Phew, classic game of two halves. People will point to FF, but Chalobah was the difference for me in the second half. COYH
Anyway, we are equal top of form table for last 5 games (13 points, same as forest) and top for lat 10 games (23 points. nearest is brighton at 19). Impressive run by Forest, but they have to play 4 of top 6 + boro ( though they look shot!) If we get equivalent results in (any)4 games to their results against the other 4, then thay have to get 4 wins - with us getting 4 defeats. As it happens we BOTH have to play Millwall, Barnsley, blackpool and burnley. in 6 games. Can't see it really. Only followed the game on BBC text. Seems like GFZ worked out what to do, and did it! Another great display fom bond apparently. we are lucky there. Great for FF - gives us another option whilst Vydra is off colour. Great result, more than makes up for last friday, which we can all forget about now!
We were good, 2nd half. Both subs did the trick, well done Zola!! I thought Cassetti was outstanding, and Anya went from Right Wing to Left back in about half a minute. The Goalie - " No Mr Bond, I expect you to dive..." !!
Sorry - mix up. "If we get equivalent results in (any)4 games to their results against the other 4, then thay have to get 4 wins - with us getting 4 defeats. As it happens we BOTH have to play Millwall, Barnsley, blackpool and burnley. in 6 games." should read "If we get equivalent results in (any)4 games to their results against the other 4, then thay have to get 4 wins - with us getting 4 defeats in 6 games. As it happens we BOTH have to play Millwall, Barnsley, blackpool and burnley. " does it make any better sense ? No I thought not. Oh well, I'm happy. goodnight!
Taken from the Carduff board: "But we seem to have lost our winning ways. Defensively we have been terrible over the last few games and teams are catching us out on the break too easily, and we do tend to struggle in closing games out." Just what we want to hear I think.
Both teams played well when they weren't busy time-wasting! We started well as stated but Bond had a funny old first half saving some decent Wednesday efforts but being at fault for the goal albeit it all started with a lose pass by Hogg in midfield. Excellent use of subs by Zola and pleased FF managed to get 2 goals...a bit frustrating at times but shows he really cares and wants to do well. Another 3 points grounded out.
I tried to keep a watch on the number of people following the match thread to see if turning it into an article made any difference. If anything the numbers were down slightly, but there were one or two of the regulars missing. There are people who come onto the board for the games but hardly ever comment. Hull tonight had over 250 on their thread, but they were away from home and it is a city with a large population.
knackered after listening to that game ,what a gem Bondy is ? Chalobah made a huge difference and you have got to love fessi for his enthusisasm alone
Massive win! Great subs by Zola, although a bit disappointing that Chalobah didn't get a proper rest. Clearly we need him too much! Fessi is always going to be like this; he's a brilliant technical player but lacks the consistency. Hopefully he'll get a little run in the first team, it's exactly what him and Vydra need.
evening all. Well, that was a strange one! The ref was unbelievably awful, as was the lino on the left, not sure about the other one, but really, officials definitely need training. That said, we started really well...and then...no idea what happened, but SW came back into it...and Hogg was having a bad game even before he gave the ball away which led to the really odd goal..a handball, two strange backpasses and a mistake from Bond. But what inspired changes at half time, well done Zola, and Forestieri? Honestly i've never seen anyone so joyous at a result...the man seemed to be crying with happiness..it was unbelievable. I think he was completely overwhelmed at the final whistle when the Rookery started to sing his name...so very deservedly. We had those scary moments, far too many of them in the first half and they nearly scored at the death, but we did it!! The atmosphere, considering the smaller crowd was electric...and though the first half was instantly forgettable, the second, though hugely nervewracking was fantastic by the end! lol i'm not sure i can cope with another 10 matches...but it's in our hands again, and if we can just keep grinding them out...despite not being on our best form..we can do this!! COYH!!!!!
