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Blackpool end Saints good form

3:10pm Saturday 30th August 2008

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Photograph of the Author By Adam Leitch »

Saints saw their good recent form abruptly ended as they lost 1-0 to Blackpool at St Mary's.

After two wins in a row Saints were in buoyant mood coming into the lunchtime game in which there were plenty of chances for both sides.

But in the end Ben Burgess' penalty just before half time proved to be the difference between the sides and left Saints with just three points to show for their opening four league matches.

It took less than a minute for the first effort at goal but David Fox's half volley from 25 yards out went wide.

Blackpool had a great chance to take the lead on five minutes when Shaun Barker's long throw from the right picked out the run of Ian Evatt. He was unmarked but from six yards out he steered his diving header wide.

Saints were really getting stretched by Blackpool and conceded two more chances in quick succession.

First Steve Kabba charged thorough on goal but was stopped as he was about to pull the trigger by a brilliant sliding tackle by Andrew Surman.

Then Adam Hammill picked up the loose ball and crossed to the far post where Ben Burgess slid in but couldn't make a clean enough connection to turn home from close range.

The game was really fizzing with both sides breaking quickly and getting men up to support their lone strikers.

Saints created a first good opening of their own on 13 minutes when a blocked shot came out to Adam Lallana who hit the target with a sidefooted shot which beat the keeper but not Rob Edwards back on the line.

Incredibly just a minute later there was almost a carbon copy as Lallana, this time at the back post, saw his shot beat everybody but Ian Evatt on the line.

Bizarrely referee Andre Mariner had to speak to Blackpool teammates Mo Camara and Kabba after they had a blazing row with each other.

Saints were still looking shaky at the back and had Kelvin Davis to thank for keeping out Gary Taylor-Fletcher's low near post effort which came as a result of a simple flick-on from a throw.

Simon Gillet tired an effort from distance on 26 minutes and though it looked a comfortable height Paul Rachubka took no chances because of the pace of it and decided to turn it behind.

Surman became the first player in the book two minutes for a late sliding tackle straight through Taylor-Fletcher before Holmes fired just over the bar.

Blackpool weren't happy when Jamie White caught Rachubka as he came out to slide and clear to stop the Saints man getting through but the referee deemed it a fair challenge.

David McGoldrick was looking to get shots off at every opportunity and got one on target on 41 minutes.

Ben Burgess had inadvertently played him through, McGoldrick cut back inside and from 20 yards unleashed an effort that Rachubka had to tip over.

Gillett became the second Saints players in the book for a foul on Edwards.

Just before half time disaster struck as Saints conceded a penalty.

Taylor-Fletcher chased out the far side of the area after a long corner and Gillett allowed him to turn back and as he broke into the area he was tripped by White.

There was no doubt it was a spot kick and Burgess stepped up and sent Davis the wrong way to make it 1-0 at the break.

Saints made a half time change with White coming off for Nathan Dyer.

Davis was called into action just two minutes into the half as Fox fired off a stinging drive from 20 yards that the Saints keeper had to be strong to turn behind.

Saints were then troubled by a header from a corner which Davis turned onto the bar before he and the ball were bundled over the line by Kabba but a free kick was given for what a looked blatant foul on the Saints keeper.

Saints were being cut open time and again and had Hammill's lacklustre finishing to thank on 50 minutes for them not falling further behind.

Lloyd James pushed forward from right back and saw his low drive take a deflection to guide it wide as Saints tried to get back into their stride.

Dyer was at least starting to cause problems and put an effort over the bar on 58 minutes.

Lallana made it a hat-trick of shots off the line a minute later when he controlled and half volleyed but found Edwards again beyond Rachubka to clear.

James was the next man in the book for a foul on Hammill.

Blackpool thought they had doubled their lead on 62 minutes when Kabba bundled home from close range after Shaun Barker's header was cleared off the line and upwards by Dyer but the linesman's flag was already raised and it was ruled out.

Holmes threatened on 65 minutes but his low shot was saved by Rachubka.

Blackpool made their first switch on 68 minutes with David Vaughan replacing Hammill while Saints responded by bringing on Stern John and Paul Wotton for Morgan Schneiderlin and Simon Gillett.

