imadirtyurchin

How come you’re warming to him OldNick?

Sure that’s one interpretation - I think if they had invested in a striker or two that were actually decent and could finish then we wouldn’t be in this situation. but regardless. You don’t have any concerns about the new approach? About it’s ability to work with the squad we have? No concerns that the successful youth teams might be affected?

Exactly this really. tried to take a step back to reflect on the performance and the situation. Feel a little shocked at how much leeway NJ is getting for that performance. It was dire longball football, awful on the eye and not even effective. Especially that first half. if it is indicative of the way SR and NJ want saints to play then it’s going to be a tough watch. The passing in the first half particularly was woeful. Hit and hope. The tactics don’t seem to suit our current squad. But it also rips up all of the work done in getting the same playing system through the age groups and youth setup. Which is currently being successful… It’s up to them if they want to change I guess, but I think they will struggle to get these tactics working with youngsters in the first team. Which questions about how the NJ approach fits with the supposed philosophy of training technical youngsters and selling them for a profit. Will we even attract them in the first place? All feels so muddled. Very worrying. and if you go this route why not get a manager with more clout and experience ? im at a loss really - feel pretty despondent

We look so much better with Stu on. Wants the ball. Keeping the ball and running hard. opposite of aribo basically

Absolutely not. Adam’s has never been a ball winner in the air. He can hold the ball up only if it’s played to feet.

Ha. Snap

Aribo off please. Complete passenger.

JWP!!! Deserves that. better move beforehand too

We’ve had 85 successful passes to Fulham’s 303…. plus Bazunu has 17 long balls (33% success) to Fulham keeper’s 1 long ball. offically a long ball ugly football team. It’s a shame, I remember some of this team being able to play. I guess this is what “moneyball” looks like.

Crossposted from the match thread (as was posted there by mistake) According to Tanswell @the athletic the club “have decided over the Christmas period to do pre match pressers after the game before that will be unpublished and the quotes embargoed” now why would they do that? Is a definite change from the Ralph days. To protect NJ? To reduce transparency? I don’t think it bodes well.

According to Tanswell @the athletic the club “have decided over the Christmas period to do pre match pressers after the game before that will be unpublished and the quotes embargoed” now why would they do that? Is a definite change from the Ralph days. To protect NJ? To reduce transparency? I don’t think it bodes well.

Ugly football. Hoofball and try and win the second ball. Very little quality and good play. But it’s ok cos ‘we’re winning on xG’ playing like a (poor) championship team. Guess NJ fits right in.

Yeah I agree with this too.

Sure, just ignore the facts and tangible achievements listed. You didn’t like him we get it. personally - I think he needed to go it had gone sour. But there was a period when we were playing very well, looked like the club had a plan and I enjoyed watching us play. Started to get results and also played some good football. To say we didn’t is revisionist. Yes we had some very very poor results and the last year has been dire. But after the boring footy of Puel, the disappointment of hughes and utter clusterfuck of pellegrino - Ralph was a breath of fresh air and he bought a feel good factor back - all too briefly. I don’t think he was backed enough and I’ll remember his time far more fondly than others. I wonder if NJ will get us to the top of the league?? (This one!)

I always wonder about this logic… why is it supposedly easier to build a quality premier league capable team whilst in the championship than when established in the prem? Plus attract prem quality players whilst in the championship? the fact that promoted teams often go straight down / or have to make wholesale changes suggests that it isn’t.

He’ll fit right in then 😂

Do you know if there Is somewhere to watch this please? Couldn’t see it with a (admittedly cursory) glance at the OS

I suspect the money helps… anyway CPS will decide about prosecution. I think he’s done at the top level here regardless. Won’t be too many sponsors happy to have him represent them - his attitude towards women comes across as awful in the audio I heard - putting it mildly. I can’t imagine him being rehabilitated in the eyes of the public very soon…

What “shit” is he getting? I haven’t seen any personal attacks - mostly it’s been very polite. People are just questioning his ability and lack of experience. Isn’t that just holding people to account? Two games (Lincoln and Brighton) two awful performances. A bewildered and demoralised team that show zero signs of improvement after 6 weeks intensive work with NJ are you the father in law?! 😂

Two games seems like two too many… plus you’ve had 6 weeks to get that performance…. if you’re not Nathan, you’re definitely a shill. A new poster who happens to join the forum when NJ is linked to this job. Advocates for him - but isn’t a Luton fan or a Southampton fan. But speaks in football terms and glowingly of NJ (as if insider knowledge) and then only reappears on an NJ out thread to again speak glowingly and writes in a very similar pattern of speaking to NJ. I can’t believe that a charity organiser unconnected with either Luton or Saints or NJ would bother to get so involved without a vested interest.

Nice of you to join us Nathan.

Ah I stand corrected 🙈 just the header then.

I watched the utd vs Forest game tonight. Forest had more possession (34.2 % vs 33.6%) at old Trafford than we did at home to Brighton. Plus pretty much the same number of passes (314 to 329) brighton had over double ( 680) the expected goal stat is skewed by the penalty and header from JWP - I don’t particularly recall any other meaningful chance (on target) from open play for us. it was an awful awful performance and only made better because brighton eased off.

@wild-saint what exactly have you seen in NJ so far to make you think he’s the man for this job to want him to stay? not trying to be an arse but It can’t be the clear identity and playing style he’s forged over the last 6weeks with the squad. Perhaps it ‘s his vast experience and achievements at the top levels of the game maybe?

I think the thing that struck me today. Forget the performance and result - Nathan Jones came across in his post match interview like he was in the middle of a 5 match losing streak. No confidence, defensive and fraught looking. It spoke volumes.