Holmes_and_Watson

Never too early to think ahead 🙂 GK - Baz (inj), Lumley, Lis Baz out well into next season, so a new no 1 required. There were loads of quality keepers available, just as we thought we'd done well in getting Baz. FB - KWP, Bree, Manning, (Stephens), Meghoma, Larios (inj), Perraud Can't see Perraud staying, Larios has injury issues and Meghoma still young. KWP a class above the others, so may need to add, if quality available. CB - Bedders, THB, Stephens, Lyanco, ABK, DCC ABK and DCC are okay, but no idea if the club want them, they want to be here after the relegation season. If there's a hint of a poor attitude, they can go along with Lyanco, who I can't see staying. Bedders and THB deserve their chance. Bringing in cover got us Holgate, so a tough one. M - Will, Aribo, Charles, Alcaraz, (Stephens) Sign Downes. Then sign another quality player here. We've needed strengthening here for seasons. I could see Charles going off on loan. If so, that's yet another coming in. Hopefully Alcaraz will develop other areas of his game. F - AA, Stewart, Mara, Sule, Edozie, SAA, Ounacho Stewart barely fit. Mara not suiting system, Paul certainly not suiting it, Sule's future uncertain, Edozie minus an end product and SAA young. Signing Fraser then a no brainer (can also fill in as wing back). Another area needing a quality Che replacement as well as a direct playing Brooks replacement. Leaving - Alex, Stu, Che Loan ending - Rothwell, Brooks, Fraser Need to extend contracts of - KWP Sign Please - Downes, Fraser

Derby

Bedders has been a bit classy for this division. As @SNSUN said, Stephens' injury allowed the THB partnership to flourish. THB has loads of strengths, but was also gaining a lot from his partner. When Stephens returned, there was a wobble, with THB form dipping. But Janny B has been composed and calm throughout. Also been vital with all the short passing too, creating options for the others. The Villa thing did leave a bad taste. But that went badly, and he's been a key player this season. As for Perraud, Martin didn't rate him, doesn't think he suits our system and has said so, played him at center half and then got shot of him. I don't know if Perraud was one of the want away players or one with an attitude. But with KWP, Bree, Manning, Stephens, Patios and Meghoma all options, I'd be very surprised if he stays.

Really chuffed for him today. You could see how much it meant to him, and how proud he was to be doing that for his and our club. It was practically the first ball, and he misplaced a pass. I half chuckled/ half groaned. Knowing when to take a riskier pass and when to keep it safe is just something to work on. Elsewher, he was got a shot blocked after a cutback. Then I noticed, I wasn't noticing him. He did a load of work helping to keep that front four quiet, and the players behind them. With him in the side, Will got more forward, and Aribo more flexible, and Stephens did a lot of covering. Whether the gaps on the flanks or helping Bedders and THB. He had a very good game today. We chuckle at him being shoe horned in, but it's a sign of how versatile he can be. As he shifted positions today, that was all paying off. So credit to Martin who develops the players that way, as he's done for Will, AA, Aribo too.

When we lost Stu, Martin was trying variations to get the midfield functioning. When Baz got injured, we needed more adjustments. To his credit, he switched it. Stephens, who had been given minutes across the team being really and prepared to step into the back 3. Good man management and flexibility when he needed to change.

Welcome permanently to Saints THB! Looking forward to that THB/Bedders partnership in the top league.

yes! Well done lads! We were resolute, in defending today. Excellent performances. Not at our best as we sacrificed a lot of our game to keep them clear. Even then, James nearly got them back into it. Well done to Martin, who changed it up when we needed to get it over the line. AA with another super performance. Strong at the back. KWP class with Downes as our engine. Will with lovely touches and Aribo. Fraser kept them narrow and sapped their energy. I thought we lost some momentum when Brooks went off. But we'd got the goal, and we're content to wait for a great chance. Proud of our lads.

Stephens could have held onto that.

Well done Che. Gets the freekick.

KWP back on. Whew! 9 mins... Probably more now...

Injury time is going to be painfully long.

They have a lot of fresh legs on, as they often do. We're second to the tackles. Hang in there Saints!

Oh necks. Crossbar! James has made a difference. C'Mon Saints!

Sam a little lightweight, now we've Che and AA.

Manning!

Che with a Holgate moment.

Oh Sam... good position, but just didn't fancy it.

Yay! A free kick to us. A few non fouls have been going Leeds' way

A few worried looks out there. Need to get vocal and stay focused. A decent couple of mins of possession, getting away from a couple of hoofs.

We're a bit off the pace here.

Whew! I thought that was in. C'mon Saints!

COYR! There will be challenges, but we have shown how composed we can be throughout the season. 45 mins to keep showing our best.

Leeds had a stronger start. But we absorbed that, and caught them with all that crisp passing Martin has got them to do all season. We were on top, but dropped back a bit when Brooks went off. Really well worked free kick nearly got us a second. I wonder had Adams been on, that he'd have had the player's instinct to put it in. Downes did well stopping a counter. Lots of strong performances. A couple of worrying yellows. But much, much rather be in our position than Leeds. Hopefully, they've faded a bit. Hopefully, we will be in a great position to take advantage if we're left with more gaps.

Shame to see Brooks go off. He's been involved. I thought it would be Adams. Can only hope for some end product from Edozie.

Yeeeeeeesssss!!!!!