OnceaSaintalwaysaSaint

Interesting couple of games coming up. Swansea have brought in new players so won't be the pushover they were a couple of years ago and Bristol City have just lost their way a little so a good time to play them. If Will Still has used the international break to get the players to work as a cohesive unit (appreciate some were on international duty themselves) and we beat these two teams, attitudes about him will quickly change. Problem is, who's going to score our goals?

Sorry Saint_clark but I think we have every right to write him off. Originally, he looked like a Sekou Mara v2 but that's a disservice to Mara. Downs has an incredibly poor touch, can't head, can't hold the ball up, can't pass - can't do anything useful. It's trendy to revert to lumps up front who can boss a defence. We could do a lot worse than follow this trend. Aribo anyone?

I get your point but Azaz, Fellows and arguably Edwards were fans' favourites at their respective clubs so we should also be getting a tune out of these players. Have started to see signs that Fellows will come good. Azaz is taking longer but he likes fast football and our coaches need to speed up our play. It's so laborious and has been like this for years.

This is my main concern about Will Still. His set up with five at the back, I think, sets out the wrong signal to the opposition. It says we're being negative but I can handle it if the wing backs attack, but these subs are all wrong. He either throws every attacker on the bench on at the end and they all run around like madmen bumping in to each other, or like on Saturday, when Ross Stewart gets injured, he gets rid of a plan that was working and puts AA in the middle....which anyone can tell him doesn't work. Can't blame SR for effectively cherry picking and giving Will Still the best of the championship talent (ok, he hasn't been given a striker) - which suggests the coaching is to blame. Work on one touch progressive football and hey up, having lumps for attackers seems to be a trend, and we've got Aribo...

Well that was all rather underwhelming. A few on this website have said it would be risky to rely on a centre forward who is injury prone, but once Will Still realised Downs wasn't going to be our new wonder striker, that's exactly what he's done. Still seems to like a target man centre forward and if Stewart is out for a while, you can't put AA in there. Hopefully he's realised Downs shouldn't be anywhere near the team, so possibly Aribo, possibly Robinson can go there. I think Scienza came off because he was knackered. He was our best player though also liked Charles again and McCarthy must stay as our No1. And while I don't like to boo our players, I do think if Downs comes on again, there needs to be a chorus of "You don't know what you're doing" aimed at both him and the manager.

It was working well so we then put him in the centre where he's ineffective. Fellows has been good since coming on and like Scienza. Hoping they'll create a few opportunities second half. And Mac in goal has been terrific.

Oh well, it was good while it lasted.

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.