Wotton and Lallana went into the holding midfield roles with McGoldrick in the hole and John up front.

Davis had to save at the near post two minutes later as Burgess drove in a half volley.

Blackpool had another goal ruled out on 71 minutes when Vaughan's shot was turned home by Kabba but he was offside.

John had a great chance when he met Holmes' left wing free kick but put his diving header from six yards out over the bar.

Blackpool came so close again on 74 minutes, this time Burgess shot across goal but Davis made a brilliant save to deflect onto the far post.

Blackpool made another change with nine minutes remaining with Zeshan Rehman placing Fox before Svensson went in the book.

Blackpool made a final change with four minutes left with Danny Coid on for Taylor-Fletcher.

In stoppage time McGoldrick had a sight of goal and fired past Rachubka but against the angle of post and bar. It proved to be the last chance and Saints were destined to go into the international break on the back of a disappointing defeat.


Your Say YourEcho

Ed, Taunton says...
3:23pm Sat 30 Aug 08

Such a dissapointing result. I've been a Saints fan for 15 years and have never seen them higher than 5th in any league. Why do we excel at starting so poorly EVERY season?

Summary Saint, says...
3:30pm Sat 30 Aug 08

1. Svensson and Perry were like statues today and didn't even win much in the air. Whenever Blackpool ran at them, it was far too easy to get between them.

2. Blackpool could and should have had 4 or 5 goals.

3. We have no plan B

4. The players need to run at the opposition defence, not run across the front of them.

5. Gillet, Schnerdelin and White had very poor games.

6. Lloyd James is not a right back, never will be. We need to get in a dedicated right back with some muscle

7. Drew Surman is going backwards as a player. He looks totally unconnected with the rest of the team and I think he hates playing at left back.

8. Every CCC team in the country now knows we are soft in the air and at set pieces.

9. We can play some pretty football and it's nice to see, but it needs to be quicker and there needs to be an end product.

10. Not surprised by the low crowd today all things considered, but if all those super loyal positive fans were all there today, then why was the atmosphere so bad and negative as soon as the team went behind????????

Steve, poole says...
3:40pm Sat 30 Aug 08

Summary Saint wrote:
1. Svensson and Perry were like statues today and didn't even win much in the air. Whenever Blackpool ran at them, it was far too easy to get between them. 2. Blackpool could and should have had 4 or 5 goals. 3. We have no plan B 4. The players need to run at the opposition defence, not run across the front of them. 5. Gillet, Schnerdelin and White had very poor games. 6. Lloyd James is not a right back, never will be. We need to get in a dedicated right back with some muscle 7. Drew Surman is going backwards as a player. He looks totally unconnected with the rest of the team and I think he hates playing at left back. 8. Every CCC team in the country now knows we are soft in the air and at set pieces. 9. We can play some pretty football and it's nice to see, but it needs to be quicker and there needs to be an end product. 10. Not surprised by the low crowd today all things considered, but if all those super loyal positive fans were all there today, then why was the atmosphere so bad and negative as soon as the team went behind????????
i totaly agree with evrythin u sed why not put cork into right back and i hope pekhart is a goal machine as we didnt look likely to score at all today. Lalana and dyer were the two best players on the pitch but even lalana should have had at least two goals

DevonSaint, says...
3:46pm Sat 30 Aug 08

I think an evenely matched game which could have gone either way if it weren't for stupidly giving away a penalty.

Still confident, we can't win em all!

COYR!!!!


Simon, says...
3:48pm Sat 30 Aug 08

So utterly predictable. 9 points dropped out of 12 is not promotion form.

JMARTIN, saudi says...
3:48pm Sat 30 Aug 08

NO PACE.
NO DEFENCE
NO STRIKE
WE WILL NEED 40 GOALS, AN AVERAGE TO STAY UP
CAN YOU TELL ME WERE THEY WILL COME FROM.?

