Saint Garrett

Is that a surprise? We have the worst attacking players so of course we're going to have the most sideways and backwards passes. Especially if theyre trying to keep the ball. Whats the point in just aimlessy booting it up the pitch to no-one?

Of course, but generally the best teams over the years have had the most possession. Of course there are exceptions to the rule, but most of the time, the teams with the biggest possession finish the highest up the league. We need to make sure they bring in the right players to play that way, but I do believe we have a decent core at the club now. With 3 or 4 attacking players brought in this summer, we'll be able to stretch teams which allows us more space in midfield to play and keep the ball.

Assume you haven't been watching City this season, or Brighton, or the Barcelona of 10 years ago. It's about keeping the ball. With intent yes, but keep the ball. If you need to go back then fine, I have no problem with it, I'd much rather we went backwards than give it straight back to the opposition because there is no one to pass to. It becomes far easier passing the ball forwards when you have some quality players in the final third. WHen you have the likes of Elyounoussi, Sulemena, Theo, Djenepo, Armstrong, Mara, Onuachu up front, then it's not a surprise we end up going backwards. You watch some of the best teams in the world and they will go forward and backwards and side to side, and back again, back into midfield, back to defence constantly. Brighton a great example this season and look how impressive theyve been.

Reminds me of the Saints Cov love in when we got promoted to the prem and cov got relegated.

Got an email telling me it’s been sold.

He's been an awful signing for us from the start. Utter waste of money. Thought he's looked ok when we were playing a front 3 with him on the left, but he has zero goal threat. He'll only be an asset next season if we play 2 up front IMO, but I'd be looking to offload him. His missus was definitely looking for houses in Ipswich area, but whether that was becuase of general interest, or whether something is more concrete we shall see.

Away on a stag doo in Germany this weekend, so missing this one sadly, but I’m sure it won’t be particularly enjoyable so maybe it’s good I’m missing it. Stuck tickets on exchange, sold yesterday. Happy days. Hopefully it’s a respectable defeat or better, with a bunch on minutes for the players who will be here next season.

The Northam has been dreadful for years. Itchen North and Kingsland North often are louder than the Northam.

I’m quite excited by this appointment tbh, seems like a great fit for us. Club needs rebuilding from the top down. We have Wilcox in place, a new manager in ready to hit the ground running over the summer. Time to go out and bring in players that fit the system and style. Also, haven’t we had a depressing enough season or 2, to start whinging about a manager who has lost 0 games as saints manager yet…! Give him a chance!

For me, despite him not playing a bunch of games, he’s been class. Agree only other option really is JWP, but I don’t think he’s had a great season at all, obviously hampered by having nothing in front of him.

Got to be Lavia surely. It’s a shame we couldn’t vote for Ballard.

They’ve not beeN able to recruit, because of amount of money spent. Doesn’t help losing players like Tielemans for free after buying him for £45m or whatever it was.

Yup, probably why Adams isn’t afraid to insinuate he wants to stay, as he can claim it was out of his control that he was sold…! I still hope he signs a new contract though.

No idea if we could attract him, but sounds like Man Utd aren’t renewing Phil Jones and Tuanzebe contracts. TCDAJFU?

Maybe get Flynn Downes from West Ham too…!

My gut feeling is that none of those two and Adam Armstrong will be here next season. Onuachu is a donkey, and if they club want to move forward with possession based football, he’s better out on loan somewhere.

Is that based on fact or opinion?! Seems to be wide of the mark from what I’ve heard…don’t think there is any doubt that he wasn’t everyone’s best friend but to say “the players hated him” is just plain wrong from what I know.

Has done a brilliant job at Forest, and he good pedigree with young players. Also plays decent football on the whole, would be a great fit for us IMO.

I've not read every post on this thread, but a mention for the period at the end of the season under Koeman. Being on that terrible run and somehow beating Arsenal 4-0. Ending that season with: P18 W12 D3 L3 - back end of that season, with Liverpool, Newcastle, and then scoring 14 goals in last 4 games, including wins at Villa and Spurs, and that superb game against City where we just steamrollered them. Looking back, it was such a shame we had that bad period in the run up to Christmas, as we'd have been in the champions league with another 4 points.

That video screams to me, how bad some of the defending is in the Championship. Yes I know we're not much better, but if you have a well driled outfit that can pass and move, chances are easy (ish) to create. I know it won't be easy to get out that league, but that shows that there is a huge gulf between that and the standard premier league side.

I'd go with: Bazunu Bree Bednarek Lyanco KWP JWP Lavia Sulemena Alcaraz Edozie Adams

I pretty much agree with all of this, apart from I do think he should be gone this summer, as he doesnt deserve a new contract. But we do need some continuity. If we get rid of 20, and bring in 10 then it will probably take us until Christmas to get settled. I've got no time for hating players because theyre not good enough. Especially if they are giving everything. But it's not difficult to see why some players heads have gone down this season. We have had no focal point for months, and nothing going forward when Che hasn't played hence where the backwards / sideways football has come from. There is no point just booting it up the pitch if there is no-one there. Sadly, we have a bunch of players who are not good enough, but thats not their fault they're on the pitch. Thats on the board for building a bloated squad of largely shite footballers.

And quality when he came on at Leicester and scored twice. Clearly he’s been struggling with injuries all season, but ultimately he’s not a “goalscorer”. He’s a decent forward but can’t be relied upon for goals.

I think he deserves a bit more respect from our fan base than what’s on here, personally. Yes he has his downfalls, yes he isn’t KDB, but he’s still a top player for us and has been for years. Is he good enough to go and play for one of the top 6? I think it’s unlikely, but he’s a top 10 player no doubt about that. He’s also given his all for this club, which so many players have failed to do, especially this season!

He’s not going to come out and say, “we’re already relegated so no point trying, and no point you turning up” it’s his job. Don’t really understand the hate for Selles. He came in, has done a far better job than an experienced manager in Jones has done. He should never have been made manager in the first place. And he’s got a team of players who are clearly not good enough to stay in this league. It wouldn’t have mattered who we had in charge this season IMO. This one is on the board and recruitment team.