OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint

Just seen a corner from Birmingham that went right across the goal and went out for a goal kick...and there was a Brum striker with his arm around the Wrexham goalkeeper. If someone had snuck in on the far post and scored, that goal wouldn't have been disallowed but it should...just like ours on Tuesday night. People said we were lucky but I disagree. Refs have to stop opposition strikers from obstructing goalkeepers...

Many of us don't argue with the principle of VAR. It's how long decisions take and the fact that in the crowd, we're left in the dark not knowing what's happening. If the authorities can't work out a way to make it more interactive (like cricket and rugby), then I prefer the EFL where it doesn't exist.

My sentiments entirely, Verwood 😀

Natural leaders don't have to be all shouty and the 'follow me' types. When managers earn respect through their coaching and get results because of their tactics, players get inspired to play better because they have the belief in their manager.

Absolutely. Looks really solid. Think Jack S. will be squeezed back in to the team at the expense of Quarshie (though hope not) but Wood has cemented his place for the next few games at least.

Thought Quarshie was good on Saturday but today their guy walked round him to score and he didn't look so assured. He can't kick a ball but he can head and get in the way and today he didn't do that so much. I'd still keep him in because I think we're getting in to a winning combination at the back.

VAR would have given our penalty 10 times out of ten. And you can't grab the goalie on a corner. So pleased for Ross Stewart. We're getting there

You can't put your arm around the goalkeeper - so fuck off. It's not a goal

Have you got Sky? it's on the Red Button

Think Will is slowly stamping his authority. Didn't we go on our unbeaten run last time Shoehorn was injured? Like this team. Really hoping Stewart makes a mark today.

Agree with this and agree with Lambtiss. Saints are moving forward. We were unlucky to concede and the defence looked solid. Good team selection. Little disappointed with the substitution but overall, we're on the march again.

Yes, that's a big call dropping Stephens. He could argue THB away but to drop both was, to use the phrase, 'being brave'. It also worked well because Wood and Quarshie were very competent. Like what he's doing. Not his fault that SR signed Downs and now Still is trying to find a work around. Altogether, feel a lot more positive about our direction now than before today's game.

Some times the team picks themselves but right now isn't one of them. Personally, I think Downes (on his day and he has quite a few) and Charles are as solid a midfield as you get in Championship and now that Downes is starting to look forwards rather than backwards, I hope they're picked. I'm guessing he might revert to 5 at the back but that's not a disaster because hopefully that'll make a place for Wood who needs a run in the team to show just how good he is. Goalkeeper? I'd choose McCarthy but he comes across as pretty gormless, so he needs to be briefed to kick every ball as far as he can down the pitch!!

Problem is deep down you know that's not going to happen. Stephens will be back for starters. Fellows came on late against Liverpool so I'd expect him to start. That said, I'd like to see Wood have a place in the starting line up. I'm beginning to think he's our best defender.

Agree with all of this. Last time I felt an affinity with a manager, someone who I felt cared about the club, was Ralph Hassenhutl. Will Still is sending the same signals that he doesn't just care about his career, he wants his team and his club to succeed. Think we have a genuine person here.

Yes he looked a little flustered in the post game interview. Yes he doesn't give the smarmy answers that came out of the mouth of RM. But yesterday reaffirmed my view that we have a genuine manager who is learning the ropes and starting to get a handle on what's needed from our team. AA (if you're going to play him) was in the right position yesterday. There was more intent and purpose in the passing. The tempo was, at times, a lot quicker, with (dare I say it) some one touch passes. Who does Still play in central defence? Unfortunately, think his hands are tied with Jack Stephens but Wood must surely get a start against Middlesbro.

It does seem that way because really, Stewart should be coming on before Downs. At least Stewart looks like he's up for it more this season and makes challenges.

Shea Charles has been my MOTM practically every game he's played this season so I would definitely have him in the side. People saying McCarthy cocked it up playing Russball, but he's been a liability long before RM turned up at the door. Remember Brighton when he was injured and played on? The amount of times he used to hoof it in to touch? We're stuck with a goalkeeper who can't makes saves and one who can make saves but do nothing else.

And that's a shame because Wood hasn't put a foot wrong. Quarshie has been ok and Edwards is having a much better game today. In fact, this is the most accomplished we've seen Saints this season.

This is a really good point. You've got a relatively junior manager who hasn't managed teams in English leagues so he needs support and advice from the other coaching staff. What are they doing to earn their salt? I remember times when a manager would bring his coaching staff with him and then the coaching staff are all singing on the same proverbial page. Cloughie had Taylor, Ferguson had Phelan, Martin O'Neill had Robertson & Keane.....Ralph had Rohl. Do managers still bring their 2ic's and teams with them? Clubs don't like it because it's easier to replace an individual rather than a team of people and perhaps this is why a manager's tenure is so limited nowadays.

Still came here with a reasonable reputation so people were prepared to set how he went. To start he said he was playing five at the back because we didn't have any wingers so we accepted his reasoning. There were minor grumblings after the first few games but nothing untoward, but he lost a lot of goodwill with the Pompey game. People are analysing him a lot more and the team definitely looks disjointed. I also don't like him throwing three subs on at once which further disjoints the team. Yes we need to give Still a chance to mould a team. He has quality players. I want (and presumably most of us want) to see more attacking intent and forward movement. What's Edozie playing like at the moment? He could run at players.

Oxford beat Bristol City today. At the moment, don't know which way to look in the table!

There isn't any obvious plan going forward. Last week it was lump it to Archer and quite what he was supposed to do with it on his own, no-one knows. Win a free kick was the best we could hope for and then the kick taker would knock it sideways. Today there didn't seem to be any plan at all so players just pass sideways to improve their successful pass statistic. I appreciate he's learning but today he stood there and didn't seem to know what to do. Run at players, get to the bye line and whip in a cross...show intent. C'mon Will. It's time to step up a gear.

Arguably we've taken Middlesbro's best player, we've taken West Brom's best player, we've spent a comparative fortune on other players, so we should be at the top of the league. Yes it takes time to gel but today was depressing. I'm not blaming SR this time. They've put money in to the team. This is about getting a tune out of quality players. First Mr Still, get some urgency in the team.

Matsuki, Robinson... two players that have shown a forward intent are nowhere near the team. There just didn't seem to be any direction today. No urgency and no real purpose. Really think in a couple of games we'll be heading for mid table obscurity unless something changes.