gio1saints

The Ruben Agboola song was a favourite of mine at the Dell. If you don’t know it you are probably too young but it was sung to Jackie Wilson said ( I’m in Heaven) by Dexy’s midnight runners. Very popular no words just something even the most pissed up Saints fan could gurgle along to Ps sorry @Wurzelsee you already mentioned it though it was the intro to JackieWilson said not Geno. ( that’s 3 points on Popmaster for me and I’m well on the way to getting a signed photo 🤣)

I know it’s probably just me but I kind of feel relaxed about this one. We are nowhere in the league, they are top. They are now amongst the favourites for promotion. There’s a big question mark against us. Last home match there was massive pressure not to lose. This match just feels like if Will just says “ go and show what you can do” our game level will rise substantially. Boro will need be at their best to get a result if we do. That’s my view. If the team can just take a breath play instinctively we will not lose and more likely win. 2-1 or 3-1 win for Saints my prediction. 😇

Did nothing when he came on v Liverpool. Looked nothing like as good as we wished. Wonder why that is. Is the pressure also too much for him like it is for DD? He’d be forgiven at his age surely.

I think that the problem is psychological. Those criticising DD as lazy are mistaken - or more bluntly - stupid. Mental blockages slow all reactions and make you look shockingly bad. Especially on the biggest stage. Watching the ball bounce off his legs the other night like he never got shown how to trap or pass a ball is sobering - but a reminder of how much pro sport is played in the head. He can do that 99/100 times in training but at Anfield in front of the world - his timing is gone, his muscles weak and looks like he’s running through sand. The difference between the #1 ranked snooker player in the world and #100 in terms of technique is small. They can all compile a century break and win a frame at one visit. Technically they have all the shots in the toolbox. But only a few can deliver under max pressure. Same with football. DD is not dealing with the expectations AT ALL so far. Will he? He should get our compassion but unfortunately he’s paid a fucklot of money a week to be better than this. Clearly there’s some who feel he never will - but I think that if he gets his head right he will prevail. But if he does not do that quick he will join the long list of failed wannabe superstar CF’s. And won’t be earning a fucklot of money for very much longer.

Deliberate @trousers…. The saves Alex made v Liverpool were good, the first excellent in fact. But they were cancelled out by the disaster pass. Gavin Does not make enough saves. Too many shots on goal go in. Based on their very last match I’d say - I’m doing what you do and sitting on the fence! Up to Will Still to decide. 🤣 My gut would be to play the player of the future not of the past ie Gavin. IF he comes good (IF) we may go up with him OR even get a good fee for him when Aaron returns - but if he does not ie play as per what we currently seeing which is mediocre to bad - then I’d say we get rid and bring in a new starting gk in the Jan sales.

Thank you. I’m well known for my agreeability on this forum. 😂

If Will Still drops the good performers from Anfield - Woods, Quarsie, Jelert, Charles, Downes, Manning I would find that contradictory to his “ who plays good retains their place “ super pragmatic kind of mantra we’ve been led to believe is how it works with him. If he starts with THB, Stephens and Mads for example : three disappointments from their last match instead of Woods, Quarsie, Jelert- three strong performers from their last match - it would not feel like he’s been pragmatic at all- just picking on reputation NOT current performance. Same with Flynn. He has been playing bad - BUT v Liverpool he was back to his best. He must start after that - BUT if he repeats his negative football of before Will needs hook him off. Shea is a must start also on that basis. Adarma played his best match of the season v Liverpool so, he too keeps his place if Will is being consistent. That means we should have 7 starters based on FORM not reputation - Woods, Quarsie, Jelert, Manning, Charles, Downes and Adarma. The other four to start is what Will is paid to decide - but IMO dropping the form players to squeeze in a reputation player is bad for squad morale. And it should give a massive kick up the backside to the “reputation” players to actually prove why they have that reputation when and if they get in the pitch. That kind of competition to play and perform and prove why you are a supposed big star has been noticeably absent - and is a big factor in why we are looking so limp in the league.

This could be our Leeds match.

Downs looks patently well down on confidence to me. Everything about his presence on the pitch latterly screams nerves have got the better of him. I don’t understand why but it’s not because he is not big strong tall or fast. Oh and he can kick a ball. For me this is an entirely mental issue. He gets that resolved it’s a different player. And clearly Poch has seen something in him and I’m not arguing with his footballing opinion! He does get his head right - he could be massively good - he does not - he’s getting shipped back to Germany.

