28 Dec 2014 16:15:29
What a result for the team, that will be a massive boost to them for such a workmanlike performance going into the Arsenal game. Once again not at full strength but the players all rose to the occasion. The ref gave us very few favours bar the Targett Fabregas situation which on other days would have certainly be given as a penalty however with what the rest of the second half threw at us we deserved that slice of luck. Plus Chelsea didn't really grab at any clear cut chances thanks to the defensive effort so the draw was much deserved.
28 Dec 2014 17:37:12
Well I suppose we have to say what a good point but we really pushed our luck. We had no width at all without both of our superb full backs. I will get slaughtered but thought Targett was pretty poor today and we were lucky with the penalty decision. However he was a very poor ref and kept giving them free kicks when they just fell over like prima donnas so maybe justice was done. We will not have a tougher game this season and if Clyne is fit for the Arsenal game we will give them a tough time. I feel really sorry for Pelle he gave everything today but had no one to lay the ball off to. I wouldn't worry too much with the Arsenal game as I think he might start with Ward Prowse and Harry Reed who will be fresh and maybe leave Davis out who looked knackered and maybe had a knock. Seven points out of nine so far is good considering our poor run recently. I was disappointed with the amount of times Wanyama gave the ball away, I thought he had sorted himself out over this. Four days break and just got a feeling we will look a different side come New Years Day. Lastly I thought Tadic was rubbish again groin strain or not !
That's a fair enough evaluation, but for me I cannot be that critical of the players. For me they met they're targets for the day, to disrupt Chelsea's play in the final third, keep Diego Costa quiet and manage to hold off defeat even when the ball is more or less in your half of the pitch for the entire second half. That point is potentially worth more than some of the wins we have had this season, compare it with the teams around us, only both of the Manchester teams have matched it.
That's a harsh assessment of Targett, Chris. He made one mistake - and even that was unfortunate as he slipped - but got away with it (thanks to yet another incompetent referee). Aside from that he slotted in quite nicely, didn't look out of place.
He didn't offer the same attacking threat that Bertrand brings, but then again he's a 19 year old making his debut against the best team in the league and Saints didn't do a whole lot of attacking in any case.
It's hard to be critical of Targett when Saints' main weakness and point of almost every Chelsea attack was down the other side, where first Yoshida and then Alderweireld couldn't cope with Hazard (who is, admittedly, a fantastic player - he can dance away from just about anyone he pleases). Hopefully Clyne will be available soon as the lack of options at right back were seriously exposed.
Anyway, a hard won point. They matched Chelsea stride for stride in the first half and who knows what might've happened if they'd held onto their lead until the interval. The equaliser certainly put a spring in Chelsea's step while taking the wind out of Saints' sails.
(No idea how Tadic is still allowed to take set pieces. He's appalling at them. )
4th at the turn of the year? Nice. "They" said Saints were only in the top four because they haven't played anyone good yet - well, they've played everyone now and are still in the top four. So what will tomorrow's excuse be?
Onwards.
Dont over analyse it gents. We got a point against the league leaders and more importantly we didn't lose a televised match! My gooner mate will be ****ing a brick now!
29 Dec 2014 08:40:08
Perhaps Jose should speak to his players about their theatricals, as it may irritate refs. and not give them 50:50 decisions later in the game??!!
But that's not going to happen is it, because it would mean the media had to report on a great match rather than one incident.
Did i watch a different match? Targett had Schurlle (the world cup winner) so deep in his pocket (on his PL debut) Mourinho subbed him off. 4 clearances, 2 interceptions, 1 key interception. To quote ESPN "you could be forgiving for thinking matt targett was making his 100th appearance"
29 Dec 2014 14:00:50
Just comparing him to Bertrand, to me there is no comparison. Having watched Targett before he will not come forward at all, we had three centre halves and Morgan that would have covered his position. I just feel as good as Chelsea were we played far too deep and had no width. Don't get me wrong I rate Targett but I don't think he is the finished article yet by a long way, he won't commit himself to the tackle when we are under pressure. He was doing ok against Schurlle but to be fair he was off his game so Jose thought he was going to win the game by swamping the midfield which nearly worked.
29 Dec 2014 16:00:28
Do you mean the same Bertrand who played in the Champions league and has numerous EPL games under his belt?? Should there be a comparison??
Not sure if you have enjoyed a honeymoon yet chrisdownj, or if you have that to look forward to, but some lady (or other, to be politically correct) has/will get a terrible report because s/he was not the finished article!!
As a supporter, I love it that we have a club who bring young players from the academy into the first team and give them a chance. If they are not the finished article should we be surprised or should we support Man City/Chelsea?
Bale was not a finished article when he first played for Saints, and I suspect Messi was the same at Barcelona.
Perhaps this is why we will be signing Bertrand?
30 Dec 2014 12:23:32
Saint Martin my wife is very happy with me by the way lol. You mention Bale not being the finished article when with us, I agree and if anything his problem was that we couldn't stop him coming forward which was a problem defensively, he was a creator and scored some incredible goals. We have a back line that can cover the full backs and in our recent history we have always played with overlapping full backs. He has to get forward more because these days that is the way sides play that don't use natural wingers. I agree he is a good prospect but not a patch on Shaw at this stage of his development and just personally feel he will become a good dependable player but nothing out of the ordinary.
30 Dec 2014 16:30:25
I don't disagree with you chrisdownj, but suspect we might see more of Targett going forward as and when he plays in a back 5.
Until then, or he gains more experience I suspect he is being told to concentrate on his defensive responsibilities. Only time will tell as each young player is different, but everyone forgets quickly how other youngsters fared when they started out. Correct me if I am wrong, but didn't Shaw initially require subbing every game for quite a few games because of problems with cramp?? Even Clyne looked a long way off special when he joined.
Unless Bertrand is out with injury for much of the second half of this season I suspect we will not see enough of Targett to judge him fully until well into next season. But if we do play a back 5 more he is likely to play more as playing as a wing back is much more tiring, as Bertrand recently admitted.
Targett will get his run in the rotation we will have to use on the road to F. A cup glory
31 Dec 2014 13:38:43
If it seems I am being tough on Matt Targett I apologise, I don't mean it to come over as a major negative. I just personally don't feel he has the X factor as was obvious with Luke Shaw and I do agree that Shaw was a bit of a nightmare with constant minor injuries which has hampered his progress. On the same subject, I don't think anybody had a clue how Clyne/Bertrand would be missed so badly and how they are many ways major pieces in our team jigsaw. I just hope Yoshida doesn't play full back against Arsenal because the likes of Sanchez and the Ox will murder him with skill and instant pace.
Very wrong. targett is a greater prospect than shaw.
And i think you are thinking of a yoshida before koeman
01 Jan 2015 20:40:30
Just a quick question. If Targett is a better prospect than Shaw why have we not already had 20million plus enquiries for him ? A response on your statement ref: Yoshida and Koeman I must admit I don't have a clue what you are talking about so please clarify as I must be missing something.