Keep The Spirit Alive, Southampton says...
3:51pm Sat 30 Aug 08

I also agree strongly with above 2 comments. There was no lack of urgency from any of the players. Im just curious and can someone answer me this. "Why does everyone want Stern John on all the time?" In my view as we all have our own opinions but i feel he dosnt do much for the team except just holds it up. He had a bag full of chances against Birmingham both games and one quality chance today, should have bagged them! I hope Pekhart is a goalscoring machine because we need goals, we have chances but never take them. And today, why do we try walking the ball in all the time :S :S.. Also, anyone heard anything about BWP lately? Hope someone can answer this comment! Cheers! Up The Saints! COYR! X

SFC NOT PLC, says...
3:55pm Sat 30 Aug 08

Cash starve Lowe/Wilde out of St Marys as let REAL Saints fans takeover. This club will never fold as there are a handful of people that would never allow it.

Lowe and judas mike are living in cuckoo land with what they are trying to do.

Its all PR spin on a daily basis with no substance and certainly not any of their own money ! AGAIN

We have just wasted £300,000 on wages on tony Pulis in what is a very bizarre signing.

We are skint are we not ?



Judas Mike Wilde OUT

sailor sam, portsmouth says...
3:56pm Sat 30 Aug 08

A young team that worked hard and showed a lot of commitment.
I don't know the reason for the booing at the end of the match, but the team certainly did not deserve it.

the totton scrutineer, TOTTON says...
3:59pm Sat 30 Aug 08

A game too many for this team.At times they were good but not often enough and going a goal behind maent they were pushing too hard for the equaliser.Missed passes and panic play exposed them as what are a team of young inexperienced players.Jan should have had played the same team as Tueday with Stern John starting.But then hindsight is a wonderful thing,They will learn from this and I hope Jan will too.With 46 games a season he must rest his players and use the squad more

No1 saints fan, says...
4:06pm Sat 30 Aug 08

blimmy cheers for the postive comment, sam the skate sailor, u feeling ok

Ian, Southampton says...
4:09pm Sat 30 Aug 08

"Svensson and Perry were like statues today". Summary Saint has hit the nail on the head. The heart of the defence that played so well on Tuesday night was torn out and replaced by slow old-timers who were outpaced by an average attack. I think seeing their team-mates dropped also had demoralising effect on the rest of the young team. WHY change a winning team??? Jack Cork, especially, was very badly missed.

redhat, Southampton says...
4:14pm Sat 30 Aug 08

No1 saints fan wrote:
blimmy cheers for the postive comment, sam the skate sailor, u feeling ok
In fairness,Sailor is always non biast and gives his honest opinion..to which i myself always find interesting to read...

Todays match - i feel the boys didnt give Blackpool enough respect before the game... we thought that this was in the bag before k.o.... which couldnt be further from the truth..at times we did play good football,but too many players had off days,in particular the whole back 4.. and we lack the firepower needed to really punish teams and take our chances more clinically... we now have a 2 week break,to get up and go again when we return away to Q.P.R ..then its 2 home games in 4 days... so lets see.

Todays attendance was a discgrace ... 15,000- yet Derby get 30,000 at home-having not won in over 36 games!!!!

thats loyalty!!! say what you will.

Lowe OUT, says...
4:16pm Sat 30 Aug 08

So then Mr Lowe your embarrasing PR offensive this week has now somewhat backfired.

Just why do you do it eh ??? LOL




steve, pole says...
4:19pm Sat 30 Aug 08

looks very much like we are going to sign romain gasmi. On the strasbourg website they have labled him as loaned to the saints. From the perfomance today i think we desperately need some players with a more attacking threat.

southseachris, southsea says...
4:21pm Sat 30 Aug 08

I did post a comment on Wednesday after the two wins suggesting everyone should keep their feet on the ground and wait to see how they performed against a team like Blackpool. Well now we know. Blackpool had a game plan which could have come unstuck in the first half but it worked, just like many visitors last season.
They got men behind the ball and, especially in the second half when they were a goal up, closed the midfield and made our passing game very difficult.
I like what JP is trying to do with the resources available but I believe too many people got carried away earlier in the week. I can see us playing better away from home where there may be more space but teams are quick to get wise to our style of play.
Realistically we're going to win a few and lose a few, however let's wait for 10 or so games and then we'll be able to see what the season may hold.
By the way, I was there and didn't here any booing at the end.

