Patches O Houlihan

For years now Saints have struggled against sides that park the bus, shut up shop or form a low block - whatever the latest catchphrase is. When the last third of the pitch is packed full of defenders you need a seriously skilful attacking force to cut through that consistently: I'm not talking about getting a result every now and then, but consistently, week in week out. Manchester City play against teams in this formation for the vast majority of the season. They have had to adapt to create a team that does consistently cut through. We have just bought the 2nd most expensive player in the history of the Championship - he's 19 and aside from 8 games for Northern Ireland has only come on as a sub once in men's football. It would seem that we have deeper pockets than Leicester and Leeds. We Are The Richest Team In The League. In terms of opposition tactics we will be treated as the Championship's version of Manchester City. Week in week out we'll be faced with awkward teams. As Saints fans we know that our current attacking force would struggle to fight their way out of a wet paper bag never mind an entire league geared to scuppering them. Man City, Burnley and it would seem Russell Martin, have recognised that once you get your team to a good level you'll usually face that wall, and won't be going anywhere unless you can break through it. So why build a good team in a style that won't break through it, only to be disappointed at the end. Better to commit to the style that should have success. At this point feel free to regale me with stories of Leicester's PL championship win with a counter attacking side; but we all know they were seriously underestimated for most of that season, they had some talented players, virtually no injuries and every player played out of their skin every week. An unlikely and unsustainable state of affairs as their later results demonstrated. If it gives some room at the top of the pitch for our limited attacking force to work with, then I'm ok with a bit of poncing around at the back, provided we're not being completely bloody stupid about it.

Or maybe pinch someone from Spurs?

For anyone who wants to listen here's the link Radio Solent - Fit Club (11:23 11th July 2023) You'll need to fast forward to 1h23m in. 2nd part starts at 1h36m. Adam has always done his best for us. I think we ought to return the favour. Good on you Adam.

KWP has an England cap too

But at the first sign of things getting tough on the pitch the physios will be on, he'll be off, and then who gets the armband? He's a talented player but I've seen nothing that suggests a mentality suitable for leading the team. I'd nominate Perraud if he stays

He’s a free agent. Currently without a club, and nowhere to train. Easier to get motivated training in a group. Reading currently don’t have enough players for an 11v11 so it’s a win win for everyone. Ruben gets to look like mini-Pep bringing a respected Eng International to training on day 1, and Theo gets a place to train in his neck of the woods until he finds a home. Plus maybe Reading get some financial backing and he stays. Bet it’s just a training arrangement right now though

Is it the case that players earn a loyalty bonus if they stay till 30th June? If so we may see an avalanche of departures shortly

This and your review of SR mistakes are a good read 👍

I think I saw something today from Alfie House of the Echo saying that there was nothing in the rumour

Our biggest sale will likely be Lavia - bought last summer under SR Alcaraz and Sulemana both clearly have something and will turn a profit most likely - also bought last summer. Not every decision made by SR had been a bad one - just the really important ones 😉

Are you going to train the Northam to do the moves in sync while Saints Brass play accompaniment?! I’d pay just to watch that! Would be good entertainment - plus distracting for the opposition while our centrebacks play keep ball with Bazunu!

It would be funny though! 😁😁

You must be more optimistic than me if you think we can find someone to pay £18m!!

Underrated comment

It would be a real shame if JWP doesn't get another free kick opportunity/goal before we're relegated, and it turns out that those missed opportunities to (rightfully) end the Jones era, were the ones that would have given him Beckham's record in a Saints shirt. I almost don't care if we don't win another match this season, but I'd hate to see him break the record for West Ham or Everton.

That was Leicester... We are so fucking shit its ridiculous. Leicester could have put three past us at least that night

I agree. Playing Fulham after they'd dropped away from the European places having missed Mitrovich and don't have much to play for would be ideal. That game is our third last of the season. What I was trying to make clear to the Eyores on the board was that our run in is not as ridiculous as some think.

Since Selles took charge we’ve played 6 league games. 2 wins, 2 draws, 2 losses. If we maintain that form over the next ten games that suggests 13.3 points. 13 points gets us to 36 in total. If we keep doing what we’re doing it could be enough. Saints have an ‘average’ difficulty run in, according to stats I saw in the week. Palace and Leicester are the teams with the easy run in. It’s tough, and 36 might not do it, but if we get a big lift (like a win on Sunday) then the confidence boost could be enough. Anfield have a motto written above the gates. For Saints it would be: “It’s the hope that kills you” COYS

He's one of the fucking owners - what do you think knobhead

JWP and Lavia working pretty well together. Would rather see Alcaraz running at them from a little higher up the pitch

So you think maybe he has potential now?! 😀

Aribo and Diallo with JWP behind - have you been reading NJ's game plan for Fulham?!!

We're not the same team who played Croatia: We've four years more experience, including a Euros final + an in form Bellingham. Way more confident all round

Chelsea offered us 50m for Lavia before the summer window closed... Not saying we should sell him: We ought to be building the team around him so that he wants to stay a year longer than we might normally manage. Salisu appears to be running his contract down. Again I'd rather keep him on a new contract. Don't think he has kicked on enough for a really big move since his early promising signs. AA would sell to a Championship club - but not for lots.

Bednarek is at Villa...