saintstowin

Floaty crosses from Fellows getting a mention (as in stop doing them). But he seems to have a really good move of finding a yard between the far touchline and penalty area and then dinking (floating) in a cross, which at WBA was then converted. Often. I looked forward to that when he signed. A flaw in the plan....we've got nobody to head it in and Fellows isn't playing. 3-2 to Saints tonight.

I'm not going to ignore the good things. When we did inject pace, cut inside, ran with ball, passed quickly (and there was some of this) we looked good. Not enough of it however. Subs 10 mins too late. Lived off the first half hope too much. And around 50 minutes of not good things.

He's not going to get the party started is he? Even though it's not about the personality I'd like to see and hear something that might spark things into life. Even his positive messages are lost in his delivery. Sometimes calmness and understatement is a helpful mask for nerves. Personally I don't think any of these managerial duties sit well with Will. I don't know if that's a problem or not, it's definitely not the biggest one right now. Anyway. I almost forgot. It's 4 nil to Saints this weekend and Will's trip to the garden centre on Sunday will be epic.

Pre-watershed.... We should revert to a less defensive set up and it'll be full steam to victory. We must avoid too many defenders detracting from forward options, and also move the ball around quickly. Doing so will no doubt mean our opponents leave unhappy and return back to their livestock. With whom a national stereotype exists.

I was shocked it was 11 months, my memory of him was that his stay was longer. Really good keeper. He even popped up in the amazing game at Millwall with the two late Ricky Lambert pens. As did Harry Kane bizarrely enough.

'Martin's excruciating Rangers era finally at a chaotic conclusion' - https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c93053rr56wo A very good write up and video. Fans found him superior - that's a nutshell. And I'm not surprised he got the job based on a presentation. I honestly think he'll feel it wasn't down to him.

Wood is charming. That's nice to know!

I'm going to take the positives. Players who did well midweek came in and did well again - especially happy this included the defence. Chances created - presumably through moving the ball well and more quickly (haven't seen a moment of the game). And could have beaten the top of the table team. Let's build.

I think the fact this thread keeps on giving is an indication of RM's personality, even more than any debate about the merits of him as a manager. Someone who got us promoted but then failed at a higher level could/should be remembered in the range of quite to very fondly. It's the complete absence of humility that does him the most harm both on and off the pitch. It affects how he's liked (disliked), and how he does as a football manager.

Did Will Still miss the motivation module at coaching school? Crikey.

Deserved at least pens. Very happy we didn't let up in the second half. Lots of good contributions. All the CBs played well. Downes bounced back. Armstrong showed his experience. Jander played well and tried to intercept with energy. Disappointed we couldn't get Robinson on the ball more. I don't want to hammer Downs but unfortunately every single thing he did was unsuccessful, to put it kindly.

Really pleased we've shown up and moved the ball really well. Such a difference to recent games. There have been patterns and tactics that look coached (gives me hope for the future) and carried out very well. The goal = bad. Warning early on when another bad choice of pass let them in. These things happen, sadly to us a lot, and we do the happening.

I appreciate it's a throw away pre- match interview, and AA is unlikely to divulge the cutting edge tactics, however I can imagine Still's words of 'get the basics right', 'quality will come through' being accurate, and sadly uninspiring. I really hope we aren't terrible.

I keep hoping we'll show signs of progress but it's not looking good. Almost reaching the stage where pretty rubbish performances are standard. Our only win was the late show on day one. At least we attacked in that game. We've laboured all season. I was worried last week and today was worse. I don't know about giving up on Still but he's not showing us much.

I'm going for home end Charlton. Won't qualify for away. Far from ideal but I'm from there so always want to go if I can. My Dad took me home end a few times at Millwall in the 80s to see us there, so I'm good at being quiet. Tickets can be bought now. Very different nowadays trying to get tickets, I used to get in to the away end to see us at Charlton without any season ticket etc. Having said that I was in with their fans when we had David Howells between the sticks for some of a 5-0 smashing. What a nightmare start to the season that was.

I'm really not sure. It was to a fellow human though! But my overall concern is a slow reaction time to change things. Whether that's because he's new and lacking confidence in himself, or wants to seek counsel, I do not know.

I appreciate all managers have to think and not rush decisions and that this includes consulting coaching colleagues. But from the beginning of the 2nd half whenever I looked across I often saw Still talking. And then talking again. At some stage you've got to trust your own process and do it. I wonder if that's a sign of his inexperience, as well as how he likes to work. But it definitely delayed decisions yesterday.

Middle of The Chapel the atmosphere was good but nothing special. And I think it's fair to say the first half sucked the energy out of the fans. It's all well and good saying what's happening on the pitch shouldn't matter due to the magnitude of the match. But of course it does. A goal or even some pressure in the first half would've changed things. If the West Brom game went in a different direction it wouldn't have been the amazing and loud night it was. The lack of forward movement, the terrible passing, absence of pressing, zero risk taking in the final third. And there's plenty more rubbish the first 45 contained. There was 15 minutes (50-65ish) where we took control and naturally everyone got louder and there was genuine hope and some excitement, but then I felt it petered out with all the changes, these should've come earlier. I look forward to seeing how everyone settles in, we have got a talented squad now. Hopefully some of them will actually have a shot or two.

I will check my facts before any formal accusation of plagiarism but that '....it's for Nods' line is reminding me of one of Sylvia Plath's most memorable feminist poems.

I can't believe how much I like/dislike/respect/am not bothered by/love/hate Mr M Fernandes.

I missed the first twenty (my son reliably informed me how bad we were at times). I thought from half an hour in we played well. I'm sure Norwich were bad but it was nice to see some movement and thoughtful forward play, incisive, and well rewarded. Really wanted a goal for Stewart and Downs. We won!

Joining in with some earlier Partridge quotes!

Matsuki must have a foot like a traction engine.

The build up to and the OG (multiple nominees), the Welington air-shot volley that led to a 75 yard one on one, and the Stephens header to nobody apart from their striker should all make it into the wtf awards at the end of the season.

Being very generous, tonight's was slightly behind him, doesn't justify the outcome but....and being too generous Saturday's had a mitigating circumstance or two. He is at least enthusiastic! That miss sums up rather than overshadows a bad first half.