Where was Barnard today? Could have done with him coming off Why did we have such a defensive bench when we have Puncheon, Falque, Barnard, Reeves and even Doble who would be better options? How can that referee and Itchen North Lino (right in front of me) ever ref at this level? Absolutely appauling - A blind man would have done better My only grips with today's result because we played a bloody good game if you ask me!
I agree about the bench, would have liked to have seen Barnard or Falque or Puncheon on the bench as they give a more attacking threat. I also have a few qualms myself: For me Steve De Ridder is seriously lacking confidence. He starts to run at the defenders, then stops and turns around and passes it back to Butterfield. It is almost as if he is scared to take people on. He has the pace just use it! He did run at the defense a couple of times and was great we just need to see it more often. He also did not move a lot for the ball to be played to him. I would have bought him on but i thought we were in the ascendancy at the time and Chaplow was starting to get into the game. Guly Do Prado: I can see Adkins was trying to make an attacking change but Guly in DM really? What he did wasn't bad, but it was something Hammond was doing fine and he would also win more 50:50 tackles. Guly should be further up the field where he can make more of an impact. We have battered them in first the half, not so much in the second half because of the substitutions that Nigel made. I still have faith in Nigel but i just think he got it wrong tonight. Thought the fans were excellent tonight, when Reading scored we immediately starting to sing and not get on their backs. I still believe we can go up but we MUST win at Peterborough. Keep the faith Together as one Prideofthesouth
I agree. We´ve only seen De Ridder a few times this season run at defenders, get to the bar line and put balls into the box. He is very hesitant on the ball and doesn´t believe in his ability at the moment. Chaplow and Guly are not natural wingers and Chaplow today showed why. His decision making and deliveries into the box were poor. If De Ridder had the confidence of Lallana then he could be class for us and he would in the starting line up for sure because he is our only decent natural rignt midfielder. (Puncheon is another option but for some reason he can´t play well in a Saints shirt).
Completely agree about steeve. He makes a good turn and creates space to run into, and then just passes it back to butters. Just needs a good run and a goal to get him going. Agree with the bench, it is very defensive and at 80 mins you want someone on the pitch to unlock the door and we didn't have anyone.
Can i also say that i would much rather come second and play the football that we do than come 1st and play on the counter. I know its not west ham hoof ball but it is still not particularly attractive to watch.
