasses but surely Peretz, Schlott, Downes, Azaz, Leo and Larin are amongst the best in the division in their positions. You could add Jander to that despite his injury based on his end of season form last season. 

Add perfectly good top Championship standard players to those and we are in for a good season. 

Sure we will have bad games and not get results and the forum will flip to thinking they'rea bunch of shitebags, but right now our big players are flying. 

[Hawkswood]

6 hours ago, Turkish said:

We’re going to get Middlesbrough in the play offs again aren’t we

I dont think so. Us them and West ham top 3, just not sure on order

[SNSUN]

2 minutes ago, Hawkswood said:

I dont think so. Us them and West ham top 3, just not sure on order

I think Wolves might have something to say about that. They've only played 5 games and already look decent. 

[Hawkswood]

4 minutes ago, SNSUN said:

I think Wolves might have something to say about that. They've only played 5 games and already look decent. 

Oh yeah fair enough, forgot about them

[CSA96]

11 mins of highlights with Blackmore and Tessem

 

[CSA96]

Didn't spot it at the time but at approx 7 mins in, Larin celebrates his 2nd goal by running up to the Bristol City defender he'd been tussling with (who could probably have been sent off at that point for fouls on Larin) and is yelling at him 

[Saint86]

2 hours ago, trousers said:

Do the laws say he has to be "obstructing" his view to be deemed offside, or does being a distraction count too? (I've no idea, just curious)

I mean, the shot goes straight across the box to tolaj and that player is directly in the line of sight to tolaj, so clearly interfering/obstructing in Peretz's ability to save the shot.

[skintsaint]

33 minutes ago, Saint86 said:

I mean, the shot goes straight across the box to tolaj and that player is directly in the line of sight to tolaj, so clearly interfering/obstructing in Peretz's ability to save the shot.

Its a close call fo' sure.

 

 

Luckily didn't matter

[Birder Saint]

Thankyou Cyle,that first was the classic goal out of nowhere!

Up to that point i was wonderingwhy we were so tentative.

Nice surprise to be walking behind Matt Le Tiss over the Woolston bridge on the way back

[Football Special]

Shout out to the Chapel end blocks 20/21 who seemed to be doing an excellent job winding up the away fans 

[BILLYDO1948]

Who took the captain’s arm band after Downes went off. I missed that. 

[Weston Super Saint]

4 minutes ago, BILLYDO1948 said:

Who took the captain’s arm band after Downes went off. I missed that. 

Some guy called Prowse.  Not sure of his captain credentials though.

[saintstowin]

1 hour ago, Football Special said:

Shout out to the Chapel end blocks 20/21 who seemed to be doing an excellent job winding up the away fans 

And when it worked, '4-1 and you've lost your heads' was fun. 

[goodymatt]

13 minutes ago, BILLYDO1948 said:

Who took the captain’s arm band after Downes went off. I missed that. 

Manning took the armband at HT and then Prowsey when Manning went off.

[Football Special]

To add to the feelgood factor yesterday the academy sides have had a good start.to the season 

U21s won 3-1 at home to Bournemouth 

U18s won 4-1 away to Ipswich 

[swedish dave]

9 hours ago, trousers said:

Extended highlights...

 

 

This is a strange decision for anyone to give. I recall a Prem. game v. Brighton a few years ago (?) when a 

very good " goal" was disallowed because the ref. deemed a Saints player to be "obstructing the keepers view".

Afterwards even the Brighton keeper didn't understand why it had been disallowed. 

[ally_uk]

Superb performance 👏 

Happy for Matsuki, always rated him and feel he gets overlooked.

Scienza Azaz, Larin, outstanding when they click up front different levels.. 

Wouldn't mind Ballard back thought thought he looks lively, better composure he could of easily had 2 or 3 goals. 

[swedish dave]

40 minutes ago, Weston Super Saint said:

Some guy called Prowse.  Not sure of his captain credentials though.

