St Louis

He wanted out, managed to leave for a while, didnt want to come back or play for us in The Championship, bridges burnt. I'm happy that we choose to play the players who want to be here, even if some of those who want out are superior (which Edozie probably isnt).

Tabloid press state that Wrexham want to buy him, and suddenly people say on here that his heart is not in it!? Maybe he does fancy a change (or feel under-appreciated, given we loaned him out last season) but he certainly looked like his heart was in it against the Skates to me, he was closing down and running his socks off all match. On another day he has a goal or two, but I wouldnt say missing those chances (the first was a brilliant save BTW) means his heart isnt in it. His confidence may be a little low after a bit of a drought, but I hate the way this gets changed to 'his heart not being in it' on here. In his last Championship season for Blackburn he scored 29 goals, he scored 24 goals for us in our promotion season (including the winner at Wembley) and this season he already has 11 (only one player in the whole division has scored more!) I've never understood why we under-appreciate his goals and effort so much. We also know that he's performed better for us when out wider in a front 3, but this season with Downs being a flop and Stewart only just returning, he's been forced to play through the middle, and he's still delivered. I'd love to see Stewart stay fit and firing as the focal point, with Armstrong drifting behind or wider. And when/if needed, we know he can also do a job up top on his own, as he's done this year (when we play to his strengths), so he's also versatile in a squad. There arent many better at this level to guarantee goals, and I dont trust we could find or afford better personally. I wouldnt be so hasty to bin him off, be careful what you wish for (Archer, Downs, Brereton Díaz, etc...)

Only 5 teams have scored more than us this season! Its keeping them out at the other end that's been the bigger problem.

Perhaps, but I loved it! Its derby day and I love seeing some proper challenges flying in, it also raised the atmosphere of our fans too. I was starting to think Downes didnt care or want to be here, but that challenge made me fall back in love with him again. Show a bit more fight/commitment for the remainder of the season, and I think we will see better results for it.

Cole Palmer would 100% be making subs in Subway!

Love these both! ❤️

Nice work, I really like that! Give it a v-neck and for me it's near on perfect 👍

I'm not trying to dig you out BTW, just wondering how people know these kind of behind the scenes things, and be so categoric that its happening and specifically by whom? I dont disagree we have plenty of d*ckheads in the squad, who dont like criticism (Wood) or being dropped or not being allowed to leave (Downes) and dont look like they care. I also don't disagree that its been pathetic and disorganised for far too long. And Yes there are things in front of our eyes that confirm we look poor every week and have a lack of leadership on and off the pitch. But your point was that 'THB, Wood, Stephens and Manning dictate how they want to play', thats what I was picking up on, as our 'own eyes/ears dont tell us that' at all. I'd imagine (but wouldn't know for sure) that the style and tactics come mainly from SR and then some input from their 'Yes Man' head coach. I'd also imagine that the players hate this current system and getting beat every week and would love that to change. I genuinely dont understand why you think those 4 players are dictating things. Surely if he's that influential, then Captain Jack for example would dictate that he quite fancies the occasional game!?

I love these kind of made up assumptions. You know this is happening at Saints, how exactly?

Are you suggesting that the club/stadium/venue shouldn't be trying to take party bookings, because weve lost a few games of late. Life does still move on... or shall we close Level 1, The Dell Bar and the club shop until we start winning again? 🤦‍♂️

Genuine question, how do you know Rasmus Ankersen is the main problem (there a lot of chefs)? I thought he had little involvement with us now, since he'd relocated to Turkey and taken over as chairman at Goztepe? I appreciate he's an easy target as has spouted a lot of business textbook BS over the years, but do we actually know that he is the root of the disease?

I agree with these 4. I know the OP was asking about being content with all areas of the club... but I would also throw in the prime Le Tissier mid-90's era as a really enjoyable time. The rest of the team was absolute sh*te, but I was genuinely excited and looked forward to going to The Dell each week, just to see what Matty would do. And he would invariably lift most games with his magic! Sprinkle a few Ekelund's, Benali's and Berkovic's around too, and these were some fun times, even if it was mostly played at the wrong end of the table. This huge financial gap didnt exist (or not as large anyway) to the 'Big' clubs either, so it always felt a more level playing field and like we could compete on our day with anyone.

