macca155

They were targetting Frazer and Edwards right from the start, and overwhelming the midfield. They had done their homework. Wood, THB, and Edwards were trying to plug the gaps by pushing forward. It worked for 20 minutes but City adapted, mistakes set in and they took advantage. They'll always be mistimed tackles and passes in football, City had a fair few themselves. Playing two in midfield just means there is less cover when needed. I should have gone to Aldershot to see the U21s. A better game,and saved myself the emotional trauma and expense.

I was thinking the same, as a business model, there is no way this is sustainable. However they've made some some big sales, so for a while the club is solvent, but what comes next. The squad is ridiculously big, how on earth is Still supposed to manage that many players.

That was terrible, what on earth was Still doing. Frazer was woeful, targeted by City and put under pressure. Mads should have had that slot. 1st half was ok but it was easy to see where the problems were. City are a decent outfit, give them a chance and and they score. Still was absolutely undone by a classic 4 4 2 formation. An impenetrable defence, overrun in midfield, and bullied by their units up front. The 2nd half was terrible, players out of position and then Downs was brought on. Robinson immediately caused them problems, but Fellows was once again playing with his back to the goal. Azaz, Downes, and Aribo cost millions. All three were needed tonight, but not used. Still won't be sacked .... yet. They'll try and tough it out and pray for a win. Otherwise the finger will point at their, not so clever, recruitment. Still has lost the away fans, lots of boos and rumblings tonight. That's never a good sign.

My first time at Ashton Gate and I can't say I'm overconfident. Having said that Bristol City will be wary of Saints. We're all pissed off and pessimistic, but the team is clearly a handful to play against. Better away from home it would seem. With a resilient defence starting to emerge a draw is likely, because we can't bloody score. Mads and Manning in I reckon. Charles looked knackered on Saturday so Downes may get a start. Bring it on, something has to click soon.

Oh this with knobs on, winds me up. If you want to crank up the atmosphere, try winning a home game.

I know people want Still's head already, but part of our problem is SRs appalling management appointments. We appear twice on this list of shame, and that doesn't include the hapless Seles. Another sacking isn't going to help. Swansea aren't shit, they have more points than Saints. That seems mainly by defending well, and grinding out draws. Felt like Still hadn't done his HW, and he failed to manage the game effectively. But let's not rewrite history, the 1st half was great. No complaints there. Pressure was building to overwhelm them in the 2nd half. Easy to complain from the stands but playing 5 defenders against a team camped in their own half was unnecessary. Leaving tired players on too long, and then playing the replacements too deep or too wide just gave Swansea respite, and allowed them to get narky and disrupt the last 10 minutes. The crowd sang 'fuck them up, get into them'. Perhaps Still should have listened.

Armstrong scores in this league but needs a strong player next to him to make room. That isn't Archer (he's Armstrong's back up). Without Stewart you look for possibilities in the squad. Aribo is an obvious solution, not brilliant but he would occupy a defender. Otherwise look for a an out of contract player like Patrick Bamford. Here's the nub though. Spors bought Downs and is clearly insisting that he is on the bench at least. Pride comes before a fall. Spors got some transfers right. Quarshie, Scienza, Jelert, Fellows, Jander. No disgrace in buying a dud, just own it, ship him out asap.

10 games and it is inevitable that our patience is already wearing thin. There was a fair bit that was good today, great build on that. However, there was also some poor game management in and off the pitch. No need to list the issues we can all see it. Nobody won or lost this league 10 games in. Had one of those chances been converted then we'd be having a very different conversation. The margins are very tight. Somehow that team needs to grind out a few wins. That will get some momentum going and things will look a bit more rosy. To do that he will have to drop his principles, with 3 CB. Replace Edwards with Downes and Swansea would have been in an Alamo situation.

What a frustrating match, so many missed chances. some good performances from Charles, Jander, Wood and pleasingly THB. Edwards was iffy in the 1st half but improved. Scienza had the Swansea defender on toast time and time again. Then is swaped to the other side. Plenty of chances created, it wasn't a bad performance, but desperate in front of goal. So slow and aimless in the 2nd half Ridiculous having Downs on the bench. Even in the warm up he looked lethargic and disinterested. Aribo could do that job.

