macca155

Yes I was there, his first game I thought he was ok, drifted a bit. His later performances were significantly better. Very poor of Martin not to put him in the squad and give him minutes. Same goes for Dibling and SAA.

Seriously fed up with this, he looked an excellent prospect, pretty much ready for the 1st team imo which counts for zero of course. I wonder if this is because we bought Manning and Martin didn't want him to play second fiddle. We have to use these youngsters or we will never have a decent academy again.

Che is probably having a reality check. He's a reasonable striker who has shown he can bag 5+ goals in the Prem. He's a physical presence and remarkablely robust. He always gives his all, and personally I prefer him playing a little deeper. His assists are often better than his goal. He's an option for Saints and I suspect the contract reflects that. A back up plan if Stewart doesn't click. However I really hope the club don't waste money on Ings or Wilson. Both sick notes. Still like to see Paul Onuachu given a chance. Daft spending so much on him and not playing him. Probably on my own there.

Looks like their view is that McCarthy is Prem standard. Oh dear

Interesting that Dom Ballard has rejoined training. It may be that he is being viewed as an option. Other teams play 19 year olds, may be a risk but probably worth taking if it comes off. A decent loan is the more likely but he is talent. They could be looking at a forward line of Stewart, Armstrong, Ballard, and if the stories are true Ings. Not all at once of course but not the worst line up. Two of those have to prove themselves in the Prem. I'm hoping Armstrong will continue his form now under Martin's system. They would be supported by a combination of Sam Amo Ameyaw, Edozie, Frazer, and Sulemana (can't believe they haven't sold him). I still think the priority is to stiffen up the midfield, they'll be working hard on the Downes deal and someone to support him. That is where Saints are exposed at the moment.

Don't want to see KWP go but Downes is a more important player for Saints, that deal needs to be sorted asap.

Sensible move in the current financial climate. The club sees Bazunu (note I say the club see) as number one and McCarthy will fill that slot until he returns. He is experienced and isn't the worst choice. I suspect funds are tight and this is the sort of solution to a problem that costs the least. Like it or loathe it we are bound to see a number of these decisions.

I deliberately chose a 2007(nearest I could get to 2010) image as the OP commented on the difference to to 2010. Worrying about how far London will expand.

Flynn Downes situation really is tricky. Crucial to Martin's philosophy but it will clearly take time and serious money to praise him away from West Ham. Added complication that Saints are in the same league, they'll be wary of strengthening a competitor. That means an alternative option will be required early doors.

You could, even green fields when it was built. Amazing how much London has expanded.

It will be a busy summer, no doubt about that but they'll have an eye on FFP so I'm not expecting a raft of big money signings. It will be all about priorities and avoiding duplication. Number one priority is a goalkeeper, needs to be a decent one. All hail Alex McCarthy for his late season cameo but the team needs real solidity at the back. In defence I suspect ABK will be given a chance, but otherwise it will be steady as you go. KWP, THB, and Bendarek are all Prem standard, Stephens is an good backup and can more than hold his own if called upon. At left back I would start the process of bringing Meghoma into the team. Bale, Bridge and Shaw all started young and he looks an excellent prospect. Midfield is where the action will be, hopefully Saints can prise Downes from West Ham but they will want serious dough after this year's performances. Whether Alcaraz fit into the Armstrong role remains to be seen but I'm sure Martin will be looking to use him. You don't let talent like that go cheaply. Whilst questions remain over Smallbone and Aribo in the league where the football is played at a much faster pace, they will certainly be part of the squad. Charles will probably go on loan which means there will need to be some money spent in midfield to make the team more resilient. Up front AA will be a better player for this season and Stewart has a point to prove, I bet he is just desperate to play football. Edozie is clearly in Martin's plans and I hope Dibling and SAA start to feature. I'd prefer to see them used at Saints rather than sent out on loan. Mara and Sulemana will probably go so there needs to be some increase in depth up front. However there is the knub, consistent Premier league strikers cost £80+ million. Saints don't have that sort of money and they wouldn't be interested anyway. Lower Premier league teams have to bring on their own stars, or buy cannily from foreign leagues. Ballard was set to be ours until his injury. Lets just hope he recovers and can fulfil that promise. I'm sure Ipswich and Forest will occupy two of the relegation berths. That means Saints will likely have to compete with Brentford, Fulham, Bournemouth, Wolves, Everton, Leicester, and possibly Palace for the remaining place. They all have decent forwards capable of slicing our current defence part. Saints aren't without talent and will provide serious opposition but this is going to be one hell of a task. Fair to say there is work to do.

