Thanks, good luck for the rest of the season, you seem to be just turning the corner and today's result will be a fillip, snatching a draw. Plenty of positives for us too today; see you again soon .
Lack of available players probably. Also consider that every extra player on the bench is another appearance bonus that needs to be paid.
It sounds like he made a good start, but like Falque no opportunity to shine, Punch had a good one by all accounts, hopefully some who went today will post when they get home.
Totally unrelated but not worth starting a thread over. Why is the Birmingham match televized by Sky on a Saturday at 3.00 pm. I thought matches couldn't be shown at that time.
It's definitely a 5:20pm K/O - Mucked my plans/timings up a bit, but not been to St. Andrews before so I'm still going and I'm looking forward to it http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/FixturesResults/0,,10280,00.html http://www.skysports.com/football/match_facts/0,,11065_3408836,00.html
Just back from work. I heard the game on the radio and was astonished to hear of Barnard starting, with De Ridder, Reeves and Puncheon starting in a very makeshift team. The only recognised CB was Martin, who is coming on leaps and bounds, although I know Richardson can play there. I was so surprised by the line up that I didn't consider that Nigel could have chosen a Harding, Richardson, Martin, Fox back four. Anyway, he didn't and it sounded as though we rode our luck on occasions, but the Lads stuck to their task. Typical of Lambert to score. It didn't feel inevitable, but it did feel like an old warm glove when he did. What a fabulous striker..! Good to hear Tadanari Lee getting a good twenty minutes or so, with Luke Shaw coming on too. And Jaidi was on the bench, ready to be called upon. Shame about the result in the end, but it began to have a certain inevitability about it. 1-1 was a good result in the end, and it gives Nigel a chance to give some players coming back from injury, and some coming in from outside, the chance to get some playing time in their frames before we get back to the league.
Lambert will be a premier league player next year with the Saints You definitely deserved the draw today, would of been harsh otherwise. Our Dave Merrington is always pretty good at appreciating the other teams play. Just out to have a pint with my Millwall friend, she said the other day how your approach play is good with you guys, but not enough chances taken. Good luck with the season.
Just got back, strange and exciting game I would say. Very end to end with Millwall having more decent chances, although Holmes somehow managed to miss a straight forward chance. Bart was actually not bad, kicking was much better. Goal was at the other end so can't tell if he was at fault. Harding had a solid game, put a fantastic ball in for the goal. Martin was quality, by far the best player. Won most aerial balls against a good striker in Henderson, plus he blocked and played the ball very well. Fox got caught out a few times, but considering he is not a CB he did ok. Richardson had a good game going forward but got caught out a few times when Millwall were on the counter. De Ridder started brightly and put a few crosses in, but please please Steve just take the defenders on, you have the pace and skill!! Puncheon was great, like a new signing. took players on and beat them easily, very assured on the ball and tracked back. You can tell he wasn't fully fit though. Reeves had a brilliant first half, the pass for the goal is excellent. Talented player but faded out in the second half. Hammond broke play up and played well when going forward. Lambert held the ball up and likes to pull out wide, very dangerous for their defence. He got pulled over a lot but ref gave nothing and I am positive he was fouled in the box in the 2nd half. Barnard I thought was poor, lacked match practice. First touch wasn't very good, although he did create a few chances but he needs to quicken his decision making up. Lee, looks like a bright prospect, quick with some great movement. Complelty different to our other strikers, sadly as Millwall pressed for the equaliser he didn't feature to much. Holmes was guilty of missing a sitter, looks good at times but lacked final ball. Congrats for Mr Shaw on his debut.
Obviously Barnard is lacking (big time) on match fitness, so he needs to work on that and I'm sure he will prove to be a good player to have in the run in
Back from game here's my match round up. Bart : played ok, needed the confidence boost but could of done better for the goal. Harding: looked dodgy at times, worrying when De Ridder switched with Punch + had Dan and Steve trying to defend against the millwall winger. Martin: my man of match, cleared everything, won everything. Fox: targeted heavy early on but stood his ground and never looked out of place. Fraser: Quiet game can't really comment as didn't really notice him. De Ridder: made some goods... Straight into Millwall players, didn't defend too much as was quiet. Reeves: few early lunges and pushed off ball easy, struggled against the stronger millwall players but got more confident in second half. Hammond: never got into game, constantly allowed millwall midfield to run at him and looked off the pace. Puncheon: tried for everything, not match fit but played well for first game back, let's hope it lasts. Barnard: looked sluggish and never got into game, made a few good runs but was mainly dispossessed too easy. Lambert: played well and showed why we have missed him, came back into midfield to win ball when needed and took goal well. Subs: Holmes: started brightly and should of scored, went off boil after 5 mins. Shaw: made little\no impact. Lee: ran like a mad man possesed when first came on, never it given the service to show anything special but had pace which is what's needed. Remember these are only my views and what I saw from the stand, don't bite my head off if you don't agree
Bet Alan P is fuming, don't want Brighton going through but nice to see smaller team knock out a Premiership team, not looking forward to monkey mans bragging though :/