My highlights from last nights match. 1. The new formation worked. Keep it. ✅ ✅✅✅ 2. Jelert did not disgrace himself on debut. Did not amaze but solid enough bearing in mind the opposition. ✅✅ 3. Alex MCc made a couple of great saves then possibly destroyed his future career prospects with that passing to them bollocks. A repeat of what he did the last time he was allowed to play in a big boys stadium at Newcastle. I’m just sorry for him at this point. Did he learn his lesson? Not I’m afraid. ❌✅❌ 4. Ryan Manning is playing his best version of himself and he looks a good left back. Where has he been under previous managers? He has got more than just a sweet left foot and showed plenty class in the ball under pressure. My prediction is he will win championship lb of the season team. ✅👍- my Saints MOtM. 5. Quarsie and Woods. Well done fellas. If you dont get picked v Boro you are right to be aggrieved. IF its all performance based - as has been insinuated by Still - then them two start on Saturday.✅✅ 6. Downes. So you didn’t like the rumours about your immune system and wanted to show you still got the legs and the ability? WHY THE FUCK Don’t YOU PLAY THAT WAY EVERY WEEK INSTEAD OF ALL THAT PASSIVE PASSING SHIT YOU BEEN ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH FIR TOO LONG!!!✅❌🤺 7. Casper and Shea. Are good players -actually very good players at Championship level. ✅ 8. Leo : unlucky son. Keep shooting though and keep doing aggressive things. But FFS how do you miss that header professional footballer and all? ✅❌🤯 9. Adarma. He’s back and playing better. First swallow is it or is it that he’s fucking back? Just be fucking back Adarma we need you to score notfanny around. ✅ 9. Talking of fannying around. Poor poor Damion. He wet himself. Again. On the big stage. He IS a player. But fuck knows what sport because his head needs major sorting out. As Will said - he needs to get angry and forget about nerves let his instincts take over. Pick a fight do something- not this abject and upsetting to watch a big guy grown man wetting himself with fear on a footie pitch nonsense. Cowboy up big boy. Or get a proper job because your impression of a CF is not working. ❌😢🤠⬆️ 10. Ronnie : no disgrace did alright at RB. ✅ 11. Cam. Does what he always does run run run but when is it going to be scoring goals like he’s supposed to?Clock is ticking on his career he does not start putting them away. ⏰✅❌ 12. Still : Good new formation and style. Not one long boot to Cam! Subs/changes were still by the numbers though not much interesting stuff going on in game. But he’s a kid.And still green in uk football. How long is that excuse valid for I wonder. He’s got max until Xmas to turn this excellent squad into a top two or minimum top six team. ✅

Don’t let a trickle of optimism and hope enter your mind. You are a Saints fan after all and this forum houses some truly incorrigible and hardcore cynics. Bruce Springsteen, in one of his best songs imo, wrote The Ghost of Tom Joad. One of its themes , paraphrased and used metaphorically, that relates to SFC ~( to my admittedly not normal mind ) ~ says whenever you see a post that is downbeat critical negative cynical or simply depressing that’s where you will find me. Fighting. Becoming cynical about Saints just creeps up on you. But it’s still a choice. And, as sadly passed away George Michael says - Choose Life. Ignore the results and even the performance. Choose Life. Being a Saints fan IS winning at life. PS. Two popular music cultural references in one post about useless SFC. I’m slacking.

Liverpool play a433 so I’d add an extra bodies in the middle of the park. Every match we look weak there. A formation that floods the midfield centre a bit more and makes us more competitive on first and second balls I’m in favour of. The MF can all run their arses off for sixty minutes then get replaced frankly. Typically that might be something akin to a 4 2 3 1. Putting names to the formation : Mccarthy Mads. Woods. Quarsie. Gelert Charles. Casper Scienza Azaz. Robinson Armstrong( or RA/DD) Bench : Fellowes Downes Sesay Matsuki, Manning, Cam, 2 other forwards & an U21. Probably still get smashed but it’s an opportunity to get a look at a different formation free hit.

