Saint Fan CaM

Who?

Err what? Baz is our best keeper?! How many goals have been scored against since Alex has been in goal - 1? We were leaking goals like no tomorrow with leaden legs Baz in goal…he’s certainly not the best and I would argue even Lumley is the better keeper. No, the reason Baz was played was to save the blushes of the person who recruited him!

The only reason I can see for Mara being played is the same reason Baz had such a long run - the club need him to be in the shop window ready for the summer sales (whether we get promoted or not). Nothing has changed - we’re still a club that needs to turn a profit on youngsters and keeping Mara even on the bench will not serve a purpose. So if Che or AA are not fit for Friday, expect to see Mara in the team ahead of Ross S. If we go 4 at the back then I would definitely chose Bree who is more likely to contain their attack then Manning who I thought looked leggy and positionally suspect (as usual). Brom seemed to target that side a fair bit knowing full well it’s our weaker side. I thought Aribo and Downes did a great job in midfield, although I would like to see a little more speed in transition to attack their box - I think they’ve got some suspect defenders but we didn’t exploit those weaknesses enough.

It was an acceptable performance and keeps us in the hunt for round two. Surprised no-one has mentioned the ugly gaping wound on AA’s cheek…it looked bad and I truly hope he’s not missing on Friday. Whatever the question, Mara is not the answer…he provides very little and I am very surprised that he gets the nod over Dibling or even Sully. Back five worked really well and Sky mentioned that KWP was like having another midfield attacker. Stephens needs to cut out the stupid risky long passes that gift possession in dangerous counter situations…a better team like Leeds or Norwich would have punished us. Thought Alex Mc was very good - Baz would not have got to the goal line save given his legs are made of lead. If RM gets it right in terms of recovery and finds a way of improving our goal threat on Friday we should be OK. But this is the play-offs with all its theatre and I can see it going to pens which will likely be the doing of us. 2-1 Saints.

Or if you’re a Saints supporter, more a case of receding into the distance and over the horizon outa sight? 😉

Will both semi legs be televised?

I think the key point here is SR have risked much on an immediate return to the Prem. Not achieving that will leave a huge hole in the finances that will need plugging somehow. Guess what the most liquid asset the club holds is?

Thing is, Martin was not inexperienced. He was known to have a particular style of management/coaching which suited the club strategy (remember, he was hired by Jason W), had Championship experience at a high level with Swansea and they spent money either keeping good players here (KWP) or bringing in good players (Downes, Fraser etc), meaning that in theory he should do better than his time at Swansea. He’s done that and to a large extent helped recover the terrible vibe around the club from last season by winning many more games. The problem he’s faced is there are 3-4 very strong other Managers/teams in the league also. I don’t think SR / Dragan have the funds to inject to maintain things as they stand - there will be what some will call a firesale in the summer with our best players gone to fund the debt. And unless there’s a buy-out we’ll be back where we were years ago pre-Markus playing largely kids, but don’t hold your breath for a saviour this time. I’m no Nostradamus but I’d hazard a guess that promotion is vital. Mind you, that still brings problems…where’s the money coming from to buy new players fit for the Prem?

I’m not claiming ITK status - don’t need to. Yes, I’ve been told by someone away from this forum our financial situation is not healthy without a return to the Prem. Players of Downes talent/pricing will likely be a pipe-dream if we don’t go up. The debts left by Goa are substantive apparently and need servicing due to crippling interest. If you think otherwise that’s fine.

Unless he comes on a free we’ll not be signing him in the Championship. We’re broke without a return to the Prem.

My thoughts entirely. SR might be thinking that now is the best chance of divesting itself of a big debt laden club, albeit one with the promise of the millions on offer in the Prem. Trouble is, the debt will still be hanging around like a bad smell even in the Prem unless a super rich buyer steps in. I wonder what the club is valued at for a sale now?

I dread to think how the summers transfer business will proceed. Promotion will require up to 7 new Prem level players capable of playing in a RM system, but without the funds to acquire such players. Failure to get promotion will see an exodus of players to gain funds and a massive reduction in quality. Anyone dreaming of top level purchases will be sadly disappointed - we’ll be shopping in the bargain basement. Either way, it’s going to be another roller coaster ride.

It is critical that we win through to the final and then win in the final at Wembley. There’s so much riding on our promotion to the Prem from a financial point of view because of debt left by Goa and failure to go up will cast a huge shadow, so much so that we could find ourselves in deeper shit than our previous relegation if that were possible. Sports Republic have gambled everything on an immediate return to the Prem…failure is not an option, so we must hope RM and his coaches are on their best form to rouse the squad to perform at the highest level. The stakes could not be higher - a cosy life in the Championship is not an option. COYS!

Completely agree - I really thought RM had lost it putting Fraser at LB…but he did really well. I also thought Aribo had an exceptional game too…didn’t put a foot wrong, fantastic hold-up play, passing great, movement great…my MOTM.

Brum relegated. Nice to get the double over dirty Leeds .