BRIGHTON ON MONDAY

Can Saints get a rare away win??

http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10280~2562381,00.html

Neither team playing that well, Brighton have a few injuries plus at least one suspension so may be down to the squad players who come in and take the opportunity. I would change things up for this game and start Connolly with Guly or De Ridder making way. Hammond to start in midfield as think Schneiderlin is suspended as booked against BC bringing him to 5. Brighton got a couple booked who will miss the game plus Noone picked up an injury so there for the taking if we are positive

An alternative option to Connolly starting would be to play Lallana more central behind Lambert and play Fox left side of midfield with Harding playing against his old club at full back. Would then play Guly wide right.

That went well, then.

I wasn't there but, listening to the commentary, it sounded as if Saints were the best side in the first half and were unlucky D'Urso didn't give the goal. Also, it sounded as if we had a fair few chances, apart from the goal-that-was-not-allowed, but didn't take them. The second half got off to a promising start but Lambert's sending off ruined it and, according to the commentators, El-Abd went down as if shot with a bit of Oscar-worthy acting - in fact it seemed as if the Brighton team were out to get one of our players dismissed, turning their attentions to Lambert after Harding was subbed. They're the mirror-image of their dirty manager. I loathe Poyet and I am beginning to hate Brighton.

We're in a blip, that's for sure, and the away form is a concern. I did notice that Adkins mentioned new signings in his post-match interview and we seriously need them, what with Lambert out for three games and Guly injured.

Well another 3 points thrown away, Saints were the better side in the first half and had several chances to take the lead which were wasted. Guly blasted over from just a couple of yards out following good play on the right side, Lallana actually scored but ball cleared after crossing the line ( my brother is a brighton fan and at the game said a goal from where he was, I was at other end) Lallana also had a shot on goal that Connolly blocked before shooting against goalie but was in an offside position, think would have gone in if he had left alone. Brighton's only real effort was when their player was well positioned in box but pulled his shot harmlessly wide of the goal. Rest of time was hit the ball long for Mickail Smith to chase then fall down and try to claim a free kick.

The absolute dire officials today were awful from the start. Harding was picked up for every challnge yet most of his tackles were fine. he got booked with a 50/50 ball with Mickail Smith, won the ball which played aganist him but like a shot animal dramatically fell to the ground and Durso complete k***head books Dan with lino waving frantically. Two further free kicks given by the lino agianst Dan when he hardly made any contact and left Adkins having to sub him before half time with Fox as was obvious that Brighton with the diving combined with the useless officials would mean another yellow card.

Second half started the same way and saints should have had a penalty when Lambert was pushed going for a cross byEl-Abd. Couple of minutes later El Abd and Lambert tangled when Lambert went to get up El Abd grabbed him and pulled him down. Rickie reacted and shoved El Abd who then went down clutching his face if been hit with a right hook. Durso went straight for red and completely missed the grab, holding and play acting. I hope the FA look at the video and see the cheating nature of El Abd and do something though I doubt that very much. Rickie shouldnt have reacted but the cheating nature of Brigthon players really is hard to take. Without doubt coached as runs throughout the team, Mickail Smith ought to be in our Olympics squad as he dives better than Tom Daley.

Should have gone 4 - 4- 1 and tried to keep tight and frustrate them but Adkins left them to try and play the passing game. Forte came on and went on front but we allowed Brighton to get down the flanks. Yet another dive in the box was waved away by Durso yet why no yellow card, its called cheating Durso and should at least warranted a card to stop them doing all the time. Guly then picked up an injury and had to come off so really were up against it. Saints went behind with another shot not held by Kelvin. Didnt seem to difficult a shot but spilled by Kelvin and Martin was slow to react allowing their player to get in ahead and bang in the rebound. Two similar shots spilled against BC and another today, Kelvin needs to start holding these or push out wide rather than allowing to rebound in middle of box.

Could have been still in the game if we kept tight but surprised Adkins took off Lallana as meant little creativity left on the pitch. Second goal was a cracking shot from distance which went in off the post but should have been closed down before allowed to shoot. Saints then had a great chance to get a goal back with cross into box to Cork with goal at his mercy mishit the ball over the bar. Third goal was shambolic defending from a corner should have been cleared and rebound fell kindly to one of their players. Greer was sent off at end, more by Durso trying to level up but far to late then, though he did elbow Forte in the face so at least he "earnt" his red card.

Overall gutted that we threw away a game we looked so capable of winning. Brighton are the worst cheats in the football league but Lambert should know not to raise his hands, especially when you have a pillock like Durso as ref. He was aided and abetted by two awful assistants. What was again evident was the lack of quality in the squad in depth. Our bench today was Forte, Holmes, Reeves and Fox. That bench would struggle in Div 1 and not strong enough to challenge for top end of championship. New replacements, permanent or loans are desperately needed though a Japanese striker is what we need right now. We need experienced players with a hunger and desire to wear the shirt. Yet again Chaplows absence sorely missed but why no similar replacement in the squad. Think Adkins lost out before the last transfer window closed when he had the opportunity to get some extra players in, might not be his fault if Coretse doesnt have authority to spend the money but successful teams strengthen when they are going well not when they start to struggle.

Davis 6 needs to start holding his shots
Richardson 6 struggled at the back today
Martin 6 thought slow to react on first goal
Hooveield 7 another decent game I thought
Harding 7 completely unfair treatment today was a threat going forward
Cork 6 played out on right and not as effective and should have scored
Hammond 6 didnt close down like he could have.
Guly 7 so frustrating but was still creating chances, was played in central midfield today, centre half next week?
Lallana 7 surprised taken off as thought a better game, unlucky with his "goal" and looked more a threat today.
Lambert 6 didnt get great service today and must learn not to react.
Connolly 6 lasted 90 minutes but didnt really look a threat but has been out for weeks.

subs

fox 6 didnt get forward at all but only had 10 minutes before we went to 10 men
Forte 6 didnt look like scoring
Reeves 6 neat and tidy but lightweight,

Well cup game next saturday so rest from the league but suspect will be a weak side. No Lambert, Guly now has injury, de Ridder out injured today, be surprised if Fonte risked. If no appeal and that the grounds that Brighton are cheating *******s will get him off then we lose him for the Forest and Leicester league games so could be down to 4th or 5th by end of January. Not the time to panic but it is the time to react. Need to strengthen midfield with a ball winner and striker is blindingly obvious but has been since June

Thanks Matty