Scoobysaint

We seem to have been worked out after that initial five or six game good spell. The key triangle move to create space from CB to CM and then onto winger is being snuffed out. Admittedly we seem to be doing everything much slower. Teams have worked out that if you press the midfield two and stop them receiving the ball, we are a bit clueless. Hopefully Leo for Robinson or Azaz and Welly on for Manning.

Manning has been dreadful. An absolute liability.

We could have been several up before Norwich had even woken up. Thats not on Tonda, he has set up the team up to create chances and we didn’t take them. If one of those goes in, the game changes, they push on and we counter to score more. He is doing a good job from where we were a few weeks back. No manager is ever gonna have a 100% win rate and fans need to manage expectations.

Poor result but one of those days that we had often under Still. Plenty of really good chances to score and put the game to bed but missed them. We could have been out of sight before half time and it would have been an easy win. The main concern is the Plan B or apparent lack of one. I do think we will be a different second half team once we have Stewart fit. Will give us a better outlet. This result does show why autos are gonna be out of reach though.

After the turnaround in our play in the past few games, I think he deserves a go at the job. Some of the football in his first few games has been scintillating, a pleasure to watch, especially after the recent Russball dross. I just hope the fans give him a chance and don’t use him to try and beat SR over the head.

It’s all very static at present. In past games Fellows and Scienza have been getting the ball passed to them while they are going forward. Again today, we are back to people getting the ball stationary. Fair play to Millwall, they are stopping out pass into Jansen or Bragg well.

I can see some fans soon getting upset as they are paying for 90 minutes of football but are only getting to watch 45 minutes of competitive football. 😉

For me, the big difference is the first pass into the midfield. It going Wood, to THB and then the pass inside to Jander or Downes. The next pass under previous managers would have been back to Wood without any thought of attacking. Now we are looking to get the ball forward to Fellows, Azaz, Arma or Leo. They have been doing some quality training on this aspect, night and day to Still and Russball. Actual attacking intent. Fellows is t getting the ball stationary, he can run on to the ball and already be in the pole position. We are really committing players forward, not just the odd one or two. Great to watch.

Got to get the ball out to Fellows more as the LB can’t touch him.

Quarshie obviously in for his pace, and secondly height. He has shown glimpses of quality with occasional rawness (f**k ups). Hoping tonight he just keeps it simple, no overplaying. My greater concern is Flynn Downes back in. Too often he is the handbrake in our attacks, playing simple wall passes back to the CB instead of looking forward and being positive. Will be interesting to see how he plays this evening.

They may well do but it wouldn’t build up credit. A couple of dodgy results and we’d be back to where we are now, booing the team off the pitch. I don’t know what the answer is but I don’t think it’s Will Still. He wants to play a 4231, they buy him the wingers for that and he leaves Fellows on the bench in order to play 5 at the back. And not a good five, a shitty five that can’t stop making mistakes and making goals. Sick of being so sick of it!

I don’t see a way back. The fans won’t change their minds on Still and any sense of loyalty that Still may have felt towards the fans will have gone. He will only be wanting success now so that it’s his way out, not for the club or the fans. I believe that most of the squad and manager would rather not be here but just can’t find a way out. The place is completely toxic. I do think the team and Still deserve all the criticism they are getting but it doesn’t take fans long to turn at a game. We moan about the defensive passing but then groan when an attacking pass goes astray.

Substitutions have done it for me. Every time he makes us worse. Would welcome a Warnock style figure. This team needs an old school manager, not a master tactician, just do the basics well.

I’ve not been Still out till now. Taking Scienza off has down it for me. Let’s get a proper manager in, none of these “aren’t we fucking clever” appointments. A decent, proven manager who can set a team up properly, defend properly and occasionally score a goal. So sick of being a saints fan.

This is all on Will Still and his substitutions. Utterly pathetic.

In that he’s having to try and pick up the pieces from arrogant useless frauds in the years before him!

We’ve got Azaz on the bench and fifteen minutes left. Got to go to four at the back. Won’t make any difference to the defensive stability.

Archer off, Azaz on, Arma up top. We just need somebody to create something.

He didn’t even look at the keeper, just blasted it goalwards. No composure, no quality.

Hopefully it’ll come back to bite me, but not convinced by Archer at all. Not a great first touch, offers little in the air and tries lots of wayward snap shots. Think I’d prefer Armstrong up there with Azaz or Fellows starting.

I thought we played well today, creating chances and nullifying the opposition. I was sat quite near the Saints bench and it was clear that one of the tactical plans was to get Wellington on the ball more, presumably to tie up their full back and leave Scienza more space. At times Still was getting pretty exasperated when Wood or THB weren’t using that ball to Welly wide. Tom Fellows was good when he came on but always received the ball standing still, with his back to goal, always needing to take his player on before starting the attack. A little more urgency could have meant he was running onto the ball or at least had more space. Alex McCarthy had plenty of opportunities to release Fellows or Jelert with a decent throw but too often took the safe option of passing out to Wood. On the whole, it’s starting to come together. I think we need to find a place for Azaz, maybe for Archer. I am an optimist though. Had a fiver on Saints to win 3-0 and Scienza to score.

Jelert on for Manning please.

Be tempted to bring in Jelert at LWB. I’d stick with Ross Stewart up front. Macca, Jelert, Quarshie, Wood, Edwards, Jander, Charles, Fellows, Azaz, Armstrong, Stewart.

Much improved. Would like to see Jelert come in for Manning as I am still unsure of his defensive capabilities. Other than than, something to build on. Don’t think we’ll have Jansen for too many seasons.

💩