Oisin

What an amazing run we’ve been on - to guarantee a playoff spot with 2 games to spare was unthinkable for mucH if the season, even just a couple of weeks ago. And we are still unbeaten, in a cup semi-final and I’d still have us favourites to go up, albeit through the playoffs now and not automatically. I think I want Millwall to go up rather than Ipswich, especially as it will be replacing Spurs or West Ham. That’s going to be hilarious. I honestly think whoever falters out of Ipswich or Millwall will mentally struggle in the playoffs. I’d worry more about whoever sneaks 6th. For us now we can just enjoy Saturday, ruin things for Ipswich and give the away fans a great send-off at Preston before getting set to go again. Lots to enjoy still

Ignore me … Millwall play Tuesday as well. Im clearly getting over excited and talking rubbish 🤦🏻‍♂️

Absolutely go with the strongest possible team - if Ipswich drop points tomorrow we’ll have the chance to move second. Just applying that sort of pressure on the others will be huge I think, given the context of our run and form. Cant afford to pass the opportunity up to get ahead of Millwall and either ahead or level with Ipswich if we are to have any chance of automatic promotion. Still have to pinch myself that we’re in the mix. Unbelievable

At this stage of the season the only game that matters is the next one so I think we go as strong as possible. Hopefully Azaz is fit, in which case imho we should go Peretz Bree THB Stephens Manning Downes Jander Matsuki Azaz Leo Stewart Then again, if our cyborg manager works out a different and better way of doing things I’m not going to argue

Like everyone I keep mulling over the scenarios and I can make a case for any outcome - which in itself proves how far we’ve come. To be in with a shout from where we were is utterly remarkable. As it is I think Ipswich will falter. Whether we’re the ultimate beneficiaries or it’s Millwall or Boro remains to be seen. What is clear is that we have the form, the confidence, the options on the bench and players with an X factor. I like our chances but won’t lie and claim I’m confident we’ll do it. But imagine if we did … oh my word!

Even if Ipswich win … their next game is Boro. Mentally we have to believe we’ll beat Ipswich at home which means the gap to overhaul is 3. They need to drop points in 2-3 games. It’s unlikely but we’re not requiring a total collapse, just a wobble. I have to say if it was going to happen I’d have expected it to start at Norwich; if they beat Pompey and Boro it becomes highly improbable but I won’t start writing it off just yet. On the other hand, we’re not nailed on for playoffs yet - win tomorrow and I think it’s done but not until then. Big game. Loving the end of this season - excitement, quality football, goals and points galore. And a team and management that seems connected with the fans. It’s better than 2 years ago, most fun I’ve had in years.

Agree it should be a full house … disappointing if not Less agreement on the amount of changes, don’t think it’s necessary to do that much. Apart from GK and RB (maybe Azaz but Matsuki can play 10) we do pretty much have two players for each position. But for impetus I think changing more than 3 or 4 is excessive. Think Downes will play, maybe with Charles, back 5 unchanged except possibly Manning/Wellington. There are options across the front 4 but I see Scienza starting along with Azaz unless he’s cooked. Matsuki comes In for either Azaz or Fellows imho. Larin or Stewart?? Up to the medical team re Stewart I suspect. Win tomorrow and we’ve virtually secured a playoff place (remarkable from where we were); I hope we go strong and get it done ASAP.

It’s like giving Trump credit for the ceasefire with a prospect of reopening the straits. There was no war and a fully functioning strait before. We were an established premier league side; we’re not, are odds against being next year (though odds improving) and if we do go up have a huge job in building a competitive squad, just to get back to where we were. They’ve been a disaster. Spors looks a good appointment, January was a good window (their first that hasn’t been a total cluster) and they got lucky with Eckert - if we hadn’t reacted against O’Neil or somehow held on against QPR etc we could be floundering under another Jo es or Juric quite conceivably. I am delighted, thrilled and really optimistic about the end of this season, but am a very long way from rethinking my view of SR as being an utter shambles.

Likelihood is you’re correct, but there’s a perfectly reasonable scenario where by this time next week we’re 3 points off second with a game in hand still on 2 of the other candidates. Im not writing off our chances yet and I hope the squad aren’t. We all need to be realistic and accept it’s unlikely but by no means impossible. We get to 3 points behind by next Tuesday night and the pressure on the others could well start to show

What he’s done with this squad is a bigger miracle than anything Jesus pulled off 2000 years ago. I love him so much if I only had one crème egg I’d happily give it to him. I suspect he prefers tofu or sushi but the point stands

I thought Bragg was excellent tonight; given his age, experience and the opposition (Rice, Odegaard, Havertz) it was an immensely mature performance from our next genuine star from the academy. Blessed to have 4 such good cms at the moment and it’s hard to pick a starting duo but with the games ahead we’ll need them all. Anyway … the game itself. That can wait until the euphoria wears off to analyse, but as others have said that’s right up there with the best experiences I’ve ever had at St Mary’s. Amazing atmosphere, outstanding performances from 1-11 (plus subs). Genuinely deserved to win against the country’s best team this season. It’s an overused word these days but that was epic.

