Wanyama was great at breaking up the play. I think Cork was almost tying too hard when he came on and really didn't play that well, although he still managed a couple of defence-splitting passes. Of course it also coincided with QPR upping their play as well. You never know how a game will go at the start. Despite how well Vic played, I wouldn't have started him but would have bought him on to close out the game which Cork didn't do very well. That said I think it was one of his best performance for us. Same again please next week. Being picky though, everyone played well. I never thought we could replace Shaw but already Bertrand has made a greater attacking impact than Shaw did all season. For his first game, Mane was terrific and I thought Long was the perfect substitute to harass the QPR defence.
Pretty much 7's for everyone except Pelle with maybe an 8. One of those wins where the team didn't look that fantastic, but in the end still won a somewhat routine victory. But snatching 3 unsexy points from a team looking for a draw is what good teams do. For me, that win is some ways more significant if much less aesthetically pleasing than the rout of Newcastle. Long was pretty much Long to me. He worked hard, ran the channels, and forced the defense to work hard. Unfortunately, he lacks that touch of class to beat players even when defended, but his hustle kept them honest and created opportunities for the better players on our side as well as preventing the other side from getting comfortable. He was a good squad player doing what good squad players do. Maybe he can up his game and become an actual threat but for now he's still a useful player. We got the job done when we needed to. Survived a moment of genius from QPR with a moment of even greater brilliance from Pelle. We had more talent, and in the end that shone through. It's what good teams do against lesser but hardworking sides.
Who was it on here that said they hoped we didn't sign Bertrand on a perm after his loan spell? I remember thinking I hoped we would as it would mean he had a good season! He may not have the potential of Shaw but right now he's a better player and I'd love to sign him.
not missing anyone other than Rickie for his personality. Its like the new players have been here for ages.
Helps that everyone speaks good English and can tell us how wonderful everything is. Don't know what Mane's English is like, but at least he has Morgan to chat to (saw him do just that a couple of times on Saturday).
Just watched QPR highlights again (as you do ). Can see Bertrand making a late run into the area which is spotted by Mane who does the backheel into his path...overshadowed a bit by QPR's goal and Pelle's overhead kick, but a great goal.
Could Rickie have scored the goal Pelle did? No Could Shaw have scored the goal Bertrand did? No (nothing to do with the technique or the finish. More that Shaw would no have doubt have been closer to the half way line than the goal line).
Rickie would have chested it and passed it to someone in a worse position than him rather than shoot!
Really like Bertrand. And it's odd, I constantly forget that he is on loan. I don't know what it is but something about him just makes him feel like a Saint. Cork for example, I liked him when he was here and he certainly played hard and seemed to care about the club and enjoyed his experience. When we came in for him I hoped it would happen. But I never felt like he was a Saint until he was here permanently. I feel that way about Alderweireld. I'm enthusiastic about his play so far and his potential, and I really hope we can sign him permanently, but for now he still feels like a loan player. Even some of the players who are under contract and have been playing quite well like Pelle, Tadic, and Forster still don't quite feel like Saints yet though I'm sure they will after a few more games. But Bertrand and Hooiveld seemed to feel like Saints almost right away. Don't know why.
Too soon However, I do feel that Pelle could become a Saints favourite. Not just his game, but for his character...so enthusiastic and eager to succeed. His joyous response to his goals and those of his team mates is heartfelt. He had a difficult job filling the boots of such a loved player and he has started well...despite the idiots who booed him without giving him a chance.
Agree Fran. Think he coul;d quiickly become a cult hero. Fans love a player who shows how much he wants to win.
He's a bit of a kid and wasn't that what we loved about Rickie. Now if he could only imitate a bashful Scouser
http://online.wsj.com/articles/sout...up-for-lost-time-1411936232?KEYWORDS=marcotti Article about Pelle. Talks about the player, but also discusses the quality of the Eredivisie and how few players make a successful move to other 'better' leagues. Small nitpick (seen this in other reports)...Pelle's goal against QPR did not propel us to second, but consolidated us in that position. Also the author does one strange sum...has taken the average number of goals in EPL games then divided it by the (higher) average number of goals in the Eredivisie and multiplied Pelle's number of goals in the Dutch league to arrive at his 'real' number of goals. Not sure that is valid.