One of the strikers from the U21s should be on the bench. Downs doesn't deserve that spot for the moment

I reckon Still sees it as a back 3 predominantly. Three new defenders to recent games let's hope they gel quickly.

Where did Wellington come from

It does feel like Still has started to settle on his preferred side. Looks like he has two enforced changes today. Archer for Stewart is pretty obvious, and there isn't exactly an alternative is there. Replacing Quarshie is more problematic. The best player is THB, and it is a good opportunity to get him back in the side. However his form has really dropped off, but there is a player there. I'm sure he'll be a permanent fixture next to Wood towards the end of the season. I guess we need a bit of patience, something that is understandably in short supply with Saints fans. Stephens has been playing in Quarshie's position, so if he is injury free it will probably be him. He has been reasonably ok so far this season, however I really don't like him next to Manning. I think that's a weakness other teams look to expose. I'm left wondering why on earth the club bought all these players. Azaz is going to struggle to make the bench, where on earth does Robinson fit into all this. Jelart can't get near the team and Aribo is tending to his garden. We've all been saying it for years but quality not quantity. Jander was a good buy, he has fitted straight into the team and has put immediate pressure on Charles and Downes. They have to maintain good performances to stay in the team, that's where competition is effective. The good thing is we have a little unbeaten run starting to develop, that will help build momentum. Secondly there are players grabbing places and keeping them. McCarthy, Wood, Charles, Jander, Armstrong, and maybe Fellows. This is where success comes from, we have been here before. A boring win today please, no drama

Not so sure Quarter final is probably the air fare. It's a bad precedent, when the WC eventually arrives back in Europe, they won't be reducing the prices.

Not sure where to put this, but my excitement at Scotland actually, possibly, reaching the world cup, has been tempered a bit by the ticket prices. Roger me sideways with a soggy marrow, anybody want a kidney.

6 games, 6 goals, continuing his scoring run from last season in the U21s. Meanwhile Saints spent millions on Downs. Bizarre decision, keeping Dom, was the far less riskier decision. Especially as he was running into form. Total conjecture as to whether he could bring that form into the Championship, but my gut tells me he will. Guess we'll see. Anyway good luck to him, Orient must be overjoyed.

Just appalling news, loved watching Lewis play, he was (and remains) an absolute monster of a player. The OP post says it all very well,and I'd echo those words. That was a tough watch this morning. Thoughts immediately go towards Dylan. How on earth is he processing this news. I'm sure the club will be looking after him as best they can. At some point I'm sure we'll have the opportunity to show our support. A MND charity collection will probably do quite well.

Yep had Everton on the rack and messed it up

Nobody wants to pile on, he's a young man who clearly isn't up to this level. Pointless moaning about it now. Just take him out of the limelight, and sort a loan in Jan. If Still selects him again then his own credibility will be shot. Archer was available, and for that matter Aribo can play that role at a stretch. Akachukwu is a an option, and maybe he is ready for the bench for the odd cameo. Serious questions need to be asked about his recruitment. They let Ballard go and buy Downs. The former is now scoring and assisting in League 1. His career is developing nicely. Downs's is in tatters.

Well it wasn't absolute rubbish I suppose, didn't lose, but from a decent looking side on Tuesday Still has messed about, and destroyed whatever cohesion we had. Bringing on Downs and not Archer was ridiculous. Playing Fellows on the wrong side, weird. Playing Frazer just upset our balance. Azaz doesn't appear to be allowed to play in a position he likes. Starting to have a few doubts about Still. I wonder if he is under pressure to play these signings. Aribo would have been a good option. What happened to Matsuki. No Robinson and no U21's considered worthy. Hard supporting Saints right now. Leicester and Coventry getting into their stride now, nasty little gap starting to appear.

Ballard scored again for Orient

Lost shape and attacking intent. Derby could take advantage of that if we aren't careful. No real identity under Still at the moment. I am starting to lean towards accepting a draw

I really want Downs to do well, but he is just no where near the standard of this league. He can't hold on to the ball, can't win a header, is easily dispossessed, and doesn't have any explosive pace. Playing him is madness at the moment

We need Fellows running at them, not fiddling around in midfield. Need Azaz on