macca155

It would be interesting. I bet ABK would be straight in and Stephens on the bench. Jose loves a utility player. Do we really have the players to adapt to that system. I guess Archer, Dibling, Armstrong all have pace, but I worry counter attacking football has been coached out of them.

Mourino now we're talking. Whilst he has zero experience of relegation fights, what a ride it would be. Pretty much guarantee Taylor would play LB. Jose's philosophy is first don't lose. Right now I can get behind that.

First try and stay up. Only 8 games gone another 30 to go so nothing is decided as of yet. If we are relegated then so be it, another fun season. I guess keep Martin as he isn't the worst option by any means. Many attributes for a modern manager, but he is inexperienced and is being handed his arse on a plate every game so far. If the team can play as well as they have for 30 minute periods, then with the manager has to find a way of extending that play and adding more resilience at the back. Bringing on Stewart and Smallbone was the wrong decision. No hindsight with that comment, I and the people around me said it as soon as we saw it happening. Taylor was the obvious sub and if he swallowed his pride, and had ABK available, he could have gone three at the back. Swamped Winks in midfield and cut out the supply line to Fatuwa. That is down to the manager and the coaching staff need a meeting without coffee to discuss defensive positions at corners. As others have observed Martin needs an experienced head as Football director. Someone to act as a counterweight to the more extreme views of SR. Football isn't complicated, stop buying journeymen when you have resources already at the club. The issues simply don't sit with just the manager, way too many poor decisions being made at a higher level.

Well VAR took us off the bottom of the table today. Nice header from Stones.

And another thing before I get my coat. Onuachu laid the ball off for Sulemana beautifully. Absolute gift, Sully was yards in front of the defenders, and bearing down on goal. He fluffed it of course, but Armstrong would have buried that chance, carbon copy of Wembley. As would Archer come to that. Fed up with our manager giving players a game.

We weren't robbed, they comfortably beat us. It may have been a late show but Leicester had 18 shots and were all over Saints. They were bound to score a third. Tactically Cooper was better than Martin. Our players seemed to run into fitness issues on 60 minutes, and with the exception of Onuachu, the subs weakened the side. They took their chances and we stupidly allowed them to play the way they wanted to. Fatawu has been a right nuisance for us in recent games. Winks was given the freedom of the park to continually pass to him. Smallbone should have been detailed to stop that. It was a clear Pen for Leicester. Taylor should have seen it and not left it to VAR. He played a good advantage for our second goal, and Fernandes could have been sent off for that petulant challenge. He made mistakes that's true but the manager and players were responsible for losing that game. No good looking for excuses.

Desperate and predictable. As soon as Frazer came on I just knew the left would be exposed. It needed Taylor on, move KWP to the right. Absolute ridiculous decision. Then Lallana is left on the bench. That wasn't the moment to give Smallbone 'a game'. Equally Sulemana looked unfit and out of touch. No surprise but he needs some warm up games. Armstrong would have been a far stronger option. Not defending the edge of the area for the last goal.... unforgivable. Martin simply won't keep Saints up. Not sure anyone can, but let's at least give it a go.

You don't need to be a football expert (few of us are) to see that Onuachu is a significantly bigger physical threat than Stewart. What I didn't expect was his quick passing and movement. He is a handful for any centre half to cope with, you could see Gabriel was not enjoying the last few minutes of that game yesterday. Whether he can convert that threat into goals is something that remains to be seen. Nevertheless he remains a small positive within a sea of pretty mediocrity. The next game will be upon us pretty soon and it is pointless dwelling on negatives. You have to take whatever positives you can find and build on that. I thought Bendarek, Dibling, and Aribo were the stand outs. Joe in particular never stopped working and young Tyler continued to impress. Downes was overwhelmed by the Arsenal midfield but in fairness so are most opposition midfield players. He desperately needs support, he simply cannot do it alone. JWP would have been perfect, equally as mobile and experienced. Les at the moment looks a bit lost, so it will need to be Lallana or Smallbone when they are available. There are no other options available which is a damming indictment of our recruitment. What happens when Flynn is injured or eats something he shouldn't. Leicester are almost as rubbish as us, so it should be a dreadful game but chances on both sides. It does give an opportunity for Russel to play a slightly more expansive game. Hopefully either SAA or Sulemana may feature as that side needs something to break the defensive mind set. I have a bet with my Pompey supporting mate as to who will record the first win. I've a horrible feeling that bet isn't going to be paid out any time soon.

Of course there is a chance. Ipswich, Leicester, Wolves and Everton are not a lot different. That's our benchmark not the loadsanoney teams for the time being Just need our manager to be pragmatic

Well they tried but I'm feeling that this group of players could do a lot better. Onauchu looked fit, solid, motivated and certainly not out of his depth. He needs to start against Leicester.

Harwood Bellis losing the ball again. Swallow your pride Russell and play ABK

Onauchu looking bang up for it and some nice touches Dibling is terrorising them but his defensive work is just as good.

Perhaps if our FB marked their winger we wouldn't be hoping for a VAR let off.

Blast could have at least lasted a bit longer. However take them on now, they'll be a little more wary

OMG we scored

Well guess we have to give some credit. Still 0 0 and that's going to start to annoy Arsenal if it carries on in to the 2nd half. Clutching at straws but it's all I have!

So basically we are playing 2 FBs against Saka. Fair enough I guess

Taylor was one of a few that came out of the Bournemouth game with some dignity left. So he is dropped for a player who struggled in the Championship. He's trolling us isn't he

Stop it .... that is a seriously depressing team.

The club is being badly run, that much is clear. No shortage of money being spent but so much wasted. As Turkish said, same old, rinse and repeat. Saints came up with a weak squad, and an unconvincing Championship season behind them. They needed experienced grunt players to support the talent we do have. I was unconvinced about Taylor and Lallana, but actually both have shown some backbone. Frazer, Stewart, Cornett, Archer, Ugochuckwu, Diaz, Wood, and Edwards were pointless transfers. Cast offs or inexperienced. Add Armstrong, Smallbone, Stephens, Charles, Manning and Bree to that list as Championship players who can at best support the team it's no wonder we are stuffed. Even then a pragmatic, do or die, fight them on the beaches style, would at least make us difficult to beat. He has to go and a few others as well.

What a ridiculous and unnecessarily tragic first half Dibling in a position he is easier to mark out of the game. Les clearly not up to EPL standard ATM. Cornett utter waste of space, what were they thinking loaning him On the bench KWP and five strikers. In the stands an international CH. Utter madness, 2nd half will be a difficult watch

Another schoolboy error, this time Downes of all people. Never turn your back on a free kick. JWP would never have done that. Now they've got fire in their belly

It is hard to defend Martin sometimes. No issues with the team although I'm disappointed to not see Lallana, he was a proper leader on the pitch last week. However 5 strikers on the bench is madness. The only defensive cover is KWP. Defenders can easily be sent off and are equally at risk of injury. Pleased to see Onauchu on the bench, but either Armstrong, Archer, or Stewart has to give way for him. Oh well always good to moan before the game. Ensures one's words will be pushed back down one's throat. 2 - 1 to Saints 😀

Tall Paul on the bench

Boooooo