Same, lots of friendly chatter on the way back to the car. They've been through it for quite a few years. Majority are decent people just like us. For all this was great feeling, I don't ever want to be back here in a play off. To lose a game like this must be unbearable.

What a fabulous day, great win thoroughly deserved. Colossuses every one of them. I didn't think I'd get those of emotions of 76 again in my life. Amazing scenes at the end. VID-20240526-WA0017.mp4

I hate disappoint you but I don't think our tactics are that secret. Not after 48 games.

That Leeds forum was an interesting read. They certainly go in for discussing tactics, as opposed to our fixation on certain players. Going to be a very cagey game on Sunday. Saints know how to beat Leeds, their supporters have pretty much laid it out as well. Farke will have to try something different, they suggest Leicester's tactics, which is sensible seeing as how the the Foxes have handed our arses to us this year. However do Leeds have the players to play that way. I fear the usual drama from Saints. Lots of slick play, majority of procession and then out of nowhere they gift Leeds a goal. On the positive side, they looked good on Friday, so maybe those horrors are behind us.

That was great, atmospheres like that make for memorable games. Change of position for us today. Behind the dugout and below 'fan for life' Sunak. Fair go to him though, he was up junping around. What amazed me was the amount of activity on the bench. They scrutinise everything. When Downes took a knock on the 1st half it was a hive of activity, but they all knew their job. Never really seen that before. A good win and a strong performance. Downes, Smallbone, and Armstrong were excellent. Stephens did well pretty solid and pushed us forward and made some good passes. However major drawback is that if he is bypassed by a player, he doesn't really have the pace to get back. However not a night for whining. Have to do it all again on Sunday.

Che is in the Scotland squad, he'll want his profile to be as high as possible. Plus since when did he not give a 100%. Finishing might be iffy at times but he's a committed pro. His hold up play just recently has been excellent.

That looks pretty accurate although I though Lyanco had been sold. I bet a lot of those 'solds' will be further loans as it is a buyers market at the moment. FFP has made a lot of clubs nervous I suspect. I'd like to see Bendarek stay, he'll struggle to get a Prem place outside of Saints and I doubt he'll be interested in another relegation fight. I also think Aribo will stay unless the club want to resolve his high wages. Shea Charles will be interesting as well. I quite like him but I guess others see gaps in his performances I'm blind to. I think you forgot Edozie, he'll take Frazer's place. Plus we have Meghoma and Larius as LB candidates. That front line of Stewart, Ballard, supported by Armstrong, SAA, and Dibling is going to loosen the splinchter of a few Championship sides but I can't see the midfield standing up to much of an onslaught. Fair to say that if the youngsters aren't given a route through to the first team we may as well close the academy as they'll be off.

0 0 perfectly ok, team was set up for that. Adams first 60 on Friday, glass vase Stewart on for the last 30. Oh and stop passing it across the 6yd area. McCarthy MoTM, good to see him growing in confidence. Downes brilliant as usual.

WBA have Inspector Gadget in goal

WBA goalie needs booking for that save, ridiculous

Agreed, he is there to add some additional defensive solidity, a voice, and a bit of fuckwittery. Not 50 yard passes. Calm down and do what you are good at Key thing is he allows Smallbone to play further forward.

I guess Mara is starting as Adams is crocked, and he won't risk Stewart for 70+ minutes. The only other option is Armstrong up front and that doesn't work. Seems a pretty defensive line up, which is fair enough for the away play off game.

Good analysis but I suspect if you offered our players individually to other Champ teams they'd be snapped up. Certainly have one of the stronger squads. However it's a team game, and if they are set up poorly or messed about with they'll flounder. Every weakness is exposed. Leicester are a Prem team, they shouldn't have been relegated and have remained largely intact. It was a good test which Saint's failed. You need consistency and as few loan players as possible. Play a settled committed side and you start on the front foot. We can all argue about certain players, but I'm sure we all want to see them in their proper positions, doing their best. Scandalously Martin has Meghoma and Dibling available for the two weak positions. He should be giving them an opportunity. My play off team would be McCarthy KWP THB Bendarek Meghoma Downes Charles Smallbone Dibling Armstrong Adams Not 100% on Dibling but certainly like to see him get some time on the pitch. Probably lose but one eye on next year in the Championship again .

The stats show they were simply more committed in movement, tackles, shots, and sheer energy. They wanted it more. Martin's strange post match interview is a concern. Bunker mentality starting to appear. I've always felt that loan players become more of a liability at this stage of the season. The commitment simply isn't there. Even THB must be thinking what next. So why start with Rothwell and Brookes. Smallbone is no ground breaker but plays for the badge. Same for Stephens. Thought Charles did ok tonight but he needs pace next to him.