Match Day Thread Crystal Palace vs Southampton, Weds 15th December, 19:30

[mowgli]

Given the pressure players and manager are under; given the fragile confidence of a young team; that result will do us no harm at all. If you want to stay away from the relegation fight, picking up points like this is going to be a big thing.

Quick word for Wily after I slated him at the weekend: Decent performance. Still want Fraser or Macca back but decent performance.

 

[Toss saints]

As a standalone result, I'm fine with that. (And besides, I think Palace were better than us.)

But collectively, it's another failure to win. Another dropping of points. Brentford is huge now.

Kind off
But given how hard we have to work for goals, two classy ones tonight,. Shame not to win. We don't seem to get the scruffy goals like Ayew got these days

 

[Toss saints]

Okay point but need to beat Brentford. You can see why we struggle when the likes of Long, Walcott and Djenepo are all playing - not one of them are good enough for this league.

Smallbone and Tella aren't either really but both have youth on their side and could get there.

Not sure I agree with Tells, I thought he was a handful tonight, sure he needs to make better decisions but he is still young

 

[saintrichie123]

Ralph needs to address the issue of Sailsu taking those ridiculous throw inns.

 

[Toss saints]

Ralph needs to address the issue of Sailsu taking those ridiculous throw inns.

It okay Vinny Jones is having a lean spell in Hollywood and is going to sign a short term contract to be our midfield enforcer and throw in specialist, after all Dennis Wise worked out so well for us

 

[RSS]

Not a bad point on its own, but needs to be backed up by a win on the weekend.

If we are to start winning games we really need to tighten up at the back though.

 

[Ronnie Hotdog (MLsfc)]

Not sure I agree with Tells, I thought he was a handful tonight, sure he needs to make better decisions but he is still young

He made a few dangerous runs and does cause problems with his pace, but he doesn't influence games or contribute enough in terms of goals/chances to be a regular premier league starter.

Not being critical, he is at a good level for his age/experience. I just don't think you can expect anything more than just surviving a relegation battle with these players.

 

[mowgli]

Not a bad point on its own, but needs to be backed up by a win on the weekend.

If we are to start winning games we really need to tighten up at the back though.

Keeping to the same pairing CBs will help.

 

[Toss saints]

He made a few dangerous runs and does cause problems with his pace, but he doesn't influence games or contribute enough in terms of goals/chances to be a regular premier league starter.

I do think he adds more of a threat than other players who have played out wide ( Djenjpo, Walcott, Elynoussi etc). I would rather preserve with the youngster
Not being critical, he is at a good level for his age/experience. I just don't think you can expect anything more than just surviving a relegation battle with these players.

 

[AberdeenSaint]

I wish we could have worked Butland a bit more, but a I`ll take a draw away from home. We lost a couple of sloppy goals, but overall, a positive performance.

 

[OddRiverOakWizards]

I actually thought Long helped as because he pushes defences back. Normally we end up dropping too deep with no one up front.

 

[SAINTOSPREY]

I wish we could have worked Butland a bit more, but a I`ll take a draw away from home. We lost a couple of sloppy goals, but overall, a positive performance.

I know Mousa has had problems recently, but he seems to have forgotten how to shoot?

 

[OddRiverOakWizards]

We are always just on the cusp of being an alright midtable team but can't quite make it!!

 

[Gregm1988]

We are always just on the cusp of being an alright midtable team but can't quite make it!!

So on the cusp of being the best we can reasonably expect given our budget / investment relative to the other clubs in the division ?

 

[SaintinNZ]

My thoughts.

Fully expected a loss, then expected a drubbing, so 2-2 is a good result.
We really need to treat these games with more respect. We turned a situation under zero pressure in the first 2 mins into going a goal down.
JWP has not been having a great season but once again, he steps up when we really need a lift. He is fantastic at deadballs, I wish to god we could see something from open play.
4-3-3 worked well for us. I don't think Smallbone had a great game but some more minutes and he could do well in that CAM. some good movement.
Lyanco and Salisu all season please.
We are totally bottling it when we are in the lead. The way we played at 2-1 and 2-2 were completely different.
Ralph is really showing signs of pressure. His presence has changed dramatically in 12 months. Its sad to see.
I REALLY WANT A WIN!

 

[Ian Thumwood]

I thought a point was a good result in a week where Leeds fans must be cincerned after conceding 7 against city.

 

[Dark Lord SFC]

Not a bad point on its own, but needs to be backed up by a win on the weekend.

If we are to start winning games we really need to tighten up at the back though.

Might not be a popular view but the weak link at the back again is Tino, look where the goals came from last night
He is great going forward but defensive positioning is questionable. We have written about it so many times but even Ralph must see that moving him forward into wide midfield is a no brainer with KWP in behind him.
At left back Perraud has been decent when given a chance and we are crying out for a left footer to cross from wide instead of keep coming inside and narrowing the angle

 

[Lovelocum]

3 points from our last 6 games is awful form. That’s 3 points out of a possible 18.

I love the eternal optimism but we desperately need to get some wins and ideally a clean sheet. We’re so easy to score against, when we take the lead we just can’t hold it.

My concern is we’re giving even poor teams confidence and they play with freedom against us.

Anyway. ANYWAY! At least is wasn’t a loss.

 

[Saints_Alive]

Not a bad point on its own, but needs to be backed up by a win on the weekend.

If we are to start winning games we really need to tighten up at the back though.

This, draws won't cut it in this league unless you are winning regularly too. Only 3 wins coming up to the midway of the season is worrying and a new trend for us. Ralph's team's have tended to either win or lose in the past and each win equivalent to 3 draws. I'm sure that it's a mentality issue and if we start winning a few then we will get over the line more often after leading.

 

[StJabbo1]

Ralph needs to address the issue of Sailsu taking those ridiculous throw inns.

If only that was all that needs addressing.