macca155

Nathan Wood takes responsibility for high balls and is a big old unit not easily pushed about. Saints need his skill set at the moment. In other news why the hell don't we have a back up RB. Bree should never have been sent to Charlton. Mads needs resting, if just to make the point. That leaves Edwards (or Stephens) to fill that slot.

I've been a bit disappointed with Edwards, and he isn't going to help with dealing with headers. I'd bring in Wood for THB and maybe go back to a back 5 ... God help us. That would mean bringing in Quarshie, I still have high hopes of him. If Still does revert back to that system then we will have to hope that the new players can link up a bit better. One possible positive is like Ipswich, both Liverpool and Boro will take the game to Saints. That will give a different structure to the game. What Still does with goodness knows.

Stephens and Manning were competent, I'd go no further than that mind. No attacks came from their side. Same as last Sunday they did their job. If the right of the defence did the same we may at least have had a point. That is the limit of our aspirations clearly. The three goals came through either Mads or THB. They had a dog shit afternoon and cost us dear. Wood for THB next Saturday and Edwards at RB. Or go back to 3 at the back.

The toxicity around the club atm is not good. Some gruesome performances, zero identity or cohesion. The manager looks out of his depth, and that is not a good look. No way are SR sacking Still this early, so we have to hope he can get a grip on things. Pompey did their HW and pressed the game out of Saints. Hull analysed Saints and ruthlessly targeted THB. Robins knew just how to handle Saints when Stoke dispatched us. Saints need to get on the front foor in games. Expose the oppositions weaknesses as ruthlessly as they do ours. THB needs a rest, Stephens so far has been solid but he needs someone next to him, pulling their weight.Wood would have cut out those crosses. He is very underrated imo. Downs and Stewart clearly aren't at the races. Focus on the assets we have Archer, Armstrong, and Robinson. None of he above is great but something has to give.

We may need that goal come April to survive

Complete mess now, players are clueless to whatever system they are playing now.

Terrible defending, THB again. Playing for dignity now.

Stephens hasn't done anything wrong today. Saved two goals in fact. Bar is low agreed

Twice from THB there. Wood takes his place next week

Poor half, signs of renaissance in the last 5 minutes, but an expensively assembled squad has to do better than this. Downs seems pretty hopeless, Archer Stewart or Armstrong are a better bet. We need Robinson on soon to help create something. Another 45 mins of this to endure

What's annoying is that Downs has been screaming for the ball through the channels on several occasions, but is being ignored.

What on earth was THB doing . 2 men on the Hull player and he's allowed a free header

Oh FFS

You should try the guy on CBS sports ... totally flat and doesn't know anyone's names

Hull are trying the same playbook as Pompey, but they aren't as good at it. All very disjointed at the moment but there seems to be more passing intent from Saints.

Because we've been utterly shite for the past 4 years. Managed promotion with money and a bit of luck, but that turned out to be a false dawn. Not excuses just perhaps managing expectations. Having said all that I am expecting a win today.

Need to get away from, 'we must win this game'. It just puts added pressure on everybody, and I'm one of the worst for doing it. The aim is to win obviously, but there are other things to look out for. Another solid defensive performance is a must. That's how promotion campaigns are built. Evidence that the new signings are acclimatising and making an impact. We need to see the ball move forwards, and quickly through the midfield. A midfield of Azaz, Charles, and Janger, really should be bossing every game. That is pretty much what Still has been saying. I guess if those areas improve, the wins will come.

I should hope so, Saints are paying him enough. Agree he is a decent sub off the bench, if he gets his chance then it is down to him to claim a place. Although probably considering a move to Saudi, if that window is still open.

I think that's a bit unfair, I've not seen any drop off in effort or commitment from him. Reports of him having an underlying condition would fit with what we are seeing. Modern pros maintain at peak condition, it doesn't take much to knock them off that. I think he is a valuable player to us, but clearly a bit out of sorts atm. Part of that is playing in a different system. I'm sure given time and decent coaching, he'll adapt his game. However for the moment he needs to get well. Fortunately Janger and Aribo can cover. Then he'll need to fight for his place.

41 games left, no need to start panicking just yet. The level of anxiety in that team is all too easy to see. I reckon all of us have underestimated the impact of the last couple of years. As always build on the positives. Defence looked way more solid. Good, but now play a higher line to connect with the midfield. Archer looks up for it now, play to his strengths. Similarly let Robinson play without pressure. I'd go with Baz Mads THB Stephens Manning Charles Janger Fellows Azaz Robinson Archer Have them buzzing around like flies, with Azaz dictating the game at a bit more. Downes, Armstrong Frazer and Scienza the most most obvious subs when players tire. Aribo also needs to be brought back into the fold. Need as many options as possible. One problem now is that every team has seen Saints can't cope when playing an opposition in their faces. Expect that every match now

This game had draw written all over it, so no surprises there. Pompey surprised even their own supporters with that first half performance. There were some positives though. Back 4 is way more effective, and our players looked more comfortable. Fellows liked decent and Azaz got into the game more in the 2nd half. A couple of sublime passes put Archer through. He needs to find his role. Archer looks more like the player we bought. Janger looks like an upgrade on Downes. Scienza looks lively but needs to stay on his feet. However the biggest plus for me is the growing confidence of Charles. We have a decent player there. If he has a partner in midfield who can support him, then hopefully Saints won't keep surrendering the midfield. Derbies are a pain, the opposition always raises their game. Inevitably costs each other points. Ipswich and Norwich have the same problem.

Pompey have really upped their game , whether they can they maintain that is the big question. They look very vulnerable at the back. Need to get in behind them. Positives for me are Fellows, he's getting stuck in. Charles looks good. The defence is coping .... just but continue like this and they'll score eventually.

Thank you Mr Hypo, your application for chief strategist at Southampton Football Club has not been successful on this occasion. 😃 It would be fun to play that way, but I fear that is exactly what Pompey would want. Talking to Pompey fans, they are all aware that we have the better squad. Their game plan is simple. Stop Saints playing and exploit our vulnerabilities at the back. They'd take a draw in a heartbeat. Let's not give it to them.

He's got his wig back, it was probably stinking the place out. https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/sport/football/portsmouth-fc/portsmouth-fc-westwood-wig-southampton-returned-5313411

Yes totally, I should have said that. I just think we are in a better position than 23/24. No team can buy a new Prem ready 11, they have to take some up with them. Definitely getting ubove myself here, we have 7 points..... Pompey next