Sitting through that crap tho , think I'd rather slit my wrists. Can't even take the gf as it's just for the people who have won. And I think it's up in Derby :S.
That was a winnable game going in, so a little disappointed. On the other hand, it was away from home so was prepared for a draw. A month ago, looking ahead at the next several games I had this down as a must-win, but we have taken several points more than I had expected so we are still on pace. Although I should say that "my pace" had Saints staying up by 3 points, so not a lot of margin to spare. I don't know what Pochettino is doing. Not in a bad way. Just that I can't figure out what he is thinking. He either sees something in some players I don't, or he's quite a ballsy coach.
Just got back, 2 points well and truly thrown away, regardless of how well we are playing that is now 5 points from the last 3 games we should have got but failed to. Defending from corners was atrocious today, not just the 2 Wigan scored from.
Taking off Clyne was definitely ballsy, but it worked in that we went ahead. It could be argued that not having Clyne at the post cost us their second goal, but overall MP got it just about right today I'd say.
That reminds me, thought Poch's subs were great today. Davis for Ramirez was a given, was either going to be him or Punch but Gaston picked up a bit of a knock, but I really liked Lallana for Clyne and JWP for Puncheon. I still feel dirty saying anything even resembling a bad word about Nigel but his subs apart from the planned Lambert super-subs were never really as consistently effective as you would hope in my book, but so far Poch has gotten a lot of value out of his. Nice to see JRod and Davis hitting their stride, shame that Gaston and Puncheon in particular are stumbling somewhat.
I am not posting as often these days as I am a bit fed up with all the personal stuff, you can PM each other without us all having to put up with it, if you can stick to the thread discussion it would be easier to follow. Just saying.
Yesterday, I attended the funeral of a friend whom I have known since we were in the same class, aged 12 years old. He was a few months older than me, at 50 years of age. Many of the Saints posters on this board are much younger than me, and perhaps haven't lost parents or friends yet- I hope they don't for many years to come. It does give you a different perspective on how important a game of football is. When Saints lose, it may spoil my afternoon, but I see no occasion to rage. An away draw? Not even close.
I can't see any reason not to be positive as it is absolutely in our own hands. Most observers would say that we were the better team today and since about November only a handful of teams have genuinely outplayed us. So we definitely have it in the tank, and if we produce it enough from now to the end of the season, we will undoubtedly get the results. Disappointment over the equaliser but no reasons to change my view that we will be ok yet.
Most seem to think Punch has been poor the last two games. Both games he was shifted to the left side. To me Clyne and Punch had a great thing going. I'm not sure why he would be shifted. On the right he has been good this year. MP certainly is not afraid to change it around with subs. Clyne off was a surprise but it worked well. VF must be quite a bit out of shape if he is not making the bench. Our third CB in the team is Cork. Fortunately he is also our extra RB. I think we need 5 more wins and the most likely wins are the teams below and around us. Unfortunately all of them are away except QPR. If we cannot beat the teams around us away we are going to have to beat some top 10 teams at home. To me this was a game we needed to win. 13 games left and we need 16-18 points.
Especially given the fact that, despite the many disappointments in that stretch, we have still taken 20 points in 15 games. Not spectacular, but during that time we've tallied a total befitting a top ten team despite a number of contests in which we've gotten results below the standard of our play. Our inability to pick up wins where we've been the better side is the reason we're still in the relegation race, but it's also the reason why we're the least likely of the five primary contenders to go down...keep doing what we've been doing and we'll be tearing our hair out for three more months, but we'll also probably have 40 points and a second season in which to make it right.
While I agree he had good chemistry with Clyne, I don't think that's why his performances have been getting criticism - it seems more to do with consistently poor decision making which you'd have to think would happen regardless of the side he's on. Or perhaps not? Perhaps on the left he has to make different decisions to his normal, cut in and cross/shoot routine. On Forren though, it certainly is interesting that he's not on the bench... I understand he won't have full match fitness but he must still have some fitness? Can we not give him a run out in some U21 league games to give him what would basically be a pre-season workout?
Punch was dire first half on the right-side. On the other end of the scale, Jay Rodriguez has been very good recently.
In terms of taking positives forward, we've got to consider the performances of the last three games not the points. I thought we were absolutely superb today, especially second half. With each manager (Pardew onwards) I feel we have become more and more exciting and offensive, and very gutsy. Now under Poch we're completely taking it to teams and I like that. Forren and Fonte in the CB positions and we can eradicate the silly mistakes/weak defending that at present is cancelling out so much of our good work - it's heart-wrenching. Listening to the Schneiderlin interview, and I didn't think this was possible, but the players sound even more confident under the new man. Morgan's confidence is bordering on arrogance, let's hope they keep their feet on the ground!
Yes, Morgan really is confident, and its great to see. He seems to think that we will give someone a spanking soon! Man City perhap?
Lambert's 100th goal, winner against the Champions, it's written in the stars. Actually the stars would say winner against Liverpool, but I ain't waiting that long. Mayuka back as well, that's an extra option.
Yes, I've seen the stats now and in laws have assured me we were miles better. I'll see it on TV tonight; I so hate sitting in the front row.
Yep, me too. The lowest I have sat was in row G at St Marys and that was too low. I tend to sit in row J or so. Of course you have no choice when it comes to away games. On the plus side you may be able to see yourself on MOTD!
Sorry to read that CF; hope he had the send off that you would have hoped for. Your right, life must be put in perspective. I've not read the forum tonight but the odd boy suggests the loons have been out in force.
