die Mannyschaft

Agree, bring him back. These fake RM'S have been shit, get the original in!!

Its the football teams would play if avoiding relegation, hold ball, don't move up pitch, don't shoot unless you sure you can score as cant afford to give ball away. I really don't know why we got rude of RM. We have had RM v1, v2. V3 now v4.

Crap tactics = relegation

At Eastleigh 1 up at least its football and entertaining. Saints same as last season, lots possession no shots,

Some of the players look like thier 100 years old. Be difficult to take a pen with a zimner frame.

It is puzzling, most in Northam don't have any idea what Saints are doing, those who understand all these tactics are constantly shouting other formations, tactics or player positions during the game. Teams like Stoke just run and then score or goalie throws ball out through our midfield and defense to assist a goal.

Why was he on screen showing as sub coming on during Pompey game.

Can we transfer to a darts league. Surely they could hit that target. Would have to do fitness training and no injuries unless they drop a pint or large kebab on thier foot.

Was he in the Chelsea v Leeds cup final in 70s. We all went to park to replay the cup finals. Sometine 5 a side sometimes 15 a side with very wide goal posts (pile of jumpers and coats)

We are still 3rd fav for promotion 15/2. As for relegation 250/1 but Pompey 7/1. Bookies must think we have a superior squad and manager compared to most of the teams in league. So nothing to worry about and prepare for another play off final.

Watched Saints for 48 years, 28 years season tickets. First full season 77-78 promotion. Brilliant football, lots away games. Skived off school at evening games away, got platform tickets to get on train, football specials packed and just jump on last minute. 80 also very entertaining. Did Hamburg v Saints first European away game 84. Used to climb over Archers wall, get in just after KO and give the steward bit cash if sold out. Winchester used to have few independent coaches for away games, allway could meet up outside with mates or find in same terrace not like now with purchasing seat upfront. Still got tickets from 80s and programmes from 77-78 onwards.

For those over 60 who have no understanding of modern football this may help. Not sure what formation Saints tried in the 1st half v Pompey. Some web searching but was looking for coaching manual as cant believe side to side back side respect as required is in a FIFA coaching manual. Modern football tactics emphasize flexibility, aggressive high pressing to regain possession quickly, and positional play to exploit space, moving away from rigid formations. Common tactics include the fluid 4-3-3 with a front three and lone holding midfielder for width and possession control, and hybrid shapes like the 3-4-3. Data analytics are used to refine strategies by analyzing player performance and opponent tactics, influencing approaches to build-up play, and the development of new patterns to bypass high defenses. Key Tactical Concepts • Flexible Formations: Instead of fixed shapes, teams use hybrid systems and formations that can shift during a match to adapt to the different phases of play. • High Pressing: Teams press aggressively from the front and even during goal kicks to win the ball high up the pitch and launch quick attacks. • Positional Play: Focuses on controlling space and creating passing lanes through intelligent movement and positioning to progress the ball up the field. • Data-Driven Decisions: Analytics provide detailed data on performance and opponent tactics, allowing coaches to make precise adjustments to player positions and movement. • Exploiting Half-Spaces: Attacking midfielders and forwards drop deep or move infield to receive passes in the space between the opposition's midfield and defense, creating chances. Common Formations • 4-3-3: A dynamic system featuring a back four, a single defensive midfielder (CDM), two central midfielders (CMs), and a front three (two wingers and a striker). This provides a strong midfield control and width in attack. • 4-2-3-1: A popular system that creates numerical advantages in possession and can transition quickly from defense to attack, often involving advanced midfielders and wingers. • 3-4-3: A hybrid formation that offers defensive solidity while also providing attacking width, a popular example used by coaches like Antonio Conte. Tactical Trends • Build-Up Play: With defenses adapting to playing out from the back, teams are developing new ways to build play, often involving longer passes or specific patterns to bypass aggressive presses. • Individual Battles: As a result of the pressing, the game is often characterized by individual battles across the pitch as teams fight to win possession. • Exploiting Defensive Adaptations: When the opponent presses high, teams look for space behind the midfield line or exploit wider areas by stretching the opposition's back The 4-4-2 formation isn't used as much because modern tactics, especially the rise of three-man midfields, can easily overrun a two-man central midfield, leading to a loss of possession and control. The 4-4-2 can be too rigid, struggling to create chances compared to more fluid formations like the 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, which offer more passing options and attacking freedom. While still effective defensively, its central midfield weakness makes it vulnerable to teams that can exploit it with quick, vertical passes and fluid movement. Reasons for its decline: • Three-Man Midfield Dominance: The fundamental weakness of the 4-4-2 is its two central midfielders, which are easily outmatched by teams playing a three-man midfield. This allows opponents to control the game's tempo and possession. • Lack of Fluidity and Creativity: The 4-4-2 was often seen as too rigid and flat to create chances against more modern, fluid formations. It lacked a dedicated #10 or playmaker, making it harder to create passing triangles and secure the ball in advanced areas. • Demand on Wide Players: To compensate for the two central midfielders, the wide midfielders in a 4-4-2 had to do a tremendous amount of defensive work, often doubling up on opposing wingers. This strenuous demand can be exhausting and negatively impact stamina over a full match. • Shift in Possession-Based Football: The early 2010s saw a growing emphasis on ball possession, particularly with the success of Spain's short-passing, possession-based style of play. The 4-4-2 was not well-suited to this approach, which required more midfield numbers and technical players to maintain possession and create overloads. Modern adaptations: • Defensive Shape: Some teams still use a 4-4-2 as an effective out-of-possession shape, providing good pitch coverage both horizontally and vertically. • Flexible Versions: The formation is not entirely dead and can be adapted, sometimes appearing as a 4-2-4 when on the front foot, or used to surprise opponents with its traditional structure. • Not a "Death": The formation isn't entirely gone but has become a less common primary tactic at the highest level. It's now a specific tool used for certain situations or players, rather than a default system for all teams.

