stfrancisofbenali

Lundstram runs unopposed from at least 10 yards inside his own half for the second goal. Imagine Romeu defending in that situation. Shameful!

Similarly conflicted. No sane club or fanbase should be calling for a new manager to be sacked after only 6 games. It takes time to bed in new players and tactics, especially at a club with so much trauma. But…his lack of experience (not his fault, he’s not been alive that long!) was always a big risk and the players are certainly not responding to his management style and ‘tactics’ at the moment.

I’m no Baz fanboy and wanted us to sign Viktor Johansson from Rotherham when he was available but today’s abject display was not about one player.

Mousinho’s post match, in contrast, was extremely impressive.

Picking on one player is pointless and counterproductive when they were all so terrible.

I dream of mid-table obscurity!

My prediction of 9th at Christmas is looking a little optimistic.

Hull had conceded 14 in their previous 6 games before today. Let that sink in. Oh, and we’re shit at the back as well.

So why did he start V Pompey?

He did but he was allowed to as the ten other players on the pitch were coached to do his dirty work and give him freedom. We don't currently have a player of that quality and ability to play like that.

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.