Romeu had the class and stature for it yes agreed. But of the current squad? Jan and Adarma were simply bad. THB I still have hopes for. Not Gavin. Leaves me with Shea and THB as the realistic captains. My choice would be Shea. But he might need this season. If we had the luxury of a Milner available I get it. But we don’t and that most probably won’t happen - so Jack is what we’ve got- and currently, imo, is the only realistic man for the job.

So who would be your captain then? Which player would you say has shown the qualities you require? Leadership and captaincy credentials are not always so easily defined as by how good the player individually is or his team performs. He is my Captain on merit vis the rest, no doubt

Accurate observation. But what you are also saying is that he has not nailed his colours to any particular tactic or style of play. He has said from outset he will be Mr. Pragmatic. That sounds great when you win, but clueless and value-less when you lose. After the paroxysms many experienced on this forum and on the terraces watching Saints under RM he’d be forgiven for avoiding the elephant trap of saying he wants to play this or that tactic or style of football. Being ideologically fixated is bang out of favour right now. Being flexible is the new cool thing. But losing is always unfashionable and frankly there’s not long left before SR do their own tactic of sack the Manager. If he gets to Xmas with decent points he is safe - but if we are still shit and void of ideas he will be out before the presents are unwrapped I reckon. I really wish not. I really wish he was given the time. But this is football and a bad run means the sack - not patience and support like perhaps in the old days. The “old days” when you could name the starting eleven from memory and players and managers did not change every season or even half or quarter season. It’s crap really. You barely get the time to know there name and there’s a new one. Ffs I wish they’d just slow down.

That’s one way of looking at it - that supports your pov. I personally think it’s harsh on Still to support his dismissal when so many players that supposedly are good enough simply have played badly. When so many of the goals we have conceded were preventable and have clearly frustrated him. We have conceded one great free kick but the rest have been pretty rubbish. Does it absolutely mean he’s made them worse? Cannot agree that it’s a definitive as you feel.

I think there’s been too many players failing to have positive impact over the league games played to date to start on the manager. Especially supposed big name players. The two new players who are mentioned to be the best in the league have done sweet fa since they been here for example. Nothing. Damion Downs: failure to impact Adam Armstrong : failure to impact Cameron Archer : failure to impact Flynn Downes : failure to impact THB : failure to impact Azaz : failure to impact Fellowes : failure to impact Mads: failure to impact Bazunu : failure to impact. Casper: failure to impact RossStewart : failure to impact Stephens : failure to impact JoshuaQuarsie: failure to impact Charles : failure to impact The only players who get let off are Fraser and Manning. Those two can say they have impacted games positively. The other have either been anonymous, very average or basically a waste of space. If only two of your squad are doing the lifting you are not going to get anything done. Players need to step up before people start crucifying the Manager.

My two dogs bark like mad at cats. One in particular cannot stand them and makes weird mewing noises if she sees one. If I pick her up though and bring her face to face with the pussy cat - which is usually unperturbed by stupid barking dogs - mine just pretend they cannot see them anymore and just stop and look bemused..

All Homo Sapiens are genetically predisposed to fear others that do not look like them. It might take an enlarged brain capacity to override that but I doubt it. It’s been a lifesaving attribute through Darwinian evolutionary principles for keeping the species alive. They fear others who wear beards for example or Make footballers pass the ball 100 times before going into opposition half for instance. Fear- and violent hatred - is not only normal but to be expected, by them when confronted with - to them - fearful alien looks, ideas and practices. The answer is always, of course, to burn the witches, to practise apartheid & genocide on a global basis. Then reconsider and try to play nice a while until it all kicks off once more. One day it’s someone’s beard and style of football the next its Kristallnacht. It’s a sorry state of affairs if you ask me.

There are no RM disciples - much as you would love to think there was. But there are some frankly obsessed RM haters still getting turned on by this hatred-a-thon thing you got going. It’s a dreadful Image but one can positively see the spittle spewing out your mouth as you post one handed, the other busy….🤮Good luck with your hating on an ex manager nothing to do with Saints anymore. And worst of all hoping you can transpose that hate onto fellow Saints fans by your goading posts. Shame on you. The only “I told you so” stories are you begging for someone to come on here so you can do your forum hard nut impersonations. You are so just gagging for someone like@Fabrice29 to come in so you can shoot your load of “ I told you he was crap” jizz like the limited intelligence boring old fart you are. He lives rent free in your RM hate obsessed mind it seems. If you cannot get RM ( and I bet anything you’d not last thirty seconds in a debate with him or @Fabrice29without resorting to shouting and swearing ) then anyone dares to say anything other than he’s the Antichrist is fair game for your bile. Fucking grow up and find a better hobby than trying to rile up fellow Saints.

