Patches O Houlihan

You'll remember that this team has always struggled when Downes is unavailable. Last time around we fixed it by swapping Bree for Manning and limiting the adventurousness of the full backs. I felt like KWP was more restrained than usual in getting forward which will have limited the passing options for the midfield. Add some general lethargy caused by fixture congestion limiting our ability to aggressively win the ball back as soon as we loose it, and Charles being out of sorts and that's going to have an affect. Whilst our midfield was clearly off the pace today, the number of slips and severely misplaced passes caught my attention. Adam Blackmore stated that there had been torrential rain all afternoon. The pitch looked in a shit state and you could see the ball was very slow and sticky. Let's say you coached a counter attacking team of middle of the pack players and were due to play a slick passing top team on a 25 game unbeaten run. If you had seen the weather forecast would you be tempted to subtly limit the drainage of the pitch to make it slow and awkward for the team likely to have 75% possession...

I can't see us keeping a clean sheet tonight. I'm going 1-1 at half time, finishing 1-3 with a sub scoring at least one.

You gotta love Frannie, he's as authentic as it gets - but you couldn't really call him the font of all knowledge when it comes to punditry! COYR

The assists were all from subs too (including Rosthwell's assist for the OG)

And the culture he's created lead to all 5 of our subs coming on fully fired up and eager to show what they are made of

Was actually 3 defenders that Mara held off. He's really come of age this week. Loving it

This was me, five times in the second half

🤣🤣🤣😉😅🥲😅🍻

Fucking get in!! What a team performance; all the second string roles rolled their sleeves up and showed what they are made of. Late in the 2nd half; KWP, Brookes & Sulemana taking turns to beat their LB & LCB - we have a depth in the squad (at this level) that I don’t remember us ever having. Mara’s hold up game was immense too - he’s really looking like a player now. That result will be absolutely massive for team learning & confidence, and demoralising for our rivals 25 you beauties. COYR

Quoted for future reference 😉

Aribo didn't have to take a penalty. Came on at 102mins, game ended at 121mins. Will play DRC or Côte d'Ivoire in the final; they are just about to kick off on BBC3

Nigeria through 🤠

https://x.com/JustSaints_/status/1755202340448096320?s=20

I couldn't have put it better myself 7/10

Big Joe came on for the last 11 mins of Nigeria's quarter final AFCON win over Angola. Tall Paul played the last 3 minutes; just as he played the last 2 mins of the last 16 game against Cameroon. He's becoming a specialist at being a time wasting substitute 😉 In fairness if its the last minutes of injury time and you give away a corner and Paul strides on, an opportunity to score a breakaway goal might not be your first thought as a defender!

I remember him being featured on a kids TV show as a future PL star doing tricks with with the ball, plus Everton fans were gutted to lose him. Talent but not the right mindset? Has anyone seen him play recently?

Remind me what Ralph said please

Would have been lovely to see Jose back at St Marys. However we then wouldn’t have seen THB come here as he would have expected to be 4th choice CB. If we get promoted we have an obligation to buy him. The lad is quality, we should be building the team around him and doing all we can to keep him. Personally I think three of our starting back four will do fine in the PL should we make it. Could Jose do a job in the PL next year? - might have been a stretch, and there would be no prospect of selling him for big money. Still would have liked to see him back in the shirt though.

KUMB Forum seems quite happy to let Flynn Downes go as they now have an embarrassment of riches in midfield. £20m was the fee suggested on the basis it was the same price we requested for Nathan Tella last summer - a loanee that played a crucial part in promotion from the Championship.

Rushworth - goalie of the week 😉

Watching this training video Stu doesn't seem to be giving off "I'm leaving" vibes, I'm pleased to say. Can't really see Flynn or Will heading off. Charlie isn't featured much. Hopefully we don't loose any of them. https://www.southamptonfc.com/en/video/inside-staplewood-setting-up-for-swansea

Tall Paul came on in the 88th minute in Nigeria's win over home side Ivory Coast in AFCON. Final whistle was 90+9 I think. Big Joe Aribo was on the subs bench.

NFPp90/sm? Negative fuckwit posts per 90 on the supporter's mongboard

Thanks for that - a good read.