I wondered what it was that started me coughing and my eyes watering whenever I read one of your threads. Should I die of lung cancer I will say it was from passive smoking on the Not 606 forum and that ImpsSaint was to blame. Be strong and don't start again.
Having slept before commenting on Gaston's performance yesterday (pretty much similar performances throughout the season) Gaston's goal was very well finished off, his defensive play in the second half was good, his general play and link up play was okay but does miss passes rather too often but his corners and free kicks were pretty poor. Probably a 5 or 6 out of ten. With regard to the paper/agent talk about him joining Barca, Inter or any other top club.....really! Does anyone out there think we have seen a performance from him that would warrant the interest of one of these giants?
So. A draw. Means it's a free-for-all for the next match thread, as agreed. However, it won't be me this week! Week off
I was in the Kingsland row c 7xxish almost inline when Gaston scored, He made it look easy, great control and reflexs to get it, I thought he had a great game. Also his free kicks wernt great but the did anyone see how the Hoof balls WHU played died when in the airm was a bit windy , cant blame him for the wind. Fox was decent in my view but Corky MOM. he got everywhere.
Hoping that Ramirez will play in his central position against the Swans, with Lala,JRod and Rickie. Davis drop to the bench as the creative players will get more time and space against the Swans
Swansea's style may suit us, but they are a good side. Expecting a good game, but we may not get what we want. Hopefully, everyone will be fit, unless a second batch of players goes down with it...so far, it's Boruc, Shaw, Puncheon and JRod.
But like ultra fit professionals with the best medical available to them, they bounce back within a day or two. With us old 'uns we could be levelled for weeks..!
A cold wet game in Row C that's for sure. Everything went to plan for West Ham. They stopped us playing which was what they set out to do. It wasn't pretty but then you don't get points for artistic merit in football. Teams with big strong players do make us look a little lightweight. I just don't go in for this "anti-football" nonsense. I'm glad that Saints don't play this way, but this isn't the floor routine at the Olympic gymnastics. I've been thinking about this for a while, but I've decided that Cork is now my favourite player. His simple no-nonsense style might not be glamorous but my word is it effective. In the EPL possession is king and Cork vary rarely loses the ball. I think he is comfortably our best player this season and it is no coincidence that our turn around in form coincided with his return, nor the fact that he was the only player picked for every game last year. I suspect both our managers would name him as their no1. We missed Rodriguez. Not just because of his form and confidence, but because his direct running was exactly what we needed against the tactics that West Ham played. Finally, Gaston's set plays were frustrating, but I was lucky enough to be sat in position where I got to see some amazing play close up. His chest down was truly sublime and the way he tricks players with the "look" is amazing. He has quality above anything else we have and he also seems willing to knuckle down and find some form the hard way. I have no doubt that he will become an absolute legend for the Saints. But it might be worthwhile getting someone else to do some free kick practice ...
Going back to a out Sept or October, I dared to whisper words on this forum suggesting an ability comparison to the great man. Crazy, I know.
Indeed but, one swallow doesn't make a summer and all that. I haven't seen enough yet. With Tiss it was obvious from his first touch in his first game. Still, its an upward trend and you can't fault his work rate which is also encouraging.
Sam Allardyce has pulled out of purchasing Carroll because of the new Fair Play Rules...apparently angry about it, but aren't West Ham in some financial trouble anyway. This is our chance...we too could not buy Carroll
Oh I agree (with you again !!) he hasn't shown enough to be anywhere near that man yet. Just from the first glimpses I thought he had an air about him and possesses real quality. Le Tiss went on and fulfilled his potential (ignoring England's blindness), I hope Gaston does too.
Imagine how good Tiss could have been if he put effort in, because he was blooming fantastic on a diet of pies and no warm ups.
Fran, you don't know how many boxes I ticked off in trying to emulate him. I just don't know why I never made it to the top.
I'd agree with you normally, but in this game it really was anti-football. Having a physical edge is fine, but they were just out to spoil, waste time and generally just stop us playing, in a way that I can't remember seeing even in the championship. I'm not sure I'd go as far as to say he's comfortably our best player, but I'm a big fan of his as well, and I honestly think he could do a job for England right now. As you say, he's not showy, but he is so good at keeping play ticking over. He is always available for a pass, rarely gives the ball away and shooting aside, he's technically very good.
He's a better looking and more cultured version of Nobby Stiles. Every team needs one. He's not been "by far" our best player true, as there are a few candidates for that at the moment, yet I do think his return to the team helped us start to turn things around. A very important cog.
I see that Carrol made Crooks team of the week (do you think he watched the game) as Carrol was kack with a deflected goal but did well with a close effort. Congrats to Clyne for making it-at left back. Its interesting that for most Saints fans Morgan and Cork have been the standout players of the season yet neither have made Crooks team this season
We want to play a pressing style of football. Ramirez led the team in interceptions, scored a goal and created our two other best chances. Mission accomplished. The conditions were poor both in terms of weather and opponent, so no one really looked that great out there. Agree that Ramirez needs to sharpen up his decision-making a bit. I wouldn't call him selfish because the way he works on defense shows he cares about team but he does try to take on too many defenders at times. And when Rodriguez came on he was effective so can't see him losing his place. But the bottom line is Ramirez played just fine and has a pretty good case for being MOTM.
