Chez

Scouting is still about `knowing' players. Specifically knowing how good they are. Evaluating them is essential, especially when they are young, from lower leagues and other leagues, and a real skill too. It's not hard to spot young talent, they stand out, but will they stand out when they move into senior football or step up a division? We knew about AA as did every other team in the Premiership. They will all have evaluated him and decided if he was for them or not. Seems like we were pretty much the only ones that thought he was the man for the job. Is getting players to come the real skill? Money usually talks.

Saints tried to sign Aribo in the summer of 2018. Both manager and scout Thomas Rekus were with us back then. Seems likely that he never left our radar and we finally got our man this summer. As head of recruitment Shields will have been involved in all deals in some way or other, we have had a transfer committee after all (or did that go out the window this summer?), but in terms of us wanting the player and driving the chase for him, I'd of guessed that Rekus and Ralph will have pushed for that more than Shields?

Hmmm. I don't actually know what this so called `play book' of ours is, but how hard can it be to take on board? If we are talking about a play book like the NFL uses, which has a vast array of plays requiring very specific positioning and movement of players, then new players to an NFL team pick them up in about two weeks. How hard can it be for our players to understand where they should be with and without the ball in the various thirds of the pitch? It's been 9 weeks since Edozie joined. If he hasn't worked it out by now, he never will. Do we press any more? Not noticed it. Do we even play 4222 (lets be honest, its just 4-4-2) any more either?

I also think Edozie should be playing more even of its still from the bench. So far he has got just 17 minutes against Wolves (where he looked sensational), 11 v villa, 23 v Everton, 16 v West Ham, 0 v Bournemouth and 10 v Arsenal. For a side that creates pretty much fuck all, that's not enough. The discussion above has centred around a choice between between Moi and Edozie, but as he mostly plays on the right. Aribo and Amstrong are all getting a lot of game time with little return, perhaps the merits of their selection ahead of Edozie should be discussed. As for Edozie not providing the left back with any cover, I am not sure that's true, but if we are playing five at the back and three central midfielders, does he have to track back to help Perraud all the time? Shouldn't we have two or three players that get some license to bomb on?

Ideal to play the wingback role (as he did at Forrest) we are currently deploying rather than as a standard right back.

He has scored in 3 of the last four games agains us, including the 90th minute winner last season. They obviously have other attacking talent, even Ayew caused all sorts of problems with his pace at SMS last season, but Zaha has been difficult to stop. He's a very good player, and our issues at RB don't help. If we go three at the back, then that space behind the fullback is where he resides, so our lads better know what they are doing.

you thought he `didn't look interested' or `up for it' when at Saints? My eyesight must be on the wane, as that isn't something that I spotted. Poor touch and ineffective, certainly, but looking like he's not bothered? I didn't identify that trait.

don't get that either, although we have been playing AA left wing, so we obviously needed someone to play there too, as well as someone to play down the middle. I bet we tried with others too. We won't have made an offer for Delap got a no and then given up on a striker. No idea who though.

He isn't very quick and got done (and will be from time to time in the future). I suppose if you have been done, you have no choice but to foul otherwise its an `after you' type scenario and he ain't that kind of guy.

Why not? He did OK when he came on.

good to read a positive post. With our attack and need to play five at the back and two holding midfielders to keep it tight, I think scoring goals is going to be a struggle all season, but maybe we can find a way. Maybe.

its hardly the performance that makes an owner think, yeah now is the time to sack the manager.

don't get the animosity toward Theo. I was fine with him coming on and he did well. It's not as though the players coming off are any better.

minimum.

Adams did look like he was going easy when he came on, but strange to play him at all if there was a concern. Ideal time to give Ballard a run out perhaps. If Mara can't get ahead of an injured Adams, that is also a concern.

Nice to se us show some grit and turn that game around. Lyanco led the way, but CC also was more than happy to be physical. We have a couple of players not happy to say "after you". Salisu another.

great move that. Edozie gives us a threat and control of the ball and others can make runs off him. More of that needed.

"Players clearly don't want to play for the manager." What a load of fucking bollocks. Great effort in the second half. Whatever was said at half time worked a treat. Well done Saints.

limey three Arsenal players at back post and no sainst players. Got away with that

where have they found five minutes from?

I struggle to understand why Edozie does not get more minutes.

more coaching during a stoppage from Arteta. Another goal for us coming hopefully.

at least he has given us an out ball by running the channels.

few leggy Saints players out there now. Diallo ad JWP not getting anywhere near opponents.

thank fuck for that.