Appreciate the update 👍🏼

As if Tonda has any say in who we sign and when, he's probably being told to 'make do' with what he has, so of course he's going to say what we have is OK. I'm sure Tonda would also love us to sign a guaranteed goalscorer, which manager wouldn't?

Ive done some coaching badges over the years (as I'm sure many others on here probably have) and I'm always miffed when people here (and elsewhere) suggest that 5 at the back is defensive. Its typically seen as more attacking than a flat back 4, as you have wing-backs (who arent really defenders at all) bombing up the wings and on the overlap, making it essentially a back 3 most of the time. When we have played 4 at the back, we havent looked anywhere near as threatening going forward IMHO. We create more chances than most teams and have scored the 4th most in the division (despite a dismal start) and have been scoring a lot under Eckert and this formation. By playing Fellows and Manning as wingbacks, weve had 5 (of the 10 outfield) players: Armstrong, Scienza, Azaz, Fellows and Manning in attacking positions for much of the game. If anything I think we should consider going more defensive and a (flatter) back 4 on occasion, as we concede too many by playing too attacking, and allowing space on the flanks for opposition to put so many crosses in!

Do you really think that? Or are you just annoyed after today? Because the majority of fans I know, and this I don’t (Total Saints Podcast for example) have been pretty unanimous in saying the last two months have seen some of the best football we’ve played in many years. We lose one game (to a handball, after missing a penalty, etc), and suddenly we are complete shit, play shit football and have a shit manager 🤦🏻‍♂️

This isn’t true since Tonda has been in. We’ve scored 21 goals in his 7 games up until today. That isn’t being passive and stopping attacking, it’s not easy to score 3 a game every week at this level! Second halves we’ve been more passive, as we’ve been managing games and ‘trying’ to not lose a comfortable lead. As others have said, an off day today, but could so easily have been 2 or 3 up before halftime. On to the next one, which we probably will lose as Cov have been flying and beating everyone, so won’t mean we are complete sh*t again!

The keepers'? That explains it!

Correct, the previous club (St Pauli) took a risk on him at 29 years old, and it worked out well for them. Winning 10 games in a row and promotion to the Bundesliga... so you never know!

18 goals in his 6 games and 5 wins from 6! And we still have some fans moaning about how we played and who we took off, christ alive, enjoy it man! I'd imagine Tonda took Scienza off after 60 mins as he missed most of last weeks' training (and the midweek game) with illness, so I'm glad to see Leo rested (and Azaz) and just manage the game and give some others a run out, as we have 3 games in 7 days. Good day at the office... again.

How sad if true, I really hope not. I’m really sick of how shit we’ve been and the negativity around the club for what seems like years (aside from the promotion season). I just want to enjoy being a fan again for a while, please can we give him some time, even if we lose the next few!

Or... perhaps they could also see the performances on the pitch (and had feedback from the squad) and felt that getting rid of Still was necessary, as we were only heading in one direction. And felt that whoever came in, even if Tonda for a few weeks/months until we found the right replacement, would result in an improvement on the pitch. And that's proved the right decision so far. There's so much that goes on behind the scenes that we aren't privy to, perhaps they did/do have someone (or people) in mind, but we need to wait for them. And the spanner in the works has been Tonda getting 12 points from 15, and putting himself into consideration. I feel a lot more relaxed about the situation than many on here it seems. If we were losing every week, then I would be worried and want them to make a quick appointment. But while it's all going OK, I dont mind them taking their time and trying to make the right decision (and a less rash one... like they usually seem to).

Love posts like this 😂 Genuinely intrigued why you think it’s Ankerson picking Baz and Downs each week? Are you blaming him for the poor quality of food and beer at the ground too? It’s all Ankerson’s fault! I’m sure he has little involvement in any of it now he’s based in Turkey, we have a new DoF, etc.

He said for parts, we were the best side he’s ever seen at this level. That was nice to hear… especially from him 😁

Im not questioning that they have made many bad decisions so far, and multiple bad managerial decisions and that things often dont feel like joined up thinking. What I was questioning is the thought that Sports Republic would deliberately be only looking for mangers who 'know less about football than they do'. It's just bonkers and I dont believe anyone really thinks that. Sport Republic have professional and financial skin in the game, they dont want us to fail. They are doing a good job of failing I agree, but that isnt what they want to happen. If we assume they are just a bunch of giant ego's, then they wont enjoy us being where we are right now.