CamSaint

Distilled from the 2 pressers: Charles, Jelert, Stewart, Edozie out injured, Welington suspended. Robinson & Sesay have both been ill. Jay managed 65 mins for the U-21s on Wednesday but Sesay didn't play. Archer has an ankle problem and hasn't trained all week; Downes got a knock on his knee in training so will have a late assessment. Aribo & Matsuki in contention for tomorrow, but Aribo unlikely to be able to manage 90 mins. One of those rare occasions when Saints huge squad may be a blessing?

The problem is, appointing a new manager is always a massive gamble for any club (look at Forest this season). Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't irrespective of the 'new manager's' background. There's a really interesting article on the BBC today about Sunderland's manager, LeBris (https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cy7envzn722o). There are quite a few parallels with Still, although LeBris had played some professional football. But he was hired by Sunderland on the back of leaving Lorient 'by mutual consent' following their relegation from Ligue 1. He had no Championship experience, or any experience of managing in the UK, but came in and did a brilliant job, getting Sunderland firing from the get go in the Championship last season and doing really well so far in the PL. I'm sure everyone on here would have never had heard of him before (I certainly hadn't), but Sunderland took a chance on him and it worked. Saints took a chance on Still and it certainly hasn't worked so far and it is hard to see any way forward with him. However, left field appointments are not always useless!

Rodgers available: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/czxkezdp9z5o

Interesting comparisons: 1. Coventry sacked Mark Robins on 7th November last year - they were 17th with 15 points from 14 games (very similar to Saints' current return). Lampard was appointed on 28th November, by which point Coventry were still 17th, but now had 17 points from 17 games. Under Lampard, Coventry finished in the play-offs (5th) with 69 points. 2. Luton left it later, not sacking Rob Edwards until 9th January this year - they were 20th with 25 points from 26 games (by this stage, Coventry under Lampard were still only 16th with 29 points from 26 games). Matt Bloomfield replaced Edwards on 14th January and Luton went on to be relegated on goal difference, finishing on 49 points. Two completely different sides of the coin. Don't know how enamoured Coventry fans were initially with Lampard's appointment, but clearly it worked. Also interesting that both of the sacked managers are doing well so far this season with their new clubs: Edwards currently 2nd with Middlesborough & Robins 5th with Stoke.

Maybe bench chances for the likes of Matsuki, Aribo & Edozie?

Sounds perfect for Saints - hasn't played a Championship match this season due to a shoulder injury in August that required surgery. Maybe he'll be fit again by January.

Who plays RB in a 4? The last time he played a back 4 was at Hull with Roerslev at RB and he had a terrible game and hasn't played since. According to the OS, Jelert is out for 4-6 weeks with injury, so we are limited for choice. Edwards, I suppose might be a candidate, but doesn't sound too inspiring.......

I don't think that the video option is available in the UK.

Still said on the OS that Jelert had pulled something in his groin or thigh, so I assume he must be a doubt for this game.

Seven players away on international duty: Charles, Azaz, Manning, Baz, Mads (recalled to the Denmark squad), Quarshie & Robinson.

Absolutely. Last season on Jan 1st, Coventry were 14th with 29 points and finished 5th with 69 points, and Bristol City were 10th with 34 points, finishing 6th with 68 points.

Currently Stewart 2 league goals, Armstrong 2 league goals & Archer 1. Unless we get injuries, I doubt that Downs is likely to feature in match day squads any time soon

Surely they'll just try to extend his loan to the end of the season as then he'll be a free agent? (Unless Saints decide to extend his contract).

It was only a 2 year extension - the '3 years' that everyone complains about includes the current year which was part of his original contract. Nevertheless, I agree that a 1 year extension (keeping him here for 2 years) would have made a lot more sense.

It would be interesting to know what the Ts&Cs were in the previous managers' contracts. All those who have been sacked by SR (Ralph, Jones, Martin & Juric) are currently employed at other clubs; Selles was released as his contract was up & Rusk was only ever an interim appointment. So I wonder whether we are still paying anyone off? Of course would have to pay Still off if he was sacked.......