Despite a poor first half where County had the better of the game we deserved better after a second period which we dominated, could and should have scored more. Again comment must be made of the referee. Again a shocker, gives what he imagines he sees as opposed to what actually happens and costs the Dale 2 points with a shocking decision to allow their final goal in the 5th minute of 4 additional minutes. Just wonder why we shut up shop late on and didn't continue to take the game to a team which was looking well beaten. The old adage of playing in the opposition half still holds for me. Not keen on having to comment on referees but it happens too often I'm afraid, some shockers!

0

Oh my, a manager that fits the tactics around the players he has available and not forcing players to play roles they are not used to playing because he has no plan B......... wouldn't have happened last year.

Good result against a good team. I believe they are one of the teams we will be fighting with for a European place at the end of the season so 3 good points.

Nice to see us passing the ball around again and you could see the confidence coming back as the game moved on.

Great game for Harrison Reed, not the most gifted with the ball but he sure knows how to make a tackle and what an engine he has. very impressed. My MOM

0

worst officials I've ever seen.

1

Have I been proved to be wrong over Mane? Well, up to a point Lord Copper! Nothing like a spell on the bench plus some new boots for Christmas to get a striker back into form. An excellent pass from JWP but he still had a lot of work to do to score the first goal, and credit where its due, he did very well with it. Thereafter, confidence seeping through his veins, he got better still. The Telegraph says that the Palace were awful but having watched the game, I can't say I agree. We were certainly better than them but they carried a goal threat throughout the game and deserved their consolation goal. Looking forward to Chelsea now - what odds do you think I would get for a three-nil win to Saints?

2

Good win. We dominated immediately after the break and it paid with two goals. No doubt about it, Mane looked far better today than I've seen before (in England). The way he turned Ward for the Bertrand goal was brilliant. There were some worries. Yoshida was very careless with some of his passing. Clyne got caught out of position towards the end and Palace did cause us some problems. Had it gone to 2-3 I think we might have folded. Forster had one of his "Should I stay or should I go games". Gardos didn't convince me however, I'm not a Fonte fan - he gives 100% but he is prone to make errors and mistime tackles. Bertrand had possibly his best game and it's a shame he's out against Chelsea. Pelle worked tirelessly, held the ball up well and generally bossed Palace in the air. The star of our show was Alderweireld. Unlike Schneiderlin he was interested throughout the game. McCarthy is another competent youngster. We might succumb to Chelsea but Arsenal is a fair target for where we are now.

-2

How we were only 1 down by half time was a surprise. Niko was awful until we got the man advantage.

Mutch was appalling and offered us nothing in every aspect of his game. There must be a decent footballer I there as mates were saying what a great player he could be.

So players who were given an opportunity to shine could not rise to the occasion. So frustrating but we should have got a point in the end

0

Halftimeorange Your report was nearly spot on but I think your criticism of Gardos,Yoshida and Schneiderlin unfair.

0

At last I've seen a Saints team that can play 3 at the back ... and it works because of Toby playing the sweeper so well. Well done to Maya and Florin too for looking so good. We were were good when Nat & Ryan got forward and looked vulnerable when they hung back and let Palace come on to us. Sadio answered his critics today, JWPs dead ball play excellent. RoKos half-time talk won us the game by stimulating the 2nd & 3rd goals after the break. Great day out and thanks to Saints for cheap coach travel, free lunch packs and Santa hats

1

Some luck yes. But great defending throughout the team. Well organised, putting bodies on the line etc as good a defensive performance as I have seen from Saints in a very long time. Another great goal from Mane.

1

awful game of football, Palace were dreadful, but were the better side

0