07 Mar 2020 20:42:03
Just have to say all though we lost today
Today's game had the best atmosphere
I can remember for a few seasons at home
Ref played his part in that as did VAR but
I go to football to get excited and to have something to talk about when I leave the ground apart from how bad the game was
But
Well done lads you showed commitment today.

1.) 07 Mar 2020
07 Mar 2020 21:58:50
I felt sorry for Djenopo today. He was clearly off the pace before 'that' tackle. I've never been one to disagree with ref decisions just because it effects a Saints player; this one i couldn't make my mind up about. Yes it was an awful coming together, but the direction of travel of his foot didn't deviate. the opposing player came in one direction and Djenopo another and they came together.
Anyway, onto the game. After a not so good first half, we were totally controlling the game in the second half. The interplay between defence and midfield was exceptional. The two times we very cleverly worked an opining and were away, their player pulled us back.
Valery had flashes of his old self, but he was over complicating passes, trying to be too clever in the wrong areas of the pitch .

Effort from players and fans was amazing .

2.) 08 Mar 2020
08 Mar 2020 10:01:01
I think the red was the right decision. However, we've seen them not given on plenty of occasions this season. I think the referee puts himself in an awkward position for the rest of the game as he used the monitor to make decisions (as I think the officials should) . However, he doesn't then use it for the penalty. Which, I don't think should have been a penalty as Saint-Maximin pulled Boufal in the build-up, which caused the ball to hit his arm. Justice was done as McCarthy saved the penalty. Then you had Manquillo's tackle on Bertrand, which they didn't even look at? It was late and he's two-footed him in the chest and he's late, I think that tackle was more intentional then Djenpo's.

I didn't think we were ever going to win with 10 men, but everyone put a shift in, Ings chased absolutely everything. Both CB's did a great job and even though Valery made a mistake leading to the goal, he had a very good game. It was always going to be a difficult game for him as Saint-Maximin is one of the fastest wingers in the league. I think the difference came when they brought Joelinton as that allowed Almiron to drop deeper, where he plays better. It's promising how strong our back 4 has become and how much better we defend with JWP and PEH as our holding midfielders. We missed Armstrong and Redmond today, Boufal is a good player but he gave the ball away in a lot of good areas. He's got a chance though in the upcoming weeks to make his case to become a first-team player.

3.) 08 Mar 2020
08 Mar 2020 15:21:04
One person I forgot to mention was Long. When he was coming on for bit parts here and there, his effort his his inadequacies. Now he is on the pitch from the start, he just seems to fall over, argue with the officials and do very little else than be a pain in the arse to the opponents.
I think it’s time to pair Che Adams with Ings- Che is a very intelligent footballer, holds the ball up superbly and a great passer .