I’d go with David Brooks on the right if Matsuki can’t play. I think he’s available

We predicted 7 minutes due to all our time wasting, it was pretty obvious. And Peretz (my MOTM BTW) immediately went down needing treatment for no reason when the 7 began, hence the extra added on time. I don’t know why people are so precious about it - all professional footballers waste time when it suits them. We’re actually quite bad for it and I’m fine with that. We used to be too nice, I like it that we’re not. I also accept it when the ref is wise to it and adds on a perfectly reasonable amount for it. Tonight’s ref was a d1ck, but that had nothing to do with his time keeping as far as I was concerned

Given their form, this might just be our toughest game in the run-in. I’d actually be ok with a point but obviously we need to target all 3. I think the fact they’re playing well will mean they attack a bit making it more open which will suit us. Our nemesis is the low block. Hoping we revert to the usual formation with Scienza, Edozie or Fellows replacing a midfielder from yesterday’s team. The result will depend on taking any chances so let’s hope our finishing is on form 4 points minimum ahead of the break and hopefully that gives Stewart, Scienza, Wellington and Robinson time to recover and return. Our squad depth is an asset compared to the competition; be great to start the run in with a full bill of health and either in the top 6 or within a point or 2

I don’t know but I think he’s sexy

“Nice”?? You been to Stoke??? But yeah, Port Vale home or away. We all know it will be Liverpool, though 🙄

I’m really not convinced the decision to play a back 3/5 was his to be honest. In fact I’m reasonably certain it wasn’t. Since the powers behind the scenes did their job in providing a keeper and number 9 and left him alone to do his job unhindered, without tactical interference, he’s done an amazing job. The run will end at some point but however the rest of this season pans out he deserves to be leading us next season. If the season ends in failure (as it probably still will) it’ll be down to bad decisions by SR in the summer and right through until he was allowed to do what he thought best after Hull. If it somehow ends in success he deserves the vast majority of the credit.

My twopenneth - and a bit random VAR - one review each half, captain to call it, keep review of its upheld. That’s it. Indirect free kicks for accidental handball. Stop the insane penalty awards And that’s probably it on the proviso that there is a directive to refs for zero tolerance. There are already rules for excessive time-wasting, time taken on gk clearances, man-handling at corners, dissent, ungentlemanly conduct, retreating 10 yards, only captains able to speak to the officials. They’re all there - refs just need to enforce it. Back in the real world …

If only Jacki was still around to join them. He’d invest in the youth for sure

I’ve still got my programme for the Replay from the Wednesday cup tie - one of my first. great memories

I agree we’d need a major overhaul and would need A new right back amongst that but I think he’d do as backup. The lack of quality was a significant part of last seasons shit show but not the sole reason. My opinion, stated as opinion.

Absolute no-brainer. Never a star (well, aside from THAT goal), but never let us down. The only right back for a 442 (as opposed to wing backs who can’t defend) in the squad. As you say, starter every match currently and should we amazingly get promoted who would do a solid job as back-up. Unfairly maligned due to his links with Jones, but I’ve never understood that. He’s always done a solid 6 or 7 out of 10.

Leo Scienza with 2 assists. Mind you, he’s white isn’t he so we’ll let that pass, hey … 🙄

No midweek game so no need to specifically save anyone but on the other hand not a priority so worth resting any with knocks, or any who have done a lot of minutes. Plus also a chance to give minutes to those who need. Scienza could do with a rest imho. Possibly Jander too. Matsuki deserves a run out and I think Charles needs minutes. Bragg, Edozie, Robinson and Larin could all do with minutes but maybe from the bench? And if Wellington is carrying a tweak he should be spared. Id go something like Peretz Bree THB Stephens Manning Charles Downes Matsuki Azaz Edozie Stewart Id plan for Bragg/Downes Stewart/Larin and Robinson for Edozie or Azaz subs. I might possibly try and find room for Quarshie too but would ideally like to keep the gk and 2 cbs settled

Eat my goal