CARDIFF ON TUESDAY

Saints really need to prove they still mean business by having a good win against Cardiff, can they do it?

If they play like they did against leicester then no. At leats looks like optiosn up front and I would start Lambert and Connolly with Guly out right as we were at start of season. really hope Fonte is fit as need a proper CH plus someone to lead the backline. Other battle will be midfield as doubt Chaplow will play, Hammond and Schniederlin need to step up to the mark as to many big games now where they have failed to take charge. If no lallana then I would look at Fox in midfield would at least, (if he is not CH!) add some bite plus height. At least bench will have some attacking options, pick 2 from Barney, Puncheon, de Ridder, Lee, just no ball winning midfield player and Holmes again showed yesterday not a high enough standard

Apparently new signings had to be registered by noon yesterday to be eligible to play today so Billy Sharp will have to sit out the Cardiff game.

SaintMike wrote:Apparently new signings had to be registered by noon yesterday to be eligible to play today so Billy Sharp will have to sit out the Cardiff game.

Really confused over this as leicester played Alfonso last Monday yet he only signed lunchtime that day. Surely cant be different for loan as oppsoed to perm deal?

Typical FL rules, always seems to go against us!!

Well overall a much better performance than against Leicester and in second half really did turn up the pressure and unlucky not to win. ref was again abysmal and we should have had 3 penalties tonight, One in first half was in front of Northam and was stone wall pen, unbelievable a referee in a good position doesnt give, The standard of refereeing is undoubtedly worse this year , simply didnt take charge allowed Miller to mouth off all game and took no action. Dont normally want to see cards but that is what stops dissent.

Cardiff were not great 1 up front and played 5 yards inside their half to make it tight. we struggled to break them down and they were looking to corners and long throw ins. First half we kept placing passes wide and found no rythm, Puncheon did work well and made several tackles so was aiming to impress. Lallana was way off the pace though did set up cross for Lambert at far post who could not get any power on and header went over. Penalty claim came when Lambert was through on left side of box, cut in his past his man who clearly grabbed him and pulled down. disgraceful call by ref who clearly hasnt played the game. Lambert had cut inside to put the ball on his right foot to shoot no way he wouldnt have shot unless fouled, within a minute Lallana brought down and nothing given.

Ref really endeared himself to home crowd with Cardiff goal, corner swung in , Davis impeded and then on ground when they scored. davis ran to halfway line which is not how Kelvin reacts unless annoyed. After leicester could have been another disaster but saints did at least rally towards half time. Frustration as saints had at least 3 opportunities to shoot and every time passed the bl**dy ball. even Adkins mentioned at the end on Solent so perhaps at last he will get them shooting first time. Lallana, Cork, Connolly all guilty. Nearly disaster before half time when we backed off and allowed them to shoot and needed a great save from Davis to palm away.

Saints started well 2nd half, Puncheon had a low shot which was comfortably saved at near post but was on target and made goalie save. Saints then could have had 2 nd penalty when lambert brought down and we thought ref had given but lino signalled goal kick. That one was at Chapel end so couldnt really see. seemed like just a couple of minutes later when we did get a pen. Lallana went down left cut in and crossed which was clearly stopped by their defender with hand. Not great protests from their players which think shows was a def pen. Ref then managed to drag out the process to put presure on Lambert. Not his best pen and their goalie guessed right but Lambo blasted and went in to his left.

After that it was saints pressure with the occassional break from Cardiff. lee came on to replace Puncheon , most of us thought Connolly would go off but maybe a fitness issue with Puncheon but tonight you could not fault his effort and he got a good reception from the crowd. if he keeps this up will be okay but will see when he has to go on bench as for some games that is likely to happen when Guly and Sharp are available. lee certainly looked lively and does have pace which looks good. he got a couple of heavy tackles but got up shrugged it off and carried on. Saints piled on the pressure but couldnt make it count. Lambert had a knock down that Lee couldnt force past Marshall then at the end lallana at the far post had an effort well saved by Marshall.

Davis 6 one great save and think was impeded for goal
Fox 6 poor first half better second, hit corners to deep
Martin 6 again poor first half better second half
Fonte 7 looked a little rusty but still looked assured.
Richardson 6 crosses were bit hit or miss got forward well 2nd half
Lallana 7 much better second half
Scheniederlin 6 to many sideays or backward passes
Cork 6 just off the pace a little
Puncheon 7 good effort though played more central after we conceded on instructions
Lambert 7 got nothing from ref all night scored the pen and should have had 2 others
Connolly 6 not much of a threat

subs

Lee 7 Looks pacey and with sharp will have some time to get acclimatised could cause some problems
Hammond 6 not until 3 mins to go should have come on earlier for Connolly

Thanks once again Matty!!

Was Guly injured?? And no news yet on Chaplow or Jos?

Thanks Matty, nice report.

Guly injured likely to be at least another week, Hoovield again at least a week but dont think they would risk in the cup replay so expect to see him both week saturday. Chaplow supposed to be close maybe saturday, but if surface is hard with cold snap again dont think they wil risk.

Matty, I just checked the photos on the Saintsfc site and it looked a tad chilly at the Cardiff match, so well done again mate.

Says me, sitting here in my rugby shorts and t shirt.

Have to admit Pete was pretty well wrapped up!! Actually once we got going in 2nd half plus ref winding us up didnt really feel the cold.