That goal is a sickener, amazing goal though. Not felt as bad after an opposition goal since David Norris.
First glance it looks clumsy, not malicious, but could well have done some serious damage and we don't need that.
Just a point worth mentioning about teams that score more stay up. Last season Bolton and Blackburn had scored 46 and 48 goals respectivley that was more than pretty much the bottom half. Both sides last season were scoring freely but leaked far too many goals. The worrying thing is that Saints are doing the same. Its worrying that we can't find the correct balance and be able to close out a game. We need to get an experienced head in during January who will not panic and can keep their foot on the ball and calm everyone down. Still think a point was a good point but lets not think that because we score a load of goals we won't go down. As Bolton and Blackburn prove otherwise.
Undoubtedly. As Mikey has said already, on paper that is true. The bigger problem is that a. that was a couple of points dropped on balance, and b. it's not that good if we're also not getting the wins we should against lower and off-form teams. Something needs to balance itself out for us to move up the table. We have proved so far this season that we can better teams technically, play absolutely belting halves, outpass teams, and can get results to form. It is the last point that worries me, as we have not grafted out a win against a team of even average form. Villa, QPR, Reading, and Newcastle were all on runs of very poor form. We should have claimed six points on paper against Sunderland and Fulham, but didn't. Fulham's form is awful, and the run is of losses before and after us, but a point (almost a win) when they played us amidst that run. So if a point against Stoke (we're talking them up as if they're Barcelona in some quarters, though I do know they are a daunting proposition) - when we're facing dropping into the bottom three and they are comfortably mid-table, and they have two key defenders missing, and we were at one stage 3-1 up, and they later go down to ten men - is good, then we need to pick up three points where we should, or where it's not inconceivable (Fulham, Sunderland, Swansea at home). Otherwise, a point away is basically good for about half of our remaining fixtures. If we never go against form, then I am worried. Given the amount of points we have chucked from leading positions, it is to me a question of psychology. Something I believe Nigel is aware of, but may of course be stricken with too. And Cameron Jerome ffs - when was the last time he hit a barn door (before today, obviously)?
Hardly a glamour fixture, though, is it? I would have second thoughts about getting back from the pub early to watch any Stoke game, no matter what the score!
And by 'pub', I mean sitting with a beer on the sofa and being arsed to reach over and get the remote...
Christ alive, the old man is doing my nut in since he got back in. Now he's had a few beers and is saying we're dead certs for relegation!! I need to escape, someone please talk some sense.
To be fair, we are 3rd bottom and with most bookies and neutrals are part of the 3 teams people tip to go down.
Yes, so being 3rd bottom and having neutral supporters tipping you for relegation alongside the bookies means you are 'dead certs'. It's pathetic. Thank god some of our fans don't play for the team, (not only because they lack the ability), but they've already given up!!
Just remind him that after 10 games we had only 4 points and had conceded 26 goals....In the last nine games we have gained 13 points and only conceded 9...hardly relegation form I would say...
Yeah apparently we are still crap and aren't going to do it. When we win, he bleats endlessly and when we lose he won't STFU either. Annoying, what happened to "don't get too high, don't get too low" ?
Stoke fan just back from the game Saints fans... Well done on the pt today, cracking game and it had everything. The red card? I'll see it in more detail later so no more comment on that. Also thought there was a blatant handball for a pen but you did miss an absolute gift from where I was sitting to put the game to bed. Will you go down? On the eveidence of todays game I don't think so personally. We were so poor and really gifted you two goals which is something we're not used to. That said, we bossed the game without N'Zonzi so good luck for the rest of the season. Look on the brightside, QPR are worse than useless, Hammers not much better, Villa can't buy a pt. YOU will be OK. I thought Adkins got his tactics spot on and you stretched our full backs which worked well first half... Keep playing how you did first half, you will be fine. Good luck vs the Gooners too!
I know what your saying but its a harsh reality. My dad, who has been watching Saints for over 45 years, also think we will go down. I am undecided until after the transfer window.
Cheers Potter...I too know will be be ok, but it's a hard thing convincing some of our more 'critical' supporters that we will.
A decent poster, doesn't match ones on that Forum! The sending off was clumsy and harsh, the handball penalty, myopic Referee! 3 points were ours until that wonder goal, that's what happens when you struggle. Jury is still out whether we can stay up, a couple of good signings or three might be our saving grace.
I know things don't always work out fairly, but we are not one of the 3 worse teams in the league. Our problem may be that teams worse than us may get the odd win whilst we lose fewer games but get more draws. I think our future could be a bit special, but we need a bit more time to develop and for that we need to stay up this season.
