Hi all Just wondered out of the people that were there, what everybody thought of the two Saints teams performances. The first 11 that played against Bremen looked very strong and showed great teamwork. Chamberlain, Lallana, Cork and Connolly all looked in good touch with Fonte solid at the back. Its difficult to judge the 2nd 11 that played against Bilbao. Forte, Dickson and Jaidi looked a bit rusty, and Doble looked out of his league, i presume he was a late stand in for Lambert. I'm not sure in the Bilbao game if Saints were poor or Bilbao were very good,or even both, but i have come away very confident of us doing well in the championship. What does everybody else think?
I actually thought Doble played really well, good touches and a few good runs - I was impressed However, I thought the team for Bremen was the better team jugding by today - outstanding team performance
How can you even say Doble was out of his league ? I thought he matched Barnard during the match and even had more touches !
Perhaps i missed something? ^^ Doble was ok in the last 10 minutes or so, but wasn't influential at all IMO, i know hes a kid and has a lot to learn, but hes definitely 5th choice behind Lambert, Barnard, Connolly and possibly even Guly.. reading my article back, i put alot of negatives on the 2nd team, when in fact there was a lot of positive's, Aaron Martin made that tremendous block, Schneiderlin looked solid and Barnard worked hard. Another thought is, i felt much safer with Bart in goal than Kelvin.
I thought Doble was very good as well. Yes he is 5th choice right now but he can force his way in, as can our other young players.
bloody hell... doble is only a kid!!! and this is althetlic bilbao..... a strong team in spanish 1st league..... i thought he ddi very well.. its hard for a player to develop when he doesnt have regular appearances against opposition that pressurise him. and who are bettER!!!
Great format to look at players etc. Corky was as corky always is very reliable and steady (great signing ) connelly was a different class (please stay fit) gully was a bit lacklustre and needs a real push sometimes ,doble very early days but lack of pace means he will probably struggle to make the grade ,chaplow his usual busy self (love him )lallana and chambo were immense (enough said ) and fonte as good as ever ,my only concerns were forte (headless chicken)and Morgan ,he has so much talent but is so casual at times and fails to ever run a game when we are not in the ascendance ,for me he has not lived up to his ability and learned from his mistakes ,he cost us a goal yesterday and in Switzerland (not a good start to the season )but all in all a good showing from the boys COYR
Oh and how could I forget Martin he was so solid at the back, also a superb saving tackle after a Dickson error (the future saints captain )
I felt yesterday that we have a very strong midfield squad and very good wide players with the new signing and if Alex stays. Jaidi was poor and could not cope with the speed of action and thought of the Spaniards although for the goal he could not be blamed as my hero Morgan made a very poor back pass (He doesn't usually pass the ball backwards it's Hammond who does that all the time). I don't think Jaidi will cope this season but he may prove me wrong as he was a tower of strength in the run in last season. Martin played very well as did Seaborne but we do need another centre half in the Danny Higgingbottom mould, left sided and takes no prisoners. As for strikers I thought Doble looked useful but is too much like Barnard. Connolly was excellent but we do need some hight up front to play alongside any one of them. So I am still hoping we sign another centre half and a tall striker then we will have two very strong teams.
