gio1saints

Watford is gearing up to be a master class in the best- and possibly the worst - about our PB style from out 2nd eleven.

I thought it was strange putting him on instead of Shea or Charlie as we have often previously seen. If we wanted to keep offensive pushing forward Charlie should have come on. If we wanted to shut up shop it should have been Shea. Putting Rothwell on was neither and actually something of a confusing vote of no confidence in the other two. That call made for good reasons but seriously contributed to our scrappy last twenty. All on RM imo. But that’s what he’s paid for I guess.

Disagree. Geel that’s harsh. He is more vocally demonstrative than either. RM regularly talked about how quiet team was as a negative - with JS back there’s much more and better communication. When he started playing again I lost count of times at SMS he was commending Baz and encouraging others around him - off the ball - That was noticeable by its absence previously. RM feels JS as skipper adds value. Maybe it’s the CB union but on balance I agree. There’s a case for THB but until he’s our player it would be weird for a loaner to be captain.

Im not sure what you think my argument is? That he’s not as bad as some make out? I’d go with that. If you disagree -fine. From the data and from my own eyes it does much appear that he is the epitome of a Russell Martin ball playing Centreback. Every other CB in the league is programmed to pretty much clear it yet he, uniquely is a stand out in not doing so. He shows immense leadership and example in refusing to boot it long. VERY Often when it’s by far the easier option. Im not sure if we ever have had such a ball playing CB with that iron will ( you might call it stupidity or lack of ability or poor choice making) to NOT just hoof it. There’s a time and a place for just clearing it and we must do so, of course I get it. That JS after 530 minutes does not appear to do so is not an accident though and dies not undermine any argument. Rather it confirms that as Captain he has been told, and personally understands, that if this PB football is to work it needs 100% commitment to retaining the ball. And as Captain he must show the ultimate leadership in that. If he falters they all are allowed to falter. I hope that explains it a bit better for you. I’m NOT agreeing it’s right to not clear it. I AM explaining why he does not- and my take on it- which is that it’s awesome he has that stat!😇

Swans have to play Leicester away, Leeds ant hone and Ipswich at home yet. If they can harness the confidence From the second half of yesterdays match and avoid being dominated like they were first half v Saints it’s not out the question they may take a point or more from those three matches, unlikely, but a draw v Leeds or Ipswich at home for them if they play like second half does not sound a crazy result.

Jack Stephens came on and almost gave an assist to swans. The whole team looked ragged last twenty. Some might argue it was him that caused the team being ragged but realise that it was more a collective failing - including from RM- that led to that dip in our performance. Added to that a substantial uplift in Swanseas tactics and performance. I know people need a scapegoat every match but honestly if you look at the big picture Jack Stephens way of playing football epitomises the new ( 21 matches undefeated ) saints style. Bold brave risky but still doing it approach. Sometimes it doesn’t come off. Sometimes it does. For those interested in JS scouting analysis check below. It’s only 530 minutes for him but interesting all the same ( for some - and might make you review your meh views on JS and tell you why he’s playing) . If you think they are meaningless BS don’t hit the link https://fbref.com/en/players/6adbc307/Jack-Stephens NB. My favourite stat from the link is that he is virtually bottom ( I think he IS actually bottom), for clearances. Jack simply does not do clearances. 😁He says it’s not in his job description so he’s not doing them. 😂. Think on it. A CB that doesn’t do clearances! 🤫

Head says draw heart says Ipswich win. Frankly, praying for Ipswich to falter and Leeds ditto is weak. Better to be strong and go for the top place not be satisfied with second and others fucking up than whimper along on our knees last few gages to get second or worse a play off position. That attitude is best for getting max points from all the games we should between now and end season.

Unless Swansea scored twice or even thrice when we were down to ten men. Which was rather the point.

Have your opinions on players is fine. But a guy calls YOU an arsehole idiot and clown - repeatedly - for sticking up for your captain and your team and you give it a pass do you? No I call it.

I think RM Showed signs of tiredness and emo overstretch. Team played a bit like it too. Full throttle first half then emptied the tank lost direction and match mental purpose focus for last 20m. He said so in interview. He and team needs to recover that mental and physical energy and match focus this week. Now the monkey that was the 21 record and a return to Swansea is off his back I hope that the intensity that we are used to seeing from saints late in matches returns. Need intensive recovery for sure.

Send RM a memo to that effect. You seem to know your football. I think “even”RM might change his mind and agree to only play JS in Cup you seem so knowledgeable. To call JS average is hardly a criticism btw- he’s third choice CB - what do you expect - Virgil Van Dyke to come off the bench ? Even I know that. 😂😂😂

RM said in interview THB was taken off cos was on a yellow. To avoid a red and us being down to ten. JS has been the go to CB since return from injury. No mystery. Im sorry if you feel RM is a bullshitter for giving his reason for replacing THB as above. I’m sure he’s gonna be devastated at your opinion.

