gio1saints

Occam’s razor : The most likely explanation is probably the correct one. The last response is the right answer. The myth of the “ adjustments” needs putting to bed. All this begrudging of a manager and his team who’ve worked so hard is unseemly guys.. The factors why it took a while to get going was 1. because it takes time to learn a new system. And the learning time required is not necessarily linear. 2. Players were overloaded with instructions and were taking time digesting them. RM admits he probably stuffed them too much too fast. But it was the same stuffing not anything different. As soon as team started to get fluent in PB football RM style and shave microseconds off reaction times all of a sudden it looked like we’ve made adjustments and are playing it forwards and faster - and by inference to the argument proposed- because previously they were told not to. Inherent in the “ adjustments” mythology is that the team were specifically told to fanny around our six yard box and ultimately give the ball away or hit 450 passes in each half mainly from goalie to Cb without looking dangerous. NOT to play incisive attacking PB football. Despite RM saying that this was exactly what he did NOT want us to do. To think otherwise is just bloody mindedness. It’s a myth. nonsense. Saints been trying to play possession based incisive attacking football from the start. Go back watch his interviews where he explicitly repeatedly says he wants to move the ball faster more forwards etc. He didn’t change the tactics. The players just got better and better at it until suddenly- it seems to have clicked and we operate at a consistently high standard . It takes fewer touches to be in optimal position to take advantage in various parts of the pitch. Nobody has learned new skills. It’s still football but we do it faster more accurately more decisively now. It’s not a tweak it’s called evolution learning and getting better at a skill. Go back and read every interview with him and the players snd compare to now. Back then they were learning now the passes movements spaces covering etc are microseconds faster and done on instinct based on repetition and learning.

Now now trousers, a non sequitur it may be - but the new manager would have had to equal a record that has stood for over 100 years just to be as good as RM.’s record The likelihood is exceedingly low that a replacement for the third manager jettisoned in a year at SMS could equal or outperform that unbeaten record. I concede it to you as you’re technically correct - but from the real not semantics world point of view you know it’s so unlikely to be not worth counting.

We lose a couple of matches the football geniuses above will be back in force saying I told you so. Guaranteed. It’s the fair weather support cynicism rule. Only as good as your last result approach. Patience and faith is for losers. Ronnie O’Sullivan is acknowledged as the Snooker GOAT. On the recent Amazon documentary there’s was a telling conversation in which he said he would rather lose playing winning snooker than win playing any other way. Because he was only interested in winning the right way. It’s been a long time since we not only had a Manager who wants us to win and win in the right way, but moreover actually physically delivers that right way winning with his team So nowadays I’m glad people are realising that, yes, fundamental change from being a shambles of a club to something we could all be proud of, and a part of, does take time - and that it’s not linear. And that, yes, it does requires bravery and yes it’s a process. And no those words are not trendy hipster bullshit. It’s just RM saying it as it is. Truthfully. SR fucked up no question getting us relegated - but boy have they reacted to that adversity well and pulled off a Masterstroke in recruiting RM - and keeping him - despite the pressure put on them to yet again fxck around and appoint yet another manager like so many of you were undoubtedly hoping would happen.

Thank goodness the now repentant football geniuses hating on him - and anyone who defended him, didn’t get their way and he was sacked off eh?

You have got to be having a larf. You want people to believe that disrespectful shite over a player of such consummate skill that he can pick and choose which games he will score in and which he will not? And a further twist is that it’s all according to the transfer window opening and closing so that he only scores or “ looks good” when he can be transferred? And it follows by this logic that when the window is shut he also actively decides and chooses to not score and not play well? Because, obviously he is an utter c🤡nt of a player taking the p❌ss out of the hand that feeds him? If you believe that’ Che only plays well by design at certain times - and not because he’s inconsistent and pretty much always has been for us - let me show you a nice bridge I’ve got for sale near St Mary’s. Itchen bridge could be yours for three beans. Honest.

Plus was on a yellow

Dominant first half. Should be 3 or 4 nil, as usual. Great finish by Che. A def penalty not given to us. More cards to come second half I’m sure. Am predicting a penalty to saints also. Law of totting up the fouls. Ryan on fire just hope his injury not serious and he plays on second half. SW are massive but ideal for our nippy forwards. Do same again we surely must score at least another. SW will need to score two at least to beat us. Not to tempt fate but 100 year recird is 45 minutes plus injury time away….COYS!

I think he will start today. Quite happy at thought of him AA and RF leading the attack supported by our Stu and probably Flynn and Will to add some defensive rigour - though Shea could start instead of Will and no complaints from me. If Che leads the attack he also is putting himself in the shop window so has every possible incentive to play well and indeed score.

There was one giveaway during the 2nd part that revealed something I suspect he did not want to giveaway. His whole demeanour adjusted when talking about bringing in a quality player who (loosely paraphrasing) likely knew what it takes to play in the championship / (inference probably that they had already done so). That body adjustment / demeanour change which also came with a micro second of introspective thought Usually means “ oops that’s a leak “ in body language terms. Remember he’s trying not to give the game away on transfer targets but to appear open and forthcoming at same time. That’s not startling news because both Benson and Brookes tick that box for Burnley and Bournemouth respectively but there are one or two others that do fall into that category - Carvalho of course we missed but there’s an ex Sunderland player at Man yoo and one or two others similar but not quite as fitting the “ quality” standard that RM says is vital potentially also on radar or even standby. Also RM strongly Suggested it’s not gonna be another green back like Joe O’Brian but potentially somebody ( by inference) not phased at having to fight v established experienced player / internationals for that starting slot. Just my observations / impressions from his words and how he said them body posture his breathing & colouration , gestures etc.

