macca155

That was terrible, football at walking pace won't in this division, or any for that matter. Aribo simply doesn't run enough and frequently loses the ball. Ipswich have 2 tall men on against Manning and Frazer. Not at the races

Ballard just scored for Reading .... just saying Only EFL trophy mind but I still think it was mistake letting him go.

Saints have a better squad than most teams. As you keep it simple and let the player's superior skill, experience and (maybe) fitness win the games.

He's hardly going to lead in a press conference 'yeah my bad sorry guys' Zero surprise at what he said. If he has decided to change things a little then he isn't going to tell the opposition. Nor should we all go overboard at a few bad results. We've been here before. It will click at some point. Like most on here I think that will be when RM has accepted that his strategy needs adjusting, and he has Stephens back. Obviously being uber positive. Hopefully Bendarek will partnrr THB. That will allow Charles to play in his best position, potentially pushing Smallbone further forward. I just hope they keep a clean sheet. Last one, in the league, was Man Utd in early March. That's ridiculous.

I very much doubt Martin will change things.Holgate in for Downes I suspect even he will want Charles in midfield. It might be worth giving Doyle a chance as we desperately need a presence in the midfield. He seems to have been pretty sharp in pre season. It is ridiculous that a team who can put out a midfield of, Charles, Smallbone, Alcaraz, and S Armstrong, can struggle in this league. I'd add Dibling into that list as well. Maybe those 2 results will force him to change tactics a little.

Whitey you've just reminded us all what's really important in life. Devastating news but hold on to those 57 years. Thoughts and prayers.

I think we could all do with a hug from Holly this morning.

If and it is a massive if, Saints had avoided the early calamities, then I could see that game being much closer. Martin was right once the third goal went in, they could sit back and avoid any risky moves. Saints have shown a complete inability to break down teams in those situations for years. That's football, once you have a lead the balance of the game changes. However he set that team up. All managers have to deal with injuries. It was obvious Charles needed to be in midfield. Play Holgate (or a youngster) but make sure he is protected. With so many games losses like this can be quickly negated, if the manager and team set their mind to it. If working hard again there. Bazunu, Edozie, and Charles did OK today. The rest looked lost. These tactics really don't look to be effective.

Knew that Leicester would be the toughest challenge. They are clearly a better side, way more stable and well drilled. They deserve to be ahead but good grief we've made it easy for them. Ridiculous tactics anyone can see that. After shipping 4 and 5, I'd have expected a dour gritty match. First aim would be not to concede. Charles has to be in midfield. Holgate just has to cope. FBs need to stay in their proper position. Make Leicester play against two resilient walls of 4. Bluntly both man and ball should ever pass. Once control has been established gradually let the flair players loose. Be pretty grim to watch but neither would Saints be 4 1 down.

And there's the 9 0 reference .... with video

Law of averages Turkish. If your defence is so loose it allows the opposition to pepper the goal with shots, inevitably some are going in. That isn't a defence of Bazuna, there are issues there but Peter Shilton would struggle behind a defence set up like that. It's been a mess for years, I can't remember the last manager to have it sorted, Koeman I guess. It is priority no 1 and needs urgent action.

There are 5 members of that defence, plus the coach who sets it up. Bazuna is just one of them. I think he is the least responsible for Saturday's debacle. Now that is a relative statement, he'll probably not be over keen to watch the DVD on Monday, but I think the spotlight needs to be elsewhere. None of those players are bad players. They've all fought their way through the academy system. However, at the moment they are set up wrong, playing a weird system, and crucially have no protection in front of them. Sort that out and Bazuna might just have a chance to develop properly.

Mowbray is a good manager, it would have been interesting to see what he could do with our lot.

Norwich, Gillingham, and QPR were all warnings for what happened today. Teams lose, it happens. Deal with it and move on, but don't keep making the same mistake.. All the transfer garbage, certainly didn't help, but that team is not going to gain promotion. A wiley old dog like Mowbray, was always going to pick apart Martin's tactics. Thankfully that team is unlikely to appear again. Its no good going after Holgate after one game, doesn't help anyone. He'll have better games but will need to earn a place before we see him again. In contrast Manning is already worrying me. Manager needs to work on the defence big time. Sort that and gain a few clean sheets. The rest will strangely start to click then.

Good deal for Tella, the lad has a great opportunity at BL. Certainly can't argue at £20m. Should be a good stage for him. Saints didn't want him last year, not surprised he's moved on. Good luck to him, hopefully Sulemana will step in.

I know I really cannot see why they've done that. Two possible reasons I suspect. Part of the Tino deal so Newcastle can get rid, or both Tella and Sulemana are close to being sold. Thinking about it the former would suit Newcastle.

At the moment Saints have roo many forwards 11 for 2 - 4 places Armstrong, Adams,Tella, Amo Ameyaw, Sullemana, Mara, Ballard, Onuachu, Edozie, Frazer, Djenepo Not a chance the club would buy another forward until a fair number of those were shifted. The simple answer to why Saints didn't buy Pirou is that they couldn't with so many forwards already on the books. I know fans tend to write off players but the club have to pay wages and play them. In contrast in midfield 7 for 3-4 spots and 3 of those are youngsters Smallbone, Alcaraz, S Armstrong, Downes, Charles, Dibbling, Doyle Granted some forwards can double up and play there, but still very thin in that department. Obviously some will move before the 2nd. Too late I suspect to do anything about it.

Yep this link shows all so far, it's a few days out of date but only Saints, Leeds and Leicester are spending anything. https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12878368/transfer-news-summer-transfer-window-2023-championship-ins-and-outs Even all time shows there isn't a lot spent.

How many times have we been here. Wind ourselves up about a player. Anticipate a signing, then disappointment and incredulity that he had the cheek to go elsewhere. Pirou looks a good player, I would have liked him here, but Leeds have reminded us we aren't the only big dogs in this league. Hopefully the club have a plan.

Que a whole bunch of fans standing looking at the turnstile lights in a bemused manner. Quality info though

Well that's an interesting list from a Saints point of view. High levels of possession help those stats

19 goals for Genk says different. Probably a player in there somewhere but we've hardly had chance to see it.

You sell him or loan him and take the loss but then I'm not putting my hand in my pocket and squandering £10m, I suspect I'd have a different view if I was.

and begrudgingly at that I bet. Problem is Onuachu is an £18m investment, the St Mary's bean counters aren't letting that slide any time soon.

You miss my point, I am being realistic. He can clearly score goals but in a different system, definitely not part of Martin's plans obviously. However if the club can't sell him or loan him out then Martin will have no choice but to use him, if injuries strike.