All that has happened is a natural course of footballing nature. At the start, we had momentum and were buzzing. Teams didn't expect us to play as we did or as well as we did. Team sdid then start to nullify us as previousl nobody seemed to worry about us, but our form continued through September and October. By about the end of November, teams started to sit up and take notice of us. Naturally, some have been better suited to playing against our style than others. For the record, I think Coventry aren't one of those teams. As for Fox, he is our best left back. His freekicks and set plays are fabulous. I think he lacks a little when faced with a winger, as he often doesn't get close enough; don't know why not. His passing is ok, but he does try the champagne crossfield pass too often. He sits back more than Harding, although in the last three games, I have noticed him appearing nearer and nearer to the opposition penalty area. I'd love to ee him overlap a little and gamble on going passed Lallana sometimes. His crossing is excellent. If people doubt Fox, I'd say look at Harte at Reading. Not a great left back anymore, but walking round rubbing his champions medal - he must have done something correct. Good opening post, except the error in our starting midfield back in August.
Lff - don't go... you've jsut arrived. Just ignore the squabbling and the name calling. SaintsFan4Life is alright, he is just a little young and therefore gets sucked in by those that have a go at him. SaintsFan4Life - just ignore him fella; rise above it.
Obviously down to the fact that you may not like Fox and mentioned it some time and people disagreed with you.
Christ I never thought I'd see the day you back me up FLT Seriosuly your right thought! and one final word SFTW, I never said being gay was childish - I'm not commenting again
Never let the facts get in the way of a good opinion thats my motto. Actually, I've never checked our points per game averages when Fox/Harding have been playing. Could be interesting if anyone is that bothered.
yes, I like that "never let the facts....." Don't think Harding has played at left back enough this season to do a comparison.
Where did it go wrong, it's obvious, they are camera shy and seldom perform when live on the box, why? I couldn't tell you, the Leeds game at the start of the season proves that they can do it.
Come on chaps. No one has mentioned Gully's lack of goals. At one point he was going great guns but since Christmas almost nothing. Could be a big factor?
That one's easy â Guly was playing up front when he was scoring, and hasn't since because we've bought a couple of strikers. Lallana? Not so sure, he's still getting chances but he's not converting them. Hope he finds his shooting boots in time for next season.
Hi Lff. Good first post and welcome. Let's have a look here... Yep I agree on the form. I would simply put that down to opposition teams not quite believing that they had the real deal in front of them. Plus our form was astounding. Can't really argue with your second point either. Schneiderlin is an excellent player, and yet there are occasions where the line-up you suggest have been better. On the whole, I think the side play better football with Morgan, but when Chaplow was in the form of his life, he tipped the balance in favour of the line-up you suggest. Unlike several others, I have been an advocate of Hammond. I wouldn't argue against an Adkins team selection for a moment, but I never groan when Deano is in there. You just know the team will have that extra drive and bit of steel. Yes, he was there against Boro, on the weekend. He was also there against the other Boro earlier last week. Lallana and Cork are classy, but if I was going to swap midfielders for Spider, it would probably be Cork. Depends very much on form and fitness, of course. Chaplow isn't quite the same player as earlier in the season. He was super fit back then, and his game seems to depend upon that. He's getting better though. Don't worry about my opinion of Danny Fox. Going forward, he is an excellent choice of LB. Barely a criticism will you get from me regarding that area, although his long aerial passes up the channel can go a little wayward, at times. As a straight LB defender, I would choose Harding. Strangely, sometimes I feel as if I am in a minority when I think that he is NOT rubbish. He's versatile too, and put in quite a few good performances at RB, over the last couple of seasons. Others will point out that Harding is occasionally caught out of position; gets beaten by a winger, etc... Those same will forget that Fox is guilty of exactly the same shortcomings, and perhaps more often [well, he plays more minutes]. So yes, I agree with you. In fact, in certain games and line-ups, I may choose Harding over Fox entirely. The thing is, FBs are fast becoming overlapping wingers, which suits Fox, and the defensive element in their play seems to be taking a back seat. Their defensive qualities now seem to be on the level of the average midfielder, and I don't mean one that bites in the tackle like Hammond, but more like Cork, who will worry the attacker into giving the ball away, rather than commit to the challenge. When Fox appeared, a few posters were of the opinion that the LB position was now boxed off for the entire scope of Fox's Saints career, which would undoubtedly be lengthy. I'm sure it will, but I think we could see another FB or two at St Marys, in a year or so. EDIT: BTW, is your avatar, Painer or Mick Judd..? Looks too tall for Terry. Or even Tony Byrne [fishing now]..?
Another major factor in our early season form was that Connolly was on fire. His touch, layoffs and movement were outstanding.
It is the great Terry Paine. I was in his fan club when I was a kid. I remember getting a detention for showing my membership card to a so-called mate who sold me out when the teacher challenged him. Happy days. Probably the best passer of a ball I've ever seen.
Some good points all round here. I believe our only problem area since christmas is the right hand side. Lallana has nailed on the left and made this his own. in the middle for me cork and morgan have been outstanding, and Hammond has slotted in admirably whenever he has played. I love the way Cork uses his body to win the ball, for a slight player he is very strong in there. However the right hand side saw Guly have a positive input and also Chaplow was outstanding there prior to xmas. We have been lacking in this area since christmas though. I was hoping Puncheon would be the answer, or even de ridder but he has been more of an impact player it seems. I believe chaplow and fraser were our bridge and marsden earlier this season. both complimented each other well and fraser had so many assists for a right back (matched equally by fox may I add). I was up at the ricoh when we let a 2 goal lead slip when Fox put a beautiful cross on Gulys head to nod us back in front and no disrepect to Harding, he wouldnt have been able to whip a vicous cross in like that. All in all, great team effort by everyone (except Bart LOL) and the right side of MF needs looking at strongly this summer and I am fairly confident. COYR
Fox has played in the Prem before don't forget. He's far better than Harding who is technically poor and has bad positional sense. Fox's corners have been a key feature for us this season too. He just needs to stop those stupid diagonal balls he sprays that never work. I think we have weaker positions than LB
Fox is a good left back, the best at the club. He does lack positional nous, one of his flaws along with lack of pace. But without him we would no doubt be lower in the league. Just look at the lad's assists.