Likely better than any other player on the pitch.  Prowsey also captained England's U21 team for a dozen or

more games when ..what's his name .." Gareth somebody " was managing the U21 squad, but who then 

decided JWP wasn't good enough for the full England side, yet never found a good free kick specialist in 

all of his undistinguished sojourn as England's manager. 

[Cabrone]

Good win, Bristol City are an awkward opponent so glad to get the 3 points.

Our form is 14 pts from 7 games, top 2 territory but 3 tricky games coming up. We may get lucky playing a wobbly Wrexham after a Spam spanking. Portsmouth will be awkward for obvious reasons and Norwich (a) will be tough. IMO 6 points would be par for the course from that lot and keep us on track.

Squad fitness looks good, GD is 2nd highest in the div and the train is now rolling.

We just need to keep it up.

[Lord Duckhunter]

Enjoyable game. 
 

Strange performance from Azaz, gave the ball away a lot, wasn’t anywhere near his best but walks off with a goal & 2 assists. I’m not particularly a fan of Bragg at the moment but he played well and we didn’t really miss Downes, which is what a replacement should do. Matski & The German centre half played well & Wood did OK, although he’s hardly a rolls Royce of a defender, movement like one of the flower pot men again. Much prefer him to just kick it and head it, he gives me heart tremors when he does anything else. 
 

Go 2 goals up & it’s game over lately. Not because we don’t concede but because the opposition open up a bit and we have the players to punish them. We need clean sheets, won’t go up unless we start getting them. 

[Sheaf Saint]

12 hours ago, Golac's Cunning Stunts said:

The guy who is “offside” in that pic is in no way obstructing Peretz view

Not the view of Cardines who is shooting in this image, that's true. But he's in an almost direct line of sight between Peretz and Tolaj, who scored the goal, and looked to be just offside still when the ball was put in the net.

If that was in the PL and scored against City or Liverpool then VAR would rule that out I reckon.

 

[SaintsfanSwindon]

It really is a good sign that we are not scraping games 1-0 when not playing  well but actually winning games 3-1 and 4-1. Larin took the plaudits but I thought Matsuki was excellent, he works so hard and took his goal really well. Also good banter with the Bristol City fans on the train going home. I thought the away support was the best so far this season. 

Edited 6 hours ago by SaintsfanSwindon

[sadoldgit]

What a difference a couple of games makes. A little while ago the bed wetters were telling us that we were rubbish and wouldn’t be going up. 🙄

[Oh no Mick Mills]

Last time i saw their goalscorer Tolaj play was up at the Silverlake about 3 years ago.

He was on the Aldershot bench and their keeper got sent off after 20 mins.

They didnt bring a sub keeper so he was brought on and went in goal...all 5ft 9 of him! 

Also saw Le Tiss walking out with the fans at the end yesterday, all suited and booted walking back towards the bridge and he went virtually unnoticed. 

[Whitey Grandad]

59 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

Not the view of Cardines who is shooting in this image, that's true. But he's in an almost direct line of sight between Peretz and Tolaj, who scored the goal, and looked to be just offside still when the ball was put in the net.

If that was in the PL and scored against City or Liverpool then VAR would rule that out I reckon.

 

There was a brief radio discussion between the Assistant and the referee. Maybe it was about their player being in an offside position?

The Assistant can see who's potentially offside but the referee can judge on matters of line of sight.

[macca155]

2 hours ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

I’m not particularly a fan of Bragg at the moment but he played well and we didn’t really miss Downes, which is what a replacement should do.

I thought he was excellent when he came on. He's becoming an essential part of the squad. By their nature midfielders get bashed about a bit, and booked, so we'll need him big time as the season progresses.

Agree on Wood, he's heart and soul, a human brick wall. He's doing well and keeping his place in the side on merit, but Tonda must be itching to give Abbott a go. 

[Badger]

6 hours ago, Football Special said:

Shout out to the Chapel end blocks 20/21 who seemed to be doing an excellent job winding up the away fans 

Are they just warming up for the skates visit ?

[macca155]

4 hours ago, ally_uk said:

Superb performance 👏Wouldn't mind Ballard back thought thought he looks lively, better composure he could of easily had 2 or 3 goals. 

