imadirtyurchin

If we’re back in the prem next year - I don’t know that is a given is it? Have you seen it confirmed somewhere? I guess whatever fee we would get for him would have to go straight out on another starting choice goalkeeper.

See I would fear this - but it’s not a given. Strengthen the spine of the team: Ramsdale back, 2x CBs , 1xCM, 1x no. 9 and we’d be fine. We just need to make sure that we recruit to improve the first team not to bulk out the squad like last time. So it means probably £40m on a starting quality, physical number 9. £30m at least on the other positions. So £130m on 4xstarting players rather £160m or whatever it was on 11 crappy squad players who aren’t good enough. whether we’d do it - and get it right is another matter.

Not to bash the poor lad too hard - but to have Downs anything other than bottom is a disgrace. He is, at the moment, without a doubt the worst footballer I’ve ever seen play for saints.(including weah’s cousin) No first touch/actively avoids the ball/no positioning sense/doesn't run/cant compete physically/ loses the ball every time he gets it. If his ball retention is above 15 percent I’d be surprised. I think he touched the ball once in about 30mins in the last game… He shouldn’t be in the first team squad - he should be with the U21 and learning the game. Or on loan somewhere. He’s just not ready. Maybe he’ll come good (I’m doubtful) but he definitely wont if we destroy his confidence. He’s only played 30 professional games of football in his life apparently - that’s only a few (30) more than me!

What the club needs is an appointment that doesn’t immediately divide and antagonise an already angry fanbase. What the fans need is a managerial appointment that isn’t so ideologically wedded to pedestrian, propaganda football that is riddled with errors and conceding goals and can actually get results. No one cares about winning the possession league. What I need is never to have to suffer Martin-ball at my club ever again. I’d rather watch my nails grow.

XG is expected goals. Even opta doesn’t expect us to score goals now.

Not three years - surely??? I think it was one year extension.

Considering how long the club had to prepare for this season - after knowing our fate for so long last season. I don’t think they’ve done a very good job. Poor recruitment - massive holes in the squad - no consistent quality down the spine, and glaring problem positions identified last season still unaddressed. And then appointing a relatively rookie manager to deal with it.

I’ll say it again. Will Still isn’t the one. Damian Downs shouldn’t be anywhere near our team. Pretty fucking poor again today. 3 centre backs who have far too much of the ball whilst slowing down play. Ryan manning who either wangs the ball in from wherever he receives it (to an attack with no aerial threat) or passes backwards to the centre backs who serve to stifle play further. It’s so frustrating and does absolutely no favours for us. To be needing goals and to consistently be so poor when chasing the game is a real concern. So fragile mentally and so poor tactically.

That was fucking dire. I’m gonna nail my colours to the mast: Downs isn’t good enough and shouldn’t play again. Will Still isn’t the one.

Downs should be nowhere near this squad.

Thing is. I can forgive him not being ready, for having a loose touch. Even his positioning. These things can be coached. but being lazy and visibly not putting in any actual effort. That’s the minimum. Especially if you’re no good. He’s athletic and quick allegedly - we’ve not seen that. I remember when Kevin Davies burst on the scene and how he put himself about. Running 40 yards at a sprint to tackle the defenders. Beattie also tried hard in his first years before his ability got better and he was able to channel his energy more effectively. This guy doesn’t even press. Or break into a jog. Only a trot.

At one point saints were attacking. A pass was played with medium pace to downs’ feet at the edge of the box. His touch was SO bad the ball went out of play by the halfway line. he needs to be binned off. Even limited players can run hard, be physical and put themselves about. He doesn’t even do that.

One of the Boro criticisms of Azaz when we signed him was that he had a tendency to go missing in big games. That seems accurate so far.

Tick tock spors

I missed the first half hour. And therefore missed anything of quality that saints did in that game it seems. I don’t think I saw more than 4 successful passes to our own side in a row. We were competitive but that’s about it. The deficiencies in the team are obvious. No out ball available at all. Everytime we went forward it came straight back - which is frustrating when it seems like Stills tactics are to go long and direct often. Which just seemed to break straight down. Archer was terrible. Armstrong tried hard but wasn’t good. think quashie will come good despite the hammering he got today. For example harqood bellis looked ropey today and he’s an experienced championship defender. but bit concerning that we haven’t had a convincing performance yet under Still.