Coalporter rowing club? I thought it was free or time restricted parking in that under bridge kind of area ? I saw they’d blocked off the space near the ( open on match days, fairly rough but authentic clubhouse bar) with some cars at the last match but hitherto it’s had free spaces as long as yiu are there early. After 1.30 -2pm forget it. Disadvantage of paying a tenner to park at the various unofficial places nearer stadium is that with all our sell outs it’s usually going to take ages to get away. Unless you leave with five to go ( which is more like ten with injury time -BOOO!) If you are willing to watch us score our usual injury time goals, wish to give three cheers to the team at match end etc and don’t mind having a little walk post match you can avoid the frustration of just sitting in traffic ten minutes, save that tenner, get your 10k steps under your belt and probably get home quicker by parking a little further out.

Yep sorry. More like 22-25mins.

Free Park in and around Junction Inn, nr St Denys station - a pleasant water facing walk via The Itchen walkway leads you straight to SMS. That’s also 25 minutes but it’s quite a social one as it’s 99% Saints fans.

Spoiler alert : Do not read below if you wish to know who did it. ❌ PS it was not the Butler. But it was close. ……..;It’s possible this clue alludes to EManuel Benson, and the analysis is moderately compelling though not absolute. I dare say one could make a case for any number of applicants for this positional vacancy out of the pic - there’s also a nice reference to St. James Park in there if you look close and if anyone is actually bothered that is as that’s not the point of this entertaining smoke and mirrors fun. 100% transfer info records - like 19 games unbeaten records - are not to be taken for granted and sullied by wild google searches etc. I can get you in touch with a bloke for “ aBienvenu Manuel” flag if you need as he’s getting a nice stream of biz from me whst with the Polish Jan and Scottish Stu flags plus “ Saints are 20 match unbeaten record breakers” 85ft foot long mega banner me and all my volunteer chums are unfolding after full time later today. 🤥 But Maybe it’s Amed Diallo after all. Or Mason Mount. 😂

Bitterne Br station or nearby. 22m walk from there.

Westminster Abbey ✅

With saints supporters like you who needs opponents.

Thanks Whitey. Agreed Kinks were well ahead of their time in so many ways. Bit like MLT in his prime. The world by and large didn’t “get him” so he just got left out of the England squads. Think I might try get myself to one of these (or more) gigs. Went Oslo for Bruce again recently and hoping to see him again this year Europe or who knows , feck it , the States. Rare Talent must be appreciated whilst we have them around. ( and are around ourselves!)

Both Jan and Stu are on the cusp of 200 appearances for Saints. This is a major milestone. If my research is correct, Jan is currently on 197 and Stu is on 196. Both are well short of our all time appearances players but if both remain fit and playing this time next season they could make the Saints first 11 all time for EPL and Championship (or Div 1&2) - if I understand correctly. Corrections humbly accepted. Which enters at least Saints Hall of Fame category if not “Legends”. A Polish flag from the international team with “congratulations on 200 matches for Saints Jan “ written in Polish, and ditto a Scottish international flag saying “ congratulations on 200 matches Stu” written in Scottish dialect might be a cool thing to get created and display perhaps present to them after the respective matches?

No. im sry v WBA. My mistake. But you knew that I’m sure. 🤡

I meant get to SMS.

It’s a historic fixture. One day, 🤞, all 30k saints fans will be able to say they were there the day that an unbeaten league games record was matched. If you ain’t got a ticket then, frankly, you need to get off your backside and do what it takes to get one pay whatever is required to get in and be there. History can be made and no saints fan should miss it.

Yes Injury prone, yes not playing much but also yes he is still registered to Saints and will be back next season unless sold or loaned out again. He gets fitness back and a decent run of games the last half of season it’s like a new signing at CB.

Celtic are keen on this guy. A pacy winger highly regarded at Austria Vienna. Left footer. £3m gets him apparently. Unlikely to be on much wages either. Cheap alternate option to the GB based winger options we linked with? We would usually buy this guy from Celtic next season for £8m so why not get him now before he gets more expensive?😂

Man of the Match his last full game suggests otherwise in this league. His standard transfer fee and standard wages demanded would rule him out for sure- but his suitability for the squad- no- he’s suitable and a useful squad asset being able to play at CB or FB so in this league that’s not really up for debate. What happens if we go up is another story. It’s unlikely THB, Jan or JS would leave if we go up - and possible Saints might consider keeping the same four in the EPL including Mason. Big Mistake imo. Of those four only THB is top EPL class, imo. JS and Beds I love them to bits but they would not be top top cb’s in the EPL. Maybe good enough for bottom ten clubs at best. Which, hate to say it, is probably gonna be our level- if we do well. Mason, if repeating his mom form and ironing out his silly mistakes potentially may be the same but probability suggests not. Says to me if we go up Saints will look to get at least one top top CB prospect or half finished one. We do have a possible coming back from overseas loan…😉* *ABK - though he does not start for them he’s getting the experience in a team thats best in the Eredisivie and in a ridiculous unbeaten league run so it’s hardly surprising he’s not breaking in. They smash teams every week.. Current transfermkt value €19M - which is more than what we paid (€11m) so objectively the markets says he’s improving…might be the potentially great new Cb without a fee for us - or his sale may fund a replacement.

God I actually agree with both you are saying. The Kinks are so badly underrated but they massively inspired The Jam ( and so many others ) - two of my favourite bands. But I’ve got a heavy cold plus injured my calf reffing on Sunday so I’m obviously not 100%. Both excellent song choices. Only problem is, of course, - and frankly I am rather surprised that neither of you picked this up - but there is absolutely NO reference to Pompey in either song. Despite that, if DB joins and performs a half decent pass ( better yet a goal) I will be solo starting “ I wish I could be like David Brooke’s” from Block 41…..😇😁