We've always managed sell outs against top teams when it has been televised before, 27,000 for a PL match at SMS is very low. All the talks of stadium expansion will well and truly put on the shelf now.
Our problems on the pitch (imo) dont come from Sparky, he was beside himself trying to get the team to,WAKE the **** UP today and thats certainly not for the 1st time. Oh and Bertrand shouldnt be carrying the captains armband, its much too heavy for him, He,s no leader. Anyway cheer up, at least Chelsea,s 3rd goal keeps them above Liverpool.
I completely agree about Bertrand not being the right choice as captain. The only problem is that without any leaders (or failing that, some inspiration) on the pitch, I don't have a credible candidate to replace him!
Thought he was one of our more effective players. Not great, but behind Redmond as our most threatening attacker.
I’ve not read the thread yet - I’ll save that for later. Been to the game today and it went how I expected, with a little more in it from us. Chelsea were excellent; really good. For 20 minutes they pinned us in, but then we had a 10 minute spell where we looked pretty good and should have scored. Ings missed that sitter and then thy punished us after we made an error losing the ball a few yards outside our area and the only time the world class Hazard was on his own in or near our box. I’m not a Hughes fan, but credit to him because he changed it at half time and went back four with an extra man on the middle. We started thaybsecind half really well until a defensive lapse when someone lost Giroud (no idea who as I’ve not seen it back). Game over. Looking back at the game, knowing that Chelsea took their foot off the gas at 2-0, I actually thought we did ok and better than I was expecting. We still created 5 very good chances, with their keeper making two good saves from two of those. They took their clear cut chances. Impressed with Chelsea, but not completely distraught with Saints. Thought we were ok.
I’m no fan of Sparky particularly, but I think it’s a little short sighted to suggest the current problems sit at his door. I do absolutely concede we could do with some one that can get a defence gelling, but you need to look higher up the ladder than Sparky for the real issue.
Agreed. I’ve criticised his game management before, but today I thought his decisions were ok if not even courageous.
That's ok I guess, hopefully an option because Austin has been horrible. I saw Ings missed a good chance, which is better than not getting a good chance. Next question, after this week and all the other times before, can we stop saying that cup wins(/draws) build momentum, give managers something to think about, help confidence etc etc? They don't, they just get in the way.
I personally would like to see Gabbi and Ings get a chance to build a partnership over a run of games. Gabbi was played wide right in a three (with Redders left) for much of the game.
No he’s not. My Dad moaned about him on the way to the ground and after 5 minutes Redmond “jockeyed” Hazard, held him up and forced him to play Square. Apparently, he should have dived in to try and win the ball.... Silly old bugger my old man is
Oh and sorry I missed everyone today, but Dad was late but Vin waved to me in the crowd and I said hello to It’s Only a Game!
Some players improved this season, notably Redmond and PEH. Add to that a better manager and goalkeeper than we had at this stage last season and the addition of ings it is disappointing that results are not better. It's a truly embarrassing statistic that since last December Leicester and Chelsea have won as many games at st Mary's as saints have. We really do need to beat Newcastle in our next one.
It was Hojbjerg and in my opinion he should have won a free kick for obstruction. I was watching Giroud as free kick was lined up and saw he was not in the line of players on the edge of the penalty area, but was lining up a run. it looked like he would go diagonally (towards the free kick taker), but he peeled off around the far end of the line of players. Hojbjerg was with him, but was completely blocked by a Chelsea player (Alonso or Luiz, I think), And I mean completely blocked: facing him, wrapping up his arms - like an offensive tackle in American football. Hojbjerg went ape-**** at the linesman after the goal, but no joy, obviously.
An attacking minded player with 0 league goals and 0 assists? Is our best player of the season so far! No wonder we’re in the ****...
