macca155

Can only think it is about his contract. Instructions not to play him. Selles was desperate against Bournemouth

So tactical genius Selles brings on our three weakest players. Armstrong, AMN, and Elyounoussi. Very surprised Diallo isn't on as well.

So far all looks a bit of a mess but they are holding on. Djenepo is looking lively, bamboozleling Newcastle, his team mates, and himself in equal measure.

My God you've such a downer on the guy. It wasn't him. He's no worse than the others and at least he cares

The owners have a cleat choice here. If they continue with Selles and waste the next 5 games, then the Championship is going to be a tough gig. Look at Stoke, Swansea, West Brom, and Norwich. The likes of Luton and Millwall are lean, mean, and ready to take us down. The club needs a complete overhaul from top to bottom. They need to address the sense of hopelessness that has infected the fan base. Identify the players who'll be here next year and use the next 5 games as a pre pre season. Establish an identity and build for the future.

As soon as I heard the team I knew what was going to happen. Pretty much the same as every other home game. This manager is clueless. Why McCarthy, ridiculous. He looked rusty, and out of his depth. Bazunu isn't a Prem goalie yet, we can all see that but at least his distribution is decent. Armstrong and Elyounoussi were terrible at Arsenal, oh of course they get to keep their places. My scorn extends to AMN, back to Arsenal for him. The players are set up to play cautiously. Selles is a scared manager and they know it. It took O'Neil 10 mins to order a convenient injury, and then quickly change things. From then on our midfield was bypassed and Perraud constantly harrased. Hodgson did the same, as did Moyes. Bournemouth were poor but at least played with some fight. Better than Saints and deserved the win. My 4th relegation.. I just want it over and done with now. I've had enough, time for cricket.

So who wins the 'oh go on it's your turn' team selection raffle this week. Djenepo and S Armstrong must be strong contenders. I mean they haven't seen many minutes lately. Not having a clue who will be in the team is half our problem.

With our form we should be absolutely dead and buried. However the other teams seem determined to keep us hanging on. I can't see us beating even Bournemouth or Forest, let alone Fulham, Newcastle, Brighton, and Liverpool. It will be draws and narrow defeats. If course if they do somehow beat Bournemouth, then Saints are two points from safety again. Then the whole ghastly process of hope and disappointment will start again.

Can console myself that a draw is a decentcreturn but not when you have a 2 goal lead with a few minutes to go. They played well, what I could see, for the first 70 mins. Bunch of idiots in front of us sadly. Once the subs came on, and our 2 best players were removed, it was always on the cards. Why Armstrong, like Aribo last week just ridiculous. I like Bazunu but he has cost us this year gifting the ball in the penalty area. McCarthy should have been given a chance. Maybe that performance will boost them for Bournmouth and Forest. Sadly I suspect the weak squad will cost us in those games as well. Crucially that point puts us in contact with Forest and Everton.

Stop it

Last league win was 1987 (I was there epic) surely it's time for another one or are we going to do the full 40 years before turning them over again.

Utter garbage, no fight, no ideas,, no movement. They have given up. This has been coming for the last 3 years. Terrible transfer and loan decisions have left us with one if the worst Premier league teams for many years. Just need to accept it now. Buy in a decent manager and start rebuilding for next year.

I'm not sure Armstrong is even Championship standard anymore. I really like his effort and commitment, so want him to do well, but it feels like his confidence is shot. There are very few strikers who score in the Prem. Adams is an international and has scored a few. A promoted side will probably take a punt, as he will be cheap. Best thing for him is to stay. He'll definitely score in the Championship and then maybe he'll take that confidence into the Premier league.

Money will be the big issue. SR will need to sell some big assets and reduce the wage bill. We can pretty much guarantee JWP, KWP, Tella and Adams are sold. Out of contract players Walcott, Armstrong, Salisu, and Elyounoussi. Want out, return abroad players Bendarik, Diallo, Lyanco and Orsic. That leaves Bazunu McCarthy Bree Tino Stephens DCC ABK Simeu (possibly), Perraud Larios Alcaraz Sulemana Aribo, Lavia, Smallbone, Djenepo , Edozie Armstrong, Onuachu Mara, Ballard Not too bad à squad for the Championship. Needs a younger Romeu in midfield but should be good enough. The big plus is Tinos return, Lavia's contract situation (hard to sell without City's permission), and a returning in form Smallbone Whether we keep all of them remains to be seen, but have to make room for Doyle and Ballard, so may see some moved on. I've probably forgotten someone but if I have they need to do more 🤣

I reckon yesterday quite a few season ticket holders took advantage of the 'sell out' to return their seats for resale. I don't blame them. I had a family group in front of me. Dad's with young lads. Clearly there to see City, and why not. No trouble, they were pretty much neutral. The young lads were genuinely thrilled to see Harlaad's goal. Those are memories you keep for ever. They clearly enjoyed themselves and might come back. I felt the same as a 7 year old watching Charlton and Best. The true misery of being a Saints fan hadn't been imprinted on me by then. It will be 24k crowds next year soon enough.

I was in the away section today aka the Kingsland. Its never bothered me but it really is an incident waiting to happen. So many half and half scarves. As to the match, spirited first half from Saints but eventually outclassed. No surprise there. Pep put Grealish and Mahrez as wide as possible. Then pumped long passes to them. Eventually it was going to work because they didn't have the inconvenience of a defender to beat. I'm resigned to relegation, but I'd like to see some fight. Let's at least avoid finishing bottom. Major surgery needed next year, not just in the 1st team. Whatever the malaise in the club is, it needs rooting out. The players and fans are broken at the moment.

Absolute crap, we might be 4 points from safety but that may as well be 20 points. Just can't see any hope now.

Onuachu really isn't very good is he. Who in the club thought he was worth 20 million plus.

I can see it now half time subs Orsic, Diallo and Aribo

In fairness Elyounoussi is starting to put a shift in but DCC is a liability.

Comfortable with Mara starting, he has looked like he is getting up to Premier League pace recently. Should cause West Ham some problems. Elyounnoussi over Sulemana is a weird one, big risk from Selles. Bench looks good!

Agreed, despite the fact that I keep trying to persuade myself it will somehow come right, the cold hard reality will probably hit soon.

I suspect its personal for him. He was at the club when we were last relegated. Probably trying to avoid a repeat. Be considered a Jonah otherwise.

Have you seriously given up? If it is OK with you I won't just yet. I concede pretty nailed on we're going down, but a glimmer of hope remains.

Lose two centre halves and still manage to draw 3 3 . Good day at the office. Still in the fight .... just.