SPURS AT ST MARYS.......

Another no-pointer or can we get something from this???

Stranger things have happened, but I think we will lose again. Spurs will rip our 'defence' to shreds.

real hard to call, I am going for a saints win 3-2. we have to got to attack but like the Villa game 2 up front and get the ball down quickly, no passing out from the back which doesnt seem to work for us especially when the defence has no confidence

I hope you're right Matty. I can't see anything other than another demoralising beating but I would love it (just love it ;) ) if I was wrong.

Spurs have lost all their games at St Marys......and have never scored there. Wouldn't it be tremendous if we can still say that at 5 o'clock Sunday afternoon!!! (Not going to make a prediction this time......)

Let's hope so Mike. It would also be nice if Saints could go on and put together a run of positive results because, apart from anything else, I am already sick of seeing the word 'struggling' in front of the name 'Southampton'! I thought those days were long gone, so it's kind of irritating to see it again.

key will be who we play in defence. For me if Fox is fit he has to play as think he is still our best LB , if not fit then Shaw should play. Only other option would be Cline at LB but only if Richardson is fit which dont think he is. What he must not do is play Yoshida there he has to start at CH alongside Fonte. Personally I would play Chaplow in midfield on right side but suspect he will go with Puncheon.

watched a few games on TV this week and noticed the work rate of some of the other teams with their strikers and midfield players getting back to defend. Think we have players who struggle to do that, Lallana, Puncheon, Guly all need to up their fitness levels to what is required in the premiership.

typical though that look like most of spurs players look to be fit, treat as a cup game Nigel and have the players fired up and dont let spurs settle, play high up the pitch and get the ball down quickly.

Fox and Lambert both to play....

http://football-talk.co.uk/69226/teams-southampton-vs-tottenham-confirmed-line-ups/?

0-1 to Spurs. Here beginneth the hammering*

*Said in the hope that this will work the other way.

Oh, and WTFF has Mayuka got to do to get a game?

0-2. FFS

Booed off (from some) at half time.

1-2 back in it. Rodriguez' first PL goal. Come on Saints!

F/T 1-2. Too little, too f ucking late.

What was it with Boruc apparently swearing at fans a chucking a bottle at them? If fans were giving him stick then they should not be getting all precious about him giving a bit back.

Well certainly a tale of 2 halfs. in the first half we were awful and no idea why so bad, just like 2nd half at WHam. While spuds have decent players and looked a good team we played without any passion. For me the fault lay with the midfield, Lallana, Puncheon Scheniderlin and Davis were all poor, backed off all the time and yet again failed to make any tackles. Lambert looked like he couldnt be bothered, and although defence will get the blame the midfield has got to improve. Still no sign of Chaplow getting a game yet how many more poor perfomances from others before he gets a look in.

From a pretty uninspiring opening spurs took the lead when we failed to make a tackle on several occassions, ball knocked long from right to far post and Bale climbed high above Cline to head back across goal which from our end didnt give boruc much chance. Had been a scare earlier when he failed to come and collect and the ball went tamely behind, doesnt look to be any better than Davis or Gazzinger to be honest. Saints didnt have many chances, dont think we had a corner in the first half and struggled to make any impression. If we had gone in just one down might have been okay but then 5 min before half time another soft goal given away. No one tackled defoe, his poor shot should have been saved by Boruc but Fonte managed to clear but went straight to Dempsey 2 yards out to tap in.

Went in 2 down at half time, and those that did boo were probably due to the lack of fight from Saints. being outclassed is one thing but out fought there is no excuse.

Second half proved what can be done even in the premiership if you go after the opposition. More direct approach and Puncheon had a shot though off balance within a couple of minutes which at least gave the crowd hope, chanting we are southampotn we shoot when we want That did set the tone though Fox had a long range shot which went over the top but at least seeing some effort. Mayuka came on for Puncheon who i thought had a poor game as he did at WHam, he is to inconsistent for me and would rather have an out and out winger or a midfield player who can tackle.

Saints though were putting Spuds under pressure from a free kick from Fox a header from looked like from Yoshida was headed off the line but saints took the lead from the corner. Fox again but taken low and Fonte at the near post flicked on but blocked at near post. Ball then fell to Rodrigues who took his chance well and scored into the far side of the goal. Looked like Adkins was going to change with guly ready to come on but thankfully thought better off it. Game was quite open now as saints pushed forward and a few scares at our end but some good tackles from Yoshida who looked far more comforatble at CH. Rodrigues then had a shot which went wide of the near post as saints maintained the pressure. Adkins then took of Fox for Reeves (assume an injury) and Guly for Davies. Would have prefrerred to see ward prowse come on instead of Guly. Saints had one ball went straight across the face of the goal but no one there to put the finishing touch. Spuds were rattled at the back and another poor referee allowed them off the hook to many times with poor decsions as they fell over at the slightest touch. Not quite enough class at the end to get what actually would have been a deserved equaliser. Adkins has to ask why the Jeckle and Hyde performance. Terrible first half much better second. Mayuka had an impact maybe he should get a start but then does have an impact when he comes on just get him on early enough. Rodrigeus had a decent game, rickie was terrible first half better second half. defence looked a bit better second half they need time to play togther. We do need someone with presence in midfield, to easily knocked of the ball and Davis slowed the game down to many times for me today.

Boruc 5 doesnt look any better than Kelvin or gazzinger to be honest, no point hacking the fans off as well!
Fox 6 decent game got caught a few times out of position but up against a decent attack
Fonte 6 okay for most of the game
Yoshida 6 much better hast week, needs to play alongside Fonte more
Cline 6 better second half when he got forward more
Puncheon 5 poor first half didnt contribute much.
Davis 5 livened up 2nd half but passes go sideways or back to often
Schneiderlin 6 not one of his best games
Lallana 5 poor game for him didnt create much and his tackling is non existant.
Rodrigues 7 good second half was more of threat than Rickie.
Lambert 5 terrible first half but got into it more second

Sub
Mayuka 7 definitely created an impact
Reeves 6 did okay at LB
Guly 5 maybe to short to make an impression.

Sounds like Chapel end numpties, seats are normally empty so not regulars. apparently giving Boruc stick he threw his bottle at advertising boardings. Non story by the sound of it, no doubt the Echo will have on the back page!

some clowns (not many) near us booed when guly came on. I am not one of his fans but cannot see what the point is of booing your own player.

By the way most of the fans were very supportive today the booing was the odd exception. Still chanting for Adkins and applauded the players at the end. Fans will always respond positively when the players try their best and show some passion.

I fancy November could be vital....we have what appear to be a handful of games where we should be able to pick up some points. If we are still rooted in bottom 3 by end of next month I shall start thinking the worst.

Hopefully with lee, ramirez and cork fit we will have plenty of options, just cannot afford many injuries to defenders!

I hope we're not going to be as bad as Derby County in 2007/08