PHEW! What a relief. Feels so good to get the 3 points without playing that well. Also to come from behind against an in form and very good Sheff Wed team showed fantastic character - this could be a massive win... So fed up with the blinkered views about Watford of oppositiion managers and fans and the lack of credit we have been given - I have decided not to even bother looking at other teams forums from now to the end of the season and propose others do the same as the green eyed monster has descended upon all and sundry now. However good Sheff Wed were tonight I felt they got their just deserts in the end for some terrible sportmanship in the first half. Taking every opportunity to slow the game down, wasting time from the first minute, kicking the ball out for a goalkick after their injury rather than giving it to Bond.....was a disgrace really, not to mention the intentional trip on Forestieri as he went to celebrate his goal.....anyway - they got their just deserts. After the game Jones complaining they should have had a pen for Nosworthy handball - he was quick to forget their attacker handballing in the buildup to their goal..... As for the performances of the golden boys... Bond - 8 some wonderful stops though has a tendency to palm it into dangerous areas at times (did so at Wolves too) and was at fault for SW goal Cassetti - 8 Unable to get fwd as much as part of back 3 in 1st half and R back in 2nd but set up equaliser and reads game so very well Pudil - 5 Not match fit yet and struggled to get into game before being substituted at half time. 1 good shot tested Kirkland at backpost half way thru 1st half Nos - 7 Battled well against big and talented Conor Wickham though lost out to him a lot in the first half Ekstrand - 6 Some very good touches and comfortable on ball but always worry about him defensively and on 1 occasion 2nd half seemed to duck underneath a cross enabling Wickham a free header which could have made it 2-0 and went just wide Anya - 8/9 Superb tonight - worked so hard going fwd and defensively and gave us outlets so often. I do worry about a lack of end product... Hogg - 5 One of 1st names on teamsheet earlier in season but doesnt seem to fit the fwd thinking midfield role when Battochio sits in. Doesnt have the same eye for a pass or composure as Chalobah and gave the ball away a few times when well placed causing us problems and leading to their goal. Cant help but feel he is the poor mans Battochio at the mo. Battochio - 8. Like a little beaver always on his toes getting stuck in. Neat passing and control in midfield. Vydra - 6 Struggled to get into game. Defenders getting v tight to him. Looks a bit leggy and will prob see him on bench on sat. Missed good chance. Worked hard as always Abdi - 6 Last few games hasnt had the same influence as previously but still looks very good when on the ball Deeney 8 - Works v hard for team. Set up winner with some excellent ball work on R hand side. Both he and Vydra need a goal to get back on the scoring trail. Chalobah and Fessi - 8/9 Superb when they came on in different ways. Chalobah gives us so much comfort and control when we have the ball. Fessi worked tirelessly and you cant help but love his attitude - part of reason why I was so upset with criticism he got on Fri. He is far from finished product but so much potential there. Both players have tendency to overplay at the back and whilst I wouldnt change the way we play I think there is a time and place and near the end there was one time Chalobah lost out and they almost had a 2 on 1 but fortunately overplayed it. Zola - 10 - my hero! My original post was going to read YES!!! That is all
Hello all, Saints lad here, good to see your lot have a great chance to return to the PL lets just hope we can match up to each other next season, Your thoughts on us staying up and fighting it out come August?
Hi ...thanks always had a soft spot for Southampton, lovely fans . I'm sure we can do far better against you next season than we did last season, though we'll have to make some changes if we go up. I think you'll be alright...i think there are 3 worse teams in the Prem
More than anything Zola made some very astute changes. This pleases me, we don't seem to have a plan b so the fact that he is very willing to change it if it is not working is a result really.
Well so much for my concerns about Forstieri !!! - I really hope the two goals give him the confidence to go on and get at least 10 by the end of the season. It was just his confidence I was concerned about and wondered if a loan spell would do him good. Not quite the same as "Hopefully the twats slagging FF after Friday night will keep quiet for a few weeks now". For me however it was Deeney who made the game - he tried for everything and showed great commitment. Chalobah made a huge difference too. Vydra looked a little knackered at times but still poses a threat. Poor Bond, their goal was his mistake but then he made up for it at other times and looks a good prospect. We can still catch Cardiff cos not only do they still have to play us but they are up against Leicester next Tuesday which will be difficult for them too. Our goal difference is 6 better than theirs as well. Wouldn't it be poetic justice to pip Mankie for the title
Well it all came good in the end but that was a game we could have lost. The back three, without Doyley, looked uncertain at times. One error apart, Bond did well though. In the first half the midfield three seemed to replicate each other's roles and we never quite got going. Anya's pace and directness was impressive and Cassetti was neat and effective. Deeney works hard but if he wants to win more free kicks against defenders he needs to look as though he's trying to jump..sometimes he just stands, then complains! Vydra looks tired. Of course the subs made the difference. Chalobah looks a fine player in the making. I love the way he's able to make instant space in the tightest situations and he played several passes last night that Hoddle or Beckham would have been proud of. Forestieri was pure entertainment...whether it was haring after the ball, falling over, snapping up the chances or celebrating. It's great to see how much he enjoys playing and last night must have done his confidence a lot of good. Very happy with the three points...it always makes the long drive home easier!
