Stoke were just on a damage limitation exercise - not interested in playing football

1

Perhaps Gardos should have been in the starting line-up. Crouch always won the high ball and often Stoke won the second ball. A very tall defender like Gardos ,who is also a fine player may have been the answer, but we won so what the heck

0

Nothing to say about the first half other than it was very poor. Their opening goal came when Obita lost his marker, Delfouneso, from a throw in and from his cross, Murray's header somehow got away from Lewis.
The second half improvement, such as it was, was entirely due to the arrival of Ranger, who looked sharp and has a better first touch than anyone in our squad. For 15/20 minutes there was hope that we could rescue a point against a Reading side out of form and short on confidence. Even Delfouneso raised his game, but the few chances we did create fell to the wrong men, with Oriol and Clarke firing inches wide and Clarke and Lundstram failing to make any meaningful contact. I did not really see their second, but got the impression that Lewis could have done better, and the third was a clear penalty committed out of frustration by a player who seconds earlier had fluffed his lines in their box.
Ranger certainly made a difference. Surely he must start alongside Miller against Ipswich. Almost anyone could have gone off at half time to make way, and Zoko was no worse than many others. The decision to play arguably our most effective player Perkins at left back makes no sense to me, and even less to keep him there after he was booked. What message does this send to Dielna,who spent his afternoon on the bench ? I don't see what Lundstram or Mendy bring to the party and Delfouneso is not the promising England Under 21 international of two years ago. There is just a lack of quality throughout the squad.
After Cardiff, I thought we could get out of this, but now I can't find three teams to finish below us.

0

I thougt Pelle was superb all over the pitch, except for his finishing. Even then, he has hit the woodwork twice. How he got to that header beween 2 Stoke defenders was just brilliant, but then missed the target with an easier heade. Some of the long range efforts were wayard, maybe he was too tired to run any further forward, having run himself into the ground, always being available as an outlet from midfield, and then having received the ball shielded it superbly well and some of his passing was top notch. Wouldn't be surprised if he gets a breather on Weds. Fonte and Morgan looked a bit jaded 2nd half and were quite sloppy in possession several times. Another 2 to have a rest maybe? Long, Gardos and Big Vic covering ain't too shabby at all.
What a masterclass Substitution bringing on Big Vic was.

0

Decent report from Bob

0

A poor start before the hoops began to wake up to the fact that Villa - Sanchez excepted - were a very poor team and getting amongst them might well result in a victory. Honourable mention for Austin who is some ways was not having a good game - but he kept plugging and two fine finishes followed.

Unfortunately i missed 15 minute of the second half as my eyes were obscured by tears of laughter over the fat bloke in the front of the Villa supporters -1 Losing his rag at the ribbing 2. being assaulted by his missus 3. his missus being removed 4. Oops she left her bag for him to take 5 his eventual departure. I have been a moaning git about the Rs this season - hands up - but that 15 minutes of hilarity enjoyed with my 12 year old son restored me and reminded me why i usually enjoy going to a game at loftus road.

0

Pelle gets 10 for celebrating with the fans!

1

It is quite hard to comment on this game having only watched it on a pretty jerky dodgy website (albeit with Dutch commentary which was great fun to listen to - in so far as I could understand it they seemed to really like the Saints) but for what its worth I thought that the team looked pretty comfortable for most of the game and for some lengthy periods, especially in the second half, were playing some very silky football. The most reliable account is probably in the Telegraph (they don't hate us unlike the Grauniad and the BBC) and their reporter through that Saints were good for the win and that it was a well-deserved result.

I would be very interested in hearing what those actually at the match thought.

One thing is for sure - the only crowd noise on the Dutch feed was from the Saints fans!

0

Great game, up to fourth

0

Also had p poor streaming but at least it was English commentary. ! Missed the goal… Did manage to see replays though. Great control by Vic. Many players get a rush of blood in a situation like that. Angle from behind the goal really shows the spin on the ball.

Overall, another grind out win but Hull never really had a sniff to be fair. Again, we looked solid at the back and more in control then against Stoke. Gave Hull more possession than most teams but I assume that was the tactic to try to draw then out and catch them on the counter. Pity Mane missed a sitter. Like the Spuds game. Maybe he's better outside the 6 yard box..

Hull's tactic seemed to be to put pressure down our left side in the first half as that kept Tadic out of the game , came off with 15 or so minutes to go. Not his best match. I hope he's not injured from the rake down the heel by Diame who wasn't even booked.

A good win and a deserved 3 points. More of a solid defensive display this one rather than the usual attacking display. Signs of a well rounded side.

Well done to the 1500 or so fans who made the trip and were in good voice!

We march on!!

0