October 9th 2010
As Saints prepared to take on Tranmere at St. Marys, I prepared to make my TV debut in a football quiz on sky sports called Take it like a fan. Having been to work and back to Southampton by 11am, I was tired but ready to attempt to win £500 on the telly. I got down to St. Marys and met the presenters, John “Fenners” Fendley and the lovely Charlotte Jackson. Both were top people and calmed any nerves I may have had, Shame I messed up the question and lost my opportunity to win £500 by scoring a penalty on the hallowed turf!
The game itself was a mismatch from the first minute. Saints played Guly up front in place of the recently injured Lee Barnard. The rest of the team was normal with saints employing a 4-4-2 formation. I have seen some poor sides come to the home of football on many occasions, but Tranmere certainly staked their claim with an inept performance. Saints played with great flair and skill, we deservedly took the lead when Danny Butterfield played in a sublime cross to the back post where Rickie Lambert rose and powered home a stunning header. 1-0 at half time and it could have been many more! The second half started much like the first with Saints doing all the pressing, Our Brazilian import Guly was running the show with some lovely flicks and crossed to set up Lallana for a simple tap in. 2-0 it finished, however it could and should have been more with Lee Barnard guilty of a couple of shocking finishes. Overall a top day, I made my TV debut and Saints strolled to a convincing victory!
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| Charlotte, Me & Fenners. Take it like a FAN |
October 16th 2010
Saints faced a difficult trip to much fancied Huddersfield the following week and suffered a 2-0 defeat. Saints seemed to be the masters of their own failures and gave away 2 poor goals by overplaying at the back. Glad I missed this one!
October 23rd 2010
Yet again we faced a team who on paper we should be beating comfortably. Paul Dickov bought his Oldham team down to St Marys and we knew exactly what to expect! Oldham took on every attribute of their manager and produced a gritty, determined and at times dirty performance. Saints again started brightly and played a fast flowing attacking brand of football, when allowed!
Oldham took the lead in the first half with a decent move; all this after Saints had hit the post through Puncheon. Dan Harding could have done a lot better for the Oldham goal again making a poor decision in the box. Rickie Lambert again looked to be gaining in confidence and was playing an important role up top. Saints equalized on the brink of half time after Lallana won a free kick by the corner flag. The ball was crossed into the box and up rose Fonte to head home from 5 yards. 1-1 at half time.
The second half started with Guly chasing a long ball into the box and appearing to have been hauled down, the worst ref I have ever seen Andy D’Urso turned down the appeal. Now I have seen some bad refs in my time including Roger Milford and Alf Buksh but D’Urso showed why he has been taken off the premier league list with some ridiculous decision making. I think both teams were on the end of a couple of shockers. Saints made a change in the second half introducing the promising Chamberlain. Almost immediately he was dancing into the Oldham box and finishing low into the far corner. Just what we needed! Chamberlain again lit up the game late in injury time as he ran from inside his own half, beat 5 players and struck the post with another low drive! A well deserved, but hard fought 2-1 home victory, kept the Saints marching on in the right direction.
October 30th 2010
Yet again I missed the away trip to Notts County due to other commitments, Guess what, Saints come home with all 3 points. A great result considering Notts County had appointed Paul Ince as manager just a couple of days previous. New manager syndrome didn’t affect our surge up the table but a generous penalty decision worked in our favour as we scored 3 in the last half hour to claim a 3-1 victory.
November 2nd 2010
With Saints on a good run and looking like the pre season promotion favourites, we took on lowly Dagenham & Redbridge at St Marys. The Daggers are expected to be fighting relegation this season and this game highlighted why. Saints started with Chaplow and Chamberlain coming in for the out of touch Morgan and Puncheon.
Saints kicked off towards the Northam and from minute 1, it looked like we could score at will! Saints finally took the lead when Chamberlain did his full back and attempted what I would describe as a floated cross, the keeper mis-judged it and the watched helplessly as the ball drifted over him into the net. Saints continued to look for another and the same man extended the lead from a similar position, but this time I think he meant to lob the keeper. 2-0 at half time and young Chamberlain was running the show.
The second half was a similar story, Saints were less dominant than the first half but still scored two more lovely goals, with a flowing move setting up Bernie for simple tap in and then a wonderful left footed cross by chamberlain was powered home by Fonte for his second in as many home games.
On this sort of attacking form, I don’t think many teams at this level could have coped with our play. The power of Lambert, hard work and hold up play from Lee Barnard was superbly complimented by the pace of Chamberlain and the genius of Adam Lallana. The first touch, quick feet and intelligent play from Lallana was a joy to watch. Let’s get him signed up to a new contract please Mr Cortese!
My apologies for the lateness of this latest instalment but unfortunately work must come first in these hard times. I will make an effort to update you all on a more regular basis.
A big thank you to all those that have been able to read this and if you have any comments, good or bad please get in touch.
Special thanks to my very good friend Alan who is helping spread the word by advertising this blog on his own website. Please visit http://www.bellsofhythe.com/ for all your outdoor sports needs!
All the best
Neel
Good work Neel, keep it up.
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