WOW . Congratulations John! If my math is correct that’s 62 years a Saint! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

Where do you get off repeatedly calling me a clown an idiot and an arsehole Because I say support the team and get off Jacks back?? Your inability to construct a sentence without turning it into a personal stream of nasty abuse is laughable. Yiu and I support the same team. Give it a rest with the insults.

RM said in interview THB was taken off cos was on a yellow. To avoid a red and us being down to ten. JS has been the go to CB since return from injury. No mystery.

Yeah great pride mate. 21 unbeaten. Never again. Carry on hating on Jack and being obnoxious to fellow saints instead though. 🤯.

Shock horror- Captain plays a semi duff match saints web forum condemns him to death. He’s our captain. He’s a human not a perfect machine. He has played well for us other times. Not so much today. Get over it with the overreaction and snide comments. SUPPORT YOUR SKIPPER you faithless lot. Alternately send SR a stern letter saying never pick him again you fickle football geniuses. 😕

My view on why we looked a bit dodgy second half was because that is literally the first time we’ve had the opportunity to “ manage” the game from a position of strength half time. Im not buying that the main reason is that Jack Stephens is shit - as some above would, ridiculously, have you believe. We did not fail the test. They did not score. We managed the match from that perspective. Am I happy at that bad playing especially latter stages- no- but all this outrage about what a shit captain we have. Get a grip of yerselves. A team 21 unbeaten best in all our history and all you got is our captain is shit - I literally cannot believe the lack of grace and class in our fanbase sometimes. Be grateful for once you entitled so an sos. You ain’t never gonna see this record beaten again in your lifetime - and you cannot just say “ well done team?” Yiu got to hate on the captain? With support like that who needs opponents. Pathetic really. You don't deserve this record breaking team.

There is a Lord! Finally someone gets it!!!

Interesting comments from RM in the DE about Joe. In particular about “ frying his brain”. This intensive training technique is what caused brain farts in the team early season - but I’m guessing with only 19 league matches to go RM doesn’t feel he’s got much choice if Joe is to get up to speed. All the same it suggests there is no chance he will be starting any time soon and unlikely to come on unless it’s dire straits or easy streets in a match last quarter. That RM has publicly ( almost gleefully, it seemed to me) noted how red faced Joe was after training suggested that the reaction and level of physical fitness evident in our team is high - because J had to work very hard to keep up. RM seemed to take that as a compliment. Combined with Flynn comments about how Joes presence had something of a galvanising effect on the squad in training ( by which I think he meant tackles were being put in extra speed extra urgency to show why Joe should not be taking there position in team/squad) and I can see the value of this recuitment even before Joe touches a ball in anger on the pitch. It’s a ( hopefully clever - proofs in the pudding) use of psychology to help extract that extra one or two per cent from the starting 11 today and rest of season. At low cost too.

There’s a weak connection to Stade Rennes and Jan B via Mercato.com on the interweb. Looks nothing but froth.

100% with you. The attitude on display is why I will always support saints. Sometimes it’s suppressed but like cream it eventually floats to the top. For me it’s more important than the results.

I am not extrapolating it. Stats are not a guarantee of future performance but it’s better than nothing - or pure opinion.

@Jack @Weston Super Saint Were Saints to achieve 96 points from all the matches bar Leeds, Ipswich, LCFC and WBA away it is not guaranteed automatic promotion - true. I simply pointed out that IF we had achieved that then the four matches were essentially freebies. Worst case 96 - best case 108. What number of points before points from playing those four do you think you could say - ah I see what Gio is getting at here - is it 98? 100 points 104? IF we won every match bar those four ( total points 100) do you still think 100 is not enough and that the matches are must win or not lose than than essentially freebies. It’s just a hypothetical discussion nothing to get too worried about. I personally feel 96/97 will be enough irrelevant where they come from but we shall see. Let’s hope we do get at least that! 😇

here we are c/o the Athletic: In the last ten years 96 points was going to get you second place. There was no surely about it. This year is a ridiculous outlier for top teams points hence my use of term “ surely” . “If we get 96 points this season surely it will be enough “ is not crazy logic. Second place finishes, 2014-2023 SEASON TEAM FINAL TALLY 2013-14 Burnley 93 2014-15 Watford 89 2015-16 Middlesbrough 89 2016-17 Brighton 93 2017-18 Cardiff City 90 2018-19 Sheffield United 89 2019-20 West Brom 83 2020-21 Watford 91 2021-22 Bournemouth 88 2022-23 Sheffield United 91