Ian, Southampton says...
4:21pm Sat 30 Aug 08

"Im just curious and can someone answer me this. "Why does everyone want Stern John on all the time?" In my view as we all have our own opinions but I feel he doesnt do much for the team except just holds it up." I certainly don't. He was our worst player when he came on as sub on Tuesday night. He always chests or heads the ball back towards his own goal, setting up breakaway attacks for the opposition. We needed another youngster to come on up front today: not John.

Summary Saint, says...
4:28pm Sat 30 Aug 08

the totton scrutineer wrote:
A game too many for this team.At times they were good but not often enough and going a goal behind maent they were pushing too hard for the equaliser.Missed passes and panic play exposed them as what are a team of young inexperienced players.Jan should have had played the same team as Tueday with Stern John starting.But then hindsight is a wonderful thing,They will learn from this and I hope Jan will too.With 46 games a season he must rest his players and use the squad more
Don't agree at all. Most of the team are youngsters and should be champing at the bit to play twice a week in the first team. It wasn't fitness we were lacking today, it was ideas and application and getting rid of silly mistakes.

For a team that bases itself on possession football, we gave it away far too easily and gave Blackpool lots of obvious options to explore when they went forward.

I hope they do learn from this, but I feel all the other teams in the division will have learned a lot about our weaknesses and we do have a number (full backs, slow centre backs, set piece defending, lack of pace in midfield, lack of strength up front).

This is an unforgiving league. Today could have been a great platform to boost confidence in the team and fanbase alike and get the club on the up again, but in reality, we've lost badly at home to a poor team, many of the youngsters didn't perform and the two older players were a liability.

MikeC, Southampton says...
4:31pm Sat 30 Aug 08

Unfortunately ill-health meant I had to pass on ticket to my parter (West Ham fan but she supports the Saints more than some on this site) and watch the game on the box.

If you try to play a passing game there will be times when the passes don't come off. Last Tuesday almost every pass went to feet, today they didn't.

That doesn't mean there was any need for the shameful booing that - together with that ridiculous song about killing Portsmouth supporters - was all you could hear from Saints fans on the box. If this young team is to succeed they will need more support than they got today.

I agree with earlier posts that the defence last Tuesday looked much better than today - and that is down to the centre backs. Still, all in all this season looks like we can make progress after the utter rubbish we've endured for the last couple of years.

anne agram, says...
4:31pm Sat 30 Aug 08

steve wrote:
looks very much like we are going to sign romain gasmi. On the strasbourg website they have labled him as loaned to the saints. From the perfomance today i think we desperately need some players with a more attacking threat.
i am in ****

anne agram, says...
4:32pm Sat 30 Aug 08

i am in orgasm

HAPPY CHAPPY, ON MY WAY TO PORTUGAL says...
4:38pm Sat 30 Aug 08

HE HE HE HE HA HA HA HA HE HE HE HE HA HA HA HA IM SO HAPPY IM HAPPY CHAPPY HE HE HE HE HA HA HA HA HE HE HE HE HA HA HA

BOTTOM OF THE LEAGUE I DONT THINK SO DO YOU

EVERTON, WHO R YER WHO R YER WHO R YER

LOVINIT LOVINIT LOVINIT

tobie, London says...
4:42pm Sat 30 Aug 08

Fickle F**kers aren't we all, we played much better football had loads of possesion and if mcgoldric could learn to keep his shots down and lallna shots up we would of won with ease so shut up and sing up. COYR!!!!

Matt Probert, Harefield says...
4:53pm Sat 30 Aug 08

If Saints hadn't tried cheating by tripping that Blackpool player it may have been a different result. Instead a penalty was awarded and a goal scored. About time professional players awoke to fair play, and started setting our children a good example. I'm off to watch pigs fly now.

tobie, London says...
4:55pm Sat 30 Aug 08

E Racing and the English club of Southampton concluded, this Friday afternoon, the loan d' one season with option d' purchase of Romain Gasmi. The young offensive medium formed with the Club thus joined the rows of the training of the Saints, directed by Jan Poortvliet, and boarder of Division One (L2 English). Currently in convalescence (fracture of the 5th métatarse), Romain Gasmi will remain however a few weeks still in Strasbourg to look after his wound there, before s' to fly away definitively for Great Britain. In Southampton, it will find a former boarder of the Training centre and Racing house. Morgan Schneiderlin, transferred this summer, is an indisputable holder in the eleven of the Saints.

