BLACKPOOL: Post-match reaction

Put it here.......

Our second XI 2 Blackpool's second XI 0

I hope the media takes into account that not only did Holloway make nine changes to his team, Adkins made eight changes before anyone says Blackpool were weakened.

It sounded like Saints were all over them and, if we're going to win a cup game it's good to win it in style.

Well with Adam signing his contract this win made it a great day. Great performance totally outclassed and outplayed Blackpool and this was mostly the team Holloway played against Villa, We played Bart in goal and as I thought Martin and Seaborne at CB, Chaplow and Kelvin given the luxury of a day off. Puncheon started but played in central midfield on LH side, couple of morons booed when his name read out, give the guy a chance and he put in a good shift today.

Thought we should have had a penalty in first minute when ball seemed to hit the arm of a blackpool defender but referee was up to normal standard and just ignored. Dont think there were 10 fouls in first half but he booked 3 players! Very open start to game with Lallana having a couple of chances and looking a threat, Lambert had a good shot then Barnard had the ball in the net with bit of clever thinking. Blackpool goalie held ball out sitting on top of his hands, Barnard nips in heads the ball off and shoots in the net. Referee disallows but looked fine to me, goalie was not holding the ball so no reason why Barnard couldnt use his head. Puncheon was having a good game in the middle of the park as saints continued to press forward. Lambert came so close to scoring with loose ball following a corner and blasted the ball but hit the woodwork and came back out, was so close. Lallana had a couple more shots one well saved before half time and shame going in level as had been the better team.

Got a warning at start of second half as Euell had a great opportunity but headed wide and not long after saints took the lead. Lambert was put through on left side of box, shot across goalie who saved but ball went to Barnard. Barnard cool as anything didnt shoot first time, controlled the ball turned inside onto left foot and blasted into far corner for a great strikers finish. Hammond went off injured and replaced by Dickson. Blackpool were not out of it even though outplayed and Phillips who looked quite good got in a great shot but Bart made a superb save to palm away for a corner.

Dickson went on one of his runs from midfield and was unlucky when he so nearly went past everyone, Saints were in total control and were chasing Blackpool down at every opportunity winning the loose ball to set up more attacks. Dickson went close, as did Lambert with Blackpool goalie earning his money. Ormerod went off to a good reception from saints fans, Typical Ormerod performance ran his socks off and worked the channels tirelessly. Guly came on for Barnard and with 5 minutes left Chamberlain came on for Puncheon who got a good reception from the fans. Interesting performance more central and could not be faulted for his effort so if he does want away full credit to him for his effort.

At 1 nil always a risk but game put beyond doubt with great goal by Guly. Clever work on the edge of the box saw Lambert make a short pass to Guly who with skill created some space and then creamed one into the top corner of the goal. Great goal by Guly and think will mean NA will be keen to sign him. Chamberlain nearly made it 3 nil, with a breakaway , tripped but kept going and hit his shot against upright and bar, shame as 3 nil would have been fully deserved. Four minutes of added time played out with no scares and a thoroughly convincing win against what would be at l;east a top championship side if you take into account the reserves. Also shows the strength of squad, Martin and Seaborne were tremendous eating up everything in the air, Puncheon very productive and Dickson when he came on and went into midfield looked good. Another premiership side at home please in next round.

Bart 8 looked solid all game and a great save when score 1 nil
Richardson 7 looks good when he goes forward, dumb yellow card from ref early on meant he had to be safe in tackles.
Martin 7 Very composed and looks like real potential
Seaborne 7 solid again
Harding 7 good going forward
Lallana 8 as always a threat and just about everywhere
Hammond 7 fairly solid but went off injured
Puncheon7 played more central but roamed a bit second half and was in the thick of things.
Schneiderlin 7 got better as game went on though he had one of his best games for some time
Barnard 8 Took his goal so well and was unlucky with his cheeky header in 1st half
Lambert 7 worked well won lots of flick ons and if not scoring was a threat.

Subs

Guly 7 great goal 4 in last 3 games think we should be signing as adds another dimension to squad
Dickson 7 very effective as a midfield player
Chamberlain only on for about 10 minutes but a threat and nearly scored.

Agree with what you've said Matty

I thought it was a brilliant day today. The back 5 were very solid with Martin and Seaborne winning almost everything in the air and the full backs both coping well against Matt Phillips who was the only Blackpool player to pose a threat.
Schneiderlin for me was MOM, dominating the midfield to continue his good form. He made so many interceptions and tackles, his first touch was superb and he was a constant link between defence and attack. Puncheon looked full of confidence and caused lots of problems playing fairly central. Lallana was his usual self but, as he has for the last few games, missed a few good chances.
Barnard as usual was a nightmare for the Blackpool defenders, constantly battling and giving them no time on the ball. Lambert was very good again I thought just unlucky not to get on the scoresheet but he is still contributing a lot to the team.
Dickson when he came on was particularly good, Chambo unlucky not to score when he hit the crossbar and Guly scored a great goal.

It seems as if Holloway is less than impressed with a section of the Saints' fanbase:

If Holloway was gracious in his praise of Southampton's win, he was less than impressed with some of the Saints fans' chants.

"It's an unbelievable turnaround to have their fans singing 'Premier League, you're having a laugh' at us," added the Blackpool manager.

"Well I am having a laugh, I am loving every minute of it because my team has earned the right to be there.

"I don't think they should be quite so disrespectful, maybe they're a little bit jealous of the fact a little club like Blackpool can do it and Southampton have fallen from grace. But I'm sure they'll be back."

Has he not heard that before? It is chanted at PL sides up and down the country if they're in a cup match and not doing very well.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/blackpool/9351201.stm

Typical Holloway really, what did he expect us to chant,You are the Champions??

As you say whenever a Premiership side is failing to beat a team from a lower league then that is exactly what the chant will be. Perhaps he could have been more respectful to the tradition of the FA cup and played more of his premiership players!

Shame he didn't have the grace to mention the great response saints fans gave to Brett Ormerod, still he has never been a great loser, remember him throwing a wobbly when we beat Leicester when he was in charge slagging off a local reporter.

Any news on Hammond's injury?

Who do you want in the next round? Crushable minnow? A big side like Man U? Or a middling PL or CC side who won't thrash us (not easily anyway)? I am still ambivalent about the cup as I think that the league should be the number 1 priority but I don't want the likes of Man U as we'd get thrashed. A crushable minnow or a middling PL side would do me.

Nice reading....

http://www.givemefootball.com/league-one/nigel-adkins-men-need-to-keep-punching-above-their