coalman

I get we want to extract maximum value but there is such a thing as playing too hard ball over Armstrong. I for one never want to see him easily knocked off the ball or lashing one from an impossible angle again in a Saints shirt.

He's got a real spring to his dives that Baz simply doesn't have. Baz just sort of flops sideways instead of launching himself sideways like a missile like you'd want. Great extension of the arm into the save as well.

Manning doesn't play at left back.

I can see that. On the team sheet you write *Cameron Archer * do not select this player

On his day, capable of looking like a footballer for whole minutes at a time. Nobody can remember what day that was.

Wait a second. Did MLG have something to do with FM26? I'd never have known.

Bookies favourite now at 2/1. Good to see. Martin has been out of the game for long enough. Was also reading the he's a target for West Brom and Charlton as well.

Stick with today's team. 15/15 easy

He's young. He'll learn. Not to mention we need to create game situations like this if we're to give him a chance to make the step up. Our approach earlier this season made it nearly impossible to bring new players through.

Free with your next Saints striker purchase 😉

He's great with the ball at his feet as well and always busts a gut to give an option of the overlap.

A big shout out to Peretz there as well. He made two saves that he had no right to get to. Makes such a difference. A bit flappy in places but he was there when it counted.

The big question is how do we offload Manning to one of our rivals before the window ends?

Were Stoke poor or did we compete and make it hard for them to play?

Have to say that Tonda was spot on with his team selection today. I've been critical and my big fear was he was another SR manager wedded to a system but he's actually adapted over the last month.

With Leo on one side and Fellows on the other we're actually an attractive proposition for a striker if we play like this.

How many minutes will this ref play is the big question

True but we're not passive. We're putting players under pressure and making it hard for them. Usually we just sit back and let other teams play about now.

I may be tempting fate but I still think we look pretty comfortable.

I think Peretz got a touch on that. Great save. Down low to his left, hit hard. No way Baz is even in the same postcode as that

If Azaz gets a yellow then surely that has to be too.

If you play well enough it doesn't matter if the ref is a joke. Hiding behind bad referees was the loser mentality that helped us get there.

Another thing I really like today is we're tight on their players. When they get the ball they are immediately under pressure and don't get a chance to get their heads up to look around.

I don't hate these subs. Scienza hasn't been at his best and the let's give Oyekunle a go.

Yes, but whisper it, this is a really enjoyable game to watch.