HOw come we ain't heard this from are own site yet strasbourg have it down as a done deal?


me again, soton says...
4:57pm Sat 30 Aug 08

he he scum back where you belong lucky hampshire has the superPOMPEY to fly the flag scum you are a shambles and you call that support PLAY UP POMPEY

Ken Jeans, Highcliffe,Dorset says...
4:58pm Sat 30 Aug 08

After Tues oh dear I am afraid Svenson & Perry were caught for pace,Gillet hampered by poor ref's booking,and McGoldrick out of ideas.Dyer lived up to his name lets hope the new boys can turn it round,IT'S NOT A BAD TEAM just need a bit of help.I didn't boo but felt a bit dissappointed COYR

on my soapbox!!!, says...
5:01pm Sat 30 Aug 08

HE HE HE HE HA HA HA HA HE HE HE HE HA HA HA HA IM SO HAPPY IM HAPPY CHAPPY HE HE HE HE HA HA HA HA HE HE HE HE HA HA HA

BOTTOM OF THE LEAGUE I DONT THINK SO DO YOU

EVERTON, WHO R YER WHO R YER WHO R YER

LOVINIT LOVINIT LOVINIT




nice to see such a dedicated pompey fan turn up 3 weeks into our season. im intrigued to know where you were after your first two games? crying perhaps? and what could your club d without such a dedicated supporter? not at the game today? why does that not shock me? you are so predictable its laughable.

Saintly, says...
5:07pm Sat 30 Aug 08

The curse of Sky Sports has returned, and it probably won't get any better as our next game away to QPR is also on Sky - God help us!

about time, soton says...
5:39pm Sat 30 Aug 08

redhat wrote:
No1 saints fan wrote:
blimmy cheers for the postive comment, sam the skate sailor, u feeling ok
In fairness,Sailor is always non biast and gives his honest opinion..to which i myself always find interesting to read...

Todays match - i feel the boys didnt give Blackpool enough respect before the game... we thought that this was in the bag before k.o.... which couldnt be further from the truth..at times we did play good football,but too many players had off days,in particular the whole back 4.. and we lack the firepower needed to really punish teams and take our chances more clinically... we now have a 2 week break,to get up and go again when we return away to Q.P.R ..then its 2 home games in 4 days... so lets see.

Todays attendance was a discgrace ... 15,000- yet Derby get 30,000 at home-having not won in over 36 games!!!!

thats loyalty!!! say what you will.
is it any suprise when an adult and two kids cost as much as most peoples weekly shopping?to watch that SH** if i wanted to watch kids ill pop the park and watch some tyro games,till mr lowe and co realise they are pricing people out of the game this attendance wont get any better.

Shazza, says...
5:40pm Sat 30 Aug 08

So has everyones baloon busrt a little?

Whilst I thought we were far better in the first half, WE NEVER SCORED!!! This is a harsh old league, all these supporters coming on here suggesting we are going to walk this league after TWO LEAGUE GAMES are living ina dream world.

Blackpool are a classic championship team and we will face far more like them this season.

It WILL be a hard long slog, hopefully something that these lads are up to.

Saints Foreverrrr!, Southampton says...
5:55pm Sat 30 Aug 08

Does Anyone Know Whats Happened With BWP And Pekhart? Someone Answer This If They Know Please!

StMark, says...
6:06pm Sat 30 Aug 08

Simon wrote:
So utterly predictable. 9 points dropped out of 12 is not promotion form.
I think expectations are sometimes too high. We were never going to go from nearly-relegated to promoted in 5 minutes!

steveyot, harefield says...
6:10pm Sat 30 Aug 08

Romain GASMI (prêté à Southampton, Ang.)

confirmed from Strasbourg website, might be a good lesson for the Saints today....feet back on the ground and realistic expectations. They will all learn from the experience. COYS

StMark, says...
6:12pm Sat 30 Aug 08

about time wrote:
redhat wrote:
No1 saints fan wrote:
blimmy cheers for the postive comment, sam the skate sailor, u feeling ok
In fairness,Sailor is always non biast and gives his honest opinion..to which i myself always find interesting to read...

