gio1saints

Got my ticket for Block 142 safe standing just now and it says enter via Red Zone Entrance M. Anybody know where that is in relation to the the coach park? ( yes I’m travelling with the official Saints bingo buses - got my marker pen sharpened my blankie freshly laundered ( for my knees it’s quite a trip ) polished my slippers, gave the thermos and sandwich box a good clean up so I’m all practically sorted, just must remember to take my medications and a beanie hat as it might be a bit chilly out there. And my throat lozenges of course - Two packs - plus some paracetamol for the sore throat and headache that I will have. Oh and must not forget the ticket so it’s on the lobby mantelpiece in my house if I forget it can somebody remind me that’s where it is. 😄

Don’t we still hold the record for most single club team support at Wembley ? ( the JPT?)

Arguably the most important match in Saints history. Certainly the most financially important.

Alex has looked fresh like he should do having not played all season. Mentally fresh, physically fresh. The toll of having to be available to play out from your six yard box - and the price of even a slight mistake being a goal conceded- is not to be underestimated. Alex has had none of that. The young Baz this season - probably too much. If I was part of the Saints management team analysing our season- long performance I think I’d put this into the post-mortem. And address it for next season. The mental stress of playing the way RM wants his GK to play is higher than that on a standard keeper, imo. And it lends weight to the physical stress too with higher probability to get weird injuries exactly like what happened with Gav. IMO of course. And it’s cumulative over the season. The likelihood of the GK having a “ breakdown” of sorts or just a series of “how did that happen “ moments failing to stop a basic shot or passing straight to the opponent must subsequently be higher longer season goes on. I would address it by greater use of the back up goalies. This season coming up wether it’s EPL or still in the Championship, if we continue to play in the same way then the GK need to be rotated more. IMO of course. Which then lends itself to the suggestion of joint #1 goalies who week by week get picked like every other player does based on performance - rather than just the one and the other two only play cup.

For those of you who feel he’s just an arrogant so and so only interested in his hair style or hipster ways you may be surprised to know that there’s another side to him if you check out what the ( very successful) Foundation he set up in 2017 does. Sometimes, if you wish to learn about the ( sometimes obscured or hidden) character and motives of a man it can help look at what he does away from “ work” sometimes as much if not more so than what he says or does at “ work”. https://www.russellmartinfoundation.co.uk

Glad I managed to get my place in the standing area. Should be some atmosphere and good practice for next seasons Northam Wall - indeed it might be considered its first outing in a funny kind of way.

I think Alex will leave too. But I also think our new keeper will not be a #2.I think our best value option is the Rotherham keeper. He is an excellent shot stopper and I think he can kick it a bit too so everyone’s happy. 😁3 way competition for places- or not if Lumley gets hacked off at that. Can’t see Baz voluntarily leaving. A straight swop with Rotherham not such a bad bargain imo. R got to be favourites to go up and Gav will play every week.

Nice to read posts like these. When you have a home grown player “ getting better” in front of your eyes it’s one of the most satisfying experiences you can have as a Saints fan. Will’s goals and performances show he is “getting better” and he always seems like a sincere man in interviews. Jack Stephens is a heart on sleeve captain. I’d rather play - and potentially lose - with a team of Will and Jack Stephens’s than recruit a bunch of Diego kickaballs next season - and probably still get beat.

Atmosphere around SMS already exciting. This is different…better…uplifting I hope to the players!

Just bought one of his books - “the Goldmine effect “ kindle version to see if I can understand him bit better. Probably will get “Hunger in Paradise” his other book if the first is any good. Might post a review on the other non saints board if anyone is interested. NB already noted Sir Clive Woodward gives him a ringing endorsement …..😎

Can somebody explain to me the visceral hatred for Rasmus that is regularly voiced on here by a few posters? I’ve tried to understand what it might be and am guessing it’s a combo relegation, the NJ then RS then RM appointment plus our “ style” of play? The bloke has been part and parcel of some successful organisations : Midjitland and Brentford and now Göztepe and hopefully this season a record breaking and repromoted Saints. Despite that, Rasmus even more than RM looks a solid favourite as some posters favourite person-you-love-to-hate. If I had to put my finger on why I think it might be he looks a bit young, looks a bit “ hipster”, is definitely Northern European so comes across as a bit cold and his methodology is very data and sports science driven - and that combination drives some posters on here crazy because, especially the last point, it’s the antithesis of what they call football. Especially as it encourages the PB football style they also hate. He neatly personifies everything they hate about todays (modern) football. I don’t know the guy am not his mum not saying leave off the hate. Just hoping to understand if there’s anything more in it than what I’ve noticed. Or maybe the hate/abuse just goes with his title- and would be same whichever club or clubs he is at?

Have to agree about WBA - they were certainly one of the best sides we played at SMS this season. Better than Ipswich Leeds and Norwich anyways imo. Came away from that home match thinking these were a good solid team - and they are. No idea what the score might be.