With the price of football tickets, travel, food drink at Saints plus the boring football we could easily play behind closed doors and wait tge next day to watch 5 minutes oc highlights on YouTube. Should have left the large flag up in first half in Northam.

We scored 87 goal with RM, can we just replicate what we did in that season? We already do the side to side, back and side, back , side, side we just need too pass a bit more look up and if opposition look bored to death then get a cross in quickly. I really don't know why we haven't adopted Coventry and Bristol goal scoring tactics.

I'll go 68 points, or possibly 64,62 providing at lot of teams draw a lot of games to waste 2 points a game. Its not too late for 6th place but there needs to points on the board soon. Also goal difference at least plus 21.

You would think the stats would highlight that from last games. You can get all that information in EA25 why can't the manager and coaches work that out. Or do they not have a PS5

Some crosses were either too deep or one player with box full of defenders. We either got down wings into great positions then no one in box or took too long and defenders back in numbers On the high fast crosses our players were either static so no correct contact or didn't run in yo meet the ball Could have done with one running at back post while one attacking the line the ball is coming in at Same for low drills in. Either not enough Saints in box or in wrong position. It was better 2nd half, at least we could of had a deflected goal or hand ball.

Its a tactic to stop opposition playing. But backfires as we cant play in water logged areas and slip up. At half time the ground bloke allways soaks the right side of box looking from the Northam.

Play football the same as Wrexham, Stoke and Pompey it worked for them.

The only positive is at some point playing negative football will generate the goals needed to win against top and bottom teams in league. And if it doesn't generate the goals then we will be favourites again for promotion next season. At least fans can say we have the setup on paper.

Today's game ironically when looking at fixtures was an easier game. An apparent crap team. Now we have relegation teams which are must win or Saints get stuck in bottom six, or top teams who are far better football outfits. Now back to the next game will kick start season. Just kick the ball towards the goal its not difficult every team does that task very well against us. Over complicating tactics rather than just playing basic football. End October is it possible to get a run of wins for 6th, another 20 games run.

I don't think we can change as negative mindset is so automatic from playing negative football its second nature. Instead of instant decision anywhere are players, stop, look left, right, behind then who is there as option, no one, kick side ways, oh hold on be safe I cant think for myself let's go back and side, you have it, no you have it, who's in space no one. The longer Saints carry on with negative football the longer it will take to change. Each game will be the same, we cant risk playing football so let's carry on and sort next game.

He could have purchased a whole new squad to play his style whatever that is instead of applying RM style. By the time he gets going it will be November. We looked very poor today, not just my observation but many in stadium. How can half the teams in championship pay £5m or less for a bunch of players and play better, and get results. We struggle to do anything quickly, to decide quickly to shoot or pass, cross or play out from back. Its just too RM like.

I wouldn't have Baz or Stewart.

After today's object performance and tactics Hull 2-0 Saints. Doesn't matter who we have in team the tactics and subs stop us having any aggressive momentum. Hull are another difficult team playing proper football which we will find difficult to cope with.