Todays match - i feel the boys didnt give Blackpool enough respect before the game... we thought that this was in the bag before k.o.... which couldnt be further from the truth..at times we did play good football,but too many players had off days,in particular the whole back 4.. and we lack the firepower needed to really punish teams and take our chances more clinically... we now have a 2 week break,to get up and go again when we return away to Q.P.R ..then its 2 home games in 4 days... so lets see.

Todays attendance was a discgrace ... 15,000- yet Derby get 30,000 at home-having not won in over 36 games!!!!

thats loyalty!!! say what you will.
is it any suprise when an adult and two kids cost as much as most peoples weekly shopping?to watch that SH** if i wanted to watch kids ill pop the park and watch some tyro games,till mr lowe and co realise they are pricing people out of the game this attendance wont get any better.
Actually, Derby's tickets are more expensive than ours!

david, says...
6:20pm Sat 30 Aug 08

Lowe OUT wrote:
So then Mr Lowe your embarrasing PR offensive this week has now somewhat backfired.

Just why do you do it eh ??? LOL



another bed-wetting fake saints thats obviously pleased we have lost push off and support pompey you loser

HAPPY CHAPPY, ON MY WAY TO PORTUGAL says...
6:25pm Sat 30 Aug 08

on my soapbox!!! wrote:
HE HE HE HE HA HA HA HA HE HE HE HE HA HA HA HA IM SO HAPPY IM HAPPY CHAPPY HE HE HE HE HA HA HA HA HE HE HE HE HA HA HA BOTTOM OF THE LEAGUE I DONT THINK SO DO YOU EVERTON, WHO R YER WHO R YER WHO R YER LOVINIT LOVINIT LOVINIT nice to see such a dedicated pompey fan turn up 3 weeks into our season. im intrigued to know where you were after your first two games? crying perhaps? and what could your club d without such a dedicated supporter? not at the game today? why does that not shock me? you are so predictable its laughable.
See you got home quick from St FAIRIES !

LOVINIT LOVINIT LOVINIT

Fran, says...
6:37pm Sat 30 Aug 08

HAPPY CHAPPY wrote:
on my soapbox!!! wrote: HE HE HE HE HA HA HA HA HE HE HE HE HA HA HA HA IM SO HAPPY IM HAPPY CHAPPY HE HE HE HE HA HA HA HA HE HE HE HE HA HA HA BOTTOM OF THE LEAGUE I DONT THINK SO DO YOU EVERTON, WHO R YER WHO R YER WHO R YER LOVINIT LOVINIT LOVINIT nice to see such a dedicated pompey fan turn up 3 weeks into our season. im intrigued to know where you were after your first two games? crying perhaps? and what could your club d without such a dedicated supporter? not at the game today? why does that not shock me? you are so predictable its laughable.
See you got home quick from St FAIRIES ! LOVINIT LOVINIT LOVINIT
Oi portscummer. What happened to the skate that lost his leg when he got thrown off the train in the 70s. Or the t0ssers that tried to take the wagon but got so smashed up, they couldn't rebuild their faces properly??

Ha ha ha

lovinit lovinit lovinit

Condor Man, Southampton says...
6:42pm Sat 30 Aug 08

it's not doom and gloom but I was worried that Svensson was very poor today. I'd like to see Jack Cork alongside Perry at the back.

Dyer looked totally out of touch with the movement of the side, the second half was a throw back to last season.

about time, soton says...
7:11pm Sat 30 Aug 08

StMark wrote:
about time wrote:
redhat wrote:
No1 saints fan wrote:
blimmy cheers for the postive comment, sam the skate sailor, u feeling ok
In fairness,Sailor is always non biast and gives his honest opinion..to which i myself always find interesting to read...

