West end Saints

Personally I am still pretty comfortable with where we are. Key things for me: I enjoyed Norwich and Sheff W performances, moving the ball around quickly and precisely. Sunderland game may be a bit of freak result as: Transfer window uncertainty (albeit impacted other clubs to lesser extent) Injury to Stephens, Smallbone/Downes coming back from injury /illness Che Adams unsettled, Stewart not yet fit Holgate played early and probably not ready We started well... For about a minute, before letting a goal in, New team, Holgate debut, intense support, put under immense pressure from start. Sunderland had one of those days where everything they hit was hit beautifully, they won't often do that, teams against us won't. With the complete reset to be this close to the top at this stage is a good start. We are likely the let in a lot, but reckon we will do ok

The one in 7th or in 9th? Bad day, but we will be above them.

Russell Martin said he learnt from today, hopefully he has learnt that Stu and Holgate should not be anywhere near the starting 11. Stu has been woeful for years, weak, lazy, no positional sense, a total passenger. He is not good enough for this level. On highlights he maybe sometimes look passable, as he does do a couple of driving runs, which sometimes work. Often by luck as he doesn't look up and loses possession so easily and so often. And when he does lose it he does nothing. Sorry for the rant but I'm fed up of the emperor's new clothes style praise he gets. Watching games, home and often away you see how little effort he puts in. He should never be considered for a non-attacking midfield role. Perhaps behind a forward or wide, but even then surely Edozie, Fraser, Sam AA, Sulemana, Alcarez, Smallbone, Adam Armstrong, Doyle, Aribo, me can offer more and try a bit.

Any midfield with Stu is too lightweight. He isn't good enough. Two head down runs a game, and a goal a season doesn't make up for it

I agree, how often does a club need a 5th choice CB? It's one position where you want a partnership playing each week. We already have Jack and Jan, club captain and a senior pro. We have signed two young players on loan who both would have been signed after being attracted by a decent amount of game time. Then we have, as @CamSaint said Awe, and whoever else is pushing from the under 21s. Charles has looked decent there. Bree has played, I think CB, if we have a crisis. We are only currently in one competition. So even if Bednarek and ABK leave we don't really need Wood or anyone else.

I'm relatively chilled about the departures. After watching the last couple of seasons, where we lacked character, style and team spirit a huge change was needed. I think (hope) we have the manager to address that, and although he clearly needs good players, he needs a group that want to be here, can gel and positively buy into his methods. If that means going from Tella and Adams to the Sunderland lads, I don't think it's a bad move. I can see us losing a CB if we are getting the Man City lad in (you don't need 5). I hope we don't lose KWP or Alcarez. We still have a few who may struggle for game time (Djenepo, Aribo, Stu). My only concern is we look light upfront, with the new signing injured, Arma moving back, Ballard/Che/Mara all maybe off. However, I bet all three of the promoted sides last season would have bitten your hand off for our squad 12 months ago.

And Sulemana at the moment

https://www.uptheclarets.com/messageboard/viewtopic.php?style=2&t=64469

Hard to call with so many variables we dont know, will Che be here, is Smallbone ready? If Sulemana still here how has his attitude been? ABKs fitness? Anyone else who will be gone? But I think Fraser, Downes and Smallbone are all seen as starters if fit. Could be Fraser/ Downes/ Smallbone/Edozie Arma Alcarez or Mara (or Che) Or maybe Charles with Smallbone in a more advanced role and Arma further forward.

Jesus wept, do some people not listen / believe the manager?

Release clause is the amount they have to accept, they may accept less depending on their, and the player's views - eg how much he is needed, do they need money, how long left on contract. No nothing about this guy

Currently top Too slow

For three years

We all see it differently... I thought Charlie struggled to get into the first half but still did a lot more than Stu, who I thought was a passenger throughout. (about three of his trade mark good runs, then watch the game go by with no interest in getting the ball back when he loses it.) I appreciate I maybe wrong, as he is popular on here, but I just feel that whenever he plays, for 90% of the time we are as good as a man short! Thought Charlie had a very good second half. What I like about him is that he plays quick incisive passes in the right area. Agree with most of the rest. Downes for Stu and I would be more optimistic. Adam A looked better on the left, and we needed Che as a target. Tella was in pain towards the end after repeated kicks.

After two games, turning around the lack of character of recent seasons, new manager, best players not available as they are on the way out but not yet replaced... We are.... 6th. Replace Stu with Downes and I suspect we improved significantly.

I understand him moving on, but his place in the club's history as the captain of a promotion winning side would have been very different to this, the captain of a relegation side, who left for West ham. He has been a good player for us, and seems a decent lad. However I don't think he should be anywhere near St Mary's on Saturday, if he has chosen to move on its about the current squad not him.

He took responsibility. Happy with youngsters. Stu, Aribo, Mara were getting minutes as part of their recovery, although he said was disappointed with Mara. Postive about Charlie and Che So seemed to be aiming criticism as Mccarthy, Lyanco, Djenepo, Perraud, Bree, Ounachu? Don't think he referred to Meghoma and Charles?

From what we saw on Friday, divisive as in those who like fast paced, skillful, intelligent, attacking high quality football And those who don't (or just don't understand) This is great as showing why the possession is different than recent seasons. Recently the passing was flat, slow, backward, CB to CM and back. This shows a totally different approach. And when we had a game won.

Easy winner - Charlie - for me, offers so much more. Stu is good to bring on for a surge of energy with his direct runs when we need a goal. But, for me, his overall play is too weak and risky to start (unless play a lot further forward). Even last night he gave the ball away needlessly which led to one of their few attacks. Having said that in the last Friendlies, and last night he looked quality when he came on

Good post. Only point I'm not sure I agree with is needing a replacement for Tino. If (hoping) we keep KWP, him and Manning will be pretty close to the best in this division. We then have Bree, Perraud, Larios, Meghoma, even likes of JWP and Djenepo. Isn't this an opportunity to trim the squad?

Wouldn't claim to be a tactical expert, but at times a fullback was taking the place where you have shown Smallbone, allowing him to go further forward. Not sure if it was a conscious fixed tactic or just FBs were given freedom to roam.

I was talking in the stadium about how often the full backs were Central, both Tino and Manning spent time more than half way across the pitch. It was a noticeable change in positioning from previous seasons

Yesterday we 'bossed' the first half against a team head and shoulders better than any we will face. I'm still unsure how we will do, but preseason has been quite a change, with quicker, more incisive passing. There are still things needing improvement / addressing, however I've seen enough to think it will be decent season. We will be comfortably top half, probably top 6, and wouldn't be surprised if we are automatically promoted. That depends on how quickly we sort team out but also whether anyone else has storming season.

Enjoyable game. Smallbone and Alcarez play a good passing game, move the ball more quickly and more attacking than previous seasons. Fullback (Tino, KWP, Manning all good. Edozie still showing promise and ability but lacking final goal threat, or winning corners etc. Tella looked good, more physical and involved than before he left us. Lacked potent goal threat. Enough against a good side to suggest we will do OK at championship level. Clasie was surprised at our team play, pressing well, passing etc, likened the style to Barcelona or Man City, but did make the point that not at same level! https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/p0g3psh7?s=09

True but imagine paying that for the two Central midfielders of the worst team in the division! Don't think their fans would see it as ambitious