FOREST ON SATURDAY

Can we get the 3 points?

Well we did get the 3 points but it was hard work. 3 out of 4 changes in the back four and that showed at times. Forest will feel unlucky that they didnt get something out of the game as they had several chances when at 2 - 2 and if they had scored sure would have won. Two pen claims for them both dives. It was certainly entertaining as opposed a good game, two teams that couldnt defend made it exciting

Saints got off to a decent start knocking the ball around and looked in control then Saints conceded a poor goal, ball over top Millar took in corner and somehow no one tackles him he crossed and Derbyshire was unmarked in 6 yard box for tap in. No idea where all our defenders were. Fortunately forest were just as bad at defending and equaliser straight away, good run by Guly beating a couple of players cutting in played a great ball for Connolly to latch on to shoot and though goalie saved well Lambert following up knocked in the rebound. 10 minutes gone and 2 goals.

Saints were looking a threat going forward and lambert was just over with a free kick from outside the box, Reid cut down Connolly and then Guly yet escaped a caution. Saints took the lead then with a good goal from right side. Connolly picked up the ball and put in decent cross, Lallana flicked on with his head and Lambert at back post powered in to get between goalie and defender to head ball in, good centre forward goal and had to be brave to go in with head. Another free kick saw different routine with Lambert hitting to far post where Fonte had come in but his header was weak and easy save at near post, should have headed back across goal.

With 10 min to go to half time saints eased off the pressure and allowed forest back into the game, midfield were unable to get their foot on the ball and no real surprise when forest equalised with similar goal to their first. Devonshire got through squared the ball across and another tap in. Saints then had a great chance to take the lead back immediately, Connolly was in on goal had time but shot was saved by goalie but poor effort when he had time and space and should have shot across the goalies body. To show the to and fro of game Forest had 4 corners before half time whistle.

Adkins half time talk must have been dire as fast asleep at start and Forest nearly took lead in 1st minute. dodgy free kick given against Fonte, ref was again diabolical but both fans thought the same, free kick was nearly turned in by derbyshire thwarted by diving save from kelvin. Lallana then had a great shot at the other end bringing out great save from their goalie. Was end to end stuff and fonte then had a header cleared off the line.

They say substitutions can change a game and it did today. Saints midfield was all over the place and Chaplow should have been on start of second half. However before he was brought on Maclaren took off Miller and put on McGoldrick. While always worried that an old boy will score Miller was proving a hand ful so think defence were glad to see back of him. McGoldrick was pretty ineffective. Saints then took of Guly who was having one of his frustrating days, skilfull with the ball at his feet but no tracking back and was wandering all over the pitch which I think affected the midfield.

More action in last 10 minutes, first forest had a penalty claim when Kelvin had one of his brainless momenst messing aorund with the ball and lost it to derbyshire, got down well to knock the ball away but Derbyshire went down over his leg with big claims for penalty. Linesman was dead in line and saw a dive, ref booked him while Kelvin had a few words to say. Then with 7 minutes left de Ridder on for Connolly got a free kick which Fox took on left side, lovely curled free kick with pace, Lambert pulled off his markers and got to back post and powerful header back, which all goalie could do was push into top of net.

Sainst now with Chaplow in midfield were looking more comfortable and despite 5 minutes of extra time, dont think physios came on in 2nd half so work that one out, Saints saw out a hard fought win. High lights Lambert's hat trick and the attacking play, low lights poor defence which need to be tightened and midfield did not dominate. New CH was okay, not spectacular, and about same as Seaborne though accept first game. Fox was pretty poor at left back though improved last 20 minutes when chaplow moved to left side and gave him cover, his free kick was great delivery. Kelvins distribution was poor and nearly gifted them a goal but a couple of key saves when needed. Guly an enigma, his skills made the first goal yet really disrupted the balance of midfield with wandering all over the place.

Still a wins a win and time for a beer!

I'd agree with your assessment of Fox at left back Matty. It was the first time I've seen him play and although he clearly has plenty of attributes to be a decent footballer I thought defensively he was awful. Adkins said on Solent that Harding was injured today so hopefully we will have him back next weekend.
Hooiveld looked reasonably solid but probably no better than Seaborne or Martin.
Cork was not great at right back and the midfield missed him as well with Morgan having a really quiet game.
Lallana was off form which we can accept once in a while. Guly had some good moments like the first goal but wasn't great otherwise. So it was fortunate that Ricky popped up in the right place 3 times to get us the win.

Forgot to mention Kelvin made some great saves. We would have lsot without him today.

Agree with Kelvin's saves though his distribution was awful but that won't change now.

I think Fox might work better in midfield, Cork not being in midfield did disrupt the middle of the park plus players dont enjoy playing out of position. Would prefer Butterfield in at RB if that allowed Cork to play back in midfield, probably thought the midfield could cope but Schneiderlin and hammond were not great together last season, they improved when Chaplow arrived.