Once again a story of plenty of possession but few real chances.

Saints dominated most of this game but like the Plymouth game it was a case of plenty of approach play without really stretching the visiting keeper.

Once again the play was very one dimensional with Saints trying to play down the wings and Bolton dealing with the crosses fairly easily, and why does Rickie Lambert have to shoot from impossible distances all the time, can we not vary things a little.

Saints have to start applying the finishing touches to what sometimes is some great approach play, they have to start punishing sides and they have to stop making it easy for sides to sit back and defend with ease, so far this season has started exactly the same way as the last one, with 1 point from the first two games and a win and defeat in the Carling Cup, last season we had a few excuses, this term we have none, its time to start justifying our position as title favourites, the next ten days or so could be crucial for Alan Pardew, if he fails to win at Bristol on Saturday and adds another defeat to the stats at home to Swindon in the JPT, then the Rochdale game could be a very important crossroads.

Photo: Action Images

Verwoodsaint added 12:23 - Aug 25 Nick, would you PLEASE stop trying to cause unrest in the camp with your persistant 'noose' over the managers neck in all your latest articles. It is not positive at all and I put it up there with all the dicks in the ground who boo and slate players. Start giving off positive vibes and let's just see if that helps them eh? It certainly did against Bournemouth!
0

Spot51 added 12:29 - Aug 25 St. Ymied.
0

splurty added 13:05 - Aug 25 Nick I agreed with your analasis of the last two games but last night I thought we played really well ,so let's look at positives when we play well .ie martin at cb great prospect ,also Hammond was back firing on all cillinders and oxo cube again looked lively. Fingers crossed for gully to be as good as expected . But Bart should play all cup games at least, I'm suprised he signed a new contract !! Anyway coysashes

0

NineteenCanteen added 17:19 - Aug 25 I would agree completely with Nick's summary and feel we have become very predictable and easy to defend against apart from the odd occassion when Barnard has managed to fashion a chance for himself. Lambert is some way off his best but Connolly hasn't produced either and we need to buy a striker and another winger if we are to realise this season's widely held ambitions. Bristol is a critical game and perhaps we can play with some more freedom away from home and the pressure the manager tells us the team are struggling to cope with. Pressure of being favourites should be a lot easier to deal with and if anything a confidence booster than the pressure of relegation. Field the second XI vs Swindon and lets start creating some pressure for places in the first team and anthing but a win at home to Rochdale will I fear be the tipping point. So lets hope for 2 good wins in our next league games and a loss in the JPT but with some decent performances from members of the squad who never trouble the team announcer on match days.

0

Blogs 31 bloggers

Middlesbrough Polls