"I have played football" lol I too played football but owing to the fact I was rather crap only made it to the lower leagues of the Berlin regional division. My mate sitting beside me wasn't though, as an ex Hertha Berlin player I respect his opinion, and his unbiased assessment of Guly was "can't get into the game, flatters to deceive." Perhaps Nigel is wrong or is seeing something that isn't there? Or hasn't got any other better options? I am not saying Guly is a waste of space but I do believe his elevated status in the team is unmerited.
You did say that you watched the game on a dodgy stream and didn't bother to watch any replays, not the best way to form an opinion on an individual player that was in a peripheral view for most of the game.
Perhaps the problem is Guly and Rodriguez are out of position. Nigel is trying to force the squad into a system rather than playing a system that suits us. Guly was still definitely the best of the front 3 against Wigan so he shouldn't be getting as much stick as he is
My Dad moaned about Guly as we were leaving our seats. I told him that was unfair and he just didn't like him. On a performance like that, there are five or six ahead of Guly for moaning about.
When you watch a game you tend to live in the moment and long term memories aren't laid down. Strong memories will be goals and scares. By the sound of it we had chances and could have scored with a bit of luck etc. The performance wasn't good enough, but I doubt was awful as some of you believe. Expectations can produce disappointment. i think everyone was putting too much on this game.
Two days after the game and having calmed down a bit I think Fran is right , the expectation was we were going to beat Wigan and quite easily. But we need to grow into the Premiership again and get used to it all over again. How many people are left within the club from the previous time in the premiership , not many I would wager so all the knowledge and expierence has gone. How many of our team have played top flight football not many so the players need to grow in to as well. I had this arguement last season with a Man City fan who was convinced they were going to get to the quarter finals of Champions league , I said they would be lucky to get out of the group because it was whole a new expierence for the club and they needed to get used to it We will be fine with a few new quality signings and I would take 17th place right now as I would suspect would most of you.
Why the lol? Lots of fans have never played the game and simply follow the ball. I think when you have played the game at any level you can appreciate what players contribute to a game that is not always obvious to spectators. Guly works hard for the team and he and Adam are the only ones who can turn on that little bit of magic and class that can win a game. Perhaps also those of us who admire him find the attitude of many fans towards him rather unpleasant. I have reported on here many times of a group of fans close to where I sit who are on his back from the moment the team is anounced and never give him any credit. I would say to you what I say to many people and that is defer your judgement and the next time you are at a game just focus on him for five minutes and see the ground he covers, the space he creates and the way he moves so quickly from attack to defense and if you can forget your prejudice watch the neat little touches with the ball which are every bit as good as some of the predictable Lallana moves. The tragedy is that if Guly doesn't play then the same group of fans turn on Fox in exactly the same way. It seems that there is a perverse aspect to being a Saints fan and that is you must have a player in the team to hate.
I heard an interview with Adkins not too long ago in which he said (as a throw away line) that great players can play anywhere. I don't think that is the case. We spent a lot of money on Rodrigues and so it seems we have to play him but at the same time we want to play 433 with Lambert as the centre forward. Rodrigues is not a winger, either he needs to play in the centre or we should revert to more of a 442. Interestingly, the forward who looked best pre-season was Sharp, a real old-fashioned inside forward. I don't think we need wholesale new players just play our best in-form players in the way they like to play. The only area that really bothers me is left back. In the centre of defence, I'm not sure, I think its about slightly better organisation as much as anything. I always thought that we should have tried to get someone like Lee Dixon in pre-season to give us some specialised coaching. Anyway, no major panics just yet. With a bit of luck we could easily have been a couple up before Wigan got into their stride.
Slightly OT but did you notice Lee Holmes picked up a bad injury at the Cherry game and that Lee Barnard was subbed after an hour. Bart let a goal in for Notts Co first defeat. Aaron Martin got booked in 2 1 defeat. Forte was only on the bench at Crawley, Not sure how our other exiles got on yet.
Playing football does not always mean you know football , Stuart Pearce Roy Keane And being crap at the game does not mean you know nothing of it Arsene Wenger Jose Mourinho
Haven't Hertha Berlin been rubbish for a few years? My wfie's cousin's son (yes, I know) played for Hertha too.
They were a useful side a while back and could be again. Success for smaller clubs is usually gained only occasionally.
That is true but I did not say I went to the match , I love the way people jump the gun on here and try to ram something down your throat , it was spelling and grammar before , that stopped when I pointed out to the accusers their poor grammar as well
Yes bit of a Yo Yo team in the last few seasons, surprising considering the support they get. They were in with a shout of winning the Bundesleague 2008/09 but financial problems off the field have lead them going downhill. Used to be a season ticket holder until a few years ago, cheap in comparison to here! Saw Champions league football there for no more than £10! Great city to visit if you ever get the chance!
As I have pointed out elsewhere, the Spelling and Grammar Police do it all for free, jolly good value if you ask me. Sadly they are also human and prone to errors just like you and me.
Dust settled? good. We lost, move on. This entire first part of our season is a learning curve for NA/NC/Players. two games, two losses. it happens. I'm a saints fan i'm in it for the duration and loving it. <dons tin hat and legs it>
