OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint

Saw signs in that second half against Watford to say we should trample all over Stoke. Our biggest danger is ourselves. If we revert to slow methodical build ups, we can do a stray pass (like Watford) and get caught on the counter. Attack and press from the start.

Exactly. The problem is Benfica was a non-starter, but you can see him going to Aston Villa because they've just sold their centre back and it's an upgrade for THB rather than some dead end premier league team. Still, hhope we resist the temptation to take a profit now

Exactly. We've still bought in Larin, Peretz and Dobbin already and while not spending premier league sums, there's a lot of championship teams that could not afford these players. I'm counting down the days to the end of the transfer window and if we've still held on to THB, Scienza & Jander, then I think we're in for a good season.

Thought we also looked sluggish against Colchester. Maybe it's my selective memory, but it feels like we never get off to a good start at the beginning of the season. That stated, confident we'll beat Stoke. Don't expect Jander to start. On bench at best. I would start with Azaz and keep back four same as Watford. Is Wellington fit? He was just starting to get in to his stride last season but is also another player that's injury prone.

And I think we need a better response to "You cheating bastards"... At the moment, "We spy where we want" sounds a bit naff. Any ideas?

Concerned about the lack of urgency. Quite liked Manning's performance today but that sideways pass that was intercepted was indicative of our first half performance. Sideways and backwards doesn't score goals and leads to mistakes. Dobbin needs time to settle in to the team but didn't like his lightweight challenges on 50/50 balls. Bragg was too slow and didn't look forward. Matsuki was pushed off the ball the whole time. Their physicality put us off early on. Downes excellent as usual and we had better keep THB.

You have to accept that if they need to sell in order to balance the books, then he has to go, but I think he's so integral to the team's success, I'd be looking at other ways to raise funds. When they bought Peretz, they probably thought selling Rambo would be an easy sell. I'd be working double time trying to offload him. Jander - again I'd sell him before THB but his sale won't probably add that much to the coffers.

That was my thinking. It does say when you push the click 'here' button on that email that to meet the 2026/27 third criteria you will have had eight opportunties to have bought tickets for other matches so the Stoke game must count. When in doubt, call them. I've always found them pretty useful.

Exactly. This THB is on the move bandwagon is getting on the move and if SFC have any control over it, they should stop it. Some say he was only good last season when Tonda took charge...well, that was when we went on our run. He is an integral part of the team. He is solid in defence, he scores goals, he sees a pass and if SFC can, they should stop all speculation on the player. I don't know what financial constraints they're under, but if they think making £10m on the player is good business, they should think longer term and how much revenue they'll lose by staying in the Championship.

Some managers never learn. Hopefully, he'll be a starter for them this season.

Good. One on my 'skill spots' memories from last season was him running towards our goal, ball at feet and defenders bouncing off him. Very talented, strong player. Don't need him playing against us.

Think that's a pretty kind start to the season. No Wolves, W. Ham, Burnley, Wrexham, so a chance to wipe out that negative points start early on. That stated, we do seem to draw with these guys. 1 - 1 incoming.

That perfectly weighted pass by Azaz would have split any championship defence so arguably Aka would have had the same opporunity in the League. Didn't see if he was giving it large to the Colchester fans but if so that's bad form. Needs some advice on winning gracefully.

Yes, Archer had a really good cameo today. There was one bit where he did a great tackle on the edge of our penalty area, laid it off and before you knew it he was down the other end to receive a pass and a shot on their goal. Matsuki is better on the wing. He loses the ball sometimes and it's much better to do it there than in central midfield. Leo looked like his shirt didn't fit (evidently enjoyed the summer break) and Dobbin's passing was off centre today, but that was his debut. Once again, Downes oozed class. Bree and Manning also looked in control as did Jack and THB in the second half. Shea Charles came over at the end of the game to applaud and take the applause from the fans....so he's definitely off.

Tonda won't underestimate the importance of this game. It's not just another noddy first round Carabao cup game. He knows we need to get this season off to a winning start here and then in the League, especially as we're starting on -4 in the League. Defeats early on and he'll have people on his back. And I've gone for the warm-up in the sweepstake of when we'll first hear "You cheating bastards"... 😉