saintstowin

Well. Could have won. Maybe should, having taken the lead. 2 x double subs in quick succession felt strange and didn't help. I think the 2nd lot was coming even if Scienza hadn't been injured, an odd plan. Despite being quiet, with hindsight keep Azaz on, he'd just done something brilliant and the game might have opened up later on. We needed the substitutes to add to the game and only Charles and Fellows contributed. Stewart didn't get any service. Robinson anonymous really. On another day we get a first half goal and who knows. Disappointed with the last 20 minutes. No possession and no ideas how to keep the ball moving. I like no VAR but don't like handball goals. Peretz was fine in my opinion. Not just the goal but all round. Kicked well and commanded the box. Defence not exactly watertight but definitely better with a 4 and very committed.

Tough half and was always likely to be. I think we've done ok with the pressure. Bit too much space for them at times in midfield. Not sure about this route one(ish) stuff. We have looked a bit dangerous when we've got it wide but haven't done that consistently. It's played like a derby.

We're a busted flush, containing bad apples, run by snake oil salesmen, holding a one way ticket to a two bit town at the end of the line. 2-1 to Saints.

I heard Warnock (Stephen) on MotD referring to the Chelsea interim manager and his age and job responsibilities. He said U21 managers are used to reviewing games after they've been played (presumably making some in-game changes too) with more of an eye on next time rather than right now. So learning that way. And it is only the better (experienced) managers that adapt during games, in ways that affect matches as they happen. I guess much of this is true and well known, but it was interesting to hear. And made me think about the lack of experience we are relying on. You wouldn't expect a 20 year old player to suddenly carry the team in terms of performance and leadership. He would come in and out. I was excited by the change and wins but reality has bitten.

I'm Christmas confused. I had the game in my head for the weekend and definitely not on TV. I'll watch but only if they promise to do good football things.

A stat before the Birmingham game said we were last and second last in the division for goals conceded and (I think) shots or chances conceded - away from home. I didn't realise it was quite that stark. So something is obviously terrible. I think we were protected somewhat the last time we were in the championship by the sheer volume of possession. And even then we conceded way too many considering our dominance. With some similar names in defence and less dominance especially away it's no surprise we're rubbish. The issues run deeper than formation, but having said that, surely getting more time on the ball further up the pitch (with 4 at the back and that spare player contributing in midfield) we would take pressure off a dodgy defence who clearly cannot cope for any length of time.

When there's an under performance this bad it's a team effort on and off the pitch. But something isn't working with decisions from the sideline. We can't take Scienza off with an eye on the next game and do badly in the one taking place at the moment! And Fellows was often ignored or not quite in the game, until he was well in it, and at that precise moment he's hooked. It was crystal clear that our total dominance (albeit ineffective) would suffer with those decisions.

That was a 2-1 defeat so early on it's a shame I'm not a betting man. Even before the first goal, but absolutely nailed on at half time. It's unacceptable to have more than 2/3 of the ball and have fewer shots on target than them. And the fact that only 1/3 of the many passes were forward says it all. The only time we looked dangerous was when we had some bottle and played quickly. I just don't know why this seems so hard to do consistently. Scienza was frustrating at times today but subbed so early. Azaz had a stinker. I know he's come up with some goals etc but he has no control of games. Too many well off it today. Pretty unacceptable defeat all things considered.

Fully deserved defeat. Any missed pen and wrong goal discussion will simply detract from looking properly at how bad that was and what to do about it. Awful, awful performance.

Anders Svensson had a decent time with us but I recall I always hoped he'd kick on a bit more in terms of attacking threat and running games - like he seemed to do for his country. His output was defensive midfielder but his style wasn't.

I haven't checked my Tessem stats but my recollection is that he brought energy and versatility to the team and played several positions from defence to attack. I liked him.

Asking less good players who don't play as much to come on and be composed and creative, and keep the ball for periods of time when the team is generally in defend mode will rarely work. In some games it has felt like two different teams out there. The second half team has the feel of a weakened cup team. In the front positions. We'll need to find the balance between our best XI and what happens next. I hope it will often include keeping more of the best XI on for longer. It's the number of games, the intensity of the first hour etc, but I also feel the number of substitutions is now expected to be 4/5 rather than 2/3, and this is disruptive.

He's been great and I'm really pleased for him. And playing to his strengths is key. He was unsurprisingly ineffective with balls in the air and took unfair flak. I always hoped he could make it work in the middle because for a while he was taking up a space out wide. And although he did well there in the last championship season, we needed Fellows to come good this time. AA is a striker so it's brilliant for us and him that he's coming good, again.

OR's first comeback yellow I think. And very unlucky getting it for having his head smashed into. I thought Downes' foul directly after it was the cynical yellow card type foul.

Some of that 2nd half was inept. I would have preferred the change to be put on hold when they got their first. I think we need to get the ball to Scienza more at the start of second halves. I don't see how taking off the four most effective players is a good plan. And hats off to how we dealt with that low cross near the end. I've not seen defending like that in many years. How many players missed it?! This is not to ignore the lovely play we did manage.