Strange, considering it was the last minute and it would have won us the game and taken us to 35 points and probably within 4 points of almost certain safety. Yet all we've discussed is our bad performance. I think this shows just how awful the performance was, so much so that we would all have been embarrassed (but grateful!) to win that game. I read Thai somewhere say that he didn't even get excited when we were awarded it, which is strangely close to what I felt, nor surprised when Holt's kick was saved. Also, in passing, Clattenberg yet again misses a virtual stonewall penalty in the first half and awards an extremely dodgy one in the last minute of the game. A friend has told me he may be our representative at the next Euros or World Cup. Surely they must be joking?
I have, edited from my original post on the 'If' thread: It was another pathetic, turgid, home display regardless of the difficult conditions. After all, it was the same for both teams and Southampton adapted to them better and were clearly the better side. Was I the only one who wasn't at the least bit surprised when Holt missed that penalty ? Notwithstanding that, he looked slow and overweight and it was HE who should have made way for Becchio IMO. Kamara may well have been 'tired' who knows, but he was still more of a threat than Holt if you ask me. Statistics don't lie, we were the home side playing a struggling Southampton who had just lost their previous home game to bottom of the table QPR. Norwich Shots on target 2 off target 7 - Corners just the paltry 1 ! Southampton Shots on target 3 off target 15 - Corners 7 Many posters have banged on about survival at all costs this season and yes that may be true and is precisely why we should be going all out to WIN home games like this. But no, it's the same negative 'make sure we don't lose at all costs' attitude from the manager. The thing is, we're not safe yet and with two away games coming up, (we've won away only once so far don't forget), there's a bloody good chance of things going tits up and us being dragged into the relegation dog fight. I'm not negative, I'm just a realist perhaps some people should take their canary coloured specs off ?
kickitoff - not quite sure what this has to do with the penalty, but I´ll happily comment on it now it´s here. Firstly Hughton did go out to win the game, he deliberately sacrificed control in midfield to play 4-4-2 against Saints 4-2-3-1, and naturally the idea was to get the ball wide and then stick some crosses in. Unfortunately with Pilkington´s early injury that plan was soon buggered, and then he has to decide, stick with 4-4-2, bring Bennett on in an unfamiliar left wing position, move Kamara to left wing and bring Becchio on (which incidentally I would have done), or stick Hoolahan on and let hÃm roam around and drop the 4-4-2, which is as we all know, what happened. The fact that we never really got to grips with the game was basically down to the fact that we just didn´t play very well, not really an awful lot wrong with Hughton´s tactics at the outset.
I'd been trying to forget it - bastard cost me my 45/1 acca on Saturday, I'd have been quids in if we'd won
I've noticed that this forum is often flooded with posts from fans of other clubs apologising for soft decisions that went in their favour. They come on here all red-faced and embarrassed, saying sorry and they wish it had never happened. Good to know that we can reciprocate in kind. Anyone feeling yet that we don't deserve to stay up? That's all right then. If those two dropped points turn out to have been crucial, we'll all feel so much better knowing that it was never a penalty anyway.
This^ Regarding the replacement for Pilkington, Bennett was actually warmed up and stripped off and ready to come on, but after discussion between Hughton & Trollope, Hoolahan came on instead.
holty hit it well, just a very good save from boruc as well. at least we have been awarded one - maybe clatenburg realised he had missed the shirt pull on holt in the first half and that was part of his reasoning in giving the 'softer' one. I for one think we should consider starting bechio vs Sunderland instead of Holt. we need to freshen things up a bit - we're going a bit stale. this is meant to be no offence to Holt, just we need goals and this might help. sunderland will be a bit of a battle for sure.
Yes, it was a well taken and well saved penalty. I have to admit I didn't think we'd score from it and was annoyed that the one in the first half wasn't given, as that was exactly what Swansea got a penalty for last season. There is TOO much refereeing inconsistency, but it applies to all teams I feel. I quite like that idea and maybe bring GH on as an 'impact sub' after say an hour.
IMO for what it's worth on the pen etc. Definitely a penalty,inside the box. Clattenburg called it,linesman did not flag Clattenburg talks to linesman,decides still a pen. Saints players protest etc etc hold up play. Holt strikes a poor penalty (nice height IF keeper goes right way) Keeper guess correct,goes right way,relatively simple save. End of.Move on.Lucky point for us.Saints far far better.
I think not many of you are talking about the penalty because it should not have been given... Fair play to Holt though, it's what he does well and it happens every week in the Premier league, adjusting your run so that the defender has no option but to make contact. A bit of a strange one when a lot of your posters were already berating Battenburg before the match and then he gives that dubious Penno I have to say though, to only be awarded your first penalty by March either means you've been hard done by or that you don't spend enough time in the opposition's penalty area... I'd say it's a bit of both but if there was referee consistency and Saturday's was given then you would have had a dozen penalties already this season.
It's hard to regret the missed penalty when Southampton missed two sitters that should have won them the game way before that. Basically, Holt was having one of those very rare games where things just weren't going right for him. As soon as the penalty was won I turned to the guy next to me and said 'he'll slip and put it over'. I wasn't far wrong, and I wasn't remotely surprised when the penalty was saved. It was well hit but it wasn't placed, and as someone already said, it was the perfect height for a 'keeper if he guesses the right way. Anyway, it's the first penalty Holty's missed for us so I think we can cut the guy some slack. He's been colossal for us for four years now, it was just one of those days.
There are lots of ******s on twitter having a pop at him for missing - his first penalty miss since he's been at the club I actually felt we just about deserved a point from Saturday, three would have been rather a travesty of justice.
Trouble is it is hard not to be diaappointed when you are sitting in injury time at 0-0 when you are awarded your first penalty of the season and your captain and top scorer with a 100% penalty record steps up and it is saved. Whether we deserved the win or not (and let's be honest it iwas "not") it felt like a huge let down not to win the match. Still off to the Stadium of Light and hopefully come back with something.
Didn't he miss one in the cup vs Burnley last season ??? Agree with the final comment - we didn't deserve three points and so justice was served with Boruc's save.
It was a half decent penalty.The goalie guessed right and through a combination of good judgement and luck saved it.It's not as if he skied it into row Z.
No you weren't Kio, the two blokes sitting to my left said at the same time as me.."he's going to miss this"! You will not find me be critical of Holty for that miss, he will always be Mr 100% for me, although he did seem to be having a bit of an off day on saturday, if that makes sense??????