Todays match - i feel the boys didnt give Blackpool enough respect before the game... we thought that this was in the bag before k.o.... which couldnt be further from the truth..at times we did play good football,but too many players had off days,in particular the whole back 4.. and we lack the firepower needed to really punish teams and take our chances more clinically... we now have a 2 week break,to get up and go again when we return away to Q.P.R ..then its 2 home games in 4 days... so lets see.

Todays attendance was a discgrace ... 15,000- yet Derby get 30,000 at home-having not won in over 36 games!!!!

thats loyalty!!! say what you will.
is it any suprise when an adult and two kids cost as much as most peoples weekly shopping?to watch that SH** if i wanted to watch kids ill pop the park and watch some tyro games,till mr lowe and co realise they are pricing people out of the game this attendance wont get any better.
Actually, Derby's tickets are more expensive than ours!
wtf has derbys ticket prices got to do with anything???????????

Doctor Saint, Hedge End says...
7:11pm Sat 30 Aug 08

Condor Man wrote:
it's not doom and gloom but I was worried that Svensson was very poor today. I'd like to see Jack Cork alongside Perry at the back. Dyer looked totally out of touch with the movement of the side, the second half was a throw back to last season.
This is out fourth year in this league and it is obvious that it's full of big defenders, midfielders and forwards. Svensson was outjumped a lot today, but Perry isn't big enough when we have so little other height on the pitch. Without Svensson, the kids would be rudderless. Get Cork next to him at the back and keep the faith. White isn't up to it yet, so give Dyer a bit more of a chance.

In a nutshell, says...
7:12pm Sat 30 Aug 08

Losing at home to Blackpool and failing to score is a very bad result.

Artful Dodger, Millbrook says...
7:23pm Sat 30 Aug 08

SFC NOT PLC wrote:
Cash starve Lowe/Wilde out of St Marys as let REAL Saints fans takeover. This club will never fold as there are a handful of people that would never allow it. Lowe and judas mike are living in cuckoo land with what they are trying to do. Its all PR spin on a daily basis with no substance and certainly not any of their own money ! AGAIN We have just wasted £300,000 on wages on tony Pulis in what is a very bizarre signing. We are skint are we not ? Judas Mike Wilde OUT
I guess that the 'handful of people' that you are talking about, are the ones that turned up today.

How much money do you think that they could muster to, not just buy the club, but raise a few million quid to buy players?

You have the temerity to say that Lowe and Wilde are living in cuckoo land! Something tells me that you are already in residence.


SAINT STEVE, SOUTHAMPTON says...
7:40pm Sat 30 Aug 08

4 league games. 3 loses. 1 win. Not good form really. Jan's got his head screwed on though & knows what went wrong. I agree that we were trying to make one pass too many, need to be more deadly in the box. Three games in one week was just a little bit too much for some of the kids today. Blackpool didn't have a midweek game & it showed today. We still should of at least got a draw. I think JP should have played the team that beat Birmingham & had Pekhart on he bench too in my opinion.

saint steve, SOUTHAMPTON says...
7:41pm Sat 30 Aug 08

4 league games. 3 loses. 1 win. Not good form really. Jan's got his head screwed on though & knows what went wrong. I agree that we were trying to make one pass too many, need to be more deadly in the box. Three games in one week was just a little bit too much for some of the kids today. Blackpool didn't have a midweek game & it showed today. We still should of at least got a draw. I think JP should have played the team that beat Birmingham & had Pekhart on he bench too in my opinion.

JP's Red and White army, The Chapel stand says...
7:55pm Sat 30 Aug 08

As has been said elsewhere here, Dyer's control was......well dire, every time he got the ball a lack of control left the ball too far in front of him when he was in good positions, the game passed us by for the most part especially in the 2nd half when we were chasing the game looking for an equaliser, the ref was also shocking and he was quick to book our players when the cards stayed in his pocket when Blackpool players used time wasting tactics to there advantage to close out the game and fustrate us. Jan has to look at this as im sure most clubs who come here will now know what out weaknesses are and will expliot them if we can't learn to adapt. he has 2 weeks now to get the players sorted out for QPR, we will need to learn some quick lessons for that one!!! COYR!!

DJI, disappointed but hopeful says...
8:18pm Sat 30 Aug 08

Today, we played a typical Championship side and it exposed our weaknesses to all given that it was televised. Blackpool were like a poor Bristol City in their style of play, which does not bode well. I do however, believe that JP will make the changes and teach the lessons needed from this so we are not so exposed again.

