gio1saints

Will become a Full England International within 12-18 months.

Tyler was notable when running down the left wing at one point from a midfield position. Another notable time he cut in from the inside left area went past a player and hit the crossbar. At other times he was more central. Gave a cynical shirt tug foul away on halfway line when we lost possession a la will smallbone. It’s quite clear he is encouraged / tasked with receiving ball in central third areas of pitch in the main and driving with it to create opportunities. He looks very strong in that regard -- and his driving runs are muscular in that he uses his body strength very well to lean into players - which is very MLT- and already these runs look more regular determined and energised and with better end product than other mf in our team. He shrugs off most first challenges and keeps going. Not one to fall over easy - but maybe in that regard not yet wily enough as he could draw many more fouls otherwise. But his desire to play football not roll around on the floor clutching his face and screaming is a refreshing change for someone who is going to be a target when he plays! He can receive with back to goal in relatively crowded areas turn and move forwards quickly - which requires spatial awareness and high tech skill plus speed of thought. These are fantastic attributes for an AMF. He also has a shot on him and is unafraid to do so- two yesterday I think - shooting on target every match he plays - unlike others of our team. At the moment just from preseason it’s Stus position he is being lined up for. Which was centre-left midfield attack mostly rather than false nine or shadow nine as you called it- but for me his best roles are - winger or best as an inside forward or probably most likely as an offensive orientated multi responsibility midfielder in Russell’s total football system.

Seeing the progress evident in Tyler Dibling I’m thinking our offensive midfielder issue is already resolved. If O’Riley is not coming we’ve got Tyler and he does not cost £25m plus £60k pw. Spend that on a better keeper and a bona fide centre forward please.

Tyler just runs round three Millwall and gets fouled. RM gives him pat on the back. MLT-esque run! Just brilliant. He’s just made sure he is a first team player for saints this season. 100%. Looks class above everyone else. final score 0-1.

And Tyler now hits the bar with excellent skill

Brilliant run by Dibling. End product good too- nice ball for Aribo but could not turn it into a cross or goal.

BBD on and Tyler too.

Good chance for Millwall. Lucky escape. Nice yellow card for Joe. Proper cruncher. Good.

At last AA blasts it in from 10cm 0-1

Sounds old fashioned of me but I kind of like pre season when you have players trying to prove why they should start. Only players I see doing that authentically in this preseason to date are Yuki, Tyler and Sam Amo. The rest kind of strolling around.

Apols did not see name on list

Three halves without scoring. Against lower level opposition. Few shots. AA barely touched the ball. Incidentally- No Shea Charles either - which looks interesting given the Celtic rumour.

Things we will not see this season : Charlie Taylor steaming down the left wing to create space or an option even an overlap for Sam Edozie. I reckon play Yuki on the left and Sam will automatically look and play better.

He’s been mostly more advanced though in the MF when we are in possession - which is currently most of the time. And a yard or two ahead of the two central CB’s when needs be. It’s a very fluid solution. Bit Stones like I think?

Millwall get an offside goal but it looked like we were asleep on a set piece. Edozie then has a shot saved ( prob should have scored).

Stephens released will who gets to byline just fails to play it across to AA. Seen that move all last season. Unlucky.

First shot on goal by saints. Easily punched away. Building pressure though.

Stephens playing well actually. And another good start from Aribo too. Yuki playing very high. Taylor on the other hand has hardly got out of our half.

Stephens is playing MF. Already attempted a through ball. Nor Bella Kotchup & no TP : same conclusion.

I don’t know why I’ve bothered but paid my £5 and let’s see what this match tells me….

He certainly upsets some people some of the time - that’s integral to his job. And yes predicting his survival beyond Xmas is risky because people anger counts for something as we’ve seen on the streets lately - so I’ve no doubt he can be readily hounded out given the right set of ( bad) results. But so can ( and will ) any Manager. Thing is I suspect many Saints fans cannot but have a ( grudging if needs be) respect for him and feel he has earned the right to play this season in the EPL whichever fucking way he likes. Even and especially when so many ( myself included) remain mystified over the stupid fucking around in the penalty area nonsense he obviously encourages. He’s got guts that’s for sure love him or hate him. I’m in the love him camp in case you wondered.

👍. Darn it. TQ for the heads up. Same principle though - if Shea leaves RM needs another dmf in the building. Maybe Guido or a return of JWP (!) is possible after all?

I’ve got a feeling the Lamine Camara signing from Metz deal is tied up with Shea Charles moving to Celtic to sweeten the O’Riley deal. I think he would not be put off that Flynn plays his position and would accept- aged 20- that he has to earn his stripes in the EPL. Shea on the other hand will be eager to play every match- which he would at Celtic under big fan of his Brendan, but not necessarily so at Saints. And O’Riley is a Russ prime target to get at the end of this chain. If that comes off massive result all around.

That gutless no energy performance with no team spirit evident coincided with AM being given the captains armband. I remember another gutless display away at Gillingham in which Che had the armband too. It’s one thing being tired but that does not affect your vocal cords. First half plus until Flynn and Jack arrived we had no captains no speaking no vim on the pitch. For EPL we need 11 captains on the pitch. Too many fail to take responsibility the other night and Ive seen it previously too. Oddly enough and I don’t think he had his best game but that’s one thing you always get with Charlie and it’s why he’s a fan favourite. He Hates losing. I mean really hates it.

Ha. No chance. In any case he Would not be coming as a back up to Flynn. Without Flynn - yeah can see it - but is there space for two #6’s in our starting 11 team? Only If RM wanted to us to be a super pragmatic hard as nuts team to break down in the EPL Atleti Madrid style with him and Flynn in the middle. Getting GR in the team would be our biggest signing since Keegan! Shame won’t happen.