Chez

The pass that gave the goal away was really poor. It was a bad decision and poor execution. It typified the many terrible `shoot yourself in the foot' moments we have witnessed this season, especially under RM, where players are trying to retain posession, play through the lines but fuck it up. He wont have made any new friends on here after that, but to his credit he did do everything he could to recover the situation, to no avail though. However, I read this week that `trying to recover personal errors seems to be the only time Saints players bust a gut'. And there might be something in that. The urgency when trying to regain posession is missing from the whole side. There is no hussle, not enough physicality and too many players that are nowhere near their opposite number. I didn't think Downes went through the motions, I just think he played like he has done all season - a failure to dominate or impact the game.

If we hand out the award now can announce the season to be over? #stopthecount

I can understand him playing a full back in one of the CB roles, but only having one natural CB seems like madness to me. Just the basic requirement to win headers at set pieces creates a need for a couple of big guys - goal conceded from a corner last night is a good example. When Koeman used five, we had Bertrand and that extra pace was very useful, but you also need guys that understand the position and the different movement opponents make. Aribo, bless him, tries hard, but he gets dragged all over the place and then the ball behind him is easy. Forwards feint to go short then actually go long and he is immediately done. One of the biggest issues is the amount of space opponents have. Three CBs should fill gaps, but ours seem bigger than ever. It wasn't exposed as much last night - Palmer made a few runs through the middle that were a massive problem. Was the man to man knocked on the head last night? It's hard to tell, we are that bad at it. I can't stand 5 at the back, so would welcome a change, but your 4-4-2 could easily be 4-2-4 with those players - which seems bold for such as shit defensive side. Fernandes as one of the two CMs wont work as he drives forward and leaves huge holes behind him. Dibling and Sulemena defensively are a concern. I worry about us getting out if we are playing a short game. For me you need extra men in CM to enabke you to beat a high press. Having no one to recev the ball in midfield was a massive problem against Brighton. The question I would also have is how are we getting the ball to Onuachu. Are we going more direct and will he and Archer work as a pair? The big man small man used to work, but does it now? I'd perhaps look to flood the central area. Maybe Aribo in there too as Dibling is struggling to see enouhg ball to make an impact. Ramsdale KWP THB ABK Wellington Les Fernandes Downes Dibling Sulemena Onuachu

He was poor in the 2022/23 relgation season, excellent last season against lessor oponents and OK this. He's still very good on the ball, but he's not quick enough to cope with some of fastest wingers' acceleration. He's still a lot better than all the other options we have, on both sides...which explains why we are struggling. I don't think he is going through the motions, he's just less impactful going forward at this level and has more to do defensively, so we see less of his attacking stuff. Don't get me wrong, I am not happy with the performances of the team and individuals, but playing badly isn't always down to poor attitutude, not trying etc. Often it's just that they aint very good, lacking confidence and unsure what they ought to be doing. The collective shitness prevents them excelling. The days of being able to smash into someone to show you care are gone, which often makes them look like they are not committed. A good example of that was Les on Saturday. He got an early booking and from then on he hardly made a tackle. If you had missed the card, then you'd of thought he just didnt give a fuck, but he had to be really cautious - which aint what you want from you holding defensive midfielder. His game was fucked from minute 2 on.

That's a pretty big positive. Going up means we have another two chances (proper parachute payments) to get a decent side together.

Believe it or not, there was a bit more fight and effort tonight than there was Saturday. Not saying much I know, but it was the errors that really hurt us tonight. We are so naive and so stuck in our ways. I actually see very little difference between Juric and Martin's side other than Sulemana and Onuachu playing.

Aribo tries, but he's not a defender. In Juric's defence, players like THB and Wellington jut haven't been very good. You'd still have to start THB ahead or Aribo.

Better than Saturday. Just. The errors were worse, but at least we got out of our own half a few times. Perhaps that was down to Chelsea being less organised than Brighton. I expected defeat, but when we start brightly it gets your hopes up. I should have learned by now.

he needs the ball. He's not much of a player without it.

People jump on Smallbone's back for the slightest thing, but that was embarrassingly bad.

So shit from Manning there. Woeful shot and then sells himself completely and from then on we are fucked.

I agree, but ABK really is poor. The thought of it being just him and THB must just be too scary for Juric.

Why didn't he start?

Yep. 15 minutes of fun. Chelsea actually looked a little nervy (their fans were a little restless) and you think to yourself, if we were a half way decent side, we'd take these guys today...but we ain't. We are fucking shit.

If you say so. I think it was just a poor decision and poor application. That's what `not quite good enough' players in a struggling side do in an attempt to keep the ball.

killer. Trying to play it, which is always admiral, but the decision-making is just not good enough. That's been the story all season. Players just not good enough and making errors that get punished.

I'll be amazed if he doesn't get one soon.

Looked like he was the wrong side of his man, but he at least stuck his head where it hurts to try and recover, but was second best.

Aribo, ABK and Bree again. Bloody hell.

I've been saying it for ages - on any given day, the very top sides like Liverpool and previously City, could easily score 10 against many teams. We need to dig in tonight.

They marmalised us last time, but took their foot off the gas massively. They are out of form, but still worry we might get another beating.

He's bound to change it tonight, but not sure it will make any difference, what with all the injuries, Les being unavailable (not that he was any good on Saturday) and the side looking totally beaten and devoid of confidence.

I used to get a bit annoyed at Ralph for changing the formation 5 times in one half as I felt he was confusing the players a little, but now we pick the same formation and never deviate from it during the entire game. Is Juric worried his players might be confused, because to be frank, I am not sure we'd fucking notice.

Unless he has a relegation release, we still hold all the cards, but then it's down to our financial situation. God knows what that looks like, but in the summer of 2023 we seemed to set significant valuations on players and then seemed to stick by them.

you are right, it was 2023. I guess that was a good decision. I suspect our valuation would have gone up a year later and his desire to leave would be non existent.