I missed the first 20 minutes as I was stuck in the jam on the M3 so got to see a reasonable first half. But in the second half we appeared more like last season's team; lacking in precision, movement and goal scoring attempts. Consider that Blackpool scored 4 times, 3 disallowed for offside and we didn't even having any attempts to be disallowed.

I agree with the many who say we should have played the same team we fielded against B'ham. Jack Cork has pace and was good in the air and on the floor and (surprisingly) Thomas was very steady too. I would also have put Pekhart on the bench today as we needed some pace and height up front. JP admitted in one interview that the players were tired so he should have rested them and gone for the points with his other winning team, especially going in to a two week break and then having to come back to face QPR away. Momentum is what is needed and progression.

I have loved watching this new team play in all the pre-season and home games so far but I have a concern. If we are to play like Arsenal (comment from JP in the press) then we have a problem. Everyone knows that to suppress Arsenal, you simply flood the midfield to stop them passing and go long when you can. When that happens, Arsenal have always struggled to get anything from their games in the past few seasons. What we need is a plan 'B' which I note JP is saying today. Simpler football, shoot earlier and some early goals. then we can relax and play our pretty football in the 2nd half. Play like that and our rivals will not be able to cope. The lesson here is play toe-to-toe CCC games at SMS in the first half, and keep the 'total football' for the 2nd half and away matches.

I am still very optimistic that we will do well this season and adapt our game tactics to becoming a winning team more regularly.

HAPPY CHAPPY, ON MY WAY TO PORTUGAL says...
8:24pm Sat 30 Aug 08

15629
Now let me see
1629 Blackpool supporters
6000 kids for a quid
3000 women get in free
Leaves you with a core support of 5000
Something dont add up here when 20000 is needed to break even. It only means one thing
YOUR GOING DOWN THE PLUGHOLE
LOVINIT LOVINIT LOVINIT


Fran, says...
8:41pm Sat 30 Aug 08

HAPPY CHAPPY wrote:
15629 Now let me see 1629 Blackpool supporters 6000 kids for a quid 3000 women get in free Leaves you with a core support of 5000 Something dont add up here when 20000 is needed to break even. It only means one thing YOUR GOING DOWN THE PLUGHOLE LOVINIT LOVINIT LOVINIT
Oi portscummer. What happened to the skate that lost his leg when he got thrown off the train in the 70s. Or the t0ssers that tried to take the wagon but got so smashed up, they couldn't rebuild their faces properly??

Ha ha ha

brilliant!

lovinit lovinit lovinit

juan, Hants says...
9:04pm Sat 30 Aug 08

Exactly the same as last year. Lightweight football. Tippy-tappy very nice football but totally ineffective. We have a Dutchman who is clueless about Englsih footbal. Brawn and physical strength are needed to get out of this awful division. How many more times? Blackpool were not pretty but they competed and were far stronger than Saints who are physically not in it.

HAPPY CHAPPY, ON MY WAY TO PORTUGAL says...
9:08pm Sat 30 Aug 08

15629
Now let me see
1629 Blackpool supporters
6000 kids for a quid
3000 women get in free
Leaves you with a core support of 5000
Something dont add up here when 20000 is needed to break even. It only means one thing
YOUR GOING DOWN THE PLUGHOLE
LOVINIT LOVINIT LOVINIT


Fran, no answer from the skate Ha Ha says...
9:12pm Sat 30 Aug 08

HAPPY CHAPPY wrote:
15629 Now let me see 1629 Blackpool supporters 6000 kids for a quid 3000 women get in free Leaves you with a core support of 5000 Something dont add up here when 20000 is needed to break even. It only means one thing YOUR GOING DOWN THE PLUGHOLE LOVINIT LOVINIT LOVINIT
Oi portscummer. What happened to the skate that lost his leg when he got thrown off the train in the 70s. Or the t0ssers that tried to take the wagon but got so smashed up, they couldn't rebuild their faces properly??

Ha ha ha

brilliant!

lovinit lovinit lovinit