I know Still has managed derby games before but, could be wrong, but I just got the feeling he “ froze” a bit under live national itv and intense derby pressure. Too little too late with subs and they were virtually doing the same thing all game rather than him using his ( frozen) brain with clarity to kniw wtf was going on and tactically sort it. You can bet your bottom dollar Jose Mourinho would have pushed our full backs forward at least 10 metres after 15 mins and maybe gone 3 at the back adding bodies into midfield. Still not got that experience or deep seated confidence in his thinking yet really despite number of games he’s managed. His assistants all froze as well obviously. Or probably. They should pipe up like the Emperors new clothes and say “Will, Flynn Downes is standing on the half way line in just his birthday suit ditto Cameron, get them sone boots and kit or get them off- just as a highly relevant and extremely serious for example.😁

Very astute. He is certainly strong AND quite fast. So if the team revert to hoofing it like yesterday he will at least be competitive in the air - unlike Adarma or Cam, And if it’s into space wide he should be faster than most CB’s and certainly faster than Stewart. So, yeah, if he can go to the confidence shop and buy some scoring boots and learn to get nasty instead of being mr nicely nicely, and that’s how we are going to play in general ~ he’s probably a better bet than any of them.

It was “indefensible” to play with wingbacks & 3 CB’s for many on here 24 hours ago. But I think the new shape was the font all our problems. Our flat back four was exactly that- four blokes in a line often parallel to the penalty area or deeper and very rarely seen over the halfway line. Chronically wasteful. It was like sending an invite to press and camp in our half in a high pressure game. Gave the initiative away instantly. Neither Mads nor Manning showed sufficient attacking intent. Given that’s what Ryan does best - and Mads is a decent player this has to go down as a bad inmatch failure by both players - and of the manager- to push on aggressively. I really cannot believe that Still told them to sit back like that all passive and useless. Compare Mads and Ryan’s contribution in previous matches - and it’s a fraction. They may as well stayed at home. The Pompey front line was NOT terrifying. No excuse. It was lack of bollocks. We looked overrun in middle of park too often as a consequence. And as for launching it to Cam to compete with his big CB in the air for it time after time. Just stop it. Please just stop it. Most embarrassing tactic I’ve seen at SMS since the no cf hug the sidelines U formation by RM v Forest…

Pointing to a prolonged period of possession in first half does not make them a top team. or even a decent team. Your proposal is a non sequitur. We were shocking. I’m not giving them the benefit of saying they are a decent team because we were so very bad. And dear old Baz did not put a foot wrong today. He is one of the very few relatively immune to being hung drawn and quartered for that pathetic first half non performance.

My match review : First half: We were much weaker and half a yard slower too. They were stronger. The occasion put lead in our boots. But our tactics were asking for it. I stopped counting the high hoofs mainly to archer but frankly it was shockingly bad offensive play. Second half. Better - but only because they tired and basically got resigned to keeping a point - it was not because we worked out what they were doing and countered it. As for our players : Charles did alright, Manning ditto, Bazunu too and Fraser did what he always does - works hard - but fuck it he is a limited player so if we had any ambition to win Jay or Leo should be on sooner. Stephens and THB were ok but still too keen to pass to each other instead of to forwards or mf. The rest : Aziz did a few touches but did not command the game. Neither did Fellowes. Both go down as disappointing performances for me. Downes - bad game. Archer as usual anonymous - this time because hitting 65yard balls at 9ft to him is simply stupid stupid stupid. I wouldn’t mind but there’s never anyone even close to him to fight for second ball - stupid stupid stupid. Mads was toothless today. The subs- Leo got fouled 3 times in 10 minutes Casper did a few decent things. Jay did nothing. Ross and Adam also did not change much. Overall our best attacker was the bloke who ran on the pitch and I give the manager a 4/10 for absence of initiative to change tactics. A better manager would have worked it out on the hoof versus that limited pfc side. Will did not/could not. They were not a top team but we made them look it in first half.