stfrancisofbenali

What I'm astounded by is our lack of willingness to shoot from outside, or even from the edge of, the box in open play. Matsuki's goal V Northampton is significant because we were all so surprised that he'd even attempted such an outrageous act. Attempts like this used to be commonplace but we've become so conditioned to patient, ball-retention and not conceding possession. This was highlighted starkly for me on Sunday when Pompey brought on a reserve keeper who has played most of his football at Braintree Town and Hartlepool Utd. Surely any midfielder or attacking player would immediately be thinking about having a pot shot at such an inexperienced keeper. Not to test him at all in 64 mins of football was criminal. Are today's players just overcoached, only able to play one way and just unable to, quite literally, think outside the box?

What I'm astounded by is our lack of willingness to shoot from outside, or even from the edge of, the box in open play. Matsuki's goal V Northampton is significant because we were all so surprised that he'd even attempted such an outrageous act. Attempts like this used to be commonplace but we've become so conditioned to patient, ball-retention and not conceding possession. This was highlighted starkly for me on Sunday when Pompey brought on a reserve keeper who has played most of his football at Braintree Town and Hartlepool Utd. Surely any midfielder or attacking player would immediately be thinking about having a pot shot at such an inexperienced keeper. Not to test him at all in 64 mins of football was criminal. Are today's players just overcoached, only able to play one way and just unable to, quite literally, think outside the box?

I think Jander will quite quickly become the preferred partner for Charles. In fifteen minutes yesterday he already looked a big upgrade on Downes, technically and tactically. On the other positives from yesterday (admittedly not many!), I liked the width from Fellows and Fraser and when we moved it forward with more pace in the second half we asked more questions in the final third. Still is finding his feet and league position fairly immaterial until around mid-Nov. Give him time.

He’s young, he’s new to the club with lots of new players to integrate and trying to eradicate the significant psychological scars of last season. Yesterday was miserable but there were tiny glimpses of how he wants to play and he was gutted by the first half performance. We have to give him time and be more patient.

I think our real season starts now. The games before the transfer window closed were improvised at best and the derby coming immediately after the first international break was always going to be a distraction rather than a proper test of Still’s philosophy. The next ten games are crucial for Still and he needs to get this squad purring and put a run together. Let’s see where we are at Christmas.

Unless we win playing a back three of course.

I think that's spot on. Robinson will start on the bench as he's played a lot of football in the last two weeks. Downes needs to keep his cool and be disciplined or could be a liability on an early yellow.

It's going to be torrential rain and blowing a hoolie on Sunday which can only play into their hands as they lump it up to Bishop. I think the game will be decided on mistakes rather than brilliance and the chances of Jack getting an early yellow and then a second booking are pretty high.

So many fans behind me in the Northam slagging Archer off V Stoke. He is so obviously a confidence player and though only in glimpses (Arsenal, Liverpool) has shown that he is our most natural finisher. Get behind the lad and he should score 20+ quite easily this season now we have the creativity to feed him.

We've spent a lot more than £10.4M this window so not the most accurate of tables.

One win, two draws, a loss and mid-table is an average start.

Glad to attempt to be the voice of reason!

Because they believe he’ll come good and they might well be right. It’s not a disastrous start so let’s not overreact.

It is unreasonable because football generally doesn’t work like that, especially with a new and very young manager. It’s very early days in a marathon of a season so let’s allow him time to settle and bed in his new players.

New manager, new players, new system. After so much disruption and negativity last season it was never going to be an immediate solution with Still so we have to show some patience and let him shape his team.

But we were about to go on a run of five defeats in a row so hopefully we’ll be better off than last season by end of September. New manager, going to take a bit of time.

Ben Mee is a free agent. One year contract? We need some experience and resilience at the heart of our defence.

Very strong!

Stu more a ball carrier than a classic playmaker perhaps?

As did West Ham's announcement 10 mins before Azaz was unveiled.

Our first proper No 10 since Tadic?

Roberto Martinez loves him and told MF he had to be playing in a top league to have any chance of making the World Cup squad. Simple. Shame to lose him but happy with the replacements.

I am enjoying Still's simple, unruffled style, especially in comparison to the egotistical psycho-babble of Martin.

It was the only time I'd seen him live (before Stoke last weekend) and he was as good as everyone said he was.

£80+ million for Dibling and Fernandes is good business. Azaz and Fellows should hit the ground running and give Still the width and creativity he's asked for. Can't help thinking we're an experienced CB and GK short. Why we never went in for Viktor Johnasson after his performance at St Mary's for Rotherham I'll never understand.