Was reassured by Alex last few games. Obviously despite not playing much he’s still a good pro. And a good keeper. He has done his career chances a lot of good these last two performances.

However, if RM is planning a home switch to 4-3-3 to blow WBA away in the first half, then I'd go with Manning. Except we played rubbish with him v Stoke and v Cardiff in that supposedly more attacking formation. It’s a conundrum all right! I rate Ryan as technically a better player than Bree but in this case it’s not about the player as much as what formation RM decides - that then auto selects the right player.

If I had to pick out a something to train in for Friday it was the vulnerability exposed whilst defending against Tom Fellows. Fellows got enough space from Ryan Manning to put in several excellent goal chance creating crosses. Ryans ( our) style is to encourage his winger to go wide away from goal, but yesterday all the talented Fellows had to do was push the ball forward a bit to have enough space to cross. No particular skill required. if I was Corboran I’d give him the ball lots more., Unfortunately that ingrained defensive instinct can compromises ability to stop crosses. Has done all season. It’s why many on here bemoan his defending - but It’s most certainly due to the requirement that Ryan participate in our attacks much more than a standard LB - such that at breakdown ( when we lose possession) he is often out of optimal defensive position - so his first instinct is to get compact. It’s easy to compare and contrast with Bree who appears better defensively because he attacks less - so is less often out of position - and is more likely to be close to his winger on turnaround to make crosses harder. Given Fellows is a threat I think I’d prefer Bree on him for Friday even if that foregoes our attacking potency a bit. I think we have enough attacking intent across the team without the need to compromise our left flank when out of possession. Alternately ask Ryan to curb his attacking enthusiasm. OR and this is more likely imo - revert to a back four.

How certain is it the “crown jewels” the out of contracts and the loan players all leave Saints at season end? Funnily enough I don’t think it makes all that much difference either way. Sure the wages may get a bump but the contracts ( and c wages and prospects) may not be as juicy as on offer at more established EPL clubs. Don’t forget the three promoted teams are always favourites for relegation.. If we go up - or stay down - I think the names and odds are still pretty much the same : 1. Alex will leave 10/10 imo. 2. Flynn is wanted and will go back and play for West Ham 9/10 imo. 3. KWP will leave 10/10 imo. 4. Stuart will leave 7/10 imo. 5. Mara will leave on loan or transfer 10/10 imo 6. Che will leave 9/10. 7. THB will leave 10/10. 8. Brooks will go back but we probably will be offered a chance to buy him ditto Rothwell. Unsure either are especially “ wanted” by Bournemouth. I’ve no idea if we would try keep either so I’m guessing it’s 6/10 they leave. Those are the current first readers off top of my head. Which suggests that there will be significant outgoings shortly, as expected. Strap yourselves in!

The Spurs link is very odds on I’d say. The coaches style will fit him well. And it’s clearly an upwards step. I’m, sadly, certain it will happen. Two players I consider not as good as him but who have done well overseas are Lewis Ferguson and Nathan Tella. Tella obviously hit the jackpot going to Leverkusen but Ferguson deserves credit - awarded “ Seria A midfielder of the year whilst at Bologna. The player overseas much better than all of them got no medals this season - Harry Kane- but his reputation as World Class has been enhanced not reduced by his time at Bayern given his goals and performances. . KWP to Bayern is not such a ridiculous thought. And Bayern cannot go two seasons without trophies & medals so if I was kwp and offered the chance I’d jump…

Comparing JWP to FD is just silly as many of the posts above show in detail. Yes, FD has been fundamental to everything good for us , this season, in the Championship, but comparisons casting shade on JWP’s career are so way off the mark as to be laughable. As for description of JWP as “ average” - think the word that should be used is exceptional. He is a far from an average baller - expect to see him in top line management one day when his excellent playing career in professional football is over.

Don’t disagree. They want to enjoy their match day experience AND win. We all do. But to “expect” it from Saints after what happened last season is a little bit over ambitious imo. The way Moyes approaches football is to concentrate 100% on the result and to some ( a vocal minority) it’s not been stylistically pretty enough on the eye especially as West Ham have that pretty football reputation. I think they should be more grateful for what Moyes has done myself - like I think some Saints fans should be a little less ungracious about RM.

What I think goes unremarked is that there is almost always a lengthy gestation period in the resurrection of clubs that have gone down as ignominiously as we did last year. We were not plucky losers or unlucky to go down. We stank the place out most weeks. It was start from scratch not build on the good bits time. There exists a massive gap between the “expectation” of fans this season after that utter tripe last year versus the practical reality. But it has been ever thus. Look at the EPL - there’s not one team not slated by its own supporters for not doing better.Moyes gave WHUFC a European trophy and top ten finishes yet he became the Antichrist. Go figure.

Mats has been a great disappointment to me last half of season. First half he comes on he scores- with a great goal to minutes ratio- second half that’s all gone. If he is not scoring when he comes on as a sub the only value I And see is if he can give us 45-60 minutes of running the WBA defence ragged. And then putting RS on to take advantage..and that’s assuming Che is unfit to play period. Because if Che is only 75% I’d still play him and still put RS on last 30. Che needs to have a leg amputated not to play in these games, imo, anything else he starts. There are no second chances anywhere this is it. Che must play.