I think we all realise the club dropped a bollock letting him go. He was very lively, and on another day those chances go in.

Better than Archer and Downs, and the club would have saved a bunch of money.

Nevertheless he remains a promising Championship striker. If Saints go up they need to take PL standard players with them.

Edited 4 hours ago by macca155

[Mr X]

Great result!! Scoreline not a true reflection of Bristol City they played well and scared us a lot... Ballard missed soo many chances another day it could have been so different! But you have to take your luck and we did 

[Lord Duckhunter]

3 minutes ago, macca155 said:

and on another day those chances go in.

In other words. Bloke comes back to old club desperate to prove them wrong, and misses chances….

[trousers]

1 hour ago, sadoldgit said:

What a difference a couple of games makes. A little while ago the bed wetters were telling us that we were rubbish and wouldn’t be going up if we continued playing like we did versus Birmingham and Lincoln🙄

I wasn't one of the "bed wetters" but I've added a bit of context to you post to add a bit of fairness...

[Greedyfly]

Really average first half, I went to the bathroom and missed the first goal to get things going so you welcome. First half we didn't have enough control or urgency, probably somewhat hampered by Downes and a bit of a complacent attitude. 

 

Much better after the break and a few things that I found positive: 

Mubama BULLIED Eisaat for the 4th goal and again soon after. He actually looked really handy when coming on so hopefully he continues that. 

 

Bragg - his best game for us so far. I still don't think he's a starter but I felt that Eckerts comments a few weeks back about taking easy passes instead of risks to go forward were very much aimed at him. He did seem yesterday he'd taken that on board and it suits him better. 

Finally, the subs did change the game with all of them having an impact in some way. 

 

We need to be tighter at the back though with Bree looking a little lethargic in defence and Manning being all Manning-ish. That said I think Wood has improved and Big Kev doesn't lose many duals. Has to be a bit quicker on the ball both of them but not bad by any means. 

 

Anyway thoroughly enjoyable 50 mins of football in the sunshine

[Badger]

A great result, again, but  the scoreline flattered. 
 

Bristol City could have been 3 up before we scored. Can’t afford to give better teams these opportunities before we get going. But in the end great quality shown to come through this as we did.

Peretz - good save at 0-0

Larin, moment of individual brilliance for the first, skill from Matsuki for third. And great credit to Mubama for his role when coming on, especially in the fourth goal. 

Mubama’s performance bodes well. Good performance from Matsuki and the midfield. Fellows impressed when he came on. Tonda got the subs right today and they all contributed at important times of the game. 
 

Thought Azaz poor but as several point out the stats show a goal and two assists. 

[Badger]

3 hours ago, Lord Duckhunter said:

 

Go 2 goals up & it’s game over lately. Not because we don’t concede but because the opposition open up a bit and we have the players to punish them. We need clean sheets, won’t go up unless we start getting them. 

Yet we managed to allow both Swansea and Bristol City back into the game.

But greater credit we haven’t folded, but regrouped and moved up a gear again in both matches 

[Badger]

19 hours ago, Jimmy_D said:

….,one of the worst refs we’ve seen at St Mary’s in recent times, which perhaps isn’t entirely surprising considering he’s a former Bristol City player!

Ridiculous he was allowed to ref, but makes it all the sweeter to get this one over the line  

Seriously???

Wonder who Gibbo will appoint for our match with them in November 

[skintsaint]

56 minutes ago, Badger said:

Seriously???

Wonder who Gibbo will appoint for our match with them in November 

[Barton Saint]

Much better team than Swansea but much dirtier with it some awful challenges went unpunished and they broke up our play when breaking several times 

Their goal definitely offside didn’t matter and evens up the Edozie penalty goal 

Probably the game saver was the fantastic goal line clearance from Herr Kev

[Saint86]

8 hours ago, BILLYDO1948 said:

Who took the captain’s arm band after Downes went off. I missed that. 

JWP

[VectisSaint]

30 minutes ago, Saint86 said:

JWP

Manning took it at HT, Prowse took it when Manning went off (88 min).