Willo of Whiteley

Bazunu is poor. Simple as. He is replaced by 90% of the other Championship goalkeepers. I think McCarthy has been woeful for years, he gets beaten at his mast post, far post, caught when passing out from the back, isn’t a commanding keeper, isn’t vocal to those around him but does punch the ball at corners effectively; if also say he is ok with shot cannoning off him (saves). Bazunu could have the ball shot at him and it’ll bounce to the next nearest attacking player. He fumbles or stays on his line at corners. Hes a bit more vocal, you do see him shout, but in the same we THB does - not effectively or to no one in particular. He can pass the ball out - yay - an absolutely basic for all footballers. Good for him. He strikes me as a confidence player, and he has none. With him I think it was too much too soon at a young age.

Agreed. He has looked a little edgy in early appearances. But if he gets some composure and bulks up he could easily grow into a commanding leader.

He’ll 100% go to Leicester or Ipswich over us.

Azaz has been non-existent since signing. McCarthy is a terrible, terrible keeper. How a professional player is unable to pass a ball five yards is baffling. But let’s not fool ourselves, he can’t save a shot at his near post, or his far post for that matter. The only thing McCarthy does ok is coming for the ball at corners and punching away. But that is it.

I mean if I’m being an old man I’m sick of players who are more concerned by their image than their effectiveness on the pitch. A bit like some players are with their socks and wearing shin pads that are smaller than a Freddo Frog. Downes wears a bandage around his hand, I’m guessing it’s superstitious but I’d be fascinated to know if anyone has ever said “you look a prat like that”. Or someone with their socks around their ankle, that’s just begging any old school defender to go right for the players shins.

What I would like to see, 4-3-3: McCarthy - shit, but keep the ball away from our goal and we’ll have half a chance. Jelert - impressive debut, better than Roerslav at early impressions Wood - hasn’t put a foot wrong Quarshie - clumsy, but better than Stephens and THB so far this season Manning - decent enough Jander - if he isn’t injured Charles - prefer him over Downes Fraser - in the middle CAM Robinson - shouldn’t have been dropped for these new signings Armstrong - by far our best ST and excellent in this league regardless of what you think about him based on his Prem record Scienza - looks a handful Bazunu, THB, Stephens, Downes on occasion and Azaz have looked poor for the most part this season; and that is being fair. Downs has been beyond shit, the fact we paid money for someone who looks like they have such a lethargic workrate has gone down like a lead balloon with the fans. I’d potentially bring Aribo back into the fold. However, I expect him to go with five at the back for this with: Bazunu; Roerslav, Captain undroppable, Mr thinks he is better than he is, Wood, Manning; Downes, Charles, Fraser, Archer, Armstrong

The thing is he could be great behind the scenes. A lot of player interviews seem to be saying they like him etc. The problem is he has to get the fans onside now, and whether it’s him just being deadpan, saying it as things are are sometimes good routes to go down, it doesn’t inspire confidence.

He’s 100% reverting to a back five again isn’t he…

My concern is you have to pick people based on merit, who’s trained well, who’s not made errors etc etc. Not because they’re captain, or they’re the latest signing, on they’re on high wages etc

Because he fits in the bracket of young and higher potential returns. Funny right! 🤣

100% Jack Stephens, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Gavin Bazunj start Saturday.

Id rather have a cardboard cut out in goal

RT

How can you rate a transfer window after it’s closed? Surely you can only grade it at the end of the season or the day before the next window opening? (Dec 31st).

We must’ve forget that McCarthy is an extremely shit keeper. He has been for years. Bazunu is far from great but I’d prefer him over McCarthy but leaving him in the firing line will do nothing to help him.

He just looks totally shot of confidence. Take him out the firing line for a few weeks, stick McCarthy back in goal, sure he’ll concede six or seven at his near post over a few games but at least it won’t be Bazunu.

This. Can’t really dwell on it now, it’ll always be a shame we never properly went for it but it is what it is. That is the tactical genius of SR. You can hope they’ve learnt from their mistakes, but given their lack of admittance to learning from past errors, I doubt it.

lovely isn’t it

I wouldn’t feel too destroyed if I was earning £50K a week plus bonus’. I really don’t accept the whole “scar tissue” or “suffering after last season” as an excuse. At the end of the day it’s eleven men vs eleven men every match. And it comes down to who want it more. You can have all the talent in the world but if you don’t try then you aren’t going to get very far. The squad we have is talented, supposedly. But I haven’t seen anything apart from a couple of players which suggests they’ll run through brick walls to get the job done. All I’ve seen is a swagger of “yeah we’re better than them” and then freezing when we’re aced with a team that want it more.

George Long was a comedy loan signing, seemingly with noise of celebrations coming from east anglia when that transfer was completed. Alex McCarthy has been shocking for years, and one of our most expensive players. It’s maddening that this guy was third choice two years ago, yet out of the blue played the final 6/7 games and got a new two year contract! But the fact we’re debating one of the above challenging Gavin Bazunu sums it up really. Too much too soon when we bought him. We’ll never recoup that money. Just another £10m pissed down the drain.

I wouldn’t say last season destroyed them as such. Flynn Fownes threw his toys out the pram when Russell Martin left and seemingly when he wasn’t able to leave in January. He clearly doesn’t want to be here and has started poorly this season. Taylor Harwood-Bellis I’ll give some credit for not kicking as much of a fuss up; but he was poor last season, has been poor this season and seems to have that aura of blaming everyone else but himself. These two are not as good as they think they are and the sooner they realise that the better off the club will be.

What’s Ralph Hassenhutl doing nowadays? 👀

He looks lazy as anything.

Spread those cheeks lads, it’s going to be a drubbing

I don’t normally do computer games but I’m actually looking for to FIFA coming out so I can start a new Saints career and sell Bazunu, Hardwood-Bellis, Downes, Stephens, Stewart etc. The way forward is the Willo Way. 🤣👍🏻 It sounds shit, but honestly it can’t be any worse than what there currently is!