My view is that Moyes is a good reliable successful EPL Manager. Any team has him will generally be ok to good. He is an arch realist and generally his teams play according to what players he has got and their talents rather than to a definable style that he wants them to fit into. Most of all his teams win more than lose as he generally sets up his teams to beat the oppo game by game rather than fixating on how they play. He is in the Mourinho mould in that respect. Utterly pragmatic and will do anything g to win or not lose and dies not care what people think of his “ style”. In other words, he is at the other end of the spectrum to RM in many regards - but if RM were to leave and SR wanted the best chance of staying up for Saints next season in the EPL ( I doubt he’d join us in the championship though) Moyes is an outstanding choice.

The new WH manager is not going to say he does not want FD sight unseen. Most new managers want to keep options open and see such a player in the flesh first. If there is a MF player he falls in love with but he needs sell FD to Saints ( or a n other) well, that’s what will happen. My personal view is that FD probably suits his style of play but if he needs sell-to-buy ( which is probable) then it’s a possible we may be able to buy FD IF lopetgui has fallen in love with some other top player and needs the funds. - if we offer more than other clubs who undoubtedly know his qualities do that is- including wages. All in all I’d say odds against us atm.

FWIW : most of you incredulous or even some outraged (😂) about my views on penalty practice and especially on my wanting to hear WBA are practising pens but not wanting to hear that from Saints are not really getting my point. Practising can turn something from explicit learning ( you learn how to take a corner ) to implicit learning ( your body instinctively knows what shape to make what muscle fibres to activate in what order to perform the corner kick). Practise is great for that. In technical terms, for those who are interested ( put this down now if you hate tech stuff) I am more interested in the emotional and psychological conditioning effect of preparing for pens. I’m sure most of you have experienced that sensation where you know you must or must not do something and focus so hard on not doing it ( let’s say, not hit the ball straight at the keeper weakly in a penalty shootout) that - inevitably- you end up doing it. Focusing so hard on penalties when we do not want penalties may have the unfortunate side effect of making penalties happen. Penalties only happen if you don’t beat your opponent in normal time. Saints are better than WBA. We should be beating them over two matches in normal time. I do not want to encourage anything that undermines that conviction. Even more interestingly for me though is another reason why training for penalties to me is not all that useful : Perception of what’s going on in a players head during a match via his senses ( sight sound touch etc) reach the thalamus first and from there to the neocortex and thence the info is processed and hey presto action occurs. This happens super fast because of both explicit and implicit learning. However there is an even faster pathway that goes straight to something called the Amygdala which screens the infor for signs of DANGER. It does this milliseconds fractions faster than the other pathway because safety is hardwired into us evolutionarily. When Ryan Manning steps up for his penalty undoubtedly his implicit and explicit learning will kick in - because he has “ practised penalties” so he will choose a spot and not change his mind snd his body will do all the right things in the right order to execute the shot. Except that the Amygdala has got there milliseconds faster than the training and told him this is a shit scary situation and to gtf out of there. It’s what turns players legs to jelly in shootouts. Certain players can handle it, most cannot. Smashing the crap out the ball is the typical response of some players to that fear - but many just go feeble despite “practise”. It’s not the penalty kick that they should be practising. It’s the emotional response to extremely high stress situations. And sadly that’s virtually impossible to recreate in this instance - a £500mil pound rest of your career success or failure shot at goal from the penalty spot - in Front of 100 million worldwide viewers plus your mum dad wife and kids teammates. Your whole life in one kick. Doing it at Staplewood for £100 bets with your mates is not the same. Cannot be. Practise getting your head right much more important. Use the knowledge that WBA are scared they cannot win and ARE practising as your incentive to win in normal play. Im not really against practising pens. But honestly, it’s not really all that much use to the players- it’s more for some fans reassurance than anything else. No need to get outraged at me or shout personal abuse. Although of course in doing so you are exactly showing what im explaining - emotional responses kick in faster than intellectual. Despite age and maturity and no doubt plenty of practise the emo response can still make you look like a thick foul mouthed thug when you probably are not. 😁

@trousers very Funny. Like I said- it’s a classic dog whistle topic. This “practising penalties” thing- is it just for the “penalty takers” or do you reckon the keepers should get some “saving penalties practice” too? Presumably if you are going to practise scoring then 50% of the equation is how many penalties are saved - so it’s pretty damn important to practise that too I would have thought? Does Alex get to practice saves with the nominated takers or does he get the others ? Because if he saves a load it’s bad for the takers / good for him but if he fails to save it’s good for the takers : bad for him? And how do you recreate the fact that the eyes of the world and hundreds of millions of pounds are at stake for a save or a goal at that point? Seriously how do you “ practice” that? Anyone can kick a ball into the goals down the park from the spot.