Miltonaggro

The Barnet needs some work.

Tell you what, that first half and last ten minutes were remarkable for a side with a new manager and system a matter of weeks ago. If we retain some of our quality players and add a focal point striker who can finish into this mix we are going to have a thrilling season watching technical football. Those game but limited Sheffield Wednesday players went in at full time and half time knackered after chasing shadows, we should have been out of sight first half and they knew it. I’ll take that over the disjointed dogshit of the last few seasons every day of the week.

Better than what he called Nathan Jones. That’ll teach saints to recruit a manager with interchangible Christian / surnames 😀

It’s all about that final decision / ball, end product. If Martin can coach that in and provide a clear target in the box we will likely have a player.

Main difference I could see in this first competitive outing was that he picked a team containing committed players and they did all in their power to play to his instructions. A definition of playing FOR the manager. So he seems to have done some weeding and galvanised the dressing room in a matter of weeks - highly encouraging. Thought I would mention the only clear ‘Martin’ signing we’ve had so far, Ryan Manning. Watched this lad run and run last night, tidy feet, play for the shirt, and did not give the ball away. Hopefully more like him to come in coming weeks, seems so long since we’ve had consistent identity, character and commitment in a Saints side.

Good summary. You could tell he was enjoying himself against the limitations of Sheffield Wednesday, a thoroughbred against hacks. Thing missing currently is decision making, but that takes time with young players. You could see that Martin was frustrated with Edozie several times in this regard, but it’s inexperience rather than lack of ability, and Martin will know that. Give the lad games, coach him, and for God’s sake buy that missing link of a target man (literally a target man in SE’s case) and he will likely emerge as a key player this season.

KWP has looked a tad disinterested pre-season but a different class tonight. Can’t see us keeping hold of him but if he can play a part in winning our initial series of games a fitting parting gift.

Shitting bricks tonight when the ball was being pinged about in front of goal. Something we are going to have to get used to 😀

KWP.

Will take that. Onwards!

That’s a centre forward’s goal to be fair. We lacked that presence in Armstrong.

Get the fuck in!

Hoping to see it. He’ll realise over the next couple of weeks.

Frenetic dogshit is back for now.

My money is on that 28 goal season with Blackburn.

Well done Benarek after Smallbone outmuscled.

Hit and hope now. The fact we still don’t have a centre forward is killing all the good work.

So what?

Tella willing from the wing but no focal point in the middle, no better option.

And Edozie again. Flair and lack of end product is a frustrating combo!

The standard and consistency of refereeing is going to take some adjustment. Missing around 50% of decisions so far!

Able to do the nice stuff. Still lacking the spine, still lacking the leaders.

Self harm yet a-fucking-gain!

Been engrossed in that half, lots of positives. KWP looks best player on park IMO combining very well with Tella. JWP a bit off pace as is Charly but very comfortable. Edozie as last season a turn of pace and great trick but it’s that final ball. Martin knows that. So obvious that we need that mobile focal point in attack. Put a Piroe in there and I think we’d be going in three up. Interesting second half awaits, lovely to be enjoying football again!

Main difference with Martin being it appears to emerge now and again, when it needs to due to perceived on-field injustice. With Jones aggression seemed to be the mainstay and USP of his ‘personality’, amplified by being a 5ft 7ins 9 stone Welsh gobshite.