Chez

why is it when saints play badly its always the managers fault?

Keiffer Moore probably out for the season. No bad thing for us.

Takes me back the when you could choose either the sitting or standing section at some grounds, the Dell included.

The centenary game against Everton at the Dell was the first time I'd seen us switch ends and unsurprisingly we lost (Everton were pretty decent back then). ASlways thought it was a bad omen from then onwards. Not sure it has turned out that way. I notice we switched ends on Sunday and obviously won.

I think scientists generally suggest at least 72 hours is needed for muscle tissue to repair, so it's not ideal playing Sunday/Wednesday.

i genuinely thought he was a leftie, but i think you might be right, which might explain he piss weak shot on sunday, although looking at his highlights video you could argue he is very two footed and perhaps not terribly strong at shooting with either

Interesting point. I keep wondering about this. Are managers (head coaches) actually difference makers? It's the players that play the game. Just because managers pretend to be ringmasters on the sideline doesn't mean their arm waving has any impact at all. I guess if you look at Tonda vs Still you could make an obvious case for the manager improving things despite the situation being the same. However, getting a proper keeper, target man up front and fit full backs has created a more favourable situation for Tonda, so is the situation really the same now? I do think managers can create an environment where players thrive. Martin and Southgate, both tactically naive, created environments for players that enabled them to put the past failures behind them.

It was a fucking atrocious pass. In addition to that, I thought he struggled a little yesterday to be honest. The time and space was far less than against Leicester, where he looked really good. And that lack of space meant he went backwards a little. I'm probably being a bit too harsh as it's not easy to get up to speed when coming on.

I was slightly concerned Larin might have become out nominated penalty taker, but thankfully not. Stewart seem to understand the role. If he's not on the pitch I'd have Bree and Manning ahead of Larin that's for sure.

nah he was cutting inside a lot before too. About one in five going outside onto his weaker foot sounds about right. Might be less than that. It needs to be more. When he does do it, the cross tends to be a little floaty, but sometimes that isn't a bad thing. He really does need to score every now and then. The chance he had on Sunday was a good one but considering he hit it with his left, was a really weak effort. He's only 22, so there is still a possibility that his finishing might improve, but equally what we see now might be what we get from here on in.

he's a mini Boruc for me.

Love it.

Wellington is not a great defender (he gets too tight, sells himself etc.), which is why Juric didn't pick him.

Over the course of the whole season, he hasn't been too bad. His first touch, ball retention and willingness to take the ball in tight areas and draw defenders to him has been very beneficial. He was our best player at right wing back for several games when Tonda came in. Personally, I have been pleasantly surprised by him, as when I have watched him the past for WBA I thought he looked really mediocre. I wasn't excited by his signing to be honest, as I could see why PL clubs didn't fancy him. I guess his more recent form, which hasn't been quite as bad as some are making out, is more aligned with what I had witnessed before. He can still play a major part in our promotion, but he needs to re-find his mojo a little.

I agree. Norwich game will be tough. They all will be, although WBA were absolutely pathetic against the Skates the other week, so you have to fancy us if we play to our potential.

How about the dream ending with us winning the cup, which might require WH/Brentford and Leeds getting two of the big boys and then beating them.

Away at WBA, midweek, desperately need a win. Getting slight 2005 vibes.

Watching the Port Vale game, I was thinking that playing on their rather muddy/heavy pitch is probably the last thing we need within a congested fixture list. The dream would be Port Vale winning their own quarter final against someone like Brentford and after beating Leeds, coming back from 3-0 down, we get them at Wembley in the semi final. Unfortunately, all the lessor teams are used up in that sequences of events, so it's a choice of Chelsea, Arsenal City or Liverpool in the final.

Last year, all four quarter final ties took place on the weekend (Saturday/Sunday). You would imagine it will be the same this year, so both our league games will need to be moved.

shame not to have bree playing on Wednesday as Jelert simply isn't good enough

bloody shame the last section of the putney end wasn't available. The club ought to explain why they didnt secure that last section.

our mixture of short and long passes, a target man and midfielders comfortable on the ball makes us a genuine threat. i thought the work rate of Downes was tremendous too.

Like us on the break. It's been years, decades maybe since I've ben able to say that.

if I was a Fulham fan i'd be annoyed at that starting eleven. Yet again they give up the chance of fa cup glory to rest players for PL money.

we are a totally different side with a target man and we currently have two that can play there. the squad looks really nicely balanced. plenty of depth. Confidence and togetherness. Really nice period to be watching Saints