Holmes_and_Watson

You'd read this thread as if he was some sort of unbalanced, easily led man-child. Guy's a genius at lining his own pockets and those of his pals ( defence, markets etc). 🙂 Not to mention ticking off the dream checklist of plenty of right wing hawks, when it comes to foreign policy. So much more to cram in before the mid terms too. Lucky us.

Number

Another couple of months and Tugboat UK could be on hand to help defend something.

I was wondering why they were making such a fuss about who got a corner. 🙂 Mind you, having happily skipped the PL this season. I see the play acting hasn't gone anywhere. Poor Romero. At least today's departure wasn't him getting sent off. He'd been booked in this one, and then made a pointless headed challenge into the back of an opponent's head. Spurs offered nothing beyond a Porro shot, near the end. Sunderland had much stronger players, some more mobile than others, with Xhaka pulling the strings. Much more cohesive than the Random XI Spurs put out there.

Such a shame. They were faffing around with triple subs before it.

They could still have some players on Premier wages, and Championship wages, due to poor contract negotiations, done when the rot had set, but they were kidding themselves. A 5 star hotel on the training ground ( remember the.Vestergard & Winks thing where they wanted to travel in, rather than stay at it) and daft, hard to shift overheads. They may not be able to shift enough wages to meet the L1 rules. If that stops them coming back up ( points deductions), the end of parachute pennies makes it even worse. The trouble their owners are in adds to the uncertainty. Of course, they could still stay up, and their owner see through the next couple of seasons for a reset.

Watching Sunderland have the upper hand v Spurs. No goals yet. 3 of Spurs back 4 on yellows I think.

Convict

Likewise, just to be in the playoffs looked beyond us after such a poor start. As Tonda's first run, turned into a slump, it seemed we would have to fight to get midtable. And there we have the last week or so, beating play off rivals and into a semi final. Hopefully, the next few games consolidate us in there. If the run continues, then we'd need Ipswich form to fall away (although we do play them).

I looked at the Leicester forum earlier. On the whole, fairly balanced, with a lot of echoes of our own, bleaker, times. They're all very aware of the financial disaster of going down again.

Watchman

Downes was also great today. Just that you expect MVP stuff from him.

Sunday at St Mary's... Right Tom. This is Mr Mesmero. He is going to convince you that you are Scott Marshall. Then we will put you in the opponent's penalty area...

Well deserved result. Sometimes, it has to be dug out. Not from lack of willingness, and certainly not work, it wasn't working for Stewart, Fellows or Azaz finishing today. That's when others need to step up. And our game changer, Leo, did just that. Our other tried and tested outlet, in THB got the winner. And really, we should have got more at the end. Even a goal back you could see the usual industry going in. Downes and Jander both did really well running that game. Where it was Bree working hard, but without a finish, Manning moved up to assist. Rather than change all the things that were working, credit to Tonda for faith in like for like changes. Larin seems to be picking up a little pace. Like Aribo, it can wipe him out. There were some moments he didn't want it. Just to have 2 players who can give us a shape up front has made so much difference. Edozie looking sharper. Our finishers need to sort out where they should be, so those crosses can reach people. On the other side, Matsuki linked things together nicely, when he came on. Great to see him develop into a key first team player. Lots of good things from everyone, just waiting for the finishing to click. Everyone confident, capable and focused.

A pass rather than a shot from Azaz. No doubt wanted it earlier to run on to it.

Rather let that ball come in. Scrapping in the middle, not so much out wide. Good THB work to stop the shot.

Lovely from THB! So good at headers, and that turns it round for us. Well done Saints!

The back shift clocking on, to get the winner.

Yay! Leo! You could see him setting it up. Got given the space to do one of his fave. Lovely.

Leo mugged there. The ref let's it go.

Another good chance. Fellows could have got that on target.

Nice build up. But we're really putting too much pressure on ourselves when shooting. Bree scuffed that one, and there's been a few. Azaz really involved. But little working for him today.

We've had chances, in what I thought was going to be a tough day. We've just missed the ball or scuffed them. Leo had an effort that went right at the keeper, with better options waiting in the middle. Derby got their goal from an overnight pass giving them a corner, then someone going missing at the back post. We've had things our own way for a while. So need to find a way of breaking a team down to get back into it. We've certainly got the quality, but it's been a bit tired looking today.

Joker

I only caught the second half. Firstly, wishing Passi a quick and full recovery, after what looked like a hamstring injury. He's grown into the side, and has been a threat in the opponent's box too. Secondly, well done to Diomande. Hard work on both flanks. It doesn't always come off. But it was his skill that directly led to the goal. As for.the match, it was 15 minutes into the second half when VA remembered they could pass from back to front, and create a chance. That seemed to give them some confidence and reminded Versailles that the game had been stretched. Both sides forced close range saves from keepers. The visitors also had one ruled offside. The key thing there was how vulnerable the VA defence was to a bit of direct play. Some poor VA decisions in the attacking third, would sometimes create issues getting back to defend. But the VA shape was much better with Abi in there. He was quite mobile. But when they settle into position, he's an outlet none at of the others provide. 8th. But 9 points behind 7th. VA top of a midtable pack, this season, rather than pushing for anything more. Closing that gap before the end of the season would be good. With some injuries, some different faces look like they will be getting minutes too.